Patents Examined by Michael E Barr
  • Patent number: 11975358
    Abstract: A system for delivering ultrasonic energy to a transducer load has at least one ultrasonic transducer, and a radio frequency (RF) generator for delivering RF power to the transducer load. The RF generator has an output circuit that has at least one tunable resonant frequency, a voltage circuitry system that senses an output voltage waveform, a current circuitry system that senses an output current waveform, and a phase detector circuit for measuring a phase differential between the output voltage waveform and the output current waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Cleaning Technologies Group, LLC
    Inventor: Brian D. Bernhardt
  • Patent number: 11959216
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a washing machine capable of identifying whether laundry of an inner tub includes waterproof clothing. The washing machine includes a cabinet provided with an opening at an upper portion thereof, an outer tub provided in the cabinet, an inner tub provided in the outer tub, a motor configured to rotate the inner tub, a camera configured to capture an image of an inside of the inner tub, and a controller configured to control the motor to increase a rotational speed of the inner tub to a first rotational speed during spinning. The controller is configured to control the motor to set the rotational speed of the inner tub to a second rotational speed, which is less than the first rotational speed, based on the image of the inside of the inner tub captured by the camera during the spinning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sungmo Lee, Junhyun Park, Seokmo Chang, Jeonghoon Kang
  • Patent number: 11960076
    Abstract: A vibrating device includes a translucent cover, an ejector to eject a liquid onto the surface of the translucent cover, and a first vibrating portion to vibrate the translucent cover at a vibration acceleration of larger than about 8.0×105 m/s2 and equal to or smaller than about 21.0×105 m/s2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenji Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 11952698
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a laundry treatment machine. A laundry treatment machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure including an inverter to convert the DC voltage from the converter into an alternating current (AC) voltage based on a switching operation and to output the converted AC voltage to the drain motor; and a controller to control the drain motor to operate at any one of a first speed, a second speed less than the first speed, and a stop when the washing tub motor is accelerated. Accordingly, according to the operation of the washing tub motor, it is possible to efficiently drive the drain motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Junsung Kim, Sungwan Kim, Chungill Lee
  • Patent number: 11952699
    Abstract: A washing machine includes a cabinet including an entrance which is formed in a front surface of the cabinet such that laundry is input into or output from the entrance, a tub mounted inside the cabinet, a drum received in the tub and rotatably provided, a motor to provide driving force to rotate the drum, and a vibration sensor to sense vibration of the tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Younghan Cho
  • Patent number: 11950739
    Abstract: A wash arm (1) for a commercial dishwasher (50), with a wash arm housing (2) which extends in a longitudinal direction and in which at least one inlet for supplying washing liquid and at least one nozzle opening for spraying the supplied washing liquid are formed, wherein at least one cleaning opening (4) with an assigned opening/closing mechanism (5) is provided preferably at at least one end region of the wash arm housing (2), wherein the opening/closing mechanism (5) is designed to automatically open for thorough rinsing of at least one region of the wash arm housing (2) in particular as required and to automatically close for ending the thorough rinsing of the at least one region of the wash arm housing (2) in particular as required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Adrian Boldt
  • Patent number: 11905636
    Abstract: A method for operating a laundry machine having a rotatable drum a tub enclosing said drum; a water supply; a control unit a laundry treatment agent dispensing device configured to hold and deliver at least one of a laundry detergent and a laundry softener; and a control system configured to provide a softener signal that alternately assumes a first value indicating that no laundry softener will be delivered, and a second value indicating that laundry softener will be delivered. The method comprises: performing a washing phase in which detergent is delivered into the tub; and performing a number of rinsing phases wherein detergent from the washing phase is removed using water from said water supply apparatus, wherein the control unit sets the number of rinsing phases according to whether the softener signal assumes the first value or the second value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Andrea Zattin, Martino Bondi, Elisa Stabon
  • Patent number: 11905645
    Abstract: A method for controlling a laundry treating apparatus includes a dry cloth sensing operation of sensing an amount of clothes put into a drum, a wet cloth sensing operation of sensing a washing load based on a moisture content of the clothes by supplying water into a tub, and a cloth material sensing operation of sensing a cloth material of the clothes put into the drum based on a rpm gap and a motor-constrained state where rotation of a motor is restricted. The rpm gap is a difference between a target rpm of a rotator in the drum and an actual rpm of the rotator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sunho Lee, Youngjong Kim, Dongcheol Kim
  • Patent number: 11898291
    Abstract: A home appliance including a user interface with a plurality of LEDs, the LEDs being activated and deactivated according to predetermined sequences as dictated by input signals and triggers to the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Anthony Didat, Donald James Leisl, III, Richard Gary Woodham, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11897007
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for processing a substrate. The apparatus for processing a substrate includes a base portion configured to provide a rotational force in a circumferential direction; a holding module located on the base portion and configured to hold the substrate; a nozzle module located above the base portion and configured to jet a chemical liquid onto the substrate on the holding module; and a scattering prevention module located on the base portion at a peripheral portion of the holding module and configured to, when the chemical liquid is scattered after being jetted onto the substrate, guide the scattered chemical liquid to be discharged, wherein the scattering prevention module guides the scattered chemical liquid with a variable movement caused by the rotational force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: SEMES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yun Hwa Hong
  • Patent number: 11889965
    Abstract: A mechanism for the door of a domestic electrical appliance, for example a dishwasher, is described. The mechanism includes a door latch for holding the door closed, a latch opener mechanism, an electrically controlled actuator for displacing the latch opener mechanism, a movably arranged pusher, and a spring device for providing a spring force which acts on the pusher. The latch opener mechanism functions such that, when the door is closed, it can be transferred from an inactive position into an active position while at least partially overcoming a holding-closed action of the door latch. The movably arranged pusher is separate from the latch opener mechanism and is decoupled therefrom in terms of movement. After the holding-closed action of the door latch has been overcome, the spring drive allows the door to be pushed open by the pusher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: EMZ-HANAUER GMBH & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Albert Dirnberger, Josef Bauriedl, Matthias Bauer, Georg Spießl
