Patents by Inventor Timothy Allen Hamel
Timothy Allen Hamel 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: 9845978Abstract: A heat pump water heater and systems and methods for its control. The systems are configured to heat water within a water storage tank of a heat pump water heater wherein a controller within the system is operatively connected to a plurality of heat sources including at least one electric heating element and a heat pump and sensors in order to selectively energize one of the plurality of heat sources. The controller is configure to process data representative of the temperature of water within the tank near the top of the water storage tank, and rate of water flowing out of the water storage tank, in order to automatically selectively energize the heat sources. The selection of heat sources by the controller is determined by a mode of operation selected by the user and the data processed by the controller in view of the selected mode of operation.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2011Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan D. Nelson, Craig Lung-Pei Tsai, Jeffrey Alan Kern, Eliel Fresco Rodriguez, Michael T. Beyerle, Derek Lee Watkins, Timothy Allen Hamel, Marlin Zenther
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Patent number: 9029743Abstract: A heating apparatus for heating a subcompartment in a compartment of an appliance is disclosed. The heating apparatus includes an electromagnetic member disposed in the compartment, and a metal member thermally coupled to the subcompartment. The metal member is magnetically coupled to the electromagnetic member to generate an eddy current in the metal member in response to a magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic member for heating the subcompartment. A related heating method and a refrigerator incorporating such a heating apparatus are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2008Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Eric K. Watson, Timothy Allen Hamel, Denis Alagic
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Patent number: 8806886Abstract: A temperature controlled surface in a refrigerator that includes a heat exchanger configured to have the cooling medium flow therethrough to be cooled in thermal communication with a freezer compartment of the refrigerator. A second heat exchanger disposed downstream of the first heat exchanger and configured to have the cooling medium flow therethrough to cool the temperature controlled surface. A pump configured to flow the cooling medium through the first and second heat exchangers. A first heat exchanger is disposed downstream of the storage tank and is configured to have the cooling medium flow therethrough to be cooled. A second heat exchanger is disposed downstream of the first heat exchanger and is configured to have the cooling medium flow therethrough to cool the air and any contents within the temperature controlled compartment.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2007Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Alexander Pinkus Rafalovich, Martin Mitchell Zentner, Timothy Allen Hamel, Toby Whitaker
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Patent number: 8548635Abstract: A system and method of managing energy use in a home, and more particularly to energy management of household consumer appliances, are provided. Existing appliances can be modified with add-on features or modules, and likewise new energy saving features and functions can be incorporated into new appliances. Communication among a home energy manager, an appliance, and a utility meter measures energy usage and/or a local generator controls operation of various appliances such as a refrigerator, washer, dryer, oven/range, microwave oven, dishwasher, HVAC system hot water heater, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2009Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Eric K. Watson, Alexander Pinkus Rafalovich, Anthony A. Cooper, Martin Christopher Severance, Chris George Bissig, Timothy Allen Hamel, Rita Barksdale, Telema Harry, Alex Fernando Lobos
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Patent number: 8422870Abstract: A heat pump water heater and systems and methods for its control are disclosed. The systems are configured to heat water within a water storage tank of a heat pump water heater wherein a controller within the system is operatively connected to a plurality of heat sources including at least one electric heating element and a heat pump and sensors in order to selectively energize one of the plurality of heat sources. The controller is configure to process data representative of the temperature of water within the tank near the top of the water storage tank, and rate of water flowing out of the water storage tank, in order to automatically selectively energize the heat sources. The selection of heat sources by the controller is determined by a mode of operation selected by the user and the data processed by the controller in view of the selected mode of operation.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2009Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jonathan D. Nelson, Craig Lung-Pei Tsai, Jeffrey Alan Kern, Eliel Fresco Rodriguez, Michael T. Beyerle, Derek Lee Watkins, Timothy Allen Hamel, Martin Zentner
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Patent number: 8250875Abstract: An appliance includes a compression stage, a condensation stage, and an evaporation stage. The evaporation stage includes a first evaporator for a first refrigerated enclosure and a second evaporator for a second refrigerated enclosure. A first valve in a condensation stage bypass line is openable to allow a supply of refrigerant to bypass the condensation stage during a defrost mode, where a condensation stage bypass line is positioned between an output of the compression stage and the second evaporator. A second valve is positioned in a line from the second evaporator to the input to the compression stage and is closeable to block a supply of refrigerant from the second evaporator to the compression stage during the defrost mode. An additional line positioned between the second evaporator and the first evaporator carries the supply of refrigerant from the second evaporator to the first evaporator in the defrost mode.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2009Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Alexander Rafalovich, Timothy Allen Hamel
