Patents by Inventor Kyle Edward Durham

Kyle Edward Durham 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: 20210259510
    Abstract: A dishwasher appliance includes a sump that collects wash fluid and a circulation pump for urging the wash fluid through a supply conduit to a plurality of spray arms. A diverter assembly is operably coupled to the supply conduit for selectively diverting the flow of wash fluid to the plurality of spray arms and a rotation detection system monitors rotation of the spray arms. A controller detects rotation of the plurality of spray arms and determines a position of the diverter assembly based on the rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventor: Kyle Edward Durham
  • Publication number: 20210251464
    Abstract: A dishwasher appliance includes a sump that collects wash fluid and defines a mounting port for receiving a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly includes an adapter that defines a plurality of sensor ports for receiving different sensors, such as a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, and a turbidity sensor. The adapter is translucent to facilitate turbidity sensing without introducing leak points. In addition, the adapter defines an internal chamber for receiving the wash fluid and an air chamber defined above the internal chamber to prevent direct contact between the wash fluid and the pressure sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventor: Kyle Edward Durham
  • Publication number: 20210244257
    Abstract: A dishwasher appliance includes a sump that defines a transition fill level where the cross sectional area of the sump increases. A pressure sensor is operably coupled to the sump for monitoring sump pressure and wash fluid level. A controller opens a water supply valve to provide a flow of water into the sump and monitors the sump pressure using the pressure sensor. The controller determines when the water has reached the transition fill level corresponding to a known transition fill volume. The controller determines a fill flow rate based on the amount of time needed to reach the transition fill volume and uses the fill flow rate to determine a remaining fill time needed to reach a target volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Nasib Alhaffar, Adam Christopher Hofmann, Kyle Edward Durham
  • Publication number: 20210235964
    Abstract: A dishwasher appliance includes a sump, a water supply valve for providing a flow of water into the sump, and a circulation pump that circulates water that is collected in the sump to one or more spray arm assemblies. A pressure sensor is operably coupled to the sump for monitoring sump pressure and wash fluid level. A controller regulates the water supply valve to provide the flow of water into the sump and monitors the sump pressure during the fill process. The controller further determines that the circulation pump is primed when the rate of increase of the sump pressure exceeds the predetermined threshold rate and stops further filling of the sump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Nasib AlHaffar, Kyle Edward Durham
  • Publication number: 20210219812
    Abstract: A dishwasher appliance includes a sump that defines a transition fill level where the cross sectional area of the sump increases. A pressure sensor is operably coupled to the sump for monitoring sump pressure and wash fluid level. A controller calibrates the pressure sensor by monitoring a sump pressure and determining when the wash fluid has reached the transition fill level. A measured transition pressure is taken at this point and compared to a target transition pressure that is known based on the sump geometry. A slope correction factor is calculated based on the measured transition pressure and the target transition pressure to obtain improved pressure readings and wash fluid level measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Kyle Edward Durham, Christopher Brandon Ross
  • Publication number: 20210219811
    Abstract: A dishwashing appliance and a spray assembly, as provided herein, may include a manifold body, and a cammed diverter valve. The manifold body may be mountable within a wash chamber. The manifold body may define a fluid inlet, a first spray zone, and a second spray zone. The first spray zone may include a first spray outlet. The second spray zone may include a second spray outlet spaced apart from the first spray outlet. The cammed diverter valve may be mounted within the manifold body and be movable between a first zone position and a second zone position. The first zone position may direct wash fluid to the first spray zone and restrict wash fluid to the second spray zone. The second zone position may direct wash fluid to the second spray zone and restrict wash fluid to the first spray zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Austin Horn, Adam Christopher Hofmann, Kyle Edward Durham, Craig Curtis, John Edward Dries
  • Publication number: 20210212547
