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).

  • Publication number: 20120291822
    Abstract: A dishwasher with a tub at least partially defining a treating 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 filter disposed in the recirculation flow path to filter the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: BARRY E. TULLER, RODNEY M. WELCH
  • Publication number: 20120291805
    Abstract: A dishwasher with a tub at least partially defining a treating 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 filter disposed in the recirculation flow path to filter the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: BARRY E. TULLER, RODNEY M. WELCH
  • Patent number: 8215322
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dishwasher comprising a tub in which utensils and the like are received for cleaning by the spraying of liquid, such as a wash liquid, within the tub, with a sequester located within the tub to sequester the particles removed from the utensils by the liquid and that remain in the tub near a drain outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jordan Robert Fountain, Dennis L. Kehl, James P. Tomey, Rodney M. Welch
  • Publication number: 20120167928
    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: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jordan R. Fountain, Todd M. Jozwiak, Antony M. Rappette, Rodney M. Welch
  • Publication number: 20120138106
    Abstract: A dishwasher with multiple, physically separate treating chambers includes a pump unit, a system for fluidly coupling the separate treating chambers to the pump unit, and a water supply system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: JORDAN R. FOUNTAIN, RODNEY M. WELCH
  • Publication number: 20120138107
    Abstract: A dishwasher with multiple, physically separate treating chambers includes a pump and filter unit and a system for coupling the separate treating chambers to the pump and filter unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: JORDAN R. FOUNTAIN, BARRY E. TULLER, RODNEY M. WELCH
  • Publication number: 20120138096
    Abstract: An automatic dishwasher having a heater shared by the recirculation system and the air supply system to heat the liquid in the recirculation system and the air in the air supply system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: BARRY E. TULLER, RODNEY M. WELCH
  • Publication number: 20120138111
    Abstract: An automatic dishwasher having a tub defining a treating chamber and a housing physically separate from the tub and defining a sump to receive liquid sprayed into the tub, the housing having an inlet fluidly connected to a liquid outlet of the tub and an outlet fluidly coupled to a sprayer located within the tub to define a recirculation path for the sprayed liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: BARRY E. TULLER, RODNEY M. WELCH
  • Publication number: 20120125383
    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: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: JORDAN R. FOUNTAIN, BARRY E. TULLER, RODNEY M. WELCH
  • Publication number: 20120118336
    Abstract: A dishwasher having a filter system to remove soils from the recirculated liquid and a heating element for pyrolytically cleaning the soils from the filter system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: RODNEY M. WELCH
  • Publication number: 20120118330
    Abstract: A dishwasher with multiple, physically separate treating chambers includes a liquid supply system supplying liquid to the treating chambers, an air supply system supplying air to the treating chambers, and a common heating element for simultaneously heating the air and liquid. A method for operating a dishwasher including simultaneously heating the air and the liquid with a common heating element is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: BARRY E. TULLER, RODNEY M. WELCH
  • Patent number: 8176614
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes a tub having a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls that collectively define a first washing chamber. The tub is supported in an outer, modular support body having first and second opposing side walls joined by a bottom wall, as well as a pair of upper frame members. In one embodiment of the invention, first and second support bodies are mounted one atop another to establish a dual drawer-type dishwasher, with the first and second support bodies being joined, preferably at a stepped interface region, by a plurality of brackets. The first and second support bodies are preferably aligned by arranging lugs formed on upper in-turned flanges on a lower support body within recesses formed in the bottom wall of the upper support body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Rodney M. Welch
  • Patent number: 8066821
