Patents by Inventor Stephen Edward Hettinger

Stephen Edward Hettinger 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: 20240133103
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a wash basket that is rotatably mounted within a wash tub. A water supply is provided for selectively adding wash fluid to the wash tub, a motor assembly is mechanically coupled to the wash basket for selectively rotating the wash basket, and a turbidity sensor is positioned within the wash fluid. A controller is configured to operate the water supply to dispense a target volume of the wash fluid, perform an additive mixing cycle to agitate wash additive within the target volume of the wash fluid, obtain a first turbidity measurement, perform an agitation cycle with the target volume of the wash fluid, obtain a second turbidity measurement, and complete a wash cycle at the a wash cycle intensity determined a based at least in part on the first turbidity and the second turbidity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Ryan Ellis Leonard, Stephen Edward Hettinger, Jordan Kyle Weidner, James Augustine Ford
  • Patent number: 11952706
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance, a controller, and a method for operating a washing machine appliance are provided. The appliance includes a controller operably coupled to a motor assembly that is operably coupled to a wash basket, and a drain pump assembly. The controller is configured to rotate the wash basket to at least a desired speed; determine one or more of whether at least the desired speed of the wash basket is achieved within a period of time, or whether an energy parameter threshold of a motor assembly is exceeded when rotating the wash basket within the period of time; and generate an output signal corresponding to fluid detection at a wash tub when the wash basket fails to rotate to at least the desired speed within the period of time or, when the energy parameter threshold is exceeded when rotating the wash basket within the period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Edward Hettinger, Ryan Ellis Leonard
  • Publication number: 20230374718
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance has a vertical direction, a transverse direction, and a lateral direction and includes a cabinet and a stand assembly. The cabinet defines an opening. The stand assembly supports the cabinet and facilitates movement of the cabinet between a loading position and a washing position. The stand assembly includes a stand defining a guide track, a plurality of linkage arms located within the stand, and a plurality of follower pins. The follower pins may be mechanically coupled to the cabinet and slidably received into the guide track to facilitate movement of the cabinet between the loading position and the washing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: James Augustine Ford, Stephen Edward Hettinger, Jason Meurer
  • Publication number: 20230212810
    Abstract: An articulating platform assembly for a home appliance includes a bracket selectively coupled to a cabinet support structure of the home appliance, a first platform support structure extending from the bracket along the vertical direction, a platform base rotatably coupled to the first platform support structure, wherein the platform base pivots with respect to the first platform support structure between an open position and a closed position; and a second platform support structure pivotally attached to the platform base opposite the first platform support structure, the second platform support structure being movable between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Jason Meurer, James Augustine Ford, Stephen Edward Hettinger
  • Publication number: 20230134278
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance, a controller, and a method for operating a washing machine appliance are provided. The appliance includes a controller operably coupled to a motor assembly that is operably coupled to a wash basket, and a drain pump assembly. The controller is configured to rotate the wash basket to at least a desired speed; determine one or more of whether at least the desired speed of the wash basket is achieved within a period of time, or whether an energy parameter threshold of a motor assembly is exceeded when rotating the wash basket within the period of time; and generate an output signal corresponding to fluid detection at a wash tub when the wash basket fails to rotate to at least the desired speed within the period of time or, when the energy parameter threshold is exceeded when rotating the wash basket within the period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Stephen Edward Hettinger, Ryan Ellis Leonard
  • Patent number: 11639571
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a wash tub defining a wash chamber, a wash basket rotatably mounted within the wash tub, and a motor operably coupled to the wash basket for selectively rotating the wash basket. A controller is configured for accelerating the wash basket to a predetermined speed during an acceleration period and maintaining that speed during a steady state period. The controller further determines a power drop from the maximum power required to accelerate the wash basket to the power required to maintain the predetermined speed, and the dry load weight is calculated using this power drop and a transfer function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Edward Hettinger, Ryan Ellis Leonard
  • Patent number: 11591738
