Patents by Inventor JAMES CHARLES JOHNCOCK
JAMES CHARLES JOHNCOCK 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: 10907835Abstract: A burner assembly for a cooktop includes a housing defining a first group of radially-spaced fuel outlets extending from an interior to an exterior of the housing, a first aperture extending through the housing and spaced outward of the first group of outlets, and a second group of radially-spaced fuel outlets extending from the interior to the exterior and spaced outward of the first aperture. A first switch assembly is mounted within the housing and includes a first pin extending upwardly through the first aperture to an end positioned above the housing. The end of the first pin is moveable in a first direction inward and outward with respect to the housing to control a direction of a first portion of a flow of fuel to the second group of outlets. A second portion of the flow of fuel is continuously directed to the first group of outlets.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2019Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: James Charles Johncock, Joel Matthew Sells
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Patent number: 10741341Abstract: A method for selectively restricting movement of an appliance position switch from a closed position to an open position includes positioning the pin within a channel of a body portion of a switch retention device and moving the body of the switch retention device in a first direction into an opening in a face of the appliance within which the pin is moveable from the open position to the closed position. Such movement is carried out to cause movement of the pin in the first direction toward the closed position. The method further includes continuing to move the switch retention device in the first direction such that a cap thereof contacts the face, and a tab extending outwardly from the body engages with the opening to retain the switch retention device in the opening and the pin in the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2019Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: James Charles Johncock, David Wayne Mundy
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Patent number: 10634347Abstract: An appliance includes a first gas-burning heating element, a first gas path extending from an inlet to the first heating element, and a first solenoid valve positioned within the first gas path. The appliance further includes a second gas path extending from upstream of the first solenoid valve to the first heating element and supplying a base gas flow to the first heating element. A controller is electronically coupled with the first solenoid valve for controlling a supplemental flow of gas through the first gas path to the first heating element such that the supplemental gas flow combines with the base gas flow to achieve a total gas flow. The controller controls the supplemental flow to adjust the total gas flow by pulsing the first solenoid valve at a first rate corresponding to a desired rate of the total gas flow to the first heating element.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2017Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: James Charles Johncock, Cristiano Vito Pastore
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Publication number: 20200006017Abstract: A method for selectively restricting movement of an appliance position switch from a closed position to an open position includes positioning the pin within a channel of a body portion of a switch retention device and moving the body of the switch retention device in a first direction into an opening in a face of the appliance within which the pin is moveable from the open position to the closed position. Such movement is carried out to cause movement of the pin in the first direction toward the closed position. The method further includes continuing to move the switch retention device in the first direction such that a cap thereof contacts the face, and a tab extending outwardly from the body engages with the opening to retain the switch retention device in the opening and the pin in the closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2019Publication date: January 2, 2020Applicant: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: James Charles Johncock, David Wayne Mundy
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Patent number: 10453627Abstract: A position switch retention device for use with an appliance including a body defining a first end, a cap extending outwardly from a second end of the body opposite the first end, and a first tab extending from a side of the body. The first tab defines a ramp extending away from the body to an edge directed toward and spaced from the cap.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2018Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: James Charles Johncock, David Wayne Mundy
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Publication number: 20190223647Abstract: A method of regulating the temperature of a cooking liquid during sous vide cooking in a cooking vessel on a burner of a cooktop includes setting a desired cooking temperature and measuring the temperature of the cooking liquid inside the sous vide cooking vessel at a plurality of predetermined time intervals with a first temperature sensor mounted on an interior surface of a wall of the sous vide cooking vessel. The temperature of the cooking liquid is compared to the desired cooking temperature at each of the predetermined time intervals. The energy output of the burner is controlled based on the difference between the temperature of the cooking liquid and the desired cooking temperature. A cooking vessel and system for sous vide cooking using this method are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2019Publication date: July 25, 2019Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: James Charles Johncock, Darpan Dinkar Patil
