Patents by Inventor Robert Hollenbeck

Robert Hollenbeck 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).

  • System for selecting an output speed for an electric motor
    Patent number: 9270212
    Abstract: An electric motor has a control circuit that enables an operational speed of the electric motor to be selected with reference to multiple ranges of speeds and the input voltage to the motor. Switching between speed ranges occurs in response to activation of a switch or in response to expiration of a time period set by a selector switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Merkle-Korff Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Hollenbeck, Bruce Ley, Trevor Perdue, Bart Long, Justin Mumaw
  • System For Selecting An Output Speed For An Electric Motor
    Publication number: 20140265984
    Abstract: An electric motor has a control circuit that enables an operational speed of the electric motor to be selected with reference to multiple ranges of speeds and the input voltage to the motor. Switching between speed ranges occurs in response to activation of a switch or in response to expiration of a time period set by a selector switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Merkle-Korff Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Hollenbeck, Bruce Ley, Trevor Perdue, Bart Long, Justin Mumaw
  • Method and apparatus for controlling a mode shifter in a washing machine from a motor controller
    Patent number: 8151428
    Abstract: A method for assembling a washing machine is provided. The method includes providing a mode shifter including a solenoid, coupling a basket and an agitator to the mode shifter, and coupling a motor to the mode shifter. The solenoid selectively allows the motor to rotate at least one of the basket and the agitator. The method also includes affixing a motor controller to the motor, and electrically coupling the motor controller to each of the mode shifter and the motor. The motor controller is in operational control communication with the mode shifter and the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Donald R. Dickerson, Jr., Michael Finch, William Bicknell, Robert Hollenbeck
  • Method and apparatus for providing redundancy in monitoring the lid switch and basket of a washing machine
    Patent number: 8046855
    Abstract: A method and control system for automatically halting operation of a washing machine by stopping operation of the washing machine motor is provided. The washing machine that implements the method includes a motor controller having a primary microprocessor and a secondary microprocessor which serves as a backup redundancy processor in the event there is a malfunction with the primary microprocessor or the primary microprocessor fails to halt washing machine operation within a prescribed window of time. The primary microprocessor controls operation of all of the washing machine electrically controlled components. The secondary microprocessor is electrically connected to a lid switch and the washing machine motor and is configured to halt operation of the motor in response to the primary microprocessor failing to halt motor operation after the lid is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael F. Finch, Donald Richard Dickerson, Jr., Robert Hollenbeck, Meher Kollipara
  • Method and Apparatus for Providing Redundancy in Monitoring the Lid Switch and Basket of a Washing Machine
    Publication number: 20090038347
    Abstract: A method and control system for automatically halting operation of a washing machine by stopping operation of the washing machine motor is provided. The washing machine that implements the method includes a motor controller having a primary microprocessor and a secondary microprocessor which serves as a backup redundancy processor in the event there is a malfunction with the primary microprocessor or the primary microprocessor fails to halt washing machine operation within a prescribed window of time. The primary microprocessor controls operation of all of the washing machine electrically controlled components. The secondary microprocessor is electrically connected to a lid switch and the washing machine motor and is configured to halt operation of the motor in response to the primary microprocessor failing to halt motor operation after the lid is open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Michael F. Finch, Donald Richard Dickerson, JR., Robert Hollenbeck, Meher Kollipara
  • Method and apparatus for controlling a mode shifter in a washing machine from a motor controller
    Publication number: 20080041114
    Abstract: A method for assembling a washing machine is provided. The method includes providing a mode shifter including a solenoid, coupling a basket and an agitator to the mode shifter, and coupling a motor to the mode shifter. The solenoid selectively allows the motor to rotate at least one of the basket and the agitator. The method also includes affixing a motor controller to the motor, and electrically coupling the motor controller to each of the mode shifter and the motor. The motor controller is in operational control communication with the mode shifter and the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Donald R. Dickerson, Michael Finch, William Bicknell, Robert Hollenbeck