Patents by Inventor Alan Joseph Mitchell
Alan Joseph Mitchell 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).
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Patent number: 11920847Abstract: An icemaker appliance includes a cabinet forming an ice storage compartment, an ice maker provided in the ice storage compartment, a first reservoir storing liquid, a filter nested within the first reservoir, and a circulation system to deliver the liquid from the first reservoir to the ice maker. The liquid not frozen on the ice maker is filtered through the filter and resupplied to the circulation system.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2021Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Alan Joseph Mitchell, Brent Alden Junge
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Patent number: 11885551Abstract: An icemaker assembly includes a mold body defining a plurality of cavities. A working fluid line is directly attached to the mold body, and a drain duct is disposed below the mold body. A defrost heating element is positioned below the mold body and within the drain duct. The defrost heating element is spaced from the mold body, and the defrost heating element is operable to melt frost on the mold body with radiant heat from the defrost heating element. A related appliance is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2021Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventor: Alan Joseph Mitchell
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Patent number: 11867444Abstract: An icemaker appliance includes a first reservoir, a second reservoir, a first circulation system associated with the first reservoir, and a second circulation system associated with the second reservoir. Liquid in the first reservoir is directed toward a first set of ice molds and liquid from the second reservoir is directed toward a second set of ice molds. Liquid in the first reservoir is selectively supplied to the second reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2021Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Brent Alden Junge, Alan Joseph Mitchell
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Publication number: 20230332816Abstract: A refrigerator appliance may include a cabinet, a liner, a thermodynamic assembly, an air conduit, a heat exchange (HE) sleeve, a conductive ice mold, and a water dispenser. The liner may define an icebox (IB) compartment. The air conduit may be disposed within the IB compartment to define a conduit path between a conduit inlet and a conduit outlet downstream from the conduit inlet. The heat exchange (HE) sleeve may be disposed along the air conduit between the conduit inlet and the conduit outlet. The HE sleeve may include a conductive panel extending across the conduit path. The conductive ice mold may be mounted to the HE sleeve within the IB compartment. The conductive ice mold may define a mold cavity outside of the air conduit. The water dispenser may be positioned below the conductive ice mold to direct an ice-building spray of water to the mold cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2022Publication date: October 19, 2023Inventors: Brent Alden Junge, Bart Andrew Nuss, Alan Joseph Mitchell
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Patent number: 11725443Abstract: A domestic appliance may include a cabinet, a door, and a linear hinge coupling the door to the cabinet. The linear hinge may include a bearing assembly, an elongated shaft, a door linkage, and a cabinet linkage. The bearing assembly may be mounted to the cabinet. The elongated shaft may be received within the bearing assembly and slidable along a translation axis on the bearing assembly. The elongated shaft may define a first shaft pivot axis perpendicular to the translation axis and a second shaft pivot axis parallel to the first shaft pivot axis. The door linkage may couple the door to the elongated shaft. The door linkage may be pivotally connected to the elongated shaft at the first shaft pivot axis. The cabinet linkage may couple the cabinet to the elongated shaft. The cabinet linkage may be pivotally connected to the elongated shaft at the second shaft pivot axis.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2020Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Tanner Davis Gunn, Bart Andrew Nuss, Alan Joseph Mitchell
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Publication number: 20230221053Abstract: An ice making assembly for a refrigerated appliance includes a mold body including an upper mold and a lower mold coupled to the upper mold, the mold body defining a cavity for the formation of an ice shape; a mold frame at least partially surrounding the mold body, the first upper mold piece and the second upper mold piece being coupled together via the mold frame; an ejector positioned adjacent to the mold body, the ejector being rotatable together with the mold body and the mold frame between a first position and a second position; and a motor for rotating the mold body, the mold frame, and the ejector between the first position and the second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2022Publication date: July 13, 2023Inventor: Alan Joseph Mitchell
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Publication number: 20230213257Abstract: An ice making assembly for a refrigerator appliance includes a resilient mold defining a mold cavity and a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the resilient mold to freeze water and form one or more ice cubes therein. The ice making assembly also includes a lifter mechanism positioned below the resilient mold for selectively deforming the mold and raising the ice cubes formed therein. A resilient seal is sealingly engaged with the lifter mechanism and the heat exchanger, whereby an air-tight seal is formed between the lifter mechanism and the resilient seal and between the heat exchanger and the resilient seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2022Publication date: July 6, 2023Inventors: Alan Joseph Mitchell, Chaitanya Krishna Karanam
