Patents by Inventor Dale A. Beard

Dale A. Beard 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: 6613236
    Abstract: A low cost method and apparatus for indicating when to replace a water filter in a water and ice delivery system for a refrigerator. The invention uses a low cost microprocessor and senses the operational condition of an ice maker water valve, a water dispenser valve to monitor and track water usage. The microprocessor has a built-in memory to retain water usage and other data during a power outage. The invention also senses the status of a door switch to permit user input of a reset message indicating that the filter has been changed as well as an input indicating a different type of filter has been installed. The microprocessor controls a tri-color light emitting diode to display the status of the filter as “good”, “order” or “change” which is determined based on the selection of the type of filter system, the amount of time since the last filter change, and the amount of water usage since the last filter change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald W. Guess, Dale A. Beard, Patrick J. Glotzbach, Keith A. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20020189983
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining when a replaceable filter for a refrigerator needs replacing based on the volume of water passing through the water filter as determined by the product of the time that water has passed through the filter and the flow rate of an accessory being supplied the filtered water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Ronald W. Guess, Dale A. Beard, Patrick J. Glotzbach, Keith A. Snyder
  • Patent number: 6375834
    Abstract: A low cost method and apparatus for indicating when to replace a water filter in a water and ice delivery system for a refrigerator. The invention uses a low cost microprocessor and senses the operational condition of an ice maker water valve, a water dispenser valve to monitor and track water usage. The microprocessor has a built-in memory to retain water usage and other data during a power outage, The invention also senses the status of a door switch to permit user input of a reset message indicating that the filter has been changed as well as an input indicating a different type of filter has been installed. The microprocessor controls a tri-color light emitting diode to display the status of the filter as “good”, “order” or “change” which is determined based on the selection of the type of filter system, the amount of time since the last filter change, and the amount of water usage since the last filter change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald W. Guess, Dale A. Beard, Patrick J. Gotzbach, Keith A. Snyder
  • Patent number: 4341155
    Abstract: This invention relates to a printing apparatus and more particularly relates to a printer which permits rapid preparation of the label legend and quick printing of relatively small numbers of customized labels for use in labelling medicaments in hospitals and pharmacies, industrial products and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1982
    Assignee: Drustar, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Relyea, Dale A. Beard
  • Patent number: 4142373
    Abstract: An automatic ice maker control circuit having an improved tolerance to sense the presence of stuck ice pieces in a predetermined pocket of an ice tray. A solid state temperature sensor and time delay circuit includes an operational amplifier controlled by a temperature sensor in one portion of a bridge network for sensing above or below freezing temperatures in the pocket, depending upon the presence of liquid or a stuck cube respectively, in said sensing pocket. The ice maker is conditioned for immediate harvest after the below freezing temperature is effected in the tray pocket when the sensor senses an above-freezing temperature. The time delay circuit conditions the ice maker for a delayed harvest until the predetermined temperature is effected in the tray sensing pocket if the sensor senses a below-freezing temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1979
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: John Weibel, Jr., Homer W. Deaton, Dale A. Beard