Patents by Inventor Steven J. Wilcox

Steven J. Wilcox 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: 11624528
    Abstract: A system and method for configuring a water heater. The method includes capturing, with a mobile device a scannable feature of a rating plate and receiving, with the mobile device, an input indicative of a configuration selection. The method further includes configuring, with the mobile device, the water heater based on the configuration selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: John Matthew Schulz, Carl Edward McDow, Steven J. Wilcox, Michael Schultz
  • Publication number: 20220325918
    Abstract: A system and method for configuring a water heater. The method includes capturing, with a mobile device a scannable feature of a rating plate and receiving, with the mobile device, an input indicative of a configuration selection. The method further includes configuring, with the mobile device, the water heater based on the configuration selection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: John Matthew Schulz, Carl Edward McDow, Steven J. Wilcox, Michael Schultz
  • Patent number: 11371753
    Abstract: A system and method for configuring a water heater. The method includes capturing, with a mobile device a scannable feature of a rating plate, establishing a network connection between the mobile device and a server, transmitting information captured from the scannable feature by the mobile device to the server over the network connection, receiving from the server to the mobile device a plurality of water heater configurations in response to the information, receiving, with the mobile device, an input indicative of a configuration selection selected from the plurality of water heater configurations, and transmitting configuration information from the mobile device to the water heater to configure the water heater based on the configuration selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Matthew Schulz, Carl Edward McDow, Steven J. Wilcox, Michael Schultz
  • Publication number: 20210025622
    Abstract: A system and method for configuring a water heater. The method includes capturing, with a mobile device a scannable feature of a rating plate and receiving, with the mobile device, an input indicative of a configuration selection. The method further includes configuring, with the mobile device, the water heater based on the configuration selection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: John Matthew Schulz, Carl Edward McDow, Steven J. Wilcox, Michael Schultz
  • Patent number: 9088180
    Abstract: A load management apparatus for use with an electrical system being powered by an electrical generator selectively adds and sheds loads on the electrical generator to prevent overloading of the electrical generator. The load management apparatus learns the load profile for each load during a learning mode and executes one or more load shed processes to control which electrical loads are loading the electrical generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Generac Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis X. Wedel, Jacob J. Thomas, Steven J. Wilcox, Greg Wischstadt, Carmine Forte
  • Publication number: 20130270908
    Abstract: A load management apparatus for use with an electrical system being powered by an electrical generator selectively adds and sheds loads on the electrical generator to prevent overloading of the electrical generator. The load management apparatus learns the load profile for each load during a learning mode and executes one or more load shed processes to control which electrical loads are loading the electrical generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Francis X. Wedel, Jacob J. Thomas, Steven J. Wilcox, Greg Wischstadt, Carmine Forte
  • Patent number: 6863034
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a bi-fuel generator set. The generator set includes a controller, a generator for generating electrical power, and an engine for driving the generator. A flow of gaseous fuel is provided, and operation of the engine and the generator is monitored. The flow of gaseous fuel is adjusted in response to various predetermined operating conditions on the engine. In addition, the flow of gaseous fuel may be selectively passed through a charge cooler remote from a radiator for the engine. The flow of gaseous fuel may be cooled by the charge cooler in response to certain operating conditions on the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventors: Robert D. Kern, Gerald C. Ruehlow, Steven J. Wilcox, Francis X. Wedel, Graham McLean, Phillip Harrison, Peter Winnie, Allen Gillette, Robert Iles
  • Publication number: 20040139943
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a bi-fuel generator set. The generator set includes a controller, a generator for generating electrical power, and an engine for driving the generator. A flow of gaseous fuel is provided, and operation of the engine and the generator is monitored. The flow of gaseous fuel is adjusted in response to various predetermined operating conditions on the engine. In addition, the flow of gaseous fuel may be selectively passed through a charge cooler remote from a radiator for the engine. The flow of gaseous fuel may be cooled by the charge cooler in response to certain operating conditions on the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Robert D. Kern, Gerald C. Ruehlow, Steven J. Wilcox, Francis X. Wedel, Graham McLean, Phillip Harrison, Peter Winnie, Allen Gillette, Robert Iles
  • Patent number: 6668530
    Abstract: A grass-cutting tractor has an internal combustion engine, an apparatus which changes engine speed, and a generator. The apparatus includes a user-manipulated mechanism having a plurality of operating positions. Two of the operating positions are each identified by different grass-related mnemonics, e.g., NORMAL, HEAVY, MEDIUM, HIGH, REGULAR or TALL, which relate to the height of the grass to be cut and one of the positions corresponds to operation of the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Generac Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Kern, Gerald C. Ruehlow, Steven J. Wilcox, Francis X. Wedel
