Patents by Inventor Nelson J. Ferragut
Nelson J. Ferragut 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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Publication number: 20100326102Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the cabinet, an ice compartment disposed within the cabinet, and an electronic control system associated with the refrigerator and adapted to monitor and control the fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment and the ice compartment. The control system provides for energy efficient control and operation through various means, including by monitoring state of an ice maker associated with the ice compartment and controlling temperature within compartments of the refrigerator based on the ice maker state. A damper controls air flow between the fresh food and freezer compartments. The control system can direct heat to the damper if the damper becomes frozen.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicant: MAYTAG CORPORATIONInventors: ROBERT L. WETEKAMP, KYLE B. VAN METER, ALAN G. TARRANT, RYAN D. SCHUCHART, MAURO M. OLIVEIRA, ALVIN V. MILLER, BRENT A. KOPPENHAVER, CARL J. FRANKEN, NELSON J. FERRAGUT, II, TIM L. COULTER, GREG BERARDI, THOMAS CARL ANELL
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Patent number: 7827811Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet within which is defined a fresh food compartment and/or a freezer compartment. The refrigerator further includes a control panel or user interface that enables a consumer to input desired operating parameters. The interface is also provided with a plurality of temperature control elements and at least one auxiliary control element. The temperature control elements enable a consumer to set compartment temperatures in a first or basic mode. The auxiliary control element, in addition to serving a function in the basic mode, provides access to a hidden or advanced features menu. Once the hidden menu is accessed, the temperature control elements enable a consumer to select and adjust advanced operating parameters, such as enabling a Sabbath mode, setting a temperature display, altering an intensity of ambient light required to activate a dispenser light, activating an audible warm alarm and initiating a super cool feature.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2006Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventors: Nelson J. Ferragut, II, Robert L. Wetekamp
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Publication number: 20100257876Abstract: A refrigerator includes a fresh food compartment, a freezer compartment and a refrigeration system. A duct, exposed to the freezer compartment, leads into the fresh food compartment. A damper is arranged within the duct to selectively allow the passage of cooling air into the fresh food compartment. The refrigerator also includes an air mixing fan arranged in the fresh food compartment, a freezer mounted ice maker, a user interface having a plurality of control elements and a controller operatively associated with the user interface. The controller includes a memory having stored therein a plurality of operating parameters for controlling various aspects or features of the refrigerator, including a temperature control mode, a super cool mode, a food saver mode and a quick ice mode, which can be synergistically combined to efficiently operate the refrigerator.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2010Publication date: October 14, 2010Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: THOMAS CARL ANELL, NELSON J. FERRAGUT, II, CARL J. FRANKEN, ALVIN V. MILLER, MAURO M. OLIVEIRA, TODD E. PRITTS, ALAN G. TARRANT, ROBERT L. WETEKAMP
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Patent number: 7765819Abstract: A refrigerator includes a fresh food compartment, a freezer compartment and a refrigeration system. A duct, exposed to the freezer compartment, leads into the fresh food compartment. A damper is arranged within the duct to selectively allow the passage of cooling air into the fresh food compartment. The refrigerator also includes an air mixing fan arranged in the fresh food compartment, a freezer mounted ice maker, a user interface having a plurality of control elements and a controller operatively associated with the user interface. The controller includes a memory having stored therein a plurality of operating parameters for controlling various aspects or features of the refrigerator, including a temperature control mode, a super cool mode, a food saver mode and a quick ice mode, which can be synergistically combined to efficiently operate the refrigerator.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2006Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventors: Thomas Carl Anell, Nelson J. Ferragut, II, Carl J. Franken, Alvin V. Miller, Mauro M. Oliveira, Todd E. Pritts, Alan G. Tarrant, Robert L. Wetekamp
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Publication number: 20100030383Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the cabinet, an ice compartment disposed within the cabinet, and an electronic control system associated with the refrigerator and adapted to monitor and control the fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment and the ice compartment. The control system provides for energy efficient control and operation through various means, including adjusting cut-in and cut-out temperatures of the cooling system to control.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2009Publication date: February 4, 2010Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: ROBERT L. WETEKAMP, KYLE B. VAN METER, ALAN G. TARRANT, RYAN D. SCHUCHART, MAURO M. OLIVEIRA, ALVIN V. MILLER, BRENT A. KOPPENHAVER, CARL J. FRANKEN, NELSON J. FERRAGUT, II, TIM L. COULTER, GREG BERARDI, THOMAS CARL ANELL
