Patents by Inventor Dennis Schenk
Dennis Schenk 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: 11732950Abstract: A jumper drain for a refrigerator appliance, the jumper drain including a housing with a cavity defined therein and that is in fluid communication with a storage compartment of the refrigerator appliance. An inlet and an outlet extend from the housing and are both in fluid communication with the cavity. The outlet is disposed at a location that is offset from the inlet. A pressure equalizer opening is formed in the housing. The pressure equalizer opening is configured to provide fluid communication between the cavity and an ambient environment external to the refrigerator appliance in order to equalize a pressure differential within the refrigerator appliance.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2021Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin Mobley, William Lee Moody, Marcelo C. Candeo, Dennis Schenk
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Publication number: 20220341647Abstract: A jumper drain for a refrigerator appliance, the jumper drain including a housing with a cavity defined therein and that is in fluid communication with a storage compartment of the refrigerator appliance. An inlet and an outlet extend from the housing and are both in fluid communication with the cavity. The outlet is disposed at a location that is offset from the inlet. A pressure equalizer opening is formed in the housing. The pressure equalizer opening is configured to provide fluid communication between the cavity and an ambient environment external to the refrigerator appliance in order to equalize a pressure differential within the refrigerator appliance.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2021Publication date: October 27, 2022Inventors: Benjamin Mobley, William Lee Moody, Marcelo C. Candeo, Dennis Schenk
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Patent number: 11280536Abstract: A method of controlling the temperature in cavities of a refrigerator (10) cooled by a refrigeration circuit having a compressor (18) and an evaporator (32) includes the steps of: monitoring the duty cycle of the compressor (18); determining whether the duty cycle is below a threshold; determining whether the temperature of the evaporator (32) is above a threshold; and if the duty cycle is below the threshold and if the evaporator temperature is above a threshold, activating the refrigeration circuit to start cooling of at least one of the refrigerator cavities. A refrigeration appliance (10) with a controller that activates the refrigeration circuit based on the monitored duty cycle of the compressor (18) and the evaporator temperature is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2016Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.Inventors: Raony Barrios, Marco Rotondo, Dennis Schenk, Eduardo Alves Cardoso
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Publication number: 20210247123Abstract: An appliance drawer assembly configured to redirect airflow from a cold air dispensing unit. The drawer assembly includes at least one drawer, a top cover, and a pivot assembly. The drawer includes a first and second side wall, a rear wall, a front wall, and a bottom wall that together define an open storage area therein. The pivot assembly is configured to pivot the rear wall from a first position to a second position. The pivot assembly can include a grip portion and an arm portion slidably coupled to the top of the first side wall, or a pin coupled to the first side wall to engage the rear wall. The drawer can also include at least one integral scoop.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2020Publication date: August 12, 2021Inventors: Paul Dubina, Ricky Burgan, Dennis Schenk
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Patent number: 10451338Abstract: A storage system and a refrigeration appliance including the storage system for storing food items in a temperature-controlled environment are provided. The storage system includes at least one rail with at least one elongated main portion extending along the width of the refrigerator door and two support arms on each side of the elongated main portion, and a plurality of detachable storage bins. The two support arms attach the rail to at least one mounting structure of a plurality of mounting structures formed within the liner panel and spaced vertically along the height of the interior of the refrigerator door. The storage bin has an arm extending from a rear surface of the bin and configured to be placed between the rail and the liner panel when the bin is placed in a storage position.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2017Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.Inventors: Carlos Cordero, Dennis Schenk
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Publication number: 20190178566Abstract: A storage system and a refrigeration appliance including the storage system for storing food items in a temperature-controlled environment are provided. The storage system includes at least one rail with at least one elongated main portion extending along the width of the refrigerator door and two support arms on each side of the elongated main portion, and a plurality of detachable storage bins. The two support arms attach the rail to at least one mounting structure of a plurality of mounting structures formed within the liner panel and spaced vertically along the height of the interior of the refrigerator door. The storage bin has an arm extending from a rear surface of the bin and configured to be placed between the rail and the liner panel when the bin is placed in a storage position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2017Publication date: June 13, 2019Inventors: Carlos Cordero, Dennis Schenk
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Patent number: 10184713Abstract: An enclosure includes an enclosure interior and an enclosure opening through which air passes from outside the enclosure into the enclosure interior. An evaporator located at the enclosure interior is positioned so that at least some of the air that passes through the enclosure opening flows in a direct and uninterrupted path to the evaporator. A shield within the enclosure interior is interposed between the enclosure opening and the evaporator and is positioned so as to deflect at least a part of the air flowing from that direct and uninterrupted path. The shield provides a site at which moisture contained within at least some of the air passing through the enclosure opening can collect. The enclosure can comprise the freezer compartment of a refrigerator, and the enclosure opening can be in fluid communication with an interior of a fresh food compartment of the refrigerator.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2016Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.Inventors: Dennis Schenk, Fahad Vora, William Lee Moody, Edmund Richardson, Jonathan Ulsaker
