Patents by Inventor Martin Mitchell Zentner
Martin Mitchell Zentner 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: 11906242Abstract: A method for adjusting temperature controls of a refrigerator appliance. The method includes scanning an indicium with a user interface, transmitting data corresponding to a registration request from the user interface to a server, and receiving, at the user interface, data corresponding to a temperature control adjustment instruction from the server.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventor: Martin Mitchell Zentner
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Patent number: 11674735Abstract: A refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet with at least one food storage chamber defined in the cabinet. The refrigerator appliance also includes a sealed cooling system in fluid communication with the at least one food storage chamber via a multi-flow system. A plurality of independently cooled zones are defined within the at least one food storage chamber. The refrigerator appliance also includes a temperature control module selectively positionable in one of the plurality of zones. Methods of operating the refrigerator appliance may include and/or a controller of the refrigerator appliance may be configured for locating the temperature control module, receiving a temperature setting from the temperature control module, and adjusting operation of at least one of the sealed cooling system and the multi-flow system in response to the received temperature setting from the temperature control module.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2021Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventor: Martin Mitchell Zentner
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Publication number: 20230175769Abstract: A method for adjusting temperature controls of a refrigerator appliance. The method includes scanning an indicium with a user interface, transmitting data corresponding to a registration request from the user interface to a server, and receiving, at the user interface, data corresponding to a temperature control adjustment instruction from the server.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2021Publication date: June 8, 2023Inventor: Martin Mitchell Zentner
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Publication number: 20220228791Abstract: A refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet with at least one food storage chamber defined in the cabinet. The refrigerator appliance also includes a sealed cooling system in fluid communication with the at least one food storage chamber via a multi-flow system. A plurality of independently cooled zones are defined within the at least one food storage chamber. The refrigerator appliance also includes a temperature control module selectively positionable in one of the plurality of zones. Methods of operating the refrigerator appliance may include and/or a controller of the refrigerator appliance may be configured for locating the temperature control module, receiving a temperature setting from the temperature control module, and adjusting operation of at least one of the sealed cooling system and the multi-flow system in response to the received temperature setting from the temperature control module.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2021Publication date: July 21, 2022Inventor: Martin Mitchell Zentner
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Patent number: 10837461Abstract: A fan assembly for isolating the vibration of a fan within an appliance is provided herein. The fan assembly may include an elastomeric band between the fan and a mount for an air distribution channel, preventing contact between the components and the accompanying direct translation of the fan's vibration. The elastomeric band may include first and second slots which accommodate retaining members or other elements of the fan and the mount, the slots being separated from one another so as to prevent contact of the fan and mount.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2019Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Mark Alan Schipp, Martin Mitchell Zentner
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Publication number: 20200325913Abstract: A fan assembly for isolating the vibration of a fan within an appliance is provided herein. The fan assembly may include an elastomeric band between the fan and a mount for an air distribution channel, preventing contact between the components and the accompanying direct translation of the fan's vibration. The elastomeric band may include first and second slots which accommodate retaining members or other elements of the fan and the mount, the slots being separated from one another so as to prevent contact of the fan and mount.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2019Publication date: October 15, 2020Inventors: Mark Alan Schipp, Martin Mitchell Zentner
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Patent number: 10429863Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling refrigerator temperatures are provided. In one example embodiment a control system for adjusting the temperature of a refrigerator, wherein the refrigerator includes a fresh food compartment, a freezer compartment and a cooling system, the control system includes a printed circuit board, one or more thermistors, one or more processors and one or more memory devices, the one or more memory devices storing instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more processors to perform operations, the operations can include monitoring one or more characteristics of the one or more thermistors, determining the temperature of the fresh food compartment based, at least in part, on the characteristics of a first thermistor, comparing the determined temperature of the fresh food compartment to a first predetermined threshold value, and determining, by the one or more processors, whether to operate the cooling system.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2017Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Michael Thomas Chezem, Martin Mitchell Zentner, Mark Schipp
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Patent number: 10208999Abstract: A refrigeration heating assembly and method of operation are generally provided herein. The heating assembly may include an inner glass tube, a resistive heating element, an outer glass tube, a first end cap, a second end cap, and a sensor assembly. The inner glass tube may include a continuous inner wall defining a central passage. The resistive heating element may be disposed within the central passage. The outer glass tube may include a continuous outer wall disposed about the inner glass tube. A radial gap may be defined between the glass tubes. The first end cap may be positioned on the outer glass tube and the inner glass tube at a first end. The second end cap may be positioned on the outer glass tube and the inner glass tube at a second end. The sensor assembly may be disposed in fluid communication with the radial gap.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2017Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Vineeth Vijayan, Martin Mitchell Zentner, Brent Alden Junge
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Publication number: 20180329437Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling refrigerator temperatures are provided. In one example embodiment a control system for adjusting the temperature of a refrigerator, wherein the refrigerator includes a fresh food compartment, a freezer compartment and a cooling system, the control system includes a printed circuit board, one or more thermistors, one or more processors and one or more memory devices, the one or more memory devices storing instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more processors to perform operations, the operations can include monitoring one or more characteristics of the one or more thermistors, determining the temperature of the fresh food compartment based, at least in part, on the characteristics of a first thermistor, comparing the determined temperature of the fresh food compartment to a first predetermined threshold value, and determining, by the one or more processors, whether to operate the cooling system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2017Publication date: November 15, 2018Inventors: Michael Thomas Chezem, Martin Mitchell Zentner, Mark Schipp
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Publication number: 20180252462Abstract: A refrigeration heating assembly and method of operation are generally provided herein. The heating assembly may include an inner glass tube, a resistive heating element, an outer glass tube, a first end cap, a second end cap, and a sensor assembly. The inner glass tube may include a continuous inner wall defining a central passage. The resistive heating element may be disposed within the central passage. The outer glass tube may include a continuous outer wall disposed about the inner glass tube. A radial gap may be defined between the glass tubes. The first end cap may be positioned on the outer glass tube and the inner glass tube at a first end. The second end cap may be positioned on the outer glass tube and the inner glass tube at a second end. The sensor assembly may be disposed in fluid communication with the radial gap.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2017Publication date: September 6, 2018Inventors: Vineeth Vijayan, Martin Mitchell Zentner, Brent Alden Junge
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Patent number: 9127873Abstract: A secondary loop temperature control circuit for a temperature-controlled region in a compartment of a refrigerator is shown. The secondary loop temperature control circuit has a reservoir, configured to have a medium flow there through. A first heat exchanger is in flow communication with the reservoir and is configured to have the medium flow there through. The first heat exchanger is in thermal communication with the temperature-controlled region.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2007Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ronald Scott Tarr, Matthew William Davis, Alvaro Delgado, Omar Haidar, Alexander Pinkus Rafalovich, Toby Whitaker, Martin Mitchell Zentner
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Patent number: 8991068Abstract: Energy efficiencies are achieved in a dryer or washer/dryer by selectively varying temperature ranges, time periods, heater power levels, and air flow rates. Efficiency improvements on the order of 16% were obtained over typical constant power, constant temperature, timed drying cycles by varying one or more of these parameters. Efficiencies can also be improved by drawing air from alternative warm sources such as an attic or warm external environment, or by heat recovery from dryer exhaust passages.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2011Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Venkat Ramprasad Lakkineni, Martin Mitchell Zentner, Sanjay Manohar Anikhindi, Steve Bernard Froelicher, Nicholas Okruch, Jr., Michael Thomas Beyerle, Joshua Stephen Wiseman, Nemetalla Salameh
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Patent number: 8806886Abstract: A temperature controlled surface in a refrigerator that includes a heat exchanger configured to have the cooling medium flow therethrough to be cooled in thermal communication with a freezer compartment of the refrigerator. A second heat exchanger disposed downstream of the first heat exchanger and configured to have the cooling medium flow therethrough to cool the temperature controlled surface. A pump configured to flow the cooling medium through the first and second heat exchangers. A first heat exchanger is disposed downstream of the storage tank and is configured to have the cooling medium flow therethrough to be cooled. A second heat exchanger is disposed downstream of the first heat exchanger and is configured to have the cooling medium flow therethrough to cool the air and any contents within the temperature controlled compartment.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2007Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Alexander Pinkus Rafalovich, Martin Mitchell Zentner, Timothy Allen Hamel, Toby Whitaker
