Patents by Inventor Edward A. Dries

Edward A. Dries 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: 20180281223
    Abstract: A punch head assembly that includes a punch head including a main body having opposite first and second ends, a longitudinal inner bore, a first passageway extending substantially radially from the inner bore, and a second passageway substantially traversing the first passageway. A ball bearing is received in the first passageway. A pin member is received in the second passageway. The pin member is rotationally movable between first and second positions. A driver is coupled to the punch head and includes a stem extending into the inner bore. The stem has an outer ball engagement surface. The punch head is axially movable with respect to the stem. Axial movement of the pin member in the second passageway moves the ball bearing into and out of engagement with the outer ball engagement surface for adjusting an axial position of the punch head with respect to the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: EDWARD A. DRIES, Jeffrey Tauscher
  • Publication number: 20180279850
    Abstract: A method of operating a dishwasher appliance includes initiating a wash cycle of the dishwasher appliance. The wash cycle includes operating the dishwasher appliance in a wash mode for a first predetermined amount of time by positioning a diverter in a first position to direct a fluid flow to a spray assembly of the dishwasher appliance. The method also includes positioning the diverter in a second position to direct the fluid flow to a filter cleaning manifold for a second predetermined amount of time. The method further includes sensing the second position of the diverter with a position sensor. The method further includes performing a predetermined action after the second predetermined amount of time when the second position of the diverter is sensed before the first predetermined amount of time has elapsed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventor: John Edward Dries
  • Publication number: 20180263458
    Abstract: A fluid circulation system for dishwasher appliances includes a sump and a pump. The fluid circulation system further includes a filter at least partially disposed within a chamber of the sump and surrounding an impeller of the pump. The fluid circulation system includes a diverter. The fluid circulation system further includes a cleaning manifold disposed proximate an outer surface of a sidewall of the filter, the manifold defining a plurality of apertures for flowing fluid towards the outer surface of the sidewall of the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventor: John Edward Dries
  • Publication number: 20180242815
    Abstract: A fluid circulation assembly for a dishwasher appliance includes a motor with a drive shaft rotatably coupled to the motor. An impeller is coupled to the drive shaft with a one-way clutch. The one-way clutch includes a housing integrally formed in the impeller and a bearing disposed within the housing. The bearing is movable within the housing between a first position and a second position. The bearing is spaced from the drive shaft in the first position, and the bearing operatively engages the housing and the drive shaft to transfer rotational motion from the drive shaft to the impeller in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Joel Charles Boyer, John Edward Dries
  • Patent number: 10010238
    Abstract: A fluid circulation component for a washing appliance may generally include a substrate defining a passageway therethrough for transporting fluid through the substrate. The fluid circulation component may also include a layered heating assembly formed directly onto an inner surface of the substrate. The layered heating assembly may include a heat insulating layer disposed directly on the inner surface, a heat conducting layer disposed radially inwardly from the heat insulating layer so as to form an outer wall of the passageway, first and second electrically insulating layers disposed between the heat insulating and conducting layers and a resistive heating layer positioned between the first and second electrically insulating layers. Additionally, when current is directed through the resistive heating layer, heat may be generated that is transmitted through the layered heating assembly to the heat conducting layer so as to increase a temperature of the fluid being transported through the passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Owen Miller, John Edward Dries
  • Publication number: 20180132692
    Abstract: A dishwasher appliance is provided having a drain pump assembly including a hub mounted to a drive shaft that is driven in a first direction during a drain cycle and in a second direction during a wash/rinse cycle. One or more vanes are mounted to the hub and are rotatable between a retracted position during the drain cycle and an extended position during the wash/rinse cycle. A biasing member is mounted to each vane for urging the vanes to the retracted position to counteract the centrifugal force exerted on the vanes during operation. In this manner, the drain pump assembly pumps wash fluid during a drain cycle but does not pump wash fluid during a wash cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventor: John Edward Dries
  • Publication number: 20180110396
