Patents by Inventor Brian P. Janke
Brian P. Janke 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).
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Patent number: 11979962Abstract: A method for controlling an induction heating system, particularly an induction heating system of a cooktop on which a cooking utensil with a certain contents is placed for heating/cooking purposes, comprises the steps of carrying out a predetermined number “n” of electrical measurements of a first electrical parameter of the heating system on the basis of a predetermined electrical value of a second electrical parameter, “n” being ?2, repeating the above set of measurements at a predetermined time after the first measurements, and estimating at least one thermal parameter of the heating system, particularly of the contents of the cooking utensil, on the basis of the above set of measurements.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2018Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Jurij Paderno, Francesco Del Bello, Davide Parachini, Gianpiero Santacatterina, Diego Neftali Gutierrez, Brian P. Janke
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Patent number: 11739466Abstract: Apparatus and methods of reducing a likelihood of contact between a rotating laundry-container, such as a basket or drum, located within a tub of a laundry treating appliance where the method includes rotating the drum during a measurement period, determining a torque, speed, acceleration, and position of the drum, using a parameter estimator to estimate the position of a mass relative to an imbalance of laundry and accelerating the rotation of the drum when the mass is determined to be angularly spaced from the relative position of the imbalance of laundry.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2022Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Christopher L. Borlin, Brian P. Janke, Joseph M. Keres, Stephen L. Keres, Guilherme Bencke Teixeira Da Silva, Adrian A. Rodriguez
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Publication number: 20230019059Abstract: Apparatus and methods of reducing a likelihood of contact between a rotating laundry-container, such as a basket or drum, located within a tub of a laundry treating appliance where the method includes rotating the drum during a measurement period, determining a torque, speed, acceleration, and position of the drum, using a parameter estimator to estimate the position of a mass relative to an imbalance of laundry and accelerating the rotation of the drum when the mass is determined to be angularly spaced from the relative position of the imbalance of laundry.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Inventors: CHRISTOPHER L. BORLIN, BRIAN P. JANKE, JOSEPH M. KERES, STEPHEN L. KERES, GUILHERME BENCKE TEIXEIRA DA SILVA, ADRIAN A. RODRIGUEZ
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Patent number: 11486074Abstract: Methods of reducing a likelihood of contact between a rotating laundry-container, such as a basket or drum, located within a tub of a laundry treating appliance where the method includes rotating the drum during a measurement period, determining a torque, speed, acceleration, and position of the drum, using a parameter estimator to estimate the position of a mass relative to an imbalance of laundry and accelerating the rotation of the drum when the mass is determined to be angularly spaced from the relative position of the imbalance of laundry.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2020Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Christopher L. Borlin, Brian P. Janke, Joseph M. Keres, Stephen L. Keres, Guilherme Bencke Teixeira Da Silva, Adrian A. Rodriguez
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Patent number: 11235965Abstract: A dispensing system includes one or more digital image capture devices for capturing images in a dispenser well and a digital image analyzer operatively coupled to the digital image capture device(s) for analyzing the images for use in regulating a dispensing operation. The digital image analyzer evaluates digital images captured by the digital image capture device(s) to determine various characteristics of a container placed in the dispensing well, such as the height and position of the container.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2020Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Kevin M. Chase, Brian P. Janke, Farhad Ashrafzadeh, Shreecharan Kanchanavally, James Kerner
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Publication number: 20210047168Abstract: A dispensing system includes one or more digital image capture devices for capturing images in a dispenser well and a digital image analyzer operatively coupled to the digital image capture device(s) for analyzing the images for use in regulating a dispensing operation. The digital image analyzer evaluates digital images captured by the digital image capture device(s) to determine various characteristics of a container placed in the dispensing well, such as the height and position of the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2020Publication date: February 18, 2021Applicant: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Kevin M. CHASE, Brian P. JANKE, Farhad ASHRAFZADEH, Shreecharan KANCHANAVALLY, James KERNER
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Patent number: 10850967Abstract: A dispensing system includes one or more digital image capture devices for capturing images in a dispenser well and a digital image analyzer operatively coupled to the digital image capture device(s) for analyzing the images for use in regulating a dispensing operation. The digital image analyzer evaluates digital images captured by the digital image capture device(s) to determine various characteristics of a container placed in the dispensing well, such as the height and position of the container.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2019Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Kevin M. Chase, Brian P. Janke, Farhad Ashrafzadeh, Shreecharan Kanchanavally, James Kerner
