Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Chadwell
Thomas J. Chadwell 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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Publication number: 20040139799Abstract: A sensor for determining flow rate of a fluid includes a thermistor inserted into a volume through which the fluid flows. The thermistor cycles between its zero-power mode and its self-heated mode. In the zero-power mode, the thermistor is used to determine the ambient temperature of the fluid. In the self-heated mode, the thermistor is used to determine the amount of heat removed by the fluid. The ambient temperature of the fluid, the amount of heat removed by the fluid, and the thermal properties of the fluid are then utilized to determine the flow rate of the fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2003Publication date: July 22, 2004Inventors: David C. Sudolcan, Thomas J. Chadwell
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Publication number: 20040015263Abstract: A network topology for communication within and between food service equipment items generally comprises one or more food service equipment items, each having a controller and at least one functional subsystem configured as a slave to the controller, and a master interface and a bus slave interface associated with each controller. Each master interface is adapted for electrical communication over an intra-equipment communication channel with a slave interface associated with the functional subsystem. Each bus slave interface is adapted for communication, external to the food service equipment item, over an inter-equipment communication channel. Each bus slave interface is substantially electrically identical to each slave interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2001Publication date: January 22, 2004Applicant: NETWORK TOPOLOGY FOR FOOD SERVICE EQUIPMENT ITEMSInventors: Thomas J. Chadwell, David C. Sudolcan
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Patent number: 6650962Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes an electronic control system for controlling beverage dispenser components. The beverage dispenser components include at least a user interface, a dispensing valve, and a valve interface for regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve. The electronic control system includes a microcontroller for monitoring the user interface and for activating the valve interface responsive to user input, thereby regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve. The electronic control system further includes a program memory with firmware configured in a state machine system architecture for controlling the microcontroller. The state machine system architecture supports either a non-preemptive or a preemptive multitasking real time operating system. The firmware includes supervisory control firmware, dispenser tasks firmware, and low level drivers firmware.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2001Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: Lancer Parternship, Ltd.Inventors: David C. Sudolcan, Thomas J. Chadwell
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Publication number: 20030208299Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes an electronic control system for controlling beverage dispenser components. The beverage dispenser components include at least a user interface, a dispensing valve, and a valve interface for regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve. The electronic control system includes a microcontroller for monitoring the user interface and for activating the valve interface responsive to user input, thereby regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve. The electronic control system further includes a program memory with firmware configured in a state machine system architecture for controlling the microcontroller. The state machine system architecture supports either a non-preemptive or a preemptive multitasking real time operating system. The firmware includes supervisory control firmware, dispenser tasks firmware, and low level drivers firmware.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2003Publication date: November 6, 2003Applicant: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.Inventors: David C. Sudolcan, Thomas J. Chadwell
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Publication number: 20030192912Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes a customer interface and a logic unit for controlling beverage dispenser operations. The customer interface includes a sensor linked with the logic unit. Specifically, the sensor receives an input and outputs a corresponding command signal. The logic unit receives the corresponding command signal from the sensor and thus controls beverage dispenser operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2003Publication date: October 16, 2003Applicant: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.Inventors: Thomas J. Chadwell, David C. Sudolcan
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Patent number: 6600969Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes an electronic control system for controlling beverage dispenser components. The beverage dispenser components include at least a user interface, a dispensing valve, and a valve interface for regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve. The electronic control system includes a microcontroller for monitoring the user interface and for activating the valve interface responsive to user input, thereby regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve. The electronic control system further includes a program memory with firmware configured in a state machine system architecture for controlling the microcontroller. The state machine system architecture supports either a non-preemptive or a preemptive multitasking real time operating system. The firmware includes supervisory control firmware, dispenser tasks firmware, and low level drivers firmware.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2001Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignee: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.Inventors: David C. Sudolcan, Thomas J. Chadwell
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Patent number: 6600968Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes an electronic control system for controlling beverage dispenser components. The beverage dispenser components include at least a user interface, a dispensing valve, and a valve interface for regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve. The electronic control system includes a microcontroller for monitoring the user interface and for activating the valve interface responsive to user input, thereby regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve. The electronic control system further includes a program memory with firmware configured in a state machine system architecture for controlling the microcontroller. The state machine system architecture supports either a non-preemptive or a preemptive multitasking real time operating system. The firmware includes supervisory control firmware, dispenser tasks firmware, and low level drivers firmware.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2001Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignee: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.Inventors: David C. Sudolcan, Thomas J. Chadwell
