Patents by Inventor Christopher Brandon Ross
Christopher Brandon Ross 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: 10512387Abstract: A hydraulically actuated diverter includes a top portion defining a plurality of outlet ports and a bottom portion defining a fluid inlet and being coupled to the top portion to form a diverter chamber. A diverter disk is positioned in the diverter chamber and can move along an axial direction between a first position and a second position. The diverter disk has one or more apertures and may be rotated about the axial direction to selectively place the one or more apertures in fluid communication with the plurality of outlet ports. When water flows through the fluid inlet, the diverter disk moves to the second position and forms a fluid seal with the top portion. To reduce noise resulting from the diverter disk striking the top portion, a strike pad is coupled to and extends from the top portion toward the diverter disk.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2016Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Brandon Ross, Kyle Durham, Daniel J. Hart
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Publication number: 20190365196Abstract: A dishwasher appliance and viewable cleaning agent assembly are disclosed herein. The dispensing assembly may include an internal wall, a front cover, a light guide, and a light source. The internal wall may define a storage volume for the receipt of a wash fluid therein. The front cover may selectively cover the storage volume to restrict access thereto. The front cover may be positioned between the storage volume and the wash chamber when the door is in the closed position. The light guide may extend along an axial direction from a forward display surface in front of the storage volume to a rearward contact surface within the storage volume. The light source may be directed through the internal wall toward the rearward contact surface within the storage volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2018Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: Kyle Edward Durham, Craig Curtis, Christopher Brandon Ross
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Publication number: 20190282059Abstract: A dishwasher appliance includes a spray nozzle having a housing defining a spray chamber in fluid communication with a fluid circulation assembly. A diversion element is positioned within the spray chamber and is movable between a lowered position and a raised position where it contacts a discharge orifice. The diversion element defines a plurality of flow paths that are randomly oriented relative to the discharge orifice every time the diversion element is moved into the raised position, such as when the fluid circulation assembly cycles off and then on again.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2018Publication date: September 19, 2019Inventors: Craig Curtis, Kyle Edward Durham, Christopher Brandon Ross
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Patent number: 10206553Abstract: A hydraulically actuated diverter for selectively controlling a flow of wash fluid in a dishwashing appliance is provided. The hydraulically actuated diverter includes a top portion and a bottom portion that are coupled together to form a diverter chamber. A shaft of a diverter valve is slidably received within a channel defined by the bottom portion of the diverter. The shaft and the channel define an annular gap that allows the shaft to slide and rotate within the diverter chamber. The shaft defines an alignment member positioned within the annular gap to prevent the shaft from moving out of alignment with the channel, reducing the likelihood of excessive friction and binding of the diverter valve.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2016Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Brandon Ross, Kyle Durham, Daniel J. Hart
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Patent number: 10130238Abstract: A turbidity sensor assembly for a dishwasher appliance is provided. The turbidity sensor assembly measures the turbidity of wash fluid in a manner similar to conventional turbidity sensors, but also includes an integral water level indicator. The water level indicator is an opaque buoyant ball that rises and falls with the water level to provide a water level indication that can be used to shut off the drain pump when the sump is empty. More specifically, when the water level drops below a predetermined level, the opaque ball blocks the transmission of light between the emitter and receiver of the turbidity sensor, thus indicating that the sump is almost empty. As a result, the pump operating during a drain cycle need only operate long enough to drain the sump, and this may be achieved without an additional measuring device or complicated control system.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2016Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Kyle Edward Durham, Craig Curtis, Christopher Brandon Ross
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Publication number: 20180092506Abstract: A hydraulically actuated diverter includes a top portion defining a plurality of outlet ports and a bottom portion defining a fluid inlet and being coupled to the top portion to form a diverter chamber. A diverter disk is positioned in the diverter chamber and can move along an axial direction between a first position and a second position. The diverter disk has one or more apertures and may be rotated about the axial direction to selectively place the one or more apertures in fluid communication with the plurality of outlet ports. When water flows through the fluid inlet, the diverter disk moves to the second position and forms a fluid seal with the top portion. To reduce noise resulting from the diverter disk striking the top portion, a strike pad is coupled to and extends from the top portion toward the diverter disk.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2016Publication date: April 5, 2018Inventors: Christopher Brandon Ross, Kyle Durham, Daniel J. Hart
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Publication number: 20180084967Abstract: A hydraulically actuated diverter for selectively controlling a flow of wash fluid in a dishwashing appliance is provided. The hydraulically actuated diverter includes a top portion and a bottom portion that are coupled together to form a diverter chamber. A shaft of a diverter valve is slidably received within a channel defined by the bottom portion of the diverter. The shaft and the channel define an annular gap that allows the shaft to slide and rotate within the diverter chamber. The shaft defines an alignment member positioned within the annular gap to prevent the shaft from moving out of alignment with the channel, reducing the likelihood of excessive friction and binding of the diverter valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2016Publication date: March 29, 2018Inventors: Christopher Brandon Ross, Kyle Durham, Daniel J. Hart