    Abstract: A dishwashing appliance or variable spray assembly, as provided herein, may include a manifold body, a diverter valve, and a driver. The manifold body may define a fluid inlet, a first flow path, a second flow path, a first spray outlet, and a second spray outlet. The first and second flow paths may be downstream from the fluid inlet. The second flow path may be in fluid parallel to the first flow path. The second spray outlet may be spaced apart from the first spray outlet. The diverter valve may be mounted within manifold body and movable between a first zone position directing wash fluid to the first flow path and a second zone position directing wash fluid to the second flow path. The driver may be disposed outside of the manifold body to motivate the diverter valve between the first zone position and the second zone position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Kyle Edward Durham, Craig Curtis
  • Publication number: 20210153713
    Abstract: Dishwashing appliances and methods, as provided herein, may include features or steps such as measuring an initial pressure in a sump with a pressure sensor, activating a drain pump when the measured initial pressure in the sump is greater than or equal to a first pressure threshold, and starting a timer when the drain pump is activated. Dishwashing appliances and methods may further include features or steps for monitoring pressure within the sump with the pressure sensor after activating the drain pump, recording a value of the timer as a first time when the monitored pressure reaches a second pressure threshold, calculating a time limit based on the recorded first time value, and determining that the filter is clogged when the monitored pressure does not reach a third pressure threshold before the time limit expires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventor: Kyle Edward Durham
  • Patent number: 10993601
    Abstract: A dishwashing appliance is provided herein. The dishwashing appliance may include a tub, a sump, a chamber pump, a vane, and a threaded engagement joint. The chamber pump housing may be mounted within at least a portion of sump. The chamber pump housing may define an inner wall surface. The vane may be positioned within the chamber pump housing. The vane may extend from an inner radial end to an outer radial end. The vane may define a foil profile. The threaded engagement joint may include a first radial thread profile and a second radial thread profile. The first radial thread profile may extend radially from the vane at the outer radial end. The second radial thread profile may be formed on the inner wall surface. The second radial thread profile may be complementary to the first radial thread profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John Edward Dries, Kyle Edward Durham
  • Patent number: 10945580
    Abstract: A dishwasher appliance includes a spray nozzle having a housing defining a spray chamber in fluid communication with a fluid circulation assembly. A diversion element is positioned within the spray chamber and is movable between a lowered position and a raised position where it contacts a discharge orifice. The diversion element defines a plurality of flow paths that are randomly oriented relative to the discharge orifice every time the diversion element is moved into the raised position, such as when the fluid circulation assembly cycles off and then on again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Curtis, Kyle Edward Durham, Christopher Brandon Ross
  • Patent number: 10874281
    Abstract: A dishwasher appliance equipped with flood protection features that proactively attempt to prevent, stop, and/or mitigate flood events is provided. The dishwasher appliance may also include features for determining the cause of the flood event. Moreover, methods for flood protection of the dishwasher appliance are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Edward Durham, Craig Curtis
  • Publication number: 20200367716
    Abstract: Dishwashing appliances and methods, as provided herein, may include features or steps such as detecting a pressure (P1) at a pressure sensor upstream from a pump while maintaining the pump in an inactive state and activating the pump from the inactive state for an activation period during which the pump remains active to motivate a continuous fluid flow. Dishwashing appliances and methods may further include features or steps for detecting a pressure (P2) at the pressure sensor upstream from the pump during the activation period and initiating a response sequence at the pump based on P1 and P2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Kyle Edward Durham, Christopher Brandon Ross, Craig Curtis, Mark Thomas Fryman
  • Publication number: 20200352408
    Abstract: Dishwashing appliances and methods, as provided herein, may include features or steps such as activating the drain pump for an activation period and receiving a pump-status signal during the activation period. Dishwashing appliances and methods may further include features or steps for detecting a pressure (P1) upstream from the drain pump during the activation period, determining a condition at the filter based on the pump-status signal and P1, and directing the drain pump based on the determined condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Kyle Edward Durham, Christopher Brandon Ross
  • Publication number: 20200345201