  • Patent number: 6657416
    Abstract: A generator structure is provided for generating an AC power for a load. The generator structure includes a generator connectable to a load and an engine operatively connected to the generator for driving the same. A generator controller is operatively connected to the engine for controlling operation thereof and operatively connected to a generator for controlling the AC power generated thereby. A communications link connects the generator control to a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Generac Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Kern, Gerald C. Ruehlow, Steven J. Wilcox, Francis X. Wedel, Graham McLean, Phillip Harrison, Hongping Zhou
  • Patent number: 6653821
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a system controller and method for monitoring and controlling a plurality of generator sets are provided. Each generator set generates electrical power and includes a generator communications link for connecting a generator set to a network. A user interface allows a user to select a generator set and set values for various predetermined operating parameters of the selected generator sets. Thereafter, a communications link connectable to the network transmits the user set values of the predetermined operating parameters to the selected generator set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Generac Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D Kern, Gerald C. Ruehlow, Steven J. Wilcox, Francis X. Wedel, Graham McLean, Phillip Harrison, Hongping Zhou
  • Publication number: 20030172635
    Abstract: A grass-cutting tractor has an internal combustion engine, an apparatus which changes engine speed, and a generator. In the improvement, the apparatus includes a user-manipulated mechanism having a plurality of operating positions. Two of the operating positions are each identified by different grass-related mnemonics, e.g., NORMAL, HEAVY, MEDIUM, HIGH, REGULAR or TALL, which relate to the height of the grass to be cut and one of the positions corresponds to operation of the generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Robert D. Kern, Gerald C. Ruehlow, Steven J. Wilcox, Francis X. Wedel
  • Publication number: 20020190526
    Abstract: A generator structure is provided for generating an AC power for a load. The generator structure includes a generator connectable to a load and an engine operatively connected to the generator for driving the same. A generator controller is operatively connected to the engine for controlling operation thereof and operatively connected to a generator for controlling the AC power generated thereby. A communications link connects the generator control to a network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Robert D. Kern, Gerald C. Ruehlow, Steven J. Wilcox, Francis X. Wedel, Graham McLean, Phillip Harrison, Hongping Zhou
  • Publication number: 20020190576
    Abstract: A network controller and method is provided for managing the supply and distribution of electrical power. The network controller includes a plurality of power generation systems which are connected to a power network for communication thereon. Each power generation system includes at least one power generation unit connected to a corresponding sub-network. A user interface is connected to the power network for communicating with the first and second power generation systems. The network user interface allows a network user to set values for various predetermined operating parameters of the power generation units of the first and second power generation systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Robert D. Kern, Gerald C. Ruehlow, Steven J. Wilcox, Francis X. Wedel, Graham McLean, Phillip Harrison, Hongping Zhou
  • Publication number: 20020190527
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a system controller and method for monitoring and controlling a plurality of generator sets are provided. Each generator set generates electrical power and includes a generator communications link for connecting a generator set to a network. A user interface allows a user to select a generator set and set values for various predetermined operating parameters of the selected generator sets. Thereafter, a communications link connectable to the network transmits the user set values of the predetermined operating parameters to the selected generator set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Robert D. Kern, Gerald C. Ruehlow, Steven J. Wilcox, Francis X. Wedel, Graham McLean, Phillip Harrison, Hongping Zhou
  • Patent number: 6181028
    Abstract: A transfer mechanism is provided for transferring the supply of power between a generator and utility source. The transfer mechanism includes a monitoring system for monitoring the power supplied by the utility source. The monitoring system starts the generator in response to a power outage from the utility source and stops the generator in response to the restoration of power from the utility source. A power relay has a utility input connectable to the utility source, a generator input connectable to the generator, an output connectable to a load, and a movable contact for selectively interconnecting one of the inputs to the output in response to the generation of power by the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Generac Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Kern, Gerald C. Ruehlow, Francis X. Wedel, Jeffrey J. Jonas, John G. Bagley, Steven J. Wilcox
  • Patent number: RE44084
    Abstract: A generator structure is provided for generating an AC power for a load. The generator structure includes a generator connectable to a load and an engine operatively connected to the generator for driving the same. A generator controller is operatively connected to the engine for controlling operation thereof and operatively connected to a generator for controlling the AC power generated thereby. A communications link connects the generator control to a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Generac Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Kern, Steven J. Wilcox, Gerald C Ruehlow, Frank X. Wedel, Graham McLean, Phillip Harrison, Hongping Zhou