Patents by Inventor Peter Hans Bensel

Peter Hans Bensel 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: 11453973
    Abstract: A heater assembly or dryer appliance, as provided herein, may include a housing, a heating element, and a thermostat. The housing may have an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface may define a chamber, an inlet, and an outlet. The housing may further include an embossing mount extending radially outward along the outer surface. The heating element may be disposed within the chamber to selectively heat air in a flow of heated air from the inlet to the outlet. The thermostat may be mounted on the outer surface of the housing. The thermostat may include a probe, a first mounting tab, and a second mounting tab. The probe may be positioned in thermal communication with the chamber. The first mounting tab may be secured to the embossing mount. The second mounting tab may be held against the outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Hans Bensel, Jason Eric Oakley
  • Patent number: 11441594
    Abstract: An appliance and fastening assemblies therefore are provided. A method of mounting an object to a part of an appliance using a fastening assembly is also provided. In one aspect, a fastening assembly of an appliance includes a wall defining an engagement hole. The fastening assembly also includes a tab connected to the wall and defining a clearance hole. The tab is folded over onto the wall such that the clearance hole is in communication with the engagement hole. A fastener of the fastening assembly has a head and a shank extending from the head. The shank has threads along at least a portion of the shank. The shank of the fastener is received through the clearance hole and the engagement hole. When the fastener is torqued or driven, a portion of material of the wall is extruded into the clearance hole of the tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Hans Bensel, Joshua Ernest Gilberts
  • Patent number: 11421370
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a cabinet, a tub positioned within the cabinet, and a basket rotatably mounted within the tub. The basket defines a wash chamber for receipt of articles for washing. The basket is positioned proximate an aperture in the cabinet and, as a result of such positioning, the wash chamber is accessible through the aperture. A door is rotatably mounted to the cabinet. A lock is configured to engage the door and prevent the door from rotating when the door is closed and the lock is locked. A light is mounted to the lock and the light is positioned and oriented to illuminate the wash chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Troy Marshall Wright, Peter Hans Bensel
  • Patent number: 11174587
    Abstract: A dryer appliance may include a cabinet, a drum, and a heater assembly. The heater assembly may include a housing, a first mounting flange, a second mounting flange, and a slide clamp. The housing may include a first housing portion and a second housing portion defining a chamber, as well as an inlet and an outlet. The first mounting flange may extend radially from the first housing portion to define a first reference plane having a mutually-orthogonal vertical direction, lateral direction, and transverse direction. The second mounting flange may extend radially from the second housing portion and slidably positioned on the first mounting flange. The second mounting flange may define a clamp aperture extending therethrough along the vertical direction. The slide clamp may extend through the clamp aperture and generally along the transverse direction from a base end fixed to the first mounting flange to a distal free end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Hans Bensel, Christopher Gene Vowels
  • Patent number: 11142862
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance may include a base is mounted within a wash chamber and a bulk tank assembly is mounted to a top side of the base, the bulk tank assembly comprising an elongated reservoir for receiving and storing a cleaning agent and a reservoir cap removably mounted to the elongated reservoir and comprising a manual hand pump for selectively motivating a portion of the cleaning agent from the elongated reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Hans Bensel, Alexander B. Leibman
  • Patent number: 11078620
    Abstract: A moisture sensor assembly for a dryer appliance includes a housing body having a divider wall, a first sensor rod, and a second sensor rod. The first and second sensor rods are positioned on the housing body. Each of the first and second sensor rods has a mounting tab. The mounting tab of the first sensor rod is positioned opposite the mounting tab of the first sensor rod about the divider wall of the housing body. The mounting tabs of the first and second sensor rods are oriented generally parallel to the divider wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Hans Bensel, Robert V. MacDonald, III
  • Publication number: 20210222348
