Patents by Inventor Ionelia Silvia PRAJESCU

Ionelia Silvia PRAJESCU 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: 20240271355
    Abstract: A laundry treatment appliance includes a cabinet; a drum rotatably mounted within the cabinet; a sealed system; a duct system; a blower fan capable of operating at variable rotational speeds; and a controller configured to perform an operation. The operation includes directing the blower fan at a preliminary rotational speed; determining a condensation capacity of the sealed system with regards to the process air in the duct system; determining a mass flow rate of moisture in the process air while directing the blower fan at the preliminary rotational speed; determining a target rotational speed of the blower fan corresponding to a set ratio of the determined condensation capacity to the determined mass flow rate; and directing the blower fan at the determined target rotational speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: David Scott Dunn, Ionelia Silvia Prajescu, Jivko Ognianov Djerekarov
  • Publication number: 20240117550
    Abstract: A method of operating a laundry treatment appliance includes initiating a drying cycle, the drying cycle including a first goal value of a moisture goal of a laundry load; initiating a sensing process, the sensing process including measuring, via the moisture sensor, a first moisture level within a first predetermined time interval; determining that the first moisture level is above the first goal value within the first predetermined time interval; measuring, as part of the sensing process via the moisture sensor, a second moisture level within a second predetermined time interval subsequent to the first predetermined time interval; determining the second moisture level is greater than the first moisture level; and setting the moisture goal based on determining that the second moisture level is greater than the first moisture level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Joshua Reeves, Ionelia Silvia Prajescu
  • Patent number: 11846064
    Abstract: A laundry appliance uses a determination of a frequency of compressor temperature response, refrigerant mass flow rate, or both to determine accumulation of lint in a filter. Based on the determination, various corrective actions can be taken including notifying the user, shutting off the appliance, initiating an automatic cleaning sequence for one or more lint filters, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Sarah Heiniger, David Scott Dunn, Jivko Ognianov Djerekarov, Ionelia Silvia Prajescu
  • Publication number: 20230212813
    Abstract: A method of operating a dryer appliance includes activating a heating system of the dryer appliance and tracking an energy output of the heating system. The method also includes determining a load score of a load of articles to be dried in the dryer appliance based on the tracked energy output and determining a termination criterion for a dry operation of the dryer appliance based on the load score. The method further includes performing the dry operation in the dryer appliance and terminating the dry operation when the determined termination criterion is reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Joshua Reeves, Ionelia Silvia Prajescu
  • Patent number: 11655584
    Abstract: Dryer appliances and related methods are disclosed. Such methods may include, or such appliances may be configured for, monitoring a temperature with a thermistor of a primary heat control system of the dryer appliance. The present disclosure also includes determining a relay signal is calling to close a relay and thereby activate a heating system of the dryer appliance and verifying that the relay is closed. The present disclosure further includes allowing a minimum relay on time to elapse after verifying that the relay is closed. The present disclosure also includes determining a temperature gradient of the monitored temperature based on a change in the monitored temperature over the minimum relay on time. The present disclosure further includes detecting a nuisance trip because the determined temperature gradient is negative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Reeves, Ionelia Silvia Prajescu
  • Patent number: 11603624
    Abstract: A laundry appliance uses a determination of volumetric airflow rate after a steady state condition is reached to determine the accumulation of lint in filter. Based on the determination, various actions can be taken including notifying the user, shutting off the appliance, initiating an automatic cleaning sequence for one or more lint filters, and combinations thereof. One or more temperature sensors, relative humidity sensors, and weight sensors are used to provide measurements for determining the volumetric airflow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Sarah Heiniger, David Scott Dunn, Jivko Ognianov Djerekarov, Ionelia Silvia Prajescu
  • Publication number: 20230064924
