Patents Assigned to Fisher & Paykel Appliances Limited
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Patent number: 8204189Abstract: An appliance having a diagnostic capability includes a tone generator, a controller, a data collection function, memory for storing the collected data, and a transmitter. The transmiter transmits a stream of data derived from the stored data using a carrier signal. The carrier signal is switched on and off according to bits in a stream of data derived from the stored data. The transmission also includes interleaving each bit for transmission with an off period of the carrier. Each off period of the carrier has a duration of at least 100 milliseconds.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2007Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Appliances LimitedInventors: David Charles Rhodes, Christopher Kimberley Laird
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Patent number: 8177523Abstract: A linear compressor includes a cylinder part with a cylinder bore. A piston is disposed in the bore and slidable therein. A main spring connects the cylinder part to the piston. A connecting member connects between the main spring and the piston. The connecting member passes through the air gap of a stator of a linear electric motor. At least one armature pole of the motor is located along the connecting member. The stator comprises a plurality stator parts opposed across the air gap. The cylinder part includes a tapered clamp for each stator part. The tapered clamp widens outward from the air gap. Each stator part has a matching taper and is engaged in the tapered clamp.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2006Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Appliances LimitedInventors: Upesh Patel, Gordon Cameron Otte
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Publication number: 20120089258Abstract: A laundry machine includes a drum supported at least two spaced apart support locations for rotation about a rotation axis. A balance correction system is able to apply a variable amount of a balance correction mass at a selectable angular location of the drum at least two spaced apart locations along the drum rotation axis. A controller receives outputs of a set of sensors, and is programmed to continuously calculate balance corrections to apply.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2009Publication date: April 12, 2012Applicant: FISHER & PAYKEL APPLIANCES LIMITEDInventors: Richard Wong, Gregory Raymond Collecutt, David Charles Rhodes, Kane Samuel Alward
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Patent number: 8141581Abstract: A linear compressor has a hollow piston with crown and sidewall. The piston reciprocates in a cylinder. A piston rod connects the piston to a spring. A connection between the piston rod and the piston transmits axial forces directly to the piston crown. The connection transmits lateral forces to the piston at an axial location away from the piston crown. The connection allows rotational flexibility between the piston and the piston rod transverse to and uniformly around the piston reciprocation axis. Other improvements in or relating to linear compressors are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2008Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Appliances LimitedInventors: John H. Boyd, Jr., Upesh Patel, Gordon Cameron Otte, Timothy Gordon Read
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Patent number: 7988790Abstract: A water softener particularly for use in a dishwasher. The water softener is located in the dishwasher water supply (238) between the primary supply valve and the wash chamber. The softener includes a resin container (207) with an ion exchange resin (290). Water supplied to the wash chamber optionally passes through the resin container (207). Regenerating brine is developed in a brine container (203). The brine container (203) is supplied manually with solid salt (270) and water diverted into the container from the main supply at an air break (201). In the regenerating cycle brine is delivered from the brine container (203) to the resin container (207) by a pump (206). The duty cycle of the pump (206) determines the degree of regeneration of the resin (290).Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2003Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Appliances LimitedInventors: Stephen Robert Maunsell, Daniel Warwick Blair
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Patent number: 7895999Abstract: In one aspect the invention discloses a gas cooktop which is relatively easy to clean and which is not visually complex. The gas cooktop surface is provided with a trivet having two operating conditions. In a first condition the trivet is retracted and is substantially flush with the cooktop surface. In a second condition the trivet is extended to support a cooking vessel above a gas burner. In another aspect the invention discloses an improved gas burner with a high turn-down ratio. The improved burner includes first and second gas flow passages, a flame front locator, in one of the passages and a burner head. Fuel gas is injected into an end of one of said passages and is ignited to establish a flame at the flame front locator. Secondary combustion air is provided through the other of the passages which on a high setting enables secondary combustion and on a low setting may mix with the hot gases and cool them resulting in a lower temperature at the cooking vessel.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2007Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Appliances LimitedInventors: Lindsay George Graham, Simon Denzil Brown
