Patents by Inventor Ryan P. Lundberg

Ryan P. Lundberg 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).

  • Publication number: 20240053018
    Abstract: Pellet grills including a control system that implements, manages, and/or controls various ignition-based protocols are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a cooking chamber, a burn pot, an ignitor, and a controller. The ignitor extends into the burn pot and is configured to ignite pellet fuel located within the burn pot. The controller is configured to detect a temperature pattern of the cooking chamber corresponding to a flame out condition of the burn pot. The controller is further configured, in response to detecting the temperature pattern, to command the ignitor to activate during a first duration. The controller is further configured to determine, following expiration of the first duration, whether a temperature of the cooking chamber increased during the first duration. The controller is further configured, in response to determining that the temperature has not increased during the first duration, to command the ignitor to activate during a second duration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Brian C. Donnelly, Ryan P. Lundberg, Ethan Albrecht, David Eckhardt, Laasya P. Vadlamani
  • Publication number: 20240035665
    Abstract: Pellet grills and associated methods of operation are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a waste collection drawer and one or more processors. The waste collection drawer is movable between a closed position and an open position. The one or more processors are configured to determine whether a duty cycle of the waste collection drawer has violated a threshold corresponding to a predetermined usage expectancy of the waste collection drawer. In response to determining that the duty cycle has violated the threshold, the one or more processors are configured to generate a notification indicating that the threshold has been violated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Brian C. Donnelly, Ryan P. Lundberg
  • Patent number: 11885499
    Abstract: Pellet grills including a control system that implements, manages, and/or controls various ignition-based protocols and/or processes are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a cooking chamber, a burn pot, an ignitor, and a controller. The ignitor extends into the burn pot and is configured to ignite pellet fuel located within the burn pot. The controller is configured to command the ignitor to activate during a first duration. The controller is further configured to determine, following expiration of the first duration, whether a temperature of the cooking chamber has reached a threshold temperature. The controller is further configured, in response to determining that the temperature has not reached the threshold temperature, to command the ignitor to activate during a second duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products LLC
    Inventors: Brian C. Donnelly, Ryan P. Lundberg, Ethan Albrecht, David Eckhardt, Laasya P. Vadlamani
  • Publication number: 20230358408
    Abstract: Pellet grills and associated methods of operation are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a lid, a cooking chamber, an engine, and one or more processors. The lid is movable between a closed position and an open position. The engine is configured to output heat to the cooking chamber. The one or more processors are configured to detect a closing movement of the lid. In response to detecting the closing movement, the one or more processors are configured to command the engine to operate in an increased output mode that increases the heat output of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Brian Donnelly, Ryan P. Lundberg, David Jonathan Eckhardt
  • Patent number: 11739938
    Abstract: Pellet grills and associated methods of operation are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a main body defining a cooking chamber. The example pellet grill further includes a grease deflection bar assembly located within the main body. the grease deflection bar assembly includes a first rack removably positioned on first tabs of the main body, a second rack removably positioned on second tabs of the main body, and a grease deflection bar extending between and removably positioned on the first and second racks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products LLC
    Inventors: Brian C. Donnelly, Ryan P. Lundberg, Ethan Albrecht
  • Publication number: 20230204216
    Abstract: Pellet grills including a control system that implements, manages, and/or controls various ignition-based protocols and/or processes are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a cooking chamber, a burn pot, an ignitor, and a controller. The ignitor extends into the burn pot and is configured to ignite pellet fuel located within the burn pot. The controller is configured to command the ignitor to activate during a first duration. The controller is further configured to determine, following expiration of the first duration, whether a temperature of the cooking chamber has reached a threshold temperature. The controller is further configured, in response to determining that the temperature has not reached the threshold temperature, to command the ignitor to activate during a second duration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Brian C. Donnelly, Ryan P. Lundberg, Ethan Albrecht, David Eckhardt, Laasya P. Vadlamani
  • Patent number: 11624505
