Patents by Inventor Christopher G. Hoppe

Christopher G. Hoppe 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: 20180274161
    Abstract: A wash tub apparatus and method of manufacturing the wash tub for a laundry washing machine. The wash tub may include a bearing housing shell and a bearing housing insert. The bearing housing insert may include at least one bearing. The bearing housing shell may be overmolded with a plastic portion of the cylindrical tub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Bryan T. Snook, Christopher G. Hoppe
  • Publication number: 20180258572
    Abstract: A wash drum apparatus and method of adjusting the wash capacity for a laundry washing machine. The wash drum may include one or more rear cover inserts that may adjust the wash capacity of the wash drum. The rear cover insert may include one or more impellers. The wash drum may include a rear cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher G. Hoppe, Phillip C. Hombroek, Bryan T. Snook
  • Publication number: 20180168427
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes a drinkware spray container capable of directing a spray of fluid against one or more drinkware articles retained by the spray container. The drinkware spray container may be configured as a cup tree including a vertical member or trunk and a plurality of branches that extend from the trunk and support a drinkware article, with nozzles disposed on the branches to direct a spray of fluid into the supported drinkware articles. The drinkware spray container may also be configured as a drinkware basket including a container body defining one or more compartments along with one or more spray members capable of directing a spray of fluid onto interior surfaces of drinkware article retained within the container body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Mark W. Wilson, Timothy Martin Wetzel, Christopher G. Hoppe
  • Publication number: 20180142392
    Abstract: A stain removal tool for a laundry washing machine. The stain removal tool may be deployed from a stowed position and may be adapted to receive at least a portion of an article to substantially remove or treat a stain with water. The stain removal tool may have one or more nozzles upstream of the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Phillip C. Hombroek, Christopher G. Hoppe, Bryan T. Snook
  • Publication number: 20180142391
    Abstract: A stain removal tool for a laundry washing machine. The stain removal tool may be deployed from a stowed position and may be adapted to receive at least a portion of an article to substantially remove or treat a stain with water. The stain removal tool may have one or more nozzles upstream of the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Phillip C. Hombroek, Christopher G. Hoppe, Bryan T. Snook
  • Publication number: 20180080162
    Abstract: A laundry washing machine and method implement dynamic damping force optimization during a wash cycle to optimize a force-generating operation such as a spin operation performed during the wash cycle. The dynamic damping force optimization may utilize inputs from a suspension force sensor in combination with an accelerometer to dynamically determine a damping capability for a suspension of a laundry washing machine such that damping in the suspension system may be maintained within the damping capability of the suspension system to balance operation performance against the generation of undesirable forces and vibrations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher G. Hoppe, Phillip C. Hombroek
  • Publication number: 20180080164
    Abstract: A laundry washing machine and method may use a distance sensor to determine dry and wet distance values associated with a load disposed in a wash tub, and dynamically configure a wash cycle based upon the determined values. In some instances, the distance sensor may also be used to detect an excessive fluid level, excessive foaming, or a floating item in the wash tub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher G. Hoppe, Phillip C. Hombroek
  • Publication number: 20180002857
    Abstract: A laundry washing machine and method utilize weight, fluid level and fluid property sensors to dynamically select a load type, control a wash cycle and control an amount of detergent dispensed during a wash cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Phillip C. Hombroek, Christopher G. Hoppe
  • Publication number: 20180002859
    Abstract: A laundry washing machine and method utilize a fluid property sensor to dynamically select between different types of rinse operations, e.g., fill rinse operations or spin rinse operations, performed during a wash cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Phillip C. Hombroek, Christopher G. Hoppe
  • Publication number: 20180002856
    Abstract: A laundry washing machine and method automate the selection of a load type for a laundry washing machine during an initial fill phase of a wash cycle and based in part on weight and fluid level sensed by weight and fluid level sensors operatively coupled to a wash tub and after a selected amount of water has been dispensed into the wash tub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Phillip C. Hombroek, Christopher G. Hoppe
  • Publication number: 20180002858
    Abstract: A laundry washing machine and method utilize a fluid property sensor to determine a detergent deficit subsequent to manual addition of detergent by a user, such that additional detergent may be automatically dispensed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Phillip C. Hombroek, Christopher G. Hoppe
  • Patent number: 8943629