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a cabinet, a tub positioned within the cabinet, and a basket rotatably mounted within the tub. The basket defines a wash chamber for receipt of articles for washing. The basket is positioned proximate an aperture in the cabinet and, as a result of such positioning, the wash chamber is accessible through the aperture. A door is rotatably mounted to the cabinet. A lock is configured to engage the door and prevent the door from rotating when the door is closed and the lock is locked. A light is mounted to the lock and the light is positioned and oriented to illuminate the wash chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Troy Marshall Wright, Peter Hans Bensel
  • Publication number: 20210148038
    Abstract: A heater assembly or dryer appliance, as provided herein, may include a housing, a heating element, and a thermostat. The housing may have an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface may define a chamber, an inlet, and an outlet. The housing may further include an embossing mount extending radially outward along the outer surface. The heating element may be disposed within the chamber to selectively heat air in a flow of heated air from the inlet to the outlet. The thermostat may be mounted on the outer surface of the housing. The thermostat may include a probe, a first mounting tab, and a second mounting tab. The probe may be positioned in thermal communication with the chamber. The first mounting tab may be secured to the embossing mount. The second mounting tab may be held against the outer surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Peter Hans Bensel, Jason Eric Oakley
  • Patent number: 10988889
    Abstract: An additive dispenser of a washing appliance is provided herein. The additive dispenser may include a water inlet and a drawer frame. The water inlet may be positioned upstream from a wash chamber. The drawer frame may define a compartment to receive an additive pod. The compartment may be positioned in downstream fluid communication with the water inlet. The drawer frame may include a sidewall at least partially enclosing the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Hans Bensel, Karlarrious Dawain Donar, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20210054869
    Abstract: An appliance and fastening assemblies therefore are provided. A method of mounting an object to a part of an appliance using a fastening assembly is also provided. In one aspect, a fastening assembly of an appliance includes a wall defining an engagement hole. The fastening assembly also includes a tab connected to the wall and defining a clearance hole. The tab is folded over onto the wall such that the clearance hole is in communication with the engagement hole. A fastener of the fastening assembly has a head and a shank extending from the head. The shank has threads along at least a portion of the shank. The shank of the fastener is received through the clearance hole and the engagement hole. When the fastener is torqued or driven, a portion of material of the wall is extruded into the clearance hole of the tab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Peter Hans Bensel, Joshua Ernest Gilberts
  • Patent number: 10914029
    Abstract: A fluid sensor assembly for a washing machine appliance is provided herein. The fluid sensor assembly may include a first conductivity rod, a second conductivity rod, and a chamber sheath. The first conductivity rod may extend between a top rod end and a bottom rod end. The second conductivity rod may extend between a top rod end and a bottom rod end. The chamber sheath may include a non-permeable sidewall and a sealed top wall. The non-permeable sidewall may extend about the first conductivity rod from a top sheath end to a bottom sheath end. The top sheath end may be positioned on the sealed top wall. At least a portion of the bottom sheath end may be positioned above the bottom rod end of the first conductivity rod. The non-permeable sidewall may be radially spaced apart from the first conductivity rod and define a radial chamber therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Hans Bensel, Jose Francisco Castillo
  • Patent number: 10900162
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a diverter assembly for selectively directing a flow of water to a primary dispenser and an auxiliary spray device. The diverter assembly includes a diverter body defining a diverter body defining a chamber inlet, a primary outlet in fluid communication with the primary dispenser, and an auxiliary outlet in fluid communication with the auxiliary spray device. A diverter valve moves between a first and second position based on a pressure differential relative to a diverter chamber. During standard operation, a spring urges the diverter valve to seal the auxiliary outlet and direct the flow to the primary dispenser. When a button is depressed to activate the auxiliary spray device, the pressure differential across the auxiliary outlet urges the diverter valve to a second position that seals the primary outlet and directs the flow to the auxiliary spray device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander B. Leibman, Peter Hans Bensel, Naveena Heddanahally Lakshmegowda, Manidhar V V S Yandamuri
  • Publication number: 20210017698
    Abstract: A moisture sensor assembly for a dryer appliance includes a housing body having a divider wall, a first sensor rod, and a second sensor rod. The first and second sensor rods are positioned on the housing body. Each of the first and second sensor rods has a mounting tab. The mounting tab of the first sensor rod is positioned opposite the mounting tab of the first sensor rod about the divider wall of the housing body. The mounting tabs of the first and second sensor rods are oriented generally parallel to the divider wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Peter Hans Bensel, Robert V. MacDonald, III
