Patents Examined by Joe E Mills, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11639797
    Abstract: An oven comprising a housing, a cook cavity located within the housing, wherein the housing includes an opening to the cook cavity and the cook cavity is configured to receive a food item through the opening, an oven door for covering the opening, a heating element configured to heat an air within the cook cavity, an active vent interconnecting the cook cavity and an outside of the housing, and a controller operatively coupled to the active vent and the heating element is disclosed. The controller is configured to perform the steps of (a) turning on the heating element to initiate a cooking cycle, (b) keeping the active vent closed during an initial stage of the cooking cycle, (c) after the initial stage of the cooking cycle, opening the active vent, and (d) keeping the active vent open during at least a portion of a remainder of the cooking cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: OVENTION, INC.
    Inventors: Philip R. McKee, Alex Wayne Johnson
  • Patent number: 11638331
    Abstract: The present technology is directed to multi-frequency controllers for inductive heating and associated systems and methods. The systems can be configured to precisely heat a module via a coil to a target temperature using oscillating, pulsed electrical signals associated with unique frequencies and/or capacitance values. Each unique frequency can correspond to heating the module to a particular depth, relative to an outer surface of the module. A first pulsed electrical signal having a first frequency can heat the module to a first depth, and a second pulsed electrical signal having a second frequency can heat the module to a second depth different than the first depth. The system can include a thermal sensor for measuring a temperature associated with at least one of the module or a fluid associated with the module. Based on the temperature, the system can adjust signal delivery parameters of the first and/or second electrical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: KONTAK LLC
    Inventors: Damien Wilson, David O'Connor
  • Patent number: 11632969
    Abstract: A coffee brewing system and method brew hot coffee at an elevated temperature by mixing coffee grounds with hot water, filtering the hot coffee to remove at least some of the coffee grounds from the hot coffee to form filtered hot coffee, and rapidly cooling the filtered hot coffee to reduce a temperature of the filtered hot coffee to form cooled coffee. The coffee optionally may be mixed with a gas, such as nitrogen, prior to serving the cooled coffee. The system and method can rapidly produce cold coffee in large amounts without diluting the coffee in water or ice, or waiting for the coffee to cool in a refrigerated environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: RONNOCO COFFEE, LLC
    Inventors: Dan Pabst, Dan Janson
  • Patent number: 11628515
    Abstract: A processing apparatus includes a chuck table for sucking and holding a workpiece and a camera unit imaging the workpiece. The chuck table includes a light passing portion that passes light. The light passing portion includes a first region that overlaps with the workpiece and has a first mirror face that reflects light that advances from the first region into the light passing portion. The camera unit can image the workpiece by detecting light reflected by the first mirror face after having been reflected by the workpiece held by the chuck table and advanced into the light passing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: DISCO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideyuki Sandoh
  • Patent number: 11612960
    Abstract: Laser additive manufacturing and a method for preparing thin-walled preforms by laser metal deposition and follow-up rolling. This can solve the problems that when the existing laser metal deposition technology prepares the thin-walled preforms, the limit width size of a molten pool at high power affects the forming wall thickness of the preforms so that it is difficult to prepare preforms with wall thickness less than 2 mm, and the problems of poor surface quality and low accuracy of preforms due to convex and concave peaks caused by the interlayer overlapping, but also can solve the problems that a laser beam with a preset trajectory cannot act on the end surfaces of the preforms due to preform deformation caused by residual stress in a printing process so that the preforms cannot be continuously formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: DALIAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Zhubin He, Jiangkai Liang, Wei Du, Xinyu Hu, Yi Xu
  • Patent number: 11606847
    Abstract: An apparatus for a self-baking electrode includes an electrode having at least three zones, a first zone containing uncarbonized carbon-containing composition, a second zone which adjoins the first zone and in which the carbon-containing composition is present in a paste-like or liquid form, a third zone which adjoins the second zone and in which the carbon-containing composition is present in carbonized form, and a cylindrical housing which encloses at least the first and second zones. A tube can be lifted and lowered in a vertical direction at least partly within the zones and an extendable holding element for taking up tensile forces runs partly within the tube and partly outside the tube where a first end of the holding element (101) can be detachably connected to a fastening element, a second end of the holding element enters the third zone and is anchored there.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Rheinfelden Carbon Products GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Becker, Stefan Bauer
  • Patent number: 11606846
