Patents by Inventor Steven M. Nimtz

Steven M. Nimtz 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).

  • Three conductor heating element
    Patent number: 6555787
    Abstract: A heating element, including a sensor conductor, two resistive conductors, with one resistive conductor arranged on one side of the sensor conductor and an other resistive conductor arranged on an other side of the sensor conductor such that the sensor conductor and the two resistive conductors are substantially parallel and plastic electrical insulation surrounding the sensor conductor and each resistive conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Dekko Heating Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Horn, Stephen L. Hardin, Steven M. Nimtz
  • Ice maker and method of making ice
    Patent number: 6526763
    Abstract: A method of making ice in an automatic ice maker includes the steps of: providing a mold including one cavity; filling the at least one mold cavity at least partially with water; providing an ice removal device at least partly within the at least one mold cavity; coupling a mechanical drive with the ice removal device; coupling a controller with the drive; measuring a temperature of the mold; measuring an ambient temperature associated with the mold; and controlling operation of the drive using the controller, dependent upon the measured temperature of the mold and the measured ambient pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Dekko Heating Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrei Tchougounov, Robert G. Cox, Terry L Hygema, Steven M. Nimtz
  • Ice maker and method of making ice
    Publication number: 20020007638
    Abstract: A method of making ice in an automatic ice maker includes the steps of: providing a mold including one cavity; filling the at least one mold cavity at least partially with water; providing an ice removal device at least partly within the at least one mold cavity; coupling a mechanical drive with the ice removal device; coupling a controller with the drive; measuring a temperature of the mold; measuring an ambient temperature associated with the mold; and controlling operation of the drive using the controller, dependent upon the measured temperature of the mold and the measured ambient pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: Andrei Tchougounov, Robert G. Cox, Terry L. Hygema, Steven M. Nimtz
  • Method of manufacture of a nonuniform heating element
    Patent number: 5038458
    Abstract: A flexible elongated resistance heating element of improved uniformity and ease of termination has a continuous strip of resistance wire formed about a flexible elongated strand of insulating material in a generally helical pattern of nonuniform pitch with regions of increased pitch and correspondingly reduced turns density which regions experience little increase in temperature when the element is energized. The pitch of the helical resistance wire pattern varies as it approaches each of the ends of the element to provide a region of increased pitch followed by a region of decreased pitch at each end. Shorting wires may thereby be eliminated. An insulating coating surrounds the resistance wire and strand and electrical terminals are connected by crimping to the regions of decreased pitch of the resistance wire at the ends. The heating element may be bonded to a support member in a serpentine pattern with the cool end regions extending freely from the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: Heaters Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Mervin W. Wagoner, Steven M. Nimtz