Patents by Inventor Aaron Lee Welch

Aaron Lee Welch 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).

  • Publication number: 20230160122
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance including a ventilation structure. A vent line is at a wash tub. A vent filter is provided to the vent line that allows air to flow from the wash tub, and through the vent line, the vent filter redirecting cleaning fluids impinging on the vent filter back toward the wash tub. The vent filter may include a plurality of louvers. The louvers may be located adjacent to one another so as to form a plurality of openings for the flow of air from the wash tub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2021
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: FikreAdam Abebe Damtew, Aaron Lee Welch, S. Neil Malone, James Quentin Pollett, Rushikesh Nandkumar Salvi
  • Publication number: 20230104087
    Abstract: Washing machine appliances and methods of operating the same are provided. Such methods may include, and/or appliances may be configured for, performing a wash operation on laundry articles received in the wash chamber of the wash basket. After the wash operation, it may be determined that the load of articles is still wet, e.g., that a remaining moisture content of the laundry articles is above a threshold. Based on and in response to determining that the load is still wet, a spin cycle is performed before a beginning of a subsequent wash operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Ryan James Scheckelhoff, Aaron Lee Welch, Kenneth G. Rudolph
  • Publication number: 20220341079
    Abstract: A method of operating a washing appliance includes obtaining images of a wash chamber using a camera assembly while the wash basket is tumbling a load of clothes positioned therein. The one or more images are analyzed using a machine learning image recognition process to determine a tumble condition of the load of clothes in the wash basket, e.g., whether the clothes are tumbling in the wash basket in a manner that generates suitable mechanical washing action. The motor assembly is then used to adjust a basket speed based at least in part on determining that the tumble condition deviates from a target tumble condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Khalid Jamal Mashal, Gregory Allen Dedow, Aaron Lee Welch
  • Publication number: 20220298694
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance may include a tub, a basket, a valve, a spout, a dispenser, a motor, and a controller. The basket may be rotatably mounted and define a chamber for receipt of articles for washing. The valve may be disposed upstream from the tub. The spout may be directed at the tub downstream from the valve. The dispenser may be upstream from the tub for dispensing detergent into the tub. The motor may be in mechanical communication with the basket. The controller may be configured for controlling the washing machine appliance. The controller may be configured to initiate an oversuds-sensitive operation. The oversuds-sensitive operation may include detecting one or more resultant conditions from one or more previous wash cycles of the washing machine appliance, determining an adjusted operating parameter based on the detected resultant conditions, and directing detergent dispensing according to the adjusted operating parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Aaron Lee Welch, Ryan James Scheckelhoff, Ryan Ellis Leonard
  • Patent number: 11280043
    Abstract: Additive dispensing, as provided herein, may include opening a water supply valve for a first index according to a predetermined fill index and directing a wash additive from an additive dispenser to a water supply conduit during an additive segment. The method may also include blocking the wash additive from the additive dispenser to the water supply conduit during a non-additive segment, detecting a fluid level within a wash tub following the first index, and comparing the detected fluid level to a target fluid level. The method may further include opening the water supply valve for a second index based on comparing the detected fluid level within the wash tub to the target fluid level, directing the wash additive from the additive dispenser to the water supply conduit during an additive segment, and blocking the wash additive from the additive dispenser to the water supply conduit during a non-additive segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Lee Welch
  • Publication number: 20210222339
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a wash tub defining a wash chamber and an intake and exhaust duct that are fluidly coupled to the wash chamber. A fan is operably coupled to one of these ducts for urging a flow of air through the wash chamber. A controller is configured for determining that a wash cycle has finished and operating the fan according to a periodic fan schedule, the periodic fan schedule comprising an ON time and an OFF time of the fan, to urge the flow of air through the wash chamber and out the exhaust duct to lower a humidity within the wash chamber and the gasket, e.g., to reduce mold and mildew growth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Rushikesh Salvi, Aaron Lee Welch
  • Publication number: 20210079582
    Abstract: Additive dispensing, as provided herein, may include opening a water supply valve for a first index according to a predetermined fill index and directing a wash additive from an additive dispenser to a water supply conduit during an additive segment. The method may also include blocking the wash additive from the additive dispenser to the water supply conduit during a non-additive segment, detecting a fluid level within a wash tub following the first index, and comparing the detected fluid level to a target fluid level. The method may further include opening the water supply valve for a second index based on comparing the detected fluid level within the wash tub to the target fluid level, directing the wash additive from the additive dispenser to the water supply conduit during an additive segment, and blocking the wash additive from the additive dispenser to the water supply conduit during a non-additive segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventor: Aaron Lee Welch
  • Patent number: 10947658
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance and a method of selectively draining a sump of the washing machine appliance at the start of an operating cycle is provided. The method includes determining that the drain pump assembly has drained wash fluid from the sump, e.g., by checking to see whether an empty sump flag has been set in the controller. In addition, the method includes determining that a water supply valve has not been opened since the wash fluid was drained from the sump and that a sump pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure, e.g., indicating that water is in sump that was not intentionally added by the water supply valve. The drain pump assembly is then operated to perform a drain cycle at the beginning of a subsequent operating cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan James Scheckelhoff, Aaron Lee Welch
  • Patent number: 10829885