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Publication number: 20200256000Abstract: Methods of reducing a likelihood of contact between a rotating laundry-container, such as a basket or drum, located within a tub of a laundry treating appliance where the method includes rotating the drum during a measurement period, determining a torque, speed, acceleration, and position of the drum, using a parameter estimator to estimate the position of a mass relative to an imbalance of laundry and accelerating the rotation of the drum when the mass is determined to be angularly spaced from the relative position of the imbalance of laundry.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Inventors: CHRISTOPHER L. BORLIN, BRIAN P. JANKE, JOSEPH M. KERES, STEPHEN L. KERES, GUILHERME BENCKE TEIXEIRA DA SILVA, ADRIAN A. RODRIGUEZ
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Patent number: 10669663Abstract: Methods of reducing a likelihood of contact between a rotating laundry-container, such as a basket or drum, located within a tub of a laundry treating appliance where the method includes rotating the drum during a measurement period, determining a torque, speed, acceleration, and position of the drum, using a parameter estimator to estimate the position of a mass relative to an imbalance of laundry and accelerating the rotation of the drum when the mass is determined to be angularly spaced from the relative position of the imbalance of laundry.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2019Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Christopher L. Borlin, Brian P. Janke, Joseph M. Keres, Stephen L. Keres, Guilherme Bencke Teixeira Da Silva, Adrian A. Rodriguez
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Publication number: 20190203398Abstract: Methods of reducing a likelihood of contact between a rotating laundry-container, such as a basket or drum, located within a tub of a laundry treating appliance where the method includes rotating the drum during a measurement period, determining a torque, speed, acceleration, and position of the drum, using a parameter estimator to estimate the position of a mass relative to an imbalance of laundry and accelerating the rotation of the drum when the mass is determined to be angularly spaced from the relative position of the imbalance of laundry.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2019Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventors: CHRISTOPHER L. BORLIN, BRIAN P. JANKE, JOSEPH M. KERES, STEPHEN L. KERES, GUILHERME BENCKE TEIXEIRA DA SILVA, ADRIAN A. RODRIGUEZ
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Publication number: 20190161337Abstract: A dispensing system includes one or more digital image capture devices for capturing images in a dispenser well and a digital image analyzer operatively coupled to the digital image capture device(s) for analyzing the images for use in regulating a dispensing operation. The digital image analyzer evaluates digital images captured by the digital image capture device(s) to determine various characteristics of a container placed in the dispensing well, such as the height and position of the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2019Publication date: May 30, 2019Applicant: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Kevin M. CHASE, Brian P. JANKE, Farhad ASHRAFZADEH, Shreecharan KANCHANAVALLY, James KERNER
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Patent number: 10273621Abstract: Methods of reducing a likelihood of contact between a rotating laundry-container, such as a basket or drum, located within a tub of a laundry treating appliance where the method includes rotating the drum during a measurement period, determining a torque, speed, acceleration, and position of the drum, using a parameter estimator to estimate the position of a mass relative to an imbalance of laundry and accelerating the rotation of the drum when the mass is determined to be angularly spaced from the relative position of the imbalance of laundry.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2015Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Christopher L. Borlin, Brian P. Janke, Joseph M. Keres, Stephen L. Keres, Guilherme Bencke Teixeira Da Silva, Adrian A. Rodriguez
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Patent number: 10233069Abstract: A dispensing system includes one or more digital image capture devices for capturing images in a dispenser well and a digital image analyzer operatively coupled to the digital image capture device(s) for analyzing the images for use in regulating a dispensing operation. The digital image analyzer evaluates digital images captured by the digital image capture device(s) to determine various characteristics of a container placed in the dispensing well, such as the height and position of the container.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2017Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Kevin M. Chase, Brian P. Janke, Farhad Ashrafzadeh, Shreecharan Kanchanavally, James Kerner
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Publication number: 20190069352Abstract: A method for controlling an induction heating system, particularly an induction heating system of a cooktop on which a cooking utensil with a certain contents is placed for heating/cooking purposes, comprises the steps of carrying out a predetermined number “n” of electrical measurements of a first electrical parameter of the heating system on the basis of a predetermined electrical value of a second electrical parameter, “n” being ?2, repeating the above set of measurements at a predetermined time after the first measurements, and estimating at least one thermal parameter of the heating system, particularly of the contents of the cooking utensil, on the basis of the above set of measurements.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Applicant: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Jurij PADERNO, Francesco DEL BELLO, Davide PARACHINI, Gianpiero SANTACATTERINA, Diego Neftali GUTIERREZ, Brian P. JANKE
