Patents by Inventor Steven Andrew Rice

Steven Andrew Rice 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: 11050380
    Abstract: A control system of an appliance having a motor is provided. The control system includes an inverter circuit configured to provide power to the motor. The inverter circuit has a direct-current (DC) bus. The control system further includes a controller device powered by the DC bus, and a phase fired control device operatively coupled to an input of the inverter circuit. Also, the phase fired control device is configured to control a magnitude of voltage applied to the DC bus based on a phase on angle of the phase fired control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Anthony Didat, Steven Andrew Rice
  • Patent number: 10945582
    Abstract: A consumer appliance, as provided herein, may include a cabinet, a user interface attached to the cabinet, a motor mounted within the cabinet, and a control board in electrical communication with the user interface and the motor. The user interface may include one or more connected electrical elements. The control board may be configured to initiate an initial operation. The initial operation may include activating the control board and detecting the one or more connected electrical elements from a predetermined plurality of potential electrical elements. The initial operation may further include selecting an operating personality from a plurality of preset personalities based on detecting the one or more connected electrical elements. The initial operation may still further include directing the motor according to the selected operating personality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Morman, Steven Andrew Rice, Brett Alan Farris
  • Publication number: 20190190429
    Abstract: A control system of an appliance having a motor is provided. The control system includes an inverter circuit configured to provide power to the motor. The inverter circuit has a direct-current (DC) bus. The control system further includes a controller device powered by the DC bus, and a phase fired control device operatively coupled to an input of the inverter circuit. Also, the phase fired control device is configured to control a magnitude of voltage applied to the DC bus based on a phase on angle of the phase fired control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Mark Anthony Didat, Steven Andrew Rice
  • Patent number: 7111916
    Abstract: An apparatus for the management of the fluid level in a media coating system. In one embodiment, the apparatus has a supply item for the storage of a media coating fluid and an applicator having a trough for receiving the media coating fluid from the supply item. The apparatus utilizes a fluid level detection sensor that is located within the applicator to measure whether the media coating fluid level within the trough of the applicator is either above or below a threshold position and to generates an output signal. The apparatus has a controller for receiving the output signal and controlling delivery of the media coating fluid from the supply item to the applicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Jay Barry, Michael Wesley Baskette, Gary Scott Overall, Steven Andrew Rice, Johnny Ray Sears, Curtis Ray Droege, Randall Steven Gall, Andrew Charles Hogan
  • Patent number: 6893174
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for accurately indexing print receiving media of various types. A media indexing system is provided that includes a roller capable of indexing a print receiving medium in response to an indexing operation. A relationship exists between a commanded indexing operation of the roller and resultant indexing of a first type of print receiving medium. A type of print receiving medium is supplied to the media indexing system. The type of the print receiving medium is generally identified. A desired amount by which the print receiving medium should be indexed is identified. A commanded indexing operation of the roller to index by the desired amount is modified based on the type of the print receiving medium and the relationship. The print receiving can be indexed by substantially the desired amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Lexmark International Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Alan Askren, Ronald Willard Baker, James Richard Franks, Michael Lewis Pawley, Steven Andrew Rice
  • Patent number: 6736557
    Abstract: A printhead gap adjustment mechanism for use in an imaging apparatus includes a worm gear coupled to a carrier shaft to transmit a rotational motion to the carrier shaft. A worm screw is positioned in rotational cooperation with the worm gear, the worm screw having an axis of rotation. A first cam is coupled to the carrier shaft. A first cam follower surface is disposed in proximity to the first cam. A guide device guides the carrier shaft in a translational direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the worm screw. A rotation of the worm screw transmits rotational motion to drive the first cam via the worm gear and the carrier shaft, the first cam engaging the first cam follower surface to effect a translational motion of the worm gear in the translational direction, thereby effecting a movement of the printhead in the translational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: David Wayne DeVore, Steven Andrew Rice, Michael Ray Wedding
  • Patent number: 6715857
    Abstract: A carrier assembly includes a carrier housing defined in part by a wall having an interior surface, an exterior surface and a distal end. A slot extends between the interior surface of the wall and the exterior surface of the wall, the slot being spaced apart from the distal end. At least one first projecting member is positioned adjacent the slot. A circuit card is mounted to the exterior surface of the wall. A printhead cable in the form of a flexible printed circuit is provided having a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is secured to the circuit card. The flexible printed circuit is laced through the slot, the flexible printed circuit including at least one hole to correspondingly receive the at least one first projecting member. The second end portion passes over a portion of the interior surface and around the distal end of the wall. An attachment mechanism secures the second end portion to the exterior surface of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Johnnie A. Coffey, Brian Dale Cook, Steven Andrew Rice
  • Publication number: 20040047665
    Abstract: A printhead gap adjustment mechanism for use in an imaging apparatus includes a worm gear coupled to a carrier shaft to transmit a rotational motion to the carrier shaft. A worm screw is positioned in rotational cooperation with the worm gear, the worm screw having an axis of rotation. A first cam is coupled to the carrier shaft. A first cam follower surface is disposed in proximity to the first cam. A guide device guides the carrier shaft in a translational direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the worm screw. A rotation of the worm screw transmits rotational motion to drive the first cam via the worm gear and the carrier shaft, the first cam engaging the first cam follower surface to effect a translational motion of the worm gear in the translational direction, thereby effecting a movement of the printhead in the translational direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: David Wayne DeVore, Steven Andrew Rice, Michael Ray Wedding
