Patents Examined by Steven W Crabb
  • Patent number: 12290332
    Abstract: A heating system for providing heat to a draped basin containing liquid above the drape. In addition to having at least one temperature sensor that controls a flow of electricity to the heating element, the system has at least one air gap detector in thermal contact with the heating element. Each air gap detector responding to a temperature above a high setpoint temperature for that air gap detector by interrupting the flow of electricity until detecting that the temperature has fallen below a reset setpoint temperature for that air gap detector so that an air gap in proximity to the one of the air gap detectors is prevented from causing a severe temperature excursion in a portion of the draped basin. Thus, the drape is protected from a local temperature excursion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: WEG Surgical Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Joseph Rackers, Thomas J. Wanbaugh, Paul Grozier
  • Patent number: 12290982
    Abstract: Method for operating at least one apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects (2) by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a powdered build material (3) which can be consolidated by means of an energy beam (4), whereby waste thermal energy (WTE) is generated during operation of the at least one apparatus (1), characterized in that the waste thermal energy (WTE) is at least partly used for generating electrical or mechanical energy (EE, ME) by means of at least one energy converting device (15) and/or the waste thermal energy (WTE) is at least partly used for operating at least one thermal energy consuming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: Concept Laser GmbH
    Inventor: Tim Döhler
  • Patent number: 12290888
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing short arc welding-type power is disclosed. The system includes a power supply, a wire feeder, and a controller. The output current is decreased at dive rate when the arc forms. The dive rate is maintained until the currents drops to a threshold, preferably a function of the peak short current in that cycle. Then the current is held steady for a length of time that is a percentage of the short time for that cycle. Then the current is decreased at the normal rate until the short reforms, and the current begins increasing at the normal rate. The holding steady portion can be omitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Craig S. Knoener, Jake B. Zwayer, Zackary W. MacMullen
  • Patent number: 12290887
    Abstract: An example welding wire feeder includes: a push motor configured to feed welding wire from a wire source; a first sensor configured to provide push motor velocity feedback; and control circuitry configured to control the push motor and a pull motor of a welding torch coupled to the welding wire feeder by: controlling a push motor velocity of the push motor and a pull motor velocity of the pull motor based on a target wire feed speed; and compensating each of the push motor velocity of the push motor and the pull motor velocity of the pull motor based on the push motor velocity feedback and based on pull motor velocity feedback, wherein the push motor velocity and the pull motor velocity are based on a target wire tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Marc S. Petit, Todd G. Batzler, Charles J. Romenesko
  • Patent number: 12290874
    Abstract: A laser annealing device includes a laser generator, a beam splitter, a ?/2 phase difference member, a first reflective member, and a second reflective member. The laser generator emits a laser beam. The beam splitter splits the laser beam into a first reflective light and a transmissive light. The ?/2 phase difference member changes a polarization component of the transmissive light. The first reflective member reflects the transmissive light having the changed polarization component. The second reflective member reflects the transmissive light having the changed polarization component in a way such that the transmissive light having the changed polarization component which is reflected from the first reflective member is incident to the beam splitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong Eon Lim, Sung Yong Kang, Youngsik Kim, Jisoo Kim, Hyunjin Kim
  • Patent number: 12290832
    Abstract: A roller with a roller attachment adapted to be releasably engaged or attached to the output tube of a heat gun and to direct that hot air output toward the sheet material at a point where it is being applied ahead of the roller, and a method of applying a sheet material by comprising smoothing the sheet material against a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Calman, Kathryn S. Calman
  • Patent number: 12289819
    Abstract: A microwave hood system is provided. The microwave hood system includes a microwave oven enclosure defining a cooking cavity therein. A cooking component is positioned within the cooking cavity and configured to emit microwaves. The heating system defines a heating cavity therein, wherein the heating system is coupled to the microwave oven enclosure. A heating element is positioned in the heating cavity. The heating cavity reaches a temperature in a range from about 40° C. to about 80° C. when the heating element is in use. A broiler element is positioned within the heating cavity. The heating cavity reaches a temperature in a range from about hundred and 150° C. to about 300° C. when the broiler element is in use. A dual hood system is also coupled to the microwave hood system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Owen (XunCai) Zhang, Michael A. Ledford, Stephen Zheng, Xiangxu Liu
  • Patent number: 12285131
    Abstract: Drainage connector unit and assembly for the drainage of liquid waste of beverage dispensing devices A dispensing and drainage assembly (1) and a drainage connector unit (13) for drainage of liquid waste of beverage dispensing devices. The assembly (1) comprises a beverage dispensing device (3) with a leak receptacle (5), a drain container (17), and the drain connector unit (13). The drain connector unit (13) comprises a housing (23) for cooperating with an opening to the drain container (17) for collecting liquid waste from a dispensing device. Additionally the drain connector unit (13) comprises a drain channel (15). The drain channel (15) extends through the housing (23) for guiding liquid waste there through from a leak receptacle (5) of the dispensing device (3), to the drain container (17). The drain connector unit (13) further also comprises at least a first aroma barrier (29) interposed between a first opening (25) and a second opening (27) in the housing (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE DOUWE EGBERTS B.V.
