Patents by Inventor Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya

Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya 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: 20240118011
    Abstract: An appliance ice-making compartment includes a housing which defines an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture. A first ice tray is disposed at a first height within the housing. A second ice tray is disposed at a second height within the housing where the first height is closer to a top of the housing compared to the second height. The second ice tray is closer to the inlet aperture compared to the first ice tray. An inlet duct is in fluid communication with the inlet aperture and configured to direct air toward the first ice tray and the second ice tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sarah M. Galea, Jacob C. Ickes, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya
  • Patent number: 11953249
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a freezer compartment and a machine compartment positioned proximate the freezer compartment. An icemaker assembly is positioned within the freezer compartment. A fill tube extends from the machine compartment into the icemaker assembly. A first solenoid valve is coupled to the fill tube. A second solenoid valve is coupled to the fill tube, wherein the first and second solenoid valves are positioned within the machine compartment. A controller is configured to independently open and close the first and second solenoid valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Vishal B. Chauhan, Giulia Marinello, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Kevin Y. Zhang
  • Publication number: 20240085093
    Abstract: A door panel for a refrigerating appliance includes an inner liner. An outer wrapper is attached to the inner liner and defines an insulating structure with an insulating cavity disposed therein. An insulating material is defined within the insulating cavity. A dispenser structure is defined within a central portion of the inner liner and the outer wrapper. The dispenser structure defines an insulated dispenser portion therein. A dispenser conduit extends from an interior area disposed above the dispenser structure to an external dispensing cavity and passing through the insulated dispenser portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Sarah Galea, Dustin M. Miller, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
  • Patent number: 11879680
    Abstract: An appliance ice-making compartment includes a housing which defines an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture. A first ice tray is disposed at a first height within the housing. A second ice tray is disposed at a second height within the housing where the first height is closer to a top of the housing compared to the second height. The second ice tray is closer to the inlet aperture compared to the first ice tray. An inlet duct is in fluid communication with the inlet aperture and configured to direct air toward the first ice tray and the second ice tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Sarah M. Galea, Jacob C. Ickes, Vikas C Mruthyunjaya
  • Patent number: 11874053
    Abstract: A door panel for a refrigerating appliance includes an inner liner. An outer wrapper is attached to the inner liner and defines an insulating structure with an insulating cavity disposed therein. An insulating material is defined within the insulating cavity. A dispenser structure is defined within a central portion of the inner liner and the outer wrapper. The dispenser structure defines an insulated dispenser portion therein. A dispenser conduit extends from an interior area disposed above the dispenser structure to an external dispensing cavity and passing through the insulated dispenser portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Sarah Galea, Dustin M. Miller, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
  • Patent number: 11781805
    Abstract: A refrigerator water dispenser includes a shelf having a lower surface. A water dispenser tube is disposed adjacent to the shelf for dispensing water into a container. An actuator support is operably coupled to the lower surface of the shelf. A load cell is disposed on the actuator support, wherein the load cell sends a signal in response to movement by the actuator support. A controller is operably coupled to the load cell, wherein the controller activates a water dispensing sequence to dispense water via the water dispenser tube in response to the signal from the load cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Atishkumar S. Dhage, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Caroline Ruella Paiva Torres, Henrique Keiji Arai Yamaki, Ravi Joshi
  • Publication number: 20230251029
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system for an appliance includes a fluid line in selective communication with a fluid source. A shelf defines a fill zone positioned below an underside of the shelf. A shelf spigot is coupled with the fluid line and disposed proximate the underside of the shelf and over the fill zone. A fluid level sensor is positioned in communication with the fill zone. The fluid level sensor is also in communication with a controller that regulates a flow of fluid through the shelf spigot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kaito Choy, Ravi Joshi, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Henrique Keiji Arai Yamaki
  • Publication number: 20230235946