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Publication number: 20190154265Abstract: A burner assembly for a cooktop includes a housing defining a first group of radially-spaced fuel outlets extending from an interior to an exterior of the housing, a first aperture extending through the housing and spaced outward of the first group of outlets, and a second group of radially-spaced fuel outlets extending from the interior to the exterior and spaced outward of the first aperture. A first switch assembly is mounted within the housing and includes a first pin extending upwardly through the first aperture to an end positioned above the housing. The end of the first pin is moveable in a first direction inward and outward with respect to the housing to control a direction of a first portion of a flow of fuel to the second group of outlets. A second portion of the flow of fuel is continuously directed to the first group of outlets.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2019Publication date: May 23, 2019Applicant: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: James Charles Johncock, Joel Matthew Sells
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Patent number: 10292521Abstract: A method of regulating the temperature of a cooking liquid during sous vide cooking in a cooking vessel on a burner of a cooktop includes setting a desired cooking temperature and measuring the temperature of the cooking liquid inside the sous vide cooking vessel at a plurality of predetermined time intervals with a first temperature sensor mounted on an interior surface of a wall of the sous vide cooking vessel. The temperature of the cooking liquid is compared to the desired cooking temperature at each of the predetermined time intervals. The energy output of the burner is controlled based on the difference between the temperature of the cooking liquid and the desired cooking temperature. A cooking vessel and system for sous vide cooking using this method are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2018Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: James Charles Johncock, Darpan Dinkar Patil
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Publication number: 20190122833Abstract: A position switch retention device for use with an appliance including a body defining a first end, a cap extending outwardly from a second end of the body opposite the first end, and a first tab extending from a side of the body. The first tab defines a ramp extending away from the body to an edge directed toward and spaced from the cap.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2018Publication date: April 25, 2019Applicant: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: James Charles Johncock, David Wayne Mundy
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Patent number: 10228144Abstract: A burner assembly for a cooktop includes a housing that defines first and second concentric outlet sections, the first outlet section being inset relative to the second outlet section. The housing further defines a first aperture between the first outlet section and the second outlet section. A first switch assembly is mounted within the housing and includes a lever coupled with the housing and a first pin extending from the lever and upwardly through the aperture to an end positioned above the housing. The end of the pin is moveable in a first direction inward and outward with respect to the housing by rotation of the lever to control a flow of energy to the second outlet section.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2015Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: James Charles Johncock, Joel Matthew Sells
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Patent number: 10204752Abstract: A position switch retention device for use with an appliance including a body defining a switch-receiving cavity open on at least a first end of the body, a cap extending outwardly from a second end of the body opposite the first end, and a first tab extending from a side of the body. The first tab defines a ramp extending away from the body to an edge directed toward and spaced from the cap.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2018Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: James Charles Johncock, David Wayne Mundy
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Publication number: 20180352991Abstract: A method of regulating the temperature of a cooking liquid during sous vide cooking in a cooking vessel on a burner of a cooktop includes setting a desired cooking temperature and measuring the temperature of the cooking liquid inside the sous vide cooking vessel at a plurality of predetermined time intervals with a first temperature sensor mounted on an interior surface of a wall of the sous vide cooking vessel. The temperature of the cooking liquid is compared to the desired cooking temperature at each of the predetermined time intervals. The energy output of the burner is controlled based on the difference between the temperature of the cooking liquid and the desired cooking temperature. A cooking vessel and system for sous vide cooking using this method are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2018Publication date: December 13, 2018Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: James Charles Johncock, Darpan Dinkar Patil
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Patent number: 10085584Abstract: A method of regulating the temperature of a cooking liquid during sous vide cooking in a cooking vessel on a burner of a cooktop includes setting a desired cooking temperature and measuring the temperature of the cooking liquid inside the sous vide cooking vessel at a plurality of predetermined time intervals with a first temperature sensor mounted on an interior surface of a wall of the sous vide cooking vessel. The temperature of the cooking liquid is compared to the desired cooking temperature at each of the predetermined time intervals. The energy output of the burner is controlled based on the difference between the temperature of the cooking liquid and the desired cooking temperature. A cooking vessel and system for sous vide cooking using this method are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2014Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: James Charles Johncock, Darpan Dinkar Patil
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Publication number: 20180204691Abstract: A position switch retention device for use with an appliance including a body defining a switch-receiving cavity open on at least a first end of the body, a cap extending outwardly from a second end of the body opposite the first end, and a first tab extending from a side of the body. The first tab defines a ramp extending away from the body to an edge directed toward and spaced from the cap.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2018Publication date: July 19, 2018Applicant: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: James Charles Johncock, David Wayne Mundy
