Patents by Inventor William E. Smith, JR.

William E. Smith, JR. 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).

  • Methods and systems for improving and maintaining the cleanliness of ice machines
    Patent number: 9803907
    Abstract: The use of the following techniques to clean air: (1) inlet air filtration, (2) continuous recirculation air filtration, (3) water filtration and disinfection, (4) use of an air curtain in the ice bin opening, and (5) provision of clean air to the air assist pump during the harvest cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: MANITOWOC FOODSERVICE COMPANIES, LLC
    Inventors: Daryl G. Erbs, William E. Smith, Jr., William E. Olson, Jr., Janice M. K. Jaferian
  • Analyzing an acoustic wave that has propagated through a body of water while the body of water is being frozen
    Patent number: 8738302
    Abstract: A method that includes: (i) detecting an acoustic wave that is propagating through a body of water, as the body of water is being frozen on a structure, thus yielding a detected acoustic wave; (ii) extracting, from the detected acoustic wave, (a) a frequency component thereof, and (b) a magnitude of the frequency component; and (iii) removing the body of water from the structure when the magnitude exceeds a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Manitowoc Foodservice Companies, LLC
    Inventors: Ramesh B. Tirumala, Raymond R. Haack, William E. Smith, Jr., Lee G. Mueller
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR IMPROVING AND MAINTAINING THE CLEANLINESS OF ICE MACHINES
    Publication number: 20120198870
    Abstract: The use of the following techniques to clean air: (1) inlet air filtration, (2) continuous recirculation air filtration, (3) water filtration and disinfection, (4) use of an air curtain in the ice bin opening, and (5) provision of clean air to the air assist pump during the harvest cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: Daryl G. Erbs, William E. Smith, JR., William E. Olson, JR., Janice M.K. Jaferian
  • ANALYZING AN ACOUSTIC WAVE THAT HAS PROPAGATED THROUGH A BODY OF WATER WHILE THE BODY OF WATER IS BEING FROZEN
    Publication number: 20120197543
    Abstract: A method that includes: (i) detecting an acoustic wave that is propagating through a body of water, as the body of water is being frozen on a structure, thus yielding a detected acoustic wave; (ii) extracting, from the detected acoustic wave, (a) a frequency component thereof, and (b) a magnitude of the frequency component; and (iii) removing the body of water from the structure when the magnitude exceeds a threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: MANITOWOC FOODSERVICE COMPANIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ramesh B. Tirumala, Raymond R. Haack, William E. Smith, JR., Lee G. Mueller