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Patent number: 10136477Abstract: A method for controlling an induction heating system, particularly an induction heating system of a cooktop on which a cooking utensil with a certain contents is placed for heating/cooking purposes, comprises the steps of carrying out a predetermined number “n” of electrical measurements of a first electrical parameter of the heating system on the basis of a predetermined electrical value of a second electrical parameter, “n” being ?2, repeating the above set of measurements at a predetermined time after the first measurements, and estimating at least one thermal parameter of the heating system, particularly of the contents of the cooking utensil, on the basis of the above set of measurements.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2010Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Jurij Paderno, Francesco Del Bello, Davide Parachini, Gianpiero Santacatterina, Diego Neftali Gutierrez, Brian P. Janke
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Patent number: 10087565Abstract: A laundry treating appliance includes a drum at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving a laundry load for treatment according to a cycle of operation, a motor operably coupled with the drum to rotate the drum, a controller coupled to the motor for controlling the motor and for determining at least one input sensed from the motor, and a processor operably coupled with the controller and having a parameter estimator to estimate parameter values of a laundry load based upon the at least one input. The processor is configured to send an excitation signal to the controller that randomly fluctuates an acceleration command to affect acceleration of the motor while the parameter values of the laundry load are estimated. The cycle of operation can then be adjusted based on the estimated parameter values of the laundry load.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2018Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Brian P. Janke, Stephen L. Keres
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Publication number: 20180216274Abstract: A laundry treating appliance includes a drum at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving a laundry load for treatment according to a cycle of operation, a motor operably coupled with the drum to rotate the drum, a controller coupled to the motor for controlling the motor and for determining at least one input sensed from the motor, and a processor operably coupled with the controller and having a parameter estimator to estimate parameter values of a laundry load based upon the at least one input. The processor is configured to send an excitation signal to the controller that randomly fluctuates an acceleration command to affect acceleration of the motor while the parameter values of the laundry load are estimated. The cycle of operation can then be adjusted based on the estimated parameter values of the laundry load.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2018Publication date: August 2, 2018Inventors: BRIAN P. JANKE, STEPHEN L. KERES
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Patent number: 9988753Abstract: A method of operating a laundry treating appliance includes controlling rotation of a drum during a cycle of operation by a controller communicably coupled to a motor, sending an excitation signal to a controller that randomly fluctuates an acceleration command to affect acceleration of the motor, determining, by the controller during excitation, one or more inputs sensed from the motor, and estimating with a parameter estimator parameter values of a laundry load in the drum based on the inputs. The cycle of operation can then be adjusted based on the estimated parameter values of the laundry load.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2015Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Brian P Janke, Stephen L. Keres
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Patent number: 9988751Abstract: Methods of reducing a likelihood of contact between a rotating laundry-container, such as a basket or drum, located within a tub of a laundry treating appliance where the method includes accelerating a rotational speed of the rotating laundry-container during an extraction cycle speed ramp, monitoring the friction associated with the rotating laundry-container during the speed ramp and comparing to a threshold and altering the accelerating of the rotational speed of the rotating laundry-container when the comparing indicates the threshold is satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2015Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Nicholas C. Fugal, Brian P. Janke, Stephen L. Keres, Bradley D. Morrow, Erol D. Sumer, Ran Zhao
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Patent number: 9989295Abstract: A refrigerator includes a sensing system for detecting multiple physical characteristics of ice cubes produced therein. The system includes a digital image capture device coupled to a digital image analyzing system which captures digital images of the ice in the refrigerator and analyzes the images to detect characteristics associated with the ice. A notification arrangement can be employed to convey information about the ice to a user of the refrigerator.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2015Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Kevin M. Chase, Brian P. Janke, Farhad Ashrafzadeh, Shreecharan Kanchanavally