    Abstract: A washing system and method for load size and water retention detection includes a cabinet, a tub position within the cabinet, a basket with a wash load received therein rotatably supported within the tub, and a drive system for rotating the basket. A controller is operatively coupled to the drive system. The controller rotates the rotatable basket to urge the wash load radially outwardly in the basket and then decelerates the rotatable basket with the wash load urged radially outwardly to or below a predetermined threshold speed. An amount of time from initial deceleration of the rotatable basket until the rotatable basket is at or below the predetermined threshold speed is measured and the measured amount of time is used to determine a parameter of the wash load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Steven D. Paul, Christopher G. Hoppe, Craig Vitan, Steven Recio, Carl W. Risen, Russell Katona
  • Publication number: 20150007617
    Abstract: A tub for a washing machine appliance is configured to create a tangential discharge of fluid from the tub. A sump portion is configured so that fluid is ejected from a main portion of the wash tub along a direction tangential to the circular direction of rotation of the wash basket. A drain outlet is connected to the sump portion and can be positioned with an opening aligned with the tangential discharge so as to facilitate the movement of fluid into the drain outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Paul Douglas Mantle, Christopher G. Hoppe, Bryan Thomas Snook, Todd Anthony Reger
  • Patent number: 8713976
    Abstract: A control system is provided for a washing machine including a cabinet, a wash tub positioned within the cabinet and a wash basket rotatably mounted within the wash tub. The control system includes a plurality of supports including two diagonally arranged supports. The plurality of supports are configured to support the washing machine on a surface. At least one load sensor is positioned with respect to each support of the two diagonally arranged supports. The at least one load sensor is configured to detect at least one force component applied to each support by a load within the wash basket. The at least one load sensor is further configured to generate a signal representative of the at least one force component. A controller is in signal communication with the at least one load sensor. The controller is configured to detect an operating load placement condition within the wash basket in response to at least one signal received from the at least one load sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher G. Hoppe, Ziqiang Hu
  • 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: 20100154131
    Abstract: A washing system and method for load size and water retention detection includes a cabinet, a tub position within the cabinet, a basket with a wash load received therein rotatably supported within the tub, and a drive system for rotating the basket. A controller is operatively coupled to the drive system. The controller rotates the rotatable basket to urge the wash load radially outwardly in the basket and then decelerates the rotatable basket with the wash load urged radially outwardly to or below a predetermined threshold speed. An amount of time from initial deceleration of the rotatable basket until the rotatable basket is at or below the predetermined threshold speed is measured and the measured amount of time is used to determine a parameter of the wash load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Steven D. Paul, Christopher G. Hoppe, Craig Vitan, Steven Recio, Carl W. Risen, Russell Katona
  • Publication number: 20080155761
    Abstract: A control system is provided for a washing machine including a cabinet, a wash tub positioned within the cabinet and a wash basket rotatably mounted within the wash tub. The control system includes a plurality of supports including two diagonally arranged supports. The plurality of supports are configured to support the washing machine on a surface. At least one load sensor is positioned with respect to each support of the two diagonally arranged supports. The at least one load sensor is configured to detect at least one force component applied to each support by a load within the wash basket. The at least one load sensor is further configured to generate a signal representative of the at least one force component. A controller is in signal communication with the at least one load sensor. The controller is configured to detect an operating load placement condition within the wash basket in response to at least one signal received from the at least one load sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Christopher G. Hoppe, Ziqiang Hu
  • Publication number: 20080155760
    Abstract: A control system for a washing machine operable in a wash cycle is provided. The control system includes a foam sensor and a controller operatively coupled to the foam sensor. The washing machine includes a cabinet and a wash tub positioned within the cabinet for receiving laundry therein. The foam sensor is configured to detect a level of foam within the wash tub. The controller is configured to introduce a softener into the wash tub upon the foam sensor detecting a threshold level of foam within the wash tub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventor: Christopher G. Hoppe
  • Patent number: 5782112
    Abstract: A siphon break for a washing machine comprises a siphon body and a reservoir. The siphon body includes first and second openings arranged to receive fill water, a third opening arranged to direct fill water from the first opening to a tub of the washing machine, a fourth opening arranged to siphon overflow water from the siphon body, and a siphon body mounting device arranged to mount the siphon body to the washing machine. The reservoir includes a first opening arranged to receive a chemical, a second opening arranged to spill a mixture of water and the chemical to the siphon body, and a reservoir mounting device arranged to mount the reservoir to the washing machine so that the reservoir is mounted separately from the siphon body and so that the reservoir receives water from the second opening of the siphon body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Inventors: Wm Wallace White, Christopher G. Hoppe