Patents by Inventor Patrick C. Meachim

Patrick C. Meachim 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).

  • Moisture sensor for microwave clothes dryer
    Patent number: 5661227
    Abstract: Microwave clothes dryer with a moisture sensor having an array of short coaxial cables extending through an electrically conductive base plate which is grounded to the shielding structure of the dryer. The ends of the cables are flush with one side of the plate and are exposed for contact with clothes in the dryer chamber. Electrical resistance is monitored between the inner conductors and the plate to determine the dryness of clothes, and the dryer is shut down when the resistance reaches a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute
    Inventors: Richard D. Smith, Ronald R. Lentz, Patrick C. Meachim
  • Microwave clothes dryer and method with hazard detection
    Patent number: 5606804
    Abstract: Microwave clothes dryer and method in which an impending fire and/or explosion is detected by monitoring gases from the drying chamber with a solid state gas sensor to detect the presence of a gas associated with fire or an explosion. In the disclosed embodiments, the gases to be detected include ethane, propane, butane, toluene, hydrogen sulfide, alcohol, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute
    Inventors: Richard D. Smith, Ronald R. Lentz, Patrick C. Meachim