Patents by Inventor Brent A. Koppenhaver

Brent A. Koppenhaver 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).

  • Patent number: 11486625
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the cabinet, an ice compartment disposed within the cabinet, and an electronic control system associated with the refrigerator and adapted to monitor and control the fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment and the ice compartment. The control system provides for energy efficient control and operation through various means, including by monitoring state of an ice maker associated with the ice compartment and controlling temperature within compartments of the refrigerator based on the ice maker state. A damper controls air flow between the fresh food and freezer compartments. The control system can direct heat to the damper if the damper becomes frozen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Wetekamp, Kyle B. Van Meter, Alan G. Tarrant, Ryan D. Schuchart, Mauro M. Oliveira, Alvin V. Miller, Brent A. Koppenhaver, Carl J. Franken, Nelson J. Ferragut, II, Tim L. Coulter, Greg Berardi, Thomas Carl Anell
  • Publication number: 20200378675
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the cabinet, an ice compartment disposed within the cabinet, and an electronic control system associated with the refrigerator and adapted to monitor and control the fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment and the ice compartment. The control system provides for energy efficient control and operation through various means, including by monitoring state of an ice maker associated with the ice compartment and controlling temperature within compartments of the refrigerator based on the ice maker state. A damper controls air flow between the fresh food and freezer compartments. The control system can direct heat to the damper if the damper becomes frozen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Robert L. Wetekamp, Kyle B. Van Meter, Alan G. Tarrant, Ryan D. Schuchart, Mauro M. Oliveira, Alvin V. Miller, Brent A. Koppenhaver, Carl J. Franken, Nelson J. Ferragut, II, Tim L. Coulter, Greg Berardi, Thomas Carl Anell
  • Patent number: 10775092
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the cabinet, an ice compartment disposed within the cabinet, and an electronic control system associated with the refrigerator and adapted to monitor and control the fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment and the ice compartment. The control system provides for energy efficient control and operation through various means, including by monitoring state of an ice maker associated with the ice compartment and controlling temperature within compartments of the refrigerator based on the ice maker state. A damper controls air flow between the fresh food and freezer compartments. The control system can direct heat to the damper if the damper becomes frozen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert L. Wetekamp, Kyle B. Van Meter, Alan G. Tarrant, Ryan D. Schuchart, Mauro M. Oliveira, Alvin V. Miller, Brent A. Koppenhaver, Carl J. Franken, Nelson J. Ferragut, II, Tim L. Coulter, Greg Berardi, Thomas Carl Anell
  • Publication number: 20180073795
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the cabinet, an ice compartment disposed within the cabinet, and an electronic control system associated with the refrigerator and adapted to monitor and control the fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment and the ice compartment. The control system provides for energy efficient control and operation through various means, including by monitoring state of an ice maker associated with the ice compartment and controlling temperature within compartments of the refrigerator based on the ice maker state. A damper controls air flow between the fresh food and freezer compartments. The control system can direct heat to the damper if the damper becomes frozen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Robert L. WETEKAMP, Kyle B. VAN METER, Alan G. TARRANT, Ryan D. SCHUCHART, Mauro M. OLIVEIRA, Alvin V. MILLER, Brent A. KOPPENHAVER, Carl J. FRANKEN, Nelson J. FERRAGUT, Tim L. COULTER, Greg BERARDI, Thomas Carl ANELL
  • Patent number: 9879898
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the cabinet, an ice compartment disposed within the cabinet, and an electronic control system associated with the refrigerator and adapted to monitor and control the fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment and the ice compartment. The control system provides for energy efficient control and operation through various means, including by monitoring state of an ice maker associated with the ice compartment and controlling temperature within compartments of the refrigerator based on the ice maker state. A damper controls air flow between the fresh food and freezer compartments. The control system can direct heat to the damper if the damper becomes frozen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Wetekamp, Kyle B. Van Meter, Alan G. Tarrant, Ryan D. Schuchart, Mauro M. Oliveira, Alvin V. Miller, Brent A. Koppenhaver, Carl J. Franken, Nelson J. Ferragut, II, Tim L. Coulter, Greg Berardi, Thomas Carl Anell
  • Patent number: 9733008
    Abstract: Air flow designs for controlling the temperature in a temperature controlled compartment in a refrigerator are disclosed. One configuration includes a refrigerator with a cabinet having a freezer compartment and refrigerator compartment. The refrigerator may be configured with a first air return pathway between the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment for returning relatively warm air from the refrigerator compartment to the freezer compartment and a second air return pathway between the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment. A fan may be associated with the first or second air return pathway, that when activated the first or second air return pathway acts as an air supply pathway to supply cold air from the freezer compartment to the refrigerator compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Brent Koppenhaver
  • Publication number: 20140273795
