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:
Apr. 06, 2004
Filed:
Jun. 20, 2001
Rosario Ciancimino, St. Joseph, MI (US);
Brenner Martin Sharp, Bridgman, MI (US);
Gerald C. Stenger, Mill Creek, IN (US);
Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harber, MI (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for predicting load unbalance in an appliance is provided for an appliance having a vessel configured to receive a supply of material and rotatable about an axis. A control is arranged and configured to rapidly accelerate a rotation of the vessel, determine an amount of energy with which the vessel has engaged the relatively stationary part, compare the amount of energy with a predetermined value and send a signal indicative of an unbalance condition if the amount of energy exceeds the predetermined value. The vessel may be rotated by use of an electric motor such as a controlled induction motor and the control can be used to measure the electric current drawn by the motor and through manipulation of the current, determine the amount of energy with which the vessel engages the stationary part of the appliance.