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).
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Patent number: 9795271Abstract: A passive diverter is provided that does not require a dedicated motor to switch between multiple outlet ports. The diverter uses the forces provided by a flow of fluid from a pump to switch between different outlet ports and supply one or more spray assemblies or other fluid-using elements. A separate motor to power the diverter is not required, which allows a savings in costs and space. In addition, a secondary set of ramps may provide a manner in which to “zero” the angular position of the diverter, i.e., place the diverter in a known, home position. This can reduce the additional cost, weight, and complexity of including additional sensors to determine the angular position of the diverter.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2015Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Kyle Edward Durham, Craig Curtis, Christopher Brandon Ross
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Patent number: 9763552Abstract: Diverter valves and associated dishwashers with continuous calibration are provided. An example dishwasher includes a diverter valve assembly. The diverter valve assembly is configured to output a signal having a plurality of pulses. Each of the plurality of pulses has an activation time indicative of movement of the diverter valve assembly into one of a plurality of positions. The dishwasher performs operations including receiving the signal from the diverter valve assembly and determining a current activation time associated with the most recent pulse exhibited by the signal. The operations include determining a current position of the plurality of positions based at least in part on the current activation time and a plurality of average activation times respectively associated with the plurality of positions. The operations include, after determining the current position, updating the average activation time associated with the current position based at least in part on the current activation time.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2014Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: John Gilman Chapman, Kyle Edward Durham
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Patent number: 9737191Abstract: A variable position diverter that provides wash fluid to selected combinations of outlet ports and spray assemblies. The diverter includes a housing having a first fluid outlet, a second fluid outlet, and a valve disk having four apertures. The valve disk is rotated relative to the housing to align one or more of the four apertures with one or both of the first fluid outlet and the second fluid outlet to selectively control the flow of wash fluid through corresponding spray assemblies. Selectively diverting wash fluid in this manner can improve wash performance and reduce cycle time while meeting government regulations regarding water usage.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2015Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Kyle Edward Durham, Craig Curtis
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Patent number: 9687137Abstract: A diverter for a dishwasher appliance that can be used to provide more options for directing fluid among various spray arms or spray devices in a dishwasher appliance. The diverter can be used e.g., to select between fluid delivery to both the upper and lower spray arm assemblies or to both the upper and middle spray arm assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2015Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Joel Charles Boyer, Kyle Edward Durham
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Patent number: 9675232Abstract: Bottle washer assemblies for dishwasher appliances are provided. A bottle washer assembly includes a supply conduit defining a main passage for flowing wash fluid therethrough. The bottle washer assembly further includes at least one spray tine. The at least one spray tine includes a conduit defining a passage for flowing wash fluid therethrough, the passage in fluid communication with the main passage, and a rotatable impeller disposed within the passage.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Brandon Ross, Kyle Edward Durham
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Patent number: 9635994Abstract: A spray arm assembly includes a spray arm including a plurality of branches connected to each other and arrayed about a center point, each of the plurality of branches defining a passage therethrough and an aperture in fluid communication with the passage. The center point defines a spray arm central axis. The spray arm is rotatable about the spray arm central axis. The spray arm assembly further includes a base conduit defining a passage therethrough, the base conduit defining a base conduit central axis. The spray arm assembly further includes an intermediate conduit connecting the base conduit and the spray arm, the intermediate conduit defining a passage in fluid communication between the passage of the base conduit and the passages of the plurality of branches. The intermediate conduit is rotatable about the base conduit central axis. The spray arm central axis is offset from the base conduit central axis.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2014Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Joel Charles Boyer, Kyle Edward Durham, Craig Curtis
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Publication number: 20170071441Abstract: A variable position diverter that provides wash fluid to selected combinations of outlet ports and spray assemblies. The diverter includes a housing having a first fluid outlet, a second fluid outlet, and a valve disk having four apertures. The valve disk is rotated relative to the housing to align one or more of the four apertures with one or both of the first fluid outlet and the second fluid outlet to selectively control the flow of wash fluid through corresponding spray assemblies. Selectively diverting wash fluid in this manner can improve wash performance and reduce cycle time while meeting government regulations regarding water usage.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2015Publication date: March 16, 2017Inventors: Kyle Edward Durham, Craig Curtis
