Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120060874 | FLOW RATE SENSOR AND RELATED DISHWASHER - A flow rate sensor for a dishwasher includes a container configured for holding an amount of liquid. The container has a known volume corresponding to a vertical activation length, and inlet and a selectively closeable liquid outlet. An upright hollow tube is mounted in the container and has at least one magnetically activated sensor device activatable within the vertical activation length. At least one float is movably mounted to the tube for floating on the liquid. The float includes a magnet therein for activating the sensor device when the float moves the magnet through the vertical activation length. A controller is in electrical communication with the sensor device and includes a timer function. The controller calculates the rate of flow into or out of the container based on the time taken by the float to move through the vertical activation length. Related dishwasher designs are also disclosed. | 03-15-2012 |
20120145203 | DISHWASHER PUMP INLET MACERATOR SYSTEM - A dishwasher is provided having a wash chamber that is supplied with wash water by a water circulation pump assembly. The pump assembly has a motor, an inlet in fluid communication with a sump, and an outlet in fluid communication with the wash chamber. A macerator system is configured with the pump assembly and includes a filter screen disposed across the inlet and a chopper blade rotationally driven by the pump assembly at a defined axial distance upstream from the filter screen. The chopper blade is biased by materials in magnetic flux communication to the defined axial distance so as to maintain the defined distance in a running and stopped states of the pump assembly. | 06-14-2012 |
20120279534 | DISHWASHER SPRAY ARM ASSEMBLY WITH REDUCED LEAKAGE JOINT - A dishwasher spray arm assembly has a spray arm rotationally configured on a conduit. The spray arm includes a lower spray arm component mated with an upper spray arm component with an internal space defined between the upper and lower spray arm components. A bearing is interposed between the spray arm and conduit to conduct water from said conduit into the internal space, with the spray arm rotatably configured on the bearing. The bearing further includes a lower shaft section that mates with the conduit and an upper disc section sandwiched between the upper and lower spray arm components. A low-friction washer is disposed between the upper disc section and the lower spray arm component. The lower spray arm component and the disc section define a tortuous interference path for water to leak out from the internal space around the bearing. | 11-08-2012 |
20120285496 | DISHWASHER SPRAY ASSEMBLY - A spray assembly for an automatic dishwasher is described. The spray assembly includes a conduit for receiving pressurized washing liquid. The spray assembly further includes a spray body having two or more spray arms. Each spray arm has a plurality of orifices for distributing washing liquid throughout the dishwasher. The spray arms share a common central axis and are generally planar with one another. The spray arms each define a separate fluid path from the conduit to the orifices that is separated from the other fluid path(s) by one or more walls. | 11-15-2012 |
20120291821 | WATER INLET FLUSH FOR DISHWASHER FILTER - In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a fluid filtration assembly for a dishwasher system is described. The dishwasher system includes a tub defining a wash chamber configured to receive dishwasher contents. The fluid filtration assembly includes a filter assembly having a filter material, a filter fluid inlet, and a filter fluid outlet. The filter fluid inlet is in flow communication with the wash chamber and the filter material. The filter assembly further includes a cleaning fluid inlet that is configured to backflush the filter material. The filter fluid outlet is in flow communication with both the cleaning fluid inlet and the filter fluid inlet. The fluid filtration assembly further includes a valve assembly in flow communication with the cleaning fluid inlet through a first flow path. | 11-22-2012 |
20120291827 | SPRAY TINES FOR A DISHWASHER RACK - Tines that can provide a spray into the interior of containers placed onto a rack of a dishwasher are provided. More particularly, hollow tines or tines having an internal fluid path for feeding washing fluid to one or more openings at or near an upper end of the tines are described. As a fluid is sprayed or ejected from the opening(s), it provides for the cleaning of the interior of glasses, containers, and other dishes placed over the tines. | 11-22-2012 |
20120312337 | DISHWASHER WITH A MOTOR DRIVEN FILTER BACKFLUSH SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED BACKFLUSH METHOD - A dishwasher has a wash chamber and sump disposed below the wash chamber, wherein wash fluid supplied to the wash chamber collects in the sump. A main pump is configured to drawn wash fluid from the sump and supply the wash fluid to the wash chamber, for example via spray arm assemblies. A filter is operably disposed to filter the wash fluid recirculated by the main pump. A backflush line has an outlet disposed downstream of the filter, and a backflush pump is configured to supply backflush fluid through the backflush line against the filter. A reservoir separate from the sump is provided and sized to hold a measured amount of fluid. The backflush pump draws the backflush fluid from the reservoir at a defined time. | 12-13-2012 |