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Publication number: 20090327879Abstract: A development toolkit can create a message data payload for use on a communications network having rules for data representation. The development toolkit includes an editor configured to create a first portion of a message data payload having usable data for transmission over the communications network, and to create a second portion of the message data payload having information to describe the usable data. The editor includes constraints that limit the manner in which creating the first and second portions and the association occurs. The constraints are defined in part by the rules for data representation. The toolkit also includes a user interface to display a visualization of the message data payload from the editor. With this configuration, a user can conveniently create a message data payload for immediate use and see a graphical representation of the message data payload as it is created.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2009Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: NELSON J. FERRAGUT, II, MARK E. GLOTZBACH, RICHARD A. MCCOY, PETER RICE, MATTHEW A. TREES
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Patent number: 7607312Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the cabinet, an ice compartment disposed within the cabinet, and an electronic control system associated with the refrigerator and adapted to monitor and control the fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment and the ice compartment. The control system provides for energy efficient control and operation through various means, including adjusting cut-in and cut-out temperatures of the cooling system to control.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2006Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventors: Robert L. Wetekamp, Kyle B. Van Meter, Alan G. Tarrant, Ryan D. Schuchart, Mauro M. Oliveira, Alvin V. Miller, Brent A. Koppenhaver, Carl J. Franken, Nelson J. Ferragut, II, Tim L. Coulter, Greg Berardi, Thomas Carl Anell
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Patent number: 7591141Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the cabinet, an ice compartment disposed within the cabinet, and an electronic control system associated with the refrigerator and adapted to monitor and control the fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment and the ice compartment. The control system provides for energy efficient control and operation through various means, including by monitoring state of an ice maker associated with the ice compartment and controlling temperature within compartments of the refrigerator based on the ice maker state. The control system can also use correlations in determining appropriate temperatures for different compartments within the refrigerator.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2006Date of Patent: September 22, 2009Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventors: Robert L. Wetekamp, Kyle B. Van Meter, Alan G. Tarrant, Ryan D. Schuchart, Mauro M. Oliveira, Alvin V. Miller, Brent A. Koppenhaver, Carl J. Franken, Nelson J. Ferragut, II, Tim L. Coulter, Greg Berardi, Thomas Carl Anell
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Patent number: 7568359Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the cabinet, an ice compartment disposed within the cabinet, and an electronic control system associated with the refrigerator and adapted to monitor and control the fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment and the ice compartment. The control system provides for energy efficient control and operation through various means, including by monitoring state of an ice maker associated with the ice compartment and controlling temperature within compartments of the refrigerator based on the ice maker state. A heater is controlled by the control system to increase energy efficiency of the refrigerator.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2006Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventors: Robert L. Wetekamp, Kyle B. Van Meter, Alan G. Tarrant, Ryan D. Schuchart, Mauro M. Oliveira, Alvin V. Miller, Brent A. Koppenhaver, Carl J. Franken, Nelson J. Ferragut, Tim L. Coulter, Greg Berardi, Thomas Carl Anell
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Patent number: 7493774Abstract: A control system for a refrigerator ice/water dispenser includes an actuation switch, at least one drive unit for releasing either ice or water, a motor activation relay that controls operation of the drive unit, and a power system having multiple power supplies for operating the control system, motor activation relay and drive unit(s). Preferably, the dispenser includes multiple actuation switches, e.g. a water activation switch and a water/ice activation switch, each having an associated activation relay for independently controlling the release of water and/or ice respectively. Current for initiating the drive unit activation relays must pass through a corresponding actuation switch in order to prevent unintended release of water and/or ice. Multiple processor circuits are preferably employed, with one processor circuit relaying to another processor circuit to enable drive unit activation.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2006Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventors: Nelson J. Ferragut, II, Brian Midlang, Robert L. Wetekamp
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Publication number: 20080041073Abstract: A water product dispensing system includes a dispenser mounted for selectively releasing a water product, a display provided on the dispenser and a sensor operatively coupled to the dispenser. The dispensing system also includes a sensor for determining a fault condition. In the event that a fault condition exists, the fault condition is presented upon the display only upon operation of the dispensing system. The water product dispensing system also includes a water filter, with the fault condition indicating a need to replace the water filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2006Publication date: February 21, 2008Inventors: Nelson J. Ferragut, James H. Jenkins, Craig Lear
