Patents by Inventor ERIC J. WALSH

ERIC J. WALSH 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: 20240337063
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a tub having a rear wall that includes a plurality of structural ribs. A drive hub has a bearing housing insert injection molded into the rear wall. A stator is attached to the drive hub at stator fastening portions exposed through the rear wall of the tub. A reinforcing cap is fixed to the structural ribs of the rear wall of the tub. The bearing housing of the drive hub extends rearwards through a portion of the reinforcing cap. The stator fastening portions are exposed through the reinforcing cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2024
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven Fricke, Tarun Sai Yadav Godha, James B. Hull, Peter A. Wagoner, Eric J. Walsh, Christoph J. Miller
  • Patent number: 12031260
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a tub having a rear wall that includes a plurality of structural ribs. A drive hub has a bearing housing insert injection molded into the rear wall. A stator is attached to the drive hub at stator fastening portions exposed through the rear wall of the tub. A reinforcing cap is fixed to the structural ribs of the rear wall of the tub. The bearing housing of the drive hub extends rearwards through a portion of the reinforcing cap. The stator fastening portions are exposed through the reinforcing cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Fricke, Tarun Sai Yadav Godha, James B. Hull, Peter A. Wagoner, Eric J. Walsh, Christoph J. Miller
  • Patent number: 11970811
    Abstract: A hub for an overmolded basket base assembly of a laundry appliance is provided. The hub includes a central core defining an opening along an axis configured to receive a drive shaft. The hub further includes a disc, extending radially outwardly from the core about the axis, the disc configured to be overmolded in polymeric material that forms an overmolded plastic base, the disc including a plurality of posts arranged around the core and extending upward from a top surface of the disc to form a circumferentially-extending array to align the hub when applying torque to the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jesse de Freitas Goncalves, Kenneth McConnell, Steven Fricke, Marcos H. Herrmann, Bradley D. Morrow, Eric J. Walsh, Christine L. Strain, Peter A. Wagoner
  • Publication number: 20230002950
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a tub having a rear wall that includes a plurality of structural ribs. A drive hub has a bearing housing insert injection molded into the rear wall. A stator is attached to the drive hub at stator fastening portions exposed through the rear wall of the tub. A reinforcing cap is fixed to the structural ribs of the rear wall of the tub. The bearing housing of the drive hub extends rearwards through a portion of the reinforcing cap. The stator fastening portions are exposed through the reinforcing cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven Fricke, Tarun Sai Yadav Godha, James B. Hull, Peter A. Wagoner, Eric J. Walsh, Christoph J. Miller
  • Publication number: 20220389636
    Abstract: A hub for an overmolded basket base assembly of a laundry appliance is provided. The hub includes a central core defining an opening along an axis configured to receive a drive shaft. The hub further includes a disc, extending radially outwardly from the core about the axis, the disc configured to be overmolded in polymeric material that forms an overmolded plastic base, the disc including a plurality of posts arranged around the core and extending upward from a top surface of the disc to form a circumferentially-extending array to align the hub when applying torque to the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Jesse de FREITAS GONCALVES, Kenneth McCONNELL, Steven FRICKE, Marcos H. HERRMANN, Bradley D. MORROW, Eric J. WALSH, Christine L. STRAIN, Peter A. WAGONER
  • Patent number: 11473231
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a tub having a rear wall that includes a plurality of structural ribs. A drive hub has a bearing housing insert injection molded into the rear wall. A stator is attached to the drive hub at stator fastening portions exposed through the rear wall of the tub. A reinforcing cap is fixed to the structural ribs of the rear wall of the tub. The bearing housing of the drive hub extends rearwards through a portion of the reinforcing cap. The stator fastening portions are exposed through the reinforcing cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Fricke, Tarun Sai Yadav Godha, James B. Hull, Peter A. Wagoner, Eric J. Walsh, Christoph J. Miller
  • Patent number: 11236458
    Abstract: A fabric treating appliance for treating an article according to a cycle of operation includes a chassis defining an interior with a tub provided within the interior, the tub at least partially defining a liquid chamber. A drum is provided within the liquid chamber to at least partially define a treating chamber. The drum has a peripheral wall terminating in a front edge and a rear edge, with the front edge defining a front opening. An exoskeleton is provided within the liquid chamber coupling the drum to the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Mikkelsen, Christoph J. Miller, Eric J. Walsh, Donald E. Erickson
  • Publication number: 20200283943
