Patents by Inventor Alan G. Outcalt

Alan G. Outcalt has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5760493
    Abstract: The invention is a dishwasher and a control therefore in which the control comprises multiple parallel loads, including a motor. The motor and the other loads are connected to one side of a power source by a motor relay, which is controlled by a processor. All the loads, except the motor, are connected to the other side of a power source by semiconductor switches with each load having a corresponding switch. The motor has an unswitched connection to the other side of the power source. The power to all the loads, including the motor, is controlled by the motor relay. If one of the switches fails in such a way that the circuit for one of the loads is closed, then the load will be shut off when the motor relay is opened to shut off power to the motor. Thus, it is possible to prevent the failed load circuit from operating during the entire wash cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Alan G. Outcalt, David W. Mundy, Robert H. Ashton, Ryan K. Roth, Theodore F. Meyers