    Inventors: Nicolaas Wilhelmus Zandvliet, Koen Standaar, Hendrik Johan Dees
  • Patent number: 12285123
    Abstract: The plate with integrated heating system is a crockery item. The plate with integrated heating system is adapted for use with a foodstuff. The plate with integrated heating system serves the foodstuff for consumption. The plate with integrated heating system is an electrically powered device. The plate with integrated heating system heats the foodstuff that is served on the plate with integrated heating system. The plate with integrated heating system comprises a plate, a pedestal, and a control circuit. The plate mounts on the pedestal. The control circuit is divided between the plate and the control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Inventor: Larry Jackson
  • Patent number: 12287098
    Abstract: A modular cooking apparatus is disclosed. The modular cooking apparatus includes a housing for containing a first and second interchangeable cooking modules. The first interchangeable cooking module contains a first oven, and the second interchangeable cooking module contains a second oven. A grease shield is located within the first oven. The second oven is different from the first oven. The modular cooking apparatus also includes a control panel for receiving cooking inputs, a controller for controlling the first and second interchangeable cooking modules, and a single power plug for receiving electrical power from a wall outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: Automation Tech, LLC
    Inventors: Philip R. McKee, Lee T. Vanlanen
  • Patent number: 12283498
    Abstract: A light diffusion plate is placed on an upper surface of an upper chamber window. A blasting process is applied to a lower surface of the light diffusion plate to provide the lower surface in the form of frosted glass. When the light diffusion plate is placed on the upper surface of the upper chamber window, the light diffusion plate and the upper chamber window do not closely adhere to each other. The frosted glass releases a mass of air entering between contact surfaces of the light diffusion plate and the upper chamber window to the outside even if the mass of air thermally expands during heat treatment. This restrains the occurrence of a phenomenon in which a thin layer of air is trapped between the light diffusion plate and the upper chamber window to prevent the sliding of the light diffusion plate resulting from the air layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akitsugu Ueda, Hiroshi Miyake, Kazuhiko Fuse, Hideaki Tanimura
  • Patent number: 12280444
    Abstract: A laser ablation system, and method, facilitates the execution of user-defined scans (i.e., in which a laser beam is scanned across a sample along a beam trajectory to ablate or dissociate a portion of the sample) and enables the user define additional scans while a scan is being executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: Elemental Scientific Lasers, LLC
    Inventors: Ciaran J. O'Connor, Erik B. Larsen, Leif C. Summerfield
  • Patent number: 12283451
    Abstract: A method includes: receiving a first signal from a first sensor at a first filter and preventing passage of a first portion of the first signal via the first filter. The first portion of the first signal is at a first RF. A second portion of the first signal is indicative of a first temperature of a first electrode in a plasma chamber. The method further includes: outputting a second signal from the first filter; receiving the second signal at a second filter; and preventing passage of a portion of the second signal via the second filter. The portion of the second signal is at a second RF. The second RF is less than the first RF. The first filter and the second filter are implemented on a printed circuit board. The method further includes adjusting a temperature of the first electrode based on an output of the second filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Vince Burkhart, Christopher Ramsayer, Mohan Thilagaraj
  • Patent number: 12275084
    Abstract: A laser processing head for a laser beam uses actuators engaged with a delivery fiber end to deflect the fiber end relative to an optical axis. The laser beam from the fiber end is collimated by a collimator and is then focused by a focusing lens disposed in the head beyond the collimator to a focal point. The focal point of the laser beam is deflected from the optical axis in relation to the deflection of the fiber end. The fiber end and the actuators are housed in a sealed module. Deflection of the laser beam can be sensed by reflecting portion of the laser beam to a sensing element so a control system can monitor and control the fiber end's movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: II-VI DELAWARE, INC.
