Patents by Inventor W. McCollough

W. McCollough 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).

  • Publication number: 20200129899
    Abstract: A filter base for receiving a complementary mating filter housing assembly. The filter base includes a base platform having fluid ingress and egress stanchions, and a wire harness assembly including a connector housing integral with or connected to the base platform for establishing an electrical connection between the filter base and the filter housing assembly. The wire harness assembly includes conductors extending between first and second connectors, with one or more resilient contacts provided on the second connector. The connector housing has an upper surface and an oppositely facing lower surface and is dimensioned to receive a first end portion of the one or more contacts. The contacts are flexible from a first position to a second position when a mating portion of the one or more contacts engages a mating connection surface of the filter housing assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: William Thomas Anniss, III, Willard Grant, Raony Barrios, William L. Small, Marcello Correa Machado, Thomas W. McCollough, Christopher Stephan Rousey, Robert Astle, George Nicholas Lauri, III, Chong Hun Yi, Brian Keith Weaver, William James Moyer, II, Ronald Skovira, Gary Altemose, Richard Benjamin Emenheiser, Ramesh Subramanian
  • Publication number: 20200129897
    Abstract: A filter base for receiving a mating filter housing assembly having a base platform having fluid ingress and egress stanchions, and a wire harness assembly including a connector housing integral with or connected to the base platform for establishing an electrical connection between the filter base and the mating filter housing assembly. The wire harness assembly having conductors extending between first and second connectors, with one or more resilient contacts provided on the second connector. The contacts are flexible from a first position to a second position when curved contact sections of the one or more contacts engage a mating connection surface of the complementary mating filter housing assembly. The mating connection surface may be a circuit pad of a printed circuit board, wherein the contact curved contact sections are configured to be positioned in mechanical and electrical engagement with the circuit pads when the filter housing assembly is received within the filter base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Robert Astle, George Lauri, Stephen P. Huda, Michael J. Sherman, Steven J. Haehn, Erik R. Klimpel, Chong Hun Yi, Brian Keith Weaver, William James Moyer, II, Ronald Skovira, Gary Altemose, Richard Benjamin Emenheiser, Will Anniss, Willard Grant, Raony Barrios, William Small, Marcello Correa Machado, Thomas W. McCollough, Christopher Rousey, Ramesh Subramanian
  • Publication number: 20200108338
    Abstract: A filter housing assembly for fluid filtration which may be attached to, and removed from, a filter base by a push-actuated release. The filter housing assembly has a top portion with an ingress port and egress port extending therefrom, and a protrusion extending from the filter housing longitudinally axial center. The ingress and egress port are formed in an hourglass shape. A filter key having a base with a groove for mating with said projection, at least one finger extending from said base, and an electronic circuit component housing attached thereto for receiving a printed circuit board, is connected to the filter housing top portion by mating said top portion protrusion with the filter key groove. Both of said ingress and egress port have at least one cavity for the passage of fluid therethrough, where each cavity is exposed in a direction facing away from the printed circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Robert Astle, George Lauri, Stephen P. Huda, Michael J. Sherman, Steven J. Haehn, Erik R. Klimpel, Will Anniss, Willard Grant, Raony Barrios, William Small, Marcello Correa Machado, Thomas W. McCollough, Christopher Rousey, Ramesh Subramanian
  • Publication number: 20200091638
    Abstract: A wire harness assembly including a first connector, a second connector, and conductors extending between the first connector and the second connector. Contacts are provided on the second connector. The contacts have termination sections which are mounted on the second connector, compliant sections which extend from the termination sections, and substrate engagement sections which extend from the compliant sections. The substrate engagement sections have curved contact sections which are configured to be positioned in mechanical and electrical engagement with circuit pads of a mating printed circuit board. Embossments are provided on the curved contact sections to provide additional strength and stability to the curved contact sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Chong Hun Yi, Brian Keith Weaver, William James Moyer, II, Ronald Skovira, Gary Altemose, Richard Benjamin Emenheiser, William Thomas Anniss, III, Willard Grant, Raony Barrios, William L. Small, Marcello Correa Machado, Thomas W. McCollough, Christopher Stephan Rousey, Robert Astle, George Nicholas Lauri, III
  • Publication number: 20200086248
