Patents by Inventor Ethan Albrecht

Ethan Albrecht 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: 20240053018
    Abstract: Pellet grills including a control system that implements, manages, and/or controls various ignition-based protocols are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a cooking chamber, a burn pot, an ignitor, and a controller. The ignitor extends into the burn pot and is configured to ignite pellet fuel located within the burn pot. The controller is configured to detect a temperature pattern of the cooking chamber corresponding to a flame out condition of the burn pot. The controller is further configured, in response to detecting the temperature pattern, to command the ignitor to activate during a first duration. The controller is further configured to determine, following expiration of the first duration, whether a temperature of the cooking chamber increased during the first duration. The controller is further configured, in response to determining that the temperature has not increased during the first duration, to command the ignitor to activate during a second duration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Brian C. Donnelly, Ryan P. Lundberg, Ethan Albrecht, David Eckhardt, Laasya P. Vadlamani
  • Patent number: 11885499
    Abstract: Pellet grills including a control system that implements, manages, and/or controls various ignition-based protocols and/or processes are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a cooking chamber, a burn pot, an ignitor, and a controller. The ignitor extends into the burn pot and is configured to ignite pellet fuel located within the burn pot. The controller is configured to command the ignitor to activate during a first duration. The controller is further configured to determine, following expiration of the first duration, whether a temperature of the cooking chamber has reached a threshold temperature. The controller is further configured, in response to determining that the temperature has not reached the threshold temperature, to command the ignitor to activate during a second duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products LLC
    Inventors: Brian C. Donnelly, Ryan P. Lundberg, Ethan Albrecht, David Eckhardt, Laasya P. Vadlamani
  • Patent number: 11808072
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for use on a grill that permits the selective removal of the lid from the bowl, the hinge assembly including a stationary bowl bracket affixed to the bowl, a pivotable middle bracket pivotably mounted to the bowl bracket and a removable lid bracket affixed to the lid and removably secured to the middle bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products LLC
    Inventors: Ethan Albrecht, Derek Bennion, Steve Oshgan
  • Patent number: 11739938
    Abstract: Pellet grills and associated methods of operation are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a main body defining a cooking chamber. The example pellet grill further includes a grease deflection bar assembly located within the main body. the grease deflection bar assembly includes a first rack removably positioned on first tabs of the main body, a second rack removably positioned on second tabs of the main body, and a grease deflection bar extending between and removably positioned on the first and second racks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products LLC
    Inventors: Brian C. Donnelly, Ryan P. Lundberg, Ethan Albrecht
  • Publication number: 20230204216
    Abstract: Pellet grills including a control system that implements, manages, and/or controls various ignition-based protocols and/or processes are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a cooking chamber, a burn pot, an ignitor, and a controller. The ignitor extends into the burn pot and is configured to ignite pellet fuel located within the burn pot. The controller is configured to command the ignitor to activate during a first duration. The controller is further configured to determine, following expiration of the first duration, whether a temperature of the cooking chamber has reached a threshold temperature. The controller is further configured, in response to determining that the temperature has not reached the threshold temperature, to command the ignitor to activate during a second duration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Brian C. Donnelly, Ryan P. Lundberg, Ethan Albrecht, David Eckhardt, Laasya P. Vadlamani
  • Patent number: 11624505
    Abstract: Pellet grills including a control system that implements, manages, and/or controls various ignition-based protocols and/or processes are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a cooking chamber, a burn pot, an ignitor, and a controller. The ignitor extends into the burn pot and is configured to ignite pellet fuel located within the burn pot. The controller is configured to command the ignitor to activate during a first duration. The controller is further configured to determine, following expiration of the first duration, whether a temperature of the cooking chamber has reached a threshold temperature. The controller is further configured, in response to determining that the temperature has not reached the threshold temperature, to command the ignitor to activate during a second duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventors: Brian C. Donnelly, Ryan P. Lundberg, Ethan Albrecht, David Eckhardt, Laasya P. Vadlamani
  • Patent number: 11248799
    Abstract: Pellet grills and associated methods of operation are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a main body defining a cooking chamber. The example pellet grill further includes a burn pot located within the main body. The burn pot includes an upper end, a lower end located opposite the upper end, and a sidewall extending between the upper end and the lower end. The sidewall has an opening. The example pellet grill further includes an ignitor extending into the burn pot through the opening of the sidewall. The example pellet grill further includes an ignitor carrier removably coupled to the ignitor. The ignitor carrier extends away from the burn pot and is accessible from outside the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventors: Brian C. Donnelly, Ryan P. Lundberg, Ethan Albrecht, David Eckhardt, David A. Larson
  • Patent number: 11248800
    Abstract: Pellet grills and associated methods of operation are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a main body defining a cooking chamber. The main body includes a first end, a second end located opposite the first end, and an outer wall extending between the first and second ends. The main body has a lateral extent defined by the first and second ends. The example pellet grill further includes a hopper mounted to a rear portion of the outer wall of the main body. The hopper includes a fuel intake opening extending from a first location within the lateral extent of the main body to a second location outside of the lateral extent of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventors: Brian C. Donnelly, Ryan P. Lundberg, Ethan Albrecht, David A. Larson
