Patents by Inventor William E. Miller

William E. Miller 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: 8258442
    Abstract: A control for an electric water heater detects a condition of a heating element when the heating element is not being energized. A switching module is operable to interrupt power to the heating element, which de-energizes the heating element. A detector module detects the condition of the heating element when the heating element is de-energized. The detector module senses current flowing through the heating element and generates a detection signal that is indicative of the current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: William E. Miller, Lawrence J. Brazis
  • Patent number: 7722757
    Abstract: A method and device for the production of hydrogen from water and electricity using an active metal alloy. The active metal alloy reacts with water producing hydrogen and a metal hydroxide. The metal hydroxide is consumed, restoring the active metal alloy, by applying a voltage between the active metal alloy and the metal hydroxide. As the process is sustainable, only water and electricity is required to sustain the reaction generating hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: William E. Miller, Victor A. Maroni, James L. Willit
  • Publication number: 20100116817
    Abstract: A control for an electric water heater detects a condition of a heating element when the heating element is not being energized. A switching module is operable to interrupt power to the heating element, which de-energizes the heating element. A detector module detects the condition of the heating element when the heating element is de-energized. The detector module senses current flowing through the heating element and generates a detection signal that is indicative of the current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: EMERSON ELECTRIC CO.
    Inventors: William E. Miller, Lawrence J. Brazis
  • Patent number: 7668445
    Abstract: A control for an electric water heater detects a condition of a heating element when the heating element is not being energized. A switching module is operable to interrupt power to the heating element, which de-energizes the heating element. A detector module detects the condition of the heating element when the heating element is de-energized. The detector module senses current flowing through the heating element and generates a detection signal that is indicative of the current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: William E. Miller, Lawrence J. Brazis
  • Patent number: 7510677
    Abstract: Injection molding method and apparatus for ejecting a molded plastic article from a mold. A lifting structure and/or step is provided with a lifting portion which is configured to contact substantially one half of an end of the molded plastic article along a line substantially perpendicular to the lifting direction. Since the molded plastic article is lifted by its end, the article does not have to be solidified at its interior, thus allowing earlier removal of the article from the mold, reducing cycle time. A tapered surface forms an acute angle with respect to the lifting portion to form a tight seal with the mold, preventing leakage. Preferably, the neck ring engages only an outer circumferential portion of the molded plastic article during a majority of a mold opening stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: William E. Miller, Lingxin Dong, Frank Favot, Michael Marshall, Walter Paegel, Randy Yakimishyn
  • Publication number: 20080080844
    Abstract: A control for an electric water heater detects a condition of a heating element when the heating element is not being energized. A switching module is operable to interrupt power to the heating element, which de-energizes the heating element. A detector module detects the condition of the heating element when the heating element is de-energized. The detector module senses current flowing through the heating element and generates a detection signal that is indicative of the current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: William E. Miller, Lawrence J. Brazis
  • Publication number: 20070163850
    Abstract: An aerodynamic disc wheel assembly includes a pair of generally symmetrical hourglass shaped sidewalls extending from a hub to a brake engaging portion of a wheel. The sidewalls include a radially inwardly positioned widened hub portion, a radially outwardly disposed brake engaging portion, and a two part central portion extending between the hub portion and the brake engaging portion. The assembly further includes an oval shaped end cap for engaging the disc wheel to spinningly receive a bicycle hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventors: Brad J. Addink, William E. Miller
  • Patent number: 7221862
    Abstract: A water heater control for an electric water heater operates according to at least one fixed hardware and/or software temperature limit and a variable software temperature limit. The control monitors a temperature of water in a tank of the electric water heater to determine if the temperature exceeds the fixed hardware and/or software temperature limit. If the temperature exceeds the fixed temperature limit, the control turns off one or more heating elements of the electric water heater. The variable software temperature limit is indicative of a desired user temperature and an offset temperature. If the temperature exceeds the variable software temperature limit, the control turns off the one or more heating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Therm-O-Disc, Incorporated
    Inventors: William E. Miller, Richard Miu
  • Patent number: 7217402
    Abstract: A method of producing metal chlorides is disclosed in which chlorine gas is introduced into liquid Cd. CdCl2 salt is floating on the liquid Cd and as more liquid CdCl2 is formed it separates from the liquid Cd metal and dissolves in the salt. The salt with the CdCl2 dissolved therein contacts a metal which reacts with CdCl2 to form a metal chloride, forming a mixture of metal chloride and CdCl2. After separation of bulk Cd from the salt, by gravitational means, the metal chloride is obtained by distillation which removes CdCl2 and any Cd dissolved in the metal chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: United States of America Department of Energy
    Inventors: William E. Miller, Zygmunt Tomczuk, Michael K. Richmann
  • Patent number: 7049523
    Abstract: Multi-member cables which are comprised of two or more components (including component cables and non-cable components) held together by at least one adhesive element placed between the components, and methods for manufacturing such cables. Multi-member cables which are comprised of jacketed cables whose jackets are adhered together without the use of an adhesive element, such as by co-forming the jackets, and methods for manufacturing such cables are also discussed. Generally, the components will be separated from the multi-member cable by an installer, although other methods may also be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Belden Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian R. Shuman, Thomas L. Rodeghero, Galen M. Gareis, William E. Miller, Charles R. Barnett
