Patents by Inventor Adam Christopher Hofmann

Adam Christopher Hofmann 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: 11160433
    Abstract: A dishwashing appliance and a spray assembly, as provided herein, may include a manifold body, and a cammed diverter valve. The manifold body may be mountable within a wash chamber. The manifold body may define a fluid inlet, a first spray zone, and a second spray zone. The first spray zone may include a first spray outlet. The second spray zone may include a second spray outlet spaced apart from the first spray outlet. The cammed diverter valve may be mounted within the manifold body and be movable between a first zone position and a second zone position. The first zone position may direct wash fluid to the first spray zone and restrict wash fluid to the second spray zone. The second zone position may direct wash fluid to the second spray zone and restrict wash fluid to the first spray zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Austin Horn, Adam Christopher Hofmann, Kyle Edward Durham, Craig Curtis, John Edward Dries
  • Patent number: 11122960
    Abstract: A dishwashing appliance, as provided herein, may include a cabinet, a tub, a water tank, a wet air duct, a dry air duct, a water supply conduit, a diverter valve, and a diverted branch. The tub may be housed within the cabinet and may define a wash chamber. The water tank may be mounted within the cabinet outside of the wash chamber. The wet air duct may extend from the wash chamber to the water tank. The dry air duct may extend from the water tank to the wash chamber. The water supply conduit may extend to the wash chamber. The diverter valve may be disposed along the water supply conduit upstream from the wash chamber. The diverted branch may extend from the diverter valve to the water tank to selectively guide water from the water supply conduit to the water tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Christopher Hofmann, Timothy Kopera, Ramasamy Thiyagarajan
  • Patent number: 11122959
    Abstract: A dishwashing appliance, as provided herein, may include a cabinet, a tub, a pump, a spray assembly, a fluid recirculation duct, and a cold water line. The tub may be housed within the cabinet and define a wash chamber. The fluid recirculation duct may extend from a path inlet to a path outlet to recirculate air within the wash chamber. The path inlet may be defined in fluid communication between the wash chamber and the path outlet. The path outlet may be defined in fluid communication between the path inlet and the wash chamber downstream from the path inlet. The cold water line may extend through the fluid recirculation duct. The cold water line may define a cold water nozzle that is disposed within the fluid recirculation duct to provide a condensing, cold-water flow into the fluid recirculation duct between the path inlet and the path outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Kopera, Adam Christopher Hofmann, Ramasamy Thiyagarajan
  • Patent number: 11109739
    Abstract: A dishwashing appliance includes a tub defining a wash chamber. An inlet is defined in the tub and provides air flow into the wash chamber. A diverter disk is proximate the inlet and upstream of the wash chamber. The diverter disk is rotatable between a first position and a second position. The diverter disk permits air flow into the wash chamber via the inlet in a first direction when the diverter disk is in the first position and in a second direction when the diverter disk is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Thiyagarajan Sankaran Veerabhagu, Ramasamy Thiyagarajan, Timothy Kopera, Adam Christopher Hofmann, Kyle Edward Durham
  • Publication number: 20210251466
    Abstract: A dishwashing appliance, as provided herein, may include a cabinet, a tub, a water tank, a wet air duct, a dry air duct, a water supply conduit, a diverter valve, and a diverted branch. The tub may be housed within the cabinet and may define a wash chamber. The water tank may be mounted within the cabinet outside of the wash chamber. The wet air duct may extend from the wash chamber to the water tank. The dry air duct may extend from the water tank to the wash chamber. The water supply conduit may extend to the wash chamber. The diverter valve may be disposed along the water supply conduit upstream from the wash chamber. The diverted branch may extend from the diverter valve to the water tank to selectively guide water from the water supply conduit to the water tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Adam Christopher Hofmann, Timothy Kopera, Ramasamy Thiyagarajan
  • Publication number: 20210244257
    Abstract: A dishwasher appliance includes a sump that defines a transition fill level where the cross sectional area of the sump increases. A pressure sensor is operably coupled to the sump for monitoring sump pressure and wash fluid level. A controller opens a water supply valve to provide a flow of water into the sump and monitors the sump pressure using the pressure sensor. The controller determines when the water has reached the transition fill level corresponding to a known transition fill volume. The controller determines a fill flow rate based on the amount of time needed to reach the transition fill volume and uses the fill flow rate to determine a remaining fill time needed to reach a target volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Nasib Alhaffar, Adam Christopher Hofmann, Kyle Edward Durham
  • Publication number: 20210219811
