Patents by Inventor Jon D. Tromblee

Jon D. Tromblee 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: 6973799
    Abstract: A distributed refrigeration system for a vehicle includes a vapor compression primary cooling circuit and a separate secondary cooling circuit. The secondary cooling circuit utilizes a non-toxic cooling fluid that is pumped to remote locations in the vehicle through designated supply lines. A heat exchanger acting with the primary cooling circuit cools the cooling fluid. A portable main storage compartment is fluidly connectable to the primary or secondary cooling circuits. The portable main cold storage compartment can be expandable. At the remote locations in the vehicle, docking stations permit items to be selectively cooled by the secondary cooling circuit. Both the primary and secondary cooling circuits can operate independently of the vehicle engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Kuehl, Carolyn L. Slone, Douglas D. LeClear, Jon D. Tromblee
  • Publication number: 20040139757
    Abstract: A distributed refrigeration system for a vehicle includes a vapor compression primary cooling circuit and a separate secondary cooling circuit. The secondary cooling circuit utilizes a non-toxic cooling fluid that is pumped to remote locations in the vehicle through designated supply lines. A heat exchanger acting with the primary cooling circuit cools the cooling fluid. A portable main storage compartment is fluidly connectable to the primary or secondary cooling circuits. The portable main cold storage compartment can be expandable. At the remote locations in the vehicle, docking stations permit items to be selectively cooled by the secondary cooling circuit. Both the primary and secondary cooling circuits can operate independently of the vehicle engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Steven J. Kuehl, Carolyn L. Slone, D. LeClear Douglas, Jon D. Tromblee
  • Patent number: 5950446
    Abstract: An ir conditioner is provided which includes a full-front evaporator and a U-shaped condenser. Separate air streams for the evaporator and condenser are provided by two axial flow fans driven by one motor. Evaporator air flow is drawn in axially and discharged radially through louvers in the top and both sides of the cabinet. Condenser air flow is drawn in through the sides of the U-shaped condenser and discharged through the rear of the U-shaped condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jon D. Tromblee, Nihat O. Cur, Michael L. Huie, Jeffery J. Anselmino
  • Patent number: 5209246
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement is provided for a dishwasher in which a pump is mounted on a base which can be removed from the dishwasher and a first sealing member is positioned between the base and the sump for removably sealing the base to the sump. A second sealing member is located within the sump for removably sealing an outlet of the pump to an end of a conduit. With such an arrangement the pump base may be mounted to or removed from the sump in a single operation without making any manual fluid connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jon D. Tromblee, Vincent P. Gurubatham
  • Patent number: 5184635
    Abstract: A dishwasher is provided with a fluid handling system that utilizes two separate sumps and two separate pumps. A first sump receives a portion of the wash liquid from the wash chamber and recirculates the wash liquid by use of a relatively high capacity pump in the first sump. The second sump receives the remainder of the wash liquid and removes both heavier-than-water and lighter-than-water soils before directing this remainder of the wash liquid to the first sump. A relatively low capacity pump in the second sump directs wash liquid and collected soils to an exterior drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jon D. Tromblee, Vincent P. Gurubatham, Edward C. Peterson
  • Patent number: 5168885
    Abstract: A power system module is provided for a dishwasher that has a common base upon which is mounted the power system components. A first and second pump, heater, thermostats, overflow sensor and a fill valve are all mounted on the common base. The base member also receives an enclosure thereon which protects the components. A simple securing device in the form of a clip is utilized to hold the enclosure and base in place over a trough forming two separate sumps, one for each of the pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jon D. Tromblee, Vincent P. Gurubatham
  • Patent number: 5165431
    Abstract: An air flow control for a dishwasher is provided in which a spray pump motor has a blower wheel mounted thereon to provide cooling to the spray pump motor. The motor is positioned within an enclosed housing having an air inlet and two air outlets. One of the air outlets is provided with an air passage leading to an exit opening in a sump of the dishwasher. The sump communicates with the wash cavity of the dishwasher through a conduit and, during the wash and rinse portions of a washing cycle receives and retains a predetermined level of wash liquid. The air passage exit opening is positioned at an elevation below the predetermined wash liquid level in the sump so that during the wash and rinse portion of the wash cycle, air will be prevented from moving through the air passage into the wash cavity. However, once the wash liquid level drops below the predetermined level, air will be forced through the wash cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jon D. Tromblee, Wayne E. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 5127417
    Abstract: A soil separator for a dishwasher is provided in which the recirculating wash liquid flow through the dishwasher is divided into two flow streams and the soil separator is positioned in one of the flow streams. A screen blocks passage of large soil particles and directs then into the flow stream leading to the soil separator. An elevated dam in the soil separator blocks passage of lighter-than-water particles and a weir blocks passage of heavier-than-water particles. A V-shaped notch in the weir permits flow from the soil separator to rejoin the other flow stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jon D. Tromblee, Vincent P. Gurubatham, Edward C. Peterson