Patents by Inventor Mark L. Herman

Mark L. Herman 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: 10533798
    Abstract: An RF laundry dryer includes, amongst other things, an RF generator, an RF applicator having a perforated body supporting anode and cathode elements, a fan arranged relative to the perforated body to flow or draw air through the perforated body and an electromagnetic shield protecting the fan from the e-field. Both anode and cathode elements are operably coupled to the RF generator to generate an e-field between the anode and cathode upon the energizing of the RF generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mark L. Herman, Garry L. Peterman
  • Publication number: 20190271504
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying a wet textile article with a radio frequency (RF) applicator and a controller, the method includes energizing the RF applicator to generate a field of electromagnetic radiation (e-field), determining a dynamic drying cycle of operation in the controller, and controlling the energization of the RF applicator according to the determination of the dynamic drying cycle of operation, wherein the wet article is dried.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: MARK L. HERMAN, DANIEL M. PUTNAM
  • Patent number: 10323881
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying a wet textile article with a radio frequency (RF) applicator and a controller, the method includes energizing the RF applicator to generate a field of electromagnetic radiation (e-field), determining a dynamic drying cycle of operation in the controller, and controlling the energization of the RF applicator according to the determination of the dynamic drying cycle of operation, wherein the wet article is dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mark L. Herman, Daniel M. Putnam
  • Publication number: 20190128605
    Abstract: A method for drying an article with a radio frequency (RF) applicator having anode elements and cathode elements includes capacitively coupling the anode elements, capacitively coupling the cathode elements, capactively coupling an anode element to a cathode element, and energizing the RF applicator to generate an RF field between anode and cathode elements wherein liquid residing within the field will be dielectrically heated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: MARK L. HERMAN, GARRY L. PETERMAN
  • Patent number: 10246813
    Abstract: A method for drying an article with a radio frequency (RF) applicator having anode elements and cathode elements includes capacitively coupling the anode elements, capacitively coupling the cathode elements, capactively coupling an anode element to a cathode element, and energizing the RF applicator to generate an RF field between anode and cathode elements wherein liquid residing within the field will be dielectrically heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mark L. Herman, Garry L. Peterman
  • Patent number: 10184718
    Abstract: A method for drying an article with a radio frequency (RF) applicator having anode elements and cathode elements includes capacitively coupling the anode elements, capacitively coupling the cathode elements, capacitively coupling an anode element to a cathode element, and energizing the RF applicator to generate an RF field between anode and cathode elements wherein liquid residing within the field will be dielectrically heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mark L. Herman, Garry L. Peterman
  • Publication number: 20180292439
    Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of an energized e-field in a space, wherein the space includes at least one electrically conductive element disposed in the space and coupled with a controller, the method including receiving in the controller a signal from the at least one electrically conductive element, determining that an energized e-field occupies the space, and generating an indication, by the controller, indicative of the presence of the energized e-field in the space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: MARK L. HERMAN, GARRY L. PETERMAN, DANIEL M. PUTNAM
  • Publication number: 20180266041
    Abstract: A laundry treating applicator for drying laundry with a radio frequency (RF) applicator having a baffle on a drum rotatable on a non-vertical axis, an anode element in the baffle and a cathode element spaced from the anode element, wherein energization of the RF generator sends electromagnetic radiation through the applicator via the anode element and cathode element to form a field of electromagnetic radiation (e-field) in the radio frequency spectrum to dielectrically heat liquid within laundry disposed within the e-field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: MARK L. HERMAN, GARRY L. PETERMAN
  • Patent number: 10024899
    Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of an energized e-field in a space, wherein the space includes at least one electrically conductive element disposed in the space and coupled with a controller, the method including receiving in the controller a signal from the at least one electrically conductive element, determining that an energized e-field occupies the space, and sending a signal from the controller indicative of the presence of the energized e-field in the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mark L. Herman, Garry L. Peterman, Daniel M. Putnam
  • Patent number: 10006163
    Abstract: A laundry treating applicator for drying laundry with a radio frequency (RF) applicator having a baffle on a drum rotatable on a non-vertical axis, an anode element in the baffle and a cathode element spaced from the anode element, wherein energization of the RF generator sends electromagnetic radiation through the applicator via the anode element and cathode element to form a field of electromagnetic radiation (e-field) in the radio frequency spectrum to dielectrically heat liquid within laundry disposed within the e-field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mark L. Herman, Garry L. Peterman
  • Publication number: 20180031316