    Abstract: Pellet grills including a control system that implements, manages, and/or controls various ignition-based protocols and/or processes are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a cooking chamber, a burn pot, an ignitor, and a controller. The ignitor extends into the burn pot and is configured to ignite pellet fuel located within the burn pot. The controller is configured to command the ignitor to activate during a first duration. The controller is further configured to determine, following expiration of the first duration, whether a temperature of the cooking chamber has reached a threshold temperature. The controller is further configured, in response to determining that the temperature has not reached the threshold temperature, to command the ignitor to activate during a second duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventors: Brian C. Donnelly, Ryan P. Lundberg, Ethan Albrecht, David Eckhardt, Laasya P. Vadlamani
  • Patent number: 11371712
    Abstract: Pellet grills and associated methods of operation are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a burn pot configured to combust pellet fuel received within the burn pot. The pellet grill further includes an auger configured to deliver the pellet fuel to the burn pot. The pellet grill further includes an auger motor operatively coupled to the auger. The pellet grill further includes one or more processors configured to determine whether a shutdown sequence of the pellet grill has been initiated. The one or more processors are further configured, in response to determining that the shutdown sequence has been initiated, to command the auger motor to reverse a direction of rotation of the auger. The reversal is to cause pellet fuel which the auger has not yet delivered to the burn pot to be purged in a direction away from the burn pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventors: Brian C. Donnelly, Ryan P. Lundberg, David Eckhardt
  • Patent number: 11359817
    Abstract: Pellet grills and associated methods of operation are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a one or more processors configured to detect an improper shutdown of a control system of the pellet grill. The one or more processors are further configured to generate a notification in response to the control system regaining power following detection of the improper shutdown, the notification indicating that the control system was improperly shutdown. The one or more processors are further configured to cause the notification to be presented at a user interface of the pellet grill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventors: Brian C. Donnelly, Ryan P. Lundberg, David Eckhardt
  • Patent number: 11248800
    Abstract: Pellet grills and associated methods of operation are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a main body defining a cooking chamber. The main body includes a first end, a second end located opposite the first end, and an outer wall extending between the first and second ends. The main body has a lateral extent defined by the first and second ends. The example pellet grill further includes a hopper mounted to a rear portion of the outer wall of the main body. The hopper includes a fuel intake opening extending from a first location within the lateral extent of the main body to a second location outside of the lateral extent of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventors: Brian C. Donnelly, Ryan P. Lundberg, Ethan Albrecht, David A. Larson
  • Patent number: 11248798
    Abstract: Pellet grills and associated methods of operation are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a burn pot including an upper end having a first opening, a lower end located opposite the upper end and having a second opening, and a sidewall extending between the upper and lower ends. The example pellet grill further includes a fuel grate positioned within the burn pot between the upper and lower ends. The fuel grate is configured to support pellet fuel within the burn pot. The fuel grate includes a plurality of ash openings dimensioned to enable ash produced from combustion of the pellet fuel to pass downwardly through the fuel grate toward the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventors: Brian C. Donnelly, Ryan P. Lundberg, David A. Larson
  • Patent number: 11248801
    Abstract: Pellet grills and associated methods of operation are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes an ignitor configured to be activated. The ignitor has a duty cycle associated with a number of activations of the ignitor. The example pellet grill further includes one or more processors configured to determine whether the duty cycle has violated a threshold. The one or more processors are further configured, in response to determining that the duty cycle has violated the threshold, to generate a notification indicating that the threshold has been violated. The one or more processors are further configured to cause the notification to be presented at a user interface of the pellet grill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventors: Brian C. Donnelly, Ryan P. Lundberg, David Eckhardt
  • Patent number: 11248799
    Abstract: Pellet grills and associated methods of operation are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a main body defining a cooking chamber. The example pellet grill further includes a burn pot located within the main body. The burn pot includes an upper end, a lower end located opposite the upper end, and a sidewall extending between the upper end and the lower end. The sidewall has an opening. The example pellet grill further includes an ignitor extending into the burn pot through the opening of the sidewall. The example pellet grill further includes an ignitor carrier removably coupled to the ignitor. The ignitor carrier extends away from the burn pot and is accessible from outside the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventors: Brian C. Donnelly, Ryan P. Lundberg, Ethan Albrecht, David Eckhardt, David A. Larson
  • Patent number: 11181277