    Inventors: Axel Heinrici, Paul Sonntag, Patrick Kühl, Rutger Wevers, Matthias Waschicek
  • Patent number: 12268322
    Abstract: An espresso machine can include a pump, preheating component, low volume boiler, and group head. The pump can provide pressurized water to the preheating component, which can preheat the pressurized water to a first temperature and deliver the preheated water. The low volume boiler can have a heating arrangement, water inlet, internal volume, and water outlet, and can receive the preheated water, heat the preheated water to a second temperature that is equal to or greater than the first temperature, and deliver a portion of the heated water. The group head can couple with a portafilter having espresso grounds therein, receive the portion of heated water from the low volume boiler, and force the portion of heated water through the espresso grounds in the portafilter. The portion of heated water can remain substantially at or within about 1° C. of the second temperature as it exits the group head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: Fellow Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas Terzulli
  • Patent number: 12268223
    Abstract: A system, method, or apparatus for controlling the ignition of a volatile organic compound cloud. The system can include a laser source configured to emit one or more laser beams, one or more fume cells, and a conveyor carrying one or more confectionery products. The system is configured to etch the one or more confectionery products using the one or more laser beams. The etching creates a volatile organic compound cloud above the one or more confectionery products. The system is also configured to control one or more factors of the system, where the one or more factors include at least one of laser power, laser wavelength, geometry of laser beam, etch geometry, or fume extraction air flow. The system is further configured to ignite the volatile organic compound cloud based on the controlled one or more factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: Peter Thomas Kashulines, Alex A. Hanna, Rich A. Dipaolo, Ron Steinhart, Elias Taye
  • Patent number: 12268328
    Abstract: A continuous-flow electromagnetic-induction fluid heater in a beverage vending machine. The continuous-flow electromagnetic-induction fluid heater comprises a tubular body internally defining at least one channel and including at least one inlet opening and one outlet opening; a heating element; and an electric winding wound directly in contact around an external surface of the tubular body and which can be electrically powered to generate an electromagnetic induction field and heat, in this manner, the heating element by the effect of the electromagnetic induction field. The continuous-flow electromagnetic-induction fluid heater further comprises an upstream fluid baffle, housed within the channel in a position fluidically downstream of the inlet opening and fluidically upstream of the heating element, and is shaped so as to reduce the hydrodynamic drag on said fluid between the inlet opening and the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: RHEAVENDORS SERVICES S.P.A.
    Inventor: Fabio Bruzzese
  • Patent number: 12269115
    Abstract: A laser processing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment includes: a light source generating a laser beam; and a light converging unit converging the laser beam to a focal point on an object to be processed, wherein the light converging unit includes a first optical element including a through hole penetrating the first optical element; a second optical element including a first region reflecting the laser beam and a second region transmitting the laser beam; and a third optical element including a focusing lens as a convex lens, a lower surface of the first optical element is a concave mirror, and an upper surface of the second optical element is convex and a lower surface thereof is concave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akifumi Sangu, Hyoung-Joo Kim, Alexander Voronov, Eun Sun Choi, Gyoo Wan Han
  • Patent number: 12262840
    Abstract: A diffuser assembly for diffusing fluid in a brewed beverage system is provided. The diffuser assembly includes a diffuser housing having an inlet port configured to receive fluid from a fluid supply, a channel in fluid communication with the inlet port, and a cavity in fluid communication with the channel. The diffuser housing further includes multiple elongate openings formed in an inner surface of the diffuser housing for allowing fluid within the cavity to flow there through. The diffuser housing also includes multiple ridges projecting from the inner surface of the diffuser housing and positioned to distribute the fluid evenly across the inner surface prior to outputting the fluid via the plurality of elongate openings. The diffuser assembly can further include a cover removably coupled to the diffuser housing. Related systems and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: David Conor Dykeman, Eamon Joseph Mccarthy, Scott John Shaw
  • Patent number: 12263301
    Abstract: A control body is coupleable with a cartridge to form an aerosol delivery device, with the cartridge being equipped with an electrical load. The control body includes first and second positive conductors connectable with respectively a power supply and the electrical load. The control body includes a series pull-up resistor and switch connected to and between the first and second positive conductors. A microprocessor is configured to operate the switch in a closed state in a standby mode in which the pull-up resistor causes a logical high level of voltage at the second positive conductor when the control body and cartridge are uncoupled, and in which the electrical load is unpowered causes a logical low level of the voltage when the control body and cartridge are coupled. The microprocessor is configured to measure the voltage and control operation of functional element(s) of the aerosol delivery device based thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Frisbee, Paul Stapleton, Milton G. Carawan, Frederic Philippe Ampolini