Patents by Inventor Sunil S. Ekshinge
Sunil S. Ekshinge 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).
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Patent number: 11959696Abstract: A method of measuring pressure includes the steps of (1) providing a vacuum cabinet with a storage compartment and an insulating space, and three temperature sensors; (2) sensing a first temperature level of an interior wall of the storage compartment; (3) sensing an ambient temperature level within the storage compartment; (4) sensing a second temperature level of an exterior wall of the storage compartment; (5) calculating an overall heat transfer coefficient (Q) using the ambient temperature level, the first temperature level, and a convective heat transfer coefficient for the interior wall of the storage compartment; (6) calculating a temperature differential between the second and first temperature levels; (7) determining a conductivity level (K) using the temperature differential, the overall heat transfer coefficient (Q) and a thickness of the insulating space; and (8) determining a pressure level (P) within the insulating space using the conductivity level (K).Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2022Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Paul B. Allard, Sunil S. Ekshinge, Alberto Regio Gomes, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
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Patent number: 11788280Abstract: An insulated structure comprises a first panel and a second panel coupled to the first panel. The first and second panels define an insulating cavity therebetween. A port is defined by the second panel. The port is an opening into the insulating cavity. A connector is coupled to the second panel. A tube is coupled to the connector and extends parallel along the second panel.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2022Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Paul B. Allard, Jeffrey Beckner, Sunil S. Ekshinge, Abhay Naik, Manjunathraddi Navalgund, Rafael D. Nunes, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
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Publication number: 20230324114Abstract: A method of measuring pressure includes the steps of (1) providing a vacuum cabinet with a storage compartment and an insulating space, and three temperature sensors; (2) sensing a first temperature level of an interior wall of the storage compartment; (3) sensing an ambient temperature level within the storage compartment; (4) sensing a second temperature level of an exterior wall of the storage compartment; (5) calculating an overall heat transfer coefficient (Q) using the ambient temperature level, the first temperature level, and a convective heat transfer coefficient for the interior wall of the storage compartment; (6) calculating a temperature differential between the second and first temperature levels; (7) determining a conductivity level (K) using the temperature differential, the overall heat transfer coefficient (Q) and a thickness of the insulating space; and (8) determining a pressure level (P) within the insulating space using the conductivity level (K).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2022Publication date: October 12, 2023Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Paul B. Allard, Sunil S. Ekshinge, Alberto Regio Gomes, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
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Patent number: 11767945Abstract: A vacuum insulated structure includes a first panel having an inner surface defining an area. The first panel includes a vacuum port. A trim breaker interconnects the first panel with a second panel in an air-tight manner to define a vacuum cavity therebetween. A first filter member is disposed on and substantially covers the area of the inner surface of the first panel and the vacuum port of the first panel. A second filter member substantially covers the first filter member to define a channel therebetween. The channel includes an area commensurate with the area of the inner surface of the first panel. The first panel may also include a mesh member covered by a filter member to define a channel therebetween to improve evacuation time using the channel to evacuate the vacuum cavity.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2022Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Paul B. Allard, Sunil S. Ekshinge, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
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Publication number: 20230287729Abstract: A vacuum insulated door for an appliance includes an outer wrapper that defines an evacuation port, An inner liner is coupled to the outer wrapper defining an insulating cavity therebetween. A base is coupled to the outer wrapper adjacent to the evacuation port. A servicing tube has a connecting end and a servicing end. The servicing tube is in fluid communication with the insulating cavity via the evacuation port. The connecting end is coupled to the base. A handle has first and second ends coupled to the outer wrapper and a center portion therebetween spaced-apart from the outer wrapper. The first end is coupled to the outer wrapper proximate the evacuation port. The servicing tube extends along an inner surface of the handle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2023Publication date: September 14, 2023Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventor: Sunil S. Ekshinge
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Publication number: 20230258389Abstract: A door assembly for an appliance includes a wrapper operably coupled with a liner to define an insulation cavity therebetween. An attachment assembly operably couples to the liner and defines a slot. A storage assembly couples with the attachment assembly. The storage assembly includes a bin. The storage assembly further includes a bracket operably coupling the bin to the attachment assembly via a retention feature. The bracket includes a support member defining a groove extending between ends of the bracket. The storage assembly further includes a rim extending from the bin and engaging the groove to secure the bin to the bracket.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2022Publication date: August 17, 2023Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Kaito S. Choy, Sunil S. Ekshinge, Omkar S. Mithari, Abhay Naik
