Patents by Inventor Michael Alexander Benedict

Michael Alexander Benedict 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: 20180023861
    Abstract: A heat pump includes a magnet assembly which creates a magnetic field, and a regenerator housing which includes a body defining a plurality of chambers, each of the plurality of chambers extending along a transverse direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. The heat pump further includes a plurality of stages, each of the plurality of stages including a magnetocaloric material disposed within one of the plurality of chambers and extending along the transverse direction between a first end and a second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Alexander Benedict, Michael Goodman Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20180023858
    Abstract: A heat pump includes a magnet assembly which creates a magnetic field, and a regenerator housing which includes a body defining a plurality of chambers, each of the plurality of chambers extending along a transverse direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. The heat pump further includes a plurality of stages, each of the plurality of stages including a magnetocaloric material disposed within one of the plurality of chambers and extending along the transverse direction between a first end and a second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Alexander Benedict, David G. Beers, Brian Michael Schork, Michael Goodman Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20180023857
    Abstract: A heat pump includes a magnet assembly which creates a magnetic field, and a regenerator housing which includes a body defining a plurality of chambers, each of the plurality of chambers extending along a transverse direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. The heat pump further includes a plurality of stages, each of the plurality of stages including a magnetocaloric material disposed within one of the plurality of chambers and extending along the transverse direction between a first end and a second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Alexander Benedict, David G. Beers, Brian Michael Schork, Michael Goodman Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20180023854
    Abstract: A caloric heat pump system includes a plurality of stages, a plurality of conduits and a plurality of flow restrictors. Each stage includes a caloric material disposed within a respective chamber of a plurality of chambers. Each conduit is coupled to a regenerator housing at a respective one of the plurality of chambers. Each flow restrictor is coupled to the regenerator housing or a respective one of the plurality of conduits. A related method for regulating fluid flow through a plurality of stages of a caloric heat pump is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Goodman Schroeder, David G. Beers, Michael Alexander Benedict
  • Publication number: 20180023851
    Abstract: A caloric heat pump system includes a motor and a pair of non-circular gears meshed with each other. A first one of the pair of non-circular gears is coupled to a regenerator housing, and a second one of the pair of non-circular gears is coupled to the motor. The regenerator housing is rotatable with the motor through the pair of non-circular gears.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Alexander Benedict, Michael Goodman Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20180023855
    Abstract: A heat pump includes a magnet assembly which creates a magnetic field, and a regenerator housing which includes a body defining a plurality of chambers, each of the plurality of chambers extending along a transverse direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. The heat pump further includes a plurality of stages, each of the plurality of stages including a magnetocaloric material disposed within one of the plurality of chambers and extending along the transverse direction between a first end and a second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Alexander Benedict, David G. Beers, Brian Michael Schork, Michael Goodman Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20180023862
    Abstract: A heat pump includes a magnet assembly which creates a magnetic field, and a regenerator housing which includes a body defining a plurality of chambers, each of the plurality of chambers extending along a transverse direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. The heat pump further includes a plurality of stages, each of the plurality of stages including a magnetocaloric material disposed within one of the plurality of chambers and extending along the transverse direction between a first end and a second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Goodman Schroeder, David G. Beers, Brian Michael Schork, Michael Alexander Benedict
  • Publication number: 20180023852
    Abstract: A caloric heat pump system includes a pump is operable to circulate a working fluid through a stage. The pump includes a motor. A cam is coupled to the motor such that the cam is rotatable by the motor. The cam has a non-circular outer profile surface. Each piston of a pair of pistons has a cam follower positioned on the non-circular outer profile surface of the cam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Goodman Schroeder, David G. Beers, Brian Michael Schork, Michael Alexander Benedict
  • Publication number: 20180023856
    Abstract: A heat pump includes a magnet assembly which creates a magnetic field, and a regenerator housing which includes a body defining a plurality of chambers, each of the plurality of chambers extending along a transverse direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. The heat pump further includes a plurality of stages, each of the plurality of stages including a magnetocaloric material disposed within one of the plurality of chambers and extending along the transverse direction between a first end and a second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Alexander Benedict, David G. Beers, Brian Michael Schork, Michael Goodman Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20180023859
    Abstract: A heat pump includes a magnet assembly which creates a magnetic field, and a regenerator housing which includes a body defining a plurality of chambers, each of the plurality of chambers extending along a transverse direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. The heat pump further includes a plurality of stages, each of the plurality of stages including a magnetocaloric material disposed within one of the plurality of chambers and extending along the transverse direction between a first end and a second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Alexander Benedict, David G. Beers, Brian Michael Schork, Michael Goodman Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20180023860
