The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 20, 1998
Filed:
May. 28, 1997
Nelson J Ferragut, Williamsburg, IA (US);
Michael A Estenson, Ely, IA (US);
J Scott Petty, Cedar Rapids, IA (US);
Raytheon Appliances Inc., Ripon, WI (US);
Abstract
A water level detection system and method for automatically controlling in real time the water height in a washing machine to assure the optimum operating level. An ultrasonic transceiver generates a plurality of ultrasonic pulses and detects the corresponding echoes. A microprocessor stores a plurality of ranging signals representing the time period between the ultrasonic pulse and the detection of the corresponding echo. A set of the ranging signals forms a mathematical or graphic signature which changes as the water level rises up through the clothes in the washing machine. The microprocessor detects when a predetermined characteristics occurs in this signature and sends a signal to the standard washing machine controls to stop the flow of water.