Patents by Inventor Brooke L. Lau

Brooke L. Lau 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: 10653289
    Abstract: A method of operating a dishwasher includes receiving a user-input signal indicative of a hidden operating mode, selecting the hidden operating mode of a dishwasher based on the user-input signal, accessing a plurality of pre-programmed dishwashing cycles associated with the selected hidden operating mode, and operating the dishwasher in accordance with one of the plurality of pre-programmed dishwashing cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent A. Ireland, Traci L. Kachorek, Brooke L. Lau
  • Publication number: 20170340185
    Abstract: A method of operating a dishwasher includes receiving a user-input signal indicative of a hidden operating mode, selecting the hidden operating mode of a dishwasher based on the user-input signal, accessing a plurality of pre-programmed dishwashing cycles associated with the selected hidden operating mode, and operating the dishwasher in accordance with one of the plurality of pre-programmed dishwashing cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent A. IRELAND, Traci L. KACHOREK, Brooke L. LAU
  • Publication number: 20160353964
    Abstract: A method of controlling the operation of an automatic dishwasher having at least one cycle of operation and a sensor that indicates a degree of turbidity of liquid in the dishwasher includes repeatedly determining a correction value for the sensor related to the scaling of the sensor and executing a de-scaling cycle of operation based thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: BRENT A. DEWEERD, BROOKE L. LAU, ROBERT J. PINKOWSKI, ROBERT J. ROLEK
  • Patent number: 9420937
    Abstract: A method of controlling the operation of an automatic dishwasher having at least one cycle of operation and a sensor that indicates a degree of turbidity of liquid in the dishwasher includes repeatedly determining a correction value for the sensor related to the scaling of the sensor and executing a de-scaling cycle of operation based thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Brent A. Deweerd, Brooke L. Lau, Robert J. Pinkowski, Robert J. Rolek
  • Patent number: 9272314
    Abstract: A steam purge method for a dishwasher includes a washing cycle, a steam purge cycle and a rinse cycle. During the steam purge cycle, a dishwasher tub is filled with fluid to a level below a heating element in a wash chamber, heated and at least partially converted to steam in the wash chamber. After the steam purge cycle, the dishwasher is drained and the rinse cycle commences. Optionally, a heated drying cycle may be performed upon termination of the rinse cycle. A single heating element arranged in the wash chamber is utilized for heating washing fluid during each of washing, purging and steam generation cycles, as well as for the heated drying cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Brooke L. Lau, Julio C. Moreira, Michelle L. Oakes, Ryan K. Roth
  • Patent number: 8968486
    Abstract: A dishwashing machine configured to detect the presence of rinse aid in fluid in a washing chamber of the dishwashing machine. An electronic controller selects the drying stage of the dishwashing cycle based on whether rinse aid is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas T. Allen, Jonathan D. King, Brooke L. Lau, Jacek Szostak
  • Publication number: 20140014147
    Abstract: A dishwashing machine configured to detect the presence of rinse aid in fluid in a washing chamber of the dishwashing machine. An electronic controller selects the drying stage of the dishwashing cycle based on whether rinse aid is present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: DOUGLAS T. ALLEN, JONATHAN D. KING, BROOKE L. LAU, JACEK SZOSTAK
  • Patent number: 8540820
    Abstract: A dishwashing machine configured to detect the presence of rinse aid in fluid in a washing chamber of the dishwashing machine. An electronic controller selects the drying stage of the dishwashing cycle based on whether rinse aid is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas T. Allen, Jonathan D. King, Brooke L. Lau, Jacek Szostak
  • Publication number: 20110271984
    Abstract: A method of operating a dishwasher includes receiving a user-input signal indicative of a hidden operating mode, selecting the hidden operating mode of a dishwasher based on the user-input signal, accessing a plurality of pre-programmed dishwashing cycles associated with the selected hidden operating mode, and operating the dishwasher in accordance with one of the plurality of pre-programmed dishwashing cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: VINCENT A. IRELAND, TRACI L. KACHOREK, BROOKE L. LAU
  • Publication number: 20110146716
    Abstract: An automatic dishwasher having a sensor that indicates a degree of turbidity of liquid in the dishwasher is dynamically controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: BRENT A. DEWEERD, BROOKE L. LAU, ROBERT J. PINKOWSKI, ROBERT J. ROLEK
  • Publication number: 20110088724
    Abstract: A dishwashing machine configured to detect the presence of rinse aid in fluid in a washing chamber of the dishwashing machine. An electronic controller selects the drying stage of the dishwashing cycle based on whether rinse aid is present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: DOUGLAS T. ALLEN, JONATHAN D. KING, BROOKE L. LAU, JACEK SZOSTAK
  • Patent number: 7909936
    Abstract: An overall dishwasher operation cycle includes a washing cycle and a final rinse cycle including steam generation. During the final rinse cycle, a dishwasher tub is filled with fluid, heated and utilized to rinse dishware within the dishwasher. After partially draining the tub, a heating element is actuated so as to transform fluid in the tub into steam for cleansing dishware within the dishwasher. After the steam cycle, the final rinse cycle is completed, with the dishwasher being drained. Optionally, when a heated dry cycle is actuated, the heating element continues to operate to provide drying heat to dishware for a period of time before being deactivated. With this arrangement, a single heating element is utilized for heating washing fluid for washing, rinsing and steam generation, as well as for the heated dry cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Brooke L. Lau, Julio C. Moreira, Michelle L. Oakes, Ryan K. Roth
  • Publication number: 20100154830
    Abstract: An overall dishwasher operation cycle includes a washing cycle and a final rinse cycle including steam generation. During the final rinse cycle, a dishwasher tub is filled with fluid, heated and utilized to rinse dishware within the dishwasher. After partially draining the tub, a heating element is actuated so as to transform fluid in the tub into steam for cleansing dishware within the dishwasher. After the steam cycle, the final rinse cycle is completed, with the dishwasher being drained. Optionally, when a heated dry cycle is actuated, the heating element continues to operate to provide drying heat to dishware for a period of time before being deactivated. With this arrangement, a single heating element is utilized for heating washing fluid for washing, rinsing and steam generation, as well as for the heated dry cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: BROOKE L. LAU, JULIO C. MOREIRA, MICHELLE L. OAKES, RYAN K. ROTH
  • Publication number: 20100154827
    Abstract: A steam purge method for a dishwasher includes a washing cycle, a steam purge cycle and a rinse cycle. During the steam purge cycle, a dishwasher tub is filled with fluid to a level below a heating element in a wash chamber, heated and at least partially converted to steam in the wash chamber. After the steam purge cycle, the dishwasher is drained and the rinse cycle commences. Optionally, a heated drying cycle may be performed upon termination of the rinse cycle. A single heating element arranged in the wash chamber is utilized for heating washing fluid during each of washing, purging and steam generation cycles, as well as for the heated drying cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: BROOKE L. LAU, JULIO C. MOREIRA, MICHELLE L. OAKES, RYAN K. ROTH