Patents by Inventor Kenneth Joseph Hanley

Kenneth Joseph Hanley 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).

  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INSULATING A REFRIGERATION APPLIANCE
    Publication number: 20150035425
    Abstract: A method of insulating a refrigeration appliance. The refrigeration appliance includes a case, a liner, and a five-sided, box like vacuum panel. The liner is formed to be inserted into the case forming a chamber between the liner and the case. The five sides of the vacuum panel define a cavity. The method includes in one embodiment, positioning the five-sided vacuum panel in the chamber between the case and the liner, injecting foam into the chamber, and curing the foam to attach the live sided vacuum panel to the case and the liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth Joseph Hanley, Martin Christopher Severance
  • Method and apparatus for insulating a refrigeration appliance
    Patent number: 8881398
    Abstract: A method of insulating a refrigeration appliance. The refrigeration appliance includes a case, a liner, and a five-sided, box like vacuum panel. The liner is formed to be inserted into the case forming a chamber between the liner and the case. The five sides of the vacuum panel define a cavity. The method includes in one embodiment, positioning the five-sided vacuum panel in the chamber between the case and the liner, injecting foam into the chamber, and curing the foam to attach the five sided vacuum panel to the case and the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Joseph Hanley, Martin Christopher Severance
  • METHOD FOR IMPROVING EFFICIENCY OF A REFRIGERATOR APPLIANCE DURING A DEFROST CYCLE
    Publication number: 20140123690
    Abstract: A method for operating a refrigerator appliance during a defrost cycle of the refrigerator appliance is provided. The method includes deactivating a compressor of the refrigerator appliance at a beginning or commencement of the defrost cycle until a predetermined period of time elapses or a chilled chamber of the refrigerator appliance rises to a preselected temperature. The method can improve an energy efficiency of the refrigerator appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Kenneth Joseph Hanley, Martin Christopher Severance
  • Vacuum insulator for a refrigerator appliance
    Patent number: 8365551
    Abstract: A vacuum insulator for portions of the refrigeration cycle of a refrigerator appliance is provided. The vacuum insulator can be applied to the suction line leading to the refrigerant compressor, the capillary tube leading to the evaporator inlet, and/or the capillary tube—suction line heat exchanger. An outer insulating layer is used to create a vacuum that serves to insulate the intended portion of the refrigeration cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Joseph Hanley, Martin Christopher Severance, Karthick Srinivasan, John Alexander Gardner
  • Method and apparatus using evaporator fan power requirements to determine defrost cycle for a refrigerator appliance
    Patent number: 8365541
    Abstract: A refrigerator and a method of operating a refrigerator to determine the time at which to initiate a defrost cycle is provided. Changes in the voltage provided to an evaporator fan are used to determine and/or predict when to initiate a defrost cycle. Adjustments to the timing of the defrost cycle can be made based on known periods of peak energy demand and/or the increased costs associated with operating the defrost cycle during such peak energy demand periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Joseph Hanley, Jeffrey Martin Wood, Martin Christopher Severance, Jason Andrew May
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INSULATING A REFRIGERATION APPLIANCE
    Publication number: 20120297813
    Abstract: A method of insulating a refrigeration appliance. The refrigeration appliance includes a case, a liner, and a five-sided, box like vacuum panel. The liner is formed to be inserted into the case forming a chamber between the liner and the case. The five sides of the vacuum panel define a cavity. The method includes in one embodiment, positioning the five-sided vacuum panel in the chamber between the case and the liner, injecting foam into the chamber, and curing the foam to attach the five sided vacuum panel to the case and the liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Kenneth Joseph Hanley, Martin Christopher Severance
  • VACUUM INSULATOR FOR A REFRIGERATOR APPLIANCE
    Publication number: 20120060543
    Abstract: A vacuum insulator for portions of the refrigeration cycle of a refrigerator appliance is provided. The vacuum insulator can be applied to the suction line leading to the refrigerant compressor, the capillary tube leading to the evaporator inlet, and/or the capillary tube—suction line heat exchanger. An outer insulating layer is used to create a vacuum that serves to insulate the intended portion of the refrigeration cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Kenneth Joseph Hanley, Martin Christopher Severance, Karthick Srinivasan, John Alexander Gardner
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS USING EVAPORATOR FAN POWER REQUIREMENTS TO DETERMINE DEFROST CYCLE FOR A REFRIGERATOR APPLIANCE
    Publication number: 20120047920
    Abstract: A refrigerator and a method of operating a refrigerator to determine the time at which to initiate a defrost cycle is provided. Changes in the voltage provided to an evaporator fan are used to determine and/or predict when to initiate a defrost cycle. Adjustments to the timing of the defrost cycle can be made based on known periods of peak energy demand and/or the increased costs associated with operating the defrost cycle during such peak energy demand periods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Kenneth Joseph Hanley, Jeffrey Martin Wood, Martin Christopher Severance, Jason Andrew May