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Publication number: 20120145095Abstract: A heat pump water heater and systems and methods for its control. The systems are configured to heat water within a water storage tank of a heat pump water heater wherein a controller within the system is operatively connected to a plurality of heat sources including at least one electric heating element and a heat pump and sensors in order to selectively energize one of the plurality of heat sources. The controller is configure to process data representative of the temperature of water within the tank near the top of the water storage tank, and rate of water flowing out of the water storage tank, in order to automatically selectively energize the heat sources. The selection of heat sources by the controller is determined by a mode of operation selected by the user and the data processed by the controller in view of the selected mode of operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2011Publication date: June 14, 2012Inventors: Jonathan D. Nelson, Craig Lung-Pei Tsai, Jeffrey Alan Kern, Eliel Fresco Rodriguez, Michael T. Beyerle, Derek Lee Watkins, Timothy Allen Hamel, Marlin Zenther
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Patent number: 8074469Abstract: A refrigerator includes a first compartment, a second compartment and a multi-functional compartment that is disposed between the first compartment and the second compartment and is adjustable between temperature modes selected from the group consisting of a fresh food temperature mode, a soft freeze mode, a freezer mode and a chiller temperature mode.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2008Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Timothy Allen Hamel, Rita Barksdale, Chris George Bissig, John R. Brumleve, Jonathan Crosby, Rajesh Swarnkar, Thomas F. White, Martin Mitchell Zentner
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Patent number: 8033126Abstract: A flow controlling assembly configured to permit air flow between a first chamber and a second chamber. A frame member includes a damper contacting surface at least partially surrounding a frame opening configured to permit the air flow therethrough. A damper plate includes a frame contacting surface configured to contact the damper contacting surface when the damper plate is in a closed position. A hinge assembly is disposed between the frame member and the damper plate. The hinge assembly is configured to permit the damper plate to rotate on a rotational axis relative to the frame member and to permit the rotational axis to translate relative to the frame member.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2006Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: William Newton, Arthur Wilson Scrivener, Richard Devos, Kristen Kamath, Sanjeev Kumar Singh, Timothy Allen Hamel, Preston Howard
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Publication number: 20110011109Abstract: An appliance includes a compression stage, a condensation stage, and an evaporation stage. The evaporation stage includes a first evaporator for a first refrigerated enclosure and a second evaporator for a second refrigerated enclosure. A first valve in a condensation stage bypass line is openable to allow a supply of refrigerant to bypass the condensation stage during a defrost mode, where a condensation stage bypass line is positioned between an output of the compression stage and the second evaporator. A second valve is positioned in a line from the second evaporator to the input to the compression stage and is closeable to block a supply of refrigerant from the second evaporator to the compression stage during the defrost mode. An additional line positioned between the second evaporator and the first evaporator carries the supply of refrigerant from the second evaporator to the first evaporator in the defrost mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2009Publication date: January 20, 2011Inventors: Alexander Rafalovich, Timothy Allen Hamel
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Publication number: 20100209084Abstract: A heat pump water heater and systems and methods for its control are disclosed. The systems are configured to heat water within a water storage tank of a heat pump water heater wherein a controller within the system is operatively connected to a plurality of heat sources including at least one electric heating element and a heat pump and sensors in order to selectively energize one of the plurality of heat sources. The controller is configure to process data representative of the temperature of water within the tank near the top of the water storage tank, and rate of water flowing out of the water storage tank, in order to automatically selectively energize the heat sources. The selection of heat sources by the controller is determined by a mode of operation selected by the user and the data processed by the controller in view of the selected mode of operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2009Publication date: August 19, 2010Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Jonathan D. Nelson, Craig Lung-Pei Tsai, Jeffrey Alan Kern, Eliel Fresco Rodriguez, Micheal T. Beyerle, Derek Lee Watkins, Timothy Allen Hamel, Martin Zentner