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Publication number: 20180299179Abstract: A method of controlling the temperature in cavities of a refrigerator (10) cooled by a refrigeration circuit having a compressor (18) and an evaporator (32) includes the steps of: monitoring the duty cycle of the compressor (18); determining whether the duty cycle is below a threshold; determining whether the temperature of the evaporator (32) is above a threshold; and if the duty cycle is below the threshold and if the evaporator temperature is above a threshold, activating the refrigeration circuit to start cooling of at least one of the refrigerator cavities. A refrigeration appliance (10) with a controller that activates the refrigeration circuit based on the monitored duty cycle of the compressor (18) and the evaporator temperature is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2016Publication date: October 18, 2018Inventors: Raony BARRIOS, Marco ROTONDO, Dennis SCHENK, Eduardo Alves CARDOSO
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Publication number: 20170191729Abstract: An enclosure includes an enclosure interior and an enclosure opening through which air passes from outside the enclosure into the enclosure interior. An evaporator located at the enclosure interior is positioned so that at least some of the air that passes through the enclosure opening flows in a direct and uninterrupted path to the evaporator. A shield within the enclosure interior is interposed between the enclosure opening and the evaporator and is positioned so as to deflect at least a part of the air flowing from that direct and uninterrupted path. The shield provides a site at which moisture contained within at least some of the air passing through the enclosure opening can collect. The enclosure can comprise the freezer compartment of a refrigerator, and the enclosure opening can be in fluid communication with an interior of a fresh food compartment of the refrigerator.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2016Publication date: July 6, 2017Inventors: Dennis Schenk, Fahad Vora, William Lee Moody, Edmund Richardson, Jonathan Ulsaker
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Patent number: 8820110Abstract: A refrigerator includes a freezer compartment and a fresh food compartment which includes an ice chamber. The ice chamber includes an ice maker which includes a first heat exchanger for producing ice. The ice chamber further includes an ice container, a second heat exchanger, an air moving apparatus, and an enclosed loop passageway. The ice container is for storing ice produced by the ice maker and includes an exterior surface. The second heat exchanger is for controlling temperature at the ice container. The passageway forms an air flow path such that air travels in thermal contact with the second heat exchanger. The air moving apparatus is positioned to move air through the passageway.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2010Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.Inventors: Dennis Schenk, Xiaoyong Fu
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Patent number: 8776544Abstract: Provided is a refrigeration appliance including a fresh food compartment for storing food items in a refrigerated environment having a target temperature above zero degrees Centigrade. A freezer compartment is disposed at an elevation vertically below the fresh food compartment for storing food items in a sub-freezing environment having a target temperature below zero degrees Centigrade. The refrigeration appliance also includes one or more of a hand-removable insulated cover, a cool air duct for introducing cooled air adjacent an ice bin, and a rearward-sloped catch pan positioned to catch dripping water in said ice maker and direct the dripping water into a drain.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2010Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.Inventors: Thomas W. McCollough, David R. Ducharme, Xiaoyong Fu, Dennis Schenk
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Patent number: 8726680Abstract: A refrigerator is provided having a refrigeration system including a variable speed compressor, a condenser, a condenser fan, an evaporator, a variable speed evaporator fan. The refrigerator further includes multiple temperature sensors that communicate with an electronic microprocessor-based control system that in turn controls the operation of the refrigerator system based on the information provided by the multiple temperature sensors.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2010Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.Inventors: Dennis Schenk, Karl M. Truitt
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Patent number: 8584474Abstract: Provided is an ice maker that includes a mold including a plurality of cavities for receiving water to be frozen into ice pieces, a driver operatively connected to the mold for adjusting a position of the mold to a plurality of different locations during an ice making cycle, and a controller. A limit switch is located at a plurality of different positions along a range of travel of the mold to be actuated and transmit a signal indicative of the mold's arrival at the different locations. The mold can travel along path including first portion having a first axis of rotation and a substantially vertical portion, and can be driven by a motor with a drive shaft rotatable about a single axis of rotation. The motor can drive both the mold and a bail arm, and the mold can be leveled upon reaching a predetermined location. The ice maker can perform a Dry Cycle in response to detecting an anomaly during ice making.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2010Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.Inventors: Thomas W. McCollough, Russell Watts, David L. Hall, Cornel Comsa, Dennis Schenk, Marcelo Candeo, Dennis Carl Hansen
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Patent number: 8511106Abstract: Provided is refrigeration appliance that includes a fresh food compartment and a freezer compartment for storing food items in a refrigerated environment. The refrigeration appliance also includes at least one door restricting access into at least one of the fresh food compartment and the freezer compartment. A heated mullion including a substantially-planar, externally-exposed surface is provided to cooperate with a seal provided to the door. An ice chute extends at least partially through the door for dispensing ice through the door. The ice chute includes a fastener for coupling the ice chute to a door liner and maintain the position of the ice chute relative to the door liner during installation of an insulating material in the door.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2010Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.Inventors: David R. Ducharme, Russell Watts, Dennis Schenk