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Publication number: 20030106904Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes an electronic control system for controlling beverage dispenser components. The beverage dispenser components include at least a user interface, a dispensing valve, and a valve interface for regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve. The electronic control system includes a microcontroller for monitoring the user interface and for activating the valve interface responsive to user input, thereby regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve. The electronic control system further includes a program memory with firmware configured in a state machine system architecture for controlling the microcontroller. The state machine system architecture supports either a non-preemptive or a preemptive multitasking real time operating system. The firmware includes supervisory control firmware, dispenser tasks firmware, and low level drivers firmware.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2002Publication date: June 12, 2003Applicant: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.Inventors: David C. Sudolcan, Thomas J. Chadwell
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Patent number: 6568565Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing a product includes a support housing, a disposable or non-disposable pump, a disposable product package connectable to the pump, a pump driver connectable to the pump, and a dispensing station on the support housing. The dispensing station supports the pump driver and is adapted to receive the pump and disposable product package. The disposable product package and the pump driver connect to the pump. The pump driver operates the pump to draw product from the disposable product package. When the disposable product package is empty, the disposable product package and the pump if disposable are removed from the dispensing station and disposed.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2001Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Assignee: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.Inventors: Alfred A. Schroeder, Michael T. Romanyszyn, John Vira, Merrill R. Good, Thomas J. Chadwell, David C. Sudolcan, Paul S. Sudolcan
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Publication number: 20030019886Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes a customer interface and a logic unit for controlling beverage dispenser operations. The customer interface includes a sensor linked with the logic unit. Specifically, the sensor receives an input and outputs a corresponding command signal. The logic unit receives the corresponding command signal from the sensor and thus controls beverage dispenser operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2001Publication date: January 30, 2003Applicant: Lancer Partnership. LtdInventors: Thomas J. Chadwell, David C. Sudolcan
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Patent number: 6496752Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes an electronic control system for controlling beverage dispenser components. The beverage dispenser components include at least a user interface, a dispensing valve, and a valve interface for regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve. The electronic control system includes a microcontroller for monitoring the user interface and for activating the valve interface responsive to user input, thereby regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve. The electronic control system further includes a program memory with firmware configured in a state machine system architecture for controlling the microcontroller. The state machine system architecture supports either a non-preemptive or a preemptive multitasking real time operating system. The firmware includes supervisory control firmware, dispenser tasks firmware, and low level drivers firmware.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2001Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.Inventors: David C. Sudolcan, Thomas J. Chadwell
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Publication number: 20020179633Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing a product includes a support housing, a disposable or non-disposable pump, a disposable product package connectable to the pump, a pump driver connectable to the pump, and a dispensing station on the support housing. The dispensing station supports the pump driver and is adapted to receive the pump and disposable product package. The disposable product package and the pump driver connect to the pump. The pump driver operates the pump to draw product from the disposable product package. When the disposable product package is empty, the disposable product package and the pump if disposable are removed from the dispensing station and disposed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2002Publication date: December 5, 2002Applicant: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.Inventors: Alfred A. Schroeder, Michael T. Romanyszyn, John Vira, Merrill R. Good, Thomas J. Chadwell, David C. Sudolcan, Paul S. Sudolcan
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Publication number: 20020179632Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing a product includes a support housing, a disposable or non-disposable pump, a disposable product package connectable to the pump, a pump driver connectable to the pump, and a dispensing station on the support housing. The dispensing station supports the pump driver and is adapted to receive the pump and disposable product package. The disposable product package and the pump driver connect to the pump. The pump driver operates the pump to draw product from the disposable product package. When the disposable product package is empty, the disposable product package and the pump if disposable are removed from the dispensing station and disposed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2002Publication date: December 5, 2002Applicant: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.Inventors: Alfred A. Schroeder, Michael T. Romanyszyn, John Vira, Merrill R. Good, Thomas J. Chadwell, David C. Sudolcan, Paul S. Sudolcan
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Publication number: 20020175181Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing a product includes a support housing, a disposable or non-disposable pump, a disposable product package connectable to the pump, a pump driver connectable to the pump, and a dispensing station on the support housing. The dispensing station supports the pump driver and is adapted to receive the pump and disposable product package. The disposable product package and the pump driver connect to the pump. The pump driver operates the pump to draw product from the disposable product package. When the disposable product package is empty, the disposable product package and the pump if disposable are removed from the dispensing station and disposed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Applicant: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.Inventors: Alfred A. Schroeder, Michael T. Romanyszyn, John Vira, Merrill R. Good, Thomas J. Chadwell, David C. Sudolcan, Paul S. Sudolcan