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a sump for collecting wash fluid and a drain pump assembly for selectively draining that wash fluid in response to sump pressures measured by a water level detection system. Specifically, a controller is configured for operating the drain pump assembly to perform a drain cycle and obtaining a sump pressure after the drain cycle. A variable flag is set to a first state if the measured pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure, which indicates that a certain amount of wash fluid is present in the sump. During a subsequent operating cycle, the drain pump assembly will be operated at the start of the cycle only if the variable flag was set to the first state during the prior operating cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Lee Welch
  • Publication number: 20200040512
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a sump for collecting wash fluid and a drain pump assembly for selectively draining that wash fluid in response to sump pressures measured by a water level detection system. Specifically, a controller is configured for operating the drain pump assembly to perform a drain cycle and obtaining a sump pressure after the drain cycle. A variable flag is set to a first state if the measured pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure, which indicates that a certain amount of wash fluid is present in the sump. During a subsequent operating cycle, the drain pump assembly will be operated at the start of the cycle only if the variable flag was set to the first state during the prior operating cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventor: Aaron Lee Welch
  • Publication number: 20200040511
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance and a method of selectively draining a sump of the washing machine appliance at the start of an operating cycle is provided. The method includes determining that the drain pump assembly has drained wash fluid from the sump, e.g., by checking to see whether an empty sump flag has been set in the controller. In addition, the method includes determining that a water supply valve has not been opened since the wash fluid was drained from the sump and that a sump pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure, e.g., indicating that water is in sump that was not intentionally added by the water supply valve. The drain pump assembly is then operated to perform a drain cycle at the beginning of a subsequent operating cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Ryan James Scheckelhoff, Aaron Lee Welch
  • Publication number: 20190360144
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance, including methods of operation therefor, are provided herein. The washing machine appliance may include a cabinet, a tub positioned within the cabinet, a wash basket, a ventilation line, and a vent damper. The wash basket may be rotatably mounted within the tub. The wash basket may define a wash chamber for receiving articles for washing. The ventilation line may define an air path from the tub to an ambient environment outside of the cabinet. The vent damper may be positioned along ventilation line in fluid communication therewith. The vent damper may be selectively movable between a first position restricting airflow through the ventilation line and a second position permitting airflow through the ventilation line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Nathaniel Lee Min Sheeran, Thomas Earl McKeehan, JR., Aaron Lee Welch
  • Patent number: 9103062
    Abstract: An appliance is provided with features for preventing fluid additive drying in a conduit of the appliance. The appliance includes a tip configured for receipt of a cover fluid. The cover fluid is disposed within the tip such that the cover fluid deters evaporation of fluid additive in the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Aaron Lee Welch
  • Patent number: 8850856
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided herein. The apparatus includes, a clothes basket rotatable about an axis, a motor coupled to the clothes basket, an additive tank, a Venturi component comprising a hole connecting to a water inlet, a hole connecting to the additive tank, and a hole connecting to the clothes basket, a first valve, a second valve, and a processor coupled to the first valve and the second valve, the processor being operative to carry out a dispensing phase of the apparatus, wherein the dispensing phase comprises dispensing additive to the clothes basket, and carry out a self-cleaning phase of the apparatus, wherein the self-cleaning phase comprises washing the additive tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alexander Leibman, Alaknanda Acharya, David Scott Dunn, Jerrod Aaron Kappler, Aaron Lee Welch
  • Patent number: 8821647
    Abstract: Cleaning of a bulk dispense system of an appliance is provided. The appliance can include a user accessible compartment whereby the bulk dispense system is connected to a supply of a cleaning fluid. The appliance can be activated so as to flow the cleaning fluid through the bulk dispense system to help clean the system by e.g., removing particulates of detergent, fabric softener, and/or other undesirable matter that may be in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Nils Naber, Bryan T. Snook, Aaron Lee Welch, Todd Anthony Reger
  • Publication number: 20130219972
    Abstract: The present subject matter provides an appliance with a base or pedestal that defines a cavity. A reservoir configured for receipt of a fluid additive (e.g., detergent) is disposed in the cavity such that the reservoir is accessible from outside of the cavity. The reservoir is in fluid communication with a wash chamber of the appliance such that fluid additive from reservoir may be selectively delivered to the wash chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Adam Raymond Mora, Christopher G. Hoppe, Venkata Naidu Kakileti, Aaron Lee Welch, Venkatesh Panneerselvam
  • Publication number: 20130213441
    Abstract: Cleaning of a bulk dispense system of an appliance is provided. The appliance can include a user accessible compartment whereby the bulk dispense system is connected to a supply of a cleaning fluid. The appliance can be activated so as to flow the cleaning fluid through the bulk dispense system to help clean the system by e.g., removing particulates of detergent, fabric softener, and/or other undesirable matter that may be in the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher Nils Naber, Bryan T. Snook, Aaron Lee Welch, Todd Anthony Reger
  • Publication number: 20130186151
    Abstract: An appliance is provided with features for preventing fluid additive drying in a conduit of the appliance. The appliance includes a tip configured for receipt of a cover fluid. The cover fluid is disposed within the tip such that the cover fluid deters evaporation of fluid additive in the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Aaron Lee Welch
  • Publication number: 20120151970
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided herein. The apparatus includes, a clothes basket rotatable about an axis, a motor coupled to the clothes basket, an additive tank, a Venturi component comprising a hole connecting to a water inlet, a hole connecting to the additive tank, and a hole connecting to the clothes basket, a first valve, a second valve, and a processor coupled to the first valve and the second valve, the processor being operative to carry out a dispensing phase of the apparatus, wherein the dispensing phase comprises dispensing additive to the clothes basket, and carry out a self-cleaning phase of the apparatus, wherein the self-cleaning phase comprises washing the additive tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Alexander LEIBMAN, Alaknanda Acharya, David Scott Dunn, Jerrod Aaron Kappler, Aaron Lee Welch