20130000762 | FLUID FLOW DIVERTER FOR A DISHWASHER APPLIANCE - The present invention provides a diverter that may be used to control the flow of fluid to different locations or components within a dishwashing appliance. One or more dual outlets, each having an outer port that surrounds an inner port, can be used with a rotating disk (or rotating valve) to selectively control the flow of fluid to various locations within the appliance. One or more single outlets may also be added to the diverter as desired depending upon the number of locations in the dishwasher to which the delivery of the fluid is desirable. | 01-03-2013 |
20130068265 | TWO LEVEL CONDUIT DOCKING PORT MECHANISM FOR A DISHWASHING APPLIANCE - A two level conduit docking port for a dishwashing appliance is described. The docking port is provided having an upper port and a lower port, either of which is opened depending upon the position of a sliding valve that moves along the vertical direction. Movement of the valve to open either the upper port or the lower port is caused by contact between a protrusion on the sliding valve and a conduit attached to a height-adjustable rack. As such rack is pushed into the wash chamber of the dishwasher, the valve is moved vertically depending upon the vertical level of the rack. | 03-21-2013 |
20130104935 | FILTER DETECTION SYSTEM FOR A DISHWASHING APPLIANCE | 05-02-2013 |
20130104944 | HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE CONDUIT FOR A DISHWASHING APPLIANCE | 05-02-2013 |
20130186440 | APPLIANCE WITH TURBIDITY SENSOR ASSISTED TIME INTERVAL DETERMINATION - The present subject matter provides an appliance with features for determining a time interval for liquid flowing into and/or out of the appliance. For example, a flow of liquid into and/or out of a wash chamber of the appliance is initiated, and a first time is noted. A turbidity sensor is monitored until the sensor detects liquid or air respectively, and a second time is logged. A time interval is calculated based at least in part on the first time and the second time. | 07-25-2013 |
20140061232 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PORTIONING AND DELIVERING ICE - Disclosed is a method and apparatus for automatically adjusting the amount of ice that may be delivered from an ice storage reservoir to a point of use, such as from an ice reservoir of a combination beverage dispenser and ice reservoir to a container, with a high degree of accuracy, consistency and repeatability. The method and apparatus may be controlled by means of a program and/or logic sequence stored in a memory to allow a wide range of ice volumes to be measured, metered and dispensed. The apparatus may include an ice reservoir, a mechanism for dispensing ice to a point of use disposed in communication with the ice reservoir, and an ice metering device disposed in communication with both the ice reservoir and the mechanism for dispensing ice. | 03-06-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100139698 | STAGGERED MULTI-MODE SPRAY ARM WASH SYSTEM - An automatic dishwasher is provided with a spray assembly comprising a multi-conduit system for receiving pressurized washing liquid for feeding a plurality of spray arms. The plurality of spray arms includes at least a lower spray arm, a middle spray arm, and an upper spray arm. Each of the spray arms includes at least one radially extending hollow projection. Each of the spray arms includes a plurality of orifices for distributing the liquid throughout the dishwasher. The multi-conduit includes a water feed system and a water diverting mechanism for selectively diverting water into any one of the spray arms, any two of the spray arms, or all three of the spray arms. | 06-10-2010 |
20100139719 | DISHWASHER HAVING MULTI-MODE SPRAY ARM SYSTEM - A spray assembly for an automatic dishwasher is provided comprising a conduit system for receiving pressurized washing liquid, and an elongated spray arm including an upper surface and a lower surface. The spray arm includes a dividing wall between the upper surface and the lower surface. The spray arm includes a plurality of orifices formed in the upper surface and the lower surface for distributing the liquid throughout the dishwasher. The dividing wall and the upper surface define an upper interior compartment and the dividing wall and the lower surface define a lower interior compartment. The conduit includes a water feed system and a water diverting mechanism for selectively diverting water into the upper compartment, the lower compartment, or both the upper and the lower compartments. | 06-10-2010 |
20100314977 | ADJUSTABLE UPPER DISHWASHER RACK - An upper rack vertical adjustment system for a dishwasher, including an upper rack first portion, and an upper rack second portion rotatably attached to the first portion to selectively create an opening in the bottom of the rack to provide clearance for items placed in the lower rack. For adjusting the height of the upper rack, a slidable member has two elongated arms extending therefrom each having a wheel attached at an end of the arms is provided on each side of the rack. For each slidable member, a plate is mounted to a portion of the upper rack and the said slidable member is pivotally mounted to the plate. A locking mechanism locks the slidable member in one of several predetermined positions. | 12-16-2010 |
