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).

  • Patent number: 11555645
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Sunil S. Ekshinge, Rafael D. Nunes, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
  • Publication number: 20220381390
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sunil S. Ekshinge, Arunkumar Harikrishnasamy, Lynne F. Hunter, Sai B. Krishna, Abhay Naik
  • Publication number: 20220349176
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Jeffrey Beckner, Sunil S. Ekshinge, Abhay Naik, Manjunathraddi Navalgund, Rafael D. Nunes, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
  • Publication number: 20220325572
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sunil S. Ekshinge
  • Patent number: 11448355
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Sunil S. Ekshinge, Arunkumar Harikrishnasamy, Lynne F. Hunter, Sai B. Krishna, Abhay Naik
  • Patent number: 11427998
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Jeffrey Beckner, Sunil S. Ekshinge, Abhay Naik, Manjunathraddi Navalgund, Rafael D. Nunes, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
  • Patent number: 11414918
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Sunil S. Ekshinge
  • Publication number: 20220221099
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sunil S. Ekshinge, Arunkumar Harikrishnasamy, Lynne F. Hunter, Sai B. Krishna, Abhay Naik
  • Publication number: 20220196200
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Jeffrey Beckner, Sunil S. Ekshinge, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Pathak
  • Publication number: 20220186873
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Sunil S. Ekshinge, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
  • Patent number: 11300238
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Sunil S. Ekshinge, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
  • Patent number: 11300239
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Jeffrey Beckner, Sunil S. Ekshinge, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Pathak
  • Patent number: 11118831
    Abstract: A vacuum insulated structure includes a first panel and a second panel, wherein the second panel is operably coupled to the first panel to define an insulating space therebetween. An airway system is disposed within the insulating space and includes portions of porous tubing configured to draw air along lengths of the porous tubing from the insulating space during an evacuation procedure. A plurality of connectors interconnect the portions of porous tubing of the airway system to inner walls of the insulating space. The connectors may include support members that extend between the panels within the insulating space to support the vacuum insulated structure under vacuum pressure. Further, first and second panels can include rigidifying structural configurations to combat vacuum bowing during the evacuation procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Sunil S. Ekshinge, Arunkumar Harikrishnasamy, Sai B. Krishna, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak, Karen J. Querfurth
  • Publication number: 20210214993
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sunil S. Ekshinge
  • Publication number: 20210207366
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Jeffrey Beckner, Sunil S. Ekshinge, Abhay Naik, Manjunathraddi Navalgund, Rafael D. Nunes, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
  • Publication number: 20210190255
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Jeffrey Beckner, Sunil S. Ekshinge, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Pathak
  • Patent number: 11021905
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Sunil S. Ekshinge
  • Publication number: 20210148113
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Jeffrey Beckner, Sunil S. Ekshinge, Abhay Naik, Manjunathraddi Navalgund, Rafael D. Nunes, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
  • Patent number: 10995488
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Jeffrey Beckner, Sunil S. Ekshinge, Abhay Naik, Manjunathraddi Navalgund, Rafael D. Nunes, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
  • Patent number: 10988968
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Sunil S. Ekshinge