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating device is provided, including: an induction heater configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate and including an induction coil and a heating element, the heating element being arrangeable within the induction coil, the induction coil including a first side opening along a longitudinal length of the induction coil, and the first side opening being configured to enable access to the heating element; and a housing, the induction coil being arranged within the housing, and the housing including a second side opening, which corresponds to the first side opening of the induction coil within the housing. A method for manufacturing the aerosol-generating device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Enrico Stura, Oleg Mironov, Tony Reevell
  • Patent number: 11596176
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for vaporizing liquid into the surrounding environment, including directing liquid from a liquid source through an inverse-opal wicking structure to a vaporization port where the vaporization port is formed by a through-hole in a structure connecting a first side of the structure to a second side, with all dimensions ranging from 10 um to 300 um, that is in fluid communication with the liquid source and the surrounding environment so that fluid is transported through the vaporization port between the first and the second side. The methods and apparatus includes plurality of heating elements that may be individually and/or selectively addressable by at least three electrode leads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Numerical Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl D. Meinhart, Brian Piorek, Nicholas B. Judy
  • Patent number: 11597256
    Abstract: A heating system for a vehicle is provided. In order to permit provision of efficient heating of a vehicle window pane of an electric vehicle, the system has two at least mainly transparent panes, wherein an outer pane is arranged on the outside of the vehicle and an inner pane is arranged on the inside of the outer pane to form an intermediate space, and at least one controllable infrared source is configured to irradiate infrared radiation into the intermediate space so that the infrared radiation at least partially irradiates the outer pane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Armin Litz
  • Patent number: 11598581
    Abstract: Systems and methods for fabrication of ceramics from celestial materials using microwave sintering and mechanical compression for space mining applications are disclosed. In one aspect, a chamber for sintering loose mineral material into solid ceramic shapes includes a plurality of zirconia insulting plates configured to clamp the mineral material and forming a cavity in which the mineral loose material is contained, and at least one dipole array configured to generate microwave energy and apply the microwave energy to the mineral material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Trans Astronautica Corporation
    Inventors: James G. Small, Joel C. Sercel
  • Patent number: 11596264
    Abstract: Radiant furniture made of a concrete mix includes one or more heating elements or hot water supplied hydronic tubing that provide comfortable radiant heat. Tabletops can be heated to a temperature that is comfortable for people seated at the table. Benches and seats can be heated to provide comfortable heated seating. Combinations can also be used together, such as a heated tabletop with heated seats. A controller senses the temperature of the furniture and the ambient temperature, then applies power to one or more heating elements in the furniture according to programmed temperature thresholds to provide comfortable radiant heat from the furniture. The controller includes a calibration mode that allows calibrating the controller to a particular heated surface. The controller further comprises a knob that determines an operating mode for the controller and allows adjusting a temperature threshold for the heated surface up or down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Inventor: David A. Gober
  • Patent number: 11596031
    Abstract: A system and method of heating a tool with electromagnetic radiation aims to harness the dialectic heating effect of radio waves on metallic nanoparticles to generate controllable, user-safe, highly variable heat with the use of a specific supporting structure. It is considered that the method may be applied to a variety of existing assemblies, such as a knife, a cooking pot, a jacket, and other embodiments. The system of the present invention provides at least one tool body, at least one suspension mechanism, and a plurality of photothermal particles. Furthermore, at least one portable electromagnetic (EM) wave generator is provided, wherein the portable EM wave generator either is integrated into the tool body, or is positioned adjacent to the tool body, wherein the portable EM wave generator includes a manual on/off switch. The overall process allows for controlled generation of heat within a variety of physical objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Inventor: Jonathan Ross Anson
  • Patent number: 11583008
    Abstract: Provided is a fine particle generating apparatus outputting usage information, and in particular, a fine particle generating apparatus that generates fine particles through electrical heating and outputs usage information thereof to a user. Also, provided is a fine particle generating apparatus that generates fine particles by determining whether a puff has occurred according to a temperature variation amount per unit time. Also, provided is a fine particle generating apparatus or an aerosol generating apparatus capable of changing puff conditions by controlling a heater. Also, provided is a fine particle generating apparatus that generates fine particles through electrical heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: KT&G CORPORATION
    Inventors: Choong Sheek Hong, Seung Kiu Jeong, Jung Ho Han, Jong Sub Lee, Hun Il Lim
  • Patent number: 11584194
