Kurt Arthur Estes

US Patent:

6451066, Sep 17, 2002

Filed:

Mar 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/520653

Inventors:

Kurt A Estes - Lake Zurich IL
Daniel C. Conrad - Stevensville MI
Mark Bradley Kovich - St. Joseph MI
Tremitchell L. Wright - Granger IN

Assignee:

Whirlpool Patents Co. - St. Joseph MI

International Classification:

D06B 1300

US Classification:

8142, 81492, 8158

Abstract:

Methods and apparatuses for washing fabric loads without water or using water only as a co-solvent are disclosed. One method of non-aqueous clothes washing includes the steps of disposing clothing in a wash container, delivering a wash liquor to the fabric load, the wash liquor comprising a substantially non-reactive, non-aqueous, non-oleophilic, apolar working fluid and at least one washing additive, applying mechanical energy to the clothing and wash liquor for a sufficient amount of time to provide fabric cleaning and, thereafter, substantially removing the wash liquor from the fabric load. The working fluid may be selected from the group consisting of perfluorocarbons, hydrofluoroethers, fluoronated hydrocarbons and fluoroinerts.

US Patent:

6570362, May 27, 2003

Filed:

Aug 22, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/643535

Inventors:

Kurt Estes - Lake Zurich IL
Debabrata Pal - Hoffman Estates IL
Kevin McDunn - Lake in the Hills IL
Irina Shmagin - Streamwood IL
Daniel Gamota - Palatine IL

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

H02J 700

US Classification:

320101, 320150, 136205

Abstract:

Battery life and cooling are improved in an electronic device. A thermoelectric module and phase change material module are placed near a heat source in an electronic device. The thermoelectric module and phase change material module insulate a surface to be cooled on the electronic device. The thermoelectric module generates an electrical current in response to a temperature differential at opposite surfaces on the thermoelectric module. The phase change material module enhances or limits the temperature differential seen at the thermoelectric module. The electrical current generated by the thermoelectric module is used to charge a battery of the electronic device.

US Patent:

6591638, Jul 15, 2003

Filed:

Dec 20, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/027431

Inventors:

Kurt A Estes - Lake Zurich IL
Daniel C. Conrad - Stevensville MI
Mark Bradley Kovich - St. Joseph MI
Tremitchell L. Wright - Granger IN

Assignee:

Whirlpool Corporation - Benton Harbor MI

International Classification:

D06F 4302

US Classification:

68 5, 68 17 R, 68 18 R

Abstract:

Methods and apparatuses for washing fabric loads without water or using water only as a co-solvent are disclosed. One method of non-aqueous clothes washing includes the steps of disposing clothing in a wash container, delivering a wash liquor to the fabric load, the wash liquor comprising a substantially non-reactive, non-aqueous, non-oleophilic, apolar working fluid and at least one washing additive, applying mechanical energy to the clothing and wash liquor for a sufficient amount of time to provide fabric cleaning and, thereafter, substantially removing the wash liquor from the fabric load. The working fluid may be selected from the group consisting of perfluorocarbons, hydrofluoroethers, fluoronated hydrocarbons and fluoroinerts.

US Patent:

6766670, Jul 27, 2004

Filed:

Apr 18, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/420115

Inventors:

Kurt A Estes - Lake Zurich IL
Daniel C. Conrad - Stevensville MI
Mark Bradley Kovich - St. Joseph MI
Tremitchell L. Wright - Granger IN

Assignee:

Whirlpool Corporation - Benton Harbor MI

International Classification:

D06F 1900

US Classification:

68 5C, 68 18 C, 68 18 F, 68205 R

Abstract:

The present invention relates to an automatic washing apparatus for dry laundering hanging garments. The automatic washing apparatus has a sealed wash cabinet and a working fluid storage chamber for storing an amount of working fluid sufficient to dry launder a fabric load. The working fluid storage chamber is in fluid communication with the sealed wash cabinet. The sealed wash cabinet has an interior region, an upper assembly above the interior region, a lower assembly housed below the interior region and a door sealing the interior region of the wash cabinet. The upper assembly shakes the hanging garments in the wash cabinet and dispenses a wash a working fluid into the wash cabinet. The lower assembly has a moisture generator and a heater to respectively generate moisture and heat inside the wash cabinet.

