Patents by Inventor Kurt A Estes
Kurt A Estes 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).
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Patent number: 8262741Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for washing fabric loads without water or using water only as a co-solvent are disclosed. One method of non-aqueous clothes washing includes the steps of disposing clothing in a wash container, delivering a wash liquor to the fabric load, the wash liquor comprising a substantially non-reactive, non-aqueous, non-oleophilic, apolar working fluid and at least one washing additive, applying mechanical energy to the clothing and wash liquor for a sufficient amount of time to provide fabric cleaning and, thereafter, substantially removing the wash liquor from the fabric load. The working fluid may be selected from the group consisting of perfluorocarbons, hydrofluoroethers, fluorinated hydrocarbons and fluoroinerts.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2008Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Kurt A. Estes, Daniel C. Conrad, Mark Bradley Kovich, Tremitchell L. Wright
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Patent number: 7534304Abstract: The invention relates to a non-aqueous washing machine, methods of using the machine, methods of washing, and recycling.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2003Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Daniel C. Conrad, Tremitchell Wright, Michael T. Dalton, Kurt Estes, Mark B. Kovich, Andrew J. Leitert, Brooke Lindsay-Steel Lau, Cinnamon S. Brown-Green, Holli Krumbein, Kenyata Joi Maki, Joel A. Luckman, Karl David McAllister, Vicki Lyn Wyatt-Smith
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Publication number: 20090069209Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for washing fabric loads without water or using water only as a co-solvent are disclosed. One method of non-aqueous clothes washing includes the steps of disposing clothing in a wash container, delivering a wash liquor to the fabric load, the wash liquor comprising a substantially non-reactive, non-aqueous, non-oleophilic, apolar working fluid and at least one washing additive, applying mechanical energy to the clothing and wash liquor for a sufficient amount of time to provide fabric cleaning and, thereafter, substantially removing the wash liquor from the fabric load. The working fluid may be selected from the group consisting of perfluorocarbons, hydrofluoroethers, fluoronated hydrocarbons and fluoroinerts.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2008Publication date: March 12, 2009Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: KURT A. ESTES, DANIEL C. CONRAD, MARK BRADLEY KOVICH, TREMITCHELL L. WRIGHT
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Patent number: 6766670Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic washing apparatus for dry laundering hanging garments. The automatic washing apparatus has a sealed wash cabinet and a working fluid storage chamber for storing an amount of working fluid sufficient to dry launder a fabric load. The working fluid storage chamber is in fluid communication with the sealed wash cabinet. The sealed wash cabinet has an interior region, an upper assembly above the interior region, a lower assembly housed below the interior region and a door sealing the interior region of the wash cabinet. The upper assembly shakes the hanging garments in the wash cabinet and dispenses a wash a working fluid into the wash cabinet. The lower assembly has a moisture generator and a heater to respectively generate moisture and heat inside the wash cabinet.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2003Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Kurt A Estes, Daniel C. Conrad, Mark Bradley Kovich, Tremitchell L. Wright
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Publication number: 20040139555Abstract: The invention relates to a non-aqueous washing machine, methods of using the machine, methods of washing, and recycling and in particular provides novel filtering, reclamation and recycling methods and apparati.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2003Publication date: July 22, 2004Inventors: Daniel C. Conrad, Vicki Lyn Wyatt-Smith, Karl D. McAllister, Hank Robert Reinhoudt, Machiel Goedhart, Catherine P. Tarnowski, Brooke Lindsay-Steel Lau, David Stankiewicz, Cinnamon S. Brown-Green, Holli Krumbein, Kenyata Joi Maki, Tremitchell Wright, Joel A. Luckman, Brian W. May, Kurt Estes, Mark B. Kovich
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Publication number: 20040117919Abstract: The invention relates to a non-aqueous washing machine, methods of using the machine, methods of washing, and recycling.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2003Publication date: June 24, 2004Inventors: Daniel C. Conrad, Tremitchell Wright, Michael T. Dalton, Kurt Estes, Mark B. Kovich, Andrew J. Leitert, Brooke Lindsay-Steel Lau, Cinnamon S. Brown-Green, Holli Krumbein, Kenyata Joi Maki, Joel A. Luckman, Karl David McAllister, Vicki Lyn Wyatt-Smith
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Publication number: 20030204917Abstract: Disclosed is a wash apparatus that comprises a cabinet adapted to receive fabrics for hanging and further adapted to provide for some dry laundering of the hanging fabrics using a working fluid. Disclosed is a washing machine apparatus adapted to provide for some dry laundering of fabrics in a sealed wash chamber using a working fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2003Publication date: November 6, 2003Inventors: Kurt A. Estes, Daniel C. Conrad, Mark Bradley Kovich, Tremitchell L. Wright