    Abstract: An electrode carrier of a vehicle heating device applying a CNT composite material includes a first electrode part and a second electrode part having different polarities from each other and formed in a straight line along a length direction of a vehicle; a fixing member configured to fix the first electrode part and the second electrode part to the vehicle; and the CNT composite material formed between the first electrode part and the second electrode part, configured to generate heat when being electrified, and fixed to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, DUCK YANG INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae-Seung Lee, Kwang-Seub Kim
  • Patent number: 11585570
    Abstract: Water heater with generator comprises a self-heating tankless water system comprising a length of tubing having a plurality of electrical heating cables secured about the piping. As cold water enters the system the flow of the water is diverted through an electrical generator which provides the electricity to heat the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Inventor: Jesse L. Galloway
  • Patent number: 11589425
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an aerosol delivery device and a cartridge for an aerosol delivery device. In various implementations, the cartridge may comprise a housing defining a liquid reservoir, an atomizer configured to produce an aerosol, the atomizer comprising a first liquid transport element, a second liquid transport element, and a microvalve located between the liquid reservoir and the second liquid transport element. The microvalve may comprise a base member including at least one channel, and an actuating member at least a portion of which comprises a shape-memory material, and which is configured to move between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the actuating member substantially blocks fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the channel, and in the second position, the actuating member allows fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the channel and to the second liquid transport element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Vahid Hejazi, Stephen B. Sears, Eric T. Hunt, Karen V. Taluskie
  • Patent number: 11571950
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heating device for use in vehicles, particularly to a device for heating a fluid, for example air, water, or liquid coolant. The device is particularly designed for vehicles the main propulsion system of which is not a combustion engine and which therefore lack residual heat from the engine. The present invention is characterized by the use of a chassis with a planar configuration and an inner chamber in fluid communication with an inlet port and an outlet port and a heating plate. The chassis comprises at least one window and the heating plate has a heating region closing the window of the chassis for heating the fluid housed in the inner chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Inventors: Xoan Xosé Hermida Domínguez, José Antonio Sanromán Prado, Alejandro Vargas Curto, Matías Baleato Peón, José Miguel Sánchez Lobato
  • Patent number: 11565364
    Abstract: A polishing device for a welding tip includes a cylindrical holder; and a polishing unit. The polishing unit includes a blade configured to polish a welding tip. The blade polishes the welding tip due to rotation of the polishing unit. The holder includes a groove extending along an entire inner circumference of the holder. The groove includes axial groove portions each of which extends along an axis of the holder, and inclined groove portions each of which extends for a specified first distance and is inclined in one direction with respect to the axial groove portions. The axial groove portions and the inclined groove portions are alternately arranged. The polishing unit includes projected portions each of which extends to an inside of the groove, and the number of the projected portions is two or more and is equal to or less than the number of the axial groove portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Iwano, Ryo Kanakubo, Shougo Sanda
  • Patent number: 11565738
    Abstract: A heating and capacitive sensing device for a steering wheel of a motor vehicle. The device includes a support made from an electrically insulating flexible material to which at least an electrically conductive first track and at least an electrically conductive second track are fixed. An electronic control unit including a capacitance reading module is electrically connected to the at least one second track. The electronic control unit is configured to control the at least one first track and at least one second track, so that the at least one first track is suited to generate heat for heating the steering wheel, and at least one second track is configured to operate as a capacitive sensor means by sending capacitance values to the electronic control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: I.R.C.A. S.P.A. INDUSTRIA RESISTENZE CORAZZATE E AFFINI
    Inventors: Federico Zoppas, Mauro Berioli, Roberto Oboe, Michele Peterle, Paolo Magnone
  • Patent number: 11565315
    Abstract: Systems and methods for simulating a melt pool characteristic for selective laser melting additive manufacturing. The system includes a selective laser melting apparatus and an electronic controller configured to obtain a surface geometry of a previous layer of a component being manufactured using the selective laser melting apparatus, simulate an addition of a powder layer having a desired powder layer thickness to the component based upon the surface geometry of the previous layer, determine a melt pool characteristic based upon geometric information of the simulated powder layer and the desired powder layer thickness, determine an adjustment to the simulated powder layer based upon the melt pool characteristic, and actuate the selective laser melting apparatus based upon the simulated powder layer and the determined adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Bo Cheng, Charles Tuffile