Patents by Inventor Keith S. Ruh
Keith S. Ruh 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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Publication number: 20230383510Abstract: A drain system for controlling a water level in a bathtub includes a drain exit assembly coupled to an exit drain of the bathtub and configured to receive water exiting the bathtub, a valve fluidly coupled to the drain exit assembly and operably coupled to a motor, and a pressure sensor communicatively coupled to the valve and in fluid communication with the drain exit assembly. The motor is configured to change the operational state of the valve based on a pressure sensed by the pressure sensor to control a water level within the bathtub.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2023Publication date: November 30, 2023Applicant: Kohler Co.Inventors: David H. Ritter, Brian S. Core, Douglas J. Brouwer, Keith S. Ruh, Autumn-Storm Antoinette McFaul
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Patent number: 11725373Abstract: A drain system for controlling a water level in a bathtub includes a drain exit assembly coupled to an exit drain of the bathtub and configured to receive water exiting the bathtub, a valve fluidly coupled to the drain exit assembly and operably coupled to a motor, and a pressure sensor communicatively coupled to the valve and in fluid communication with the drain exit assembly. The motor is configured to change the operational state of the valve based on a pressure sensed by the pressure sensor to control a water level within the bathtub.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2020Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: David H. Ritter, Brian S. Core, Douglas J. Brouwer, Keith S. Ruh, Autumn-Storm Antoinette McFaul
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Publication number: 20210180304Abstract: A drain system for controlling a water level in a bathtub includes a drain exit assembly coupled to an exit drain of the bathtub and configured to receive water exiting the bathtub, a valve fluidly coupled to the drain exit assembly and operably coupled to a motor, and a pressure sensor communicatively coupled to the valve and in fluid communication with the drain exit assembly. The motor is configured to change the operational state of the valve based on a pressure sensed by the pressure sensor to control a water level within the bathtub.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2020Publication date: June 17, 2021Applicant: Kohler Co.Inventors: David H. Ritter, Brian S. Core, Douglas J. Brouwer, Keith S. Ruh, Autumn-Storm Antoinette McFaul
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Patent number: 10626583Abstract: A shower control system includes a controller in communication with a plurality of output devices located within a shower enclosure. The controller is configured to control the plurality of output devices. The shower control system further includes a control panel in communication with the controller and configured to provide a graphical user interface for controlling the plurality of output devices. The control panel includes an electronic display configured to present dynamic content, one or more static buttons, and a touch-sensitive panel overlaying both the electronic display and the one or more static buttons. The touch-sensitive panel is configured to detect a user interaction with both the one or more static buttons and the dynamic content presented via the electronic display.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2015Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Margaret C. Mazz, Gregory De Swarte, Donald P. Freier, Brian C. Wick, Steven M. Tervo, Jeffrey J. Mueller, Keith S. Ruh
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Patent number: 9777470Abstract: A shower control system includes a water subsystem, a steam subsystem, and a controller in communication with the water subsystem and the steam subsystem. The water subsystem includes one or more electronic valves configured to control a flow rate and a temperature of water dispensed from one or more shower outlets within a shower enclosure. The steam subsystem is configured to generate and dispense steam from one or more steam outlets within the shower enclosure. The controller is configured to control the water subsystem and the steam subsystem to provide a spa experience including a predetermined and coordinated sequence of water outputs from the shower outlets and steam outputs from the steam outlets.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Margaret C. Mazz, Gregory De Swarte, Donald P. Freier, Brian C. Wick, Steven M. Tervo, Jeffrey J. Mueller, Keith S. Ruh, Greta Knowles
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Publication number: 20150322652Abstract: A shower control system includes a water subsystem, a steam subsystem, and a controller in communication with the water subsystem and the steam subsystem. The water subsystem includes one or more electronic valves configured to control a flow rate and a temperature of water dispensed from one or more shower outlets within a shower enclosure. The steam subsystem is configured to generate and dispense steam from one or more steam outlets within the shower enclosure. The controller is configured to control the water subsystem and the steam subsystem to provide a spa experience including a predetermined and coordinated sequence of water outputs from the shower outlets and steam outputs from the steam outlets.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2015Publication date: November 12, 2015Inventors: Margaret C. Mazz, Gregory De Swarte, Donald P. Freier, Brian C. Wick, Steven M. Tervo, Jeffrey J. Mueller, Keith S. Ruh
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Publication number: 20150218784Abstract: A shower control system includes a controller in communication with a plurality of output devices located within a shower enclosure. The controller is configured to control the plurality of output devices. The shower control system further includes a control panel in communication with the controller and configured to provide a graphical user interface for controlling the plurality of output devices. The control panel includes an electronic display configured to present dynamic content, one or more static buttons, and a touch-sensitive panel overlaying both the electronic display and the one or more static buttons. The touch-sensitive panel is configured to detect a user interaction with both the one or more static buttons and the dynamic content presented via the electronic display.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2015Publication date: August 6, 2015Inventors: Margaret C. Mazz, Gregory De Swarte, Donald P. Freier, Brian C. Wick, Steven M. Tervo, Jeffrey J. Mueller, Keith S. Ruh