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Patent number: 6591638Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for washing fabric loads without water or using water only as a co-solvent are disclosed. One method of non-aqueous clothes washing includes the steps of disposing clothing in a wash container, delivering a wash liquor to the fabric load, the wash liquor comprising a substantially non-reactive, non-aqueous, non-oleophilic, apolar working fluid and at least one washing additive, applying mechanical energy to the clothing and wash liquor for a sufficient amount of time to provide fabric cleaning and, thereafter, substantially removing the wash liquor from the fabric load. The working fluid may be selected from the group consisting of perfluorocarbons, hydrofluoroethers, fluoronated hydrocarbons and fluoroinerts.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2001Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Kurt A Estes, Daniel C. Conrad, Mark Bradley Kovich, Tremitchell L. Wright
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Patent number: 6570362Abstract: Battery life and cooling are improved in an electronic device. A thermoelectric module and phase change material module are placed near a heat source in an electronic device. The thermoelectric module and phase change material module insulate a surface to be cooled on the electronic device. The thermoelectric module generates an electrical current in response to a temperature differential at opposite surfaces on the thermoelectric module. The phase change material module enhances or limits the temperature differential seen at the thermoelectric module. The electrical current generated by the thermoelectric module is used to charge a battery of the electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2000Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventors: Kurt Estes, Debabrata Pal, Kevin McDunn, Irina Shmagin, Daniel Gamota
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Publication number: 20020134543Abstract: A connecting device (13), such as for connecting an electronic component (10) to a heat sink (12), or connecting any two objects, includes a thermally activated adhesive (202a) with a local heating element (200) placed in contact therewith. The local heating element (200), such as a wire, may be embedded within the thermally activated adhesive (202a), which may be in sheet form or non-sheet form. When the local heating element (200) is activated, the local heating element cures the adhesive (such as epoxy) within the thermally activated adhesive that is adjacent to the local heating element when, for example, current is passed through the local heating element (200).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2001Publication date: September 26, 2002Applicant: MOTOROLA, INCInventors: Kurt A. Estes, Kevin J. Mc Dunn
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Publication number: 20020135979Abstract: A two phase cooling module for electronic components includes the plurality of layered laminate sheets (204a-204n) interposed between a first cover (200) and second cover (202). The layered laminate sheets (204a-204n) define walls of a vapor/liquid cavity. A support member (208), non-integral with the plurality of layered laminate sheets (204a-204n), is operatively connected to at least one of the first and second covers (200,202). A method of making a two phase module includes forming the first cover, second cover, and window shaped laminate sheets by punching sheets of aluminum. The method also includes forming alignment apertures in each of the plurality of window-shaped laminate sheets, stacking the plurality of window-shaped laminate sheets on a cover using the alignment apertures, and placing the other cover on the resulting stack of window shaped laminate sheets to form an enclosure assembly defining the vapor/liquid cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2001Publication date: September 26, 2002Applicant: MOTOROLA, INCInventors: Kurt A. Estes, Michael R. Edwards
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Publication number: 20020134534Abstract: The two-phase cooling module (200) for electronic components includes a first cooling chamber member (210) press formed as a unitary member having an offset surface and a perimeter surface. A second cooling chamber member (212, 600), such as a flat sheet, serves as cooling chamber member and is brazed to the perimeter surface. A non-integral support member (500) is interposed between the first cooling chamber member and the cover (600) and is located within the cooling cavity. In an alternative embodiment, the cooling cavity is defined by two cooling chamber members, each of which are press formed as separate unitary members (210, 212) each having offset surfaces and corresponding perimeter surfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2001Publication date: September 26, 2002Applicant: MOTOROLA, INC.Inventor: Kurt A. Estes
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Patent number: 6451066Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for washing fabric loads without water or using water only as a co-solvent are disclosed. One method of non-aqueous clothes washing includes the steps of disposing clothing in a wash container, delivering a wash liquor to the fabric load, the wash liquor comprising a substantially non-reactive, non-aqueous, non-oleophilic, apolar working fluid and at least one washing additive, applying mechanical energy to the clothing and wash liquor for a sufficient amount of time to provide fabric cleaning and, thereafter, substantially removing the wash liquor from the fabric load. The working fluid may be selected from the group consisting of perfluorocarbons, hydrofluoroethers, fluoronated hydrocarbons and fluoroinerts.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2000Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: Whirlpool Patents Co.Inventors: Kurt A Estes, Daniel C. Conrad, Mark Bradley Kovich, Tremitchell L. Wright