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Patent number: 7832419Abstract: A dishwasher includes a cabinet and a wash system slidably mounted within the cabinet in such a manner that it may be withdrawn horizontally out of the cabinet for loading with dishes. The wash system includes an open top wash chamber having a floor and side walls adapted to accommodate dishes within which wash liquid is sprayed. Two rotating spray arms are mounted in the bottom of the chamber for producing a spray of wash liquid within the chamber. A wash pump for pressurizing wash liquid discharges into a manifold located on the floor of the chamber. The spray arms receive wash liquid from the manifold. A drain pump evacuates wash liquid from said chamber. A wash chamber closure is mounted in the top of the cabinet. The closure engages with the wash chamber opening to sealably close off the wash chamber on its retraction into the cabinet.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2007Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Appliances LimitedInventors: Wayne Andrew Mason, Robert William Todd
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Patent number: 7762007Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet or surround structure with an attachment for a removable front panel and a removable front panel for attachment to the cabinet. The appliance is a drum and a drum support structure supporting the drum for rotation. There is a movement interface between the drum support structure and the cabinet or surround structure, allowing the drum support structure to move between an operating condition within the cabinet and a maintenance condition wherein the drum and drum support structure are at least substantially disposed outside the envelope defined by the cabinet. In the operating condition the drum and support structure are hidden behind the removable front panel. They may be moved out to the maintenance condition after removal of the front panel.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2007Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Appliances LimitedInventors: Allen James Guinibert, Russell Joseph Jackson, Geoffrey Simon Frazerhurst
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Patent number: 7663275Abstract: A sensorless method and apparatus for detecting piston collisions in a free piston linear compressor motor. The waveform of the back EMF induced in the motor stator windings is analysed for slope discontinuities and other aberrations in a time window centred on the back EMF zero-crossings. Waveform slope artefacts are indicative of piston collisions and cause the motor power to be decremented in response.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2005Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Appliances LimitedInventors: Ian Campbell McGill, Zhuang Tian
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Patent number: 7618243Abstract: A free-piston linear compressor (1) controlled to achieve high volumetric efficiency by a controller including an algorithm (116) for ramping up input power until piston-cylinder head collisions are detected using a detection algorithm (117/118) which then decrements power input whereupon input power is again ramped up by algorithm (116). Non-damaging low energy collisions are achieved by the controller including a perturbation algorithm (119) which perturbates the input power ramp with periodic transient pulses of power to ensure piston collisions are provoked during the transient power pulses.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2006Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Appliances LimitedInventors: Zhuang Tian, John H. Boyd, Jr.
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Patent number: 7467483Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet or surround structure with an attachment for a removable front panel and a removable front panel for attachment to the cabinet. The appliance is a drum and a drum support structure supporting the drum for rotation. There is a movement interface between the drum support structure and the cabinet or surround structure, allowing the drum support structure to move between an operating condition within the cabinet and a maintenance condition wherein the drum and drum support structure are at least substantially disposed outside the envelope defined by the cabinet. In the operating condition the drum and support structure are hidden behind the removable front panel. They may be moved out to the maintenance condition after removal of the front panel.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2004Date of Patent: December 23, 2008Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Appliances LimitedInventors: Allen James Guinibert, Russell Joseph Jackson, Hugh Griffith Johnson, Olaf Adrian Hojland Eskildsen, Geoffrey Simon Frazerhurst, Andy Alexander Hilgers, Daryl Leonard Hirst, Radu Gramada, Armando Morles Velandia
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Publication number: 20080289617Abstract: In one aspect the invention discloses an improved gas burner with a high turn-down ratio. The improved burner includes first and second gas flow passages (44, 47), a flame front locator (49) in one of the passages of the burner head. Fuel gas is injected into an end of one of one of the passages (47) and is ignited to establish a flame at the flame front locator (49). Secondary combustion air is provided through the other of the passages (44) which on a high setting enables secondary combustion and on a low setting may mix with the hot gases and cool them resulting in a lower temperature at the cooking vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2005Publication date: November 27, 2008Applicant: FISHER & PAYKEL APPLIANCES LIMITEDInventors: Lindsay George Graham, Simon Denzil Brown
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Patent number: 7422022Abstract: A dishwasher is disclosed which is suitable for mounting within a cavity under a bench. The dishwasher is chassis less and includes no outer wrapper or cabinet and as such is mounted directly to the cavity. Also disclosed are a number of embodiments relating to mechanisms for closing the lid on the retractable drawer wash system and various methods for sealing the lid onto the wash drawer.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2006Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Appliances LimitedInventors: Steve Maunsell, Robert William Todd
