Patents by Inventor Brian Hobbs

Brian Hobbs 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: 11725323
    Abstract: A method for detecting entrapment of an article between a laundry machine door and bellows, comprising: identifying a maximum startup motor torque value of the drum motor while accelerating the drum from a stop to a target rotation speed; identifying a maximum operating motor torque value while rotating the drum at the target rotation speed; comparing a difference between the maximum startup motor torque value and the maximum operating motor torque value to a predetermined torque difference value; and terminating operation if the difference exceeds the predetermined torque difference value. A laundry washing machine configured to perform the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Eduardo Palmeira, Brian Hobbs, Murilo Costa
  • Publication number: 20230081651
    Abstract: A laundry washing machine having configured to receive a laundry cycle selection from a user interface; identify the cycle selection; upon receiving a normal laundry cycle selection, select a respective program comprising default instructions for: opening the valve one or more times to fill the drum to a default normal maintenance phase liquid level, and operating the drum motor during a normal maintenance phase to rotate the drum; and upon receiving a selection of the whites laundry cycle, select a respective program comprising default instructions for: opening the valve one or more times to fill the drum to a default whites maintenance phase liquid level, and operating the drum motor during a whites maintenance phase to cyclically rotate the drum. The default whites maintenance phase liquid level is equal to or less than the default normal maintenance phase liquid level. Methods of operating a laundry machine are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Hobbs, Eduardo Palmeira, Flavio Bernardino
  • Publication number: 20220341080
    Abstract: A method for detecting entrapment of an article between a laundry machine door and bellows, comprising: identifying a maximum startup motor torque value of the drum motor while accelerating the drum from a stop to a target rotation speed; identifying a maximum operating motor torque value while rotating the drum at the target rotation speed; comparing a difference between the maximum startup motor torque value and the maximum operating motor torque value to a predetermined torque difference value; and terminating operation if the difference exceeds the predetermined torque difference value. A laundry washing machine configured to perform the method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Applicant: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Eduardo Palmeira, Brian Hobbs, Murilo Costa
  • Publication number: 20030230032
    Abstract: A take up device for a building structure, e.g. holdown for securing the building structure to a foundation, has a housing secured by fasteners to the building structure, the housing defining a cylindrical chamber containing a piston and fluid, with a piston rod projecting from the housing. The piston rod is connected to a foundation anchor, and a fluid passage interconnects portions of the cylindrical chamber at opposite sides of the piston. The fluid passage is provided with a one-way valve, which allows the housing to move upwardly relative to the piston, to maintain the tightness of the connection to the anchor bolt, but resists opposite movement of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventors: George Shahnazarian, Marcel Gignac, Brian Hobbs