    Abstract: A method of operating a washing machine appliance is provided. The washing machine appliance includes a rotatable basket and a motor configured to drive the rotatable basket. The method includes sensing an attribute of articles in the basket. The method also includes determining a pause duration for an agitation operation based at least in part on the sensed attribute of the articles in the basket. The method further includes performing the agitation operation for a period of time. The agitation operation includes activating a motor of the washing machine appliance to agitate the articles within the basket for an agitation duration and deactivating the motor of the washing machine appliance for the pause duration. The period of time is equal to the sum of the agitation duration and the pause duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Edward Hettinger, Ryan Ellis Leonard
  • Patent number: 11578453
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a sump for collecting wash fluid, a water supply valve for supplying the wash fluid during a fill cycle, and a water level detection system including a pressure sensor for measuring sump pressures/fill levels. A controller is configured for operating the supply valve to fill the sump until a target volume is reached and obtaining a fill volume using the water level detection system. The controller determines that a fault condition exists based on a difference between the target volume and the fill volume, e.g., such as when the difference exceeds a predetermined fault threshold, and initiates a fault abatement process in response to determining that the fault condition exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Ellis Leonard, Stephen Edward Hettinger
  • Publication number: 20220316125
    Abstract: A method of operating a washing machine appliance includes a manual mode of operation where a user interface device, such as a control panel or remote device, is used to input a subcycle combination comprising one or more subcycles, the one or more subcycles comprising at least one of a fill subcycle, a prewash subcycle, a soak subcycle, a wash subcycle, a drain subcycle, a rinse subcycle, or a spin subcycle. The method includes obtain subcycle parameters associated with each of the one or more subcycles in the subcycle combination and initiating an operating cycle of the washing machine appliance in accordance with the subcycle combination and the subcycle parameters upon receiving a start command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen Edward Hettinger, Ryan Ellis Leonard
  • Publication number: 20220251753
    Abstract: A method for operating a laundry apparatus, the laundry apparatus including a tub and a detergent dispenser, the method including initiating a washing cycle of a washing load; supplying a first dose of detergent to the tub via the detergent dispenser; performing a first agitation phase of the washing cycle; determining that a two-phase detergent condition exists; supplying a second dose of detergent to the tub via the detergent dispenser; and performing a second agitation phase of the washing cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen Edward Hettinger, Ryan Ellis Leonard
  • Publication number: 20220251752
    Abstract: A method for operating a laundry apparatus, the laundry apparatus including a tub and a detergent dispenser, the method including initiating a washing cycle of a washing load; supplying a first fill of heated water and a dose of detergent to the tub via the detergent dispenser; performing a first agitation phase of the washing cycle; determining that a two-phase heated water fill condition exists; supplying a second fill of heated water to the tub; and performing a second agitation phase of the washing cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen Edward Hettinger, Ryan Ellis Leonard
  • Publication number: 20210404104
    Abstract: A method of operating a washing machine appliance is provided. The washing machine appliance includes a rotatable basket and a motor configured to drive the rotatable basket. The method includes sensing an attribute of articles in the basket. The method also includes determining a pause duration for an agitation operation based at least in part on the sensed attribute of the articles in the basket. The method further includes performing the agitation operation for a period of time. The agitation operation includes activating a motor of the washing machine appliance to agitate the articles within the basket for an agitation duration and deactivating the motor of the washing machine appliance for the pause duration. The period of time is equal to the sum of the agitation duration and the pause duration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Stephen Edward Hettinger, Ryan Ellis Leonard
  • Publication number: 20210302223
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a wash tub defining a wash chamber, a wash basket rotatably mounted within the wash tub, and a motor operably coupled to the wash basket for selectively rotating the wash basket. A controller is configured for accelerating the wash basket at a predetermined acceleration rate during an acceleration period while monitoring various acceleration parameters. The controller also rotates the wash basket at a predetermined speed during a steady state period either before or after the acceleration period while measuring steady state parameters. The controller further determines a load score based at least in part on the acceleration parameters and the steady state parameters and determines a load weight based on the load score, the acceleration parameters, the steady state parameters, and a weighted transfer function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Ryan Ellis Leonard, Stephen Edward Hettinger
  • Publication number: 20210301455
