Patents Examined by Marc Lorenzi
  • Patent number: 9328442
    Abstract: A washing machine includes a cabinet forming an external appearance of the washing machine, a rotary tub disposed to rotate around a driving shaft vertically provided inside the cabinet and including a sidewall, which extends with inclination to have a diameter increasing from a lower side to an upper side of the washing machine, and at least one protrusion part, which protrudes from the sidewall with inclination to have a diameter increasing from an upper side to a lower side of the sidewall. A guide water filter is mounted on at least one protrusion part inside the rotary tub and provided at a rear surface thereof with a drain passage to discharge the washing water discharged from the balance ring to outside. A base is installed at the lower side of the rotary tub and includes a guide part and a support plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong Pil Seo, Sung Hoon Kim, Jae Ryong Park, Eun Suk Bang, Ji Yu Lee, Hwang Mook Cho, Sang Yeon Pyo
  • Patent number: 9284674
    Abstract: Provided are a washing machine and a washing method. The washing machine includes a cabinet, an outer tub disposed in the cabinet and provided with an opened top through which wash water is supplied into the outer tub, an inner tub that is disposed in the outer tub to receive laundry and rotates about a vertical axis, a base that supports the cabinet and stores the wash water that is splattered from the outer tub by rotation of the inner tub, and an electrode sensor that is disposed on the base to detect the wash water splattered out of the outer tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Soonan Park, Yongtae Kim, Kichul Cho
  • Patent number: 9249535
    Abstract: Provided are a washing machine and a washing method. The washing machine includes a cabinet, an outer tub disposed in the cabinet and provided with an opened top through which wash water is supplied into the outer tub, an inner tub that is disposed in the outer tub to receive laundry and rotates about a vertical axis, a base that supports the cabinet and stores the wash water that is splattered from the outer tub by rotation of the inner tub, and an electrode sensor that is disposed on the base to detect the wash water splattered out of the outer tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Soonan Park, Yongtae Kim, Kichul Cho
  • Patent number: 9228282
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a vertical axis washing machine. The washing machine includes a cabinet having a top portion with a lid and side portions extending downwardly from the top portion. A tub is positioned within the cabinet with a basket rotatably supported within the tub. The washing machine also includes a heater and a water level sensor. The water level sensor controls the volume of water that enters the tub and the heater generates steam from such volume of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jerrod Aaron Kappler, Alaknanda Acharya, Michael Wuttikorn Ekbundit
  • Patent number: 9228283
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a vertical axis washing machine. The washing machine includes a cabinet having a top portion with a lid and side portions extending downwardly from the top portion. The lid has a first layer and a second layer that are separated by a volume of space defined by the first layer and the second layer. A tub is positioned within the cabinet with a basket rotatably supported within the tub. The washing machine also includes a heater and a water level sensor. The water level sensor controls the volume of water that enters the tub and the heater generates steam from such volume of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jerrod Aaron Kappler, Michael Wuttikorn Ekbundit
  • Patent number: 9163348
    Abstract: A method for measuring the moment of inertia of a washing machine drum containing a load. The drum is set in a rotation by means of a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor taking it to a first angular spin velocity. The method includes identifying a synchronization point in a periodic signal indicative of the torque provided by the synchronous electric motor at the first angular velocity. An acceleration transient of said drum with constant electromotive torque is provided by the synchronous electric motor. The method further includes interrupting the acceleration transient upon reaching a second angular velocity, acquiring the acceleration transient time duration, and processing an indirect measurement of the moment of inertia of the drum starting from a value of the torque yielded to the drum during the acceleration transient, from the transient time duration value, and from the variation of the angular velocity in the transient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Askoll Holding S.r.l.
