Patents by Inventor Rodney M. Welch

Rodney M. Welch 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).

  • Dishwasher with filter assembly
    Patent number: 11882977
    Abstract: A liquid recirculation system having a pump for recirculating liquid and a liquid filtering system for filtering the recirculating liquid. The liquid filtering system includes a filter disposed in the recirculation flow path to filter the liquid and a flow diverter or flow diverter to aid in cleaning the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Barry E. Tuller, Rodney M. Welch
  • Washing appliance having a recirculation circuit
    Patent number: 11739471
    Abstract: A method of treating at least one of laundry or dishes in a treating chamber of an appliance comprising, recirculating liquid through the treating chamber, centrifugally removing particles greater than a predetermined size from the liquid during recirculation of the liquid, and coagulating particles greater than the predetermined size in the liquid during recirculation of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Rodney M. Welch
  • Laundry appliance having a maintenance free lint removal system
    Patent number: 11739472
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a drum for processing laundry. A blower delivers process air through an airflow path that includes the drum. A lint filter is positioned within the airflow path that separates particulate matter from the process air. A lint disposal mechanism removes entrapped lint particles from a surface of the lint filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jordan Grider, Alexander Halbleib, Christopher A. Jones, Roy E. Masters, Jr., Rodney M. Welch, Anthony B. Welsh, Erica L. Roberts, Thomas Kessler
  • MOTOR ASSEMBLY FOR A LAUNDRY TREATING APPLIANCE
    Publication number: 20230257925
    Abstract: A motor assembly for a laundry treating appliance, the motor assembly including an impeller housing, a compressor housing disposed within the impeller housing, a compressor motor disposed within the compressor housing, an impeller mechanically coupled to the compressor motor and disposed within the impeller housing, and a cover for the impeller housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventor: RODNEY M. WELCH
  • Low pressure laundry treating appliance
    Patent number: 11661699
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for a low pressure laundry treating appliance having a cabinet defining an interior, and a drum provided within the interior, the drum including at least an inner wall and an outer wall. Pressure differentiations and flash evaporation can enable drying without excess use of conventional heating methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Rodney M. Welch
  • Laundry appliance having an ultrasonic drying mechanism
    Patent number: 11655582
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet having a rotating drum operably positioned therein for processing fabric. At least one transducer is positioned proximate the drum that provides an ultrasonic resonance that is directed into an interior chamber of the drum. The ultrasonic resonance is adapted to be directed into damp fabric being treated within the interior chamber. The ultrasonic resonance serves to modify water trapped within the damp fabric into a substantially gaseous form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mark J. Christensen, Donald Erickson, Jordan M. Grider, Alexander Halbleib, Christopher A. Hartnett, Christopher A. Jones, K. David McAllister, Rodney M. Welch, Erica L. Roberts
  • LOW PRESSURE LAUNDRY TREATING APPLIANCE
    Publication number: 20220106727
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for a low pressure laundry treating appliance having a cabinet defining an interior, and a drum provided within the interior, the drum including at least an inner wall and an outer wall. Pressure differentiations and flash evaporation can enable drying without excess use of conventional heating methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventor: RODNEY M. WELCH
  • LAUNDRY APPLIANCE HAVING AN ULTRASONIC DRYING MECHANISM
    Publication number: 20220064845
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet having a rotating drum operably positioned therein for processing fabric. At least one transducer is positioned proximate the drum that provides an ultrasonic resonance that is directed into an interior chamber of the drum. The ultrasonic resonance is adapted to be directed into damp fabric being treated within the interior chamber. The ultrasonic resonance serves to modify water trapped within the damp fabric into a substantially gaseous form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark J. Christensen, Donald Erickson, Jordan M. Grider, Alexander Halbleib, Christopher A. Hartnett, Christopher A. Jones, K. David McAllister, Rodney M. Welch, Erica L. Roberts
  • VAPOR COMPRESSION DISTILLATION ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20220048791
    Abstract: A vapor compression distillation assembly for distilling influent liquid, the vapor compression distillation assembly comprising a housing defining an interior and having an inlet for influent liquid, an evaporator and a condenser provided within the housing interior, an outlet for distillate, and at least one compressor fluidly coupled with the housing interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventor: RODNEY M. WELCH
  • Low pressure laundry treating appliance
    Patent number: 11242646
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for a low pressure laundry treating appliance having a cabinet defining an interior, and a drum provided within the interior, the drum including at least an inner wall and an outer wall. Pressure differentiations and flash evaporation can enable drying without excess use of conventional heating methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Rodney M. Welch
