Patents by Inventor Eric B. Devins

Eric B. Devins 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: 8973591
    Abstract: A dishwasher has a wash chamber and sump disposed below the wash chamber, wherein wash fluid supplied to the wash chamber collects in the sump. A main pump is configured to drawn wash fluid from the sump and supply the wash fluid to the wash chamber, for example via spray arm assemblies. A filter is operably disposed to filter the wash fluid recirculated by the main pump. A backflush line has an outlet disposed downstream of the filter, and a backflush pump is configured to supply backflush fluid through the backflush line against the filter. A reservoir separate from the sump is provided and sized to hold a measured amount of fluid. The backflush pump draws the backflush fluid from the reservoir at a defined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joel Charles Boyer, Errin Gnadinger, Eric B. Devins
  • Patent number: 8967165
    Abstract: A fluid filtration assembly for a dishwasher system is described. The dishwasher system includes a tub defining a wash chamber configured to receive dishwasher contents. The fluid filtration assembly includes a filter assembly having a filter material, a filter fluid inlet, and a filter fluid outlet. The filter fluid inlet is in flow communication with the wash chamber and the filter material. The filter assembly further includes a cleaning fluid inlet that is configured to backflush the filter material. The filter fluid outlet is in flow communication with both the cleaning fluid inlet and the filter fluid inlet. The fluid filtration assembly further includes a valve assembly in flow communication with the cleaning fluid inlet through a first flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Satish Kumar Raju Buddharaju, Joel Charles Boyer, Errin Gnadinger, Mark Thomas Fryman, John Dries, Michael Goodman Schroeder, Eric B. Devins, Nicholas Clancy Schooley
  • Patent number: 8858729
    Abstract: The present invention provides a diverter that may be used to control the flow of fluid to different locations or components within a dishwashing appliance. One or more dual outlets, each having an outer port that surrounds an inner port, can be used with rotating disk (or rotating valve) to selectively control the flow of fluid to various locations within the appliance. One or more single outlets may also be added to the diverter as desired depending upon the number of locations in the dishwasher to which the delivery of the fluid is desirable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Satish Kumar Raju Buddharaju, Joel Charles Boyer, Errin Gnadinger, Eric B. Devins
  • Publication number: 20130104935
    Abstract: A system is provided for detecting whether a filter is properly installed in a dishwashing appliance and for using such detection in the operation of the appliance. For example, the present invention provides for determining whether a filter is present or properly seated and, if not, provides for a notification to the user of the appliance. The present invention can also provide for modifying the operation of the dishwashing appliance if a filter is not properly detected. Additionally, the present invention can provide notification to the user of the appliance that a filter needs replacement after a predetermined period of use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Errin Gnadinger, Satish Kumar Raju Buddharaju, Eric B. Devins
  • Publication number: 20130000762
    Abstract: The present invention provides a diverter that may be used to control the flow of fluid to different locations or components within a dishwashing appliance. One or more dual outlets, each having an outer port that surrounds an inner port, can be used with a rotating disk (or rotating valve) to selectively control the flow of fluid to various locations within the appliance. One or more single outlets may also be added to the diverter as desired depending upon the number of locations in the dishwasher to which the delivery of the fluid is desirable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Satish Kumar Raju Buddharaju, Joel Charles Boyer, Errin Gnadinger, Eric B. Devins
  • Publication number: 20120312337
    Abstract: A dishwasher has a wash chamber and sump disposed below the wash chamber, wherein wash fluid supplied to the wash chamber collects in the sump. A main pump is configured to drawn wash fluid from the sump and supply the wash fluid to the wash chamber, for example via spray arm assemblies. A filter is operably disposed to filter the wash fluid recirculated by the main pump. A backflush line has an outlet disposed downstream of the filter, and a backflush pump is configured to supply backflush fluid through the backflush line against the filter. A reservoir separate from the sump is provided and sized to hold a measured amount of fluid. The backflush pump draws the backflush fluid from the reservoir at a defined time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joel Charles Boyer, Errin Gnadinger, Eric B. Devins
  • Publication number: 20120291821
    Abstract: In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a fluid filtration assembly for a dishwasher system is described. The dishwasher system includes a tub defining a wash chamber configured to receive dishwasher contents. The fluid filtration assembly includes a filter assembly having a filter material, a filter fluid inlet, and a filter fluid outlet. The filter fluid inlet is in flow communication with the wash chamber and the filter material. The filter assembly further includes a cleaning fluid inlet that is configured to backflush the filter material. The filter fluid outlet is in flow communication with both the cleaning fluid inlet and the filter fluid inlet. The fluid filtration assembly further includes a valve assembly in flow communication with the cleaning fluid inlet through a first flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Satish Kumar Raju Buddharaju, Joel Charles Boyer, Errin Gnadinger, Mark Thomas Fryman, John Dries, Michael Goodman Schroeder, Eric B. Devins, Nicholas Clancy Schooley
  • Publication number: 20120291827
    Abstract: Tines that can provide a spray into the interior of containers placed onto a rack of a dishwasher are provided. More particularly, hollow tines or tines having an internal fluid path for feeding washing fluid to one or more openings at or near an upper end of the tines are described. As a fluid is sprayed or ejected from the opening(s), it provides for the cleaning of the interior of glasses, containers, and other dishes placed over the tines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Satish Kumar Raju Buddharaju, Joel Charles Boyer, Errin Gnadinger, Jonathan Charles Crosby, Eric B. Devins