Patents by Inventor GIANLUCA BOCCHINO

GIANLUCA BOCCHINO 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: 11920288
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a rotating drum for processing laundry. A blower directs process air through an airflow path that includes the rotating drum. A heat exchanger is positioned within the airflow path that dehumidifies the process air. A fixedly-secured lint filter captures lint from the process air at a position upstream of the heat exchanger. A fluid spray system has spray nozzles that deliver fluid to a surface of the fixedly-secured lint filter. Each spray nozzle of the plurality of spray nozzles directs captured lint away from the fixedly-secured lint filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Gianluca Bocchino, Arun Rajendran
  • Patent number: 11802360
    Abstract: A fluid flow system for a laundry appliance includes a blower that delivers process air along an airflow path having a heat exchanger. A drain channel receives condensate from the heat exchanger and fluid spray from a spray nozzle for directing lint particles to the drain channel and on to a sump for collecting fluid, including the condensate. A pump seat and a fluid outlet are integrally formed in a sump cover. A pump directs the fluid from the sump to the fluid outlet. A fluid level sensor detects at least minimum and maximum capacities of the fluid in the sump. When the fluid is below the minimum capacity, the pump defines an idle state. When the fluid reaches the minimum capacity, the pump defines an active state. When the fluid exceeds the maximum capacity, the pump directs the fluid to the fluid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Gianluca Bocchino, Roy E. Masters, Arun Rajendran
  • Publication number: 20230193550
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a rotating drum for processing laundry. A blower directs process air through an airflow path that includes the rotating drum. A heat exchanger is positioned within the airflow path that dehumidifies the process air. A fixedly-secured lint filter captures lint from the process air at a position upstream of the heat exchanger. A fluid spray system has spray nozzles that deliver fluid to a surface of the fixedly-secured lint filter. Each spray nozzle of the plurality of spray nozzles directs captured lint away from the fixedly-secured lint filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gianluca Bocchino, Arun Rajendran
  • Publication number: 20230151527
    Abstract: A fluid flow system for a laundry appliance includes a blower that delivers process air along an airflow path having a heat exchanger. A drain channel receives condensate from the heat exchanger and fluid spray from a spray nozzle for directing lint particles to the drain channel and on to a sump for collecting fluid, including the condensate. A pump seat and a fluid outlet are integrally formed in a sump cover. A pump directs the fluid from the sump to the fluid outlet. A fluid level sensor detects at least minimum and maximum capacities of the fluid in the sump. When the fluid is below the minimum capacity, the pump defines an idle state. When the fluid reaches the minimum capacity, the pump defines an active state. When the fluid exceeds the maximum capacity, the pump directs the fluid to the fluid outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gianluca Bocchino, Roy E. Masters, Arun Rajendran
  • Patent number: 11634856
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a rotating drum for processing laundry. A blower directs process air through an airflow path that includes the rotating drum. A heat exchanger is positioned within the airflow path that dehumidifies the process air. A fixedly-secured lint filter captures lint from the process air at a position upstream of the heat exchanger. A fluid spray system has spray nozzles that deliver fluid to a surface of the fixedly-secured lint filter. Each spray nozzle of the plurality of spray nozzles directs captured lint away from the fixedly-secured lint filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Gianluca Bocchino, Arun Rajendran
  • Patent number: 11603615
    Abstract: A fluid flow system for a laundry appliance includes a blower that delivers process air along an airflow path having a heat exchanger. A drain channel receives condensate from the heat exchanger and fluid spray from a spray nozzle for directing lint particles to the drain channel and on to a sump for collecting fluid, including the condensate. A pump seat and a fluid outlet are integrally formed in a sump cover. A pump directs the fluid from the sump to the fluid outlet. A fluid level sensor detects at least minimum and maximum capacities of the fluid in the sump. When the fluid is below the minimum capacity, the pump defines an idle state. When the fluid reaches the minimum capacity, the pump defines an active state. When the fluid exceeds the maximum capacity, the pump directs the fluid to the fluid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Gianluca Bocchino, Roy E. Masters, Arun Rajendran
  • Publication number: 20230054143
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet, a drum, a housing, a foreign particulate removal assembly, and a blower. The foreign particulate removal assembly includes a first lint filter that defines a plurality of first lint filter openings, a second lint filter that defines a plurality of second lint filter openings that are smaller than the plurality of first lint filter openings, such that the second lint filter is configured to collect foreign particulates that pass through at least one of the plurality of first lint filter openings, and a binding member that couples the first lint filter to the second lint filter. The foreign particulate removal assembly is operable between a collection position and a maintenance position. In the collection position, at least the second lint filter is positioned within the housing. In the maintenance position, the second lint filter is positioned outside of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rachael Kelley Acker, Pawan Arora, Ryan Robert Bellinger, Timothy Noah Blatchley, Mark Jason Christensen, Alex Perry Hoffmann, Ryan Douglas Kuhn, Derek James Morgan, Wesley Paul Traylor, Mimansa Verma, Gianluca Bocchino, Justin Q. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20230059881
