Michael P Ricklefs

US Patent:

7571553, Aug 11, 2009

Filed:

Dec 1, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/566095

Inventors:

Steven John Joerger - Ames IA, US
Michael Paul Ricklefs - Webster City IA, US
Sean Florian Myers - Ames IA, US

Assignee:

Electrolux Home Products, Inc. - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

F26B 7/00

US Classification:

34378, 381526, 381528, 381534, 381535, 381549, 381 89, 381595, 34381, 34600

Abstract:

A control user interface for laundry appliances, such as a clothes dryer or washing machine, enables a user to control multiple modes of operation and a variable associated with at least one mode of operation by manipulating a single control element. In one arrangement, the variable is time and multiple time increments are associated with at least one mode of operation. One embodiment includes a rotatable single control knob. Upon detecting the rotation of the control knob, a determination is made whether the currently selected operation mode has associated operation times to be presented to the user. If no associated operation times are presented, the user interface display is updated to reflect the next mode of operation. The operation mode and operation times may be part of different display region within the dryer control user interface. Thus, multiple menus and submenus can be traversed and selected from using a single control knob, without the need for secondary buttons or a base cycle position to control the mode operation and time settings.

US Patent:

7665228, Feb 23, 2010

Filed:

Dec 19, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/960364

Inventors:

Michael Paul Ricklefs - Webster City IA, US
Brian Douglas Ripley - Webster City IA, US
Bradley Steven Hoogendoorn - Webster City IA, US

Assignee:

Electrolux Home Products, Inc. - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

D06F 58/04
D06F 58/20
F26B 11/04

US Classification:

34603, 34595, 34139

Abstract:

A flow enhancing air grill for a laundry dryer includes a plurality of apertures through which air flows from a rotatable drum to an air duct. The air grill is positioned over the air duct and extends beyond the air duct. In addition, a primary surface of the air grill is positioned in spaced overlying relationship to a front bulkhead surface so as to form a gap between the primary air grill surface and the underlying front bulkhead surface. The air grill may extend arcuately in conformance to the circular shape of an access port of the dryer in which it is positioned, up inclined wall surfaces of the access port. The arrangement reduces airflow obstruction by allowing adequate air flow in the event the portion of the air grill directly overlying the air duct inlet becomes covered by items of the laundry load.

US Patent:

8065816, Nov 29, 2011

Filed:

Dec 3, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/949432

Inventors:

Michael Paul Ricklefs - Webster City IA, US
Brian Douglas Ripley - Webster City IA, US
Steven John Joerger - Aimes IA, US
Robin Alan Hultman - Webster City IA, US
Charles Matthew Fischels - Webster City IA, US
Renato Henriques Honfi - Anderson SC, US
Melissa Michael Reim - Simpsonville SC, US

Assignee:

Electrolux Home Products, Inc. - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

F26B 11/02

US Classification:

34602, 34606, 34610, 68 24, 68 58, D32 26, D32 29, 8147, 8158, 210356, 13751215, 392379, 392384

Abstract:

A dryer has complex angled surfaces and a plurality of grip elements thereon. The angled surfaces have varying angles of inclination relative to a base of the dryer vane and the characteristics of the grip elements vary in relation to the angle of inclination of the surface portions upon which they are disposed. The grip elements may protrude from the vane surfaces and the height of the grip elements may vary in relation to the varying angle of inclination of the surfaces. Taller grip elements may be provided on the less inclined surfaces and shorter grip elements may be provided on the more inclined surfaces.

US Patent:

8104191, Jan 31, 2012

Filed:

Jul 31, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/184013

Inventors:

Michael Paul Ricklefs - Webster City IA, US
Brian Douglas Ripley - Webster City IA, US

Assignee:

Electrolux Home Products, Inc. - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

F26B 21/08

US Classification:

34474, 34 86, 34601, 34 72, 68 5 R, 68 17 R, 81493

Abstract:

A laundry dryer includes a rotatable drum, an air delivery system selectively operable to provide air into the drum at a first flow rate and a second flow rate that is less than the first flow rate, and a moisture delivery system operable to provide moisture (e. g. , water mist or steam) into the drum while air is being provided at the lower second flow rate, and during drum rotation (tumbling), to thus enhance dispersion of the moisture into the fabrics of the load, and the attendant dewrinkling/refresh benefits. The air delivery system can include a reversible blower that provides air at the first flow rate when operated in a first direction and provides air at the second flow rate when operated in an opposite second direction. The drum can be a reversibly rotatable drum that is rotatable in a first and an opposite second direction, and the dryer can include a drive motor that both rotates the drum and operates the blower. The moisture delivery system can include a nozzle to provide moisture directly into the drum.

