Patents by Inventor Darin Franks

Darin Franks 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: 11457571
    Abstract: A modular lighting system is provided. The modular lighting system includes a first LED board. The first LED board includes one or more LED arrays. The one or more LED arrays include one or more ultraviolet LED light sources and one or more non-ultraviolet LED light sources. The first LED board further includes one or more constant current LED drivers configured to output a driver current for the one or more LED arrays. The modular lighting system further includes a second LED board. The second LED board includes one or more LED arrays. The one or more LED arrays include one or more non-ultraviolet LED light sources. The second LED board further includes one or more constant current LED drivers configured to output a driver current for the one or more LED arrays of the second LED board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Jordan Andrew Waymeyer, Joseph Thomas Waugh, Erik Stennis, Darin Franks
  • Publication number: 20220167567
    Abstract: A modular lighting system is provided. The modular lighting system includes a first LED board. The first LED board includes one or more LED arrays. The one or more LED arrays include one or more ultraviolet LED light sources and one or more non-ultraviolet LED light sources. The first LED board further includes one or more constant current LED drivers configured to output a driver current for the one or more LED arrays. The modular lighting system further includes a second LED board. The second LED board includes one or more LED arrays. The one or more LED arrays include one or more non-ultraviolet LED light sources. The second LED board further includes one or more constant current LED drivers configured to output a driver current for the one or more LED arrays of the second LED board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Jordan Andrew Waymeyer, Joseph Thomas Waugh, Erik Stennis, Darin Franks
  • Patent number: 10830523
    Abstract: A refrigerator appliance and method of operation during Jewish holidays is provided herein. The refrigerator appliance may include a cabinet defining a refrigerated chamber, a sealed cooling system, and a controller. The sealed cooling system may be in operable communication with the refrigerated chamber and include a compressor. The controller may be operatively coupled to the sealed cooling system. The controller may be configured to selectively control the refrigerator appliance according to an operation routine for a Jewish holiday.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Darin Franks, Robert Marten Bultman, Samuel Vincent DuPlessis, William Thea, Rabbi Tsvi Ortner, Eliyahu Antebi
  • Publication number: 20180340720
    Abstract: A refrigerator appliance and method of operation during Jewish holidays is provided herein. The refrigerator appliance may include a cabinet defining a refrigerated chamber, a sealed cooling system, and a controller. The sealed cooling system may be in operable communication with the refrigerated chamber and include a compressor. The controller may be operatively coupled to the sealed cooling system. The controller may be configured to selectively control the refrigerator appliance according to an operation routine for a Jewish holiday.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Darin Franks, Robert Marten Bultman, Samuel Vincent DuPlessis, William Thea, Rabbi Tsvi Ortner, Eliyahu Antebi
  • Patent number: 8869546
    Abstract: A controller which receives a signal from an external associated energy utility indicative of a forthcoming rate increase period, and controls the rate of temperature change of a refrigerator from a user selected setpoint to a first targeted setpoint below the user selected setpoint. During the rate increase the controller establishes a second target setpoint above the user selected setpoint. After the rate increase period the controller reduces the temperature to the user selected setpoint at a constant rate defined by a number of degrees per minute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John K. Besore, Timothy Dale Worthington, Michael F. Finch, Darin Franks, William Newton, Jeff Donald Drake
  • Patent number: 8818566
    Abstract: An energy management system and method for one or more appliances includes a controller for managing power consumption within a household. The controller is configured to receive and process a signal indicative of one or more energy parameters of an associated energy supplying utility, including at least a peak demand period or an off-peak demand period. The controller is configured to at least one of communicate to, control and operate one or more appliances in one of a plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode in response to the received signal. The one or more appliances operate in the normal operating mode during the off-peak demand period and operate in the energy savings mode during the peak demand period. The controller is configured to control the return of the one or more appliances to the normal operating mode after the peak demand period is over to prevent an energy surge for the associated energy supplying utility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John K. Besore, Jeff Donald Drake, Michael F. Finch, Darin Franks, William Newton, Lucas Bryant Spicer, Timothy Dale Worthington
  • Patent number: 8627689
    Abstract: A clothes washer is provided comprising one or more power consuming functions and a controller in signal communication with an associated utility. The controller can receive and process a signal from the associated utility indicative of current state of an associated utility. The controller operates the clothes washer in one of a plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode in response to the received signal. The controller is configured to change the power consuming functions by adjusting one or more of an operation schedule, an operation delay, an operation adjustment, and a selective deactivation of at least one of the one or more power consuming functions to reduce power consumption of the clothes washer in the energy savings mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael F. Finch, John Besore, Jeff Donald Drake, Darin Franks, Chad Michael Helms, Jerrod Aaron Kappler, Steven Keith Root, Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Eric K. Watson, Joshua S. Wiseman
  • Patent number: 8626347
