Abstract: A refrigerator includes a freezer compartment and a machine compartment positioned proximate the freezer compartment. An icemaker assembly is positioned within the freezer compartment. A fill tube extends from the machine compartment into the icemaker assembly. A first solenoid valve is coupled to the fill tube. A second solenoid valve is coupled to the fill tube, wherein the first and second solenoid valves are positioned within the machine compartment. A controller is configured to independently open and close the first and second solenoid valves.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 22, 2021
Date of Patent:
April 9, 2024
Assignee:
Whirlpool Corporation
Inventors:
Vishal B. Chauhan, Giulia Marinello, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Kevin Y. Zhang
Abstract: A system including a user interface adapted to receive a user input and communicatively connected with a communications module, a foodstuff database stored in memory including a set of available foodstuff transactions, and a controller module adapted to receive the user input receive at the user interface by way of the communications module, and configured to query the foodstuff database based on the user input, identify at least a subset of available foodstuff transactions based on the query, and send the identified subset of available foodstuff transactions to the user interface by way of the communications module.
Abstract: A refrigerating appliance includes a refrigerating cabinet that has an outer wrapper. A machine compartment is disposed proximate a rear bottom of the refrigerating cabinet. The machine compartment is defined by selectively removable side panels, an inner curved surface of the outer wrapper, and a bottom support plate. A controller is disposed within the machine compartment. Reinforcement segments extend from a planar extent of the outer wrapper to a lip of the bottom support plate.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 13, 2023
Date of Patent:
April 9, 2024
Assignee:
Whirlpool Corporation
Inventors:
Koteswara Rao Gochika, Narendra A. Kapure, Manjunathraddi Navalgund, Manoj T. Sambrekar
Abstract: A method for forming a super-insulating material for a vacuum insulated structure includes disposing glass spheres within a rotating drum. A plurality of interstitial spaces are defined between the glass spheres. A binder material is disposed within the rotating drum. The glass spheres and the at least one binder material are rotated within the rotating drum, wherein the binder material is mixed during a first mixing stage with the glass spheres. A first insulating material is disposed within the rotating drum. The binder material, the first insulating material and the glass spheres are mixed to define an insulating base. A second insulating material is disposed within the rotating drum. The secondary insulating material is mixed with the insulating base to define a homogenous form of the super-insulating material, wherein the first and second insulating materials occupy substantially all of the interstitial spaces.
Abstract: A method of estimating fluid in a steam generation system includes periodically determining steam flow rates and drainage flow rates to accurately estimate fluid levels. The method includes determining a first steam flow rate of a steam generator. Before a present steam cycle, determine a starting quantity of liquid in one or more liquid reservoirs. During a present steam cycle, determine a quantity of liquid remaining in the one or more liquid reservoirs by determining a time the steam generator injected steam and multiplying the time by the first steam flow rate. Based on the first steam flow rate, determine a time remaining before the quantity of liquid remaining in the one or more liquid reservoirs is below a threshold and the one or more liquid reservoirs needs to be refilled. With the drain flow rate, the steam generation system can be emptied with minimized dry cycle duration.
Abstract: A drain system for a laundry appliance is provided. The laundry appliance may be configured as a clothes dryer having a heat exchanger to cool and condense moisture-laden air received from the laundry drum. The drain system utilizes a drain structure to catch condensate from the heat exchanger and evacuate the condensate to a sump area. A blower and blower channel moves the dry air from the heat exchanger back to the drum. To prevent negative pressure in the blower channel from moving the condensate to the sump area, an air channel between the blower channel and sump area provides air flow communication.