  • Patent number: 10865511
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance and nozzle assembly is provided herein. The washing machine appliance may include a cabinet, a tub positioned within the cabinet, a wash basket, and a controller. The wash basket may be rotatably mounted within the tub. The wash basket may define a wash chamber for receiving articles for washing. The nozzle assembly may be mounted within the cabinet and configured to provide wash fluid to the tub. The nozzle assembly may include a nozzle housing and an extendable nozzle. The nozzle housing may define a receiving chamber within the cabinet. The extendable nozzle may be movable between a retracted position within the receiving chamber and an extended position outside of the receiving chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Hans Bensel, Troy Marshall Wright
  • Publication number: 20200370229
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance may include a base is mounted within a wash chamber and a bulk tank assembly is mounted to a top side of the base, the bulk tank assembly comprising an elongated reservoir for receiving and storing a cleaning agent and a reservoir cap removably mounted to the elongated reservoir and comprising a manual hand pump for selectively motivating a portion of the cleaning agent from the elongated reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Peter Hans Bensel, Alexander B. Leibman
  • Publication number: 20200347541
    Abstract: A dryer appliance may include a cabinet, a drum, and a heater assembly. The heater assembly may include a housing, a first mounting flange, a second mounting flange, and a slide clamp. The housing may include a first housing portion and a second housing portion defining a chamber, as well as an inlet and an outlet. The first mounting flange may extend radially from the first housing portion to define a first reference plane having a mutually-orthogonal vertical direction, lateral direction, and transverse direction. The second mounting flange may extend radially from the second housing portion and slidably positioned on the first mounting flange. The second mounting flange may define a clamp aperture extending therethrough along the vertical direction. The slide clamp may extend through the clamp aperture and generally along the transverse direction from a base end fixed to the first mounting flange to a distal free end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Peter Hans Bensel, Christopher Gene Vowels
  • Patent number: 10815606
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance with smart dispensing capability is provided. The washing machine appliance has features that dispense a predetermined volume of wash additive (e.g., a detergent, fabric softener, and/or bleach) based at least in part on the viscosity of the wash additive. Methods for operating the washing machine appliance are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Hans Bensel, Troy Marshall Wright
  • Patent number: 10774464
    Abstract: A laundry appliance and ironing assembly are provided herein. The laundry appliance may include a cabinet and an ironing assembly. The cabinet may extend along a vertical direction between a top portion and a bottom portion. The cabinet may define a laundry chamber for the receipt of articles therein. The ironing assembly may include a casing received on a laundry appliance and an insulated mat selectively received within the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Hans Bensel, Rafael Baldo Sanz
  • Patent number: 10745849
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance and nozzle assembly therefor are provided herein. The nozzle assembly may include an extendable nozzle, a valve assembly, and a retractable fluid supply. The extendable nozzle may be movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The extendable nozzle may define a fluid path in fluid communication between a nozzle inlet and a nozzle outlet. The extendable nozzle may further define an additive cavity in fluid communication with the fluid path downstream from the nozzle inlet and an additive opening in selective fluid communication with the additive cavity in parallel to the nozzle inlet. The valve assembly may be configured to provide a flow of wash fluid to the extendable nozzle. The retractable fluid supply conduit may extend in fluid communication between the valve assembly and the nozzle inlet of the extendable nozzle to direct the flow of wash fluid to the extendable nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Hans Bensel, Troy Marshall Wright
  • Publication number: 20200095720
    Abstract: An additive dispenser of a washing appliance is provided herein. The additive dispenser may include a water inlet and a drawer frame. The water inlet may be positioned upstream from a wash chamber. The drawer frame may define a compartment to receive an additive pod. The compartment may be positioned in downstream fluid communication with the water inlet. The drawer frame may include a sidewall at least partially enclosing the compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Peter Hans Bensel, Karlarrious Dawain Donar, JR.