Alan G Lucas

US Patent:

8117865, Feb 21, 2012

Filed:

Mar 12, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/402644

Inventors:

Paul B. Allard - Stevensville MI, US
James W. Kendall - Mount Prospect IL, US
Alan S. Lucas - Evansville IN, US
Andrew M. Tenbarge - Saint Joseph MI, US
John J. Vonderhaar - Saint Joseph MI, US
Guolian Wu - Saint Joseph MI, US

Assignee:

Whirlpool Corporation - Benton Harbor MI

International Classification:

F25D 11/00

US Classification:

62440, 62449

Abstract:

A refrigerator includes the ability to mount a variety of modules requiring utilities, such as electricity and fluids, within adjustable locations in the door of the refrigerator. The door includes a conduit extending in at least one direction and including one or more plug-in connectors for allowing a module with a mating connector to be positioned on the door for supplying operating utilities to the module. This allows the purchaser of the refrigerator to add components and accessories to the refrigerator after purchase or select desired features at the time of purchase.

US Patent:

8128184, Mar 6, 2012

Filed:

Mar 12, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/402578

Inventors:

Paul B. Allard - Stevensville MI, US
James W. Kendall - Mount Prospect IL, US
Alan S. Lucas - Evansville IN, US
Andrew M. Tenbarge - Saint Joseph MI, US
John J. Vonderhaar - Saint Joseph MI, US
Guolian Wu - Saint Joseph MI, US

Assignee:

Whirlpool Corporation - Benton Harbor MI

International Classification:

A47B 96/04

US Classification:

3124051, 312404, 312295

Abstract:

A door assembly for an appliance includes a door having an interior side and an exterior side. A frame defines an aperture extending through the door from the interior side to the exterior side. A module is disposed in the aperture. The module includes a first component and a second component. The second component disengageably connects with the first component. A pivot member is operably coupled with the module and with the frame. The module is rotatable about the pivot member thereby allowing access to both the first component and the second component from the exterior side of the door body.

US Patent:

8299656, Oct 30, 2012

Filed:

Aug 12, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/539651

Inventors:

Paul B. Allard - Stevensville MI, US
Robert Ryan Bradley - Granger IN, US
James W. Kendall - Mount Prospect IL, US
Steven J. Kuehl - Stevensville MI, US
Douglas D. LeClear - Benton Harbor MI, US
Alan S. Lucas - Evansville IN, US
Andrew M. Tenbarge - Saint Joseph MI, US
John J. Vonderhaar - Saint Joseph MI, US
Guolian Wu - Saint Joseph MI, US

Assignee:

Whirlpool Corporation - Benton Harbor MI

International Classification:

H02B 1/20
B67D 9/00

US Classification:

307154, 307 38, 307 40, 307139

Abstract:

A refrigerator module connection system for connecting a feature module to a utility source and transferring a plurality of utilities between the feature module and the utility source. The feature module connection system includes a utility source that has a connection capable of removably engaging the feature module to the utility source. Also included is at least one feature module that independently supplies one or more functionalities. Further included is an interface between the utility source and the feature module, where the interface includes a detection and recognition device, such as a reed switch, a DIP switch, or a comparator circuit, that operates to detect when the feature module is connected to the utility source. One or more predetermined utilities are transferred between the utility source and the feature module based upon which feature module is connected to the utility source.

US Patent:

8336975, Dec 25, 2012

Filed:

Mar 12, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/402608

Inventors:

Paul B. Allard - Stevensville MI, US
James W. Kendall - Mount Prospect IL, US
Steven J. Kuehl - Stevensville MI, US
Alan S. Lucas - Evansville IN, US
Andrew M. Tenbarge - Saint Joseph MI, US
John J. Vonderhaar - Saint Joseph MI, US
Guolian Wu - Saint Joseph MI, US

Assignee:

Whirlpool Corporation - Benton Harbor MI

International Classification:

A47B 96/04

US Classification:

3124051, 312405

Abstract:

A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining an open storage space. A door is disposed on the cabinet operable between an open position and a closed position. The door includes a forward wall and a rearward wall. An insulation layer is disposed between the forward wall and the rearward wall. An exterior skin is disposed adjacent to the forward wall and substantially covers the forward wall. A plenum is defined by the space between the exterior skin and the forward wall and is adapted to receive utility lines.