    Abstract: A laundry appliance is configured for and/or methods of operating a laundry appliance include determining a load size of articles to be dried in the laundry appliance and determining a load type of the articles to be dried in the laundry appliance. A termination criterion for a dry operation of the laundry appliance is determined based on the load size and the load type. The laundry appliance is further configured for and/or the method further includes performing the dry operation in the laundry appliance. The dry operation is terminated when the termination criterion is reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: David Scott Dunn, Joshua Reeves, Dimitar Tcholakov, Ionelia Silvia Prajescu, Jivko Ognianov Djerekarov, Daniele Martinello, Gregory Allen Dedow
  • Publication number: 20220228312
    Abstract: A laundry appliance uses a determination of a frequency of compressor temperature response, refrigerant mass flow rate, or both to determine accumulation of lint in a filter. Based on the determination, various corrective actions can be taken including notifying the user, shutting off the appliance, initiating an automatic cleaning sequence for one or more lint filters, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Sarah Heiniger, David Scott Dunn, Jivko Ognianov Djerekarov, Ionelia Silvia Prajescu
  • Publication number: 20220186424
    Abstract: A laundry appliance uses a determination of volumetric airflow rate after a steady state condition is reached to determine the accumulation of lint in filter. Based on the determination, various actions can be taken including notifying the user, shutting off the appliance, initiating an automatic cleaning sequence for one or more lint filters, and combinations thereof. One or more temperature sensors, relative humidity sensors, and weight sensors are used to provide measurements for determining the volumetric airflow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Sarah Heiniger, David Scott Dunn, Jivko Ognianov Djerekarov, Ionelia Silvia Prajescu
  • Patent number: 11346043
    Abstract: A method for operating a dryer appliance includes obtaining an initial operating temperature, obtaining a first temperature set point and a second temperature set point lower than the first temperature set point, wherein the first temperature set point and the second temperature set point are based at least in part on the initial operating temperature, operating the dryer appliance at the initial operating temperature, determining that a restriction level within the dryer appliance exceeds a restriction threshold, and operating the dryer appliance at the first temperature set point, lower than the initial operating temperature, upon determining that the restriction level exceeds the restriction threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Ionelia Silvia Prajescu, Joshua L. Reeves
  • Publication number: 20220106730
    Abstract: A dryer appliance operable to detect an extreme thermal event therein and related methods of detecting an extreme thermal event are provided. The dryer appliance includes a cabinet, a drum rotatably mounted within the cabinet, a heating system upstream of the drum, and an outlet duct downstream of the drum. The method includes and/or the dryer is configured for monitoring an outlet temperature, determining a temperature gradient of the monitored outlet temperature, and detecting the extreme thermal event based on the determined temperature gradient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Joshua Reeves, Ionelia Silvia Prajescu
  • Publication number: 20220106731
    Abstract: Dryer appliances and related methods are disclosed. Such methods may include, or such appliances may be configured for, monitoring a temperature with a thermistor of a primary heat control system of the dryer appliance. The present disclosure also includes determining a relay signal is calling to close a relay and thereby activate a heating system of the dryer appliance and verifying that the relay is closed. The present disclosure further includes allowing a minimum relay on time to elapse after verifying that the relay is closed. The present disclosure also includes determining a temperature gradient of the monitored temperature based on a change in the monitored temperature over the minimum relay on time. The present disclosure further includes detecting a nuisance trip because the determined temperature gradient is negative.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Joshua Reeves, Ionelia Silvia Prajescu
  • Publication number: 20220010479
    Abstract: A method for operating a dryer appliance includes obtaining an initial operating temperature, obtaining a first temperature set point and a second temperature set point lower than the first temperature set point, wherein the first temperature set point and the second temperature set point are based at least in part on the initial operating temperature, operating the dryer appliance at the initial operating temperature, determining that a restriction level within the dryer appliance exceeds a restriction threshold, and operating the dryer appliance at the first temperature set point, lower than the initial operating temperature, upon determining that the restriction level exceeds the restriction threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Ionelia Silvia Prajescu, Joshua L. Reeves
  • Patent number: 11174586
