Patents by Inventor Brian J. Beuligman

Brian J. Beuligman 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).

  • Ice maker
    Patent number: 9976786
    Abstract: A stand alone ice making appliance or an ice maker within an appliance is provided including a water inlet, a water inlet valve disposed within the water inlet configured to allow water passage when in an open position and configured to prevent water passage when in a closed position, a reservoir in fluid communication with the water inlet, a water level sensor disposed in the reservoir, and a control unit in electrical communication with the water level sensor and the water inlet valve. The control unit is configured to calculate a fluid flow rate using the time between the water inlet valve opening and the water level sensor communicating when a first predetermined water level has been reached within the reservoir, and use the calculated flow rate to calculate a total water inlet valve open time to fill the reservoir to a second predetermined water level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Brian J. Beuligman, Scott Daniel Boyd, Trevor Hawkins, Steven L. Proctor, Chad J. Rotter, William C. Montgomery
  • Ice Maker
    Publication number: 20160069601
    Abstract: A stand alone ice making appliance or an ice maker within an appliance is provided including a water inlet, a water inlet valve disposed within the water inlet configured to allow water passage when in an open position and configured to prevent water passage when in a closed position, a reservoir in fluid communication with the water inlet, a water level sensor disposed in the reservoir, and a control unit in electrical communication with the water level sensor and the water inlet valve. The control unit is configured to calculate a fluid flow rate using the time between the water inlet valve opening and the water level sensor communicating when a first predetermined water level has been reached within the reservoir, and use the calculated flow rate to calculate a total water inlet valve open time to fill the reservoir to a second predetermined water level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Brian J. Beuligman, Scott Daniel Boyd, Trevor Hawkins, Steven L. Proctor, Chad J. Rotter, William C. Montgomery
  • Ice maker
    Patent number: 9200824
    Abstract: A stand alone ice making appliance or an ice maker within an appliance is provided including a water inlet, a water inlet valve disposed within the water inlet configured to allow water passage when in an open position and configured to prevent water passage when in a closed position, a reservoir in fluid communication with the water inlet, a water level sensor disposed in the reservoir, and a control unit in electrical communication with the water level sensor and the water inlet valve. The control unit is configured to calculate a fluid flow rate using the time between the water inlet valve opening and the water level sensor communicating when a first predetermined water level has been reached within the reservoir, and use the calculated flow rate to calculate a total water inlet valve open time to fill the reservoir to a second predetermined water level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Brian J. Beuligman, Scott Daniel Boyd, Trevor Hawkins, Steven L. Proctor, Chad J. Rotter, William C. Montgomery