Patents by Inventor Tim LANDWEHR
Tim LANDWEHR 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: 11284746Abstract: Methods for adjusting the pressure in a cooking chamber of a pressure fryer are provided. The pressure inside the cooking chamber is determined in response to detecting closure of a valve that vents the cooking chamber. The pressure in the chamber is compared to a predetermined pressure. If the pressure in the chamber is less than the predetermined pressure, a pressure assist system is activated. The pressure assist system includes an air pump and/or pressure source, and when activated, supplies a gas to the cooking chamber to increase the pressure in the cooking chamber. The pressure may be determined at a predetermined time after closure of the valve, and an amount of gas to be added to the cooking chamber determined based on a difference between the measured pressure and the predetermined pressure.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2020Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Henny Penny CorporationInventors: William M. Casey, Ben Krupp, Bradley Loase, David B. Winter, Gary L. Mercer, Tim A. Landwehr, Keith Lambert
-
Patent number: 10952565Abstract: A fryer apparatus and method of frying food products includes a cooking chamber, a heater disposed external to the cooking chamber, a fuel system disposed external to the cooking chamber, a blower configured to propel an airflow toward a heater, and a fuel injector configured to inject fuel into the airflow to create an air-fuel mixture. The fuel system is configured to deliver an air-fuel mixture to the heater. The heater is configured to ignite the air-fuel mixture to provide an external heating source for the cooking medium within cooking chamber. The temperature of the cooking medium is controlled by varying the speed of the airflow.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2016Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Henny Penny CorporationInventors: Manouchehr Shirali, Tim A. Landwehr
-
Publication number: 20200154947Abstract: Methods for adjusting the pressure in a cooking chamber of a pressure fryer are provided. The pressure inside the cooking chamber is determined in response to detecting closure of a valve that vents the cooking chamber. The pressure in the chamber is compared to a predetermined pressure. If the pressure in the chamber is less than the predetermined pressure, a pressure assist system is activated. The pressure assist system includes an air pump and/or pressure source, and when activated, supplies a gas to the cooking chamber to increase the pressure in the cooking chamber. The pressure may be determined at a predetermined time after closure of the valve, and an amount of gas to be added to the cooking chamber determined based on a difference between the measured pressure and the predetermined pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2020Publication date: May 21, 2020Inventors: William M. Casey, Ben Krupp, Bradley Loase, David B. Winter, Gary L. Mercer, Tim A. Landwehr, Keith Lambert
-
Patent number: 10582806Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting the pressure in a cooking chamber of a pressure fryer. The pressure inside the cooking chamber is determined in response to detecting closure of a valve that vents the cooking chamber. The pressure in the chamber is compared to a predetermined pressure. If the pressure in the chamber is less than the predetermined pressure, a pressure assist system is activated. The pressure assist system includes an air pump and/or pressure source, and when activated, supplies a gas to the cooking chamber to increase the pressure in the cooking chamber. The pressure may be determined at a predetermined time after closure of the valve, and an amount of gas to be added to the cooking chamber determined based on a difference between the measured pressure and the predetermined pressure. Use of the pressure assist system allows for optimal cooking of batches of food of many sizes.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2017Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: Henny Penny CorporationInventors: William M. Casey, Ben Krupp, Bradley Loase, David B. Winter, Gary L. Mercer, Tim A. Landwehr, Keith Lambert
-
Publication number: 20190142220Abstract: A fryer apparatus and method of frying food products includes a cooking chamber, a heater disposed external to the cooking chamber, a fuel system disposed external to the cooking chamber, a blower configured to propel an airflow toward a heater, and a fuel injector configured to inject fuel into the airflow to create an air-fuel mixture. The fuel system is configured to deliver an air-fuel mixture to the heater. The heater is configured to ignite the air-fuel mixture to provide an external heating source for the cooking medium within cooking chamber. The temperature of the cooking medium is controlled by varying the speed of the airflow.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2016Publication date: May 16, 2019Applicant: Henny Penny CorporationInventors: Manouchehr SHIRALI, Tim A. LANDWEHR
-
