Patents by Inventor Paul B. Allard
Paul B. Allard 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: 11959696Abstract: A method of measuring pressure includes the steps of (1) providing a vacuum cabinet with a storage compartment and an insulating space, and three temperature sensors; (2) sensing a first temperature level of an interior wall of the storage compartment; (3) sensing an ambient temperature level within the storage compartment; (4) sensing a second temperature level of an exterior wall of the storage compartment; (5) calculating an overall heat transfer coefficient (Q) using the ambient temperature level, the first temperature level, and a convective heat transfer coefficient for the interior wall of the storage compartment; (6) calculating a temperature differential between the second and first temperature levels; (7) determining a conductivity level (K) using the temperature differential, the overall heat transfer coefficient (Q) and a thickness of the insulating space; and (8) determining a pressure level (P) within the insulating space using the conductivity level (K).Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2022Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Paul B. Allard, Sunil S. Ekshinge, Alberto Regio Gomes, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
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Publication number: 20240085093Abstract: A door panel for a refrigerating appliance includes an inner liner. An outer wrapper is attached to the inner liner and defines an insulating structure with an insulating cavity disposed therein. An insulating material is defined within the insulating cavity. A dispenser structure is defined within a central portion of the inner liner and the outer wrapper. The dispenser structure defines an insulated dispenser portion therein. A dispenser conduit extends from an interior area disposed above the dispenser structure to an external dispensing cavity and passing through the insulated dispenser portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Paul B. Allard, Sarah Galea, Dustin M. Miller, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
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Patent number: 11874053Abstract: A door panel for a refrigerating appliance includes an inner liner. An outer wrapper is attached to the inner liner and defines an insulating structure with an insulating cavity disposed therein. An insulating material is defined within the insulating cavity. A dispenser structure is defined within a central portion of the inner liner and the outer wrapper. The dispenser structure defines an insulated dispenser portion therein. A dispenser conduit extends from an interior area disposed above the dispenser structure to an external dispensing cavity and passing through the insulated dispenser portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2022Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Paul B. Allard, Sarah Galea, Dustin M. Miller, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
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Publication number: 20230349784Abstract: An appliance includes a metallic liner and an outer metallic wrapper. An insulating cavity is defined between the metallic liner and outer metallic wrapper. The appliance further includes a pressure sensing device disposed within the cavity. The pressure sensing device is located to detect a pressure status and transmit the pressure status through at least one of the metallic liner and outer metallic wrapper.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2023Publication date: November 2, 2023Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Paul B. Allard, Sai B. Krishna, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
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Publication number: 20230330969Abstract: An operable panel for an appliance includes a metallic outer wrapper having a perimetrical wrapper edge that partially defines a perimetrical breaker channel, an inner liner and a plurality of corner brackets disposed proximate the perimetrical wrapper edge. Each corner bracket cooperates with the perimetrical wrapper edge to fully define the perimetrical breaker channel. A trim breaker is adhered to the metallic outer wrapper and the corner brackets at the perimetrical breaker channel and having a liner channel that receives a portion of the inner liner. The trim breaker extends between the inner liner and the outer wrapper. An insulation material is disposed within an insulating cavity defined between the inner liner and the outer wrapper.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Paul B. Allard, Lakshya J. Deka, Eric J. Dherde, Gustavo Frattini, Alberto R. Gomes, Lynne F. Hunter, Dustin M. Miller, Abhay Naik, Karen J. Querfurth, Jerry M. Visin
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Patent number: 11788280Abstract: An insulated structure comprises a first panel and a second panel coupled to the first panel. The first and second panels define an insulating cavity therebetween. A port is defined by the second panel. The port is an opening into the insulating cavity. A connector is coupled to the second panel. A tube is coupled to the connector and extends parallel along the second panel.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2022Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Paul B. Allard, Jeffrey Beckner, Sunil S. Ekshinge, Abhay Naik, Manjunathraddi Navalgund, Rafael D. Nunes, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
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Publication number: 20230324106Abstract: A refrigerator includes an insulated cabinet structure and a cooling system. A door assembly includes a perimeter structure that is movably mounted to the insulated cabinet structure and an outer door that is movably mounted to the perimeter structure whereby the outer door can be moved between open and closed positions relative to the perimeter structure when the perimeter structure is in its closed position The outer door may comprise a vacuum insulated structure including porous core material disposed in a cavity of the outer door.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2023Publication date: October 12, 2023Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Abhay Naik, Lakshya Deka, Paul B. Allard, Jerry M. Vlsin