  • Patent number: 7011736
    Abstract: A improved device and process for recycling spent nuclear fuels, in particular uranium metal, that facilitates the refinement and recovery of uranium metal from spent metallic nuclear fuels. The electrorefiner device comprises two anodes in predetermined spatial relation to a cathode. The anodese have separate current and voltage controls. A much higher voltage than normal for the electrorefining process is applied to the second anode, thereby facilitating oxidization of uranium (III), U+, to uranium (IV), U+4. The current path from the second anode to the cathode is physically shorter than the similar current path from the second anode to the spent nuclear fuel contained in a first anode shaped as a basket. The resulting U+4 oxidizes and solubilizes rough uranium deposited on the surface of the cathode. A softer uranium metal surface is left on the cathode and is more readily removed by a scraper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: William E. Miller, Eddie C. Gay, Zygmunt Tomczuk
  • Patent number: 6991746
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a new high functionality MDI. In particular, this invention relates to polymeric allophanates based on diphenylmethane diisocyanate having an NCO group content of 12 to 30%, prepolymers thereof, and processes for the production of these compositions. The prepolymers are stable liquids having NCO group contents of about 10 to about 28%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Bayer MaterialScience LLC
    Inventors: William E. Slack, Hersel T. Kemp, II, William E. Miller
  • Patent number: 6989124
    Abstract: Injection molding method and apparatus for ejecting a molded plastic article from a mold. A lifting structure and/or step is provided with a lifting portion which is configured to contact substantially one half of an end of the molded plastic article along a line substantially perpendicular to the lifting direction. Since the molded plastic article is lifted by its end, the article does not have to be solidified at its interior, thus allowing earlier removal of the article from the mold, reducing cycle time. A tapered surface forms an acute angle with respect to the lifting portion to form a tight seal with the mold, preventing leakage. Preferably, the neck ring engages only an outer circumferential portion of the molded plastic article during a majority of a mold opening stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: William E. Miller, Lingxin Dong, Frank Favot, Michael Marshall, Walter Paegel, Randy Yakimishyn
  • Patent number: 6887399
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a new high functionality MDI. In particular, this invention relates to polymeric allophanates based on diphenylmethane diisocyanate having an NCO group content of 12 to 30%, prepolymers thereof, and processes for the production of these compositions. The prepolymers are stable liquids having NCO group contents of about 10 to about 28%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Bayer MaterialScience LLP
    Inventors: William E. Slack, Hersel T. Kemp, II, William E. Miller
  • Patent number: 6800262
    Abstract: The subject apparatus provides a means to produce UCl3 in large quantities without incurring corrosion of the containment vessel or associated apparatus. Gaseous Cl is injected into a lower layer of Cd where CdCl2 is formed. Due to is lower density, the CdCl2 rises through the Cd layer into a layer of molten LiCl—KCL salt where a rotatable basket containing uranium ingots is suspended. The CdCl2 reacts with the uranium to form UCl3 and Cd. Due to density differences, the Cd sinks down to the liquid Cd layer and is reused. The UCl3 combines with the molten salt. During production the temperature is maintained at about 600° C. while after the uranium has been depleted the salt temperature is lowered, the molten salt is pressure siphoned from the vessel, and the salt product LiCl—KCl-30 mol % UCl3 is solidified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: William E. Miller, Zygmunt Tomczuk
  • Publication number: 20040145082
    Abstract: Injection molding method and apparatus for ejecting a molded plastic article from a mold. A lifting structure and/or step is provided with a lifting portion which is configured to contact substantially one half of an end of the molded plastic article along a line substantially perpendicular to the lifting direction. Since the molded plastic article is lifted by its end, the article does not have to be solidified at its interior, thus allowing earlier removal of the article from the mold, reducing cycle time. A tapered surface forms an acute angle with respect to the lifting portion to form a tight seal with the mold, preventing leakage. Preferably, the neck ring engages only an outer circumferential portion of the molded plastic article during a majority of a mold opening stroke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventors: William E. Miller, Lingxin Dong, Frank Favot, Michael Marshall, Walter Paegel, Randy Yakimishyn
  • Patent number: 6767444
    Abstract: A new process for recycling spent nuclear fuels, in particular, mixed nitrides of transuranic elements and zirconium. The process consists of two electrorefiner cells in series configuration. A transuranic element such as plutonium is reduced at the cathode in the first cell, zirconium at the cathode in the second cell, and nitrogen-15 is released and captured for reuse to make transuranic and zirconium nitrides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: William E. Miller, Michael K. Richmann
  • Publication number: 20040062496
    Abstract: Discussed herein are multi-member cables which are comprised of two or more components (including component cables and non-cable components) held together by at least one adhesive element placed between the components, and methods for manufacturing such cables. Multi-member cables which are compromised of jacketed cables whose jackets are adhered together without the use of an adhesive element, such as by co-forming the jackets, and methods for manufacturing such cables are also discussed. Generally, the components will be separated from the multi-member cable by an installer, although other methods may also be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Brian R. Shuman, Thomas L. Rodeghero, Galen M. Gareis, William E. Miller, Charles R. Barnett
  • Publication number: 20040049001
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a new high functionality MDI. In particular, this invention relates to polymeric allophanates based on diphenylmethane diisocyanate having an NCO group content of 12 to 30%, prepolymers thereof, and processes for the production of these compositions. The prepolymers are stable liquids having NCO group contents of about 10 to about 28%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: William E. Slack, Hersel T. Kemp, William E. Miller
  • Patent number: D507977
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Therm-O-Disc, Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard E. Welch, Tung-Sheng Yang, William E. Miller