    Abstract: A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet; a door operably connected to the cabinet, the door having a closed position relative to the cabinet and an opened position relative to the cabinet, and the door transitions from the closed position to the opened position in a non-circular path; a liquid outlet disposed at the cabinet; and a liquid receiver disposed at the door, the liquid receiver configured to receive liquid exiting the liquid outlet when the door is in the closed position but not in the opened position. The refrigerator can further include a gasket adjacent to the liquid receiver and a gasket adjacent to the liquid outlet. When the door is in the closed position, the gasket of the door can cooperate with the gasket of the cabinet to form a sealed channel to seal liquid transfer from the liquid outlet to the liquid receiver for use at the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gustavo Frattini, Sarah M. Galea, Daniel E. Lottinville, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Abhay Naik
  • Patent number: 11668516
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system for an appliance includes a fluid line in selective communication with a fluid source. A shelf defines a fill zone positioned below an underside of the shelf. A shelf spigot is coupled with the fluid line and disposed proximate the underside of the shelf and over the fill zone. A fluid level sensor is positioned in communication with the fill zone. The fluid level sensor is also in communication with a controller that regulates a flow of fluid through the shelf spigot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kaito Choy, Ravi Joshi, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Henrique Keiji Arai Yamaki
  • Patent number: 11644231
    Abstract: A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet; a door operably connected to the cabinet, the door having a closed position relative to the cabinet and an opened position relative to the cabinet, and the door transitions from the closed position to the opened position in a non-circular path; a liquid outlet disposed at the cabinet; and a liquid receiver disposed at the door, the liquid receiver configured to receive liquid exiting the liquid outlet when the door is in the closed position but not in the opened position. The refrigerator can further include a gasket adjacent to the liquid receiver and a gasket adjacent to the liquid outlet. When the door is in the closed position, the gasket of the door can cooperate with the gasket of the cabinet to form a sealed channel to seal liquid transfer from the liquid outlet to the liquid receiver for use at the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Gustavo Frattini, Sarah M. Galea, Daniel E. Lottinville, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Abhay Naik
  • Publication number: 20230053641
    Abstract: A refrigerator water dispenser includes a shelf having a lower surface. A water dispenser tube is disposed adjacent to the shelf for dispensing water into a container. An actuator support is operably coupled to the lower surface of the shelf. A load cell is disposed on the actuator support, wherein the load cell sends a signal in response to movement by the actuator support. A controller is operably coupled to the load cell, wherein the controller activates a water dispensing sequence to dispense water via the water dispenser tube in response to the signal from the load cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atishkumar S. Dhage, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Caroline Ruella Paiva Torres, Henrique Keiji Arai Yamaki, Ravi Joshi
  • Patent number: 11525623
    Abstract: A refrigerator water dispenser includes a shelf having a lower surface. A water dispenser tube is disposed adjacent to the shelf for dispensing water into a container. An actuator support is operably coupled to the lower surface of the shelf. A load cell is disposed on the actuator support, wherein the load cell sends a signal in response to movement by the actuator support. A controller is operably coupled to the load cell, wherein the controller activates a water dispensing sequence to dispense water via the water dispenser tube in response to the signal from the load cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Atishkumar S. Dhage, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Caroline Ruella Paiva Torres, Henrique Keiji Arai Yamaki, Ravi Joshi
  • Publication number: 20220364784
    Abstract: A door panel for a refrigerating appliance includes an inner liner. An outer wrapper is attached to the inner liner and defines an insulating structure with an insulating cavity disposed therein. An insulating material is defined within the insulating cavity. A dispenser structure is defined within a central portion of the inner liner and the outer wrapper. The dispenser structure defines an insulated dispenser portion therein. A dispenser conduit extends from an interior area disposed above the dispenser structure to an external dispensing cavity and passing through the insulated dispenser portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Sarah Galea, Dustin M. Miller, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
  • Patent number: 11435130