    Abstract: An authentication system for authenticating a water filter cartridge at an appliance is provided. The water filter cartridge comprises a connection assembly having one or more connection devices that are structured for engaging an electrical connector of an appliance water filter manifold assembly of an appliance, to establish an electrical connection between the connection assembly and a controller of the appliance. A method of use of the water filter cartridge at the appliance comprises inserting the water filter cartridge into a receptacle of an appliance water filter manifold assembly. A method of authentication of the water filter cartridge comprises establishing an electrical communication link between a memory device of a water filter cartridge and an appliance water filter manifold assembly of the appliance, and retrieving, via the electrical communication link, a unique identifier associated with the water filter cartridge from the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas W. McCollough, William Thomas Anniss, III, Willard Grant, Raony Barrios, William L. Small, Marcello Correa Machado, Christopher Stephan Rousey, Ken Brandt, Marcelo C. Candeo, Ramesh Subramanian, Robert Astle, George Nicholas Lauri, III, Chong Hun Yi, Brian Keith Weaver, William James Moyer, II, Ronald Skovira, Gary Altemose, Richard Benjamin Emenheiser
  • Publication number: 20200080759
    Abstract: A refrigeration appliance includes a fresh food compartment for storing food items in a refrigerated environment having a target temperature above 0° C., a freezer compartment for storing food items in a sub-freezing environment having a target temperature below 0° C., a system evaporator for providing a cooling effect to at least one of the fresh food compartment and the freezer compartment, and an ice tray assembly disposed within the fresh food compartment for freezing water into ice pieces. The ice tray assembly includes an ice mold with an upper surface comprising a plurality of cavities formed therein for the ice pieces, a heater disposed on the ice mold and an ice maker refrigerant tube abutting at least one lateral side surface of the ice mold and cooling the ice mold to a temperature below 0° C. via thermal conduction and a cover having a water fill cup integrated into the cover and an outlet aligned with an inlet of the ice mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Zhuochen Shi, Thomas W. McCollough
  • Publication number: 20190367347
    Abstract: A dispensing unit is operatively associated with a refrigeration appliance for selectively dispensing water and ice at a dispensing station. The dispensing unit includes an actuator that is movable to selected positions in order to support the dispensing of the water and ice. The dispensing unit can include a passageway through which ice is dispensed, and an ice door can be provided for selectively opening and closing the passageway to the dispensing of ice. In one aspect, the ice door can be opened and closed mechanically and in another aspect, the ice door can be opened and closed electromechanically. The dispensing unit also can provide for the position of a water-dispensing nozzle to be adjusted for the purpose of dispensing water to receptacles outside a recessed area at which the nozzle is located and to provide for the activation of illuminating devices to indicate operating conditions at the refrigeration appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Jorge Carlos Montalvo Sanchez, Thomas W. McCollough, Nilton Carlos Bertolini, Travis McMahan, Justin Morgan
  • Patent number: 10407290
    Abstract: A dispensing unit is operatively associated with a refrigeration appliance for selectively dispensing water and ice at a dispensing station. The dispensing unit includes an actuator that is movable to selected positions in order to support the dispensing of the water and ice. The dispensing unit can include a passageway through which ice is dispensed, and an ice door can be provided for selectively opening and closing the passageway to the dispensing of ice. In one aspect, the ice door can be opened and closed mechanically and in another aspect, the ice door can be opened and closed electromechanically. The dispensing unit also can provide for the position of a water-dispensing nozzle to be adjusted for the purpose of dispensing water to receptacles outside a recessed area at which the nozzle is located and to provide for the activation of illuminating devices to indicate operating conditions at the refrigeration appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jorge Carlos Montalvo Sanchez, Thomas W. McCollough, Nilton Carlos Bertolini, Travis McMahan, Justin Morgan
  • Publication number: 20190023551
    Abstract: A dispensing unit is operatively associated with a refrigeration appliance for selectively dispensing water and ice at a dispensing station. The dispensing unit includes an actuator that is movable to selected positions in order to support the dispensing of the water and ice. The dispensing unit can include a passageway through which ice is dispensed, and an ice door can be provided for selectively opening and closing the passageway to the dispensing of ice. In one aspect, the ice door can be opened and closed mechanically and in another aspect, the ice door can be opened and closed electromechanically. The dispensing unit also can provide for the position of a water-dispensing nozzle to be adjusted for the purpose of dispensing water to receptacles outside a recessed area at which the nozzle is located and to provide for the activation of illuminating devices to indicate operating conditions at the refrigeration appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Jorge Carlos Montalvo Sanchez, Thomas W. McCollough, Nilton Carlos Bertolini, Travis McMahan, Justin Morgan
  • Publication number: 20180328642
