Patents by Inventor Nicole M. Ernat

Nicole M. Ernat 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: 11953141
    Abstract: A method for forming a super-insulating material for a vacuum insulated structure includes disposing glass spheres within a rotating drum. A plurality of interstitial spaces are defined between the glass spheres. A binder material is disposed within the rotating drum. The glass spheres and the at least one binder material are rotated within the rotating drum, wherein the binder material is mixed during a first mixing stage with the glass spheres. A first insulating material is disposed within the rotating drum. The binder material, the first insulating material and the glass spheres are mixed to define an insulating base. A second insulating material is disposed within the rotating drum. The secondary insulating material is mixed with the insulating base to define a homogenous form of the super-insulating material, wherein the first and second insulating materials occupy substantially all of the interstitial spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Lakshya J. Deka, Nicole M. Ernat
  • Publication number: 20230250917
    Abstract: A method for forming a super-insulating material for a vacuum insulated structure includes disposing glass spheres within a rotating drum. A plurality of interstitial spaces are defined between the glass spheres. A binder material is disposed within the rotating drum. The glass spheres and the at least one binder material are rotated within the rotating drum, wherein the binder material is mixed during a first mixing stage with the glass spheres. A first insulating material is disposed within the rotating drum. The binder material, the first insulating material and the glass spheres are mixed to define an insulating base. A second insulating material is disposed within the rotating drum. The secondary insulating material is mixed with the insulating base to define a homogenous form of the super-insulating material, wherein the first and second insulating materials occupy substantially all of the interstitial spaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lakshya J. Deka, Nicole M. Ernat
  • Patent number: 11674632
    Abstract: A method for forming a super-insulating material for a vacuum insulated structure includes disposing glass spheres within a rotating drum. A plurality of interstitial spaces are defined between the glass spheres. A binder material is disposed within the rotating drum. The glass spheres and the at least one binder material are rotated within the rotating drum, wherein the binder material is mixed during a first mixing stage with the glass spheres. A first insulating material is disposed within the rotating drum. The binder material, the first insulating material and the glass spheres are mixed to define an insulating base. A second insulating material is disposed within the rotating drum. The secondary insulating material is mixed with the insulating base to define a homogenous form of the super-insulating material, wherein the first and second insulating materials occupy substantially all of the interstitial spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Lakshya J. Deka, Nicole M. Ernat
  • Publication number: 20220275902
    Abstract: A method for forming a super-insulating material for a vacuum insulated structure includes disposing glass spheres within a rotating drum. A plurality of interstitial spaces are defined between the glass spheres. A binder material is disposed within the rotating drum. The glass spheres and the at least one binder material are rotated within the rotating drum, wherein the binder material is mixed during a first mixing stage with the glass spheres. A first insulating material is disposed within the rotating drum. The binder material, the first insulating material and the glass spheres are mixed to define an insulating base. A second insulating material is disposed within the rotating drum. The secondary insulating material is mixed with the insulating base to define a homogenous form of the super-insulating material, wherein the first and second insulating materials occupy substantially all of the interstitial spaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lakshya J. Deka, Nicole M. Ernat
  • Patent number: 11365843
    Abstract: A method for forming a super-insulating material for a vacuum insulated structure includes disposing glass spheres within a rotating drum. A plurality of interstitial spaces are defined between the glass spheres. A binder material is disposed within the rotating drum. The glass spheres and the at least one binder material are rotated within the rotating drum, wherein the binder material is mixed during a first mixing stage with the glass spheres. A first insulating material is disposed within the rotating drum. The binder material, the first insulating material and the glass spheres are mixed to define an insulating base. A second insulating material is disposed within the rotating drum. The secondary insulating material is mixed with the insulating base to define a homogenous form of the super-insulating material, wherein the first and second insulating materials occupy substantially all of the interstitial spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Lakshya J. Deka, Nicole M. Ernat
  • Publication number: 20210002162
    Abstract: A low-density insulating material for use in a vacuum insulated structure for an appliance includes a plurality of microspheres that includes a plurality of leached microspheres. Each leached microsphere has an outer wall and an interior volume. The outer wall has a hole that extends through the outer wall and to the interior volume. A binder engages outer surfaces of the plurality of leached microspheres, wherein the binder cooperates with the plurality of leached microspheres to form at least one microsphere aggregate. The interior volume of each leached microsphere defines an insulating space that includes an insulating gas. The insulating space of each leached microsphere is at least partially defined by the binder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lakshya J. Deka, Nicole M. Ernat, Ashish Nigam, Shayta Roy
  • Publication number: 20200318776
    Abstract: A method for forming a super-insulating material for a vacuum insulated structure includes disposing glass spheres within a rotating drum. A plurality of interstitial spaces are defined between the glass spheres. A binder material is disposed within the rotating drum. The glass spheres and the at least one binder material are rotated within the rotating drum, wherein the binder material is mixed during a first mixing stage with the glass spheres. A first insulating material is disposed within the rotating drum. The binder material, the first insulating material and the glass spheres are mixed to define an insulating base. A second insulating material is disposed within the rotating drum. The secondary insulating material is mixed with the insulating base to define a homogenous form of the super-insulating material, wherein the first and second insulating materials occupy substantially all of the interstitial spaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lakshya J. Deka, Nicole M. Ernat
  • Patent number: 10648609
    Abstract: A structural cabinet for an appliance includes an outer wrapper and an inner liner defining an insulating cavity therebetween. A first insulating structural layer is disposed against an inner surface of the outer wrapper. A second insulating structural layer is disposed against the inward surface of the inner liner. A core insulating material is disposed between the first and second structural insulating layers, wherein the first and second insulating structural layers reinforce the outer wrapper and inner liner, respectively, and resist deflection when the core insulating material is in a compressed state within the insulating cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Nicole M. Ernat, Ashish Nigam
  • Publication number: 20190162355
    Abstract: A structural cabinet for an appliance includes an outer wrapper and an inner liner defining an insulating cavity therebetween. A first insulating structural layer is disposed against an inner surface of the outer wrapper. A second insulating structural layer is disposed against the inward surface of the inner liner. A core insulating material is disposed between the first and second structural insulating layers, wherein the first and second insulating structural layers reinforce the outer wrapper and inner liner, respectively, and resist deflection when the core insulating material is in a compressed state within the insulating cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nicole M. Ernat, Ashish Nigam