Patents by Inventor Michael C. Mitchell

Michael C. Mitchell 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: 11952753
    Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a valve assembly having a valve, an actuating system, and a trigger. The trigger can be in mechanical communication with the actuating system and the actuating system can be in mechanical communication with the valve. The trigger can be positioned such that the trigger can interact with liquid resulting from a leak in a plumbing system, and upon interaction with liquid, the trigger can release the actuating system such that the actuating system can cause the valve to transition from an open position to a closed position. In the closed position, the valve can restrict the passage of liquid through the plumbing system such that the leak can be mitigated or stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Raheel A. Chaudhry, Michael C. Mitchell, Michael C. Ezell, Troy Trant
  • Publication number: 20240113301
    Abstract: Methods of preparing a dry powder blend co-coagulating conductive carbon black particles and fibrillizable polytetrafluoroethylene particles from an aqueous dispersion and drying the co-coagulate are described. Dry powders prepared by such methods and electrodes prepared from such powders are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Michael H. Mitchell, Michael C. Dadalas, Mark W. Muggli, Helmut Traunspurger, André Streiter, Kevin W. Eberman, Brandon A. Bartling
  • Patent number: 11920014
    Abstract: A sealing composition for use in unit dose packages is provided, including: 70 to 98 wt % water; 1 to 30 wt % of a hydrogen bonding component; and 1 to 30 wt % of a complex forming component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignees: Dow Global Technologies LLC, Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventors: Gyongyi Gulyas, An Kaga, Thomas Fitzgibbons, Afua Sarpong Karikari, Michael C. Mitchell, Xin Jin, Joseph Kao
  • Publication number: 20230258368
    Abstract: A water heater monitoring and notification method includes determining that an intake pressure switch of a combustion system of a water heater or an exhaust pressure switch of the combustion system of the water heater is open and shutting down a blower of the combustion system in response to the intake pressure switch or the exhaust pressure switch being open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Raheel A. Chaudhry, Michael C. Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20230183614
    Abstract: An automatic dishwashing composition is provided including a builder; a nonionic surfactant; and a dispersant polymer comprising: (a) >60 to <90 wt %, based on weight of the dispersant polymer, of structural units of formula I wherein each R1 is independently selected from a hydrogen and a —CH3 group; and (b) >10 to <40 wt %, based on weight of the dispersant polymer, of structural units of formula II wherein each R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of a C1-6 hydroxyalkyl group and a C1-6 alkoxy group; and wherein each R3 is independently selected from a hydrogen and a methyl group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Scott Backer, Paul Mercando, Ashutosh Umarvadia, Severine Cauvin, Michael C. Mitchell, Marianne Creamer
  • Patent number: 11674717
    Abstract: A water heater monitoring and notification method includes determining, by a controller of a water heater system, a deviation of a duration of a pre-purge operation from a pre-purge duration average value. The method further includes determining, by the controller of the water heater system, a deviation of a flame current from a flame current average value and determining, by the controller of the water heater system, a deviation of a pulse-width-modulation (PWM) parameter from a PWM parameter average value. The method also includes providing a notification related to a combustion system of the water heater system based on at least the deviation of the duration of the pre-purge operation from the pre-purge duration average value, the deviation of the flame current from the flame current average value, and the deviation of the PWM parameter from the PWM parameter average value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Raheel A. Chaudhry, Michael C. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 11629884
    Abstract: A water heating system can include a first tank-based water heater having a first inlet line and a first outlet line, where the first inlet line provides unheated water to the first tank, and where the first outlet line draws heated water from the first tank. The system can also include a first tankless water heater having a second outlet line, where the second outlet line of the first tankless water heater provides the heated water to a first heated water demand. The system can also include a first valve that controls an amount of the unheated water flowing through the first inlet line to the first tank-based water heater. The system can further include a controller operatively coupled to the first valve, where the controller controls a position of the first valve based on the first heated water demand and a first capacity of the first tankless water heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Raheel A. Chaudhry, David I. Vega, Michael C. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 11598533