    Abstract: A refrigeration appliance includes a fresh food compartment, a freezer compartment, and an ice maker within the fresh food compartment for freezing water into ice pieces. In one example, a rotatable auger drives the ice pieces out of a removable ice bin via a driving force applied in a first direction. A latch is configured to apply a resisting force to the ice bin along a second direction. In another example, an air mover is disposed within the ice maker for delivering cooled air from an ice maker evaporator to a region adjacent to the ice bin. At least one air channel is formed into an inside surface of the ice maker chamber. In another example, a method of making ice in the refrigeration appliance is provided. The method includes the steps of operating the air mover and a defrost heating of the ice maker evaporator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas W. McCollough, Nilton Carlos Bertolini, Justin Morgan, Dennis Carl Hansen
  • Patent number: 10036585
    Abstract: A refrigeration appliance includes a fresh food compartment, a freezer compartment, and an ice maker within the fresh food compartment for freezing water into ice pieces. In one example, a rotatable auger drives the ice pieces out of a removable ice bin via a driving force applied in a first direction. A latch is configured to apply a resisting force to the ice bin along a second direction. In another example, an air mover is disposed within the ice maker for delivering cooled air from an ice maker evaporator to a region adjacent to the ice bin. At least one air channel is formed into an inside surface of the ice maker chamber. In another example, a method of making ice in the refrigeration appliance is provided. The method includes the steps of operating the air mover and a defrost heating of the ice maker evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. McCollough, Nilton Carlos Bertolini, Justin Morgan, Dennis Carl Hansen
  • Patent number: 9902604
    Abstract: A dispensing unit is operatively associated with a refrigeration appliance for selectively dispensing water and ice at a dispensing station. The dispensing unit includes an actuator that is movable to selected positions in order to support the dispensing of the water and ice. The dispensing unit can include a passageway through which ice is dispensed, and an ice door can be provided for selectively opening and closing the passageway to the dispensing of ice. In one aspect, the ice door can be opened and closed mechanically and in another aspect, the ice door can be opened and closed electromechanically. The dispensing unit also can provide for the position of a water-dispensing nozzle to be adjusted for the purpose of dispensing water to receptacles outside a recessed area at which the nozzle is located and to provide for the activation of illuminating devices to indicate operating conditions at the refrigeration appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jorge Carlos Montalvo Sanchez, Thomas W. McCollough, Nilton Carlos Bertolini, Travis McMahan, Justin Morgan
  • Publication number: 20160084561
    Abstract: A refrigeration appliance includes a fresh food compartment, a freezer compartment, and an ice maker within the fresh food compartment for freezing water into ice pieces. In one example, a rotatable auger drives the ice pieces out of a removable ice bin via a driving force applied in a first direction. A latch is configured to apply a resisting force to the ice bin along a second direction. In another example, an air mover is disposed within the ice maker for delivering cooled air from an ice maker evaporator to a region adjacent to the ice bin. At least one air channel is formed into an inside surface of the ice maker chamber. In another example, a method of making ice in the refrigeration appliance is provided. The method includes the steps of operating the air mover and a defrost heating of the ice maker evaporator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas W. McCollough, Nilton Carlos Bertolini, Justin Morgan, Dennis Carl Hansen
  • Patent number: 9234690
    Abstract: A refrigeration appliance includes a fresh food compartment, a freezer compartment, and an ice maker within the fresh food compartment for freezing water into ice pieces. In one example, a rotatable auger drives the ice pieces out of a removable ice bin via a driving force applied in a first direction. A latch is configured to apply a resisting force to the ice bin along a second direction. In another example, an air mover is disposed within the ice maker for delivering cooled air from an ice maker evaporator to a region adjacent to the ice bin. At least one air channel is formed into an inside surface of the ice maker chamber. In another example, a method of making ice in the refrigeration appliance is provided. The method includes the steps of operating the air mover and a defrost heating of the ice maker evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas W. McCollough, Nilton Carlos Bertolini, Justin Morgan, Dennis Carl Hansen
  • Publication number: 20150232315
    Abstract: A dispensing unit is operatively associated with a refrigeration appliance for selectively dispensing water and ice at a dispensing station. The dispensing unit includes an actuator that is movable to selected positions in order to support the dispensing of the water and ice. The dispensing unit can include a passageway through which ice is dispensed, and an ice door can be provided for selectively opening and closing the passageway to the dispensing of ice. In one aspect, the ice door can be opened and closed mechanically and in another aspect, the ice door can be opened and closed electromechanically. The dispensing unit also can provide for the position of a water-dispensing nozzle to be adjusted for the purpose of dispensing water to receptacles outside a recessed area at which the nozzle is located and to provide for the activation of illuminating devices to indicate operating conditions at the refrigeration appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Jorge Carlos Montalvo Sanchez, Thomas W. McCollough, Nilton Carlos Bertolini, Travis McMahan, Justin Morgan
