Patents by Inventor Gregory M. Billman
Gregory M. Billman 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).
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Patent number: 9528740Abstract: A controller for a drive motor for a scraper of a frozen product dispenser operates the drive motor to rotate the scraper at selected ones of a plurality of different speeds within a freeze barrel of the dispenser, in accordance with the values of sensed operating parameters of the dispenser. The arrangement provides for rotation of the scraper at speeds appropriate for, but no greater than required for, the then existent operating condition of the dispenser.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2016Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: Cornelius, Inc.Inventors: David B. Gist, Gregory M. Billman, Santhosh Kumar, Kyle Elsom, Nikolay Popov
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Patent number: 9335082Abstract: A controller for a drive motor for a scraper of a frozen product dispenser operates the drive motor to rotate the scraper at selected ones of a plurality of different speeds within a freeze barrel of the dispenser, in accordance with the values of sensed operating parameters of the dispenser. The arrangement provides for rotation of the scraper at speeds appropriate for, but no greater than required for, the then existent operating condition of the dispenser.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2012Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: Cornelius, Inc.Inventors: David B. Gist, Gregory M. Billman, Santhosh Kumar, Kyle Elsom, Nikolay Popov
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Patent number: 9328948Abstract: To defrost one barrel of a two barrel FCB dispenser, a refrigeration system defrosts the one barrel, while neither defrosting nor chilling the other barrel, for either a selected time or until a frozen beverage is drawn from the other barrel, whichever occurs first. Once the selected time or beverage draw occurs, the refrigeration system chills the other barrel until beverage within it is properly frozen, while neither defrosting nor chilling the one barrel. Once beverage in the other barrel is properly frozen, the refrigeration system resumes defrosting the one barrel, whereupon the foregoing cycle is repeated until defrost of the one barrel is complete, at which point the refrigeration system chills the one barrel to refreeze product in it. The arrangement keeps beverage in the other barrel properly frozen during defrosting of the one barrel.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Cornelius, Inc.Inventors: Gregory M. Billman, Daniel C. Leaver, Kyle B. Elsom, Nikolay Popov
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Patent number: 9062902Abstract: To defrost one barrel of a two barrel FCB dispenser, a refrigeration system defrosts the one barrel, while neither defrosting nor chilling the other barrel, for either a selected time or until a frozen beverage is drawn from the other barrel, whichever occurs first. Once the selected time or beverage draw occurs, the refrigeration system chills the other barrel until beverage within it is properly frozen, while neither defrosting nor chilling the one barrel. Once beverage in the other barrel is properly frozen, the refrigeration system resumes defrosting the one barrel, whereupon the foregoing cycle is repeated until defrost of the one barrel is complete, at which point the refrigeration system chills the one barrel to refreeze product in it. The arrangement keeps beverage in the other barrel properly frozen during defrosting of the one barrel.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2008Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: Cornelius, Inc.Inventors: Gregory M. Billman, Daniel C. Leaver, Kyle B. Elsom, Nikolay Popov
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Publication number: 20140208786Abstract: To defrost one barrel of a two barrel FCB dispenser, a refrigeration system defrosts the one barrel, while neither defrosting nor chilling the other barrel, for either a selected time or until a frozen beverage is drawn from the other barrel, whichever occurs first. Once the selected time or beverage draw occurs, the refrigeration system chills the other barrel until beverage within it is properly frozen, while neither defrosting nor chilling the one barrel. Once beverage in the other barrel is properly frozen, the refrigeration system resumes defrosting the one barrel, whereupon the foregoing cycle is repeated until defrost of the one barrel is complete, at which point the refrigeration system chills the one barrel to refreeze product in it. The arrangement keeps beverage in the other barrel properly frozen during defrosting of the one barrel.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2014Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: IMI Cornelius, Inc.Inventors: Gregory M. Billman, Daniel C. Leaver, Kyle B. Elsom, Nikolay Popov
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Patent number: 8769973Abstract: A refrigeration system for a frozen product dispenser is controlled to have a variable cooling capacity that is determined by variable cooling load demands of the dispenser. This is accomplished, in part, by providing the refrigeration system with a variable speed compressor and one or more adjustable expansion valves for metering refrigerant to associated evaporators that are heat exchange coupled to associated freeze barrels of the dispenser, and by controlling the metering setting of the expansion valves and the speed of operation of the compressor in accordance with the cooling load demands of the dispenser. The arrangement provides for efficient operation of the refrigeration system from an energy standpoint and for a reduction in on/off cycling of the system.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2013Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Cornelius, Inc.Inventors: Daniel C. Leaver, Gregory M. Billman
