Patents by Inventor Nihat Cur

Nihat Cur 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: 11549744
    Abstract: A vacuum insulated cabinet structure includes panels having sheet metal outer side walls and polymer inner side walls. The polymer inner side walls are heat-sealed to a layer of polymer material laminated to a flat sheet metal blank to form vacuum cavities. The blank is then bent along fold lines to form a cabinet structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Nihat Cur, Axel Julio Ramm, Guolian Wu, James Kendall
  • Publication number: 20200340735
    Abstract: A vacuum insulated cabinet structure includes panels having sheet metal outer side walls and polymer inner side walls. The polymer inner side walls are heat-sealed to a layer of polymer material laminated to a flat sheet metal blank to form vacuum cavities. The blank is then bent along fold lines to form a cabinet structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nihat Cur, Axel Julio Ramm, Guolian Wu, James Kendall
  • Patent number: 10746458
    Abstract: A vacuum insulated cabinet structure includes panels having sheet metal outer side walls and polymer inner side walls. The polymer inner side walls are heat-sealed to a layer of polymer material laminated to a flat sheet metal blank to form vacuum cavities. The blank is then bent along fold lines to form a cabinet structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Nihat Cur, Axel Julio Ramm, Guolian Wu, James Kendall
  • Patent number: 10697697
    Abstract: A vacuum insulated door structure includes a first wall having a first edge and a barrier layer, a second wall having a second barrier layer and a second edge coupled to the first wall member proximate the first perimetrical edge. The second wall includes at least four inner side walls and a back wall that defines a second wall offset. At least one tubular member extends between the first wall member and the second wall offset, wherein an inner conduit surface of the tubular member provides fluid communication between the first wall outer facing surface and the second wall outer facing surface. A cavity insulation material is disposed within a cavity volume defined between the first and second walls, wherein the cavity volume is hermetically sealed, and wherein the cavity volume includes an at least partial vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Nihat Cur, Guolian Wu
  • Patent number: 10663217
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a vacuum insulated cabinet structure having side walls that are formed from a tube that has been folded/deformed into a structure having an “O” shape with vertically enlarged front and rear openings. The interior of the tube may be filled with silica powder or other filler, and a vacuum is formed within the tube. An insulated rear panel may be utilized to close off the rear opening of the vacuum insulated cabinet structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Kuehl, Axel Julio Ramm, Guolian Wu, James W. Kendall, Nihat Cur, Paul B. Allard
  • Patent number: 10350817
    Abstract: A method of forming a vacuum insulated refrigerator cabinet, the method comprising providing first and second sheets of material. The first sheet of material is thermoformed over a first forming tool forming a first intermediate structure. The first intermediate structure is then thermoformed over a second forming mold to create a second intermediate structure. The second sheet of material is then sealing connected with the second intermediate structure forming an annular space. A vacuum is created in the annular space creating a vacuum insulated cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Guolian Wu, Nihat Cur, Jurgen Pannock
  • Patent number: 10018396
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided that includes at least one freezer compartment and at least one refrigerator compartment, wherein the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment are defined by a plurality of interior surfaces. The refrigerator further includes a cooling module set (CMS) removably attached to at least one of the plurality of interior surfaces, wherein the CMS is configured to operate in any orientation of a plurality of orientations, and the CMS is further configured to be repositionable with respect to the plurality of interior surfaces to alter a shape of at least one of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Nihat Cur, Alberto R. Gomes, Luiz Antonio D. Lopes, Guolian Wu, Luciana Wasnievski Da Silva
  • Publication number: 20180106529
    Abstract: A vacuum insulated door structure includes a first wall having a first edge and a barrier layer, a second wall having a second barrier layer and a second edge coupled to the first wall member proximate the first perimetrical edge. The second wall includes at least four inner side walls and a back wall that defines a second wall offset. At least one tubular member extends between the first wall member and the second wall offset, wherein an inner conduit surface of the tubular member provides fluid communication between the first wall outer facing surface and the second wall outer facing surface. A cavity insulation material is disposed within a cavity volume defined between the first and second walls, wherein the cavity volume is hermetically sealed, and wherein the cavity volume includes an at least partial vacuum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Nihat Cur, Guolian Wu
  • Patent number: 9938127
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus including a storage tank. At least one ice body is formed proximate the top portion of the storage tank. The ice body is formed in an icemaker configured to produce an ice body through direct contact with an evaporator coil and does not use cold air, or formed directly on a portion of the top portion of the storage tank using evaporator coils extending around a perimeter of the storage tank. The water is then configured to be carbonated and then dispensed to a user upon a user command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Kuehl, Marcos Heinzle, Gustavo Lazzaris de Bona, Nihat Cur
  • Publication number: 20180071972
    Abstract: A method of forming a vacuum insulated refrigerator cabinet, the method comprising providing first and second sheets of material. The first sheet of material is thermoformed over a first forming tool forming a first intermediate structure. The first intermediate structure is then thermoformed over a second forming mold to create a second intermediate structure. The second sheet of material is then sealing connected with the second intermediate structure forming an annular space. A vacuum is created in the annular space creating a vacuum insulated cabinet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Guolian Wu, Nihat Cur, Jurgen Pannock
