Patents by Inventor William Bicknell

William Bicknell 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).

  • Method and apparatus for controlling a mode shifter in a washing machine from a motor controller
    Patent number: 8151428
    Abstract: A method for assembling a washing machine is provided. The method includes providing a mode shifter including a solenoid, coupling a basket and an agitator to the mode shifter, and coupling a motor to the mode shifter. The solenoid selectively allows the motor to rotate at least one of the basket and the agitator. The method also includes affixing a motor controller to the motor, and electrically coupling the motor controller to each of the mode shifter and the motor. The motor controller is in operational control communication with the mode shifter and the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Donald R. Dickerson, Jr., Michael Finch, William Bicknell, Robert Hollenbeck
  • Method and apparatus for controlling a mode shifter in a washing machine from a motor controller
    Publication number: 20080041114
    Abstract: A method for assembling a washing machine is provided. The method includes providing a mode shifter including a solenoid, coupling a basket and an agitator to the mode shifter, and coupling a motor to the mode shifter. The solenoid selectively allows the motor to rotate at least one of the basket and the agitator. The method also includes affixing a motor controller to the motor, and electrically coupling the motor controller to each of the mode shifter and the motor. The motor controller is in operational control communication with the mode shifter and the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Donald R. Dickerson, Michael Finch, William Bicknell, Robert Hollenbeck
  • Method and apparatus for interfacing a power line carrier and an appliance
    Publication number: 20030007503
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating between an appliance and a power line carrier communication system includes at least one power line carrier connection, at least one appliance connection, and processing circuitry for translating between an appliance communication protocol and a power line carrier communication protocol. The method and apparatus allow bidirectional communication between power line carrier and apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventors: Wolfgang Daum, John S. Holmes, William Bicknell, Scott Horning, Tanveer Lqbal, Scott Evans