Patents by Inventor Lee G. Mueller
Lee G. Mueller 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: 8738302Abstract: A method that includes: (i) detecting an acoustic wave that is propagating through a body of water, as the body of water is being frozen on a structure, thus yielding a detected acoustic wave; (ii) extracting, from the detected acoustic wave, (a) a frequency component thereof, and (b) a magnitude of the frequency component; and (iii) removing the body of water from the structure when the magnitude exceeds a threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2011Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Manitowoc Foodservice Companies, LLCInventors: Ramesh B. Tirumala, Raymond R. Haack, William E. Smith, Jr., Lee G. Mueller
-
Publication number: 20120197543Abstract: A method that includes: (i) detecting an acoustic wave that is propagating through a body of water, as the body of water is being frozen on a structure, thus yielding a detected acoustic wave; (ii) extracting, from the detected acoustic wave, (a) a frequency component thereof, and (b) a magnitude of the frequency component; and (iii) removing the body of water from the structure when the magnitude exceeds a threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2011Publication date: August 2, 2012Applicant: MANITOWOC FOODSERVICE COMPANIES, LLCInventors: Ramesh B. Tirumala, Raymond R. Haack, William E. Smith, JR., Lee G. Mueller
-
Patent number: 7832219Abstract: An ice barrier and an ice making machine having an ice barrier is provided in some embodiments, wherein the ice barrier is movable between a first orientation in which liquid water from an ice-forming surface is directed into the liquid receptacle, and a second orientation in which the ice barrier blocks access of ice from the ice-forming surface to locations in which ice is trapped between the ice barrier and an adjacent surface. Also, a method of producing ice in an ice making machine is provided in some embodiments, wherein a barrier diverts a flow of liquid water received from the ice-forming surface away from an ice collection bin, and wherein the barrier is moved to an orientation in which the barrier diverts ice toward the ice collection bin and also blocks access of ice to positions trapped between the barrier and an adjacent surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2006Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Manitowoc Foodservice Companies, Inc.Inventors: Philip J. Baranowski, Lee G. Mueller, John P. Myers, Curt R. Cayemberg, Brian A Ebelt
-
Publication number: 20080156019Abstract: An ice barrier and an ice making machine having an ice barrier is provided in some embodiments, wherein the ice barrier is movable between a first orientation in which liquid water from an ice-forming surface is directed into the liquid receptacle, and a second orientation in which the ice barrier blocks access of ice from the ice-forming surface to locations in which ice is trapped between the ice barrier and an adjacent surface. Also, a method of producing ice in an ice making machine is provided in some embodiments, wherein a barrier diverts a flow of liquid water received from the ice-forming surface away from an ice collection bin, and wherein the barrier is moved to an orientation in which the barrier diverts ice toward the ice collection bin and also blocks access of ice to positions trapped between the barrier and an adjacent surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2006Publication date: July 3, 2008Inventors: Philip J. Baranowski, Lee G. Mueller, John P. Myers, Curt R. Cayemberg, Brian A. Ebelt
-
Patent number: 7032406Abstract: An ice machine includes an evaporator, a condensate collection unit, positioned below the evaporator and configured to collect condensate from a back surface of the evaporator. First and second mounting brackets attached to the first and second sides of the evaporator, respectively, and are attached to first and second side panels positioned within the ice machine. A pump deck resides below the evaporator and has a chambered section, and a sump is positioned within the chambered section. The condensate collection unit is coupled to a water discharge line, such that condensate is removed from the ice machine and does not come into contact with water that is recirculated to the evaporator. The first and second mounting brackets and first and second flanges on the sump permit easy installation and removal of the evaporator and the sump from the ice machine.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2004Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignee: Manitowoc Foodservice Companies, Inc.Inventors: Michael C. Hollen, Marty J. Lafond, Lee G. Mueller, Steven P. Kutchera, Thomas G. Gutman, Mathew E. Kampert, Howard G. Funk, Richard T. Miller
-
Patent number: 6725675Abstract: A flaked ice making machine has a solenoid inlet valve in series with an inlet level control valve. In a preferred embodiment, these valves are used to provide an automatic cleaning feature. The automatic self-cleaning feature interacts with the control system and an array of inputs to clean a water reservoir and a freezing cylinder within the ice making machine and to rid the machine of mineral deposits.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2002Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: Manitowoc Foodservice Companies, Inc.Inventors: Matthew E. Kampert, Charles E. Schlosser, Lee G. Mueller
-