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Publication number: 20020056163Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for washing fabric loads without water or using water only as a co-solvent are disclosed. One method of non-aqueous clothes washing includes the steps of disposing clothing in a wash container, delivering a wash liquor to the fabric load, the wash liquor comprising a substantially non-reactive, non-aqueous, non-oleophilic, apolar working fluid and at least one washing additive, applying mechanical energy to the clothing and wash liquor for a sufficient amount of time to provide fabric cleaning and, thereafter, substantially removing the wash liquor from the fabric load. The working fluid may be selected from the group consisting of perfluorocarbons, hydrofluoroethers, fluoronated hydrocarbons and fluoroinerts.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2001Publication date: May 16, 2002Inventors: Kurt A. Estes, Daniel C. Conrad, Mark Bradley Kovich, Tremitchell L. Wright
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Publication number: 20020056164Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for washing fabric loads without water or using water only as a co-solvent are disclosed. One method of non-aqueous clothes washing includes the steps of disposing clothing in a wash container, delivering a wash liquor to the fabric load, the wash liquor comprising a substantially non-reactive, non-aqueous, non-oleophilic, apolar working fluid and at least one washing additive, applying mechanical energy to the clothing and wash liquor for a sufficient amount of time to provide fabric cleaning and, thereafter, substantially removing the wash liquor from the fabric load. The working fluid may be selected from the group consisting of perfluorocarbons, hydrofluoroethers, fluoronated hydrocarbons and fluoroinerts.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2001Publication date: May 16, 2002Inventors: Kurt A. Estes, Daniel C. Conrad, Mark Bradley Kovich, Tremitchell L. Wright
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Publication number: 20010042275Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for washing fabric loads without water or using water only as a co-solvent are disclosed. One method of non-aqueous clothes washing includes the steps of disposing clothing in a wash container, delivering a wash liquor to the fabric load, the wash liquor comprising a substantially non-reactive, non-aqueous, non-oleophilic, apolar working fluid and at least one washing additive, applying mechanical energy to the clothing and wash liquor for a sufficient amount of time to provide fabric cleaning and, thereafter, substantially removing the wash liquor from the fabric load. The working fluid may be selected from the group consisting of perfluorocarbons, hydrofluoroethers, fluoronated hydrocarbons and fluoroinerts.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2000Publication date: November 22, 2001Inventors: Kurt A. Estes, Dr. Daniel C. Conrad, Mark Bradley Kovich, Tremitchell L. Wright
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Patent number: 6045588Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for washing fabric loads without water or using water only as a co-solvent are disclosed. One method of non-aqueous clothes washing includes the steps of disposing clothing in a wash container, delivering a wash liquor to the fabric load, the wash liquor comprising a substantially non-reactive, non-aqueous, non-oleophilic, apolar working fluid and at least one washing additive, applying mechanical energy to the clothing and wash liquor for a sufficient amount of time to provide fabric cleaning and, thereafter, substantially removing the wash liquor from the fabric load. The working fluid may be selected from the group consisting of perfluorocarbons, hydrofluoroethers, fluoronated hydrocarbons and fluoroinerts.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1998Date of Patent: April 4, 2000Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Kurt A Estes, Daniel C. Conrad, Mark Bradley Kovich, Tremitchell L. Wright
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Patent number: 5815961Abstract: A clothes treating apparatus and method for subjecting clothes items to moisture, pressure and heat for refreshing and dewrinkling the clothes items. A cabinet defines an interior region for receiving clothes, the interior region having opposed inner side surfaces. A door is hingedly connected to the cabinet for closing the interior region. An inflatable hanger for supporting shirt-like clothes items is disposed within the interior region. A blower selectively inflates the inflatable hanger for pressing the shirt-like clothes item against the cabinet inner side surfaces. A steam generation means is provided for introducing moist air into the cabinet for humidifying the clothes item disposed therein. A heater and fan supply heated air into the interior region for drying the shirt-like clothes items disposed therein. During the dewrinkling cycle, steam is introduced into the interior region while the inflatable hanger assembly is periodically inflated.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1997Date of Patent: October 6, 1998Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Kurt A. Estes, Phalguni S. Roy, David Hung-Chih Chen, Kevin S. Maki