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).

  • Low pressure laundry treating appliance
    Patent number: 10816266
    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: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Rodney M. Welch
  • Ultra micron filter for a dishwasher
    Patent number: 10813525
    Abstract: A dishwasher having a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber, a liquid spray system, a liquid recirculation system fluidly coupling the treating chamber to the spray system to recirculate wash liquid from the treating chamber to the spray system, and filters capable of removing particles from the wash liquid. The filters include a microfilter fluidly coupled to at least one of the recirculation system and the spray system and an ultrafilter fluidly coupled to an outlet side of the microfilter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jordan R. Fountain, Antony M. Rappette, Barry E. Tuller, Rodney M. Welch
  • Dishwasher drain assemblies having overmolded volutes
    Patent number: 10799084
    Abstract: An air vent for a dishwasher drain assembly having an overmolded volute is disclosed. The air vent has a surface with a first aperture defined therethrough and at least a portion of the surface sloping downward toward the first aperture. A flexible member having a shape is positioned across the portion of surface. The flexible member flexes toward and sealably engages the first aperture when a force presses the flexible member, and the flexible member is positioned away from the first aperture allowing air to pass through the first aperture when the force does not press the flexible member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Rodney M. Welch
  • LAUNDRY APPLIANCE HAVING AN ULTRASONIC DRYING MECHANISM
    Publication number: 20200318282
    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: May 28, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    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
  • Rotating drum filter for a dishwashing machine
    Patent number: 10779703
    Abstract: A dishwasher with a tub and a recirculation pump, which includes a housing defining a chamber and having an inlet fluidly coupled to the tub and an outlet fluidly coupled to the tub, an impeller rotatably mounted within the chamber and expelling liquid from the chamber through the outlet, and a filter fluidly disposed between the inlet and the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jordan R. Fountain, Rodney M. Welch
  • DISHWASHER
    Publication number: 20200245842
    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: April 23, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventor: Rodney M. Welch
  • Laundry appliance having an ultrasonic drying mechanism
    Patent number: 10704189
    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: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    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
  • Dishwasher with rotationally mounted sprayer
    Patent number: 10667668
    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: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Rodney M. Welch
  • Ultra micron filter for a dishwasher
    Patent number: 10653291
    Abstract: A dishwasher for treating utensils in the dishwasher wherein the dishwasher has a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber, a liquid spray system, a liquid recirculation system fluidly coupling the treating chamber to the spray system to recirculate wash liquid from the treating chamber to the spray system, and filters capable of removing particles from the wash liquid and a method including spraying the wash liquid, recirculating the sprayed wash liquid, microfiltering, and ultrafiltering at least a portion of wash liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jordan R. Fountain, Antony M. Rappette, Barry E. Tuller, Rodney M. Welch
  • LOW PRESSURE LAUNDRY TREATING APPLIANCE
    Publication number: 20200072549
    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: February 28, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventor: RODNEY M. WELCH
  • VAPOR COMPRESSION DISTILLATION ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20190292072
    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: February 28, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventor: RODNEY M. WELCH
  • Filter with artificial boundary for a dishwashing machine
    Patent number: 10314457
    Abstract: A liquid filtering system for a dishwasher, having a housing defining a filter chamber and configured to be fluidly coupled to a recirculation flow path of the dishwasher, a filter located within the filter chamber and having a first end axially spaced from a second end and defining a filter there between that has a first surface and a second surface, the filter being positioned within the recirculation flow path to filter soils from liquid flowing through the recirculation flow path as the liquid passes through the filter and a flow diverter to aid in cleaning the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Barry E. Tuller, Rodney M. Welch, Anthony B. Welsh
  • FILTER WITH ARTIFICIAL BOUNDARY FOR A DISHWASHING MACHINE
    Publication number: 20190110659
    Abstract: A liquid filtering system for a dishwasher, having a housing defining a filter chamber and configured to be fluidly coupled to a recirculation flow path of the dishwasher, a filter located within the filter chamber and having a first end axially spaced from a second end and defining a filter there between that has a first surface and a second surface, the filter being positioned within the recirculation flow path to filter soils from liquid flowing through the recirculation flow path as the liquid passes through the filter and a flow diverter to aid in cleaning the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Barry E. Tuller, Rodney M. Welch, Anthony B. WELSH
  • LAUNDRY APPLIANCE HAVING A MAINTENANCE FREE LINT REMOVAL SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20190093279
    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: September 6, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    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
  • LAUNDRY APPLIANCE HAVING AN ULTRASONIC DRYING MECHANISM
    Publication number: 20190062985
    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: August 9, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    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
  • Dishwasher for treating dishes
    Patent number: 10213085
    Abstract: A dishwasher for treating dishes according to at least one cycle of operation including a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving the dishes, at least one sprayer, a liquid recirculation system, a liquid filtering system including a housing defining and a filter located within the interior and a heater configured to heat liquid that has passed through the inlet opening of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Alvaro Vallejo Noriega, Rodney M. Welch
  • Filter with artificial boundary for a dishwashing machine
    Patent number: 10178939
    Abstract: A liquid filtering system for a dishwasher, having a housing defining a filter chamber and configured to be fluidly coupled to a recirculation flow path of the dishwasher, a filter located within the filter chamber and having a first end axially spaced from a second end and defining a filter there between that has a first surface and a second surface, the filter being positioned within the recirculation flow path to filter soils from liquid flowing through the recirculation flow path as the liquid passes through the filter and a flow diverter to aid in cleaning the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Barry E. Tuller, Rodney M. Welch, Anthony B. Welsh
  • Dishwasher with movable liquid conduit
    Patent number: 10172506
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes a compartment in the form of a drawer or pull-out treating chamber slidably mounted in a chassis is provided with one or more liquid supply and draining conduits for supplying and draining liquid to and from the treating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jordan R. Fountain, Barry E. Tuller, Rodney M. Welch
  • DISHWASHER DRAIN ASSEMBLIES HAVING OVERMOLDED VOLUTES
    Publication number: 20180338668
    Abstract: An air vent for a dishwasher drain assembly having an overmolded volute is disclosed. The air vent has a surface with a first aperture defined therethrough and at least a portion of the surface sloping downward toward the first aperture. A flexible member having a shape is positioned across the portion of surface. The flexible member flexes toward and sealably engages the first aperture when a force presses the flexible member, and the flexible member is positioned away from the first aperture allowing air to pass through the first aperture when the force does not press the flexible member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventor: Rodney M. Welch
  • Rotating filter for a dishwasher
    Patent number: 10076226
    Abstract: A dishwasher with a tub at least partially defining a washing chamber, a liquid spraying system, a liquid recirculation system defining a recirculation flow path, and a liquid filtering system. The liquid filtering system includes a rotating filter disposed in the recirculation flow path to filter the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Walter T. Blanchard, Jacquelyn R. Geda, Todd M. Jozwiak, John A. Miller, Antony M. Rappette, Rodney M. Welch