    Abstract: A household appliance system comprising an appliance control system having a common appliance interface provided on an appliance and a demand side management module connected to the common appliance interface. The module corresponds to one select utility of a plurality of utilities and is configured to communicate with the one select utility of the plurality of utilities. The appliance control system operates the appliance based on communications with the one select utility through the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eric K. Watson, John K. Besore, Michael Thomas Beyerle, David C. Bingham, Darin Franks, Byron K. Guernsey, Darko Ilickovic, Mallika Ravindra Patel, Brian Michael Schork
  • Patent number: 8617316
    Abstract: A dishwasher is provided comprising one or more power consuming functions and a controller in signal communication with an associated utility. The controller can receive and process a signal from the associated utility indicative of current cost of supplied energy. The controller operates the dishwasher in one of a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode based on the received signal. The controller is configured to change the power consuming functions by adjusting one or more of an operation schedule, an operation delay, an operation adjustment, and a selective deactivation of at least one of the one or more power consuming functions to reduce power consumption of the dishwasher in the energy savings mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael F. Finch, John K. Besore, Jeff Donald Drake, Darin Franks, Erick Paul Graven, Om Hari, Steven Keith Root, Nagaraju Valluri, Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Eric K. Watson, Timothy Martin Wetzel
  • Patent number: 8474279
    Abstract: A refrigerator comprises a fresh food compartment and a freezer compartment and one or more power consuming features/functions including a refrigeration system for cooling the fresh food compartment and the freezer compartment. A controller is operatively connected to the one or more power consuming features/functions. The controller is configured to receive and process a signal indicative of current state of an associated energy supplying utility. The controller operates the refrigerator in one of plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode, in response to the received signal. The controller is configured to at least one of selectively schedule, delay, adjust and deactivate at least one of the one or more power consuming features/functions to reduce power consumption of the refrigerator in the energy savings mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John K. Besore, Richard DeVos, Jeff Donald Drake, Michael F. Finch, Ronald Gary Foster, Darin Franks, William Newton, Steven Keith Root, Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Eric K. Watson, Timothy Dale Worthington
  • Patent number: 8367984
    Abstract: A water heater comprises a body defining a chamber for holding water to be heated, an inlet opening and an outlet opening in communication with the chamber for flowing water therethrough and one or more power consuming features/functions including a heater for heating the water within the chamber. A controller is operatively connected to the one or more power consuming features/functions. The controller is configured to receive and process a signal indicative of a utility state. The controller operates the water heater in one of a plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode, in response to the received signal. The controller is configured to at least one of selectively adjust and deactivate at least one of the one or more power consuming features/functions to reduce power consumption of the water heater in the energy savings mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John K. Besore, Jeff Donald Drake, Michael F. Finch, Darin Franks, John Joseph Roetker, Steven Keith Root, Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Eric K. Watson
  • Patent number: 8355826
    Abstract: A household appliance system and method include an appliance control system having a common appliance interface provided on an appliance and a demand side management module connected to the common appliance interface. The module corresponds to one select utility of a plurality of utilities and is adapted to communicate with the one select utility of the plurality of utilities. The appliance control system operates the appliance based on communications with the one select utility through the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eric K. Watson, John K. Besore, Michael Thomas Beyerle, David C. Bingham, Darin Franks, Byron Guernsey, Darko Ilickovic, Mallika Ravindra Patel, Brian Michael Schork
  • Publication number: 20120023987
    Abstract: A refrigerator comprises a fresh food compartment and a freezer compartment and one or more power consuming features/functions including a refrigeration system for cooling the fresh food compartment and the freezer compartment. A controller is operatively connected to the one or more power consuming features/functions. The controller is configured to receive and process a signal indicative of current state of an associated energy supplying utility. The controller adjusts the temperature of the refrigerator and/or freezer from a normal setting to a higher point during an energy saving mode and then back to a normal temperature. The transition between low and high is controlled to reduce energy consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: John K. Besore, Timothy Dale Worthington, Michael F. Finch, Darin Franks, William Newton, Jeff Donald Drake
  • Publication number: 20110148199
    Abstract: An energy management system and method for one or more appliances includes a controller for managing power consumption within a household. The controller is configured to receive and process a signal indicative of one or more energy parameters of an associated energy supplying utility, including at least a peak demand period or an off-peak demand period. The controller is configured to at least one of communicate to, control and operate one or more appliances in one of a plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode in response to the received signal. The one or more appliances operate in the normal operating mode during the off-peak demand period and operate in the energy savings mode during the peak demand period. The controller is configured to control the return of the one or more appliances to the normal operating mode after the peak demand period is over to prevent an energy surge for the associated energy supplying utility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: John K. Besore, Jeff Donald Drake, Michael F. Finch, Darin Franks, William Newton, Lucas Bryant Spicer, Timothy Dale Worthington
