Whirlpool Corporation

Pleotint, L.l.c.

Frederick A Millett

Harlan J Byker

Anthony B Welsh

Paul H Ogburn, Jr

Kevin T Kutto

Michael D Broekhuis

Derick D Winkle

Daniel W Southworth

Douglas A Vander Griend

Brad S Veldkamp

Paul H Ogburn

Frederick C Millett

A method of terminating power to a microwave oven having at least one surface with a transparent glass panel. The method includes emitting microwave radiation into a cooking cavity of the microwave, monitoring resistance of a conductive coating on the at least one surface of a transparent glass panel with a circuit that measures sheet resistance of the conductive coating, and terminating power to the microwave oven when a change in resistance exceeds a threshold value.

Microwave oven having door with transparent panel

A heating appliance includes a translucent cooktop and a burner in communication with the cooktop. The burner is operable between deactive and active states. The upper surface of the cooktop defines a cooldown state after the burner is moved from the active to the deactive state. A light module includes a light source and is in an illuminated state when the burner is in the active state and when the cooktop is in the cooldown state. A light guide extends from the light module and around a portion of the burner. The light guide is positioned such that the light source directs light through the light guide. The outer surface of the light guide includes a formed surface that directs light upward and through the cooktop, wherein the light guide is visible through the cooktop when the light module is in the illuminated state.

Fiber optic light guide for generating illuminated indicia for an electric burner of a heating appliance

Light guide for generating illuminated indicia for an electric burner of a heating appliance

An appliance includes an outer shell and an inner shell, wherein the outer shell and the inner shell are engaged to define an insulating cavity therebetween, and wherein the inner shell includes an inner surface that defines an interior cavity. An insulation member includes a plurality of layers, each layer of the plurality of layers including an insulative sheet defining first and second surfaces and a plurality of microspheres at least partially disposed within the insulative sheet, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of microspheres extends outward from each of the first and second surfaces to define a plurality of protrusions, and wherein the engagement of two adjacent layers of the plurality of layers causes a portion of the plurality of protrusions to engage and define a plurality of insulating air pockets between the adjacent layers.

Insulation system for a cooking appliance incorporating a plurality of microsphere sheets

A microwave oven includes a cooking cavity having an opening, a source of microwave radiation that transmits microwaves into the cooking cavity, a door positioned adjacent the opening and movable between an open position where the cooking cavity can be accessed through the opening and a closed position where the cooking cavity is inaccessible through the opening. The door further includes a transparent glass panel where the cooking cavity is viewable through the door when the door is in the closed position. The transparent glass panel has at least one surface with a measurable resistance across its surface. The microwave oven further has a circuit connected to the transparent glass panel that measures the sheet resistance of the transparent glass panel.

A microwave oven includes a cooking cavity having an opening, a source of microwave radiation that transmits microwaves into the cooking cavity, a door positioned adjacent the opening and movable between an open position where the cooking cavity can be accessed through the opening and a closed position where the cooking cavity is inaccessible through the opening. The door further includes a transparent glass panel where the cooking cavity is viewable through the door when the door is in the closed position. A conductive metal transparent coating on at least one surface of the transparent glass panel attenuates microwave transmission from the cooking cavity through the door. The conductive metal transparent coating has a sheet resistance and is electrically grounded. A circuit is connected to the transparent coating that measures the sheet resistance of the transparent coating.

A dishwasher includes a treating chamber for receiving dishes for treatment according to a cycle of operation and a door assembly selectively moveable to close an access opening to the treating chamber, the door assembly having an interior door panel, an exterior door panel, and a window assembly comprising first and second window panes supported within the door assembly by a peripheral frame.

Door assembly for a dishwasher

A dishwasher includes a treating chamber for receiving dishes for treatment according to a cycle of operation and a door assembly selectively moveable to close an access opening to the treating chamber, the door assembly having an interior door panel, an exterior door panel, a window assembly and a window assembly support frame provided on the interior door panel to support the window assembly.

A dishwasher includes a treating chamber for receiving dishes for treatment according to a cycle of operation and a door assembly selectively moveable to close an access opening to the treating chamber, the door assembly comprising a window assembly comprising first and second spaced window panes defining an intervening vacuum sealed chamber, a window assembly support frame provided on the door panel, and a seal provided between the window assembly support frame and the first and second panes and encapsulated by the window assembly support frame.

A window comprising at least one thermochromic layer and a film comprising multiple layers of polymer with alternating refractive index (MLARI). The thermochromic layer has a reversible change in absorbance of electromagnetic radiation such that the absorbance increases as the temperature of the thermochromic layer increases and the absorbance decreases as the temperature of the thermochromic layer decreases. Particularly useful thermochromic materials are ligand exchange thermochromic materials. In various embodiments, the window may have multiple panes and may incorporate a low-e layer.

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Grand Haven, MI, United States of America

Frederick A Millett