Patents Examined by Spencer E Bell
  • Lens cleaning via electrowetting
    Patent number: 10908414
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a mass detection circuit coupled to a surface covered with a plurality of electrodes. The mass detection circuit is configured to detect a mass of a first droplet present on the surface. The apparatus further includes a transducer circuit coupled to a transducer, which is coupled to the surface and form a lens unit. The transducer circuit configured to excite a first vibration of the surface at a resonant frequency to form a high displacement region on the surface. The apparatus also includes a voltage excitation circuit coupled to the plurality of electrodes. In response to the detection of the mass of the first droplet, the voltage excitation circuit is configured to apply a sequence of differential voltages on one or more consecutive electrodes which moves the first droplet to the high displacement region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Daniel Lee Revier, Benjamin Stassen Cook, David Patrick Magee, Stephen John Fedigan
  • Pump and dishwasher comprising the same
    Patent number: 10898053
    Abstract: A pump includes a housing, a water inlet pipe coupled to the housing and configured to receive washing water, a water outlet pipe coupled to the housing and configured to discharge washing water, an impeller located in the housing and configured to cause washing water to be transferred from the water inlet pipe to the water outlet pipe, a heater that is coupled to the housing, that is configured to heat washing water in the housing, and that is configured to generate steam based on heating washing water, and a steam discharge pipe coupled to the water outlet pipe and configured to discharge steam generated by the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Youngsoo Kim, Jinhyouk Shin, Minseong Kim
  • Vehicle camera with lens heater and washer system
    Patent number: 10894275
    Abstract: A camera assembly for a vision system for a vehicle includes a camera module configured to be disposed at an exterior portion of the vehicle so as to have a field of view exterior of the vehicle. The camera module includes a housing and a lens barrel supporting a lens. A heating device is configured to attach at an exterior of the lens barrel. The heating device includes a heating element that at least partially circumscribes the lens barrel when the heating device is attached at the lens barrel. The heating device includes an electrical lead configured to electrically connect to an electrical connector of the vehicle when the camera module is disposed at the exterior portion of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Steven V. Byrne, Jonathan D. Conger, Jamie A. Mleczko, Rene Dreiocker
  • Portable sensor validation system
    Patent number: 10890558
    Abstract: A food wash reference fluid delivery apparatus includes a portable reference fluid reservoir comprising an inlet and an outlet and configured to store a reference fluid that includes a predetermined concentration of an analyte, a pump fluidly coupled to the outlet of the portable reference fluid reservoir and configured to pump the reference fluid from the outlet of the portable reference fluid reservoir, a sensor connector configured to fluidly couple with a sensor positioned along a fluid flow path of the food wash system, a sensor fluid line configured to provide the reference fluid from the pump to the sensor connector, an inlet fluid line configured to provide the reference fluid from the pump to the inlet of the portable reference fluid reservoir, and a valve configured to adjustably control a fluid flow rate of the reference fluid through the sensor fluid line and the inlet fluid line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: SMARTWASH SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: James M. Brennan, Eric Child Wilhelmsen, Danny Elmer Lindstrom, Christopher Michael McGinnis
  • Substrate processing apparatus and method of processing substrate
    Patent number: 10882080
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a substrate holding unit having a spin base; a blocking member having a substrate facing surface facing an upper surface of the substrate held by the substrate holding unit and having a diameter larger than the spin base; a blocking member lifting unit raising and lowering the blocking member between a blocking position where a space between the substrate facing surface and the upper surface is blocked from lateral side on the upper surface and a retreat position where the space is not blocked from the lateral side on the upper surface; guards including an inner side and an outer side guards respectively surrounding periphery of the substrate holding unit and surrounding periphery of the inner side guard. An inner circumferential end of the outer side guard is positioned on radial outer side of an inner circumferential end of the inner side guard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michinori Iwao
  • Laundry treatment machine
    Patent number: 10883218
