Patents by Inventor Marvin L. Fox

Marvin L. Fox 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: 6597144
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring voltage input to an appliance, such as a dryer, sensing when power input to the appliance is lost. In addition, a controller in the appliance pulses relay coils controlling motors and/or heating devices within the appliance to conserve energy on a backup capacitor that supplies the control circuit of the appliance in the event of power loss. Further, a voltage sense circuit outputting a square wave effects monitoring of the input voltage to the appliance by outputting the square wave signal whose cycle period is monitored to determine power outage. The controller stores current operation settings at the time of power outage in a memory device and ensures proper storage through the extra energy conserved from the capacitor by the pulsing of the relay coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Steven L. Pearson, Mark L. Herman, Scott L. Hansen, Marvin L. Fox
  • Publication number: 20020008488
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring voltage input to an appliance, such as a dryer, sensing when power input to the appliance is lost. In addition, a controller in the appliance pulses relay coils controlling motors and/or heating devices within the appliance to conserve energy on a backup capacitor that supplies the control circuit of the appliance in the event of power loss. Further, a voltage sense circuit outputting a square wave effects monitoring of the input voltage to the appliance by outputting the square wave signal whose cycle period is monitored to determine power outage. The controller stores current operation settings at the time of power outage in a memory device and ensures proper storage through the extra energy conserved from the capacitor by the pulsing of the relay coils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: Steven L. Pearson, Mark L. Herman, Scott L. Hansen, Marvin L. Fox