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Patent number: 9085880Abstract: A shower generally includes a shower enclosure, various shower systems having output devices, and a control panel having an electronic display and configured for receiving user inputs. Shower control systems and methods are provided for receiving and processing user inputs, displaying a graphical user interface on the electronic display, and controlling outputs of the various output devices.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2011Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Kenneth S. Hanna, Jacob P. Vanderheyden, Keith S. Ruh
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Patent number: 9085882Abstract: A shower generally includes a shower enclosure, various shower systems having output devices, and a control panel having an electronic display and configured for receiving user inputs. Shower control systems and methods are provided for receiving and processing user inputs, displaying a graphical user interface on the electronic display, and controlling outputs of the various output devices.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2011Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Kenneth S. Hanna, Jacob P. Vanderheyden, Keith S. Ruh
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Patent number: 9085883Abstract: A shower generally includes a shower enclosure, various shower systems having output devices, and a control panel having an electronic display and configured for receiving user inputs. Shower control systems and methods are provided for receiving and processing user inputs, displaying a graphical user interface on the electronic display, and controlling outputs of the various output devices.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2011Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Kenneth S. Hanna, Jacob P. Vanderheyden, Keith S. Ruh
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Patent number: 9085881Abstract: A shower generally includes a shower enclosure, various shower systems having output devices, and a control panel having an electronic display and configured for receiving user inputs. Shower control systems and methods are provided for receiving and processing user inputs, displaying a graphical user interface on the electronic display, and controlling outputs of the various output devices.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2011Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Kenneth S. Hanna, Jacob P. Vanderheyden, Keith S. Ruh
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Publication number: 20110186135Abstract: A shower generally includes a shower enclosure, various shower systems having output devices, and a control panel having an electronic display and configured for receiving user inputs. Shower control systems and methods are provided for receiving and processing user inputs, displaying a graphical user interface on the electronic display, and controlling outputs of the various output devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2011Publication date: August 4, 2011Inventors: Kenneth S. HANNA, Jacob P. VANDERHEYDEN, Keith S. RUH
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Publication number: 20110186137Abstract: A shower generally includes a shower enclosure, various shower systems having output devices, and a control panel having an electronic display and configured for receiving user inputs. Shower control systems and methods are provided for receiving and processing user inputs, displaying a graphical user interface on the electronic display, and controlling outputs of the various output devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2011Publication date: August 4, 2011Inventors: Kenneth S. Hanna, Jacob P. Vanderheyden, Keith S. Ruh
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Publication number: 20110186138Abstract: A shower generally includes a shower enclosure, various shower systems having output devices, and a control panel having an electronic display and configured for receiving user inputs. Shower control systems and methods are provided for receiving and processing user inputs, displaying a graphical user interface on the electronic display, and controlling outputs of the various output devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2011Publication date: August 4, 2011Inventors: Kenneth S. Hanna, Jacob P. Vanderheyden, Keith S. Ruh
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Publication number: 20110186136Abstract: A shower generally includes a shower enclosure, various shower systems having output devices, and a control panel having an electronic display and configured for receiving user inputs. Shower control systems and methods are provided for receiving and processing user inputs, displaying a graphical user interface on the electronic display, and controlling outputs of the various output devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2011Publication date: August 4, 2011Inventors: Kenneth S. HANNA, Jacob P. VANDERHEYDEN, Keith S. RUH
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Patent number: 6633799Abstract: A switchgear system, as well as a method of controlling a switching status of two switches in a switchgear system, are disclosed. The switchgear system includes a first switch capable of electrically coupling a first power source and a load, and a second switch capable of electrically coupling a second power source and the load. The switchgear system further includes a control unit coupled to both the first and second switches. The control unit includes a memory that stores software, and the control unit is capable of operating in at least two modes and controlling opening and closing of the first and second switches in accordance with those modes based upon the software. The switchgear system additionally includes an operator interface coupled to the control unit. The operator interface is capable of receiving additional information that enables the operation of the control unit in at least one of the at least two modes.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2000Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Alexander Krakovich, Keith S. Ruh
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Publication number: 20020128748Abstract: A switchgear system, as well as a method of controlling a switching status of two switches in a switchgear system, are disclosed. The switchgear system includes a first switch capable of electrically coupling a first power source and a load, and a second switch capable of electrically coupling a second power source and the load. The switchgear system further includes a control unit coupled to both the first and second switches. The control unit includes a memory that stores software, and the control unit is capable of operating in at least two modes and controlling opening and closing of the first and second switches in accordance with those modes based upon the software. The switchgear system additionally includes an operator interface coupled to the control unit. The operator interface is capable of receiving additional information that enables the operation of the control unit in at least one of the at least two modes.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2000Publication date: September 12, 2002Inventors: Alexander Krakovich, Keith S. Ruh