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Publication number: 20100179708Abstract: A system and method of managing energy use in a home, and more particularly to energy management of household consumer appliances, are provided. Existing appliances can be modified with add-on features or modules, and likewise new energy saving features and functions can be incorporated into new appliances. Communication among a home energy manager, an appliance, and a utility meter measures energy usage and/or a local generator controls operation of various appliances such as a refrigerator, washer, dryer, oven/range, microwave oven, dishwasher, HVAC system hot water heater, and the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2009Publication date: July 15, 2010Inventors: Eric K. Watson, Alexander Pinkus Rafalovich, Anthony A. Cooper, Martin Christopher Severance, Chris George Bissig, Timothy Allen Hamel, Rita Barksdale, Telema Harry, Alex Fernando Lobos
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Publication number: 20100162747Abstract: A refrigerator includes a first compartment, a second compartment and a multi-functional compartment that is disposed between the first compartment and the second compartment and is adjustable between temperature modes selected from the group consisting of a fresh food temperature mode, a soft freeze mode, a freezer mode and a chiller temperature mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2008Publication date: July 1, 2010Inventors: Timothy Allen HAMEL, Rita Barksdale, Chris George Bissig, John R. Brumleve, Jonathan Crosby, Rajesh Swarnkar, Thomas F. White, Martin Mitchell Zentner
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Publication number: 20100070434Abstract: An appliance includes a display unit for an appliance and a control unit coupled to the display unit. The control unit is configured to detect at least one operating parameter associated with use of the appliance, calculate energy usage and energy costs associated with the at least one operating parameter, and present current energy usage and cost information on the display unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2009Publication date: March 18, 2010Inventors: Anthony A. COOPER, Ronald Gary Foster, Timothy Allen Hamel, Joshua Paul Kopecky, Chris George Bissig, Jeffrey Charles Mellinger
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Publication number: 20100043486Abstract: A heating apparatus for heating a subcompartment in a compartment of an appliance is disclosed. The heating apparatus includes an electromagnetic member disposed in the compartment, and a metal member thermally coupled to the subcompartment. The metal member is magnetically coupled to the electromagnetic member to generate an eddy current in the metal member in response to a magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic member for heating the subcompartment. A related heating method and a refrigerator incorporating such a heating apparatus are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2008Publication date: February 25, 2010Inventors: Eric K. WATSON, Timothy Allen HAMEL, Denis ALAGIC
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Publication number: 20090293508Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an ice service refrigerator comprising an ice maker and a food preservation compartment containing an evaporator. The ice maker includes a mold, an ejector for discharging ice pieces from the mold and a controller for periodically initiating operation of the ice maker through an ice making cycle and an ice harvesting cycle. The refrigerator further comprises a refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, a conduit flow line, a first valve, a second valve, an ice maker coil, a first cap tube, a second cap tube, and at least one evaporator connected in selectively closed series flow relationship. The ice maker coil is attached to the ice maker mold and includes a heat exchange relationship with the ice maker mold.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2008Publication date: December 3, 2009Inventors: Alexander Pinkus Rafalovich, Mark Wayne Wilson, Timothy Allen Hamel
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Publication number: 20090158768Abstract: A temperature controlled surface in a refrigerator that includes a heat exchanger configured to have the cooling medium flow therethrough to be cooled in thermal communication with a freezer compartment of the refrigerator. A second heat exchanger disposed downstream of the first heat exchanger and configured to have the cooling medium flow therethrough to cool the temperature controlled surface. A pump configured to flow the cooling medium through the first and second heat exchangers. A first heat exchanger is disposed downstream of the storage tank and is configured to have the cooling medium flow therethrough to be cooled. A second heat exchanger is disposed downstream of the first heat exchanger and is configured to have the cooling medium flow therethrough to cool the air and any contents within the temperature controlled compartment.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2007Publication date: June 25, 2009Inventors: Alexander Pinkus Rafalovich, Martin Mitchell Zentner, Timothy Allen Hamel, Toby Whitaker
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Publication number: 20080248738Abstract: A flow controlling assembly configured to permit air flow between a first chamber and a second chamber. A frame member includes a damper contacting surface at least partially surrounding a frame opening configured to permit the air flow therethrough. A damper plate includes a frame contacting surface configured to contact the damper contacting surface when the damper plate is in a closed position. A hinge assembly is disposed between the frame member and the damper plate. The hinge assembly is configured to permit the damper plate to rotate on a rotational axis relative to the frame member and to permit the rotational axis to translate relative to the frame member.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2006Publication date: October 9, 2008Inventors: William Newton, Arthur Wilson Scrivener, Richard Devos, Kristen Kamath, Sanjeev Kumar Singh, Timothy Allen Hamel, Preston Howard