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Patent number: 11708935Abstract: A vacuum insulated structure including a first cover member of a stamped unitary sheet defining a perimeter portion positioned at a first planar level and first rib formed in the unitary sheet extending to a second planar level spaced axially outward and disposed radially inward of the perimeter portion, a second cover member, and thermal bridge interconnecting the first cover member and the second cover member at the perimeter portions thereof to define an insulating cavity therebetween. The insulating cavity is a sealed cavity having a vacuum drawn therefrom, and the first rib defines a first portion of a path for air flow out of the sealed cavity during a vacuum draw process.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2022Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Sunil S. Ekshinge, Arunkumar Harikrishnasamy, Lynne F. Hunter, Sai B. Krishna, Abhay Naik
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Patent number: 11692387Abstract: A vacuum insulated door for an appliance includes an outer wrapper that defines an evacuation port. An inner liner is coupled to the outer wrapper defining an insulating cavity therebetween. A base is coupled to the outer wrapper adjacent to the evacuation port. A servicing tube has a connecting end and a servicing end. The servicing tube is in fluid communication with the insulating cavity via the evacuation port. The connecting end is coupled to the base. A handle has first and second ends coupled to the outer wrapper and a center portion therebetween spaced-apart from the outer wrapper. The first end is coupled to the outer wrapper proximate the evacuation port. The servicing tube extends along an inner surface of the handle.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2022Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Sunil S. Ekshinge
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Patent number: 11692663Abstract: An appliance includes a panel having a raised landing outwardly extending from a first surface of the panel. A vacuum port is disposed on the raised landing. A system of channels is disposed over the first surface of the panel and outwardly extends therefrom. The system of channels substantially covers the first surface of the panel. The first surface of the panel is covered with a filter member that covers the system of channels. The raised landing, and vacuum port thereof, is fluidically coupled to the system of channels at multiple connecting locations.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2022Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Paul B. Allard, Jeffrey Beckner, Sunil S. Ekshinge, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Pathak
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Publication number: 20230078837Abstract: An insulated structure includes a door that has a liner and a wrapper. The liner defines at least one channel. At least one attachment feature is disposed within the at least one channel defined by the liner and coupled to the door. The at least one attachment feature includes a body that has a plurality of apertures that are defined along a length of the body. A bin is operably coupled to the door via the at least one attachment feature. The bin includes a coupling feature that extends through at least one of the plurality of apertures that are defined by the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2021Publication date: March 16, 2023Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Sunil S. Ekshinge, Lynne Foster Hunter, Sai B. Krishna, Omkar Sunil Mithari, Abhay Naik, Abinash Sarma
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Patent number: 11555645Abstract: A method for assembling a vacuum insulation assembly for an appliance is provided. The method includes steps of defining a plurality of spaces on a guide and positioning the guide flush with an inner surface of a panel. The method further includes a step of determining positions of a plurality of clips using the plurality of spaces of the guide. Another step of the method includes coupling the plurality of clips with the inner surface of the panel. The method also includes separating the guide from the panel and coupling permeable tubing with the plurality of clips.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2020Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Sunil S. Ekshinge, Rafael D. Nunes, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
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Publication number: 20220381390Abstract: A vacuum insulated structure including a first cover member of a stamped unitary sheet defining a perimeter portion positioned at a first planar level and first rib formed in the unitary sheet extending to a second planar level spaced axially outward and disposed radially inward of the perimeter portion, a second cover member, and thermal bridge interconnecting the first cover member and the second cover member at the perimeter portions thereof to define an insulating cavity therebetween. The insulating cavity is a sealed cavity having a vacuum drawn therefrom, and the first rib defines a first portion of a path for air flow out of the sealed cavity during a vacuum draw process.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2022Publication date: December 1, 2022Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Sunil S. Ekshinge, Arunkumar Harikrishnasamy, Lynne F. Hunter, Sai B. Krishna, Abhay Naik
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Publication number: 20220349176Abstract: An insulated structure comprises a first panel and a second panel coupled to the first panel. The first and second panels define an insulating cavity therebetween. A port is defined by the second panel. The port is an opening into the insulating cavity. A connector is coupled to the second panel. A tube is coupled to the connector and extends parallel along the second panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2022Publication date: November 3, 2022Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Paul B. Allard, Jeffrey Beckner, Sunil S. Ekshinge, Abhay Naik, Manjunathraddi Navalgund, Rafael D. Nunes, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