    Abstract: An RF laundry dryer includes, amongst other things, an RF generator, an RF applicator having a perforated body supporting anode and cathode elements, a fan arranged relative to the perforated body to flow or draw air through the perforated body and an electromagnetic shield protecting the fan from the e-field. Both anode and cathode elements are operably coupled to the RF generator to generate an e-field between the anode and cathode upon the energizing of the RF generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: MARK L. HERMAN, GARRY L. PETERMAN
  • Publication number: 20170350651
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) laundry dryer includes, amongst other things, an RF generator and a drying surface. The drying surface on which textiles are supported further includes an RF applicator having an anode and cathode coupled to the RF generator. At least a portion of the cathode substantially encompasses the anode to electrically shield the anode ensuring the formation of an e-field between the anode and cathode instead of the anode and the Faraday cage upon energizing the RF generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: MARK L. HERMAN, GARRY L. PETERMAN, ARUN RAJENDRAN
  • Patent number: 9784499
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) laundry dryer includes, amongst other things, an RF generator, a drying surface and a Faraday cage enclosing the drying surface. The drying surface on which textiles are supported further includes an RF applicator having an anode and cathode coupled to the RF generator. At least a portion of the cathode substantially encompasses the anode to electrically shield the anode from the Faraday cage ensuring the formation of an e-field between the anode and cathode instead of the anode and the Faraday cage upon energizing the RF generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mark L. Herman, Garry L. Peterman, Arun Rajendran
  • Publication number: 20170168102
    Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of an energized e-field in a space, wherein the space includes at least one electrically conductive element disposed in the space and coupled with a controller, the method including receiving in the controller a signal from the at least one electrically conductive element, determining that an energized e-field occupies the space, and sending a signal from the controller indicative of the presence of the energized e-field in the space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: MARK L. HERMAN, GARRY L. PETERMAN, DANIEL M. PUTNAM
  • Publication number: 20170159231
    Abstract: A laundry treating applicator for drying laundry with a radio frequency (RF) applicator having a baffle on a drum rotatable on a non-vertical axis, an anode element in the baffle and a cathode element spaced from the anode element, wherein energization of the RF generator sends electromagnetic radiation through the applicator via the anode element and cathode element to form a field of electromagnetic radiation (e-field) in the radio frequency spectrum to dielectrically heat liquid within laundry disposed within the e-field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: MARK L. HERMAN, GARRY L. PETERMAN
  • Patent number: 9645182
    Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of an energized e-field in a space, wherein the space includes at least one electrically conductive element disposed in the space and coupled with a controller, the method including receiving in the controller a signal from the at least one electrically conductive element, comparing the value to a threshold, and if the value exceeds the threshold, determining that an energized e-field occupies the space, and sending a signal from the controller indicative of the presence of the energized e-field in the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mark L. Herman, Garry L. Peterman, Daniel M. Putnam
  • Publication number: 20170114494
    Abstract: A method for drying an article with a radio frequency (RF) applicator having anode elements and cathode elements includes capacitively coupling the anode elements, capacitively coupling the cathode elements, capactively coupling an anode element to a cathode element, and energizing the RF applicator to generate an RF field between anode and cathode elements wherein liquid residing within the field will be dielectrically heated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: MARK L. HERMAN, GARRY L. PETERMAN
  • Publication number: 20170089639
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying a wet textile article with a radio frequency (RF) applicator and a controller, the method includes energizing the RF applicator to generate a field of electromagnetic radiation (e-field), determining a dynamic drying cycle of operation in the controller, and controlling the energization of the RF applicator according to the determination of the dynamic drying cycle of operation, wherein the wet article is dried.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: MARK L. HERMAN, DANIEL M. PUTNAM
  • Patent number: 9605899
    Abstract: A laundry treating applicator for drying laundry with a radio frequency (RF) applicator having a baffle on a drum rotatable on a non-vertical axis, an anode element in the baffle and a cathode element spaced from the anode element, wherein energization of the RF generator sends electromagnetic radiation through the applicator via the anode element and cathode element to form a field of electromagnetic radiation (e-field) in the radio frequency spectrum to dielectrically heat liquid within laundry disposed within the e-field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mark L. Herman, Garry L. Peterman
  • Publication number: 20170082359
    Abstract: A method for drying an article with a radio frequency (RF) applicator having anode elements and cathode elements includes capacitively coupling the anode elements, capacitively coupling the cathode elements, capacitively coupling an anode element to a cathode element, and energizing the RF applicator to generate an RF field between anode and cathode elements wherein liquid residing within the field will be dielectrically heated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: MARK L. HERMAN, GARRY L. PETERMAN