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).
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Patent number: 11624528Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 27, 2022Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: A. O. Smith CorporationInventors: John Matthew Schulz, Carl Edward McDow, Steven J. Wilcox, Michael Schultz
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Publication number: 20220325918Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2022Publication date: October 13, 2022Inventors: John Matthew Schulz, Carl Edward McDow, Steven J. Wilcox, Michael Schultz
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Patent number: 11371753Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 21, 2020Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: A. O. SMITH CORPORATIONInventors: John Matthew Schulz, Carl Edward McDow, Steven J. Wilcox, Michael Schultz
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Publication number: 20210025622Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2020Publication date: January 28, 2021Inventors: John Matthew Schulz, Carl Edward McDow, Steven J. Wilcox, Michael Schultz
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Patent number: 9088180Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 17, 2012Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: Generac Power Systems, Inc.Inventors: Francis X. Wedel, Jacob J. Thomas, Steven J. Wilcox, Greg Wischstadt, Carmine Forte
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Publication number: 20130270908Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2012Publication date: October 17, 2013Inventors: Francis X. Wedel, Jacob J. Thomas, Steven J. Wilcox, Greg Wischstadt, Carmine Forte
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Patent number: 6863034Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 17, 2003Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Inventors: Robert D. Kern, Gerald C. Ruehlow, Steven J. Wilcox, Francis X. Wedel, Graham McLean, Phillip Harrison, Peter Winnie, Allen Gillette, Robert Iles
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Publication number: 20040139943Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2003Publication date: July 22, 2004Inventors: Robert D. Kern, Gerald C. Ruehlow, Steven J. Wilcox, Francis X. Wedel, Graham McLean, Phillip Harrison, Peter Winnie, Allen Gillette, Robert Iles
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Patent number: 6668530Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 13, 2002Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: Generac Power Systems, Inc.Inventors: Robert D. Kern, Gerald C. Ruehlow, Steven J. Wilcox, Francis X. Wedel
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Patent number: 6657416Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 15, 2001Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: Generac Power Systems, Inc.Inventors: Robert D. Kern, Gerald C. Ruehlow, Steven J. Wilcox, Francis X. Wedel, Graham McLean, Phillip Harrison, Hongping Zhou
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Patent number: 6653821Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 15, 2001Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: Generac Power Systems, Inc.Inventors: Robert D Kern, Gerald C. Ruehlow, Steven J. Wilcox, Francis X. Wedel, Graham McLean, Phillip Harrison, Hongping Zhou
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Publication number: 20030172635Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2002Publication date: September 18, 2003Inventors: Robert D. Kern, Gerald C. Ruehlow, Steven J. Wilcox, Francis X. Wedel
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Publication number: 20020190526Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2001Publication date: December 19, 2002Inventors: Robert D. Kern, Gerald C. Ruehlow, Steven J. Wilcox, Francis X. Wedel, Graham McLean, Phillip Harrison, Hongping Zhou
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Publication number: 20020190576Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2001Publication date: December 19, 2002Inventors: Robert D. Kern, Gerald C. Ruehlow, Steven J. Wilcox, Francis X. Wedel, Graham McLean, Phillip Harrison, Hongping Zhou
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Publication number: 20020190527Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2001Publication date: December 19, 2002Inventors: Robert D. Kern, Gerald C. Ruehlow, Steven J. Wilcox, Francis X. Wedel, Graham McLean, Phillip Harrison, Hongping Zhou
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Patent number: 6181028Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 19, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Generac Power Systems, Inc.Inventors: Robert D. Kern, Gerald C. Ruehlow, Francis X. Wedel, Jeffrey J. Jonas, John G. Bagley, Steven J. Wilcox
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Patent number: RE44084Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 13, 2012Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Generac Power Systems, Inc.Inventors: Robert D. Kern, Steven J. Wilcox, Gerald C Ruehlow, Frank X. Wedel, Graham McLean, Phillip Harrison, Hongping Zhou