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet that has a user interface. A drum is disposed within the cabinet and includes baffles. A blower directs process air through an airflow path that includes the drum. A lint filter is disposed within the airflow path and between the drum and the blower. A foreign particulate collector is disposed within the drum and is configured to collect foreign particulates within the drum. A controller is operably coupled to a motor for rotating the drum and the blower. The user interface and the controller cooperate to operate the drum and the blower for capturing foreign particulates at least within the foreign particulate collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan Robert Bellinger, Timothy Noah Blatchley, Matthew Edward Borgerson, Mark Jason Christensen, Alex Perry Hoffmann, Ryan Douglas Kuhn, Derek James Morgan, Justin Nguyen, George Frederick Seiffert, Melissa A. Traylor, Wesley Paul Traylor, Gianluca Bocchino
  • Publication number: 20210381155
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a rotating drum for processing laundry. A blower directs process air through an airflow path that includes the rotating drum. A heat exchanger is positioned within the airflow path that dehumidifies the process air. A fixedly-secured lint filter captures lint from the process air at a position upstream of the heat exchanger. A fluid spray system has spray nozzles that deliver fluid to a surface of the fixedly-secured lint filter. Each spray nozzle of the plurality of spray nozzles directs captured lint away from the fixedly-secured lint filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gianluca Bocchino, Arun Rajendran
  • Patent number: 11142864
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a rotating drum for processing laundry. A blower directs process air through an airflow path that includes the rotating drum. A heat exchanger is positioned within the airflow path that dehumidifies the process air. A fixedly-secured lint filter captures lint from the process air at a position upstream of the heat exchanger. A fluid spray system has spray nozzles that deliver fluid to a surface of the fixedly-secured lint filter. Each spray nozzle of the plurality of spray nozzles directs captured lint away from the fixedly-secured lint filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Gianluca Bocchino, Arun Rajendran
  • Publication number: 20210238795
    Abstract: A fluid flow system for a laundry appliance includes a blower that delivers process air along an airflow path having a heat exchanger. A drain channel receives condensate from the heat exchanger and fluid spray from a spray nozzle for directing lint particles to the drain channel and on to a sump for collecting fluid, including the condensate. A pump seat and a fluid outlet are integrally formed in a sump cover. A pump directs the fluid from the sump to the fluid outlet. A fluid level sensor detects at least minimum and maximum capacities of the fluid in the sump. When the fluid is below the minimum capacity, the pump defines an idle state. When the fluid reaches the minimum capacity, the pump defines an active state. When the fluid exceeds the maximum capacity, the pump directs the fluid to the fluid outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gianluca Bocchino, Roy E. Masters, Arun Rajendran
  • Patent number: 11035073
    Abstract: A fluid flow system for a laundry appliance includes a blower that delivers process air along an airflow path having a heat exchanger. A drain channel receives condensate from the heat exchanger and fluid spray from a spray nozzle for directing lint particles to the drain channel and on to a sump for collecting fluid, including the condensate. A pump seat and a fluid outlet are integrally formed in a sump cover. A pump directs the fluid from the sump to the fluid outlet. A fluid level sensor detects at least minimum and maximum capacities of the fluid in the sump. When the fluid is below the minimum capacity, the pump defines an idle state. When the fluid reaches the minimum capacity, the pump defines an active state. When the fluid exceeds the maximum capacity, the pump directs the fluid to the fluid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Gianluca Bocchino, Roy E. Masters, Arun Rajendran
  • Patent number: 10662574
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a blower that directs process air along an airflow path. An evaporator dehumidifies the process air and removes condensate from the process air. A heat exchange plate is disposed within the airflow path and supports the evaporator from below and within the airflow path. The heat exchange plate receives the condensate from the process air. A sloped area of the heat exchange plate directs the condensate downward and along the heat exchange plate to a condensate drain, wherein the sloped area includes a directing surface that blocks the process air from pushing the condensate upward and away from the condensate drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Gianluca Bocchino, Arun Rajendran
  • Patent number: 10633785