    Abstract: A dishwasher appliance equipped with leak detection features and a method of detecting leak conditions during an operation cycle of a dishwasher are provided. In one aspect, the dishwasher appliance includes a tub having a sump. A pressure sensor is mounted to the sump and is configured to monitor the sump pressure during an operation cycle. If the sump pressure falls below a pressure threshold during a circulation cycle, corrective action can be taken. For instance, a circulation pump circulating wash fluid through the tub can deactivated and a static pressure reading can be taken by the pressure sensor. The static pressure reading can be compared to a static pressure reading taken prior to the circulation cycle. In response to whether the static pressure is within a predetermined range of the static pressure reading taken prior to the circulation cycle, the circulation cycle can be recommenced or aborted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Kyle Edward Durham, Craig Curtis
  • Patent number: 10791905
    Abstract: A method of determining a position of a diverter of a fluid circulation system in a dishwasher appliance includes measuring a fluid pressure in a sump of the dishwasher appliance while pumping fluid from the sump into a wash chamber of the dishwasher appliance via a first component when the diverter is in a first position. The method also includes measuring the fluid pressure in the sump of the dishwasher appliance while pumping the fluid from the sump to a filter cleaning manifold when the diverter is in a second position. Based on the measured fluid pressure, the method determines whether the diverter is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John Edward Dries, Kyle Edward Durham
  • Patent number: 10779704
    Abstract: A dishwasher appliance having a diverter integrated with a sump of the dishwasher appliance is provided. Features of the diverter integrated with the sump provide for more efficient development of, tooling for, and manufacture of the dishwasher appliance. Further, features of the diverter integrated with the sump may reduce leakage between the sump and the diverter and may also reduce part count of the dishwasher appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Chadwick Koepke, Kyle Edward Durham
  • Publication number: 20200253455
    Abstract: A method of determining a position of a diverter of a fluid circulation system in a dishwasher appliance includes measuring a fluid pressure in a sump of the dishwasher appliance while pumping fluid from the sump into a wash chamber of the dishwasher appliance via a first component when the diverter is in a first position. The method also includes measuring the fluid pressure in the sump of the dishwasher appliance while pumping the fluid from the sump to a filter cleaning manifold when the diverter is in a second position. Based on the measured fluid pressure, the method determines whether the diverter is in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: John Edward Dries, Kyle Edward Durham
  • Publication number: 20200237180
    Abstract: A dishwashing appliance is provided herein. The dishwashing appliance may include a tub, a sump, a chamber pump, a vane, and a threaded engagement joint. The chamber pump housing may be mounted within at least a portion of sump. The chamber pump housing may define an inner wall surface. The vane may be positioned within the chamber pump housing. The vane may extend from an inner radial end to an outer radial end. The vane may define a foil profile. The threaded engagement joint may include a first radial thread profile and a second radial thread profile. The first radial thread profile may extend radially from the vane at the outer radial end. The second radial thread profile may be formed on the inner wall surface. The second radial thread profile may be complementary to the first radial thread profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: John Edward Dries, Kyle Edward Durham
  • Patent number: 10722098
    Abstract: A fluid circulation assembly for a dishwasher appliance includes a pump, a diverter, and a valve. The diverter includes an inlet and a plurality of outlet ports. The inlet of the diverter is in fluid communication with the pump for receiving fluid from the pump. The valve is in fluid communication with the diverter via one or more of the plurality of outlet ports. The valve includes a housing, a dual check valve assembly mounted in the housing and a plurality of conduits. The dual check valve assembly selectively directs fluid from the diverter to one or more of the plurality of conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Chadwick Koepke, Kyle Edward Durham, Craig Curtis
  • Publication number: 20200214536
    Abstract: Methods of operating a dishwashing appliance are provided herein. A method may include measuring a temperature at a temperature sensor and identifying a runaway heat condition within a wash chamber based on the measured temperature. The method may also include directing a volume of water to the wash chamber in response to identifying the runaway heat condition and circulating the volume of water within the wash chamber for a recirculation period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher Brandon Ross, Craig Curtis, Kyle Edward Durham