    Abstract: A door panel for a refrigerating appliance includes an inner liner. An outer wrapper is attached to the inner liner and defines an insulating structure with an insulating cavity disposed therein. An insulating material is defined within the insulating cavity. A dispenser structure is defined within a central portion of the inner liner and the outer wrapper. The dispenser structure defines an insulated dispenser portion therein. A dispenser conduit extends from an interior area disposed above the dispenser structure to an external dispensing cavity and passing through the insulated dispenser portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Sarah Galea, Dustin M. Miller, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
  • Patent number: 11226146
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a freezer compartment and a machine compartment positioned proximate the freezer compartment. An icemaker assembly is positioned within the freezer compartment. A fill tube extends from the machine compartment into the icemaker assembly. A first solenoid valve is coupled to the fill tube. A second solenoid valve is coupled to the fill tube, wherein the first and second solenoid valves are positioned within the machine compartment. A controller is configured to independently open and close the first and second solenoid valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Vishal B. Chauhan, Giulia Marinello, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Kevin Y. Zhang
  • Publication number: 20220003476
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a freezer compartment and a machine compartment positioned proximate the freezer compartment. An icemaker assembly is positioned within the freezer compartment. A fill tube extends from the machine compartment into the icemaker assembly. A first solenoid valve is coupled to the fill tube. A second solenoid valve is coupled to the fill tube, wherein the first and second solenoid valves are positioned within the machine compartment. A controller is configured to independently open and close the first and second solenoid valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vishal B. Chauhan, Giulia Marinello, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Kevin Y. Zhang
  • Publication number: 20210364219
    Abstract: An appliance ice-making compartment includes a housing which defines an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture. A first ice tray is disposed at a first height within the housing. A second ice tray is disposed at a second height within the housing where the first height is closer to a top of the housing compared to the second height. The second ice tray is closer to the inlet aperture compared to the first ice tray. An inlet duct is in fluid communication with the inlet aperture and configured to direct air toward the first ice tray and the second ice tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sarah M. Galea, Jacob C. Ickes, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya
  • Publication number: 20210356199
    Abstract: A refrigerator water dispenser includes a shelf having a lower surface. A water dispenser tube is disposed adjacent to the shelf for dispensing water into a container. An actuator support is operably coupled to the lower surface of the shelf. A load cell is disposed on the actuator support, wherein the load cell sends a signal in response to movement by the actuator support. A controller is operably coupled to the load cell, wherein the controller activates a water dispensing sequence to dispense water via the water dispenser tube in response to the signal from the load cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atishkumar S. Dhage, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Caroline Ruella Paiva Torres, Henrique Keiji Arai Yamaki, Ravi Joshi
  • Patent number: 11112163
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet and a refrigeration system having an evaporator. An ice-making compartment is positioned within the cabinet and includes a housing defining an inlet aperture on an upper portion of the housing and an outlet aperture. An ice storage bin is positioned in a lower portion of the housing. An ice tray is positioned above the ice storage bin. An inlet duct is in fluid communication with the inlet aperture and is configured to direct air into the housing from the evaporator. The inlet duct includes a first branch having a plurality of first branch channels to direct air to a plurality of first branch locations on a first surface of the ice tray. A second branch of the inlet duct directs air to a second surface of the ice tray. An outlet duct is in fluid communication with the outlet aperture and is configured to direct air from the housing to the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Sarah M. Galea, Jacob C. Ickes, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya
  • Patent number: 11098948
    Abstract: A refrigerator water dispenser includes a shelf having a lower surface. A water dispenser tube is disposed adjacent to the shelf for dispensing water into a container. An actuator support is operably coupled to the lower surface of the shelf. A load cell is disposed on the actuator support, wherein the load cell sends a signal in response to movement by the actuator support. A controller is operably coupled to the load cell, wherein the controller activates a water dispensing sequence to dispense water via the water dispenser tube in response to the signal from the load cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Atishkumar S. Dhage, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Caroline Ruella Paiva Torres, Henrique Keiji Arai Yamaki, Ravi Joshi