  • Patent number: 11885056
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a laundry treatment machine. The laundry treatment machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a controller configured to start dewatering after a first period from completion of drainage when a lift is at a first level, and to start the dewatering after a second period from the completion of the drainage when the lift is at a second level greater than the first level, wherein the second period is longer than the first period. Accordingly, based on the lift, it is possible to change the dewatering entry period after drainage is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jungmoon Je, Kiwook Lee
  • Patent number: 11885058
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance for treating laundry items according to a cycle of operation includes a chassis defining an interior. A rotatable treating chamber is located within the interior. An antenna is configured to receive RFID data from RFID tags on the laundry items and outputs a signal indicative of the RFID data. A controller receives the signal from the antenna and is configured to process the signal and to suggest, alter, or implement the cycle of operation based on the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Richard L. Hammond, David Adrian Moelker, Luke John Paul
  • Patent number: 11879203
    Abstract: A mobile vehicle that is self-contained and equipped to wash firefighter gear at the firefighter's station. The vehicle would be on a dispatched network and be activated after an incident, and for scheduled cleanings on a regular basis; the vehicle having the required equipment to clean all contaminated gear by use of a sonic cleaner, extractors, and dryers. The process includes monitoring the life of the gear and decontaminating the gear in accordance with the gear manufacturer's recommendations. Gear that has been cleaned is reassembled, wrapped, sealed and placed back into a fireman's station, giving the firefighter the assurance that their firefighting gear was cleaned, sanitized, and serviced per the manufacturer's recommendations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: HC Risk Reduction, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Matros
  • Patent number: 11873597
    Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus includes a cabinet including a first front panel arranged on a front side and a second front panel arranged on the first front panel and operated by a user, a tub disposed inside the cabinet, a drum rotatably disposed inside the tub to provide a space to store laundry, and a panel cover arranged on a front side of the second front panel to protect the second front panel. The panel cover includes a water penetration prevention rib formed on a top surface thereof to prevent water from penetrating into the control part from an outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yongwoo Kwon, Namchul Kim, Seunghyun Cho
  • Patent number: 11872601
    Abstract: A portable machine for washing and drying cartridge cases for a gun or rifle includes a washing chamber having a cartridge case introduction opening, an inlet port, a discharging port, and a door configured to hermetically close the cartridge case introduction opening. The portable machine also includes a hydraulic circuit configured to allow washing liquid to enter the washing chamber via the inlet port to be discharged via the discharging port. The portable machine also includes a rotating body arranged in the washing chamber to rotate about an axis, the rotating body including a movement element. The movement element protrudes into the washing chamber and is configured to repeatedly lift and release the cartridge cases in the washing chamber during rotation of the rotating body. The portable machine also includes an operating motor, and a drying device arranged to dry the cartridge cases in the washing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Inventor: Roberto Asara
  • Patent number: 11866866
    Abstract: An energy efficient autonomous laundry system includes a plurality of combination washing and drying machines, at least one exhaust combining manifold in fluid communication with the plurality of combination washing and drying machines, at least one heat pump receiving combined exhaust from the manifold, one or more sensors disposed throughout the airflow of the system, and a controller in operative communication with all of these system components. The controller is configured to receive an output signal, analyze at least one air characteristic associated with the one or more sensors, determine, based on the analysis, whether the at least one air characteristics is within a preprogrammed range of values for at least one of air temperature, air flow, and air humidity, and adjust one or more controls, including controls for adjusting at least one of air temperature, air flow, and air humidity at the one or more locations within the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Monotony.ai, Inc.
    Inventors: Noa M. Rensing, Benjamin D. Bixby, Jesse Sielaff
  • Patent number: 11868881
    Abstract: An artificial intelligence laundry drying machine is provided. The artificial intelligence laundry drying machine includes a communication unit configured to receive washing information of a washing machine from the washing machine, a drying unit configured to dry a drying object, and a processor configured to acquire information about a dryness degree of the drying object by using the washing information and perform drying by using the information about the dryness degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jonghoon Chae, Esther Park
  • Patent number: 11859327
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to providing a washing machine that can change a setting value stored in advance in the washing machine remotely from the outside, it is possible to quickly solve the problem without an engineer's visit in a counselling process with a user, and increase the user's satisfaction by reducing the time and cost waste, a system including the same and a method of controlling the washing machine. The washing machine includes a communicator configured to communicate with the outside; a storage configured to store a setting value; and a controller configured to change the setting value stored in the storage based on the setting value received by the communicator, and to control the washing machine based on the changed setting value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chang Hoo Kim
  • Patent number: 11859336
    Abstract: A laundry machine includes a washtub, a drum, a gearbox, a seal, and a spin tube. The drum is disposed within and is configured to rotate relative to the washtub. The seal is disposed between the gearbox and the washtub. The spin tube extends from the gearbox and into the washtub. The spin tube is configured to transfer power from the gearbox to the drum to rotate the drum. The spin tube includes a shaft and a sleeve. The shaft is made from a first material. The sleeve is disposed about a section of the shaft. The sleeve is made from a second material that is less corrosive than the first material. An outer periphery of the sleeve engages the seal to prevent the ingress of water from the washtub into the gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Yugandhar Chandele, Kailash D