US Patent:

8262741, Sep 11, 2012

Filed:

Nov 19, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/273635

Inventors:

Kurt A. Estes - Lake Zurich IL, US
Daniel C. Conrad - Stevensville MI, US
Mark Bradley Kovich - Saint Joseph MI, US
Tremitchell L. Wright - Granger IN, US

Assignee:

Whirlpool Corporation - Benton Harbor MI

International Classification:

D06F 1/00

US Classification:

8142, 510285, 134 34

Abstract:

Methods and apparatuses for washing fabric loads without water or using water only as a co-solvent are disclosed. One method of non-aqueous clothes washing includes the steps of disposing clothing in a wash container, delivering a wash liquor to the fabric load, the wash liquor comprising a substantially non-reactive, non-aqueous, non-oleophilic, apolar working fluid and at least one washing additive, applying mechanical energy to the clothing and wash liquor for a sufficient amount of time to provide fabric cleaning and, thereafter, substantially removing the wash liquor from the fabric load. The working fluid may be selected from the group consisting of perfluorocarbons, hydrofluoroethers, fluorinated hydrocarbons and fluoroinerts.

US Patent:

20020056163, May 16, 2002

Filed:

Dec 20, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/027160

Inventors:

Kurt Estes - Lake Zurich IL, US
Daniel Conrad - Stevensville MI, US
Mark Kovich - St. Joseph MI, US
Tremitchell Wright - Granger IN, US

International Classification:

D06L001/00
D06F001/00

US Classification:

008/142000

Abstract:

Methods and apparatuses for washing fabric loads without water or using water only as a co-solvent are disclosed. One method of non-aqueous clothes washing includes the steps of disposing clothing in a wash container, delivering a wash liquor to the fabric load, the wash liquor comprising a substantially non-reactive, non-aqueous, non-oleophilic, apolar working fluid and at least one washing additive, applying mechanical energy to the clothing and wash liquor for a sufficient amount of time to provide fabric cleaning and, thereafter, substantially removing the wash liquor from the fabric load. The working fluid may be selected from the group consisting of perfluorocarbons, hydrofluoroethers, fluoronated hydrocarbons and fluoroinerts.

US Patent:

20020134534, Sep 26, 2002

Filed:

Mar 20, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/812602

Inventors:

Kurt Estes - Lake Zurich IL, US

Assignee:

MOTOROLA, INC.

International Classification:

F28D015/00
H05K007/20
H01L023/34

US Classification:

165/104330, 361/700000, 257/715000

Abstract:

The two-phase cooling module () for electronic components includes a first cooling chamber member () press formed as a unitary member having an offset surface and a perimeter surface. A second cooling chamber member (), such as a flat sheet, serves as cooling chamber member and is brazed to the perimeter surface. A non-integral support member () is interposed between the first cooling chamber member and the cover () and is located within the cooling cavity. In an alternative embodiment, the cooling cavity is defined by two cooling chamber members, each of which are press formed as separate unitary members () each having offset surfaces and corresponding perimeter surfaces.

US Patent:

20020134543, Sep 26, 2002

Filed:

Mar 20, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/812603

Inventors:

Kurt Estes - Lake Zurich IL, US
Kevin Mc Dunn - Lake In The Hills IL, US

Assignee:

MOTOROLA, INC

International Classification:

B32B007/12
B32B015/04
C09J001/00
F28F027/00

US Classification:

165/277000, 428/343000, 156/334000

Abstract:

A connecting device (), such as for connecting an electronic component () to a heat sink (), or connecting any two objects, includes a thermally activated adhesive (a) with a local heating element () placed in contact therewith. The local heating element (), such as a wire, may be embedded within the thermally activated adhesive (a), which may be in sheet form or non-sheet form. When the local heating element () is activated, the local heating element cures the adhesive (such as epoxy) within the thermally activated adhesive that is adjacent to the local heating element when, for example, current is passed through the local heating element ().