    Inventor: Elio Marioni
  • Patent number: 9103060
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a washing machine and a method of operating the washing machine. In operating the washing machine according to inputted settings, each washing cycle is divided into a plurality of steps, and a washing tub or pulsator is controlled to be differently operated for each step. Accordingly, the washing machine may be operated in various patterns to effectively remove contaminants from the laundry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Youngjong Kim, Sangjun Lee
  • Patent number: 9087866
    Abstract: A substrate cleaning and drying apparatus includes a first substrate transfer unit operable to transfer a substrate in a horizontal direction at an upper part of a base frame, a second substrate transfer unit operable to receive the substrate from the first substrate transfer unit and transfer the substrate in a vertical direction, a third substrate transfer unit operable to receive the substrate from the second substrate transfer unit and transfer the substrate in a horizontal direction at a lower part of the base frame, and a substrate processing unit operable to receive the substrate from the third substrate transfer unit and perform a cleaning and drying process on the substrate to clean and dry the substrate. The second substrate transfer unit includes a plurality of first hand forks operable to support the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyeon Yong Jheong, Ki Bok Kang
  • Patent number: 9028618
    Abstract: A compressor wash system for compressor washing includes stages of fluid delivery lines coupled at one end to a pump output and at the other end to a corresponding nozzle set. A control valve is connected to the fluid delivery line between the pump and the nozzle set, selectively supplying fluid between the pump and the nozzle set. Each nozzle of a nozzle set is positioned on an inlet of the compressor to allow the stages to wash a portion of the compressor. Nozzle sets are positioned around a bellmouth assembly and/or around an inlet cone of the compressor inlet, with a nozzle spray tip of each nozzle extending into an inlet air flow path of the compressor. Fluid may be directed to one or more of the stages in a sequencing pattern determined and configured to wash the compressor. Templates and installation guides are utilized to position the nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Gas Turbine Efficiency Sweden AB
    Inventors: John L. Battaglioli, Robert J. L. Bland, Robert J. Burke, Lindsay A. Early, Jonathan R. Knaust, Christopher R. Oliveri, Hilbert H. Valdez, Thomas Wagner, Daniel F. Woolley
  • Patent number: 9016293
    Abstract: A compressor wash system for compressor washing includes stages of fluid delivery lines coupled at one end to a pump output and at the other end to a corresponding nozzle set. A control valve is connected to the fluid delivery line between the pump and the nozzle set, selectively supplying fluid between the pump and the nozzle set. Each nozzle of a nozzle set is positioned on an inlet of the compressor to allow the stages to wash a portion of the compressor. Nozzle sets are positioned around a bellmouth assembly and/or around an inlet cone of the compressor inlet, with a nozzle spray tip of each nozzle extending into an inlet air flow path of the compressor. Fluid may be directed to one or more of the stages in a sequencing pattern determined and configured to wash the compressor. Templates and installation guides are utilized to position the nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Gas Turbine Efficiency Sweden AB
    Inventors: John L. Battaglioli, Robert J. L. Bland, Robert J. Burke, Lindsay A. Early, Jonathan R. Knaust, Christopher R. Oliveri, Hilbert H. Valdez, Thomas Wagner, Daniel F. Woolley
  • Patent number: 8955530
    Abstract: A wafer chuck is cleaned using a cleaning cap to remove processing residue and particulate matter. The cleaning cap is configured to overlie and align with the wafer chuck and includes a base and a first roller connected to the base and having wound therearound a cleaning cloth. The cleaning cap further includes a second roller connected to the base and having attached thereto a free end of the cleaning cloth. During use, the cleaning cloth winds upon the second roller from the first roller when the second roller rotates about its axis. The cleaning cap can be positioned relative the wafer chuck by way of a manipulator to ensure the cleaning cloth contacts the wafer chuck with sufficient force. The cleaning cloth rubs the wafer chuck with both translational motion and rotational motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufaturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jui-Chun Peng, Heng-Jen Lee
  • Patent number: 8881751
    Abstract: A substrate liquid processing apparatus includes a placement table configured to hold a substrate, a rotary driving unit configured to rotate the placement table, a liquid supply unit configured to supply a liquid to the substrate placed on the placement table, and an upper liquid guide cup, a central liquid guide cup, and a lower liquid guide cup which are disposed in this order from the top and are configured to guide downward the liquid scattering from the rotating substrate being placed on the placement table. A driving mechanism is configured to move up and down the upper liquid guide cup, the central liquid guide cup, and the lower liquid guide cup. The driving mechanism is connected to the central liquid guide cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Ogata, Shuichi Nagamine
  • Patent number: 8863559
    Abstract: A method for washing laundry in a program-controlled domestic laundry-care appliance including the steps of heating washing liquid present in the tub and heating the washing liquid to a specific washing temperature set as a function of determined parameter values that are specific to the laundry being washed and/or the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Gundula Czyzewski, Ingo Schulze, Stephan Sommer, Cornelia Witt