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Publication number: 20180008116Abstract: A turbidity sensor assembly for a dishwasher appliance is provided. The turbidity sensor assembly measures the turbidity of wash fluid in a manner similar to conventional turbidity sensors, but also includes an integral water level indicator. The water level indicator is an opaque buoyant ball that rises and falls with the water level to provide a water level indication that can be used to shut off the drain pump when the sump is empty. More specifically, when the water level drops below a predetermined level, the opaque ball blocks the transmission of light between the emitter and receiver of the turbidity sensor, thus indicating that the sump is almost empty. As a result, the pump operating during a drain cycle need only operate long enough to drain the sump, and this may be achieved without an additional measuring device or complicated control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2016Publication date: January 11, 2018Inventors: Kyle Edward Durham, Craig Curtis, Christopher Brandon Ross
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Patent number: 9861257Abstract: A detergent dispenser module for a dishwashing appliance may generally include a body extending between a top side and a bottom side. The body may include an outer surface extending from the top side and may define a detergent chamber between the outer surface and the bottom side. The detergent chamber may be at least partially formed by an upper sidewall, a lower sidewall and a bottom wall extending between the upper and lower sidewall. In addition, the dispenser module may also include at least one flow diverter extending outwardly from the outer surface at a location adjacent to the upper sidewall of the detergent chamber. The flow diverter(s) may be angled in a direction of a fluid collection opening defined through a top of the upper sidewall such that fluid flowing downwardly along the outer surface of the body is directed into the fluid collection opening.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2015Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: Kyle Edward Durham, Christopher Brandon Ross, Gregory Owen Miller, Craig Curtis
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Patent number: 9795271Abstract: A passive diverter is provided that does not require a dedicated motor to switch between multiple outlet ports. The diverter uses the forces provided by a flow of fluid from a pump to switch between different outlet ports and supply one or more spray assemblies or other fluid-using elements. A separate motor to power the diverter is not required, which allows a savings in costs and space. In addition, a secondary set of ramps may provide a manner in which to “zero” the angular position of the diverter, i.e., place the diverter in a known, home position. This can reduce the additional cost, weight, and complexity of including additional sensors to determine the angular position of the diverter.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2015Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Kyle Edward Durham, Craig Curtis, Christopher Brandon Ross
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Patent number: 9675232Abstract: Bottle washer assemblies for dishwasher appliances are provided. A bottle washer assembly includes a supply conduit defining a main passage for flowing wash fluid therethrough. The bottle washer assembly further includes at least one spray tine. The at least one spray tine includes a conduit defining a passage for flowing wash fluid therethrough, the passage in fluid communication with the main passage, and a rotatable impeller disposed within the passage.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Brandon Ross, Kyle Edward Durham
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Publication number: 20170027406Abstract: A passive diverter is provided that does not require a dedicated motor to switch between multiple outlet ports. The diverter uses the forces provided by a flow of fluid from a pump to switch between different outlet ports and supply one or more spray assemblies or other fluid-using elements. A separate motor to power the diverter is not required, which allows a savings in costs and space. In addition, a secondary set of ramps may provide a manner in which to “zero” the angular position of the diverter, i.e., place the diverter in a known, home position. This can reduce the additional cost, weight, and complexity of including additional sensors to determine the angular position of the diverter.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2015Publication date: February 2, 2017Inventors: Kyle Edward Durham, Craig Curtis, Christopher Brandon Ross
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Publication number: 20160220094Abstract: A detergent dispenser module for a dishwashing appliance may generally include a body extending between a top side and a bottom side. The body may include an outer surface extending from the top side and may define a detergent chamber between the outer surface and the bottom side. The detergent chamber may be at least partially formed by an upper sidewall, a lower sidewall and a bottom wall extending between the upper and lower sidewall. In addition, the dispenser module may also include at least one flow diverter extending outwardly from the outer surface at a location adjacent to the upper sidewall of the detergent chamber. The flow diverter(s) may be angled in a direction of a fluid collection opening defined through a top of the upper sidewall such that fluid flowing downwardly along the outer surface of the body is directed into the fluid collection opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2015Publication date: August 4, 2016Inventors: Kyle Edward Durham, Christopher Brandon Ross, Gregory Owen Miller, Craig Curtis
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Publication number: 20150366430Abstract: Bottle washer assemblies for dishwasher appliances are provided. A bottle washer assembly includes a supply conduit defining a main passage for flowing wash fluid therethrough. The bottle washer assembly further includes at least one spray tine. The at least one spray tine includes a conduit defining a passage for flowing wash fluid therethrough, the passage in fluid communication with the main passage, and a rotatable impeller disposed within the passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2014Publication date: December 24, 2015Inventors: Christopher Brandon Ross, Kyle Edward Durham
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Publication number: 20140007911Abstract: A dishwashing appliance is provided that has a heating element shaped to allow a user to access a filter while avoiding contact with the heating element. The heating element is spaced apart from the filter and shaped or positioned relative to the filter such that a user may access the filter for cleaning or replacement while avoiding contact with the heating element. In one embodiment, the heating element extends in the wash chamber along the lateral direction but without crossing the centerline of the wash chamber in front of the filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2012Publication date: January 9, 2014Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Christopher Brandon Ross, Joel Charles Boyer, Errin Whitney Gnadinger