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Patent number: 8701435Abstract: A frozen product dispenser is characterized by at least two product freeze barrels for receiving product therein and for freezing the product for dispensing, and a refrigeration system for chilling the at least two barrels. The refrigeration system has at least two evaporators for and heat transfer coupled to each barrel, separate and controllable expansion valves each having an outlet coupled to an inlet to an inlet to an associated one of the evaporators, at least two compressors having outlets coupled to inlets to the expansion valves and inlets coupled to outlets from the evaporators, and at least one condenser in fluid circuit between outlets from the compressors and inlets to the expansion valves.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2011Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: IMI Cornelius, Inc.Inventors: David B. Gist, Kyle B. Elsom, Gregory M. Billman, Nikolay Popov, Santhosh Kumar, Daniel C. Leaver
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Publication number: 20130152610Abstract: A refrigeration system for a frozen product dispenser is controlled to have a variable cooling capacity that is determined by variable cooling load demands of the dispenser. This is accomplished, in part, by providing the refrigeration system with a variable speed compressor and one or more adjustable expansion valves for metering refrigerant to associated evaporators that are heat exchange coupled to associated freeze barrels of the dispenser, and by controlling the metering setting of the expansion valves and the speed of operation of the compressor in accordance with the cooling load demands of the dispenser. The arrangement provides for efficient operation of the refrigeration system from an energy standpoint and for a reduction in on/off cycling of the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2013Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: IMI Cornelius Inc.Inventors: Daniel C. Leaver, Gregory M. Billman
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Patent number: 8408017Abstract: A refrigeration system for a frozen product dispenser is controlled to have a variable cooling capacity that is determined by variable cooling load demands of the dispenser. This is accomplished, in part, by providing the refrigeration system with a variable speed compressor and one or more adjustable expansion valves for metering refrigerant to associated evaporators that are heat exchange coupled to associated freeze barrels of the dispenser, and by controlling the metering setting of the expansion valves and the speed of operation of the compressor in accordance with the cooling load demands of the dispenser. The arrangement provides for efficient operation of the refrigeration system from an energy standpoint and for a reduction in on/off cycling of the system.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2011Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: IMI Cornelius, Inc.Inventors: Daniel C. Leaver, Gregory M. Billman
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Publication number: 20120222434Abstract: A controller for a drive motor for a scraper of a frozen product dispenser operates the drive motor to rotate the scraper at selected ones of a plurality of different speeds within a freeze barrel of the dispenser, in accordance with the values of sensed operating parameters of the dispenser. The arrangement provides for rotation of the scraper at speeds appropriate for, but no greater than required for, the then existent operating condition of the dispenser.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2012Publication date: September 6, 2012Inventors: David B. Gist, Gregory M. Billman, Santhosh Kumar, Kyle Elsom, Nikolay Popov
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Patent number: 8087544Abstract: A system for mixing beverage components in a predetermined ratio is characterized by a housing having a mixing chamber therein, first and second inlets to the chamber and an outlet from the chamber. A first beverage component is flowed through the first inlet to the mixing chamber and a second beverage component is flowed through the second inlet to the chamber for mixing of the components in the chamber and exit of the mixture from the chamber through the chamber outlet. The pressure of the second beverage component in the second inlet is sensed upstream from the chamber and the flow of at least one of the first and second beverage components to the chamber is controlled in accordance with the sensed pressure to deliver to the mixing chamber a predetermined ratio of the first and second beverage components.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2006Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Inventors: Kyle B Elsom, Gregory M Billman
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Publication number: 20110167840Abstract: A refrigeration system for a frozen product dispenser is controlled to have a variable cooling capacity that is determined by variable cooling load demands of the dispenser. This is accomplished, in part, by providing the refrigeration system with a variable speed compressor and one or more adjustable expansion valves for metering refrigerant to associated evaporators that are heat exchange coupled to associated freeze barrels of the dispenser, and by controlling the metering setting of the expansion valves and the speed of operation of the compressor in accordance with the cooling load demands of the dispenser. The arrangement provides for efficient operation of the refrigeration system from an energy standpoint and for a reduction in on/off cycling of the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2011Publication date: July 14, 2011Inventors: Daniel C. Leaver, Gregory M. Billman
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Publication number: 20110162407Abstract: A frozen product dispenser is characterized by at least two product freeze barrels for receiving product therein and for freezing the product for dispensing, and a refrigeration system for chilling the at least two barrels. The refrigeration system has at least two evaporators for and heat transfer coupled to each barrel, separate and controllable expansion valves each having an outlet coupled to an inlet to an inlet to an associated one of the evaporators, at least two compressors having outlets coupled to inlets to the expansion valves and inlets coupled to outlets from the evaporators, and at least one condenser in fluid circuit between outlets from the compressors and inlets to the expansion valves.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2011Publication date: July 7, 2011Inventors: David B. Gist, Kyle B. Elsom, Gregory M. Billman, Nikolay Popov, Santhosh Kumar, Daniel C. Leaver
