Patents by Inventor Mark L. Herman

Mark L. Herman 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: 11692298
    Abstract: A method for drying laundry with a radio frequency (RF) generator connected to an applicator and a rotatable cylindrical drum having a pair of non-anode baffles and a third baffle comprising an anode element positioned between the pair of non-anode baffles and a first cathode element disposed between the third baffle and one of the pair of non-anode baffles and a second cathode disposed between the third baffle and the other of the pair of non-anode baffles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mark L. Herman, Garry L. Peterman
  • Patent number: 11686037
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying a wet textile article with a radio frequency (RF) applicator and a controller, the method includes supplying a power level to the RF applicator to energize the RF applicator to generate a field of electromagnetic radiation (e-field), determining a dynamic drying cycle of operation in the controller, and controlling the power level of the RF applicator according to the determination of the dynamic drying cycle of operation, wherein the wet article is dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mark L. Herman, Daniel M. Putnam
  • Patent number: 11655583
    Abstract: A method for drying an article with a radio frequency (RF) applicator having anode elements and cathode elements includes capacitively coupling the anode elements, capacitively coupling the cathode elements, capacitively coupling an anode element to a cathode element, and energizing the RF applicator to generate an RF field between anode and cathode elements wherein liquid residing within the field will be dielectrically heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mark L. Herman, Garry L. Peterman
  • Patent number: 11519130
    Abstract: A method for indicating a cycle of operation in a laundry treating appliance having a space that includes at least one electrically conductive element disposed in the space and coupled with a controller, the method includes producing in the at least one electrically conductive element the voltage or the current in reaction to the energized e-field apart from the article. Receiving in the controller a signal from the at least one electrically conductive element indicative of a value of a parameter associated with the voltage or the current of the at least one electrically conductive element. And, generating an indication, by the controller, indicative of a cycle of operation and wherein the indication increases or decreases in intensity proportional to the value of the parameter associated with the voltage or the current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mark L. Herman, Garry L. Peterman, Daniel M. Putnam
  • Patent number: 11459696
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) dryer includes a cuboid structure defining an interior, an RF applicator having an anode and a cathode, the anode having multiple digits extending from an anode trunk and the cathode having multiple digits extending from a cathode trunk and, the cathode encompassing the multiple digits of the anode, and a drying surface on which textiles are supported for drying, located relative to the RF applicator such that the drying surface lies within an e-field generated by the RF applicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mark L. Herman, Garry L. Peterman, Arun Rajendran
  • Publication number: 20210324570
    Abstract: A method for drying laundry with a radio frequency (RF) generator connected to an applicator and a rotatable cylindrical drum having a pair of non-anode baffles and a third baffle comprising an anode element positioned between the pair of non-anode baffles and a first cathode element disposed between the third baffle and one of the pair of non-anode baffles and a second cathode disposed between the third baffle and the other of the pair of non-anode baffles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: MARK L. HERMAN, GARRY L. PETERMAN
  • Publication number: 20210262729
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying a wet textile article with a radio frequency (RF) applicator and a controller, the method includes supplying a power level to the RF applicator to energize the RF applicator to generate a field of electromagnetic radiation (e-field), determining a dynamic drying cycle of operation in the controller, and controlling the power level of the RF applicator according to the determination of the dynamic drying cycle of operation, wherein the wet article is dried.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: MARK L. HERMAN, DANIEL M. PUTNAM
  • Patent number: 11078619
    Abstract: A treating apparatus for drying articles according to a predetermined cycle of operation. The treating apparatus includes a cylindrical drum having a circumferential wall, a pair of non-anode baffles spaced on the circumferential wall, and a third baffle positioned between the pair of non-anode baffles on the circumferential wall comprising an anode element having an anode contact point at the circumferential wall. The treating apparatus also has a first cathode element disposed between the third baffle and one of the pair of non-anode baffles along the circumference of the circumferential wall and a second cathode disposed between the third baffle and the other of the pair of non-anode baffles along the circumference of the circumferential wall. The treating apparatus also has a radio frequency (RF) generator coupled to the anode element and to the first and second cathode elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mark L. Herman, Garry L. Peterman
  • Patent number: 11029088
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying a wet textile article with a radio frequency (RF) applicator and a controller, the method includes energizing the RF applicator to generate a field of electromagnetic radiation (e-field), determining a dynamic drying cycle of operation in the controller, and controlling the energization of the RF applicator according to the determination of the dynamic drying cycle of operation, wherein the wet article is dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mark L. Herman, Daniel M. Putnam
  • Publication number: 20210041489
    Abstract: A method for indicating a cycle of operation in a laundry treating appliance having a space that includes at least one electrically conductive element disposed in the space and coupled with a controller, the method includes producing in the at least one electrically conductive element the voltage or the current in reaction to the energized e-field apart from the article. Receiving in the controller a signal from the at least one electrically conductive element indicative of a value of a parameter associated with the voltage or the current of the at least one electrically conductive element. And, generating an indication, by the controller, indicative of a cycle of operation and wherein the indication increases or decreases in intensity proportional to the value of the parameter associated with the voltage or the current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: MARK L. HERMAN, GARRY L. PETERMAN, DANIEL M. PUTNAM
