Patents by Inventor Andrew M. Drees

Andrew M. Drees 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).

  • APPLIANCE WATER FILTER SYSTEM HAVING MEMORY AND AUTHENTICATION FUNCTIONALITY
    Publication number: 20190381431
    Abstract: A water filter system for an appliance includes a filter head assembly, a first appliance control unit positioned proximate the filter head assembly and a water filter having a memory storage unit. The water filter is selectively placed in communication with the first appliance control unit to define a filter use state. The filter use state is further defined by a first potential fluid-flow rate through the water filter and a predetermined lifetime fluid filtration amount. A data transfer mechanism defines a second data-transfer protocol between the memory storage unit and the first appliance control unit when an actual fluid filtration amount of the water filter reaches the predetermined lifetime fluid filtration amount. The second data transfer protocol defines a notification state defined by a second potential fluid flow rate, the second potential fluid flow rate being less than the first potential fluid flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Melissa M. Bippus, Andrew M. Drees, Wyndham F. Gary, JR., Steven J. Kuehl, Brent A. Rowland
  • Appliance water filter system having memory and authentication functionality
    Patent number: 10406461
    Abstract: A water filter system for an appliance includes a filter head assembly, a first appliance control unit positioned proximate the filter head assembly and a water filter having a memory storage unit. The water filter is selectively placed in communication with the first appliance control unit to define a filter use state. The filter use state is further defined by a first potential fluid-flow rate through the water filter and a predetermined lifetime fluid filtration amount. A data transfer mechanism defines a second data-transfer protocol between the memory storage unit and the first appliance control unit when an actual fluid filtration amount of the water filter reaches the predetermined lifetime fluid filtration amount. The second data transfer protocol defines a notification state defined by a second potential fluid flow rate, the second potential fluid flow rate being less than the first potential fluid flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Melissa M. Bippus, Andrew M. Drees, Wyndham F. Gary, Jr., Steven J. Kuehl, Brent A. Rowland
  • APPLIANCE WATER FILTER SYSTEM HAVING MEMORY AND AUTHENTICATION FUNCTIONALITY
    Publication number: 20170050130
    Abstract: A water filter system for an appliance includes a filter head assembly, a first appliance control unit positioned proximate the filter head assembly and a water filter having a memory storage unit. The water filter is selectively placed in communication with the first appliance control unit to define a filter use state. The filter use state is further defined by a first potential fluid-flow rate through the water filter and a predetermined lifetime fluid filtration amount. A data transfer mechanism defines a second data-transfer protocol between the memory storage unit and the first appliance control unit when an actual fluid filtration amount of the water filter reaches the predetermined lifetime fluid filtration amount. The second data transfer protocol defines a notification state defined by a second potential fluid flow rate, the second potential fluid flow rate being less than the first potential fluid flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Melissa M. Bippus, Andrew M. Drees, Wyndham F. Gary, Steven J. Kuehl, Brent A. Rowland