US Patent:

8456040, Jun 4, 2013

Filed:

Oct 3, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/644258

Inventors:

Robert Ryan Bradley - Granger IN, US
James W. Kendall - Mt. Prospect IL, US
Steven J. Kuehl - Stevensville MI, US
Douglas D. Leclear - Benton Harbor MI, US
Alan S. Lucas - Evansville IN, US
Andrew M. Tenbarge - St. Joseph MI, US
John J. Vonderhaar - St. Joseph MI, US
Guolian Wu - St. Joseph MI, US

Assignee:

Whirlpool Corporation - Benton Harbor MI

International Classification:

H02B 1/20
B67D 9/00

US Classification:

307154, 307 38, 307 39, 307139

Abstract:

A connection system for connecting an encoded domestic appliance feature module to a utility source and transferring a plurality of utilities between the encoded feature module and the utility source. The connection system includes a utility source that has a coupler capable of removably engaging an encoded domestic appliance feature module to the utility source. Also included is at least one encoded domestic appliance feature module that independently supplies one or more functionalities. Further included is an interface between the utility source and the feature module, where the interface includes a detection and recognition device that operates to detect when the encoded feature module is connected to the utility source, where one or more predetermined utilities are transferred between the utility source and the feature module based upon which feature module is connected to the utility source, and where the detection and recognition device may be a reed switch, a DIP switch, and a comparator circuit.

US Patent:

8522563, Sep 3, 2013

Filed:

Jan 13, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/349794

Inventors:

Paul B. Allard - Stevensville MI, US
James W. Kendall - Mount Prospect IL, US
Alan S. Lucas - Evansville IN, US
Andrew M. Tenbarge - Saint Joseph MI, US
John J. Vonderhaar - Saint Joseph MI, US
Guolian Wu - Saint Joseph MI, US

Assignee:

Whirlpool Corporation - Benton Harbor MI

International Classification:

F25D 3/12

US Classification:

62 56, 622591, 62440

Abstract:

A method of forming a passageway in an insulated door of a refrigerator includes the steps of forming a conduit by inserting a mandrel in the space between a door liner and outer skin, filling the space with foam insulation, and removing the mandrel. In one embodiment, the mandrel is encased with a polymeric skin prior to the inserting step, such that, when the mandrel is removed, the skin remains at the boundary of the passageway so formed. In another embodiment, the method includes mounting fluid and/or electrical conduits to an inside surface of the door liner and subsequently injecting the foam insulation to surround the conduits. In yet another embodiment, fluid and/or electrical conduits are mounted to an outer surface of the door liner. A cover is then positioned over the conduits.

US Patent:

20090293511, Dec 3, 2009

Filed:

Aug 12, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/539676

Inventors:

PAUL B. ALLARD - STEVENSVILLE MI, US
ROBERT RYAN BRADLEY - GRANGER IN, US
JAMES W. KENDALL - MOUNT PROSPECT IL, US
STEVEN J. KUEHL - STEVENSVILLE MI, US
ALAN S. LUCAS - EVANSVILLE IN, US
ANDREW M. TENBARGE - SAINT JOSEPH MI, US
JOHN J. VONDERHAAR - SAINT JOSEPH MI, US
GUOLIAN WU - SAINT JOSEPH MI, US

Assignee:

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION - BENTON HARBOR MI

International Classification:

F25B 45/00
F25D 23/02
F25D 13/00

US Classification:

62 77, 62449, 62430, 62292

Abstract:

A modular utility supply unit that includes a utility supply module housing having removable engageability to a surface of an appliance. Also included is at least one refillable reservoir capable of storing a plurality of utilities and receiving at least one utility from the appliance when the utility supply unit is operably engaged to the appliance. Further included is an interface capable of engaging a plurality of feature modules, where the interface includes a recognition device that prompts the utility supply unit to provide the engaged feature module with at least one of the storage utilities within the utility supply from at least one of the refillable reservoirs.

US Patent:

20130264439, Oct 10, 2013

Filed:

Jun 4, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/909247

Inventors:

ROBERT RYAN BRADLEY - Granger IN, US
JAMES W. KENDALL - Mt. Prospect IL, US
STEVEN J. KUEHL - Stevensville MI, US
DOUGLAS D. LECLEAR - Benton Harbor MI, US
ALAN S. LUCAS - Evansville IN, US
ANDREW M. TENBARGE - St. Joseph MI, US
JOHN J. VONDERHAAR - St. Joseph MI, US
GUOLIAN WU - St. Joseph MI, US

International Classification:

H02B 1/20

US Classification:

248127, 307154

Abstract:

A connection system includes a feature module that supplies various functionalities, a portable countertop stand having an upright section that selectively receives the feature module and an umbilical connecting the portable stand to an external appliance to deliver utilities to the portable countertop stand. A utility port selectively delivers at least one utility to the feature module when engaged with the upright section. A utility receiver removably engages the utility port by hand without the use of tools and selectively receives a predetermined set of utilities when the feature module engages the upright surface. A connection interface detects when the feature module is engaged with the upright section and the predetermined utility set required by the engaged feature module. After the feature module is engaged, the connection interface prompts the utility port to release the predetermined utility set to the feature module.