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Patent number: 7895845Abstract: An adaptive defrost control for a frozen product machine implements an algorithm that utilizes various operating parameters of the machine to adaptively adjust the time interval between successive defrost cycles in a manner such that defrost cycles occur only on an as-needed basis. The adaptive defrost control minimizes the time during which the machine is in a defrost cycle, thereby maximizing the uptime of the machine during which frozen product can be prepared.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2007Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Inventors: Steve Every, John F. Paulius, III, David B. Gist, Santhosh Kumar, Gregory M. Billman, Daniel C. Leaver, Kyle B. Elsom, Nikolay Popov
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Publication number: 20100147875Abstract: A device for introducing additive fluids to a primary fluid is characterized by a body having a central bore for flow therethrough of a stream of primary fluid, and a plurality of fluid flow channels in the body. Each channel extends between an inlet to the channel for connection to an associated supply of additive fluid and a plurality of outlet orifices from the channel that open into a surface of the body around and outside of an exit from the central bore. Additive fluid is emitted from the outlet orifices in a direction ranging from the additive fluid being directed generally parallel to a stream of primary fluid exiting the central bore to the additive fluid being directed toward and against the stream of primary fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2010Publication date: June 17, 2010Inventors: Gregorio D. Santos, Gregory M. Billman
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Publication number: 20090211269Abstract: A controller for a drive motor for a scraper of a frozen product dispenser operates the drive motor to rotate the scraper at selected ones of a plurality of different speeds within a freeze barrel of the dispenser, in accordance with the values of sensed operating parameters of the dispenser. The arrangement provides for rotation of the scraper at speeds appropriate for, but no greater than required for, the then existent operating condition of the dispenser.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2008Publication date: August 27, 2009Inventors: David Brett Gist, Gregory M. Billman, Santhosh Kumar, Kyle Elsom, Nikolay Popov
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Publication number: 20090000315Abstract: To defrost one barrel of a two barrel FCB dispenser, a refrigeration system defrosts the one barrel, while neither defrosting nor chilling the other barrel, for either a selected time or until a frozen beverage is drawn from the other barrel, whichever occurs first. Once the selected time or beverage draw occurs, the refrigeration system chills the other barrel until beverage within it is properly frozen, while neither defrosting nor chilling the one barrel. Once beverage in the other barrel is properly frozen, the refrigeration system resumes defrosting the one barrel, whereupon the foregoing cycle is repeated until defrost of the one barrel is complete, at which point the refrigeration system chills the one barrel to refreeze product in it. The arrangement keeps beverage in the other barrel properly frozen during defrosting of the one barrel.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2008Publication date: January 1, 2009Inventors: Gregory M. Billman, Daniel C. Leaver, Kyle B. Elsom, Nikolay Popov
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Publication number: 20080223049Abstract: An adaptive defrost control for a frozen product machine implements an algorithm that utilizes various operating parameters of the machine to adaptively adjust the time interval between successive defrost cycles in a manner such that defrost cycles occur only on an as-needed basis. The adaptive defrost control minimizes the time during which the machine is in a defrost cycle, thereby maximizing the uptime of the machine during which frozen can be prepared.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2007Publication date: September 18, 2008Inventors: Steve Every, John F. Paulius, David B. Gist, Santhosh Kumar, Gregory M. Billman, Daniel C. Leaver, Kyle B. Elsom, Nikolay Popov
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Publication number: 20080149655Abstract: A variable capacity refrigeration system for a frozen product dispenser is controllable in response to cooling load requirements of the dispenser to have a variable cooling capacity that is in accordance with the cooling load demands placed on the refrigeration system by the dispenser. This is accomplished, in part, by providing the refrigeration system with a variable capacity compressor, the output capacity of which is controlled by varying its operating speed in a manner such that refrigerant output from the compressor generally meets the mass flow of refrigerant through expansion valves of the system. The arrangement provides for efficient operation of the frozen product dispenser from an energy standpoint and for a reduction in on/off cycling of the refrigeration system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2007Publication date: June 26, 2008Inventors: David B. Gist, Gregory M. Billman, Santhosh Kumar, Kyle B. Elsom, Nikolay Popov, Daniel C. Leaver
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Publication number: 20080134699Abstract: A refrigeration system for a frozen product dispenser is controlled to have a variable cooling capacity that is determined by variable cooling load demands of the dispenser. This is accomplished, in part, by providing the refrigeration system with a variable speed compressor and one or more adjustable expansion valves for metering refrigerant to associated evaporators that are heat exchange coupled to associated freeze barrels of the dispenser, and by controlling the metering setting of the expansion valves and the speed of operation of the compressor in accordance with the cooling load demands of the dispenser. The arrangement provides for efficient operation of the refrigeration system from an energy standpoint and for a reduction in on/off cycling of the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2007Publication date: June 12, 2008Inventors: Daniel C. Leaver, Gregory M. Billman