    Abstract: A laundry treatment machine includes a wash tub, a pulsator provided inside the wash tub and to be rotated, a motor to rotate at least one of the wash tub and the pulsator, a clutch to selectively transmit torque of the motor to at least one of the wash tub and the pulsator, a clutch drive unit to control driving of the clutch unit, and a controller to control the motor to repeat rotation and braking in a first direction a first number of times during a first time period after operation of the clutch is changed. With this configuration, in the top-loading type laundry treatment machine, the coupling force of the clutch may be increased when operation of the clutch is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hyunjin Kim, Changwoo Son, Minho Jang
  • Drum-type washing machine
    Patent number: 10876243
    Abstract: A drum-type washing machine includes an outer tub disposed inside a machine housing a drum disposed in the outer tub and capable of rotating about an axis inclined with respect to a horizontal direction as a center; a rotating body disposed in the drum and having a protruding portion on the surface; a driving portion including a driving motor and is configured to transmit a torque of the driving motor to the drum and the rotor so as to rotate the drum and the rotating body at different rotation speeds; and a controlling portion for controlling an operation of the driving portion. The controlling portion is configured to perform a reduction control for reducing a load when a magnitude of the load applied to the rotating body exceeds a predetermined magnitude in a washing process and/or a rinsing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignees: Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co., Ltd., Aqua Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Tanikoshi, Shigeharu Nakamoto, Tomohiro Yamauchi, Takayuki Nagai, Takeya Matsushita, Hiroyuki Kitakawa
  • Panel assembly, dish washer, and electronic appliances
    Patent number: 10874282
    Abstract: A panel assembly including a corner member is provided. The panel assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a frame panel consisting of one sheet of metal plate and having a front surface, an upper surface bent from the front surface, and a side surface bent from the front surface; and a corner member coupled with a gap formed between the upper surface of the frame panel and the side surface of the frame panel, in which the corner member includes an exposed portion exposed to the outside and a buried portion covered with the upper surface or the side surface of the frame panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eun-seok Kim, Jae-woo Lee, Jin-il Jung
  • Stand-alone dishwasher
    Patent number: 10863881
    Abstract: A stand-alone dishwasher for non-plumbed, environmentally friendly dishwashing includes a washer body. A front side has a drain aperture extending through to an inner compartment of the washer body. A lid is coupled to the washer body to cover and alternatively uncover a principal aperture. A plurality of rails is coupled within the inner compartment to support a plurality of racks that is removable through the principal aperture. A floor panel is coupled to the washer body and creates a lower compartment between a bottom side of washer body and the floor panel. A heater is coupled within the lower compartment. The heater is configured to turn water within the inner compartment into steam. A plurality of controls is coupled to the lid. The plurality of controls is in operational communication with the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Inventor: John Young
  • Washing machine and method of controlling the same
    Patent number: 10837134
    Abstract: A washing machine and a method of controlling the same are disclosed. The amount of laundry that is introduced into the washing machine is measured using gravity and inertia applied during the operation of a motor, whereby it is possible to precisely calculate the amount of laundry and to minimize the effects of the initial position of the laundry and the movement of the laundry. In addition, a current value of the motor that is operated is used to measure the amount of laundry without a sensor. Furthermore, precision in determining the amount of laundry is improved, and the amount of laundry is determined within a short time. Consequently, it is easy to commence the spin-drying operation, thereby reducing washing time and saving energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hoonbong Lee, Minho Jang, Jaegwang Bae
  • Coater with automatic cleaning function and coater automatic cleaning method
    Patent number: 10816901
    Abstract: A coater with automatic cleaning function and a coater automatic cleaning method. The coater (100,200,300,400,500,600,700,800) includes a coater chamber (101,201,301,401,501,601,701,801) capable of being filled up with cleaning solution, a substrate chuck (102,202,302,402,502,602,702,802) holding and positioning a substrate (103,203,303,403,503,603,703,803), and at least one shroud (108,208,308,408,508) capable of moving up for preventing photoresist from splashing out of the coater chamber (101,201,301,401,501,601,701,801), or moving down and immersing into the cleaning solution for cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: ACM Research (Shanghai) Inc.