    Abstract: Air flow designs for controlling the temperature in a temperature controlled compartment in a refrigerator are disclosed. One configuration includes a refrigerator with a cabinet having a freezer compartment and refrigerator compartment. The refrigerator may be configured with a first air return pathway between the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment for returning relatively warm air from the refrigerator compartment to the freezer compartment and a second air return pathway between the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment. A fan may be associated with the first or second air return pathway, that when activated the first or second air return pathway acts as an air supply pathway to supply cold air from the freezer compartment to the refrigerator compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: BRENT KOPPENHAVER
  • Patent number: 7900465
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the cabinet, an ice compartment disposed within the cabinet, and an electronic control system associated with the refrigerator and adapted to monitor and control the fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment and the ice compartment. The control system provides for energy efficient control and operation through various means, including by monitoring state of an ice maker associated with the ice compartment and controlling temperature within compartments of the refrigerator based on the ice maker state. A damper controls air flow between the fresh food and freezer compartments. The control system can direct heat to the damper if the damper becomes frozen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Wetekamp, Kyle B. Van Meter, Alan G. Tarrant, Ryan D. Schuchart, Mauro M. Oliveira, Alvin V. Miller, Brent A. Koppenhaver, Carl J. Franken, Nelson J. Ferragut, II, Tim L. Coulter, Greg Berardi, Thomas Carl Anell
  • Patent number: 7891198
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the cabinet, an ice compartment disposed within the cabinet, and an electronic control system associated with the refrigerator and adapted to monitor and control the fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment and the ice compartment. The control system provides for energy efficient control and operation through various means, including adjusting cut-in and cut-out temperatures of the cooling system to control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Wetekamp, Kyle B. Van Meter, Alan G. Tarrant, Ryan D. Schuchart, Mauro M. Oliveira, Alvin V. Miller, Brent A. Koppenhaver, Carl J. Franken, Nelson J. Ferragut, II, Tim L. Coulter, Greg Berardi, Thomas Carl Anell
  • Publication number: 20110000238
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the cabinet, an ice compartment disposed within the cabinet, and an electronic control system associated with the refrigerator and adapted to monitor and control the fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment and the ice compartment. The control system provides for energy efficient control and operation through various means, including by monitoring state of an ice maker associated with the ice compartment and controlling temperature within compartments of the refrigerator based on the ice maker state. A damper controls air flow between the fresh food and freezer compartments. The control system can direct heat to the damper if the damper becomes frozen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: MAYTAG CORPORATION
    Inventors: ROBERT L. WETEKAMP, KYLE B. VAN METER, ALAN G. TARRANT, RYAN D. SCHUCHART, MAURO M. OLIVEIRA, ALVIN V. MILLER, BRENT A. KOPPENHAVER, CARL J. FRANKEN, NELSON J. FERRAGUT, II, TIM L. COULTER, GREG BERARDI, THOMAS CARL ANELL
  • Publication number: 20110000237
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the cabinet, an ice compartment disposed within the cabinet, and an electronic control system associated with the refrigerator and adapted to monitor and control the fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment and the ice compartment. The control system provides for energy efficient control and operation through various means, including by monitoring state of an ice maker associated with the ice compartment and controlling temperature within compartments of the refrigerator based on the ice maker state. A damper controls air flow between the fresh food and freezer compartments. The control system can direct heat to the damper if the damper becomes frozen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: MAYTAG CORPORATION
    Inventors: ROBERT L. WETEKAMP, KYLE B. VAN METER, ALAN G. TARRANT, RYAN D. SCHUCHART, MAURO M. OLIVEIRA, ALVIN V. MILLER, BRENT A. KOPPENHAVER, CARL J. FRANKEN, NELSON J. FERRAGUT, II, TIM L. COULTER, GREG BERARDI, THOMAS CARL ANELL
  • Publication number: 20100326102
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the cabinet, an ice compartment disposed within the cabinet, and an electronic control system associated with the refrigerator and adapted to monitor and control the fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment and the ice compartment. The control system provides for energy efficient control and operation through various means, including by monitoring state of an ice maker associated with the ice compartment and controlling temperature within compartments of the refrigerator based on the ice maker state. A damper controls air flow between the fresh food and freezer compartments. The control system can direct heat to the damper if the damper becomes frozen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: MAYTAG CORPORATION
    Inventors: ROBERT L. WETEKAMP, KYLE B. VAN METER, ALAN G. TARRANT, RYAN D. SCHUCHART, MAURO M. OLIVEIRA, ALVIN V. MILLER, BRENT A. KOPPENHAVER, CARL J. FRANKEN, NELSON J. FERRAGUT, II, TIM L. COULTER, GREG BERARDI, THOMAS CARL ANELL
  • Publication number: 20100030383
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the cabinet, an ice compartment disposed within the cabinet, and an electronic control system associated with the refrigerator and adapted to monitor and control the fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment and the ice compartment. The control system provides for energy efficient control and operation through various means, including adjusting cut-in and cut-out temperatures of the cooling system to control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: ROBERT L. WETEKAMP, KYLE B. VAN METER, ALAN G. TARRANT, RYAN D. SCHUCHART, MAURO M. OLIVEIRA, ALVIN V. MILLER, BRENT A. KOPPENHAVER, CARL J. FRANKEN, NELSON J. FERRAGUT, II, TIM L. COULTER, GREG BERARDI, THOMAS CARL ANELL
  • Patent number: 7607312
