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).
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Publication number: 20240118011Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Sarah M. Galea, Jacob C. Ickes, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya
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Patent number: 11953249Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 22, 2021Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Vishal B. Chauhan, Giulia Marinello, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Kevin Y. Zhang
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Publication number: 20240085093Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Paul B. Allard, Sarah Galea, Dustin M. Miller, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
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Patent number: 11879680Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 6, 2021Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Sarah M. Galea, Jacob C. Ickes, Vikas C Mruthyunjaya
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Patent number: 11874053Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 27, 2022Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Paul B. Allard, Sarah Galea, Dustin M. Miller, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
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Patent number: 11781805Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 2, 2022Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Atishkumar S. Dhage, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Caroline Ruella Paiva Torres, Henrique Keiji Arai Yamaki, Ravi Joshi
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Publication number: 20230251029Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2023Publication date: August 10, 2023Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Kaito Choy, Ravi Joshi, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Henrique Keiji Arai Yamaki
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Publication number: 20230235946Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2023Publication date: July 27, 2023Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Gustavo Frattini, Sarah M. Galea, Daniel E. Lottinville, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Abhay Naik
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Patent number: 11668516Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 14, 2020Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Kaito Choy, Ravi Joshi, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Henrique Keiji Arai Yamaki
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Patent number: 11644231Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 20, 2018Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Gustavo Frattini, Sarah M. Galea, Daniel E. Lottinville, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Abhay Naik
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Publication number: 20230053641Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2022Publication date: February 23, 2023Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Atishkumar S. Dhage, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Caroline Ruella Paiva Torres, Henrique Keiji Arai Yamaki, Ravi Joshi
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Patent number: 11525623Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 28, 2021Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Atishkumar S. Dhage, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Caroline Ruella Paiva Torres, Henrique Keiji Arai Yamaki, Ravi Joshi
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Publication number: 20220364784Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2022Publication date: November 17, 2022Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Paul B. Allard, Sarah Galea, Dustin M. Miller, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
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Patent number: 11435130Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 22, 2020Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Paul B. Allard, Sarah Galea, Dustin M. Miller, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
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Patent number: 11226146Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 30, 2019Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Vishal B. Chauhan, Giulia Marinello, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Kevin Y. Zhang
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Publication number: 20220003476Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2021Publication date: January 6, 2022Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Vishal B. Chauhan, Giulia Marinello, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Kevin Y. Zhang
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Publication number: 20210364219Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2021Publication date: November 25, 2021Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Sarah M. Galea, Jacob C. Ickes, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya
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Publication number: 20210356199Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2021Publication date: November 18, 2021Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Atishkumar S. Dhage, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Caroline Ruella Paiva Torres, Henrique Keiji Arai Yamaki, Ravi Joshi
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Patent number: 11112163Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 18, 2019Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Sarah M. Galea, Jacob C. Ickes, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya
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Patent number: 11098948Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 4, 2019Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Atishkumar S. Dhage, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Caroline Ruella Paiva Torres, Henrique Keiji Arai Yamaki, Ravi Joshi