    Abstract: A water heater system includes a water heater having a first water outlet and a second water outlet. The water heater system further includes a flow detection device coupled to the first water outlet to detect a water flow through the first water outlet. The water heater system also includes a flow control valve fluidly coupled to the second water outlet. The flow control valve is configured to control a flow of water through the second water outlet based on whether the water flow through the first water outlet is detected by the flow detection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Raheel A. Chaudhry, Michael C. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 11525575
    Abstract: A burner appliance is disclosed. The burner appliance includes a byproduct sensor in an exhaust flue and/or a barometric pressure sensor to detect an environmental pressure at the burner appliance. By calculating concentrations of combustion byproducts in the exhaust with the byproduct sensor, a controller can adjust blower speed and/or fuel rate to modify combustion efficiency. By calculating the environmental pressure at the burner with the barometric pressure sensor, the controller can adjust blower speed and/or fuel rate to modify combustion efficiency. The barometric-pressure data can also be used to adjust blower speed control bands, thereby calibrating the control bands based on environmental pressure. The environmental pressure can be indicative of altitude and/or weather conditions. Methods of operating said burner appliance are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michael C. Mitchell, David I. Vega
  • Patent number: 11485873
    Abstract: A film: (a) 50 to 85 wt % polymer comprising: (i) 30 to 70 wt % hard polymer with Tg from 40 to 70° C. and 40 to 80 wt % (C1-C10)alkyl (meth)acrylate; 10 to 40 wt % C3-C8 carboxylic acid; and 0 to 25 wt % hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate; and (ii) 30 to 70 wt % soft polymer with Tg from ?20 to 20 ° C. and 50 to 90 wt % (C1-C10)alkyl (meth)acrylate; 5 to 30 wt % C3-C8 carboxylic acid; and 0 to 25 wt % hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate; hard Tg minus soft Tg is at least 30° C.; (iii) 0 to 10 wt %, of (C12-C24)alkyl (meth)acrylate polymer containing crystallizable portion with Tm from 0° C. to 37° C.; (b) 10 to 40 wt % of polyethylene oxide having Mw from 250,000 to 4,000,000; and (c) 0 to 10 wt % of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) having Mw from 25,000 to 2,000,000.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignees: Dow Global Technologies LLC, Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventors: Afua Sarpong Karikari, Michael C. Mitchell, Marianne Creamer, Nilesh Shah
  • Patent number: 11441002
    Abstract: A free standing dispersant film is provided, including: a partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate; a poly(ethylene oxide); a polyalkylene glycol; a plasticizer; a dispersant polymer; optionally, a poly(isobutylene-co-maleic anhydride) copolymer, wherein the poly(isobutylene-co-maleic anhydride) copolymer is at least partially neutralized; and optionally, an optional additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventors: Randara Pulukkody, Scott Backer, Afua Sarpong Karikari, Michael C. Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20220260281
    Abstract: A water heater monitoring and notification method includes determining, by a controller of a water heater system, a deviation of a duration of a pre-purge operation from a pre-purge duration average value. The method further includes determining, by the controller of the water heater system, a deviation of a flame current from a flame current average value and determining, by the controller of the water heater system, a deviation of a pulse-width-modulation (PWM) parameter from a PWM parameter average value. The method also includes providing a notification related to a combustion system of the water heater system based on at least the deviation of the duration of the pre-purge operation from the pre-purge duration average value, the deviation of the flame current from the flame current average value, and the deviation of the PWM parameter from the PWM parameter average value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Raheel A. Chaudhry, Michael C. Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20220214077
    Abstract: An integrated valve and flow sensor for a water heater can have a valve body that includes a valve and a flow sensor for measuring the flow of water through the valve. The integrated valve and flow sensor can be disposed within a fitting that can be attached to a water heater. An actuator for opening and closing the valve can be attached to the fitting. A diffuser can also be attached to the fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Timothy D. Scott, Michael C. Mitchell, Raheel A. Chaudhry, William T. McLemore, Hector J. Donastorg
  • Publication number: 20220178555
