Patents by Inventor James B. Hull

James B. Hull 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: 12149128
    Abstract: An axial flux motor for an appliance includes a stator yoke. A plurality of stator teeth extend from the stator yoke in an axial direction and are positioned about a central rotational axis. Each stator tooth includes a plurality of laminations that extend in the axial direction and form a “T” shaped member. The plurality of stator teeth are overmolded with a polymeric material to define a plurality of axial stator poles. At least one winding extends around the plurality of axial stator poles. A ring-shaped rotor rotates about the central rotational axis of the stator yoke. The rotor is positioned proximate an axial end of the plurality of axial stator poles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: James B. Hull
  • 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: 11807980
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an electric motor for a laundry appliance includes a first stator having a central axis. A first rotor is in electromagnetic communication with the first stator and is rotationally operable about the central axis. A second stator is aligned with the central axis. A second rotor is in electromagnetic communication with the second stator and is rotationally operable about the central axis. The first and second stators are positioned within a common motor cavity of an outer housing. A controller regulates a first electrical current to the first stator and a second electrical current to the second stator. The controller includes a torque discrimination module for monitoring an output torque of at least the first rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: James B. Hull
  • Patent number: 11773525
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a drum that is rotationally operable about a rotational axis within a tub. The rotational axis is oriented in a generally horizontal configuration. An impeller is rotationally operable within the drum about the rotational axis. A dual-rotor motor is coupled to the drum and the impeller for providing separate and independent rotation of the drum and impeller about the rotational axis. An inner rotor of the dual-rotor motor is coupled with the impeller and an outer rotor of the dual-rotor motor is coupled with the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Krati Bhargava, Fang Deng, James B. Hull, Wang Jun, Dennis Kehl, Weitao Yang
  • 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
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20220275565
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an electric motor for a laundry appliance includes a first stator having a central axis. A first rotor is in electromagnetic communication with the first stator and is rotationally operable about the central axis. A second stator is aligned with the central axis. A second rotor is in electromagnetic communication with the second stator and is rotationally operable about the central axis. The first and second stators are positioned within a common motor cavity of an outer housing. A controller regulates a first electrical current to the first stator and a second electrical current to the second stator. The controller includes a torque discrimination module for monitoring an output torque of at least the first rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: James B. Hull
  • Publication number: 20220263355
    Abstract: An axial flux motor for an appliance includes a stator yoke. A plurality of stator teeth extend from the stator yoke in an axial direction and are positioned about a central rotational axis. Each stator tooth includes a plurality of laminations that extend in the axial direction and form a “T” shaped member. The plurality of stator teeth are overmolded with a polymeric material to define a plurality of axial stator poles. At least one winding extends around the plurality of axial stator poles. A ring-shaped rotor rotates about the central rotational axis of the stator yoke. The rotor is positioned proximate an axial end of the plurality of axial stator poles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: James B. Hull
  • Patent number: 11365509
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an electric motor for a laundry appliance includes a first stator having a central axis. A first rotor is in electromagnetic communication with the first stator and is rotationally operable about the central axis. A second stator is aligned with the central axis. A second rotor is in electromagnetic communication with the second stator and is rotationally operable about the central axis. The first and second stators are positioned within a common motor cavity of an outer housing. A controller regulates a first electrical current to the first stator and a second electrical current to the second stator. The controller includes a torque discrimination module for monitoring an output torque of at least the first rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: James B. Hull
  • Patent number: 11355974
    Abstract: An axial flux motor for an appliance includes a stator yoke. A plurality of stator teeth extend from the stator yoke in an axial direction and are positioned about a central rotational axis. Each stator tooth includes a plurality of laminations that extend in the axial direction and form a “T” shaped member. The plurality of stator teeth are overmolded with a polymeric material to define a plurality of axial stator poles. At least one winding extends around the plurality of axial stator poles. A ring-shaped rotor rotates about the central rotational axis of the stator yoke. The rotor is positioned proximate an axial end of the plurality of axial stator poles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: James B. Hull
  • Publication number: 20210095415
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an electric motor for a laundry appliance includes a first stator having a central axis. A first rotor is in electromagnetic communication with the first stator and is rotationally operable about the central axis. A second stator is aligned with the central axis. A second rotor is in electromagnetic communication with the second stator and is rotationally operable about the central axis. The first and second stators are positioned within a common motor cavity of an outer housing. A controller regulates a first electrical current to the first stator and a second electrical current to the second stator. The controller includes a torque discrimination module for monitoring an output torque of at least the first rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: James B. Hull
  • Publication number: 20210091608
    Abstract: An axial flux motor for an appliance includes a stator yoke. A plurality of stator teeth extend from the stator yoke in an axial direction and are positioned about a central rotational axis. Each stator tooth includes a plurality of laminations that extend in the axial direction and form a “T” shaped member. The plurality of stator teeth are overmolded with a polymeric material to define a plurality of axial stator poles. At least one winding extends around the plurality of axial stator poles. A ring-shaped rotor rotates about the central rotational axis of the stator yoke. The rotor is positioned proximate an axial end of the plurality of axial stator poles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: James B. Hull
  • Publication number: 20200347538
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a drum that is rotationally operable about a rotational axis within a tub. The rotational axis is oriented in a generally horizontal configuration. An impeller is rotationally operable within the drum about the rotational axis. A dual-rotor motor is coupled to the drum and the impeller for providing separate and independent rotation of the drum and impeller about the rotational axis. An inner rotor of the dual-rotor motor is coupled with the impeller and an outer rotor of the dual-rotor motor is coupled with the drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Krati Bhargava, Fang Deng, James B. Hull, Wang Jun, Dennis Kehl, Weitao Yang
  • 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: 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
  • Patent number: 9303347
    Abstract: A method of operating a laundry treating appliance having a rotatable container at least partially defining a treating chamber, a motor for rotating the treating chamber, and an electric heater for heating liquid supplied to or in the treating chamber by simultaneously operating the electric motor to effect the rotation of the treating chamber and operating an electric heating element to heat liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: James B. Hull
  • Publication number: 20150000046
    Abstract: A method of operating a laundry treating appliance having a rotatable container at least partially defining a treating chamber, a motor for rotating the treating chamber, and an electric heater for heating liquid supplied to or in the treating chamber by simultaneously operating the electric motor to effect the rotation of the treating chamber and operating an electric heating element to heat liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: JAMES B. HULL
  • Patent number: 6568017
    Abstract: A detergent collection tray is provided at a position spaced above a drain port in the sump area of an outer tub of a washing machine, particularly a horizontal axis washing machine. As detergent enters the washing machine during an initial fill operation, the detergent will be caused to flow into the tray and will be prevented from flowing directly into the drain. Therefore, the tray prevents the loss of detergent into the drain by functioning to capture or collect the detergent for use during the washing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Francis C. Cheo, Ted L. Hansen, James B. Hull, Evan R. Vande Haar