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Publication number: 20170027406Abstract: A passive diverter is provided that does not require a dedicated motor to switch between multiple outlet ports. The diverter uses the forces provided by a flow of fluid from a pump to switch between different outlet ports and supply one or more spray assemblies or other fluid-using elements. A separate motor to power the diverter is not required, which allows a savings in costs and space. In addition, a secondary set of ramps may provide a manner in which to “zero” the angular position of the diverter, i.e., place the diverter in a known, home position. This can reduce the additional cost, weight, and complexity of including additional sensors to determine the angular position of the diverter.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2015Publication date: February 2, 2017Inventors: Kyle Edward Durham, Craig Curtis, Christopher Brandon Ross
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Publication number: 20160360945Abstract: A diverter for a dishwasher appliance that can be used to provide more options for directing fluid among various spray arms or spray devices in a dishwasher appliance. The diverter can be used e.g., to select between fluid delivery to both the upper and lower spray arm assemblies or to both the upper and middle spray arm assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2015Publication date: December 15, 2016Inventors: Joel Charles Boyer, Kyle Edward Durham
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Publication number: 20160220094Abstract: A detergent dispenser module for a dishwashing appliance may generally include a body extending between a top side and a bottom side. The body may include an outer surface extending from the top side and may define a detergent chamber between the outer surface and the bottom side. The detergent chamber may be at least partially formed by an upper sidewall, a lower sidewall and a bottom wall extending between the upper and lower sidewall. In addition, the dispenser module may also include at least one flow diverter extending outwardly from the outer surface at a location adjacent to the upper sidewall of the detergent chamber. The flow diverter(s) may be angled in a direction of a fluid collection opening defined through a top of the upper sidewall such that fluid flowing downwardly along the outer surface of the body is directed into the fluid collection opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2015Publication date: August 4, 2016Inventors: Kyle Edward Durham, Christopher Brandon Ross, Gregory Owen Miller, Craig Curtis
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Publication number: 20160206173Abstract: A filter assembly for filtering wash fluid to be recirculated by a circulation pump in a dishwasher appliance is provided. The filter assembly includes a first filter member and a second filter member. The first filter member defines a first filter panel and the second filter member defines a second filter panel. The first filter panel is spaced from the second filter panel along an axial direction of the filter assembly and is configured in series flow with the second filter panel. More particularly, the first and second filter panels are configured such that wash fluid is filtered by the first filter panel and by the second filter panel prior to being recirculated by the circulation pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2015Publication date: July 21, 2016Inventors: Kyle Edward Durham, Ryan Ellis Leonard, Derek L. Watkins, Errin Whitney Gnadinger
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Patent number: 9314145Abstract: A dishwasher appliance and a vent for coupling a filter and a sump together are provided. The dishwasher appliance includes a cabinet defining a wash chamber for the receipt of articles for washing, and a sump for collection of a fluid from the wash chamber. The sump includes a base wall and a collar extending from the base wall. The dishwasher appliance further includes a filter for filtering the fluid from the wash chamber. The dishwasher appliance further includes a vent coupling the filter and the sump together, the vent comprising a shaft, the shaft including at least one sidewall. The at least one sidewall defines a main shaft passage therein. The shaft further defines a shaft access passage extending through the sidewall and in fluid communication with the main shaft passage. A collar access passage defined in the collar and the main shaft passage are in fluid communication.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2013Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kyle Edward Durham, John Edward Dries
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Patent number: 9307886Abstract: A passive diverter is provided that does not require a dedicated motor to switch between multiple outlet ports. The diverter uses a flow of fluid provided by a pump to switch between different outlet ports. In a dishwashing appliance, fluid from the pump that supplies one or more spray assemblies can be used to cause the diverter to switch between different fluid outlets and e.g., different spray assemblies. A separate motor to power the diverter is not required, which allows a savings in costs and space.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2013Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kyle Edward Durham, Craig Curtis
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Patent number: 9259137Abstract: A dishwasher appliance includes a mid-level spray arm assembly and a diverter disposed in a conduit of the assembly. The diverter includes a disk positioned within a chamber and rotatable about an axis, the disk defining an aperture for selectively controlling fluid flow from the chamber into outlet channels, the disk movable along the axial direction between a first position and a second position, the disk defining a channel and a plurality of cams projecting into the channel. The diverter further includes a biasing element configured to urge the disk into the first position, and a boss extending from the housing into the channel of the disk, the boss defining a plurality of guide elements. The guide elements and cams are configured to interact so that movement of the disk along the axial direction between the first position and the second position causes the disk to rotate about the axis.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Joel Charles Boyer, Kyle Edward Durham, Daniel Jason Bentley