  • Publication number: 20210041168
    Abstract: An RF laundry dryer includes, amongst other things, an RF generator, an RF applicator having a perforated body and anode and cathode elements, a fan arranged relative to the perforated body to flow or draw air through the perforated body and an electromagnetic shield protecting the fan from the e-field. Both anode and cathode elements are operably coupled to the RF generator to generate an e-field between the anode and cathode upon the energizing of the RF generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: MARK L. HERMAN, GARRY L. PETERMAN
  • Publication number: 20210041167
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) dryer includes a cuboid structure defining an interior, an RF applicator having an anode and a cathode, the anode having multiple digits extending from an anode trunk and the cathode having multiple digits extending from a cathode trunk and, the cathode encompassing the multiple digits of the anode, and a drying surface on which textiles are supported for drying, located relative to the RF applicator such that the drying surface lies within an e-field generated by the RF applicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: MARK L. HERMAN, GARRY L. PETERMAN, ARUN RAJENDRAN
  • Publication number: 20210025652
    Abstract: A method for drying an article with a radio frequency (RF) applicator having anode elements and cathode elements includes capacitively coupling the anode elements, capacitively coupling the cathode elements, capacitively coupling an anode element to a cathode element, and energizing the RF applicator to generate an RF field between anode and cathode elements wherein liquid residing within the field will be dielectrically heated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: MARK L. HERMAN, GARRY L. PETERMAN
  • Patent number: 10837702
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) laundry dryer includes, amongst other things, an RF generator and a drying surface. The drying surface on which textiles are supported further includes an RF applicator having an anode and cathode coupled to the RF generator. At least a portion of the cathode substantially encompasses the anode to electrically shield the anode ensuring the formation of an e-field between the anode and cathode instead of the anode and the Faraday cage upon energizing the RF generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mark L. Herman, Garry L. Peterman, Arun Rajendran
  • Patent number: 10823502
    Abstract: An RF laundry dryer includes, amongst other things, an RF generator, an RF applicator having a perforated body and anode and cathode elements, a fan arranged relative to the perforated body to flow or draw air through the perforated body and an electromagnetic shield protecting the fan from the e-field. Both anode and cathode elements are operably coupled to the RF generator to generate an e-field between the anode and cathode upon the energizing of the RF generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mark L. Herman, Garry L. Peterman
  • Patent number: 10816265
    Abstract: A method for drying an article with a radio frequency (RF) applicator having anode elements and cathode elements includes capacitively coupling the anode elements, capacitively coupling the cathode elements, capactively coupling an anode element to a cathode element, and energizing the RF applicator to generate an RF field between anode and cathode elements wherein liquid residing within the field will be dielectrically heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mark L. Herman, Garry L. Peterman
  • Patent number: 10816586
    Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of an energized e-field in a space, wherein the space includes at least one electrically conductive element disposed in the space and coupled with a controller, the method including receiving in the controller a signal from the at least one electrically conductive element, determining that an energized e-field occupies the space, and generating an indication, by the controller, indicative of the presence of the energized e-field in the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mark L. Herman, Garry L. Peterman, Daniel M. Putnam
  • Publication number: 20200240071
    Abstract: A treating apparatus for drying articles according to a predetermined cycle of operation. The treating apparatus includes a cylindrical drum having a circumferential wall, a pair of non-anode baffles spaced on the circumferential wall, and a third baffle positioned between the pair of non-anode baffles on the circumferential wall comprising an anode element having an anode contact point at the circumferential wall. The treating apparatus also has a first cathode element disposed between the third baffle and one of the pair of non-anode baffles along the circumference of the circumferential wall and a second cathode disposed between the third baffle and the other of the pair of non-anode baffles along the circumference of the circumferential wall. The treating apparatus also has a radio frequency (RF) generator coupled to the anode element and to the first and second cathode elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: MARK L. HERMAN, GARRY L. PETERMAN
  • Patent number: 10655270
    Abstract: A laundry treating applicator for drying laundry with a radio frequency (RF) applicator having a baffle on a drum rotatable on a non-vertical axis, an anode element in the baffle and a cathode element spaced from the anode element, wherein energization of the RF generator sends electromagnetic radiation through the applicator via the anode element and cathode element to form a field of electromagnetic radiation (e-field) in the radio frequency spectrum to dielectrically heat liquid within laundry disposed within the e-field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mark L. Herman, Garry L. Peterman
  • Publication number: 20200149812
    Abstract: An RF laundry dryer includes, amongst other things, an RF generator, an RF applicator having a perforated body and anode and cathode elements, a fan arranged relative to the perforated body to flow or draw air through the perforated body and an electromagnetic shield protecting the fan from the e-field. Both anode and cathode elements are operably coupled to the RF generator to generate an e-field between the anode and cathode upon the energizing of the RF generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: MARK L. HERMAN, GARRY L. PETERMAN