US Patent:

8178802, May 15, 2012

Filed:

Jul 31, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/184026

Inventors:

Lee A. Roose - Webster City IA, US
William M. Monson - Webster City IA, US
Michael P. Ricklefs - Webster City IA, US
Steven J. Joerger - Ames IA, US
Brian D. Ripley - Webster City IA, US
Sean F. Myers - Ames IA, US

Assignee:

Electrolux Home Products, Inc. - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

H01H 9/00

US Classification:

200296, 200 5 A, 200 5 R

Abstract:

An electronics enclosure and associated components form a self-contained, unitized assembly including control buttons and illuminated indicator elements, that can be mated as a single piece with an outer user interface control panel fascia. A front panel of the electronics enclosure provides a mounting location for various buttons and lighted indicators that will show through mating apertures provided in the control panel fascia. This may include light pipe collars and integral spring levers. Specially configured cup structures may be integrally molded at the ends of the spring levers to provide electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection. A mount of planar spring button pieces on the front enclosure panel, over the associated spring levers, results in an assembly incorporating two springs serving to bias the associated button to its return position, and eliminating any rattle or looseness of the parts.

US Patent:

8234797, Aug 7, 2012

Filed:

Oct 14, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/251101

Inventors:

John M. Jergens - Webster City IA, US
Michael P. Ricklefs - Webster City IA, US
Brian D. Ripley - Webster City IA, US

Assignee:

Electrolux Home Products, Inc. - Charlotte NC

International Classification:

F26B 11/02

US Classification:

34499, 34599, D32 25

Abstract:

A mixing laundry dryer vane has a general profile which is scooped or “saddle” shaped. The mixing dryer vane has two relatively tall end portions and a reduced height central portion. The mixing dryer vane may have an upper surface that extends arcuately from one taller end portion to the other taller end portion. The arcuate shape may define along the length of the vane a relatively deep concavity which defines the reduced height central portion. The mixing dryer vane's taller end portions may be configured and positioned to cause “wiping” of clothes off and away from an exhaust duct grill within the dryer. The taller end portions of the vane may have a generally propeller-like twist that directs clothes towards the scooped central portion of the vane. The scooped mixing vane in combination with other non-scooped dryer vanes can reduce or eliminate the tendency of harmonic tumbling of a load.

US Patent:

8276293, Oct 2, 2012

Filed:

Dec 28, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/339033

Inventors:

Michael Paul Ricklefs - Webster City IA, US
Brian Douglas Ripley - Webster City IA, US
Brian James Kierzek - Webster City IA, US
Ian Tomas Fitzgerald - Webster City IA, US

Assignee:

Electrolux Home Products, Inc. - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

F26B 21/08

US Classification:

34595, 34601, 34607, 34610, 68 5 R, 68 17 R, 81493

Abstract:

A laundry dryer includes a rotatable drum and an air delivery system. The air delivery system can include a reversible blower that provides air at a first flow rate when operated in a first direction and provides air at a second lower flow rate when operated in an opposite second direction. The drum can be a reversibly rotatable drum that is rotatable in a first and an opposite second direction, and the dryer can include a drive motor that both rotates the drum and operates the blower. Drum and blower reversal may be controlled to optimize drying efficiency and also reduce stress on the drive system. A moisture delivery system can provide moisture (e. g. , water mist or steam) into the drum while air is being provided at the lower second flow rate, and during drum rotation (tumbling).

US Patent:

7992321, Aug 9, 2011

Filed:

Dec 19, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/960237

Inventors:

Michael Paul Ricklefs - Webster City IA, US
Brian Douglas Ripley - Webster City IA, US
Robin Alan Hultman - Webster City IA, US

Assignee:

Electrolux Home Products - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

F26B 11/02

US Classification:

34595, 34601, 34602, 34608, 34610, 68 191, 68 20, 366232, 3071418, 8159, 116 67 R, D34494

Abstract:

A laundry dryer includes a cylindrical drum shell mounted for rotation on front and rear stationary bulkheads of the dryer. A drive system is configured to rotate the drum in first and second opposite directions. Three rollers are arranged about a lower portion of the drum circumference, on the rear bulkhead, to stably support the rotatable drum during rotation in the first and second directions. The arrangement can also avoid potential flexing and distortion of a cylindrical drum shell of relatively large diameter. In addition, a reversing idler assembly is provided for maintaining proper tension on a drive belt during drum rotation in the two directions. The assembly provides a biased mount for two pulleys on a pair of arms integrally formed with a spring as a single piece, in lieu of separate articulated mounting arms and a separate biasing spring.