Patent number: 10058214Abstract: An automatic cooking medium level control system for a cooking apparatus, e.g., a fryer, may include a cooking vessel having a first temperature sensor at a first level of the cooking vessel and a second temperature sensor at a second level of the cooking vessel. A reservoir holding a cooking medium, such as cooking oil, may be in fluid communication with the cooking vessel. A controller may monitor temperature data from the first and second temperature sensors to determine whether the level of cooking oil in the cooking vessel has lowered. Upon determining that the cooking oil level has lowered, the controller may actuate a supply mechanism, such as a pump, which may be disposed on a fluid communication path between the reservoir and cooking vessel, which may enable the introduction of cooking medium from the reservoir to the to the cooking vessel.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2014Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: Henny Penny CorporationInventors: Douglas A. Burkett, Tim A. Landwehr, Robert W. Stirling, Gary L. Mercer, Joseph J. Tiszai, Robert T. Wood
-
Patent number: 9814355Abstract: Methods and systems disclosed herein may be methods for rapidly increasing pressure in a pressure fryer cooking vessel during a cooking cycle. Such methods and systems may comprise determining whether a pressure output in the cooking vessel is closed. Such methods and system may also include determining a pressure of the cooking vessel, comparing the pressure of the cooking vessel to a predetermined optimal pressure to determine whether the pressure of the cooking vessel is less than the optimal pressure, and activating a filter pump configured to supply air from a drain pan into the cooking vessel in response to determining that the pressure output is closed and the pressure of the cooking vessel is less than the optimal pressure. Such methods and systems may further include deactivating the filter pump when the pressure within the cooking vessel is equal to or greater than the optimal pressure.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2013Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: Henny Penny CorporationInventors: David B. Winter, Gary L. Mercer, Tim A. Landwehr, Keith Lambert
-
Publication number: 20170127881Abstract: A fryer apparatus is disclosed herein for rapidly increasing pressure in a pressure fryer cooking chamber during a cooking cycle. Such fryer apparatus may determine whether a pressure output in the cooking chamber is closed. The fryer apparatus also determines a pressure of the cooking chamber, compares the pressure of the cooking chamber to a predetermined optimal pressure to determine whether the pressure of the cooking chamber is less than the optimal pressure, and activates a filter pump that supplies air from a drain pan into the cooking chamber in response to determining that the pressure output is closed and the pressure of the cooking chamber is less than the optimal pressure. The fryer apparatus further deactivates the filter pump when the pressure within the cooking chamber is equal to or greater than the optimal pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2017Publication date: May 11, 2017Inventors: David B. Winter, Gary L. Mercer, Tim A. Landwehr, Keith Lambert
-
Publication number: 20170127883Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting the pressure in a cooking chamber of a pressure fryer. The pressure inside the cooking chamber is determined in response to detecting closure of a valve that vents the cooking chamber. The pressure in the chamber is compared to a predetermined pressure. If the pressure in the chamber is less than the predetermined pressure, a pressure assist system is activated. The pressure assist system includes an air pump and/or pressure source, and when activated, supplies a gas to the cooking chamber to increase the pressure in the cooking chamber. The pressure may be determined at a predetermined time after closure of the valve, and an amount of gas to be added to the cooking chamber determined based on a difference between the measured pressure and the predetermined pressure. Use of the pressure assist system allows for optimal cooking of batches of food of many sizes.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2017Publication date: May 11, 2017Inventors: William M. Casey, Ben Krupp, Bradley Loase, David B. Winter, Gary L. Mercer, Tim A. Landwehr, Keith Lambert
-
Patent number: 9528510Abstract: A system for delivering a cooking medium of a cooking apparatus includes a cooking medium tank for storing the cooking medium and a rotary valve including a rotary inlet configured to be in fluid communication with the cooking medium tank. The rotary outlet further includes a plurality of rotary outlets including a first rotary outlet in fluid communication with a first cooking vessel and a second rotary outlet in fluid communication with a second cooking vessel. Moreover, the rotary valve is configured to selectively place the rotary inlet in fluid communication with one of the plurality of rotary outlets. In other embodiments, the system further includes a motor operatively connected to the rotary valve and configured to operate the rotary valve to select one of the plurality of rotary outlets.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2009Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: Henny Penny CorporationInventors: Joe Tiszai, Craig Vagedes, Tim Landwehr
-