  • Patent number: 9073743
    Abstract: A dispensing unit is operatively associated with a refrigeration appliance for selectively dispensing water and ice at a dispensing station. The dispensing unit includes an actuator that is movable to selected positions in order to support the dispensing of the water and ice. The dispensing unit can include a passageway through which ice is dispensed, and an ice door can be provided for selectively opening and closing the passageway to the dispensing of ice. In one aspect, the ice door can be opened and closed mechanically and in another aspect, the ice door can be opened and closed electromechanically. The dispensing unit also can provide for the position of a water-dispensing nozzle to be adjusted for the purpose of dispensing water to receptacles outside a recessed area at which the nozzle is located and to provide for the activation of illuminating devices to indicate operating conditions at the refrigeration appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Jorge Carlos Montalvo Sanchez, Thomas W. McCollough, Nilton Carlos Bertolini, Travis McMahan, Justin Morgan
  • Patent number: 8805606
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for improving vehicle performance by application of pneumatic boost to vehicle engines, including diesel engines having at least one turbocharger supplying air to the engine, in a manner which increases engine torque output while minimizing the potential for exceed various operating limits to the maximum practicable extent. The vehicle's pneumatic booster system controller implements strategies for shaping the rate of the air injection during a boost event, tailoring the air injection to obtain maximum engine torque output while respecting the operating limits, by controlling the timing, duration, quantity and/or injection pattern during a boost event to achieve a refined distribution of compressed air injection over the course of the boost event to provide desired engine torque output and fuel efficiency while minimizing the potential for exceeding a wide variety of operation limits, regulatory, engineering and passenger comfort limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: William J. Schaffeld, Nicholas Asmis, Mark W. McCollough, Richard Beyer
  • Patent number: 8776544
    Abstract: Provided is a refrigeration appliance including a fresh food compartment for storing food items in a refrigerated environment having a target temperature above zero degrees Centigrade. A freezer compartment is disposed at an elevation vertically below the fresh food compartment for storing food items in a sub-freezing environment having a target temperature below zero degrees Centigrade. The refrigeration appliance also includes one or more of a hand-removable insulated cover, a cool air duct for introducing cooled air adjacent an ice bin, and a rearward-sloped catch pan positioned to catch dripping water in said ice maker and direct the dripping water into a drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. McCollough, David R. Ducharme, Xiaoyong Fu, Dennis Schenk
  • Publication number: 20140158099
    Abstract: A system and method for improving exhaust gas recirculation performance is provided to induce improved exhaust gas recirculation flow during engine operating transients, including transients in which exhaust gas flow conditions are unfavorable. The apparatus includes an exhaust line including a mechatronic exhaust brake valve, an intake system including a PBS compressed air injection system, an exhaust gas recirculation passage between the exhaust and intake lines, and a controller which coordinates operation of the PBS and MEB. The controller is programmed to command the MEB to close for a period before the compressed air injection is initiated so as to build exhaust line backpressure pressure and maintain a desired pressure differential across the EGR passage so that recirculated exhaust gas flow continues to enter the intake during to PBS injection event to suppress formation of undesired excess NOx, particulate and other emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas A. ASMIS, Richard E. BEYER, Mark W. MCCOLLOUGH, Cory J. HAMILTON, William J. SCHAFFELD
  • Patent number: 8666634
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for improving vehicle performance by application of pneumatic boost to vehicle engines, including diesel engines having at least one turbocharger supplying air to the engine, in a manner which increases engine torque output while minimizing the potential for exceed various operating limits to the maximum practicable extent. The vehicle's pneumatic booster system controller implements strategies for shaping the rate of the air injection during a boost event, tailoring the air injection to obtain maximum engine torque output while respecting the operating limits, by controlling the timing, duration, quantity and/or injection pattern during a boost event to achieve a refined distribution of compressed air injection over the course of the boost event to provide desired engine torque output and fuel efficiency while minimizing the potential for exceeding a wide variety of operation limits, regulatory, engineering and passenger comfort limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: William J. Schaffeld, Nicholas Asmis, Mark W. McCollough, Richard Beyer