    Abstract: A heat pump includes a magnet assembly which creates a magnetic field, and a regenerator housing which includes a body defining a plurality of chambers, each of the plurality of chambers extending along a transverse direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. The heat pump further includes a plurality of stages, each of the plurality of stages including a magnetocaloric material disposed within one of the plurality of chambers and extending along the transverse direction between a first end and a second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Alexander Benedict, David G. Beers, Brian Michael Schork, Michael Goodman Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20180023863
    Abstract: A heat pump includes a magnet assembly which creates a magnetic field, and a regenerator housing which includes a body defining a plurality of chambers, each of the plurality of chambers extending along a transverse direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. The heat pump further includes a plurality of stages, each of the plurality of stages including a magnetocaloric material disposed within one of the plurality of chambers and extending along the transverse direction between a first end and a second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Goodman Schroeder, David G. Beers, Brian Michael Schork, Michael Alexander Benedict
  • Publication number: 20180023853
    Abstract: A caloric heat pump system includes a pair of caps mounted to a regenerator housing. Each cap of the pair of caps defines an inlet and an outlet. The outlet of each cap of the pair of caps is positioned at a chamber of the regenerator housing. The inlet and outlet of each cap of the pair of caps defines an area in a respective plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The area of the inlet of each cap of the pair of caps is less than the area of the outlet of each cap of the pair of caps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Goodman Schroeder, Michael Alexander Benedict
  • Patent number: 9869493
    Abstract: A heat pump includes a magnet assembly which creates a magnetic field, and a regenerator housing which includes a body defining a plurality of chambers, each of the plurality of chambers extending along a transverse direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. The heat pump further includes a plurality of stages, each of the plurality of stages including a magnetocaloric material disposed within one of the plurality of chambers and extending along the transverse direction between a first end and a second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Alexander Benedict, David G. Beers, Brian Michael Schork, Michael Goodman Schroeder
  • Patent number: 9861260
    Abstract: A tine assembly for a dishwasher appliance is provided. The tine assembly includes a plurality of segmented tines. Each segmented tine of the plurality of segmented tines includes a plurality of tine segments. Each tine segment of the plurality of tine segments is pivotally or rotatably mounted to a respective adjacent tine segment of the plurality of tine segments such that the segmented tines of the plurality of segmented tines are compliant. A related dishwasher appliance is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Alexander Benedict, Rebecca Ann Alvord, Ryan James Diener, Brian Michael Schork
  • Patent number: 9857105
    Abstract: A heat pump includes a regenerator housing that is movable along a lateral direction between a first position and a second position. A first compliant seal extends between a first frame body and the regenerator housing along the lateral direction. A second compliant seal extends between a second frame body and the regenerator housing along the lateral direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Goodman Schroeder, Michael Alexander Benedict
  • Patent number: 9857106
    Abstract: A heat pump includes a regenerator housing that is movable along a lateral direction relative to a magnet. A valve assembly is provided for regulating a flow of the working fluid from a pump through the regenerator housing. The valve assembly includes a pair of inlet conduits that extend along the lateral direction from the regenerator housing. A pair of outlet conduits also extends along the lateral direction from the regenerator housing. A valve body assembly defines a plurality of shafts that each receives a respective conduit of the pair of inlet conduits and the pair of outlet conduits. The conduits of the pair of inlet conduits and the pair of outlet conduits are slidable within the shafts of the plurality of shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Goodman Schroeder, Michael Alexander Benedict
  • Patent number: 9851128
    Abstract: A heat pump system is provided that uses MCM to provide for heating or cooling. The heat pump is constructed from a continuously rotating regenerator where MCM is cycled in and out of a magnetic field in a continuous manner. A heat transfer fluid is circulated therethrough to provide for heat transfer in a cyclic manner. The MCM may include stages having different Curie temperature ranges. A field of varying magnetic flux may be used. The rotating regenerator can be equipped with one or more gaskets to improve fluid seals between the rotating regenerator and stationary parts. An appliance using such a heat pump system is also provided. The heat pump may also be used in other applications for heating, cooling, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Alexander Benedict, David G. Beers
  • Publication number: 20170328608
    Abstract: An appliance includes an ice maker and a caloric heat pump system for cooling the ice maker. The caloric heat pump system includes a pump for circulating a heat transfer fluid between first and second heat exchangers and caloric material stages in order to cool the ice maker with the first heat exchanger. A related ice making appliance is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Alexander Benedict, David G. Beers
  • Publication number: 20170328609
    Abstract: A dishwasher appliance includes a caloric heat pump system that is configured for heating and cooling a wash chamber of a tub. A field generator is positioned such that caloric material stages are moved in and out of a field of the field generator during operation of the caloric heat pump system. A pump circulates a heat transfer fluid between a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger and the caloric material stages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Alexander Benedict, David G. Beers