Patent number: 9161650Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a cooking chamber for receiving a. cooking medium, a lid configured to cover the cooking chamber, and a lid locking system. The lid locking system includes a pressure lock pin coupled to a movable diaphragm, an electronic lock pin coupled to the lid, and a latch. The latch includes a pressure lock pin aperture formed therein to accommodate the pressure lock pin, and an electronic lock pin aperture formed therein to accommodate the electronic lock pin. The pressure lock pin engages the latch in response to pressure in the cooking chamber exceeding a predetermined threshold, and the electronic lock pin engages the latch in response to a lock signal from a controller.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2012Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: Henny Penny CorporationInventors: Robert T. Wood, Tim A. Landwehr
-
Patent number: 9161659Abstract: A fryer apparatus includes a cooking chamber, at least one heating element in the cooking chamber, a filter pan that filters cooking medium from the cooking chamber, a drain valve that controls flow of cooking medium from the cooking chamber, and a filter pump that pumps filtered cooking medium from the filter pan to the cooking chamber. Inlet orifices are disposed in the cooking chamber, and selectively eject filtered cooking medium into the cooking chamber. A controller controls the drain valve to adjust the rate of flow from the cooking chamber, and selectively activates at least inlet orifice of the plurality of inlet orifices to eject filtered cooking medium into the cooking chamber. The controller is configured to control the drain valve and the selective activation of the at least one inlet orifice to maintain a substantially constant level of cooking medium in the cooking chamber throughout a filtering operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2011Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: Henny Penny CorporationInventors: Keith Lambert, Gary L. Mercer, Tim A. Landwehr
-
Publication number: 20150129509Abstract: Methods and systems disclosed herein may be methods for rapidly increasing pressure in a pressure fryer cooking vessel during a cooking cycle. Such methods and systems may comprise determining whether a pressure output in the cooking vessel is closed. Such methods and system may also include determining a pressure of the cooking vessel, comparing the pressure of the cooking vessel to a predetermined optimal pressure to determine whether the pressure of the cooking vessel is less than the optimal pressure, and activating a filter pump configured to supply air from a drain pan into the cooking vessel in response to determining that the pressure output is closed and the pressure of the cooking vessel is less than the optimal pressure. Such methods and systems may further include deactivating the filter pump when the pressure within the cooking vessel is equal to or greater than the optimal pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: HENNY PENNY CORPORATIONInventors: David WINTER, Gary MERCER, Tim A. LANDWEHR, Keith LAMBERT
-
Publication number: 20140182459Abstract: An automatic cooking medium level control system for a cooking apparatus, e.g., a fryer, may include a cooking vessel having a first temperature sensor at a first level of the cooking vessel and a second temperature sensor at a second level of the cooking vessel. A reservoir holding a cooking medium, such as cooking oil, may be in fluid communication with the cooking vessel. A controller may monitor temperature data from the first and second temperature sensors to determine whether the level of cooking oil in the cooking vessel has lowered. Upon determining that the cooking oil level has lowered, the controller may actuate a supply mechanism, such as a pump, which may be disposed on a fluid communication path between the reservoir and cooking vessel, which may enable the introduction of cooking medium from the reservoir to the to the cooking vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2014Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: Henny Penny CorporationInventors: Douglas A. BURKETT, Tim A. LANDWEHR, Robert W. STIRLING, Gary L. MERCER, Joseph J. TISZAI, Robert T. WOOD
-
Patent number: 8689679Abstract: An automatic cooking medium level control system for a cooking apparatus, e.g., a fryer, may include a cooking vessel having a first temperature sensor at a first level of the cooking vessel and a second temperature sensor at a second level of the cooking vessel. A reservoir holding a cooking medium, such as cooking oil, may be in fluid communication with the cooking vessel. A controller may monitor temperature data from the first and second temperature sensors to determine whether the level of cooking oil in the cooking vessel has lowered. Upon determining that the cooking oil level has lowered, the controller may actuate a supply mechanism, such as a pump, which may be disposed on a fluid communication path between the reservoir and cooking vessel, which may enable the introduction of cooking medium from the reservoir to the to the cooking vessel.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2006Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Henny Penny CorporationInventors: Joseph J. Tiszai, Robert T. Wood, Robert W. Stirling, Gary L. Mercer, Douglas A. Burkett, Tim A. Landwehr