  • Publication number: 20180045456
    Abstract: A vacuum insulated cabinet structure includes panels having sheet metal outer side walls and polymer inner side walls. The polymer inner side walls are heat-sealed to a layer of polymer material laminated to a flat sheet metal blank to form vacuum cavities. The blank is then bent along fold lines to form a cabinet structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nihat Cur, Axel Julio Ramm, Guolian Wu, James Kendall
  • Publication number: 20180045455
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a vacuum insulated cabinet structure having side walls that are formed from a tube that has been folded/deformed into a structure having an “O” shape with vertically enlarged front and rear openings. The interior of the tube may be filled with silica powder or other filler, and a vacuum is formed within the tube. An insulated rear panel may be utilized to close off the rear opening of the vacuum insulated cabinet structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven J. Kuehl, Axel Julio Ramm, Guolian Wu, James W. Kendall, Nihat Cur, Paul B. Allard
  • Patent number: 9885516
    Abstract: A vacuum insulated door structure includes a first wall having a first edge and a barrier layer, a second wall having a second barrier layer and a second edge coupled to the first wall member proximate the first perimetrical edge. The second wall includes at least four inner side walls and a back wall that defines a second wall offset. At least one tubular member extends between the first wall member and the second wall offset, wherein an inner conduit surface of the tubular member provides fluid communication between the first wall outer facing surface and the second wall outer facing surface. A cavity insulation material is disposed within a cavity volume defined between the first and second walls, wherein the cavity volume is hermetically sealed, and wherein the cavity volume includes an at least partial vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Nihat Cur, Guolian Wu
  • Patent number: 9874394
    Abstract: A vacuum insulated cabinet structure includes panels having sheet metal outer side walls and polymer inner side walls. The polymer inner side walls are heat-sealed to a layer of polymer material laminated to a flat sheet metal blank to form vacuum cavities. The blank is then bent along fold lines to form a cabinet structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Nihat Cur, Axel Julio Ramm, Guolian Wu, James Kendall
  • Patent number: 9863674
    Abstract: An evaporator system that includes: a first evaporator coil at a first evaporator temperature and pressure; a second evaporator coil at a second evaporator temperature and pressure that is less than the first evaporator temperature and pressure where the first evaporator and second evaporator are configured to be thermally disjointed; and a plurality of thermally conductive spaced apart evaporator fins having a plurality of spaced apart thermal break portions positioned between the first evaporator coil and the second evaporator coil that thermally disjoin the first evaporator and the second evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Kuehl, Nihat Cur, Guolian Wu
  • Patent number: 9833942
    Abstract: A method of forming a vacuum insulated refrigerator cabinet, the method comprising providing first and second sheets of material. The first sheet of material is thermoformed over a first forming tool forming a first intermediate structure. The first intermediate structure is then thermoformed over a second forming mold to create a second intermediate structure. The second sheet of material is then sealing connected with the second intermediate structure forming an annular space. A vacuum is created in the annular space creating a vacuum insulated cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Guolian Wu, Nihat Cur, Jurgen Pannock
  • Patent number: 9835369
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a vacuum insulated cabinet structure having side walls that are formed from a tube that has been folded/deformed into a structure having an “O” shape with vertically enlarged front and rear openings. The interior of the tube may be filled with silica powder or other filler, and a vacuum is formed within the tube. An insulated rear panel may be utilized to close off the rear opening of the vacuum insulated cabinet structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Kuehl, Axel Julio Ramm, Guolian Wu, James W. Kendall, Nihat Cur, Paul B. Allard
  • Publication number: 20170021554
    Abstract: A method of forming a vacuum insulated refrigerator cabinet, the method comprising providing first and second sheets of material. The first sheet of material is thermoformed over a first forming tool forming a first intermediate structure. The first intermediate structure is then thermoformed over a second forming mold to create a second intermediate structure. The second sheet of material is then sealing connected with the second intermediate structure forming an annular space. A vacuum is created in the annular space creating a vacuum insulated cabinet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Guolian Wu, Nihat Cur, Jurgen Pannock
  • Patent number: 9534831
    Abstract: A liquid dispenser utilizes a collapsible container that contains a supply of liquid. The collapsible container is received within a chamber that has a stationary wall. A moveable member is adjustable into contact with the collapsible container within the chamber. An indicator displays an estimated amount of liquid remaining in the collapsible container based on a position of the moveable member. The moveable member may squeeze the collapsible container against the stationary wall to thereby increase pressure within the liquid in the collapsible container to urge an outlet valve towards an open position in order to resolve any clogs in the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Nihat Cur, Steven J. Kuehl, Robert J. Rolek
  • Publication number: 20160304359
    Abstract: A method of indicating to a user of an appliance that a water filter unit operably connected to the appliance has passed its useful life that includes the steps of: providing a filter unit and wherein the filter unit comprises a fluid flow impeding system within a housing of the filter unit; engaging the filter unit with the appliance; measuring the volume of water treated by the filter unit using an end of life measuring system positioned within the filter unit; and activating the fluid flow impeding device contained within the housing of the filter unit after a maximum volume of water the filter unit has been designed to treat has been surpassed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Nihat Cur, James C.L. Guarino, Steven J. Kuehl, Mark M. Senninger