    Abstract: Pellet grills and associated methods of operation are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a main body defining a cooking chamber. The main body includes a first opening extending through a bottom portion of an outer wall of the main body. The main body further including a grease channel formed along the bottom portion of the outer wall and extending to the first opening. The example pellet grill further includes a burn pot located within the main body. The burn pot includes a lower end having a second opening aligned with the first opening. The second opening is configured to enable pellet fuel ash to pass downwardly from the burn pot onto an ash slide positioned below the second opening. The example pellet grill further includes a waste collection drawer located below the main body. The waste collection drawer is movable relative to the main body between a closed position and an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventors: Brian C. Donnelly, Ryan P. Lundberg, Ethan Albrecht, David A. Larson
  • Publication number: 20210293413
    Abstract: Pellet grills including a control system that implements, manages, and/or controls various ignition-based protocols and/or processes are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a cooking chamber, a burn pot, an ignitor, and a controller. The ignitor extends into the burn pot and is configured to ignite pellet fuel located within the burn pot. The controller is configured to command the ignitor to activate during a first duration. The controller is further configured to determine, following expiration of the first duration, whether a temperature of the cooking chamber has reached a threshold temperature. The controller is further configured, in response to determining that the temperature has not reached the threshold temperature, to command the ignitor to activate during a second duration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Brian C. Donnelly, Ryan P. Lundberg, Ethan Albrecht, David Eckhardt, Laasya P. Vadlamani
  • Publication number: 20200237148
    Abstract: Pellet grills and associated methods of operation are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes an auger and an auger motor operatively coupled to the auger. The example pellet grill further includes one or more processors configured to determine whether the auger is jammed. The one or more processors are further configured, in response to determining that the auger is jammed, to command the auger motor to modify a direction of rotation of the auger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Brian C. Donnelly, Ryan P. Lundberg, David Eckhardt
  • Publication number: 20200237153
    Abstract: Pellet grills and associated methods of operation are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a burn pot configured to combust pellet fuel received within the burn pot. The pellet grill further includes an auger configured to deliver the pellet fuel to the burn pot. The pellet grill further includes an auger motor operatively coupled to the auger. The pellet grill further includes one or more processors configured to determine whether a shutdown sequence of the pellet grill has been initiated. The one or more processors are further configured, in response to determining that the shutdown sequence has been initiated, to command the auger motor to reverse a direction of rotation of the auger. The reversal is to cause pellet fuel which the auger has not yet delivered to the burn pot to be purged in a direction away from the burn pot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Brian C. Donnelly, Ryan P. Lundberg, David Eckhardt
  • Publication number: 20200237145
    Abstract: Pellet grills and associated methods of operation are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a burn pot including an upper end having a first opening, a lower end located opposite the upper end and having a second opening, and a sidewall extending between the upper and lower ends. The example pellet grill further includes a fuel grate positioned within the burn pot between the upper and lower ends. The fuel grate is configured to support pellet fuel within the burn pot. The fuel grate includes a plurality of ash openings dimensioned to enable ash produced from combustion of the pellet fuel to pass downwardly through the fuel grate toward the second opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Brian C. Donnelly, Ryan P. Lundberg, David A. Larson
  • Publication number: 20200237146
    Abstract: Pellet grills and associated methods of operation are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a main body defining a cooking chamber. The example pellet grill further includes a grease deflection bar assembly located within the main body. the grease deflection bar assembly includes a first rack removably positioned on first tabs of the main body, a second rack removably positioned on second tabs of the main body, and a grease deflection bar extending between and removably positioned on the first and second racks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Brian C. Donnelly, Ryan P. Lundberg, Ethan Albrecht
  • Publication number: 20200240643
    Abstract: Pellet grills and associated methods of operation are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a main body defining a cooking chamber. The main body includes a first end, a second end located opposite the first end, and an outer wall extending between the first and second ends. The main body has a lateral extent defined by the first and second ends. The example pellet grill further includes a hopper mounted to a rear portion of the outer wall of the main body. The hopper includes a fuel intake opening extending from a first location within the lateral extent of the main body to a second location outside of the lateral extent of the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Brian C. Donnelly, Ryan P. Lundberg, Ethan Albrecht, David A. Larson