Abstract: A laundry treating appliance comprising a tub with a tub access opening, a rotatable drum located within the tub and partially defining a treating chamber, a drying air duct having an inlet formed in the tub and defining a cross-sectional area of the inlet, and a filter overlying the inlet and having a surface area greater than the cross-sectional area of the drying air duct.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 25, 2023
Date of Patent:
April 2, 2024
Assignee:
Whirlpool Corporation
Inventors:
Marcos Javier Rios Acebal, Arun Rajendran
Abstract: A bumper assembly for an appliance may include a cabinet having a front panel, a door hingedly coupled with the cabinet and configured to selectively contact the front panel, and a bumper coupled to one of the door and front panel. The bumper may include a cap having an annular outer surface defining an interior, at least one flange coupled to the outer surface, the at least one flange extending along at least a portion of the annular outer surface, a through-hole in communication with the interior, and a fastener having an elastomeric cover. The fastener may be disposed within the interior and the through-hole when the bumper is in a mounted state.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 17, 2020
Date of Patent:
April 2, 2024
Assignee:
Whirlpool Corporation
Inventors:
Rohan Gajananrao Gore, David Gregory Quante
Abstract: A vacuum insulated refrigerator structure includes an outer wrapper having a first opening and a first edge extending around the first opening. A liner has a second opening and second edge extending around the second opening. The liner is disposed inside the wrapper with the first and second edges being spaced apart to form a gap therebetween. An insulating thermal bridge extends across the gap, and an airtight vacuum cavity is formed between the wrapper and the liner. The thermal bridge includes elongated first and second channels having sealant disposed therein, and the first and second edges are disposed in the first and second channels, respectively. Porous core material may be disposed in the vacuum cavity.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 28, 2020
Date of Patent:
April 2, 2024
Assignee:
Whirlpool Corporation
Inventors:
Abhay Naik, Lorraine J. Westlake, Lakshya J. Deka
Abstract: A dishwasher system for cleaning dishes may include at least one rack configured to receive a silverware basket, the basket including at least one silverware compartment, a pair of camshafts including a first camshaft and a second camshaft, each fixed to the rack and operable by a gearbox configured to rotate the camshafts with respect to the rack, the camshafts arranged below the silverware basket, and a cam arranged at each end of each of the camshafts, wherein upon rotation of the camshaft by the gearbox, the cams affect the height of a respective corner of the basket to allow the silverware therein to be lifted or lowered and exposed to spray at various heights or angles from sprayers within the dishwasher.
Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet defining an aperture in a front surface thereof. A drum is disposed within the cabinet. The drum defines an access opening that aligns with the aperture. A door is coupled to the cabinet and is operable between closed and opened positions relative to the aperture. A bellows extends along a perimeter of the aperture and proximate the access opening. A deflector extends along at least a portion of the perimeter of the aperture. The deflector extends into an interior of the drum over the bellows.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 15, 2021
Date of Patent:
April 2, 2024
Assignee:
Whirlpool Corporation
Inventors:
Darryl C. Bodine, Donald E. Erickson, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Marcel Schmidt, Todd J. Tunzi
Abstract: A retrofit auxiliary device that supports operations of at least one cleaning appliance. The retrofit auxiliary device including at least one fluid channel and a device controller. The device controller being communicatively coupled to the at least one cleaning appliance to monitor or control the operation of the at least one cleaning appliance, and a user display.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 14, 2023
Date of Patent:
April 2, 2024
Assignee:
Whirlpool Corporation
Inventors:
Benjamin E. Alexander, Joel M. Sells, Eric J. Schuh
Abstract: A combined ventilation and microwave oven system includes an external enclosure with a top portion defining recirculation vent outlets, a cooling air inlet, a cooling air outlet, and an outside vent outlet, first and second side portions, and a bottom portion defining a vent inlet. The vent inlet is connected with the recirculation vent outlets and the outside vent outlet via airflow pathways. A hood assembly is disposed within the external enclosure and includes a first hood fan disposed between the cooking cavity and the first side portion and a second hood fan disposed between the cooking cavity and the second side portion. The hood assembly is configured to direct air through the vent inlet and through an interior of the external enclosure. A cooling fan is disposed between the cooking cavity and the second side portion to direct air through the cooling air inlet and the cooling air outlet.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 5, 2023
Date of Patent:
April 2, 2024
Assignee:
Whirlpool Corporation
Inventors:
Owen (XunCai) Zhang, Michael A. Ledford, Stephen Zheng, Xiangxu Liu
Inventors:
Luis Alarcon, Seth E. Bixby, Marco Ali Curti Espinosa, Richard K. Gresens, Brandon Hengesbach, Sayer J. Murphy, Andres Palomino, Nicholas Schooley