  • Publication number: 20100187219
    Abstract: A water heater comprises a body defining a chamber for holding water to be heated, an inlet opening and an outlet opening in communication with the chamber for flowing water therethrough and one or more power consuming features/functions including a heater for heating the water within the chamber. A controller is operatively connected to the one or more power consuming features/functions. The controller is configured to receive and process a signal indicative of a utility state. The controller operates the water heater in one of a plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode, in response to the received signal. The controller is configured to at least one of selectively adjust and deactivate at least one of the one or more power consuming features/functions to reduce power consumption of the water heater in the energy savings mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: John K. Besore, Jeff Donald Drake, Michael F. Finch, Darin Franks, John Joseph Roetker, Steven Keith Root, Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Eric K. Watson
  • Publication number: 20100175719
    Abstract: A dishwasher is provided comprising one or more power consuming functions and a controller in signal communication with an associated utility. The controller can receive and process a signal from the associated utility indicative of current cost of supplied energy. The controller operates the dishwasher in one of a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode based on the received signal. The controller is configured to change the power consuming functions by adjusting one or more of an operation schedule, an operation delay, an operation adjustment, and a selective deactivation of at least one of the one or more power consuming functions to reduce power consumption of the dishwasher in the energy savings mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Michael F. Finch, John K. Besore, Jeff Donald Drake, Darin Franks, Erick Paul Graven, Om Hari, Steven Keith Root, Nagaraju Valluri, Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Erik K. Watson, Timothy Martin Wetzel
  • Publication number: 20100174668
    Abstract: A clothes dryer is provided comprising one or more power consuming functions and a controller in signal communication with an associated utility. The controller can receive and process a signal from the associated utility indicative of current cost of supplied energy. The controller operates the clothes dryer in one of a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode based on the received signal. The controller is configured to change the power consuming functions by adjusting one or more of an operation schedule, an operation delay, an operation adjustment, and a selective deactivation of at least one of the one or more power consuming functions to reduce power consumption of the clothes dryer in the energy savings mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: MICHAEL F. FINCH, John K. Besore, Jeff Donald Drake, Darin Franks, Chad Michael Helms, Jerrod Aaron Kappler, Steven Keith Root, Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Eric K. Watson, Joshua S. Wiseman
  • Publication number: 20100146712
    Abstract: A clothes washer is provided comprising one or more power consuming functions and a controller in signal communication with an associated utility. The controller can receive and process a signal from the associated utility indicative of current state of an associated utility. The controller operates the clothes washer in one of a plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode in response to the received signal. The controller is configured to change the power consuming functions by adjusting one or more of an operation schedule, an operation delay, an operation adjustment, and a selective deactivation of at least one of the one or more power consuming functions to reduce power consumption of the clothes washer in the energy savings mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Michael F. Finch, John Besore, Jeff Donald Drake, Darin Franks, Chad Michael Helms, Jerrod Aaron Kappler, Steven Keith Root, Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Eric K. Watson, Joshua S. Wiseman
  • Publication number: 20100101254
    Abstract: A refrigerator comprises a fresh food compartment and a freezer compartment and one or more power consuming features/functions including a refrigeration system for cooling the fresh food compartment and the freezer compartment. A controller is operatively connected to the one or more power consuming features/functions. The controller is configured to receive and process a signal indicative of current state of an associated energy supplying utility. The controller operates the refrigerator in one of plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode, in response to the received signal. The controller is configured to at least one of selectively schedule, delay, adjust and deactivate at least one of the one or more power consuming features/functions to reduce power consumption of the refrigerator in the energy savings mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: John K. Besore, Richard DeVos, Jeff Donald Drake, Michael F. Finch, Ronald Gary Foster, Darin Franks, William Newton, Steven Keith Root, Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Eric K. Watson, Timothy Dale Worthington
  • Publication number: 20100092625
    Abstract: A cooking appliance comprises one or more power consuming features/functions including at least one of a cooking cavity having a heating element and a cooking surface having a surface heating element. A controller is configured to receive and process a signal indicative of current state of an associated energy supplying utility. The controller operates the cooking appliance in one of a plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode, in response to the received signal. The controller is configured to at least one of selectively delay, adjust and disable at least one of the one or more power consuming features/functions to reduce power consumption of the cooking appliance in the energy savings mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Michael F. Finch, John K. Besore, Timothy Dale Worthington, Brian M. Steurer, Derrick Douglas Little, Ashley Wayne Burt, Patrick Ryan Cox, Craig Nold, Jeff Donald Drake, Jeremy Joseph Ryan, Darin Franks, Steven Keith Root, Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Eric Watson, Jeffrey S. Weber