-
Publication number: 20140076904Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a cooking chamber for receiving a. cooking medium, a lid configured to cover the cooking chamber, and a lid locking system. The lid locking system includes a pressure lock pin coupled to a movable diaphragm, an electronic lock pin coupled to the lid, and a latch. The latch includes a pressure lock pin aperture formed therein to accommodate the pressure lock pin, and an electronic lock pin aperture formed therein to accommodate the electronic lock pin. The pressure lock pin engages the latch in response to pressure in the cooking chamber exceeding a predetermined threshold, and the electronic lock pin engages the latch in response to a lock signal from a controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2012Publication date: March 20, 2014Inventors: Robert T. WOOD, Tim A. LANDWEHR
-
Patent number: 8505443Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a first and second cooking vessel, a drain manifold connecting the first and second cooking vessel to a drain container for storing cooking medium, a first drain valve and second drain valve configured to connect the first and second cooking vessel with the drain container. A first drain lever selectively opens and closes the first drain valve, and a second drain lever selectively opens and closes the second drain valve. A first and second drain lever indicator indicate an operational status of the first and second drain valves, respectively. A controller monitors the first and second drain valve. When the first drain valve is open, the second drain lever indicator indicates a warning when the second drain lever is operated. When the second drain valve is open, the first drain lever indicator indicates a warning when the first drain lever is operated.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2010Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Henny Penny CorporationInventors: Trent Abney, Steve Werts, Tim Landwehr, Gary Summons, Gary Mercer
-
Publication number: 20130098847Abstract: A fryer apparatus includes a cooking chamber, at least one heating element in the cooking chamber, a filter pan that filters cooking medium from the cooking chamber, a drain valve that controls flow of cooking medium from the cooking chamber, and a filter pump that pumps filtered cooking medium from the filter pan to the cooking chamber. Inlet orifices are disposed in the cooking chamber, and selectively eject filtered cooking medium into the cooking chamber. A controller controls the drain valve to adjust the rate of flow from the cooking chamber, and selectively activates at least inlet orifice of the plurality of inlet orifices to eject filtered cooking medium into the cooking chamber. The controller is configured to control the drain valve and the selective activation of the at least one inlet orifice to maintain a substantially constant level of cooking medium in the cooking chamber throughout a filtering operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2011Publication date: April 25, 2013Applicant: Henny Penny CorporationInventors: Keith LAMBERT, Gary L. MERCER, Tim A. LANDWEHR
-
Publication number: 20110168032Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a first and second cooking vessel, a drain manifold connecting the first and second cooking vessel to a drain container for storing cooking medium, a first drain valve and second drain valve configured to connect the first and second cooking vessel with the drain container. A first drain lever selectively opens and closes the first drain valve, and a second drain lever selectively opens and closes the second drain valve. A first and second drain lever indicator indicate an operational status of the first and second drain valves, respectively. A controller monitors the first and second drain valve. When the first drain valve is open, the second drain lever indicator indicates a warning when the second drain lever is operated. When the second drain valve is open, the first drain lever indicator indicates a warning when the first drain lever is operated.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2010Publication date: July 14, 2011Inventors: Trent ABNEY, Steve WERTS, Tim LANDWEHR, Gary SUMMONS, Gary MERCER
-
Publication number: 20100326288Abstract: A system for delivering a cooking medium of a cooking apparatus includes a cooking medium tank for storing the cooking medium and a rotary valve including a rotary inlet configured to be in fluid communication with the cooking medium tank. The rotary outlet further includes a plurality of rotary outlets including a first rotary outlet in fluid communication with a first cooking vessel and a second rotary outlet in fluid communication with a second cooking vessel. Moreover, the rotary valve is configured to selectively place the rotary inlet in fluid communication with one of the plurality of rotary outlets. In other embodiments, the system further includes a motor operatively connected to the rotary valve and configured to operate the rotary valve to select one of the plurality of rotary outlets.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2009Publication date: December 30, 2010Inventors: Joe TISZAI, Craig VAGEDES, Tim LANDWEHR