20110000510 | DISHWASHER STEAM ALGORITHM - A dishwasher having a washing chamber includes at least one prewash cycle for removing loose soil from associated kitchenware, a steam cycle instituted after the at least one prewash cycle for softening soil not removed in the at least one prewash cycle, a main wash cycle commenced after the steam cycle cleaning the associated kitchenware, and at least one rinse cycle commenced subsequent to the main wash cycle for rinsing detergent and remaining soil off of the associated kitchenware. The dishwasher includes a housing having a wash chamber that receives associated kitchenware therein and a controller for selectively controlling water supply from an associated source, water removal to an associated drain, and energization of a heating element contained in the wash chamber. A wash routine having a pulse routine periodically introduces wash fluid into the wash chamber to wet an inner surface of the chamber and the associated kitchenware received therein and a steam routine in which the wash fluid is retained in the wash chamber and the heating element remains energized to generate steam in the wash chamber environment by droplets of the wash fluid contacting exposed surface portions of the heating element. | 01-06-2011 |
20110030729 | AUTOMATIC AND MANUAL DETERGENT TYPE IDENTIFICATION TO SELECT A WASH ALGORITHM BASED ON DETERGENT TYPE - A detergent module for dispensing detergent during a wash-cycle is presented in which a sensor senses and indicates or a user via control input indicates whether the detergent in the module is a solid-type detergent or a liquid-type detergent, and the detergent-type indication is used by a dishwashing machine or a laundry washing machine to select a washing algorithm tailored to exploit the cleaning efficiency of the detergent. | 02-10-2011 |
20120312325 | NON-ELECTRONIC METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING WASH PUMP CAVITATION IN A DISHWASHER - Water fill level detection techniques are provided for a dishwasher system. A dishwasher system includes a tub; a fluid circulation system for circulating water in the tub and a cavitation sense fill system. The fluid circulation system includes at least one recirculation pump and at least one fill valve. The cavitation sense fill system monitors an output pressure of the at least one recirculation pump. The cavitation sense fill system deactivates the at least one fill valve when the output pressure satisfies at least one predefined criteria. A pressure wave damper may optionally be employed to ensure stable pressure measurements. | 12-13-2012 |
20120325277 | DISHWASHER SPRAY ARM ASSEMBLY - A spray arm assembly for a dishwasher system is disclosed. The spray arm assembly includes a spray arm which has an internal chamber, a liquid inlet in flow communication with the internal chamber to supply the internal chamber with liquid from a source of liquid, an outlet passageway in flow communication with the internal chamber for discharging liquid from the internal chamber, an air inlet in flow communication with the outlet passageway, and a region adjacent the air inlet and defining part of the outlet passageway. The region is configured to create a venturi effect at the air inlet when the liquid passes through the region so that air is drawn into the outlet passageway from the air inlet and a mixture of air and liquid is discharged from the outlet passageway. A dishwasher system incorporating such a spray arm assembly is also disclosed. | 12-27-2012 |
20130032178 | MANUAL REMOVABLE FILTER SYSTEM FOR A DISHWASHER - A removable multi-stage filter assembly for a dishwasher system is provided, comprising: a plurality of concentric filter stages having a varying degree of filter granularity; and a closed bottom that retains soils for manual collection by an end user, wherein the closed bottom has at least one drain opening. A dishwasher system is also provided that comprises a tub; a fluid circulation system for circulating water in the tub; and a removable multi-stage filter assembly, wherein the removable filter assembly comprises a closed bottom and at least one drain opening, and wherein the removable multi-stage filter assembly retains soils for manual collection by an end user. | 02-07-2013 |
20130291908 | SPRAY ARM ASSEMBLY FOR A DISHWASHER APPLIANCE - A dishwasher appliance is provided with a spray arm assembly. The spray arm assembly defines an orifice for directing liquid out of the spray arm assembly. The orifice can selectively receive a nozzle with a particular outlet geometry. By selectively receiving the nozzle, a spray pattern of liquid exiting the orifice can be changed by replacing or modifying the nozzle without remanufacturing or replacing the spray arm assembly. | 11-07-2013 |
20140190533 | SPRAY ASSEMBLY FOR A DISHWASHER APPLIANCE - The present subject matter provides a spray assembly for a dishwasher appliance. The spray assembly includes a spray arm, a bearing, and a bracket for mounting the spray assembly to a dishwasher appliance. The spray arm is mounted for rotation relative to the bearing, and the bearing is mounted to the bracket. The spray assembly includes features for rotating the bearing relative to the bracket with the spray arm. Such rotation can assist with mounting of the bearing to the bracket. | 07-10-2014 |
20150040993 | NON-ELECTRONIC METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING WASH PUMP CAVITATION IN A DISHWASHER - A method for operating a dishwasher system, including monitoring an output pressure of at least one recirculation pump in the dishwasher system, and deactivating at least one fill valve in the dishwasher system when the output pressure satisfies at least one predefined criteria | 02-12-2015 |
20150041008 | NON-ELECTRONIC METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING WASH PUMP CAVITATION IN A DISHWASHER - A cavitation sense fill system for a dishwasher system is disclosed. The dishwasher system includes a fluid circulation system for circulating water in a tub, wherein the fluid circulation system includes at least one recirculation pump and at least one fill valve. The cavitation sense fill system includes a pressure switch for monitoring an output pressure of the at least one recirculation pump, wherein the pressure switch deactivates the at least one fill valve when the output pressure satisfies at least one predefined criteria. | 02-12-2015 |