    Abstract: A dishwashing appliance having a static jet assembly is provided herein. The dishwashing appliance may include a tub defining a wash chamber, a pump, and a spray assembly. The pump may be configured to deliver a wash fluid into the wash chamber. The spray assembly may be housed within the wash chamber of the tub in fluid communication with the pump to receive wash fluid therefrom. The static jet assembly may be disposed within the wash chamber and include a static body. The static body may extend about an exterior hole. The static body may define an interior passage and a jet aperture in fluid communication with the pump. The jet aperture may be defined in fluid communication between the interior passage and the wash chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Bassam Fawaz, Daniel J. Hart, John Edward Dries, Kyle Durham, Matthew David Mersch, Glenn Leon Graham
  • Publication number: 20180111066
    Abstract: A filter assembly includes a first filter member including a first filter panel which defines a central axial aperture and a second filter member including a second filter panel which defines a central axial aperture. The filter assembly further includes a first discharge blade which includes a body and a blade arm, the body defining a central axial bore hole and in contact with the first outer surface of the first filter panel. The filter assembly further includes a second discharge blade which includes a body and a blade arm extending radially from the body, the body defining a central axial bore hole and in contact with the second opposing outer surface of the first filter panel and the first outer surface of the second filter panel. The filter assembly further includes a washer in contact with the second outer surface of the second filter panel, and a shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Joel Charles Boyer, John Edward Dries
  • Publication number: 20180078112
    Abstract: A dishwasher appliance is provided having a fluid circulation assembly that uses a single motor and a common drive shaft to rotate both a wash pump impeller and a drain pump impeller. The wash pump impeller and the drain pump impeller are separated by a filter to prevent food soil from being circulated by the wash pump impeller. The common drive shaft passes through an aperture in the filter, the aperture being sealed to prevent the passing of food soil by an inlet guide assembly. The inlet guide assembly includes an upper inlet guide and a lower inlet guide that define a clearance bore and a washer chamber. A washer is positioned in the washer chamber to prevent the flow of food soil through the clearance bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventor: John Edward Dries
  • Patent number: 9913567
    Abstract: Tubs for dishwasher appliances, as well as associated dishwasher appliances, are provided. A tub includes a plurality of walls defining a wash chamber. At least one of the plurality of walls includes a non-porous outer barrier, a non-porous inner barrier, and a porous media disposed between the outer barrier and the inner barrier. The porous media includes a matrix and one or more voids defined in the matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John Edward Dries, Gregory Owen Miller
  • Patent number: 9888827
    Abstract: A dishwasher appliance with a tub that defines a wash chamber is provided. A bottom wall of the tub defines a volute. An impeller is positioned within the volute of the bottom wall, and a motor mounted to the tub at the bottom wall of the tub. The motor is coupled to the impeller such that the motor selectively rotates the impeller within the volute of the bottom wall. A related method for forming a unitary tub for a dishwasher appliance is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John Edward Dries, Gregory Owen Miller
  • Patent number: 9839339
    Abstract: Fluid circulation systems for dishwasher appliances are provided. A dishwasher appliance includes a tub that defines a wash chamber. A fluid circulation system includes a sump for receiving fluid from the wash chamber, the sump comprising a chamber having a sidewall and a base wall. The fluid circulation system further includes a pump, the pump including an impeller disposed within the chamber. The fluid circulation system further includes a filter disposed within the chamber and surrounding the impeller, the filter including a sidewall, the sidewall defining a plurality of perforations extending therethrough. In some embodiments, a volume within the filter is greater than a volume between the sidewall of the chamber and the sidewall of the filter for a given height from the base wall. In some embodiments, volumes of the plurality of perforations increase along a height from the base wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: John Edward Dries
  • Publication number: 20170332876
    Abstract: Spray arm assemblies and dishwasher appliances are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a spray arm assembly is provided. The spray arm assembly includes a first housing and a second housing having a mating wall. The first housing includes a first wall defining a groove that comprises an undercut, a second wall having an inner surface, and a channel defined by the first and second walls. The mating wall has a mating inner surface, defines a protrusion shaped complementary to the groove of the first wall, and fits within the channel to join the first and second housings. Further, the mating wall has an interference fit with the first wall and the second wall such that the mating inner surface of the mating wall fits against the inner surface of the second wall and the protrusion of the mating wall fits within the groove of the first wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Joel Charles Boyer, John Edward Dries
  • Patent number: 9782054