    Abstract: A water heater system includes a water heater having a first water outlet and a second water outlet. The water heater system further includes a flow detection device coupled to the first water outlet to detect a water flow through the first water outlet. The water heater system also includes a flow control valve fluidly coupled to the second water outlet. The flow control valve is configured to control a flow of water through the second water outlet based on whether the water flow through the first water outlet is detected by the flow detection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Raheel A. Chaudhry, Michael C. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 11287160
    Abstract: An integrated valve and flow sensor for a water heater can have a valve body that includes a valve and a flow sensor for measuring the flow of water through the valve. The integrated valve and flow sensor can be disposed within a fitting that can be attached to a water heater. An actuator for opening and closing the valve can be attached to the fitting. A diffuser can also be attached to the fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Timothy D. Scott, Michael C. Mitchell, Raheel A. Chaudhry, William T. McLemore, Hector J. Donastorg
  • Publication number: 20220064916
    Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a valve assembly having a valve, an actuating system, and a trigger. The trigger can be in mechanical communication with the actuating system and the actuating system can be in mechanical communication with the valve. The trigger can be positioned such that the trigger can interact with liquid resulting from a leak in a plumbing system, and upon interaction with liquid, the trigger can release the actuating system such that the actuating system can cause the valve to transition from an open position to a closed position. In the closed position, the valve can restrict the passage of liquid through the plumbing system such that the leak can be mitigated or stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Raheel A. Chaudhry, Michael C. Mitchell, Michael C. Ezell, Troy Trant
  • Patent number: 11262084
    Abstract: A water heater system includes a water heater having a first water outlet and a second water outlet. The water heater system further includes a flow detection device coupled to the first water outlet to detect a water flow through the first water outlet. The water heater system also includes a flow control valve fluidly coupled to the second water outlet. The flow control valve is configured to control a flow of water through the second water outlet based on whether the water flow through the first water outlet is detected by the flow detection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Raheel A. Chaudhry, Michael C. Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20210317988
    Abstract: A burner appliance is disclosed. The burner appliance includes a byproduct sensor in an exhaust flue and/or a barometric pressure sensor to detect an environmental pressure at the burner appliance. By calculating concentrations of combustion byproducts in the exhaust with the byproduct sensor, a controller can adjust blower speed and/or fuel rate to modify combustion efficiency. By calculating the environmental pressure at the burner with the barometric pressure sensor, the controller can adjust blower speed and/or fuel rate to modify combustion efficiency. The barometric-pressure data can also be used to adjust blower speed control bands, thereby calibrating the control bands based on environmental pressure. The environmental pressure can be indicative of altitude and/or weather conditions. Methods of operating said burner appliance are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Michael C. Mitchell, David I. Vega
  • Publication number: 20210130519
    Abstract: A film: (a) 50 to 85 wt % polymer comprising: (i) 30 to 70 wt % hard polymer with Tg from 40 to 70° C. and 40 to 80 wt % (C1-C10)alkyl (meth)acrylate; 10 to 40 wt % C3-C8 carboxylic acid; and 0 to 25 wt % hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate; and (ii) 30 to 70 wt % soft polymer with Tg from ?20 to 20 ° C. and 50 to 90 wt % (C1-C10)alkyl (meth)acrylate; 5 to 30 wt % C3-C8 carboxylic acid; and 0 to 25 wt % hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate; hard Tg minus soft Tg is at least 30° C.; (iii) 0 to 10 wt %, of (C12-C24)alkyl (meth)acrylate polymer containing crystallizable portion with Tm from 0° C. to 37° C.; (b) 10 to 40 wt % of polyethylene oxide having Mw from 250,000 to 4,000,000; and (c) 0 to 10 wt % of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) having Mw from 25,000 to 2,000,000.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Afua Sarpong Karikari, Michael C. Mitchell, Marianne Creamer, Nilesh Shah
  • Patent number: 10982175
    Abstract: A free standing film is provided including: a partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate; a poly(ethylene oxide); a polyalkylene glycol; a plasticizer; optionally, a poly(isobutylene-co-maleic anhydride) copolymer; and optionally an additive. Unit dose packages including the free standing film are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignees: Dow Global Technologies LLC, Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventors: Afua Sarpong Karikari, Xin Jin, Joseph Kao, An Kaga, Gyongyi Gulyas, Michael C. Mitchell