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Publication number: 20220325572Abstract: A vacuum insulated door for an appliance includes an outer wrapper that defines an evacuation port. An inner liner is coupled to the outer wrapper defining an insulating cavity therebetween. A base is coupled to the outer wrapper adjacent to the evacuation port. A servicing tube has a connecting end and a servicing end. The servicing tube is in fluid communication with the insulating cavity via the evacuation port. The connecting end is coupled to the base. A handle has first and second ends coupled to the outer wrapper and a center portion therebetween spaced-apart from the outer wrapper. The first end is coupled to the outer wrapper proximate the evacuation port. The servicing tube extends along an inner surface of the handle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2022Publication date: October 13, 2022Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventor: Sunil S. Ekshinge
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Patent number: 11448355Abstract: A vacuum insulated structure includes a first cover member of a stamped unitary sheet defining a perimeter portion positioned at a first planar level and a reinforcing member formed in the interior sheet extending to a second planar level spaced axially outward and disposed radially inward of the perimeter portion. The vacuum insulated structure also includes a second cover member and a thermal bridge interconnecting the first cover member and the second cover member at the perimeter portions thereof to define an insulating cavity therebetween. The insulating cavity is a sealed cavity having a vacuum drawn therefrom, and the first reinforcing member is configured to reduce deformation of the first cover member in at least an area adjacent the reinforcing member and to define a portion of a path for air flow out of the sealed cavity during a vacuum draw process.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2021Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Sunil S. Ekshinge, Arunkumar Harikrishnasamy, Lynne F. Hunter, Sai B. Krishna, Abhay Naik
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Patent number: 11427998Abstract: An insulated structure comprises a first panel and a second panel coupled to the first panel. The first and second panels define an insulating cavity therebetween. A port is defined by the second panel. The port is an opening into the insulating cavity. A connector is coupled to the second panel. A tube is coupled to the connector and extends parallel along the second panel.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2021Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Paul B. Allard, Jeffrey Beckner, Sunil S. Ekshinge, Abhay Naik, Manjunathraddi Navalgund, Rafael D. Nunes, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
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Patent number: 11414918Abstract: A vacuum insulated door for an appliance includes an outer wrapper that defines an evacuation port. An inner liner is coupled to the outer wrapper defining an insulating cavity therebetween. A base is coupled to the outer wrapper adjacent to the evacuation port. A servicing tube has a connecting end and a servicing end. The servicing tube is in fluid communication with the insulating cavity via the evacuation port. The connecting end is coupled to the base. A handle has first and second ends coupled to the outer wrapper and a center portion therebetween spaced-apart from the outer wrapper. The first end is coupled to the outer wrapper proximate the evacuation port. The servicing tube extends along an inner surface of the handle.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2021Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Sunil S. Ekshinge
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Publication number: 20220221099Abstract: A vacuum insulated structure includes a first cover member of a stamped unitary sheet defining a perimeter portion positioned at a first planar level and a reinforcing member formed in the interior sheet extending to a second planar level spaced axially outward and disposed radially inward of the perimeter portion. The vacuum insulated structure also includes a second cover member and a thermal bridge interconnecting the first cover member and the second cover member at the perimeter portions thereof to define an insulating cavity therebetween. The insulating cavity is a sealed cavity having a vacuum drawn therefrom, and the first reinforcing member is configured to reduce deformation of the first cover member in at least an area adjacent the reinforcing member and to define a portion of a path for air flow out of the sealed cavity during a vacuum draw process.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2021Publication date: July 14, 2022Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Sunil S. Ekshinge, Arunkumar Harikrishnasamy, Lynne F. Hunter, Sai B. Krishna, Abhay Naik
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Publication number: 20220196200Abstract: An appliance includes a panel having a raised landing outwardly extending from a first surface of the panel. A vacuum port is disposed on the raised landing. A system of channels is disposed over the first surface of the panel and outwardly extends therefrom. The system of channels substantially covers the first surface of the panel. The first surface of the panel is covered with a filter member that covers the system of channels. The raised landing, and vacuum port thereof, is fluidically coupled to the system of channels at multiple connecting locations.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2022Publication date: June 23, 2022Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Paul B. Allard, Jeffrey Beckner, Sunil S. Ekshinge, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Pathak
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Publication number: 20220186873Abstract: A vacuum insulated structure includes a first panel having an inner surface defining an area. The first panel includes a vacuum port. A trim breaker interconnects the first panel with a second panel in an air-tight manner to define a vacuum cavity therebetween. A first filter member is disposed on and substantially covers the area of the inner surface of the first panel and the vacuum port of the first panel. A second filter member substantially covers the first filter member to define a channel therebetween. The channel includes an area commensurate with the area of the inner surface of the first panel. The first panel may also include a mesh member covered by a filter member to define a channel therebetween to improve evacuation time using the channel to evacuate the vacuum cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2022Publication date: June 16, 2022Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Paul B. Allard, Sunil S. Ekshinge, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak