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).

  • Patent number: 11906242
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Mitchell Zentner
  • Patent number: 11674735
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Mitchell Zentner
  • Publication number: 20230175769
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventor: Martin Mitchell Zentner
  • Publication number: 20220228791
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventor: Martin Mitchell Zentner
  • Patent number: 10837461
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Alan Schipp, Martin Mitchell Zentner
  • Publication number: 20200325913
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Mark Alan Schipp, Martin Mitchell Zentner
  • Patent number: 10429863
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Thomas Chezem, Martin Mitchell Zentner, Mark Schipp
  • Patent number: 10208999
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Vineeth Vijayan, Martin Mitchell Zentner, Brent Alden Junge
  • Publication number: 20180329437
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Thomas Chezem, Martin Mitchell Zentner, Mark Schipp
  • Publication number: 20180252462
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Vineeth Vijayan, Martin Mitchell Zentner, Brent Alden Junge
  • Patent number: 9127873
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald Scott Tarr, Matthew William Davis, Alvaro Delgado, Omar Haidar, Alexander Pinkus Rafalovich, Toby Whitaker, Martin Mitchell Zentner
  • Patent number: 8991068
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Venkat Ramprasad Lakkineni, Martin Mitchell Zentner, Sanjay Manohar Anikhindi, Steve Bernard Froelicher, Nicholas Okruch, Jr., Michael Thomas Beyerle, Joshua Stephen Wiseman, Nemetalla Salameh
  • Patent number: 8806886
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alexander Pinkus Rafalovich, Martin Mitchell Zentner, Timothy Allen Hamel, Toby Whitaker
  • Publication number: 20120317832
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Venkat Ramprasad Lakkineni, Martin Mitchell Zentner, Sanjay Manohar Anikhindi, Steve Bernard Froelicher, Nicholas Okruch, JR., Michael Thomas Beyerle, Joshua Stephen Wiseman, Nemetalla Salameh
  • Patent number: 8297063
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brent Alden Junge, Michael Thomas Groh, Jeffrey Jacoby, Lee Mathieson, Richard Miller, Alan J. Mitchell, Michael Christopher Ross, Martin Mitchell Zentner
  • Patent number: 8245520
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brent Alden Junge, Martin Mitchell Zentner, Alan Joseph Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20120055039
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20120047940
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Brent Alden Junge, Martin Mitchell Zentner, Jeffrey Jessie, Jason Andrew May, Michael John Kempiak
  • Publication number: 20120031129
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Ronald Scott Tarr, Matthew William Davis, Alvaro Delgado, Omar Haidar, Alexander Pinkus Rafalovich, Toby Whitaker, Martin Mitchell Zentner
  • Patent number: 8074469
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Timothy Allen Hamel, Rita Barksdale, Chris George Bissig, John R. Brumleve, Jonathan Crosby, Rajesh Swarnkar, Thomas F. White, Martin Mitchell Zentner