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Patent number: 8181472Abstract: An electronic microprocessor-based control system for a refrigerator is provided having refrigeration components including a compressor, a condenser, a condenser fan, an evaporator, a variable speed evaporator fan. Multiple temperature sensors are provided to communicate with the electronic microprocessor-based electronic control system. The electronic microprocessor-based control system controls the operation of both the refrigeration and non-refrigeration components based on information provided by the multiple temperature sensors.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2006Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.Inventors: Dennis Schenk, Karl M. Truitt
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Patent number: 8011203Abstract: Provided is a refrigeration appliance including a cabinet defining a fresh-food compartment and a freezer compartment. The refrigeration appliance includes a refrigeration system that is operable to provide a cooling effect to an interior of the fresh-food and freezer compartments. A pair of doors is pivotally connected to the cabinet with a hinge assembly for restricting access to the interior of the fresh-food compartment. Each door includes a side portion extending between an exterior face and an interior portion of the door. The side portions of the doors generally oppose each other when the doors are closed. A user interface is also provided to the side portion of at least one of the doors comprising an input device to be manipulated by a user for controlling a target temperature within at least one of the fresh-food and freezer compartments.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2010Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.Inventors: Dennis Schenk, Cory Dale Simpson, Nilton Carlos Bertolini
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Publication number: 20110209493Abstract: Provided is a refrigeration appliance including a cabinet defining a fresh-food compartment and a freezer compartment. The refrigeration appliance includes a refrigeration system that is operable to provide a cooling effect to an interior of the fresh-food and freezer compartments. A pair of doors is pivotally connected to the cabinet with a hinge assembly for restricting access to the interior of the fresh-food compartment. Each door includes a side portion extending between an exterior face and an interior portion of the door. The side portions of the doors generally oppose each other when the doors are closed. A user interface is also provided to the side portion of at least one of the doors comprising an input device to be manipulated by a user for controlling a target temperature within at least one of the fresh-food and freezer compartments.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2010Publication date: September 1, 2011Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.Inventors: Dennis Schenk, Cory Dale Simpson, Nilton Carlos Bertolini
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Publication number: 20110203305Abstract: A refrigerator includes a freezer compartment and a fresh food compartment which includes an ice chamber. The ice chamber includes an ice maker which includes a first heat exchanger for producing ice. The ice chamber further includes an ice container, a second heat exchanger, an air moving apparatus, and an enclosed loop passageway. The ice container is for storing ice produced by the ice maker and includes an exterior surface. The second heat exchanger is for controlling temperature at the ice container. The passageway forms an air flow path such that air travels in thermal contact with the second heat exchanger. The air moving apparatus is positioned to move air through the passageway.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2010Publication date: August 25, 2011Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.Inventors: Dennis Schenk, Xiaoyong Fu
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Publication number: 20100218540Abstract: Provided is a refrigeration appliance including a fresh food compartment for storing food items in a refrigerated environment having a target temperature above zero degrees Centigrade. A freezer compartment is disposed at an elevation vertically below the fresh food compartment for storing food items in a sub-freezing environment having a target temperature below zero degrees Centigrade. The refrigeration appliance also includes one or more of a hand-removable insulated cover, a cool air duct for introducing cooled air adjacent an ice bin, and a rearward-sloped catch pan positioned to catch dripping water in said ice maker and direct the dripping water into a drain.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2010Publication date: September 2, 2010Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.Inventors: Thomas W. McCollough, David R. Ducharme, Xiaoyong Fu, Dennis Schenk
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Publication number: 20100218542Abstract: Provided is an ice maker that includes a mold including a plurality of cavities for receiving water to be frozen into ice pieces, a driver operatively connected to the mold for adjusting a position of the mold to a plurality of different locations during an ice making cycle, and a controller. A limit switch is located at a plurality of different positions along a range of travel of the mold to be actuated and transmit a signal indicative of the mold's arrival at the different locations. The mold can travel along path including first portion having a first axis of rotation and a substantially vertical portion, and can be driven by a motor with a drive shaft rotatable about a single axis of rotation. The motor can drive both the mold and a bail arm, and the mold can be leveled upon reaching a predetermined location. The ice maker can perform a Dry Cycle in response to detecting an anomaly during ice making.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2010Publication date: September 2, 2010Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.Inventors: Thomas W. McCollough, Russell Watts, David L. Hall, Cornel Comsa, Dennis Schenk, Marcelo Candeo, Dennis Carl Hansen