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a sump for collecting wash fluid, a water supply valve for supplying the wash fluid during a fill cycle, and a water level detection system including a pressure sensor for measuring sump pressures/fill levels. A controller is configured for operating the supply valve to fill the sump until a target volume is reached and obtaining a fill volume using the water level detection system. The controller determines that a fault condition exists based on a difference between the target volume and the fill volume, e.g., such as when the difference exceeds a predetermined fault threshold, and initiates a fault abatement process in response to determining that the fault condition exists.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Ryan Ellis Leonard, Stephen Edward Hettinger
  • Publication number: 20210301444
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a wash tub defining a wash chamber, a wash basket rotatably mounted within the wash tub, and a motor operably coupled to the wash basket for selectively rotating the wash basket. A controller is configured for accelerating the wash basket to a predetermined speed during an acceleration period and maintaining that speed during a steady state period. The controller further determines a power drop from the maximum power required to accelerate the wash basket to the power required to maintain the predetermined speed, and the dry load weight is calculated using this power drop and a transfer function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Stephen Edward Hettinger, Ryan Ellis Leonard
  • Patent number: 10822735
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a motor for selectively rotating a wash basket within a wash tub. A controller is configured for initiating a spin cycle by ramping up the speed of the wash basket to a target speed. The controller monitors a measured basket speed to determine whether the measured basket speed has reached a predetermined acceleration reference speed within an acceleration time limit or whether the measured basket speed has fallen below a dropout reference speed for a dropout time limit. If either condition exists, the controller adjusts the operation of the washing machine appliance, e.g., by reducing the wash basket speed to permit wash fluid entrained in the annulus to escape and reduce drag on the wash basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Ellis Leonard, Stephen Edward Hettinger, Ryan James Scheckelhoff
  • Patent number: 10745842
    Abstract: Washing machine appliances and methods for operating washing machine appliances are provided. A washing machine appliance has a tub and a basket rotatably mounted within the tub, the basket defining a chamber for receipt of articles for washing. A method includes spraying an initial rinse volume of water into the tub, the water at a cold temperature. The method further includes rotating the articles within the tub, and spinning the articles within the tub. The method further includes spraying a final rinse volume of water into the tub, the water at a temperature greater than the cold temperature. The method further includes rotating the articles within the tub, and spinning the articles within the tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Edward Hettinger, Gary Lester Chastine, Ryan Ellis Leonard
  • Patent number: 10465324
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a wash tub defining a wash chamber for receipt of a load of articles for washing and a water control valve for regulating a flow of water from a water supply into the wash chamber. A controller is configured for detecting a low water level in the wash chamber, e.g., due to a low water supply pressure, by obtaining a target volume and a fill volume; obtaining an underfill limit based at least in part on the fill volume; obtaining a tub water level after attempting to fill to the target volume; obtaining a new fill level if the tub water level is less than the underfill limit; and filling the wash tub to the new fill level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Matthew Dillon, Ryan Ellis Leonard, Stephen Edward Hettinger, Ryan James Scheckelhoff
  • Publication number: 20190257018
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a motor for selectively rotating a wash basket within a wash tub. A controller is configured for initiating a spin cycle by ramping up the speed of the wash basket to a target speed. The controller monitors a measured basket speed to determine whether the measured basket speed has reached a predetermined acceleration reference speed within an acceleration time limit or whether the measured basket speed has fallen below a dropout reference speed for a dropout time limit. If either condition exists, the controller adjusts the operation of the washing machine appliance, e.g., by reducing the wash basket speed to permit wash fluid entrained in the annulus to escape and reduce drag on the wash basket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Ryan Ellis Leonard, Stephen Edward Hettinger, Ryan James Scheckelhoff
  • Patent number: 9863076
    Abstract: Washing machine appliance and methods for operating washing machine appliances are provided. A method includes determining a load mass in a basket of the washing machine appliance, and flowing water into a tub until a predetermined tub water indicator level is met, wherein the basket is disposed in the tub. The method further includes estimating a first volume of water in the tub after the predetermined tub water indicator level is met, and determining a load type based on the load mass and the first volume of water. The method further includes flowing water into the tub until a secondary indicator level for the determined load mass is met if the determined load type is a low pressure indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan Ellis Leonard, Stephen Edward Hettinger