  • Patent number: 11181277
    Abstract: Pellet grills and associated methods of operation are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a main body defining a cooking chamber. The main body includes a first opening extending through a bottom portion of an outer wall of the main body. The main body further including a grease channel formed along the bottom portion of the outer wall and extending to the first opening. The example pellet grill further includes a burn pot located within the main body. The burn pot includes a lower end having a second opening aligned with the first opening. The second opening is configured to enable pellet fuel ash to pass downwardly from the burn pot onto an ash slide positioned below the second opening. The example pellet grill further includes a waste collection drawer located below the main body. The waste collection drawer is movable relative to the main body between a closed position and an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventors: Brian C. Donnelly, Ryan P. Lundberg, Ethan Albrecht, David A. Larson
  • Publication number: 20210293413
    Abstract: Pellet grills including a control system that implements, manages, and/or controls various ignition-based protocols and/or processes are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a cooking chamber, a burn pot, an ignitor, and a controller. The ignitor extends into the burn pot and is configured to ignite pellet fuel located within the burn pot. The controller is configured to command the ignitor to activate during a first duration. The controller is further configured to determine, following expiration of the first duration, whether a temperature of the cooking chamber has reached a threshold temperature. The controller is further configured, in response to determining that the temperature has not reached the threshold temperature, to command the ignitor to activate during a second duration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Brian C. Donnelly, Ryan P. Lundberg, Ethan Albrecht, David Eckhardt, Laasya P. Vadlamani
  • Publication number: 20200240643
    Abstract: Pellet grills and associated methods of operation are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a main body defining a cooking chamber. The main body includes a first end, a second end located opposite the first end, and an outer wall extending between the first and second ends. The main body has a lateral extent defined by the first and second ends. The example pellet grill further includes a hopper mounted to a rear portion of the outer wall of the main body. The hopper includes a fuel intake opening extending from a first location within the lateral extent of the main body to a second location outside of the lateral extent of the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Brian C. Donnelly, Ryan P. Lundberg, Ethan Albrecht, David A. Larson
  • Publication number: 20200237146
    Abstract: Pellet grills and associated methods of operation are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a main body defining a cooking chamber. The example pellet grill further includes a grease deflection bar assembly located within the main body. the grease deflection bar assembly includes a first rack removably positioned on first tabs of the main body, a second rack removably positioned on second tabs of the main body, and a grease deflection bar extending between and removably positioned on the first and second racks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Brian C. Donnelly, Ryan P. Lundberg, Ethan Albrecht
  • Publication number: 20200237147
    Abstract: Pellet grills and associated methods of operation are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a main body defining a cooking chamber. The main body includes a first opening extending through a bottom portion of an outer wall of the main body. The main body further including a grease channel formed along the bottom portion of the outer wall and extending to the first opening. The example pellet grill further includes a burn pot located within the main body. The burn pot includes a lower end having a second opening aligned with the first opening. The second opening is configured to enable pellet fuel ash to pass downwardly from the burn pot onto an ash slide positioned below the second opening. The example pellet grill further includes a waste collection drawer located below the main body. The waste collection drawer is movable relative to the main body between a closed position and an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Brian C. Donnelly, Ryan P. Lundberg, Ethan Albrecht, David A. Larson
  • Publication number: 20200237149
    Abstract: Pellet grills and associated methods of operation are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a main body defining a cooking chamber. The example pellet grill further includes a burn pot located within the main body. The burn pot includes an upper end, a lower end located opposite the upper end, and a sidewall extending between the upper end and the lower end. The sidewall has an opening. The example pellet grill further includes an ignitor extending into the burn pot through the opening of the sidewall. The example pellet grill further includes an ignitor carrier removably coupled to the ignitor. The ignitor carrier extends away from the burn pot and is accessible from outside the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Brian C. Donnelly, Ryan P. Lundberg, Ethan Albrecht, David Eckhardt, David A. Larson
  • Publication number: 20200087961
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for use on a grill that permits the selective removal of the lid from the bowl, the hinge assembly including a stationary bowl bracket affixed to the bowl, a pivotable middle bracket pivotably mounted to the bowl bracket and a removable lid bracket affixed to the lid and removably secured to the middle bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Applicant: Weber-Stephen Products LLC
    Inventors: Ethan Albrecht, Derek Bennion, Steve Oshgan
  • Publication number: 20200018103
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for use on a grill that permits the selective removal of the lid from the bowl, the hinge assembly including a stationary bowl bracket affixed to the bowl, a pivotable middle bracket pivotably mounted to the bowl bracket and a removable lid bracket affixed to the lid and removably secured to the middle bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Applicant: Weber-Stephen Products LLC
    Inventors: Ethan Albrecht, Derek Bennion, Steve Oshgan
  • Patent number: 10519703
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for use on a grill that permits the selective removal of the lid from the bowl, the hinge assembly including a stationary bowl bracket affixed to the bowl, a pivotable middle bracket pivotably mounted to the bowl bracket and a removable lid bracket affixed to the lid and removably secured to the middle bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products LLC
    Inventors: Ethan Albrecht, Derek Bennion, Steve Oshgan