Patents by Inventor Phillip C. Hombroek

Phillip C. Hombroek 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: 20180142392
    Abstract: A stain removal tool for a laundry washing machine. The stain removal tool may be deployed from a stowed position and may be adapted to receive at least a portion of an article to substantially remove or treat a stain with water. The stain removal tool may have one or more nozzles upstream of the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Phillip C. Hombroek, Christopher G. Hoppe, Bryan T. Snook
  • Publication number: 20180142391
    Abstract: A stain removal tool for a laundry washing machine. The stain removal tool may be deployed from a stowed position and may be adapted to receive at least a portion of an article to substantially remove or treat a stain with water. The stain removal tool may have one or more nozzles upstream of the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Phillip C. Hombroek, Christopher G. Hoppe, Bryan T. Snook
  • Publication number: 20180080164
    Abstract: A laundry washing machine and method may use a distance sensor to determine dry and wet distance values associated with a load disposed in a wash tub, and dynamically configure a wash cycle based upon the determined values. In some instances, the distance sensor may also be used to detect an excessive fluid level, excessive foaming, or a floating item in the wash tub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher G. Hoppe, Phillip C. Hombroek
  • Publication number: 20180080162
    Abstract: A laundry washing machine and method implement dynamic damping force optimization during a wash cycle to optimize a force-generating operation such as a spin operation performed during the wash cycle. The dynamic damping force optimization may utilize inputs from a suspension force sensor in combination with an accelerometer to dynamically determine a damping capability for a suspension of a laundry washing machine such that damping in the suspension system may be maintained within the damping capability of the suspension system to balance operation performance against the generation of undesirable forces and vibrations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher G. Hoppe, Phillip C. Hombroek
  • Publication number: 20180002856
    Abstract: A laundry washing machine and method automate the selection of a load type for a laundry washing machine during an initial fill phase of a wash cycle and based in part on weight and fluid level sensed by weight and fluid level sensors operatively coupled to a wash tub and after a selected amount of water has been dispensed into the wash tub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Phillip C. Hombroek, Christopher G. Hoppe
  • Publication number: 20180002859
    Abstract: A laundry washing machine and method utilize a fluid property sensor to dynamically select between different types of rinse operations, e.g., fill rinse operations or spin rinse operations, performed during a wash cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Phillip C. Hombroek, Christopher G. Hoppe
  • Publication number: 20180002858
    Abstract: A laundry washing machine and method utilize a fluid property sensor to determine a detergent deficit subsequent to manual addition of detergent by a user, such that additional detergent may be automatically dispensed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Phillip C. Hombroek, Christopher G. Hoppe
  • Publication number: 20180002857
    Abstract: A laundry washing machine and method utilize weight, fluid level and fluid property sensors to dynamically select a load type, control a wash cycle and control an amount of detergent dispensed during a wash cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Phillip C. Hombroek, Christopher G. Hoppe