Patents Examined by Samuel A Waldbaum
  • Patent number: 8034191
    Abstract: In order to produce a cleaning plant for cleaning work pieces which comprises at least one cleaning station in which the workpiece is subjected to a cleaning process in such a manner that the cleaning process can be organized in a flexible manner and easily adapted to changes in the workpiece, it is proposed that the cleaning plant should comprise at least one manipulating device which picks up a workpiece prior to treatment in a treatment area of the cleaning station, supplies the workpiece to the treatment process within the treatment area of the cleaning station and passes on the workpiece after the treatment in the treatment area of the cleaning station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Durr Ecoclean GmbH
    Inventors: Hansfried Leyendecker, Robert Pauels
  • Patent number: 8025742
    Abstract: A dishwasher is provided having a controller for switching on or off, or for selection of operational functions for the dishwasher, the controller thus providing improved ease of operation and being relatively unaffected by wear and contamination. The controller has at least one touch-sensitive surface with switching functions allocated to at least one operating function, whereby the switching functions of the touch-sensitive surface may be operated with a light contact and the relevant operating function is then switched on or off, or selected. The touch-sensitive surface of the controller preferably reacts to the change in the electromagnetic field, resulting from a touching of the touch-sensitive surface, whereupon the relevant operating function is switched on or off, or selected. Improved ease of use may be achieved, whereby only a slight effort is required for selection, or to switch on a particular rinsing program, or operating function on the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Rosenbauer, Bernd Schessl
  • Patent number: 8016950
    Abstract: A hydraulic drive type partial inter-tube lancing system for cleaning a steam generator in a nuclear power plant, which removes foreign matter, such as sludge, deposited around heat transfer tubes in the steam generator, is disclosed. More particularly, a hydraulic drive type partial inter-tube lancing system, which serves to clean a steam generator of a light-water reactor in a nuclear power plant by removing sludge, attached inside the steam generator, using high-pressure water, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Korea Electric Power Corporation
    Inventors: Seok Tae Kim, Woo Tae Jeong
  • Patent number: 8015985
    Abstract: A fluid supply pipe is inserted through a motor supporting member, a spin motor, a rotating shaft, and a plate supporting member. A first flange is integrally formed in the vicinity of a curved portion of a straight portion, extending in the vertical direction, of the fluid supply pipe. The first flange is fixed to a motor supporting member. Thus, the fluid supply pipe is fixed to the spin motor through the motor supporting member. The fluid supply pipe has a configuration in which a gas supply pipe made of resin and a plurality of cleaning liquid supply pipes made of resin are accommodated inside a guide pipe made of stainless. Inside the guide pipe, the one gas supply pipe is surrounded by the plurality of cleaning liquid supply pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Sokudo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Hamada, Koji Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 8007598
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing multiple spray zones, including a localized spray zone for an upper rack and a silverware spray zone for a silverware basket, within the wash chamber of a dishwasher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: David Hung-Chih Chen, Brian Lee Greenhaw, Mark D. Kerber, Carl A. Rotter, Jeffrey R. Taylor
  • Patent number: 7993466
    Abstract: In a method for cleaning a material jet spray head having outside material jet spray cycles, an absorbent member and a wiper are positioned so that at least a section of the absorbent member is interposed between the wiper member and a material outlet device. The absorbent member and the wiper member thus form a cleaning assembly. Relative displacement between the cleaning assembly and the material outlet device occurs along a cleaning plane substantially perpendicular to the elevation direction so that the wiper member scrapes the material outlet device substantially simultaneously with absorption by the absorbent member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Gemalto SA
    Inventor: Olivier Aude
  • Patent number: 7984628
    Abstract: When an operation for washing is completed and door is unlocked, water level in a water tank is monitored only for a prescribed time period. When there is no water leakage, monitoring is stopped after the prescribed time period and the power is turned off. When there is a water leakage, water level in the water tank increases. When it is detected that a first water level is reached, the door is locked to prevent opening. After a prescribed time period, the power is turned off while the door is kept locked. If the door cannot be locked, the door lock error is notified and the water collected in the water tank is drained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Nishio, Kazuhiko Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 7975514