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a tub having a rear wall that includes a plurality of structural ribs. A drive hub has a bearing housing insert injection molded into the rear wall. A stator is attached to the drive hub at stator fastening portions exposed through the rear wall of the tub. A reinforcing cap is fixed to the structural ribs of the rear wall of the tub. The bearing housing of the drive hub extends rearwards through a portion of the reinforcing cap. The stator fastening portions are exposed through the reinforcing cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven Fricke, Tarun Sai Yadav Godha, James B. Hull, Peter A. Wagoner, Eric J. Walsh, Christoph J. Miller
  • Patent number: 10704180
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a tub having a rear wall that includes a plurality of structural ribs. A drive hub has a bearing housing insert injection molded into the rear wall. A stator is attached to the drive hub at stator fastening portions exposed through the rear wall of the tub. A reinforcing cap is fixed to the structural ribs of the rear wall of the tub. The bearing housing of the drive hub extends rearwards through a portion of the reinforcing cap. The stator fastening portions are exposed through the reinforcing cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Fricke, Tarun Sai Yadav Godha, James B. Hull, Peter A. Wagoner, Eric J. Walsh, Christoph J. Miller
  • Publication number: 20200087831
    Abstract: A fabric treating appliance for treating an article according to a cycle of operation includes a chassis defining an interior with a tub provided within the interior, the tub at least partially defining a liquid chamber. A drum is provided within the liquid chamber to at least partially define a treating chamber. The drum has a peripheral wall terminating in a front edge and a rear edge, with the front edge defining a front opening. An exoskeleton is provided within the liquid chamber coupling the drum to the chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: DOUGLAS MIKKELSEN, CHRISTOPH J. MILLER, ERIC J. WALSH, DONALD E. ERICKSON
  • Patent number: 10487432
    Abstract: A fabric treating appliance for treating an article according to a cycle of operation includes a chassis defining an interior with a tub disposed in the interior, the tub defining a liquid chamber. A drum is provided within the liquid chamber to define a treating chamber. An exoskeleton is disposed within the liquid chamber and houses the drum. A front frame mounts to the drum and forms at least a portion of the exoskeleton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Mikkelsen, Christoph J. Miller, Eric J. Walsh
  • Patent number: 10125446
    Abstract: A fabric treating appliance includes a chassis defining an interior. A tub is provided in the interior defining a liquid chamber. An exoskeleton is disposed within the liquid chamber and houses a drum defining a treating chamber for treating an article of laundry. A rear drive plate is provided at one end of the drum and at least partially defines the exoskeleton. One or more braces can couple to the rear drive plate to improve structural integrity of the exoskeleton housing the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Mikkelsen, Christoph J. Miller, Eric J. Walsh
  • Publication number: 20180080161
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a tub having a rear wall that includes a plurality of structural ribs. A drive hub has a bearing housing insert injection molded into the rear wall. A stator is attached to the drive hub at stator fastening portions exposed through the rear wall of the tub. A reinforcing cap is fixed to the structural ribs of the rear wall of the tub. The bearing housing of the drive hub extends rearwards through a portion of the reinforcing cap. The stator fastening portions are exposed through the reinforcing cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven Fricke, Tarun Sai Yadav Godha, James B. Hull, Peter A. Wagoner, Eric J. Walsh, Christoph J. Miller
  • Publication number: 20170152622
    Abstract: A fabric treating appliance for treating an article according to a cycle of operation includes a chassis defining an interior with a tub disposed in the interior, the tub defining a liquid chamber. A drum is provided within the liquid chamber to define a treating chamber. An exoskeleton is disposed within the liquid chamber and houses the drum. A front frame mounts to the drum and forms at least a portion of the exoskeleton.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventors: DOUGLAS MIKKELSEN, CHRISTOPH J. MILLER, ERIC J. WALSH
  • Publication number: 20170152625
    Abstract: A fabric treating appliance includes a chassis defining an interior. A tub is provided in the interior defining a liquid chamber. An exoskeleton is disposed within the liquid chamber and houses a drum defining a treating chamber for treating an article of laundry. A rear drive plate is provided at one end of the drum and at least partially defines the exoskeleton. One or more braces can couple to the rear drive plate to improve structural integrity of the exoskeleton housing the drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventors: DOUGLAS MIKKELSEN, CHRISTOPH J. MILLER, ERIC J. WALSH
  • Patent number: D852441
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Bauman, Scott E. Carpenter, Peter N. Howes, Nicholas E. Leep, Eric J. Walsh, Lindsey A. Wohlgamuth
  • Patent number: D876737
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Bauman, Scott E. Carpenter, Peter N. Howes, Nicholas E. Leep, Eric J. Walsh, Lindsey A. Wohlgamuth
  • Patent number: D897060
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Bauman, Scott E. Carpenter, Peter N. Howes, Nicholas E. Leep, Eric J. Walsh, Lindsey A. Wohlgamuth