    Abstract: A dishwashing appliance and a spray assembly, as provided herein, may include a manifold body, and a cammed diverter valve. The manifold body may be mountable within a wash chamber. The manifold body may define a fluid inlet, a first spray zone, and a second spray zone. The first spray zone may include a first spray outlet. The second spray zone may include a second spray outlet spaced apart from the first spray outlet. The cammed diverter valve may be mounted within the manifold body and be movable between a first zone position and a second zone position. The first zone position may direct wash fluid to the first spray zone and restrict wash fluid to the second spray zone. The second zone position may direct wash fluid to the second spray zone and restrict wash fluid to the first spray zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Austin Horn, Adam Christopher Hofmann, Kyle Edward Durham, Craig Curtis, John Edward Dries
  • Publication number: 20210219814
    Abstract: A dishwashing appliance, as provided herein, may include a cabinet, a tub, a pump, a spray assembly, a fluid recirculation duct, and a cold water line. The tub may be housed within the cabinet and define a wash chamber. The fluid recirculation duct may extend from a path inlet to a path outlet to recirculate air within the wash chamber. The path inlet may be defined in fluid communication between the wash chamber and the path outlet. The path outlet may be defined in fluid communication between the path inlet and the wash chamber downstream from the path inlet. The cold water line may extend through the fluid recirculation duct. The cold water line may define a cold water nozzle that is disposed within the fluid recirculation duct to provide a condensing, cold-water flow into the fluid recirculation duct between the path inlet and the path outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Timothy Kopera, Adam Christopher Hofmann, Ramasamy Thiyagarajan
  • Patent number: 11045065
    Abstract: A method of operating a dishwashing appliance includes filling the sump of the dishwashing appliance with an initial fill of water of a current operational cycle and measuring a temperature of the initial fill of water. The method also includes comparing the temperature of the initial fill of water to a reference temperature and calculating an energy demand for the dishwashing appliance to heat the initial fill of water to the reference temperature based on a heat rise rate. Based on the calculated energy demand, for example based on a comparison of the calculated energy demand with a predetermined energy demand for an external heating unit, the dishwashing appliance decides whether to heat the initial fill. The heat rise rate may be calculated during a characterization of the dishwashing appliance prior to the current operational cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Christopher Hofmann, Paul Edward Newsom, II
  • Publication number: 20210127939
    Abstract: A method of operating a dishwashing appliance includes filling the sump of the dishwashing appliance with an initial fill of water of a current operational cycle and measuring a temperature of the initial fill of water. The method also includes comparing the temperature of the initial fill of water to a reference temperature and calculating an energy demand for the dishwashing appliance to heat the initial fill of water to the reference temperature based on a heat rise rate. Based on the calculated energy demand, for example based on a comparison of the calculated energy demand with a predetermined energy demand for an external heating unit, the dishwashing appliance decides whether to heat the initial fill. The heat rise rate may be calculated during a characterization of the dishwashing appliance prior to the current operational cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Adam Christopher Hofmann, Paul Edward Newsom, II
  • Publication number: 20210127940
    Abstract: A dishwasher appliance includes a sump housing defining a sump for collecting wash fluid, the sump defining a recirculation chamber, a soil collection chamber, and a rotor housing positioned between the recirculation chamber and the soil collection chamber. A rotor assembly is positioned in the rotor housing and includes a concentric central hub and annular rotor magnet spaced apart to define a flow path between the recirculation chamber and the soil collection chamber. A plurality of helical vanes extend between the central hub and the annular rotor magnet and the annular rotor magnet is selectively rotated by a stator assembly positioned around the rotor housing outside of the sump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: John Edward Dries, Adam Christopher Hofmann
  • Patent number: 10945584
    Abstract: A drying system includes a tub defining a wet chamber with an outlet defined in the tub. The drying system also includes a heat exchanger comprising a plurality of heat pipes. Each heat pipe of the plurality of heat pipes has an evaporator section and a condenser section. The evaporator sections of the plurality of heat pipes define an evaporator section of the heat exchanger. The condenser sections of the plurality of heat pipes of the heat exchanger define a condenser section of the heat exchanger. The evaporator section of the heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the outlet to receive a flow of humid air from the outlet. The dishwashing appliance also includes an inlet defined in the tub. The inlet is configured to receive a flow of dry air from the condenser section of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramasamy Thiyagarajan, Adam Christopher Hofmann, Abhisek Agrawal