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Publication number: 20230168021Abstract: An icemaker appliance includes a cabinet forming an ice storage compartment; an ice maker provided within the cabinet; a first reservoir provided below the ice maker; a second reservoir provided below the ice storage compartment; and a circulation system in fluid communication with the first reservoir and the second reservoir. The circulation system includes a return line conduit; a first pump connected to the return line conduit to pump the liquid from the second reservoir to the first reservoir; and a cleanout line conduit in fluid communication with the first pump, wherein the first pump selectively pumps the liquid from the second reservoir through the cleanout line conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2021Publication date: June 1, 2023Inventors: Alan Joseph Mitchell, Brent Alden Junge, Stephanos Kyriacou
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Patent number: 11662129Abstract: An icemaker appliance and a method for making clear ice are provided. The icemaking apparatus includes a cabinet forming an ice storage compartment. A reservoir is provided within the ice storage compartment. A liquid supply conduit is configured to supply liquid to the reservoir. An ice mold is configured to freeze liquid at the ice mold. A nozzle is configured to dispense the liquid from the reservoir to the ice mold. A controller is configured to execute instructions that perform operations. The operations include dispensing, from a body of liquid at the reservoir, a flow of liquid toward the ice mold; freezing, at the ice mold, a first portion of the flow of liquid received from dispensing the flow of liquid to the ice mold; providing, to the reservoir, a second portion of the flow of liquid dispensed toward the ice mold; and providing, from the liquid supply conduit to the reservoir, a supply of liquid after dispensing the flow of liquid toward the ice mold.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2021Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Brent Alden Junge, Alan Joseph Mitchell
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Patent number: 11654383Abstract: A filter cartridge assembly for an ice making appliance having a rectilinear filter cartridge with a plurality of partitions that are positioned within an internal chamber, form multiple sub-chambers, and create a non-linear pathway for the flow of water through the filter cartridge. Filter media positioned in the sub-chambers of the filter cartridge are configured to remove dissolved solids from water travelling through the filter cartridge and used by the appliance to create ice, including clear ice.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2020Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Alan Joseph Mitchell, Stephanos Kyriacou, Brent Alden Junge
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Publication number: 20230138774Abstract: An icemaker appliance and a method for making clear ice are provided. The icemaking apparatus includes a cabinet forming an ice storage compartment. A reservoir is provided within the ice storage compartment. A liquid supply conduit is configured to supply liquid to the reservoir. An ice mold is configured to freeze liquid at the ice mold. A nozzle is configured to dispense the liquid from the reservoir to the ice mold. A controller is configured to execute instructions that perform operations. The operations include dispensing, from a body of liquid at the reservoir, a flow of liquid toward the ice mold; freezing, at the ice mold, a first portion of the flow of liquid received from dispensing the flow of liquid to the ice mold; providing, to the reservoir, a second portion of the flow of liquid dispensed toward the ice mold; and providing, from the liquid supply conduit to the reservoir, a supply of liquid after dispensing the flow of liquid toward the ice mold.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2021Publication date: May 4, 2023Inventors: Brent Alden Junge, Alan Joseph Mitchell
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Publication number: 20230003431Abstract: An icemaker appliance includes a first reservoir, a second reservoir, a first circulation system associated with the first reservoir, and a second circulation system associated with the second reservoir. Liquid in the first reservoir is directed toward a first set of ice molds and liquid from the second reservoir is directed toward a second set of ice molds. Liquid in the first reservoir is selectively supplied to the second reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2021Publication date: January 5, 2023Inventors: Brent Alden Junge, Alan Joseph Mitchell
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Patent number: 11543167Abstract: An ice making assembly for a refrigerated appliance can include a mold defining a chamber for the formation of an ice shape, the mold rotatable between a first position and a second position. An ejector may be positioned adjacent to the mold and is rotatable with the mold between the first position and the second position. The ejector can be configured to push the ice shape out of the chamber through an opening as the mold rotates between the first position and the second position.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2021Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventor: Alan Joseph Mitchell