  • Patent number: 8844324
    Abstract: The inventive washing machine is capable of advantageously rinsing laundry with clean water by performing a rinsing operation while cleaning water being used for the rinsing operation in a rinsing step. The washing machine includes a water circulation passage (42, 43, 44, 45, 15, 55, 25, 57, 26, 58, 59) for circulating laundry water to a washing tub (3). Rinsing water retained in the washing tub (3) can be circulated through the water circulation passage. Ozone generated by an ozone generator (19) is mixed with the circulated water, whereby the rinsing water is cleaned. This water cleaning operation is performed only in the rinsing step. Where the ozone is supplied only in the rinsing step, the ozone is effective to decompose dirt and odorant of the laundry. Thus, the rinsing operation is advantageously performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Haier Group Corporation, Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Tobi, Haruo Mamiya, Takayoshi Akagi
  • Patent number: 8833113
    Abstract: A fabric treating machine includes a spray nozzle for spraying water supplied from a water supply passage into an inner tub and a spray nozzle combining unit for combining the spray nozzle with a case. Fabric loaded in the inner tub can be effectively soaked through the spray nozzle. Furthermore, a spray direction of the spray nozzle can be accurately adjusted when the spray nozzle is fitted in the case, and thus the spray nozzle can be easily fitted in the case and water sprayed through the spray nozzle can be prevented from overflowing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kyu Bum Lee, Young Jong Kim, Young Bae Park
  • Patent number: 8800575
    Abstract: A remotely operated device for inspecting and/or cleaning a subsea flexible pipe joint comprises a support assembly. In addition, the device comprises a tool positioning assembly coupled to the support assembly. The tool positioning assembly includes a rotating member disposed about a central axis. The tool positioning assembly is rotatable relative to the support assembly about the central axis. Further, the device comprises a cleaning assembly including a cleaning device adapted to clean the flexible pipe joint. The cleaning device is axially moveable relative to the rotating member. Still further, the device comprises a clamping assembly coupled to the support assembly. The clamping assembly has an open position disengaged with the section of the flexible pipe joint and a closed position engaging the section of the flexible pipe joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Eric Angel, Eric Lee Harden, Stuart Douglas Partridge, Andrew J. Guinn
  • Patent number: 8794040
    Abstract: A fabric treating machine includes a spray nozzle for spraying water supplied from a water supply passage into an inner tub and a spray nozzle combining unit for combining the spray nozzle with a case. Fabric loaded in the inner tub can be effectively soaked through the spray nozzle. Furthermore, a spray direction of the spray nozzle can be accurately adjusted when the spray nozzle is fitted in the case, and thus the spray nozzle can be easily fitted in the case and water sprayed through the spray nozzle can be prevented from overflowing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kyu Bum Lee, Young Jong Kim, Young Bae Park
  • Patent number: 8756958
    Abstract: An impulse type shock wave flash dyeing machine is disclosed. A row of joint nozzles can send out high-speed air flows to prompt fibrous fabric to spread out and move in the dyeing machine through the effect of impulse. Dyes or processing agents may be converted into fine mist and is carried by the high-speed air flows to blast the fibrous fabric (3). Therefore, the dyes or processing agents can enter the fibrous fabric (3) quickly and can diffuse or spread out in the fibrous fabric (3) swiftly through strong elastic and inelastic collisions as well as the effect of shock wave. Such collisions and effect can impart enough energy to the dyes or processing agents and convert non-activated molecules into activated molecules. In addition, the effect of corona discharge may be used to generate high-energy particles and hence the goals of clean and swift processes may be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Inventor: Jiang Zhao-Cheng
  • Patent number: 8756959
    Abstract: A washing machine having a chemical dispenser for dispensing chemicals into the wash water during a washing operation. The dispenser includes a dispenser body having a water inlet and a cap having a plurality of hose connecting ports to which chemical supply hoses are individually attached for enabling the direction of chemical into the dispenser chamber simultaneous with the introduction of water from the water inlet. The chemical supply hoses are connectable to the cap at a location remote from said body, and the cap is removable and replaceable in said dispenser body without removal of the hose from the connecting ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Alliance Laundry Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Daryl T. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8753451
    Abstract: Liquid hydrocarbon storage tanks are cleaned by transferring the most contaminated lower fuel layer to an external vessel on a treatment truck where separation into a contaminants portion and a fuel portion occurs. The remnant fuel in the storage tank is cleaned by multiple passes through an external circuit on the truck. The fuel from the vessel is sometimes returned to the remnant fuel to be cleaned. The contaminants are discarded. The initial separation shortens the cleaning cycle. A flexible dip tube stiffened by a guide rod allows probing of the storage tank floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Leighton O'Brien Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Stephen Gerard O'Brien, Peter Francis Wagner, Robert James Moore