Maytag Corporation

Other

Honeywell International Inc.

Ademco Inc.

Whirlpool Corporation

Analytical Graphics Inc.

Thomas M Johnson

Barry E Tuller

Rodney Michael Welch

Brent Chian

Timothy J Nordberg

Rolf Lee Strand

Peter M Anderson

Robert Alan Elick

Douglas D Bird

John Henry Miilu

Mark B Neff

Christopher Wayne Vaughn

Karl R C Wendt

Brian L Ness

Bruce L Hill

Lawrence J Jordan

Randall L Cooper

Anthony Lewis Durfee

John C Ellingwood

Christopher Lynn Flowers

Don C Kennedy

John Trevor Morrison

Lynn Fliger

Regan Foster

Jeffrey T Jones

Karl R Wendt

A flame powered intermittent pilot combustion controller may include a first power source and a second power source separate from the first power source, a thermal electric and/or photoelectric device, an igniter and a controller. The thermal electric and/or photoelectric device may charge the first power source when exposed to a flame. The controller and the igniter may receive power from the first power source when the first power source has sufficient available power, and may receive power from the second power source when the first power source does not have sufficient available power.

Method and system for starting an intermittent flame-powered pilot combustion system

A mounting bracket for mounting a temperature sensor, a gas valve, a power delivery unit, a controller and/or any other suitable object or device to a water heater tank. An illustrative but non-limiting example may be found in a mounting bracket that includes a polymeric body that has a sensor portion configured to receive a temperature sensor. The sensor portion may have a distal end that extends into and supports the temperature sensor within the water heater tank, and may include a shell disposed over at least a portion of the sensor portion.

Mounting bracket for use with a water heater

A dishwasher operates to sense the need for a drain or purge operation based on dynamic characteristics of a respective washing operation such that an adaptive system is defined. In accordance with the invention, washing fluid used to spray clean kitchenware being washed is filtered and soil from the kitchenware is collected. When the filtering system becomes clogged, a flow signal is established to indicate the need for at least a partial drain operation. Most preferably, this arrangement is used in combination with signals from a turbidity sensor, as well as pump motor current signals, to provide an comprehensive, dynamically adaptive control system.

Adaptive drain and purge system for a dishwasher

A dishwasher includes a pump assembly having a chopper blade and apertured plate arrangement which function to chop soil particles entrained in a flow of washing fluid. The chopper blade floats or axially slides relative to a drive member from a first position spaced from the apertured plate to a second position closer to the apertured plate in order to macerate the soil particles. The chopper blade is actually mounted to a hub member including a shaft portion that extends into and abuts an inner portion of an impeller to maintain a desired spacing between the chopper blade and the apertured plate, while transferring drive from the drive member to both the chopper blade and impeller.

Chopping system for a dishwasher pump assembly

A dishwasher includes a pump assembly which functions to chop all fluid entrained soil prior to directing fluid to upper and lower wash arms. A flow conduit leading to the upper wash arm is provided with a sampling port which directs a percentage of the fluid flow into a filter chamber having one or more fine mesh filter screens that open into the dishwasher tub basin. The filter chamber is exposed to a collection chamber that leads to a drain. In the event the filter chamber becomes clogged, a pressure relief valve opens a pressure regulation port to permit washing fluid in the filter chamber to enter the tub basin. In one embodiment, the pressure relief valve is constituted by a check ball which is displaced by a pressure build up in the filter chamber. In another embodiment, the pressure relief valve is constituted by a flapper valve.

Dishwasher pump and filtration system

A dishwasher includes a tub, a frame extending around the tub, and a door pivotally secured to the frame for movement between a vertical closed position and a horizontal open position. Hinges are provided on each side of the door to provide a door pivot axis, and are fixed to the frame of the dishwasher. The hinges are accurately positioned relative to the tub by providing at least one boss on each side of the tub, and a recess or hole in each hinge to receive the boss. The hinges are then secured to the frame with screws or by welding. Thus, the hinges are accurately aligned with one another at the proper location on the frame so as to provide proper sealing between the door and the tub when the door is in the closed position.

Dishwasher door hinge positioning means and method

A clip is provided for mounting in a dishwasher rack to hold objects to be washed. The clip includes a base having opposite ends with an opening adjacent each end so that the clip can be mounted on at least a pair of rack tines. At least one resilient tab extends upwardly from the base and is adapted to retain a cup or other object in the rack. Mounting the clip on at least a pair of tines provides strength and stability for the clip.

Dishwasher rack clip

Dishwasher rack clip design

A washing tub is formed with a reinforcing body made from a non-metallic material, such as plastic or fiberglass, and a thin interior liner portion constituted by a metallic material, preferably stainless steel. The metallic material is preferably sprayed onto a tub shaping member and then the reinforcing body is attached to the metallic material. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the reinforcing body is formed from plastic, such as polypropylene, which is injected about a mold core following the spray coating of the metallic material on the core. In another embodiment, the reinforcing material is constituted by fiberglass which is layered about a shaping member having the metallic liner portion deposited thereon. In any case, an aesthetically appealing and extremely cost effective, high quality washing tub is produced.

Method of forming an appliance washing tub having non-metallic reinforcing body and metallic inner liner

A membrane switch incorporated in a control panel of a domestic washing appliance is vented through a labyrinth venting arrangement composed of a long, small diameter, twisting passage, including concentric arcuate sections and an intermediate portion. The venting arrangement establishes an effective barrier to fluids and other moisture, while accommodating the free passage of gases. In the most preferred form, the labyrinth venting arrangement is formed by cutting a channel into a supporting plastic assembly and then adhesive bonding a control plate incorporating the membrane switch over the labyrinth feature to complete the passage. One end of the passage is open to atmosphere by way of a slot in the supporting plastic assembly, while the other end joins the venting path with the membrane switch.

Membrane switch venting arrangement for washing appliance

A method and system for the automatic scaling of radio transmitter characteristics. Transmitter designs are subject to change based upon the parameters of receivers and the desired characteristics of communications links in a communications system. The method of the present invention involves automatically scaling certain characteristics of a transmitter based upon other characteristics of the transmitter and the desired characteristics of a communications link. Autoscaling calculates the bandwidth necessary for the transmitter based upon other characteristics of the transmitter, such as modulation type and data rate. Information concerning the modulation type and the scaling factor associated with each modulation type are stored in a database for access by the system. Once these transmitter characteristics are known, further transmitter characteristics, such as bandwidth, are automatically calculated. The system allows for multiple designs to be created so that analysts can select the optimal design for the mission. The system also allows for animated soft copy output of maps, reports and graphs to be created as well as allowing for hard copy output of reports graphs.

Method and apparatus for modeling transmitter bandwidth for telecommunications analysis

Appliance washing tub having non-metallic reinforcing body and metallic inner liner

Growing community of inventors

Jackson, TN, United States of America

Thomas M Johnson