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Publication number: 20150366430Abstract: Bottle washer assemblies for dishwasher appliances are provided. A bottle washer assembly includes a supply conduit defining a main passage for flowing wash fluid therethrough. The bottle washer assembly further includes at least one spray tine. The at least one spray tine includes a conduit defining a passage for flowing wash fluid therethrough, the passage in fluid communication with the main passage, and a rotatable impeller disposed within the passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2014Publication date: December 24, 2015Inventors: Christopher Brandon Ross, Kyle Edward Durham
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Publication number: 20150359408Abstract: A spray arm assembly includes a spray arm including a plurality of branches connected to each other and arrayed about a center point, each of the plurality of branches defining a passage therethrough and an aperture in fluid communication with the passage. The center point defines a spray arm central axis. The spray arm is rotatable about the spray arm central axis. The spray arm assembly further includes a base conduit defining a passage therethrough, the base conduit defining a base conduit central axis. The spray arm assembly further includes an intermediate conduit connecting the base conduit and the spray arm, the intermediate conduit defining a passage in fluid communication between the passage of the base conduit and the passages of the plurality of branches. The intermediate conduit is rotatable about the base conduit central axis. The spray arm central axis is offset from the base conduit central axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2014Publication date: December 17, 2015Inventors: Joel Charles Boyer, Kyle Edward Durham, Craig Curtis
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Publication number: 20150359410Abstract: Diverter valves and associated dishwashers with continuous calibration are provided. An example dishwasher includes a diverter valve assembly. The diverter valve assembly is configured to output a signal having a plurality of pulses. Each of the plurality of pulses has an activation time indicative of movement of the diverter valve assembly into one of a plurality of positions. The dishwasher performs operations including receiving the signal from the diverter valve assembly and determining a current activation time associated with the most recent pulse exhibited by the signal. The operations include determining a current position of the plurality of positions based at least in part on the current activation time and a plurality of average activation times respectively associated with the plurality of positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2014Publication date: December 17, 2015Inventors: John Gilman Chapman, Kyle Edward Durham
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Publication number: 20150230687Abstract: Dishwasher appliances and spray arm assemblies for dishwasher appliances are provided. An assembly includes an indexing assembly disposed between a conduit and a plurality of spray arms. The indexing assembly includes a disk rotatable about an axis and movable along an axial direction between a first position and a second position, the disk defining an aperture and a channel and comprising a plurality of cams projecting into the channel. The indexing assembly further includes a biasing element configured to urge the disk into the first position, and a boss assembly, the boss assembly comprising a boss extending into the channel of the disk, the boss defining a plurality of guide elements. The guide elements and cams are configured to interact such that movement of the disk along the axial direction between the first position and the second position causes the disk to rotate about the axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2014Publication date: August 20, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: John Edward Dries, Joel Charles Boyer, Kyle Edward Durham
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Publication number: 20150196189Abstract: A dishwasher appliance is provided. The dishwasher appliance includes a tub that defines a wash chamber and a rack assembly disposed within the wash chamber. The rack assembly includes a frame, a first tray and a second tray. The first and second trays are removably mounted to the frame. The first tray is sized and configured for supporting a plurality of flatware therein. The second tray is sized and configured for supporting a plurality of cooking utensils therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2014Publication date: July 16, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ryan Joseph Shaffer, Eugenio Gomez, A. Vinodh Magimai Raj, Daniel J. Hart, Brian David Sanzone, Kyle Edward Durham, Daniel Jason Bentley, Rebecca Ann Alvord, Adam Christopher Hofmann, Matthew David Mersch
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Publication number: 20150122298Abstract: A dishwasher appliance includes a mid-level spray arm assembly and a diverter disposed in a conduit of the assembly. The diverter includes a disk positioned within a chamber and rotatable about an axis, the disk defining an aperture for selectively controlling fluid flow from the chamber into outlet channels, the disk movable along the axial direction between a first position and a second position, the disk defining a channel and a plurality of cams projecting into the channel. The diverter further includes a biasing element configured to urge the disk into the first position, and a boss extending from the housing into the channel of the disk, the boss defining a plurality of guide elements. The guide elements and cams are configured to interact so that movement of the disk along the axial direction between the first position and the second position causes the disk to rotate about the axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2013Publication date: May 7, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Joel Charles Boyer, Kyle Edward Durham, Daniel Jason Bentley