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Publication number: 20220412630Abstract: An icemaker appliance includes a cabinet forming an ice storage compartment, an ice maker provided in the ice storage compartment, a first reservoir storing liquid, a filter nested within the first reservoir, and a circulation system to deliver the liquid from the first reservoir to the ice maker. The liquid not frozen on the ice maker is filtered through the filter and resupplied to the circulation system.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2021Publication date: December 29, 2022Inventors: Alan Joseph Mitchell, Brent Alden Junge
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Publication number: 20220373243Abstract: An icemaker assembly includes a mold body defining a plurality of cavities. A working fluid line is directly attached to the mold body, and a drain duct is disposed below the mold body. A defrost heating element is positioned below the mold body and within the drain duct. The defrost heating element is spaced from the mold body, and the defrost heating element is operable to melt frost on the mold body with radiant heat from the defrost heating element. A related appliance is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2021Publication date: November 24, 2022Inventor: Alan Joseph Mitchell
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Patent number: 11486623Abstract: An ice maker for a refrigerator appliance includes an ice making assembly defining a receiving chamber in fluid communication with an air duct and a mold assembly removably mounted to the ice making assembly. The mold assembly includes a frame configured for receipt within the receiving chamber of the ice making assembly, a heat exchanger mounted to the frame and defining a mold support surface, and a flexible mold positioned on the mold support surface that is supported by the heat exchanger such that the flexible mold is in thermal communication with the heat exchanger and defines a mold cavity configured to receive a liquid. The mold assembly is replaceable with alternate mold assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2020Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventor: Alan Joseph Mitchell
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Publication number: 20220316782Abstract: An ice making assembly for a refrigerated appliance can include a mold defining a chamber for the formation of an ice shape, the mold rotatable between a first position and a second position. An ejector may be positioned adjacent to the mold and is rotatable with the mold between the first position and the second position. The ejector can be configured to push the ice shape out of the chamber through an opening as the mold rotates between the first position and the second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2021Publication date: October 6, 2022Inventor: Alan Joseph Mitchell
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Patent number: 11460232Abstract: An icemaker appliance includes a cabinet forming an ice storage compartment, a first reservoir provided within the ice storage compartment, a circulation system arranged within the first reservoir, an ice maker provided within the first reservoir to dispense ice into the ice storage compartment, a second reservoir connected to the ice storage compartment, a return line conduit connected to the second reservoir and the first reservoir to direct melt water from the second reservoir to the first reservoir, a second pump provided at the second reservoir to pump melt water through the return line conduit, and a cleanout line having a first end connected to the second reservoir and a second end exposed outside of the cabinet.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2020Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Alan Joseph Mitchell, Brent Alden Junge, Stephanos Kyriacou
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Patent number: 11421927Abstract: A refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance includes a fresh food compartment, an ice storage compartment within the fresh food compartment and insulated from the fresh food compartment, a sealed system configured to circulate a refrigerant through a refrigerant conduit; an ice maker positioned in the fresh food compartment and being in direct thermal communication with the sealed system, and an insulated door configured to open and close the ice storage compartment to selectively allow ice from the icemaker to enter the ice storage compartment. Methods of using the refrigerator appliance are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2020Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventor: Alan Joseph Mitchell
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Publication number: 20220178187Abstract: A domestic appliance may include a cabinet, a door, and a linear hinge coupling the door to the cabinet. The linear hinge may include a bearing assembly, an elongated shaft, a door linkage, and a cabinet linkage. The bearing assembly may be mounted to the cabinet. The elongated shaft may be received within the bearing assembly and slidable along a translation axis on the bearing assembly. The elongated shaft may define a first shaft pivot axis perpendicular to the translation axis and a second shaft pivot axis parallel to the first shaft pivot axis. The door linkage may couple the door to the elongated shaft. The door linkage may be pivotally connected to the elongated shaft at the first shaft pivot axis. The cabinet linkage may couple the cabinet to the elongated shaft. The cabinet linkage may be pivotally connected to the elongated shaft at the second shaft pivot axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2020Publication date: June 9, 2022Inventors: Tanner Davis Gunn, Bart Andrew Nuss, Alan Joseph Mitchell