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Patent number: 7266962Abstract: A refrigerator contains a battery pack for providing a DC current to drive a refrigeration system and alternatively is connectable to an AC power source for driving the refrigeration system from the AC power source. The DC battery pack is utilized during peak loads on the AC source of power, and the AC source of power is utilized during reduced loads on the AC power source. The electrical circuitry and components of the AC and DC power circuits are contained within a mechanical compartment located within the refrigerator.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2005Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Lou Montuoro, Ron Anderson, Frank Caci, Nelson J. Ferragut, II, Vincent Lyons, Andrew Strohm, Greg Carr, Xiaoyong Fu, Scott Voll
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Patent number: 7021068Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring power outages in a household appliance such as a refrigerator are disclosed. According to the method, a household appliance determines a prior occurrence of a power outage to the appliance. The household appliance then computes a duration of the power outage. Further, the household appliance alerts a user of the duration of the power outage.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2004Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventors: Nelson J. Ferragut, II, John L. Mc Namara, Louis Montuoro
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Patent number: 6993485Abstract: A method and system for a refrigerator having an integrated presentation mode is disclosed. The refrigerator includes a cabinet, a refrigerating compartment disposed within the cabinet, a display operatively connected to the cabinet, an intelligent control electrically connected to the display, wherein the intelligent control is adapted to provide a product message related to the refrigerator on the display. The method includes providing a refrigerator adapted for communicating an audio-visual message containing product information about the refrigerator, playing an audio portion of the message, and displaying a visual portion of the message.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2002Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventors: Nelson J. Ferragut, II, John L. McNamara
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Patent number: 6882280Abstract: A refrigerator adapted for playing and recording voice messages is disclosed. The refrigerator includes a cabinet for enclosing a refrigerating compartment, the cabinet having a door for providing access to the refrigerating compartment, a message center operatively connected to the cabinet. The message center includes a speaker, a microphone, and a display.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2002Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventor: Nelson J. Ferragut, II
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Publication number: 20040163397Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring power outages in a household appliance such as a refrigerator are disclosed. According to the method, a household appliance determines a prior occurrence of a power outage to the appliance. The household appliance then computes a duration of the power outage. Further, the household appliance alerts a user of the duration of the power outage.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2004Publication date: August 26, 2004Applicant: Maytag CorporationInventors: Nelson J. Ferragut, John L. McNamara, Louis Montuoro
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Patent number: 6715302Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet for enclosing a refrigerating compartment, the cabinet having a door for providing access to the refrigerating compartment, a user interface operatively connected to the cabinet having a display for displaying refrigerator function selections and a plurality of buttons for selecting refrigerator functions and a control unit operatively connected to the user interface and adapted to control a plurality of refrigerator functions. The control unit can be adapted for determining refrigerator filter information and displaying refrigerator filter information, the refrigerator filter information can include a date associated with the refrigerator filter.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2002Date of Patent: April 6, 2004Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventor: Nelson J. Ferragut, II
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Patent number: 6711908Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring power outages in a household appliance such as a refrigerator are disclosed. According to the method, a household appliance determines a prior occurrence of a power outage to the appliance. The household appliance then computes a duration of the power outage. Further, the household appliance alerts a user of the duration of the power outage.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2002Date of Patent: March 30, 2004Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventors: Nelson J. Ferragut, II, John L. McNamara, Louis Montuoro
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Publication number: 20030010045Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring power outages in a household appliance such as a refrigerator are disclosed. According to the method, a household appliance determines a prior occurrence of a power outage to the appliance. The household appliance then computes a duration of the power outage. Further, the household appliance alerts a user of the duration of the power outage.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2002Publication date: January 16, 2003Inventors: Nelson J. Ferragut, John L. McNamara, Louis Montuoro
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Publication number: 20030010052Abstract: A refrigerator adapted for playing and recording voice messages is disclosed. The refrigerator includes a cabinet for enclosing a refrigerating compartment, the cabinet having a door for providing access to the refrigerating compartment, a message center operatively connected to the cabinet. The message center includes a speaker, a microphone, and a display.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2002Publication date: January 16, 2003Inventor: Nelson J. Ferragut