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Patent number: 6421583Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes an electronic control system for controlling beverage dispenser components. The beverage dispenser components include at least a user interface, a dispensing valve, and a valve interface for regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve. The electronic control system includes a microcontroller for monitoring the user interface and for activating the valve interface responsive to user input, thereby regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve. The electronic control system further includes a program memory with firmware configured in a state machine system architecture for controlling the microcontroller. The state machine system architecture supports either a non-preemptive or a preemptive multitasking real time operating system. The firmware includes supervisory control firmware, dispenser tasks firmware, and low level drivers firmware.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2000Date of Patent: July 16, 2002Assignee: Lancer PartnershipInventors: David C. Sudolcan, Thomas J. Chadwell
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Publication number: 20010044673Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes an electronic control system for controlling beverage dispenser components. The beverage dispenser components include at least a user interface, a dispensing valve, and a valve interface for regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve. The electronic control system includes a microcontroller for monitoring the user interface and for activating the valve interface responsive to user input, thereby regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve. The electronic control system further includes a program memory with firmware configured in a state machine system architecture for controlling the microcontroller. The state machine system architecture supports either a non-preemptive or a preemptive multitasking real time operating system. The firmware includes supervisory control firmware, dispenser tasks firmware, and low level drivers firmware.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2001Publication date: November 22, 2001Applicant: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.Inventors: David C. Sudolcan, Thomas J. Chadwell
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Publication number: 20010044674Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes an electronic control system for controlling beverage dispenser components. The beverage dispenser components include at least a user interface, a dispensing valve, and a valve interface for regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve. The electronic control system includes a microcontroller for monitoring the user interface and for activating the valve interface responsive to user input, thereby regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve. The electronic control system further includes a program memory with firmware configured in a state machine system architecture for controlling the microcontroller. The state machine system architecture supports either a non-preemptive or a preemptive multitasking real time operating system. The firmware includes supervisory control firmware, dispenser tasks firmware, and low level drivers firmware.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2001Publication date: November 22, 2001Applicant: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.Inventors: David C. Sudolcan, Thomas J. Chadwell
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Publication number: 20010044672Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes an electronic control system for controlling beverage dispenser components. The beverage dispenser components include at least a user interface, a dispensing valve, and a valve interface for regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve. The electronic control system includes a microcontroller for monitoring the user interface and for activating the valve interface responsive to user input, thereby regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve. The electronic control system further includes a program memory with firmware configured in a state machine system architecture for controlling the microcontroller. The state machine system architecture supports either a non-preemptive or a preemptive multitasking real time operating system. The firmware includes supervisory control firmware, dispenser tasks firmware, and low level drivers firmware.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2001Publication date: November 22, 2001Applicant: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.Inventors: David C. Sudolcan, Thomas J. Chadwell
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Publication number: 20010032037Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes an electronic control system for controlling beverage dispenser components. The beverage dispenser components include at least a user interface, a dispensing valve, and a valve interface for regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve. The electronic control system includes a microcontroller for monitoring the user interface and for activating the valve interface responsive to user input, thereby regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve. The electronic control system further includes a program memory with firmware configured in a state machine system architecture for controlling the microcontroller. The state machine system architecture supports either a non-preemptive or a preemptive multitasking real time operating system. The firmware includes supervisory control firmware, dispenser tasks firmware, and low level drivers firmware.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2001Publication date: October 18, 2001Applicant: Lancer Partnership Ltd.Inventors: David C. Sudolcan, Thomas J. Chadwell
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Publication number: 20010032036Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes an electronic control system for controlling beverage dispenser components. The beverage dispenser components include at least a user interface, a dispensing valve, and a valve interface for regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve. The electronic control system includes a microcontroller for monitoring the user interface and for activating the valve interface responsive to user input, thereby regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve. The electronic control system further includes a program memory with firmware configured in a state machine system architecture for controlling the microcontroller. The state machine system architecture supports either a non-preemptive or a preemptive multitasking real time operating system. The firmware includes supervisory control firmware, dispenser tasks firmware, and low level drivers firmware.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2001Publication date: October 18, 2001Applicant: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.Inventors: David C. Sudolcan, Thomas J. Chadwell