Patents by Inventor Kevin Y. Zhang

Kevin Y. Zhang 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: 11953249
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a freezer compartment and a machine compartment positioned proximate the freezer compartment. An icemaker assembly is positioned within the freezer compartment. A fill tube extends from the machine compartment into the icemaker assembly. A first solenoid valve is coupled to the fill tube. A second solenoid valve is coupled to the fill tube, wherein the first and second solenoid valves are positioned within the machine compartment. A controller is configured to independently open and close the first and second solenoid valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Vishal B. Chauhan, Giulia Marinello, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Kevin Y. Zhang
  • Patent number: 11851064
    Abstract: A vehicle drive system for an electric vehicle having in-hub motors configured to be independently controlled from the main traction motors. The configuration allows for robust control of the vehicle dynamics and behavior by allowing an improved powertrain control. The system also allows the vehicle to achieve better efficiencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Karma Automotive LLC
    Inventors: Lance Liang Zhou, Kevin Y. Zhang, Geng Niu
  • Patent number: 11846959
    Abstract: An electricity management system for a residential setting includes a controller that is coupled with a plurality of appliances. A plurality of sensors are coupled with the controller and respectively coupled to the plurality of appliances. The controller cooperates with the sensors and the appliances to generate a demand response plan for delivering electrical power to the plurality of appliances. The demand response plan includes a shifting strategy that regulates a delivery of electrical power based upon a regional pattern of electrical consumption, a shedding strategy that maintains a household consumption of electrical power below a household upper consumption limit and a modulating strategy based upon the respective operating cycles of the plurality of appliances that prevents a simultaneous peak electrical event within more than one appliance of the plurality of appliances. The shifting strategy, the shedding strategy and the modulating strategy are implemented contemporaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew W. Batek, Jason Schneemann, Kevin Y. Zhang
  • Publication number: 20220221890
    Abstract: An electricity management system for a residential setting includes a controller that is coupled with a plurality of appliances. A plurality of sensors are coupled with the controller and respectively coupled to the plurality of appliances. The controller cooperates with the sensors and the appliances to generate a demand response plan for delivering electrical power to the plurality of appliances. The demand response plan includes a shifting strategy that regulates a delivery of electrical power based upon a regional pattern of electrical consumption, a shedding strategy that maintains a household consumption of electrical power below a household upper consumption limit and a modulating strategy based upon the respective operating cycles of the plurality of appliances that prevents a simultaneous peak electrical event within more than one appliance of the plurality of appliances. The shifting strategy, the shedding strategy and the modulating strategy are implemented contemporaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew W. Batek, Jason Schneemann, Kevin Y. Zhang
  • Publication number: 20220128293
    Abstract: An appliance door for a refrigerator appliance includes a liner that defines an icemaker receiving space and a bin receiving space. The icemaker receiving space is at least partially defined by a central portion of the liner and the bin receiving space is at least partially defined by the central portion and opposing sidewalls of the liner. An icemaker assembly is positioned within the icemaker receiving space and above the central portion. A bin is positioned in the bin receiving space and below the central portion. The bin includes a cover portion that extends upward from a storage portion. The storage portion is rotatably coupled with the opposing sidewalls of the liner. A plate is positioned within a central cavity defined by the central portion of the liner. The plate is configured to cool the bin receiving space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Moacyr Marangone Mezavila, Kevin Y. Zhang, Akshit Anil Markan
  • Publication number: 20220032910
    Abstract: A vehicle drive system for an electric vehicle having in-hub motors configured to be independently controlled from the main traction motors. The configuration allows for robust control of the vehicle dynamics and behavior by allowing an improved powertrain control. The system also allows the vehicle to achieve better efficiencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Applicant: KARMA AUTOMOTIVE LLC
    Inventors: Lance Liang Zhou, Kevin Y. Zhang, Geng Niu
  • Patent number: 11226146
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a freezer compartment and a machine compartment positioned proximate the freezer compartment. An icemaker assembly is positioned within the freezer compartment. A fill tube extends from the machine compartment into the icemaker assembly. A first solenoid valve is coupled to the fill tube. A second solenoid valve is coupled to the fill tube, wherein the first and second solenoid valves are positioned within the machine compartment. A controller is configured to independently open and close the first and second solenoid valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Vishal B. Chauhan, Giulia Marinello, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Kevin Y. Zhang
  • Publication number: 20220003476
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a freezer compartment and a machine compartment positioned proximate the freezer compartment. An icemaker assembly is positioned within the freezer compartment. A fill tube extends from the machine compartment into the icemaker assembly. A first solenoid valve is coupled to the fill tube. A second solenoid valve is coupled to the fill tube, wherein the first and second solenoid valves are positioned within the machine compartment. A controller is configured to independently open and close the first and second solenoid valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vishal B. Chauhan, Giulia Marinello, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Kevin Y. Zhang
  • Publication number: 20200348065
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a freezer compartment and a machine compartment positioned proximate the freezer compartment. An icemaker assembly is positioned within the freezer compartment. A fill tube extends from the machine compartment into the icemaker assembly. A first solenoid valve is coupled to the fill tube. A second solenoid valve is coupled to the fill tube, wherein the first and second solenoid valves are positioned within the machine compartment. A controller is configured to independently open and close the first and second solenoid valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vishal B. Chauhan, Giulia Marinello, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Kevin Y. Zhang