  • Patent number: 10939796
    Abstract: A dishwasher appliance that includes features for condensation abatement on objects surrounding the dishwasher appliance during a drying cycle is provided. The dishwasher appliance is operable in a plurality of drying cycle modes. The mode in which the dishwasher appliance operates the dry cycle is determined based at least in part on a minimum cycle temperature indicative of the minimum temperature within or of a tub of the dishwasher appliance during an operation cycle. Moreover, methods for condensation abatement are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Kopera, Adam Christopher Hofmann
  • Patent number: 10849481
    Abstract: A dishwasher appliance is provided. The dishwasher appliance includes a cabinet and a tub positioned within the cabinet. The tub may define a wash chamber. The dishwasher appliance may also include a drying system comprising a cooling conduit, a first fan, and a second fan. The cooling conduit may define a cooling conduit passage that is in fluid communication with the wash chamber. The first fan may be operable to draw wash chamber air into the cooling conduit passage. In addition, the second fan may be operable to direct a flow of ambient air onto an exterior surface of the cooling conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Christopher Hofmann, Matthew David Mersch
  • Patent number: 10820782
    Abstract: A drying system includes a tub defining a wet chamber, a water storage chamber, an inlet defined in the tub and providing fluid communication into the wet chamber and a heat pipe heat exchanger. The heat pipe heat exchanger includes a condenser section and an evaporator section. The condenser section is in operative communication with the inlet upstream of the wet chamber and the evaporator section is in operative communication with the water storage chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Christopher Hofmann, Ramasamy Thiyagarajan
  • Patent number: 10820781
    Abstract: A dishwashing appliance includes a first water storage tank, a second water storage tank, and a heat pipe heat exchanger comprising a condenser section and an evaporator section. The evaporator section is in operative communication with the first water storage tank and the condenser section is in operative communication with the second water storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Christopher Hofmann, Ramasamy Thiyagarajan
  • Patent number: 10758108
    Abstract: A dishwashing appliance includes a tub defining a wash chamber. The dishwashing appliance also includes an inlet defined in the tub and providing fluid communication into the wash chamber. A sump is positioned at a bottom of the wash chamber for receiving fluid from the wash chamber and a heater is in operative communication with the sump. The dishwashing appliance also includes a heat pipe heat exchanger having a condenser section and an evaporator section. The condenser section in operative communication with the wash chamber and the evaporator section is in operative communication with the sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramasamy Thiyagarajan, Adam Christopher Hofmann, Timothy Kopera
  • Patent number: 10638911
    Abstract: A dishwashing appliance includes a tub defining a wash chamber. The dishwashing appliance also includes a fluid circulation system configured to deliver fluid to the wash chamber. The fluid circulation system includes a heating element in operative communication with at least one component of the fluid circulation system. The dishwashing appliance also includes a heat pipe heat exchanger having a condenser section and an evaporator section. The condenser section is in operative communication with the wash chamber and the evaporator section is in operative communication with the heating element of the fluid circulation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramasamy Thiyagarajan, Adam Christopher Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20200077867
    Abstract: A dishwashing appliance includes a tub defining a wash chamber. The tub includes an inlet and an outlet. The dishwashing appliance also includes a drying system in fluid communication with the wash chamber. The drying system includes a heat pipe heat exchanger having a condenser section and an evaporator section. The evaporator section is downstream of the outlet. The condenser section is downstream of the evaporator section and upstream of the inlet. A thermoelectric assembly is in thermal communication with the heat pipe heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Ramasamy Thiyagarajan, Adam Christopher Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20200029784
    Abstract: A drying system includes a tub defining a wet chamber with an outlet defined in the tub. The drying system also includes a heat exchanger comprising a plurality of heat pipes. Each heat pipe of the plurality of heat pipes has an evaporator section and a condenser section. The evaporator sections of the plurality of heat pipes define an evaporator section of the heat exchanger. The condenser sections of the plurality of heat pipes of the heat exchanger define a condenser section of the heat exchanger. The evaporator section of the heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the outlet to receive a flow of humid air from the outlet. The dishwashing appliance also includes an inlet defined in the tub. The inlet is configured to receive a flow of dry air from the condenser section of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Ramasamy Thiyagarajan, Adam Christopher Hofmann, Abhisek Agrawal