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Patent number: 9953773Abstract: An appliance includes a position switch retention device for use with an appliance including a body defining a generally cylindrical profile extending through a first portion thereof along an axis and having a first radius. The body further defines a pin-receiving channel open on at least a first end thereof and positioned within the generally cylindrical profile. The device further includes a first tab extending from a side of the body. The tab defines a ramp and an edge with the ramp extending away from the first end of the body to the edge. A cap extends outwardly from a second end of the body opposite the first end. The cap is spaced apart from the edge of the tab at a first distance and has a second radius greater than the first radius.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2017Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: James Charles Johncock, David Wayne Mundy
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Publication number: 20180066844Abstract: An appliance includes a first gas-burning heating element, a first gas path extending from an inlet to the first heating element, and a first solenoid valve positioned within the first gas path. The appliance further includes a second gas path extending from upstream of the first solenoid valve to the first heating element and supplying a base gas flow to the first heating element. A controller is electronically coupled with the first solenoid valve for controlling a supplemental flow of gas through the first gas path to the first heating element such that the supplemental gas flow combines with the base gas flow to achieve a total gas flow. The controller controls the supplemental flow to adjust the total gas flow by pulsing the first solenoid valve at a first rate corresponding to a desired rate of the total gas flow to the first heating element.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2017Publication date: March 8, 2018Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: James Charles Johncock, Cristiano Vito Pastore
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Patent number: 9841191Abstract: An appliance includes a first gas-burning heating element, a first gas path extending from an inlet to the first heating element, and a first solenoid valve positioned within the first gas path. The appliance further includes a second gas path extending from upstream of the first solenoid valve to the first heating element and supplying a base gas flow to the first heating element. A controller is electronically coupled with the first solenoid valve for controlling a supplemental flow of gas through the first gas path to the first heating element such that the supplemental gas flow combines with the base gas flow to achieve a total gas flow. The controller controls the supplemental flow to adjust the total gas flow by pulsing the first solenoid valve at a first rate corresponding to a desired rate of the total gas flow to the first heating element.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2015Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: James Charles Johncock, Cristiano Vito Pastore
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Publication number: 20170323743Abstract: An appliance includes a position switch retention device for use with an appliance including a body defining a generally cylindrical profile extending through a first portion thereof along an axis and having a first radius. The body further defines a pin-receiving channel open on at least a first end thereof and positioned within the generally cylindrical profile. The device further includes a first tab extending from a side of the body. The tab defines a ramp and an edge with the ramp extending away from the first end of the body to the edge. A cap extends outwardly from a second end of the body opposite the first end. The cap is spaced apart from the edge of the tab at a first distance and has a second radius greater than the first radius.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2017Publication date: November 9, 2017Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: James Charles Johncock, David Wayne Mundy
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Patent number: 9734961Abstract: An appliance includes a position switch retention device for use with an appliance includes a body defining a generally cylindrical profile extending through a first portion thereof along an axis and having a first radius. The body further defines a pin-receiving channel open on at least a first end thereof and positioned within the generally cylindrical profile. The device further includes a first tab extending from a side of the body. The tab defines a ramp and an edge with the ramp extending away from the first end of the body to the edge. A cap extends outwardly from a second end of the body opposite the first end. The cap is spaced apart from the edge of the tab at a first distance and has a second radius greater than the first radius.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2015Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: James Charles Johncock, David Wayne Mundy
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Publication number: 20160348917Abstract: A burner assembly for a cooktop includes a housing that defines first and second concentric outlet sections, the first outlet section being inset relative to the second outlet section. The housing further defines a first aperture between the first outlet section and the second outlet section. A first switch assembly is mounted within the housing and includes a lever coupled with the housing and a first pin extending from the lever and upwardly through the aperture to an end positioned above the housing. The end of the pin is moveable in a first direction inward and outward with respect to the housing by rotation of the lever to control a flow of energy to the second outlet section.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2015Publication date: December 1, 2016Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: James Charles Johncock, Joel Matthew Sells