    Abstract: A drum type washing machine including a balancer capable of rapidly reducing vibration of a spin tub. The drum type washing machine includes a spin tub which is rotated by receiving rotational force from a driving motor through a rotating shaft, a rear balancer having an annular shape and being coupled to the spin tub, and a shaft flange provided at a center portion thereof with the rotating shaft and coupled to the spin tub so as to uniformly transfer the rotational force to the spin tub. The rear balancer is supported on a rear surface of a rear cover by the shaft flange. Thus, the balls accommodated in the balancer are prevented from moving out of the balancer, even if the balancer is broken due to long-period use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ja Young Kim, Ito Michiaki, Doo Young Ryu, Myung Sun Kang
  • Patent number: 7963292
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dish washing machine that is capable of preventing the unintentional drainage of some wash water by the increase of the water pressure in a sump due to the excessive accumulation of filth in the sump. The dish washing machine includes a washing tub, at least one injection nozzle disposed in the washing tub, a sump disposed in the washing tub to forward wash water to the at least one injection nozzle, a guide pipe connected between the sump and the at least one injection nozzle, and a bypass pipe, diverging from a portion of the guide pipe, connected to the sump to bypass the wash water in the sump to the guide pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shimotera Kennichi, Jung Chan Ryu, Young Ho Kwon, Sung Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 7954345
    Abstract: A washing machine to guarantee easy mounting or separation of an ornamental panel and prevent the coming off or distortion of door trims. The washing machine includes a body having a laundry opening, a door mounted to the body to open or close the laundry opening and having a rim, an ornamental panel mounted to an outer surface of the door, a plurality of door trims coupled to the rim of the door supporting the ornamental panel, and a coupling device coupling of the door trims. The coupling device includes a plurality of holding recesses formed in the rim of the door and spaced apart from one another, and a plurality of holding hooks protruding from an inner surface of the respective door trims to be introduced into and caught by the holding recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong Won Park
  • Patent number: 7946300
    Abstract: A rinse water heating device for a dish washer includes a water tank for storing a rinse water used for washing dishes, a rinse water tank divided from the water tank by a separation plate positioned at a lower portion of the water tank, partitions installed in the rinse water tank to form a rinse water guide path in a zigzag pattern, a heater installed along the rinse water guide path, and an inlet pipe installed to introduce water in the water tank into the rinse water tank. The water tank and the rinse water tank are divided from each other, so this device may subsequently heat a small amount of water in the rinse water tank within a short time. Therefore, the rinse water heating device allows an automatic dish washer to wash dishes with enhanced sterilizing, cleaning and drying abilities, thereby ensuring effective rinsing and washing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Inventors: Jong-Deuk Kim, Chun-Ho Yuk, Heun-Kam Lee
  • Patent number: 7946299
    Abstract: A spray cleaning device having an atomizing unit with at least one gas passage and at least one cleaning fluid passage converging into a atomizing area. The gas flowing though the gas passage and the cleaning fluid flowing through the cleaning fluid passages combine to form a mixture at the atomizing area. The accelerating unit has an acceleration passage for spraying the mixture onto a substrate surface. The gas passages are preferably angled with respect to the cleaning acceleration passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Inventors: Cole Franklin, Mark Rouillard, Yan Fan
  • Patent number: 7942026
    Abstract: A washing machine that has at least one balancer that increases durability by reinforcing the strength of the balancer and is installed on a rotating tub in a rapid and convenient way. The balancer includes first and second housings that have an annular shape and are fused to form a closed internal space, and the first housing including at least one support for reinforcing the strength of the balancer. A spin tub includes an annular recess corresponding to the balancer so as to be coupled with the balancer. The support protrudes from the first housing and comes into contact with a wall of the recess and guides the balancer to be maintained in the recess in place. The supports are integrally molded to the first housing at predetermined intervals along at least a first wall of the first housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Doo Young Ryu, Ja Young Kim, Ito Michiaki, Myung Sun Kang