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a rotating drum and a door providing access to the rotating drum. A blower directs process air through an air path that includes the drum. A heat exchanger within the air path dehumidifies the process air. A first lint filter within the air path is forward of the drum and below the door. A second lint filter within the air path is downstream of the first lint filter and forward of the heat exchanger. The first and second lint filters capture lint from the process air upstream of the heat exchanger. The first lint filter is angled with respect to the second lint filter. A filter spray system has a plurality of fluid sprayers that deliver fluid to the first and second lint filters, respectively. Each fluid sprayer directs captured lint from the first and second lint filters to a common drain channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Gianluca Bocchino
  • Patent number: 10619289
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system for a laundry appliance includes a blower that delivers process air along an airflow path. A drum receives process air to dry laundry. A heat exchanger dehumidifies the process air and removes condensate therefrom. A drain channel receives condensate from the heat exchanger. A pump directs fluid from the drain channel and along a fluid path. The fluid at least partially includes the condensate. A fluid diverter valve receives the fluid from the pump and selectively and delivers the fluid sequentially to a plurality of spray nozzles that direct a flow of the fluid onto a lint filter and toward the drain channel and a fluid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Gianluca Bocchino, Arun Rajendran
  • Publication number: 20200109509
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a rotating drum for processing laundry. A blower directs process air through an airflow path that includes the rotating drum. A heat exchanger is positioned within the airflow path that dehumidifies the process air. A fixedly-secured lint filter captures lint from the process air at a position upstream of the heat exchanger. A fluid spray system has spray nozzles that deliver fluid to a surface of the fixedly-secured lint filter. Each spray nozzle of the plurality of spray nozzles directs captured lint away from the fixedly-secured lint filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gianluca Bocchino, Arun Rajendran
  • Publication number: 20200063329
    Abstract: A fluid flow system for a laundry appliance includes a blower that delivers process air along an airflow path having a heat exchanger. A drain channel receives condensate from the heat exchanger and fluid spray from a spray nozzle for directing lint particles to the drain channel and on to a sump for collecting fluid, including the condensate. A pump seat and a fluid outlet are integrally formed in a sump cover. A pump directs the fluid from the sump to the fluid outlet. A fluid level sensor detects at least minimum and maximum capacities of the fluid in the sump. When the fluid is below the minimum capacity, the pump defines an idle state. When the fluid reaches the minimum capacity, the pump defines an active state. When the fluid exceeds the maximum capacity, the pump directs the fluid to the fluid outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gianluca Bocchino, Roy E. Masters, Arun Rajendran
  • Patent number: 10544539
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a rotating drum for processing laundry. A blower directs process air through an airflow path that includes the rotating drum. A heat exchanger is positioned within the airflow path that dehumidifies the process air. A fixedly-secured lint filter captures lint from the process air at a position upstream of the heat exchanger. A fluid spray system has spray nozzles that deliver fluid to a surface of the fixedly-secured lint filter. Each spray nozzle of the plurality of spray nozzles directs captured lint away from the fixedly-secured lint filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Gianluca Bocchino, Arun Rajendran
  • Patent number: 10480117
    Abstract: A fluid flow system for a laundry appliance includes a blower that delivers process air along an airflow path having a heat exchanger. A drain channel receives condensate from the heat exchanger and fluid spray from a spray nozzle for directing lint particles to the drain channel and on to a sump for collecting fluid, including the condensate. A pump seat and a fluid outlet are integrally formed in a sump cover. A pump directs the fluid from the sump to the fluid outlet. A fluid level sensor detects at least minimum and maximum capacities of the fluid in the sump. When the fluid is below the minimum capacity, the pump defines an idle state. When the fluid reaches the minimum capacity, the pump defines an active state. When the fluid exceeds the maximum capacity, the pump directs the fluid to the fluid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Gianluca Bocchino, Roy E. Masters, Arun Rajendran
  • Patent number: 10087569
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a rotating drum for processing laundry. A blower directs process air through an air path that includes the rotating drum. A heat exchanger is positioned within the air path that cools and dehumidifies the process air. A plurality of air filters arranged sequentially captures lint from the process air at respective positions upstream of the heat exchanger. A filter spray system has a plurality of fluid sprayers that deliver fluid to a surface of each air filter of the plurality of air filters. Each fluid sprayer of the plurality of fluid sprayers directs captured lint away from a respective air filter of the plurality of air filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Gianluca Bocchino