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Publication number: 20230324114Abstract: A method of measuring pressure includes the steps of (1) providing a vacuum cabinet with a storage compartment and an insulating space, and three temperature sensors; (2) sensing a first temperature level of an interior wall of the storage compartment; (3) sensing an ambient temperature level within the storage compartment; (4) sensing a second temperature level of an exterior wall of the storage compartment; (5) calculating an overall heat transfer coefficient (Q) using the ambient temperature level, the first temperature level, and a convective heat transfer coefficient for the interior wall of the storage compartment; (6) calculating a temperature differential between the second and first temperature levels; (7) determining a conductivity level (K) using the temperature differential, the overall heat transfer coefficient (Q) and a thickness of the insulating space; and (8) determining a pressure level (P) within the insulating space using the conductivity level (K).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2022Publication date: October 12, 2023Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Paul B. Allard, Sunil S. Ekshinge, Alberto Regio Gomes, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
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Patent number: 11767945Abstract: A vacuum insulated structure includes a first panel having an inner surface defining an area. The first panel includes a vacuum port. A trim breaker interconnects the first panel with a second panel in an air-tight manner to define a vacuum cavity therebetween. A first filter member is disposed on and substantially covers the area of the inner surface of the first panel and the vacuum port of the first panel. A second filter member substantially covers the first filter member to define a channel therebetween. The channel includes an area commensurate with the area of the inner surface of the first panel. The first panel may also include a mesh member covered by a filter member to define a channel therebetween to improve evacuation time using the channel to evacuate the vacuum cavity.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2022Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Paul B. Allard, Sunil S. Ekshinge, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
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Patent number: 11761839Abstract: An appliance includes a metallic liner and an outer metallic wrapper. An insulating cavity is defined between the metallic liner and outer metallic wrapper. The appliance further includes a pressure sensing device disposed within the cavity. The pressure sensing device is located to detect a pressure status and transmit the pressure status through at least one of the metallic liner and outer metallic wrapper.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Paul B. Allard, Sai B. Krishna, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
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Publication number: 20230258384Abstract: A method of forming an insulated door panel includes folding side flanges of a metallic sheet to define side edges of a structural outer panel that extend from a front panel. A gap is defined between each set of adjacent side edges. Interior blocks are secured to an interior of the structural outer panel proximate each gap to define adhesive cavities. Exterior blocks are positioned at an exterior surface of the structural outer panel at each gap to further define the adhesive cavities. An adhesive is disposed within each adhesive cavity and is contained therein by the interior and exterior blocks. The adhesive is cured to a solid sealing member that adheres the interior blocks to the interior surface of the structural outer panel to form a sealed structural panel. The exterior blocks are removed and each solid sealing member defines a hermetic seal at each gap.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2023Publication date: August 17, 2023Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Paul B. Allard, Gustavo Frattini, Hua Liu
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Patent number: 11724479Abstract: An operable panel for an appliance includes a metallic outer wrapper having a perimetrical wrapper edge that partially defines a perimetrical breaker channel, an inner liner and a plurality of corner brackets disposed proximate the perimetrical wrapper edge. Each corner bracket cooperates with the perimetrical wrapper edge to fully define the perimetrical breaker channel. A trim breaker is adhered to the metallic outer wrapper and the corner brackets at the perimetrical breaker channel and having a liner channel that receives a portion of the inner liner. The trim breaker extends between the inner liner and the outer wrapper. An insulation material is disposed within an insulating cavity defined between the inner liner and the outer wrapper.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2022Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Paul B. Allard, Lakshya J. Deka, Eric J. Dherde, Gustavo Frattini, Alberto R. Gomes, Lynne F. Hunter, Dustin M. Miller, Abhay Naik, Karen J. Querfurth, Jerry M. Visin
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Publication number: 20230243458Abstract: An appliance includes a metallic outer wrapper having sidewalls, a wrapper backwall and a machine wall. At least one metallic inner liner has liner walls and a liner backwall, wherein the metallic outer wrapper and the at least one metallic inner liner are coupled together at a trim breaker to define a structural cabinet having a hermetically sealed interior cavity defined between the metallic outer wrapper and the at least one metallic inner liner. The trim breaker defines a front face of the structural cabinet. At least one trim breaker conduit extends through the wrapper and liner backwalls wherein the trim breaker conduit defines a conduit through the structural cabinet, and wherein the structural cabinet is hermetically sealed at the trim breaker conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2023Publication date: August 3, 2023Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Paul B. Allard, Mohamed Alshourbagy, Lakshya J. Deka, Eric J. Dherde, Gustavo Frattini, Alberto R. Gomes, Lynne F. Hunter, Giulia Marinello, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak, Jerry M. Visin