Publication number: 20030089120Abstract: A flaked ice making machine has a solenoid inlet valve in series with an inlet level control valve. In a preferred embodiment, these valves are used to provide an automatic cleaning feature. The automatic self-cleaning feature interacts with the control system and an array of inputs to clean a water reservoir and a freezing cylinder within the ice making machine and to rid the machine of mineral deposits.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2002Publication date: May 15, 2003Inventors: Matthew E. Kampert, Charles E. Schlosser, Lee G. Mueller
-
Patent number: 6134907Abstract: A remote ice-making machine is disclosed having a compressor unit remote from an evaporator unit, a supply line for transferring refrigerant from the compressor unit to the remote evaporator unit, and a return line for returning refrigerant from the evaporator unit to the compressor unit during an ice-making mode. The preferred evaporator unit has an ice-forming evaporator and a heating unit, as well as a valve for controlling the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator unit. A method for making ice with the remote ice-making unit is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 1999Date of Patent: October 24, 2000Assignee: Manitowoc Foodservice Group, Inc.Inventors: Lee G. Mueller, Howard G. Funk, Timothy J. Kraus, Steven P. Kutchera, Gregory McDougal, David J. Williamson
-
Patent number: 5953925Abstract: A remote ice-making machine is disclosed having a compressor unit remote from an evaporator unit, a supply line for transferring refrigerant from the compressor unit-to the remote evaporator unit, and a return line for returning refrigerant from the evaporator unit to the compressor unit during an ice-making mode. The preferred evaporator unit has an ice-forming evaporator and a heating unit, as well as a valve for controlling the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator unit. A method for making ice with the remote ice-making unit is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1998Date of Patent: September 21, 1999Assignee: Manitowoc Foodservice Group, Inc.Inventors: Lee G. Mueller, Howard G. Funk, Timothy J. Kraus, Steven P. Kutchera, Gregory McDougal, David J. Williamson
-
Patent number: 5787723Abstract: A remote ice-making machine is disclosed having a compressor unit remote from an evaporator unit, a supply line for transferring refrigerant from the compressor unit to the remote evaporator unit, and a return line for returning refrigerant from the evaporator unit to the compressor unit during an ice-making mode. The preferred evaporator unit has an ice-forming evaporator and a heating unit, as well as a valve for controlling the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator unit. A method for making ice with the remote ice-making unit is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1996Date of Patent: August 4, 1998Assignee: Manitowoc Foodservice Group, Inc.Inventors: Lee G. Mueller, Howard G. Funk, Timothy J. Kraus, Steven P. Kutchera, Gregory McDougal, David J. Williamson
-
Patent number: 5752393Abstract: An automatic ice making machine is disclosed having a coolant/refrigerant system, a water/ice system, a cleaning/sterilizing system and a microprocessor operated control system interconnecting the above systems. Methods for automatically cleaning the ice maker's water/ice systems and establishing safeguards and monitoring of system readiness and operation are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1996Date of Patent: May 19, 1998Assignee: Manitowoc Foodservice Group, Inc,Inventors: Charles E. Schlosser, Lee G. Mueller, Gregory McDougal
-
Patent number: 5586439Abstract: An automatic ice making machine is disclosed having a coolant/refrigerant system, a water/ice system, a cleaning/sterilizing system and a microprocessor operated control system interconnecting the above systems. Methods for automatically cleaning the ice makers water/ice systems and establishing safeguards and monitoring of system readiness and operation are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 1995Date of Patent: December 24, 1996Assignee: The Manitowoc Company, Inc.Inventors: Charles E. Schlosser, Lee G. Mueller, Gregory McDougal
-
Patent number: 5408834Abstract: An automatic ice making machine is disclosed having a coolant/refrigerant system, a water/ice system, a cleaning/sterilizing system and a microprocessor operated control system interconnecting the above systems. Methods for automatically cleaning the ice maker's water/ice systems and establishing safeguards and monitoring of system readiness and operation are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1994Date of Patent: April 25, 1995Assignee: The Manitowoc Company, Inc.Inventors: Charles E. Schlosser, Lee G. Mueller, Gregory McDougal
-
Patent number: 5289691Abstract: An automatic self-cleaning self-sterilizing ice making machine is having a coolant/refrigerant system, a water-ice system, a cleaning/sterilizing system and a microprocessor operated control system interconnecting the above systems. Methods for automatically cleaning ice maker water-ice systems and establishing safeguards and monitoring of system readiness and operation are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 1992Date of Patent: March 1, 1994Assignee: The Manitowoc Company, Inc.Inventors: Charles E. Schlosser, Lee G. Mueller, Gregory McDougal
-
Patent number: 4732089Abstract: A roller-equipped platform movably supported upon a tabletop having a straight, accessible rear edge, the platform including a straight depending flange received in a guide channel defined by the rear edge of the tabletop and a guide track secured to that rear edge. Stop elements at opposite ends of the track limit the extent of sideways movement of the platform upon the tabletop.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 1986Date of Patent: March 22, 1988Assignee: Hamilton Industries, Inc.Inventor: Lee G. Mueller