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Publication number: 20120317832Abstract: Energy efficiencies are achieved in a dryer or washer/dryer by selectively varying temperature ranges, time periods, heater power levels, and air flow rates. Efficiency improvements on the order of 16% were obtained over typical constant power, constant temperature, timed drying cycles by varying one or more of these parameters. Efficiencies can also be improved by drawing air from alternative warm sources such as an attic or warm external environment, or by heat recovery from dryer exhaust passages.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2011Publication date: December 20, 2012Inventors: Venkat Ramprasad Lakkineni, Martin Mitchell Zentner, Sanjay Manohar Anikhindi, Steve Bernard Froelicher, Nicholas Okruch, JR., Michael Thomas Beyerle, Joshua Stephen Wiseman, Nemetalla Salameh
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Patent number: 8297063Abstract: A method for servicing a refrigeration system is disclosed. The refrigeration system contains a refrigerant and has a compressor, a high-side section and a low-side section. The method includes the steps of releasing the refrigerant from the refrigeration system from the high-side section; collecting the released refrigerant with a recovery container containing a refrigerant adsorptive substance; charging the refrigeration system with inert gas from the low-side section; and discharging the inert gas from the refrigeration system from the high-side section.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2009Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Brent Alden Junge, Michael Thomas Groh, Jeffrey Jacoby, Lee Mathieson, Richard Miller, Alan J. Mitchell, Michael Christopher Ross, Martin Mitchell Zentner
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Patent number: 8245520Abstract: A method and a recovery container for collecting a hydrocarbon refrigerant are disclosed. The method includes releasing the hydrocarbon refrigerant from the refrigeration system, and collecting the released hydrocarbon refrigerant with a recovery container containing a hydrocarbon refrigerant adsorptive substance thereby binding the released hydrocarbon refrigerant to the hydrocarbon refrigerant adsorptive substance.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2009Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Brent Alden Junge, Martin Mitchell Zentner, Alan Joseph Mitchell
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Publication number: 20120055039Abstract: An appliance for drying or warming associated laundry items includes a housing having a wall forming a stationary cavity dimensioned to receive the associated laundry items. At least one article support member is preferably contained within the cavity. A heater increases a temperature of associated air within the cavity and a fan circulates the heated air within the cavity. A vent is dimensioned to allow air to exit the housing cavity, and a controller regulates circulation of the associated heated air within the cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2010Publication date: March 8, 2012Inventors: Eric K. Watson, John K. Besore, Martin Mitchell Zentner, Anand Ganesh Joshi, Subhash Viswanathan Kollengode, David Scott Dunn, Lee Fain, Yogesh Kumar Allimalli, Sarah Lynn Kirchoff, Kyle Robert Eden, Robert Strojan, Manish Patel, Johnathan James Kroeger, Alicia Abend, David Duane Warmuth, Rajesh Narayan Kulkarni
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Publication number: 20120047940Abstract: A consumer refrigeration appliance, such as a refrigerator, includes a refrigeration system charged with a refrigerant and further having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. At least one of the evaporator or condenser is a spine fin heat exchanger having a defined length of tube with a spine fine material configured around at least a portion of tube. The tube has a reduced refrigerant side diameter that provides a reduced refrigerant side area defined by the tube length and refrigerant side diameter. The refrigeration system has a reduced refrigerant charge mass.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2011Publication date: March 1, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Brent Alden Junge, Martin Mitchell Zentner, Jeffrey Jessie, Jason Andrew May, Michael John Kempiak
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Publication number: 20120031129Abstract: A secondary loop temperature control circuit for a temperature-controlled region in a compartment of a refrigerator is shown. The secondary loop temperature control circuit has a reservoir, configured to have a medium flow there through. A first heat exchanger is in flow communication with the reservoir and is configured to have the medium flow there through. The first heat exchanger is in thermal communication with the temperature-controlled region.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2007Publication date: February 9, 2012Inventors: Ronald Scott Tarr, Matthew William Davis, Alvaro Delgado, Omar Haidar, Alexander Pinkus Rafalovich, Toby Whitaker, Martin Mitchell Zentner
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Patent number: 8074469Abstract: A refrigerator includes a first compartment, a second compartment and a multi-functional compartment that is disposed between the first compartment and the second compartment and is adjustable between temperature modes selected from the group consisting of a fresh food temperature mode, a soft freeze mode, a freezer mode and a chiller temperature mode.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2008Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Timothy Allen Hamel, Rita Barksdale, Chris George Bissig, John R. Brumleve, Jonathan Crosby, Rajesh Swarnkar, Thomas F. White, Martin Mitchell Zentner