    Inventors: Hui Wang, Fuping Chen, Wenjun Wang, Hongchao Yang, Voha Nuch, Fufa Chen, Jian Wang, Xiaoyan Zhang, Shu Yang
  • Rack mount for a dishwasher appliance
    Patent number: 10813530
    Abstract: A rack mounting assembly for supporting an upper rack assembly within a tub of a dishwasher appliance is provided. The rack mounting assembly includes a mounting body that has features for supporting the upper rack assembly and for begin secured to the tub. The tub also includes various features for facilitating mounting of the mounting body thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin Carl Maddux
  • Laundry treating apparatus
    Patent number: 10815602
    Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus includes a body having a laundry introduction opening of a circular shape; a door configured to open or close the laundry introduction opening and having a display and a circular shape eccentric from the laundry introduction opening; a controller electrically connected to the display and provided at the body; and a hinge mounted to the body, configured to rotatably connect the door to the body, and formed to accommodate therein at least part of an electric wire to electrically connect the controller to the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Yongwoo Kwon, Seungji Yong, Kangwoon Cheon, Jaehoon Choi, Jungjin Park
  • Dispenser for a laundry treating appliance
    Patent number: 10815607
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance with a dispenser and method dispensing where the laundry treating appliance comprises a basket at least partially defining a treating chamber with an open top, a clothes mover rotatable about a vertical axis within the treating chamber, the clothes mover defining an inner chamber and having an access opening to the inner chamber, and a dispenser at least partially received through the access opening and within the inner chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Marcos L. Costa, Diogo M. Rodrigues, Rui Silva
  • Washing machine appliance with smart dispense
    Patent number: 10815606
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance with smart dispensing capability is provided. The washing machine appliance has features that dispense a predetermined volume of wash additive (e.g., a detergent, fabric softener, and/or bleach) based at least in part on the viscosity of the wash additive. Methods for operating the washing machine appliance are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Hans Bensel, Troy Marshall Wright
  • Cleaning system for a polishing film
    Patent number: 10814356
    Abstract: A cleaning system comprises a first cleaning tank, a carrying and moving unit, a first cleaning spray head, and a rolling brush unit. The carrying and moving unit is configured to move a polishing film to be cleaned into the first cleaning tank and hold the polishing film in the first cleaning tank. The first cleaning spray head is configured to spray a cleaning liquid on the polishing film held in the first cleaning tank. The rolling brush unit is configured to brush the polishing film while the first cleaning spray head sprays the cleaning liquid on the polishing film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignees: Tyco Electronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., TE Connectivity Corporation, Innogetic Technology Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Liming Xin, Yun Liu, Fengchun Xie, Dandan Zhang, Roberto Francisco-Yi Lu, Lei Zhou, Kok Wai Wong
  • Washing machine appliances and methods of spin cycle operation
    Patent number: 10801154
    Abstract: Washing machine appliances and methods of operating a washing machine appliance, for instance, during a spin cycle are provided herein. The washing machine appliance may include a tub, a basket, a nozzle, a measurement device mounted to the tub, a motor, a drain pump, and a controller. The basket may be rotatably mounted within the tub. The nozzle may be in fluid communication with the tub to selectively flow liquid thereto. The motor may be in mechanical communication with the basket to selectively rotate the basket within the tub. The drain pump may be in fluid communication with the tub to selectively motivate wash fluid therefrom. The controller may be operative communication with the measurement device, the motor, and the drain pump. The controller may be configured to initiate a washing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: James Quentin Pollett, Darrin R. Smith
  • Washing machine appliances and methods of pump operation
    Patent number: 10801156
    Abstract: Washing machine appliances and methods of operating a pump thereof are provided herein. The washing machine appliance may include a tub, a basket, a nozzle, a measurement device mounted to the tub, a motor, a drain pump, and a controller. The basket may be rotatably mounted within the tub. The nozzle may be in fluid communication with the tub to selectively flow liquid thereto. The motor may be in mechanical communication with the basket to selectively rotate the basket within the tub. The drain pump may be in fluid communication with the tub to selectively motivate wash fluid therefrom. The controller may be operative communication with the measurement device, the motor, and the drain pump. The controller may be configured to initiate a washing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: James Quentin Pollett, Darrin R. Smith
  • Substrate processing apparatus
    Patent number: 10790169
    Abstract: A discharge port 31 is arranged inside a chamber 9. A circulation flow passage 50 circulates a processing liquid, while maintaining the processing liquid at a predetermined temperature. A discharge flow passage 32 is branched from a circulation flow passage 50 to guide the processing liquid to the discharge port 31. A return flow passage 33 is connected to the discharge flow passage 32 inside the chamber 9 and allows the processing liquid running through the discharge flowpassage 32 to flow back to the circulation flow passage 50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoyuki Osada, Koji Hashimoto
  • Method and apparatus for commissioning power plants
    Patent number: 10782015
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for commissioning steam turbine generator power plants to advance the cleanliness of the complete steam cycle by the conditioned discharge of steam to the plant surface condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Boyle Energy Services & Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher J. Bloch