  • Laundry appliance having an ultrasonic drying mechanism
    Patent number: 11203834
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet having a rotating drum operably positioned therein for processing fabric. At least one transducer is positioned proximate the drum that provides an ultrasonic resonance that is directed into an interior chamber of the drum. The ultrasonic resonance is adapted to be directed into damp fabric being treated within the interior chamber. The ultrasonic resonance serves to modify water trapped within the damp fabric into a substantially gaseous form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mark J. Christensen, Donald Erickson, Jordan M. Grider, Alexander Halbleib, Christopher A. Hartnett, Christopher A. Jones, K. David McAllister, Rodney M. Welch, Erica L. Roberts
  • Vapor compression distillation assembly
    Patent number: 11192800
    Abstract: A vapor compression distillation assembly for distilling influent liquid, the vapor compression distillation assembly comprising a housing defining an interior and having an inlet for influent liquid, an evaporator and a condenser provided within the housing interior, an outlet for distillate, and at least one compressor fluidly coupled with the housing interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Rodney M. Welch
  • WASHING APPLIANCE HAVING A RECIRCULATION CIRCUIT
    Publication number: 20210274995
    Abstract: A method of treating at least one of laundry or dishes in a treating chamber of an appliance comprising, recirculating liquid through the treating chamber, centrifugally removing particles greater than a predetermined size from the liquid during recirculation of the liquid, and coagulating particles greater than the predetermined size in the liquid during recirculation of the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventor: RODNEY M. WELCH
  • LAUNDRY APPLIANCE HAVING A MAINTENANCE FREE LINT REMOVAL SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20210214882
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a drum for processing laundry. A blower delivers process air through an airflow path that includes the drum. A lint filter is positioned within the airflow path that separates particulate matter from the process air. A lint disposal mechanism removes entrapped lint particles from a surface of the lint filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jordan Grider, Alexander Halbleib, Christopher A. Jones, Roy E. Masters, JR., Rodney M. Welch, Anthony B. Welsh, Erica L. Roberts, Thomas Kessler
  • Washing appliance having a recirculation circuit
    Patent number: 11039728
    Abstract: A washing appliance includes a treating chamber, a sprayer emitting liquid into the treating chamber, and a recirculation circuit including a centrifugal separator and an electrocoagulation unit both fluidly coupled to the recirculation circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Rodney M. Welch
  • Dishwasher with rotationally mounted sprayer
    Patent number: 11019981
    Abstract: A dishwasher has a treating chamber with four corners and a rotatable sprayer located within the treating chamber, where the sprayer includes two conduit segments which rotate about two different axes and a spray head which rotates about yet another axis. The combined rotation of the conduit segments moves the spray head in a non-circular path around the treating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Rodney M. Welch
  • Laundry appliance having a maintenance free lint removal system
    Patent number: 11015281
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a drum for processing laundry. A blower delivers process air through an airflow path that includes the drum. A lint filter is positioned within the airflow path that separates particulate matter from the process air. A lint disposal mechanism removes entrapped lint particles from a surface of the lint filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jordan Grider, Alexander Halbleib, Christopher A. Jones, Roy E. Masters, Jr., Rodney M. Welch, Anthony B. Welsh, Erica L. Roberts, Thomas Kessler
  • LOW PRESSURE LAUNDRY TREATING APPLIANCE
    Publication number: 20200400374
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for a low pressure laundry treating appliance having a cabinet defining an interior, and a drum provided within the interior, the drum including at least an inner wall and an outer wall. Pressure differentiations and flash evaporation can enable drying without excess use of conventional heating methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventor: Rodney M. WELCH
  • DISHWASHER
    Publication number: 20200390312
    Abstract: A dishwasher has a treating chamber with four corners and a rotatable sprayer located within the treating chamber, where the sprayer includes two conduit segments which rotate about two different axes and a spray head which rotates about yet another axis. The combined rotation of the conduit segments moves the spray head in a non-circular path around the treating chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventor: Rodney M. Welch
  • Dishwasher
    Patent number: 10820780
    Abstract: A dishwasher has a treating chamber with four corners and a rotatable sprayer located within the treating chamber, where the sprayer includes two conduit segments which rotate about two different axes and a spray head which rotates about yet another axis. The combined rotation of the conduit segments moves the spray head in a non-circular path around the treating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Rodney M. Welch