Patents by Inventor Brian P. Lenhart

Brian P. Lenhart 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: 7420140
    Abstract: A control system for an oven includes a first and a second temperature sensor, and a controller. The oven has a first cavity and a second cavity and includes, a first electrical heating element positioned within the first oven cavity, and a second electrical heating element positioned within the second oven cavity. The first temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature within the first oven cavity, and the second temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature within the second oven cavity. The controller is operatively coupled to the temperature sensors and the heating elements. The controller is configured to receive signals from the sensors and energize both the first and second heating elements by allowing energy to be supplied to only one of the first and second heating elements at a given time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brian P. Lenhart, Jr., Philip A. Barber, Gregory M. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20080011736
    Abstract: A control system for an oven includes a first and a second temperature sensor, and a controller. The oven has a first cavity and a second cavity and includes, a first electrical heating element positioned within the first oven cavity, and a second electrical heating element positioned within the second oven cavity. The first temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature within the first oven cavity, and the second temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature within the second oven cavity. The controller is operatively coupled to the temperature sensors and the heating elements. The controller is configured to receive signals from the sensors and energize both the first and second heating elements by allowing energy to be supplied to only one of the first and second heating elements at a given time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventors: Brian P. Lenhart, Philip A. Barber, Gregory M. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6750433
    Abstract: A user interface for an oven including at least one heating element is described. The interface includes a reconfigurable display for indicating a plurality of oven control options and a plurality of selectors adjacent said display for user selection of said options. Each of said selectors correspond to one of said options indicated in said display, and a processor is configured to operate said display in response to manipulation of said plurality of selectors with selection specific menus and to control the heating element according to inputs obtained through said selection specific menus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kevin Andrew Guenther, Tanveer Iqbal, Cecilia Maria Blanchard, Brian P. Lenhart, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20030098888
    Abstract: A user interface for an oven including at least one heating element is described. The interface includes a reconfigurable display for indicating a plurality of oven control options and a plurality of selectors adjacent said display for user selection of said options. Each of said selectors correspond to one of said options indicated in said display, and a processor is configured to operate said display in response to manipulation of said plurality of selectors with selection specific menus and to control the heating element according to inputs obtained through said selection specific menus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Kevin Andrew Guenther, Tanveer Iqbal, Cecilia Maria Blanchard, Brian P. Lenhart
  • Patent number: 6337468
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling operation of an oven by differentiating between normal temperature cycling and an abnormal event in which the temperature drifts substantially below the lower band limit are described. Such differentiation enables use of differentiated modes to bring the oven temperature back to within a tolerance band or range. Particularly, and in connection with an oven including a microcomputer, a relatively low heat rate mode is used to maintain the oven temperature within the tolerance band or range, and a relatively high heat rate mode is utilized to return the oven temperature back to within the tolerance band or range quickly if the temperature drops below a lower set limit indicative of the occurrence of a drift event. The microcomputer is programmed so that after completion of preheating, the oven temperature is controlled by the user set temperature and offsets. Power cycling of the bake and broil heaters is controlled according to timing defined by prestored parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Timothy Worthington, Steven J. Gray, Douglas A. Able, Brian P. Lenhart, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5073767
    Abstract: A selective call receiver allows reprogramming of the options stored within a code plug only after entry of a correct password. After a predetermined number of unsuccessful attempts to enter a correct password, the selective call receiver is user disabled such that the user may not reenable the selective call receiver without returning the receiver to the manufacturer or without replacing expensive components thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Holmes, Rick Johnson, Brian P. Lenhart, Jr.