    Abstract: Pump assemblies and fluid circulation systems for dishwasher appliances are provided. A pump assembly includes a housing defining an interior, and a pump. The pump includes an impeller disposed within the interior, and a motor connected to the impeller and comprising a stator and a rotor. The rotor is rotatable about a central axis. The stator is rotatable about the central axis relative to the rotor and the housing. The pump further includes an elastic damper coupled to the stator for reducing stator torque ripple transmissions to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: John Edward Dries
  • Patent number: 9693670
    Abstract: A dishwasher appliance including a tub defining a wash chamber is provided. The dishwasher appliance also includes a sump positioned at a bottom portion of the tub, the sump including a bottom wall that defines a recessed chamber. A drain pump is provided in flow communication with the recessed chamber defined by the bottom wall of the sump. Moreover, a filter assembly is positioned at least partially within the sump and movable along an axial direction of the sump between a first position and a second position. The filter assembly is positioned over the recessed chamber of the bottom wall when in the first position and is seated on the bottom wall of the sump around the recessed chamber when in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: John Edward Dries
  • Patent number: 9675230
    Abstract: A dishwasher appliance with a tub is provided. The tub defines a filter medium and a supply conduit within the tub. The supply conduit of the tub extends from the filter medium to a spray assembly such that the supply conduit of the tub directs filtered water from the filter medium to the spray assembly during operation of a pump. A related method for forming a unitary tub for a dishwasher appliance is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John Edward Dries, Gregory Owen Miller
  • Publication number: 20170143180
    Abstract: A dishwasher appliance is provided having a motor that has a drive shaft with a pump shaft portion extending from one side and a secondary shaft portion extending from the other. The pump shaft portion drives a pump impeller within a pump housing to circulate wash fluid. The secondary shaft portion has a spur gear that is configured to engage a secondary gear that is operably coupled to a secondary component within the dishwasher, such as a diverter valve or spray arm. The meshing of the spur gear with the secondary gear acts both as a speed reducer and the drive means for the secondary component. The motor is configured to rotate the pump shaft portion and secondary shaft portion such that the pump impeller rotates at a first speed and the secondary component rotates at a second speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventor: John Edward Dries
  • Patent number: 9649006
    Abstract: Fluid circulation systems for dishwasher appliances are provided. A fluid circulation system includes a sump and a pump. The fluid circulation system further includes a filter at least partially disposed within a chamber of the sump and surrounding an impeller of the pump, and an outlet conduit for flowing fluid from the sump to a wash chamber. The fluid circulation system further includes a manifold disposed proximate an outer surface of a sidewall of the filter, the manifold defining a plurality of apertures for flowing fluid therethrough and towards the outer surface of the sidewall of the filter, and a valve disposed within the outlet conduit, the valve movable between a first position wherein fluid flowed through the valve is exhausted from the valve into the outlet conduit and towards the wash chamber and a second position wherein fluid flowed through the valve is diverted to the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: John Edward Dries
  • Publication number: 20170079503
    Abstract: Fluid circulation systems for dishwasher appliances are provided. A fluid circulation system includes a sump and a pump. The fluid circulation system further includes a filter at least partially disposed within a chamber of the sump and surrounding an impeller of the pump, and an outlet conduit for flowing fluid from the sump to a wash chamber. The fluid circulation system further includes a manifold disposed proximate an outer surface of a sidewall of the filter, the manifold defining a plurality of apertures for flowing fluid therethrough and towards the outer surface of the sidewall of the filter, and a valve disposed within the outlet conduit, the valve movable between a first position wherein fluid flowed through the valve is exhausted from the valve into the outlet conduit and towards the wash chamber and a second position wherein fluid flowed through the valve is diverted to the manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventor: John Edward Dries
  • Publication number: 20170079502
    Abstract: Fluid circulation systems for dishwasher appliances are provided. A dishwasher appliance includes a tub that defines a wash chamber. A fluid circulation system includes a sump for receiving fluid from the wash chamber. The sump includes a chamber having a sidewall and a base wall. The fluid circulation system further includes a pump, the pump including an impeller disposed within the chamber. The fluid circulation system further includes a filter at least partially disposed within the chamber and surrounding the impeller, the filter including a sidewall, the sidewall defining a plurality of perforations extending therethrough. The fluid circulation system further includes a shelf cantilevered from the sidewall of the sump towards the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventor: John Edward Dries