  • Publication number: 20040046836
    Abstract: A carrier assembly includes a carrier housing defined in part by a wall having an interior surface, an exterior surface and a distal end. A slot extends between the interior surface of the wall and the exterior surface of the wall, the slot being spaced apart from the distal end. At least one first projecting member is positioned adjacent the slot. A circuit card is mounted to the exterior surface of the wall. A printhead cable in the form of a flexible printed circuit is provided having a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is secured to the circuit card. The flexible printed circuit is laced through the slot, the flexible printed circuit including at least one hole to correspondingly receive the at least one first projecting member. The second end portion passes over a portion of the interior surface and around the distal end of the wall. An attachment mechanism secures the second end portion to the exterior surface of the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Johnnie A. Coffey, Brian Dale Cook, Steven Andrew Rice
  • Publication number: 20030160835
    Abstract: An apparatus for the management of the fluid level in a media coating system. In one embodiment, the apparatus has a supply item for the storage of a media coating fluid and an applicator having a trough for receiving the media coating fluid from the supply item. The apparatus utilizes a fluid level detection sensor that is located within the applicator to measure whether the media coating fluid level within the trough of the applicator is either above or below a threshold position and to generates an output signal. The apparatus has a controller for receiving the output signal and controlling delivery of the media coating fluid from the supply item to the applicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Raymond Jay Barry, Michael Wesley Baskette, Gary Scott Overall, Steven Andrew Rice, Johnny Ray Sears, Curtis Ray Droege, Randall Steven Gall, Andrew Charles Hogan
  • Publication number: 20030043250
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for accurately indexing print receiving media of various types. A media indexing system is provided that includes a roller capable of indexing a print receiving medium in response to an indexing operation. A relationship exists between a commanded indexing operation of the roller and resultant indexing of a first type of print receiving medium. A type of print receiving medium is supplied to the media indexing system. The type of the print receiving medium is generally identified. A desired amount by which the print receiving medium should be indexed is identified. A commanded indexing operation of the roller to index by the desired amount is modified based on the type of the print receiving medium and the relationship. The print receiving can be indexed by substantially the desired amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Benjamin Alan Askren, Ronald Willard Baker, James Richard Franks, Michael Lewis Pawley, Steven Andrew Rice
  • Patent number: 6428224
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for accurately indexing print receiving media of various types. A media indexing system is provided that includes a roller capable of indexing a print receiving medium in response to an indexing operation. A relationship exists between a commanded indexing operation of the roller and resultant indexing of a first type of print receiving medium. A type of print receiving medium is supplied to the media indexing system. The type of the print receiving medium is generally identified. A desired amount by which the print receiving medium should be indexed is identified. A commanded indexing operation of the roller to index by the desired amount is modified based on the type of the print receiving medium and the relationship. The print receiving can be indexed by substantially the desired amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Alan Askren, Ronald Willard Baker, James Richard Franks, Michael Lewis Pawley, Steven Andrew Rice
  • Patent number: 6396052
    Abstract: A method of determining a feed position of a print medium in an imaging apparatus includes an encoder device, connected to a feed shaft, that produces a first periodic signal and a second periodic signal approximately 90 degrees out of phase with the first. A modified first signal is created. A modified second signal is created. The modified first signal is added to the modified second signal to create a summation signal that has a plurality of local minimum values, a plurality of local maximum values, and a plurality of substantially linear segments. A periodic modified summation signal is created by adding a corresponding constant value to each linear segment. The feed position of the print medium is calculated based upon a number of cycles of the modified summation signal counted and a determined value of the modified summation signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Jay Barry, Todd Alan Dutton, Steven Andrew Rice
  • Patent number: 6198080
    Abstract: A control system for a glass touch cooktop includes a control panel including a plurality of touch control areas with touch toggle controls that correspond to a plurality of surface heater elements, and a toggle lock control that disables the touch controls areas when activated. The toggle lock control is separated from the touch control, identified with a conspicuous icon, and includes an integral indicator to readily alert a user that the system is locked. Graphical icons and integral indicators are incorporated into touch controls for user-friendly operation of the heating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Steven Andrew Rice, Marc Eric Hottenroth
  • Patent number: 5647231
    Abstract: An electronic control system, particularly adaptable to coin-operated laundry appliances, which enables owners of such machines to customize machine operation. Laundry parameters are stored in random access memory, and timing functions are performed in control logic. Thus, the owner may simply update the information on a computer and download the parameters to individual laundry machines. A portable receiver/transmitter may be utilized to transfer information to the laundry machine controller by way of an infrared communications link. Also disclosed is a reconfigurable fuzzy logic control which is general purpose, having a functionality that may be easily altered in accordance with the type of machine. The structure of the fuzzy logic controller is identical for all applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Roy Payne, Steven Andrew Rice, William Waters Wead