Patents by Inventor Christopher Gregory Hoppe

Christopher Gregory Hoppe 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).

  • Publication number: 20130313385
    Abstract: A leveling assembly for an appliance is provided. The leveling assembly includes a clench nut mounted to the appliance and a jam nut. The clench nut and the jam nut each have a knurled surface. A leveling leg is threaded through the clench nut and the jam nut such that the knurled surfaces of the clench nut and jam nut are facing. The knurled surfaces of the clench nut and jam nut can engage one another to lock the leveling leg in position by impeding rotation of the leveling leg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Adam Raymond Mora, Christopher Gregory Hoppe
  • Patent number: 8056374
    Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering a first additive to an appliance are disclosed. The systems include a first storage container located in a pedestal, a first pump operatively connected to the first storage container and the appliance. A controller is configured to activate the first pump upon receiving an input. The first pump configured to deliver the first additive from the first storage container to the appliance. The methods include receiving a first input. The first input specifying an amount of the first additive to be delivered to the appliance. The first additive is delivered by activating a first pump in response to receiving the first input. Activating the first pump causes the first additive to be delivered to the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Christopher Gregory Hoppe
  • Patent number: 7765837
    Abstract: A washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub mounted within the cabinet, and a basket rotationally mounted within the tub for relative rotation therewith. A suspension assembly supports the tub within the cabinet. A variable speed motor is included for rotating the basket about a rotation axis, and an inverter is operatively coupled to the motor. A controller is operatively coupled to the inverter and the motor and is configured to control the motor based on a drag torque on the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Gregory Hoppe, Larry Lee Hawkins, Derek Lee Watkins, Mark Aaron Weaver, Michael Francis Finch, Stephen Bernard Froelicher, Benton Bartley Oukrop
  • Patent number: 7621158
    Abstract: A coupling apparatus includes an inner shaft rotatably driven about a longitudinal axis of rotation, an outer shaft concentric with the inner shaft for selective rotation about the longitudinal axis, a coupling element movable between a first position engaging the inner shaft to the outer shaft for rotation therewith, and a second position disengaging the inner shaft from the outer shaft for relative rotation therebetween, and an actuating element connected to the coupling element and operable to move the coupling element between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jon Arthur Roepke, Joshua Paul Kopecky, Derek Lee Watkins, Mark Aaron Weaver, Christopher Gregory Hoppe, Bertram Joseph Stocker, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090095331
    Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering a first additive to an appliance are disclosed. The systems include a first storage container located in a pedestal, a first pump operatively connected to the first storage container and the appliance. A controller is configured to activate the first pump upon receiving an input. The first pump configured to deliver the first additive from the first storage container to the appliance. The methods include receiving a first input. The first input specifying an amount of the first additive to be delivered to the appliance. The first additive is delivered by activating a first pump in response to receiving the first input. Activating the first pump causes the first additive to be delivered to the appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventor: Christopher Gregory Hoppe
  • Patent number: 7481080
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a washing machine includes a tub having a bottom wall with a cavity therein, a basket rotatably mounted within the tub and rotatable around a vertical axis, and a multi speed drive system coupled to the basket. The drive system is configured to rotate the basket at a plurality of speeds. The washing machine also includes a brake system coupled to the basket. The brake system is configured to brake the rotation of the basket. The washing machine further includes at least one resistive heater element mounted in the cavity of the tub; and an inverter coupled to the drive system, the brake system, and the at least one resistive heater element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Christopher Gregory Hoppe
  • Patent number: 7434424
    Abstract: A controller for a washing machine including an agitation element operable at a plurality of speeds during an agitation phase of a wash cycle is provided. The controller comprises a microcomputer configured to adjust an actuation of the agitation element in response to at least one input, said at least one input indicative of a characteristic of a laundry load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William Henry Lueckenbach, Christopher Gregory Hoppe
  • Patent number: 7017217
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for operating a washing machine in a rinse cycle is provided for a washing machine including a rotatable basket and a fresh water spraying device. The method comprises rotating the basket at a first rate of rotation, spraying water into the basket while the basket is rotating at the first rate, and rotating the basket at a second rate of rotation, the second rate of rotation greater than the first rate of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brian Johanski, Christopher Gregory Hoppe, Mark Aaron Weaver
  • Publication number: 20050278869
    Abstract: A coupling apparatus includes an inner shaft rotatably driven about a longitudinal axis of rotation, an outer shaft concentric with the inner shaft for selective rotation about the longitudinal axis, a coupling element movable between a first position engaging the inner shaft to the outer shaft for rotation therewith, and a second position disengaging the inner shaft from the outer shaft for relative rotation therebetween, and an actuating element connected to the coupling element and operable to move the coupling element between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventors: Jon Arthur Roepke, Joshua Paul Kopecky, Derek Lee Watkins, Mark Aaron Weaver, Christopher Gregory Hoppe, Bertram Joseph Stocker
  • Publication number: 20040060123
    Abstract: A controller for a washing machine including an agitation element operable at a plurality of speeds during an agitation phase of a wash cycle is provided. The controller comprises a microcomputer configured to adjust an actuation of the agitation element in response to at least one input, said at least one input indicative of a characteristic of a laundry load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: William Henry Lueckenbach, Christopher Gregory Hoppe
  • Publication number: 20040010860
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for operating a washing machine in a rinse cycle is provided for a washing machine including a rotatable basket and a fresh water spraying device. The method comprises rotating the basket at a first rate of rotation, spraying water into the basket while the basket is rotating at the first rate, and rotating the basket at a second rate of rotation, the second rate of rotation greater than the first rate of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Applicant: General Electic Company
    Inventors: Brian Johanski, Christopher Gregory Hoppe, Mark Aaron Weaver