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Patent number: 11713916Abstract: A refrigerator includes an insulated cabinet structure and a cooling system. A door assembly includes a perimeter structure that is movably mounted to the insulated cabinet structure and an outer door that is movably mounted to the perimeter structure whereby the outer door can be moved between open and closed positions relative to the perimeter structure when the perimeter structure is in its closed position The outer door may comprise a vacuum insulated structure including porous core material disposed in a cavity of the outer door.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2021Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Abhay Naik, Lakshya Deka, Paul B. Allard, Jerry M. Visin
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Patent number: 11692663Abstract: An appliance includes a panel having a raised landing outwardly extending from a first surface of the panel. A vacuum port is disposed on the raised landing. A system of channels is disposed over the first surface of the panel and outwardly extends therefrom. The system of channels substantially covers the first surface of the panel. The first surface of the panel is covered with a filter member that covers the system of channels. The raised landing, and vacuum port thereof, is fluidically coupled to the system of channels at multiple connecting locations.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2022Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Paul B. Allard, Jeffrey Beckner, Sunil S. Ekshinge, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Pathak
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Patent number: 11692760Abstract: A method of forming an insulated door panel includes folding side flanges of a metallic sheet to define side edges of a structural outer panel that extend from a front panel. A gap is defined between each set of adjacent side edges. Interior blocks are secured to an interior of the structural outer panel proximate each gap to define adhesive cavities. Exterior blocks are positioned at an exterior surface of the structural outer panel at each gap to further define the adhesive cavities. An adhesive is disposed within each adhesive cavity and is contained therein by the interior and exterior blocks. The adhesive is cured to a solid sealing member that adheres the interior blocks to the interior surface of the structural outer panel to form a sealed structural panel. The exterior blocks are removed and each solid sealing member defines a hermetic seal at each gap.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2022Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Paul B. Allard, Gustavo Frattini, Hua Liu
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Patent number: 11680673Abstract: An appliance includes a metallic outer wrapper having sidewalls, a wrapper backwall and a machine wall. At least one metallic inner liner has liner walls and a liner backwall, wherein the metallic outer wrapper and the at least one metallic inner liner are coupled together at a trim breaker to define a structural cabinet having a hermetically sealed interior cavity defined between the metallic outer wrapper and the at least one metallic inner liner. The trim breaker defines a front face of the structural cabinet. At least one trim breaker conduit extends through the wrapper and liner backwalls wherein the trim breaker conduit defines a conduit through the structural cabinet, and wherein the structural cabinet is hermetically sealed at the trim breaker conduit.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2021Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Paul B. Allard, Mohamed Alshourbagy, Lakshya J. Deka, Eric J. Dherde, Gustavo Frattini, Alberto R. Gomes, Lynne F. Hunter, Giulia Marinello, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak, Jerry M. Visin
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Publication number: 20230137842Abstract: A method for manufacturing a vacuum insulated structure includes positioning an inner liner within an external wrapper and defining a gap between the inner liner and the external wrapper, drawing a vacuum to seal the gap, and injecting a first insulator into the gap. The method further includes positioning a filter proximate to the first insulator within the gap and injecting a second insulator into the gap proximate to the filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2022Publication date: May 4, 2023Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Paul B. Allard, Abhay Naik
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Publication number: 20230105421Abstract: A method of controlling condensation on an appliance includes the steps of (1) providing a refrigerator having a refrigerant circuit with a heat loop, wherein the heat loop is configured to circulate heated refrigerant within a cabinet structure during a duty cycle of a compressor, and further wherein the refrigerator includes a storage compartment and an insulation space substantially surrounding the same; (2) running an insulation performance test, wherein a rate of temperature rise within the storage compartment is calculated during an off-duty cycle of the compressor; (3) sending the data to a controller for processing; (4) initiating the duty cycle of the compressor when the rate of temperature rise reaches a predetermined threshold rate; and (5) changing an operating parameter of the refrigerator to increase a time interval for which the duty cycle of the compressor is run.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2021Publication date: April 6, 2023Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Paul B. Allard, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
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Patent number: 11609037Abstract: A method of making a vacuum insulated refrigerator structure includes positioning a core of overlapping stacked sheets of fiberglass mat in an envelope of impermeable barrier material. The core is pressed into a predefined three dimensional shape by pressing first and second mold parts together. The core is evacuated, and the envelope is sealed to form a three dimensional core having an airtight envelope around the core. The three dimensional vacuum core is positioned between a wrapper and a liner, and the wrapper and the liner are interconnected to form a vacuum insulated refrigerator structure.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2021Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Paul B. Allard, Abhay Naik