    Abstract: A dryer appliance includes a cabinet. A drum is disposed within the cabinet. The drum is mounted such that the drum is fixed relative to the cabinet. The drum defines a length between a first end portion of the drum and a second end portion of the drum. The dryer appliance also includes an air duct and a fan. The air duct is coupled to the fan. The air duct has an outlet positioned at a bottom portion of the drum. The fan is operable to urge a flow of air through the air duct and into the drum at the outlet of the air duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriel Neculai Prajescu, David Scott Dunn, Jivko Ognianov Djerekarov, Brian Michael Schork, Ionelia Silvia Prajescu, James Quentin Pollett
  • Publication number: 20210071346
    Abstract: A dryer appliance includes a cabinet. A drum is disposed within the cabinet. The drum is mounted such that the drum is fixed relative to the cabinet. The drum defines a length between a first end portion of the drum and a second end portion of the drum. The dryer appliance also includes an air duct and a fan. The air duct is coupled to the fan. The air duct has an outlet positioned at a bottom portion of the drum. The fan is operable to urge a flow of air through the air duct and into the drum at the outlet of the air duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Gabriel Neculai Prajescu, David Scott Dunn, Jivko Ognianov Djerekarov, Brian Michael Schork, Ionelia Silvia Prajescu, James Quentin Pollett
  • Patent number: 10941513
    Abstract: A filter system for a dryer appliance includes a front housing, a rear housing, the rear housing including two guards that define an opening, a pivotable perforated grille connected to the rear housing and pivotable between a closed position and an open position, at least a portion of the perforated grille covering the opening when it is in the closed position, and a filter removably mounted between the front housing and the rear housing, the filter being removable when the perforated grille is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert V. MacDonald, III, Ionelia Silvia Prajescu
  • Publication number: 20200340170
    Abstract: A filter system for a dryer appliance includes a front housing, a rear housing, the rear housing including two guards that define an opening, a pivotable perforated grille connected to the rear housing and pivotable between a closed position and an open position, at least a portion of the perforated grille covering the opening when it is in the closed position, and a filter removably mounted between the front housing and the rear housing, the filter being removable when the perforated grille is in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Robert V. MacDonald, III, Ionelia Silvia Prajescu
  • Patent number: 10669667
    Abstract: A dryer appliance and a method of detecting a moisture content of clothes in the dryer appliance are provided. The dryer appliance includes a top bearing positioned proximate a front of a rotating drum and temperature and humidity sensors positioned behind the top bearing for measuring a chamber temperature and humidity as well as a temperature sensor for measuring the exhaust temperature. A controller implements a method of detecting the moisture content of clothes within the drum by obtaining the chamber and exhaust temperatures and the chamber humidity, estimating the moisture content using these values, and adjusting at least one operating parameter of the dryer appliance in response to the estimated moisture content of the clothes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Ionelia Silvia Prajescu, Giancarlo Hazael Paez Gonzalez, Julio Alberto Anaya Lopez, Carlos Humberto Reyes Andres
  • Patent number: 10494758
    Abstract: Dryer appliances, including methods of operation, are provided herein. The dryer appliance may include a cabinet, a drum, a ventilation assembly, an air handler, and a controller. The drum may be rotatably mounted within the cabinet. The drum may define a drying chamber. A ventilation assembly may be attached to the drying chamber. The ventilation assembly may include a conduit defining an exhaust passage in fluid communication with the drying chamber. The conduit may extend from an inlet at the drying chamber to an outlet defined through the cabinet. The air handler may be attached to the conduit in fluid communication with the drying chamber to draw air through the exhaust passage. The controller may be in operable communication with the air handler and the drum, and may be configured to initiate a dry cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Ionelia Silvia Prajescu
  • Publication number: 20190338458
    Abstract: A dryer appliance and a method of detecting a moisture content of clothes in the dryer appliance are provided. The dryer appliance includes a top bearing positioned proximate a front of a rotating drum and temperature and humidity sensors positioned behind the top bearing for measuring a chamber temperature and humidity as well as a temperature sensor for measuring the exhaust temperature. A controller implements a method of detecting the moisture content of clothes within the drum by obtaining the chamber and exhaust temperatures and the chamber humidity, estimating the moisture content using these values, and adjusting at least one operating parameter of the dryer appliance in response to the estimated moisture content of the clothes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Ionelia Silvia Prajescu, Giancarlo Hazael Paez Gonzalez, Julio Alberto Anaya Lopez, Carlos Humberto Reyes Andres