  • Patent number: 7938131
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser for use in the processing of substrates. The dispenser has a dome shaped body with a convex upper surface and has a number of conduits designed to supply fluid to the surface of a substrate at predetermined points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Inventors: Christopher Hahn, Hanjoo Lee
  • Patent number: 7930912
    Abstract: A washing machine having a lifter is disclosed. The washing machine comprises a housing; a tub provided in the housing and holding washing water therein; a drum rotatably mounted in the tub and receiving laundry therein; and a lifter mounted to an inner surface of the drum to lift the laundry while rotating along with the drum, wherein the lifter is formed to have a nonlinear shape, and wherein the lifter is oriented such that a centerline thereof forms a predetermined angle with respect to a rotational axis of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kyu Hwan Lee, Hee Tae Lim, Jae Hyun Choi, Ig Geun Kwon
  • Patent number: 7921492
    Abstract: A method of controlling a laundry treatment machine is provided in which a siphon phenomenon may be detected before performing a requested laundry treatment operation by performing an intermittent water supply operation and detecting a variation, if any, in a water level in a tub of a washing machine. Such a method may prevent was water form being discharged due to a siphon phenomenon, prevent the waste of wash water, and minimize the amount of time taken to discharge wash water and perform a washing operation. Such a method may also prevent the waste of detergent by using a water supply valve for a pre-washing operation to detect the siphon phenomenon. Such a method may also prevent a water supply failure from being mistaken as a siphon phenomenon by keeping a water supply valve open for a predefined amount of time and then detecting a variation, if any, in the water level in the tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Sang Il Hwang
  • Patent number: 7918109
    Abstract: A steam generator having a steam generation tube defining a chamber for receiving water and converting the water to steam, and a heating element wrapped around the tube and having a first portion emitting a greater thermal output than a second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Pinkowski, Alvaro Vallejo Noriega, Markus Beck, Karl Furderer, Floyd G. Jackson
  • Patent number: 7913705
    Abstract: The present invention is related to an improved cleaning cup arrangement for CMP systems that efficiently and effectively removes most, if not all, of any slurry material present on the abrasive conditioning disk and conditioner head as they are resting in the cup between conditioning cycles. The cleaning cup of the present invention includes an underside water knife for directing a high velocity stream of cleaning fluid against the rotating abrasive disk (or conditioning brush, which may be used instead of a disk) surface, and at least a pair of spray stems for directing columns of cleaning fluid with sufficient cleaning force against all exposed portions of the conditioner head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: TBW Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Benner
  • Patent number: 7913340
    Abstract: A control system for a motor-driven washing machine. The control system includes an electrical motor; a driving unit that applies an input voltage to the motor to drive the motor; a voltmeter that measures a reverse voltage generated by the motor for each predetermined period; and a microprocessor reducing a speed of the motor if the measured reverse voltage is less than or equal to a predetermined voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Bon Kwon Koo, Kwon Ki Hong, Jae Cheol Lyu, Woon Yong Lee, Jong Chul Bang, Min Jin Oh, Kweon Son, Jong Ho Kim, In Haeng Cho
  • Patent number: 7905239
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning an article comprises: a solution receptacle (12) for storing cleaning solution (100); a cleaning chamber (16) for receiving an article (P) to clean; a material transporting conduit including a solution conduit (14) connected between the solution receptacle and the cleaning chamber for transporting the cleaning solution from the solution receptacle to the cleaning chamber to apply to the article received in the cleaning chamber, the material transporting conduit further including an air conduit (44) connected to a high-pressure air source (42) for transporting the high-pressure air there-through and to apply to the article; and a heating device (30) coupled with the solution conduit (14) and the air conduit (44) for heating both the cleaning solution in the solution conduit and the high-pressure air in the air conduit concurrently and to a heated temperature prior to applying to the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Inventor: Sung-Il Kim