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes wash chamber, a wash system for supplying washing fluid to wash arms to clean articles arranged in the wash chamber, and a washing fluid manifold having an inlet portion, an outlet portion and a passage interconnecting the inlet and outlet portions. A filter chamber is fluidly connected to the washing fluid manifold for removing food soil from the washing fluid. A venturi is provided in the passage for establishing a low pressure region. A sampling port for feeding the filter chamber is located in the low pressure region. In addition, a bleed port is provide near an inlet of the filter chamber. In this manner, washing fluid enters the filter chamber at low pressure to increase the efficiency of a filtering process, while washing fluid enters the wash arms at a high velocity to efficiently perform a washing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kristen K. Hedstrom, Mark E. Palm, Rodney M. Welch
  • Patent number: 8038805
    Abstract: A dishrack system for a drawer-type dishwasher having a tub including bottom, rear and opposing side walls includes a side portion and a readily removable base portion supported by the side portion. The side portion includes a base section having first and second leg members, and a back wall section. The leg members directly support the side portion upon the bottom wall of the tub, with the back wall section extending along one of the opposing side walls. The base portion includes a first end directly supported by the side portion and a second end which can be supported either directly by the bottom wall of the washing chamber or by another side portion. With this arrangement, the dishrack system occupies a full length and width of the tub, while the base portion can be removed without disturbing dishware items resting on the side portion(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Randy Anderson, Kory A. Gunnerson, Heather M. Hagans, Kristen K. Hedstrom, Mark E. Palm, David K. Reynolds, Barry E. Tuller, Rodney M. Welch, Jeffrey N. Williams
  • Patent number: 8034276
    Abstract: A domestic appliance includes a pump that establishes and directs a flow of washing fluid into a tub during a washing operation. The pump includes a pump housing having a rigid main body portion that defines an inlet section and an outlet section, as well as a plurality of resilient members that are over-molded onto the inlet and outlet sections. The rigid main body portion includes a mounting element for supporting the pump. An insulation grommet is positioned in the mounting element to minimize any transfer of vibration from the pump to the appliance. The inlet nipple, outlet nipple and insulation grommet are joined through a plurality of web members. The rigid main body also includes a secondary outlet section that is adapted to directly receive a hose or is connected to a hose through a secondary outlet nipple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Rodney M. Welch
  • Publication number: 20110226287
    Abstract: A system and method for low temperature hydration of food soils allows for hydration of food soils between washing cycles in a dishwasher. A user selects a hydration button to actuate a hydration cycle between dishwashing cycles. During the hydration cycle, a plurality of spraying devices are periodically actuated in accordance with a desired amount of hydration selected by the user. Water is supplied from a dedicated water supply line to the spraying devices, preferably without being heated, and is distributed throughout a dishwasher chamber utilizing spray nozzles or fans. The hydration cycle ends when deactivated, or when a dishwashing cycle is initiated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: ROBERT ALAN ELICK, RODNEY M. WELCH
  • Patent number: 7988789
    Abstract: A system and method for low temperature hydration of food soils allows for hydration of food soils between washing cycles in a dishwasher. A user selects a hydration button to actuate a hydration cycle between dishwashing cycles. During the hydration cycle, a plurality of atomizers are periodically actuated in accordance with a desired amount of hydration selected by the user. Water is supplied from a dedicated water supply line to the atomizers, preferably without being heated, and is distributed throughout a dishwasher chamber utilizing spray nozzles or fans associated with the atomizers. The hydration cycle ends when deactivated, or when a dishwashing cycle is initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Alan Elick, Rodney M. Welch
  • Publication number: 20110146714
    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 filter system includes a rotating filter disposed in the recirculation flow path to filter the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: JORDAN R. FOUNTAIN, RODNEY M. WELCH
  • Publication number: 20110146730
    Abstract: A dishwashing machine includes a housing in fluid communication with a washing chamber and a cylindrical filter positioned in the housing that is operable to rotate about a longitudinal axis. A flow diverter is positioned within the inner chamber at a location between the housing and the rotary filter and is spaced apart from the rotary filter so as to create a gap. During rotation of the filter, the angular velocity of fluid advanced through the gap is increased relative to the angular velocity of the fluid prior to entering the gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: RODNEY M. WELCH
  • Publication number: 20110146731
    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 and operably coupled to the impeller for co-rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: JORDAN R. FOUNTAIN, RODNEY M. WELCH