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Patent number: 7412783Abstract: A laundry machine includes a cabinet and a laundry holding drum rotatably supported therewithin. The drum includes a wall and a drum hatch comprising a section of the wall. A motor is connected to rotate the drum. A controller is configured to operate the motor to drive the drum through a closing operation. The closing operation includes rotating the drum in a direction to bring the drum opening toward the drum hatch to re-close the opening with the drum hatch and to detect stopping of the drum rotation. The controller may provide user feedback that a closure disruption has occurred. The drum hatch is configured to close circumferentially, with a leading edge of the drum hatch approaching a leading edge of the remaining wall. The leading edges are shaped such that interposition of fabric between the leading edges during closure stops the drum hatch reaching a fully closed position.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2006Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Appliances LimitedInventors: Allen James Guinibert, Russell Joseph Jackson, Hugh Griffith Johnson, Bruce Reginald Frank McGregor, Daryl Leonard Hirst
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Publication number: 20080075610Abstract: A cylinder and head assembly for a linear compressor has a cylinder chassis (35, 11), a cylinder liner (12) open at both ends and a valve plate (5) defining a barrier between the compression end (37) of the cylinder liner (12) and the head space (7) defined by the cylinder chassis. The valve (5) plate is located between an annular shoulder (39) of the cylinder chassis (35) and an open end of the cylinder liner (37).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2005Publication date: March 27, 2008Applicant: FISHER & PAYKEL APPLIANCES LIMITEDInventors: Brian Robert Bonniface, Ian Campbell McGill
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Patent number: 7285878Abstract: A sensorless method of detecting piston collisions in a reciprocating free piston linear compressor driven by an electronically commutated linear motor having at least one excitation winding is provided. A free piston gas compressor is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2005Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Appliances LimitedInventors: Ian McGill, Zhuang Tain
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Patent number: 7257905Abstract: A laundry drying machine includes a cabinet and a laundry holding drum rotatably supported within the cabinet for rotation. The drum includes a wall that is circumferential relative to the rotation and a drum hatch that is a section of the wall. The drum forms an enclosure together with at least one stationary end surface centred on the axis of rotation of the drum. A motor is connected to drive rotation of the drum and a fan provides a flow of air through the interior of the drum. The drum includes an outlet opening centred on the axis of rotation and an annular filter screen extending from the periphery of the drum outlet and rotating with the drum. The annular screen is connected along one circumferential edge to the drum. There is an annular sliding seal between the other annular edge of the screen and the outlet duct and an annular sliding seal between the outlet duct and the drum external to the annular filter screen.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2004Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Appliances LimitedInventors: Allen James Guinibert, Russell Joseph Jackson, Hugh Griffith Johnson, Geoffrey Simon Frazerhurst, Bruce Reginald Frank McGregor
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Patent number: 7249742Abstract: A self adjusting foot arrangement for an appliance cabinet has a first socket connected with the cabinet and a second socket connected with the cabinet spaced apart from the first socket. A foot downwardly protrudes from each socket and is moveable along axis into and out of the respective socket. A non-extensile band is fixed at one end to the first socket, passes into the first socket to bear on the first foot and is fixed at its other end to the second socket passing into the second socket to bear on the second foot. The band passes over the top of each foot within the respective socket.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2004Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Appliances LimitedInventors: Allen James Guinibert, Russell Joseph Jackson, Hugh Griffith Johnson, Daniel Keith Raphael Pitt, Bruce Reginald Frank McGregor, Geoffrey Simon Frazerhurst
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Patent number: 7247007Abstract: A linear compressor includes a cylinder part and a piston part. A spring connects the cylinder part and the piston part and operates in the direction of reciprocation of the piston part relative to the cylinder part. The piston part includes a radially compliant but axially stiff linkage and piston. The cylinder part includes a cylinder and a cylinder liner therewithin. A bore runs through the cylinder liner and the piston reciprocates in the bore. Gas bearing passages are formed between the cylinder and the cylinder liner leading to opening through the wall of the cylinder liner to the bore. A gas bearing manifold receives compressed gases and supplies the compressed gases to the gas bearing passages. The gas bearing passages follow a tortuous path to the openings.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Appliances LimitedInventors: Lindsey Jack Roke, Ian Campbell McGill, Gerald David Duncan, William George Ferguson, Andrew Paul Taylor
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Patent number: D568563Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2007Date of Patent: May 6, 2008Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Appliances LimitedInventor: Simone Adele Stephens