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the cabinet, an ice compartment disposed within the cabinet, and an electronic control system associated with the refrigerator and adapted to monitor and control the fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment and the ice compartment. The control system provides for energy efficient control and operation through various means, including adjusting cut-in and cut-out temperatures of the cooling system to control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Wetekamp, Kyle B. Van Meter, Alan G. Tarrant, Ryan D. Schuchart, Mauro M. Oliveira, Alvin V. Miller, Brent A. Koppenhaver, Carl J. Franken, Nelson J. Ferragut, II, Tim L. Coulter, Greg Berardi, Thomas Carl Anell
  • Patent number: 7591141
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the cabinet, an ice compartment disposed within the cabinet, and an electronic control system associated with the refrigerator and adapted to monitor and control the fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment and the ice compartment. The control system provides for energy efficient control and operation through various means, including by monitoring state of an ice maker associated with the ice compartment and controlling temperature within compartments of the refrigerator based on the ice maker state. The control system can also use correlations in determining appropriate temperatures for different compartments within the refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Wetekamp, Kyle B. Van Meter, Alan G. Tarrant, Ryan D. Schuchart, Mauro M. Oliveira, Alvin V. Miller, Brent A. Koppenhaver, Carl J. Franken, Nelson J. Ferragut, II, Tim L. Coulter, Greg Berardi, Thomas Carl Anell
  • Patent number: 7568359
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the cabinet, an ice compartment disposed within the cabinet, and an electronic control system associated with the refrigerator and adapted to monitor and control the fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment and the ice compartment. The control system provides for energy efficient control and operation through various means, including by monitoring state of an ice maker associated with the ice compartment and controlling temperature within compartments of the refrigerator based on the ice maker state. A heater is controlled by the control system to increase energy efficiency of the refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Wetekamp, Kyle B. Van Meter, Alan G. Tarrant, Ryan D. Schuchart, Mauro M. Oliveira, Alvin V. Miller, Brent A. Koppenhaver, Carl J. Franken, Nelson J. Ferragut, Tim L. Coulter, Greg Berardi, Thomas Carl Anell
  • Publication number: 20060266059
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the cabinet, an ice compartment disposed within the cabinet, and an electronic control system associated with the refrigerator and adapted to monitor and control the fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment and the ice compartment. The control system provides for energy efficient control and operation through various means, including by monitoring state of an ice maker associated with the ice compartment and controlling temperature within compartments of the refrigerator based on the ice maker state. A damper controls air flow between the fresh food and freezer compartments. The control system can direct heat to the damper if the damper becomes frozen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Applicant: MAYTAG CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Wetekamp, Kyle Van Meter, Alan Tarrant, Ryan Schuchart, Mauro Oliveira, Alvin Miller, Brent Koppenhaver, Carl Franken, Nelson Ferragut, Tim Coulter, Greg Berardi, Thomas Anell
  • Publication number: 20060266061
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the cabinet, an ice compartment disposed within the cabinet, and an electronic control system associated with the refrigerator and adapted to monitor and control the fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment and the ice compartment. The control system provides for energy efficient control and operation through various means, including adjusting cut-in and cut-out temperatures of the cooling system to control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Applicant: MAYTAG CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Wetekamp, Kyle Van Meter, Alan Tarrant, Ryan Schuchart, Mauro Oliveira, Alvin Miller, Brent Koppenhaver, Carl Franken, Nelson Ferragut, TIM Coulter, Greg Berardi, Thomas Anell
  • Publication number: 20060266068
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the cabinet, an ice compartment disposed within the cabinet, and an electronic control system associated with the refrigerator and adapted to monitor and control the fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment and the ice compartment. The control system provides for energy efficient control and operation through various means, including by monitoring state of an ice maker associated with the ice compartment and controlling temperature within compartments of the refrigerator based on the ice maker state. A heater is controlled by the control system to increase energy efficiency of the refrigerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Applicant: MAYTAG CORPORATION
    Inventors: ROBERT WETEKAMP, KYLE VAN METER, ALAN TARRANT, RYAN SCHUCHART, MAURO OLIVEIRA, ALVIN MILLER, BRENT KOPPENHAVER, CARL FRANKEN, NELSON FERRAGUT, TIM COULTER, GREG BERARDI, THOMAS ANELL
  • Publication number: 20060260333
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the cabinet, an ice compartment disposed within the cabinet, and an electronic control system associated with the refrigerator and adapted to monitor and control the fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment and the ice compartment. The control system provides for energy efficient control and operation through various means, including by monitoring state of an ice maker associated with the ice compartment and controlling temperature within compartments of the refrigerator based on the ice maker state. The control system can also use correlations in determining appropriate temperatures for different compartments within the refrigerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Applicant: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Wetekamp, Kyle Van Meter, Alan Tarrant, Ryan Schuchart, Mauro Oliveira, Alvin Miller, Brent Koppenhaver, Carl Franken, Nelson Ferragut, Tim Coulter, Greg Berardi, Thomas Anell