Abstract: A combined filter apparatus includes a first filter element, a second filter element disposed in stacking arrangement to the first filter element, a housing enclosing the filter elements, a seal sealing the dirty side of the first filter element from the dirty side of the second filter element, a first inlet disposed in the housing for fluid flow to the first filter element, a second inlet disposed in the housing for fluid flow to the second filter element, and an outlet disposed in the housing for fluid flow from at least one of the filter elements.

Abstract: A magnetic check valve includes a cage mountable in a fluid flow duct and supporting a plunger movable between a closed position blocking fluid flow past the valve, and an open position permitting fluid flow past the valve. One of the cage and the plunger includes a magnet, and the other of the cage and the plunger includes ferrous material magnetically attracted to the magnet to magnetically bias the plunger to the closed position.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a pump assembly which functions to chop all fluid entrained soil prior to directing fluid to upper and lower wash anms. A flow conduit leading to the upper wash arm is provided with a sampling port which directs a percentage of the fluid flow into a filter chamber having one or more fine mesh filter screens that open into the dishwasher tub basin. The filter chamber is exposed to a collection chamber that leads to a flapper valve and then to a drain port. An overflow tube, which is in fluid communication with the filter chamber, extends upwardly within the dishwasher. When the fine mesh filter becomes clogged, fluid will be forced to flow up the overflow tube and be exposed to another filter. A filter guard is secured to a housing of the recirculation pump over portions of the fine mesh filter.

Abstract: A float mounting plate is provided for a dishwasher to limit the level of water in the dishwasher tub. The float has a stem extending downwardly through a stand pipe in the bottom of the tub and into a switch bracket which houses the water level control switch. A tab is provided on the switch bracket which is adapted to extend around the float stem, thereby slidably retaining the retainer ring of the stem for engagement and disengagement with the switch, and limiting lateral or horizontal movement of the stem. In one embodiment, the tab is integrally formed with the bracket, with a living hinge allowing the tab to pivot between open and closed positions. In a second embodiment, the tab snap fits onto the bracket to capture the float stem.

Abstract: A fuel-water separation filtration system for filtering fuel and for separating water out of the fuel includes a housing assembly, a filter element assembly, and a closing lid. The housing assembly includes a unitary molded housing, a plurality of flow connection fittings that are spin welded into the housing, and a standpipe that is spin welded to the housing. The filter element assembly includes a cover and an endplate and filter media with one end bonded to the cover and an opposite end bonded to the endplate. The standpipe includes an attachment portion that extends beyond the upper end of the filter element assembly and the closing lid is threadedly attached to the attachment portion for closing the housing assembly. The filtration system requires pressurization for proper operation and the filtration system cannot be pressurized without the filter element assembly being installed.

Abstract: A dishwasher tub is provided with containment structure which prevents liquid from leaking around a door seal. The containment structure includes a bead that extends along side portions of a front flange of the dishwasher tub. At each lower portion of the front flange, the bead includes an inward and downward extending portion which leads to a substantially vertical portion, and finally to another inward and downward extending portion. The final two portions of the bead are arranged along a reduced dimension section of the front flange and define a trough which guides the liquid back into the tub.

Abstract: A dishwasher functions to chop all fluid entrained soil prior to directing fluid to at least upper and lower wash arms and directs a percentage of the fluid flow into a filter chamber having one or more fine mesh filter screens that open into the dishwasher tub basin. When the fine mesh filter becomes clogged, fluid is forced to flow up an overflow tube and be exposed to another filter. The draining of portions of the system are sequenced to enhance soil removal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the latch-assisted lid extractor. The present invention includes a canister and a lid connected to the canister via a latch assembly. The latch assembly includes an over-center lock to removably secure the lid to the canister. Additionally, the latch assembly can be moved from a first position sealing the canister with the lid to a second position urging the lid away from the canister. The present invention provides a mechanism that can both securely latch or fasten a lid to a canister and at the same time assist in removing the lid from the canister to enhance ease of operation.

Abstract: A dishwasher tub is provided with containment structure which prevents liquid from leaking around a door seal. The containment structure includes a bead that extends along side portions of a front flange of the dishwasher tub. At each lower portion of the front flange, the bead includes an inward and downward extending portion which leads to a substantially vertical portion, and finally to another inward and downward extending portion. The final two portions of the bead are arranged along a reduced dimension section of the front flange and define a trough which guides the liquid back into the tub.

Abstract: A dishwasher, including a tub provided with a front lip, has a front door provided with alignment structure on an inner bottom portion which is designed to abut and deflect the front lip, when the front lip is bowed or otherwise deformed, to control the relative positioning between the door and the frontal lip in order to prevent the development of a leakage gap or undesirable engagement between the door and lip. The alignment feature preferably includes at least one cam rib located on the lower underside of the door, as well as adjacent abutment rib(s) adapted to extend toward the front lip of the tub when the door is opened. The cam rib functions to guide the lip along a smooth surface when the tub is bowed or otherwise significantly shifted from a design position to assure quiet shifting of the door, while the abutment rib functions to prevent the development of a potential leakage gap between the front lip and the door.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a pump assembly which functions to chop all fluid entrained soil prior to directing fluid to upper and lower wash anms. A flow conduit leading to the upper wash arm is provided with a sampling port which directs a percentage of the fluid flow into a filter chamber having one or more fine mesh filter screens that open into the dishwasher tub basin. The filter chamber is exposed to a collection chamber that leads to a flapper valve and then to a drain port. An overflow tube, which is in fluid communication with the filter chamber, extends upwardly within the dishwasher. When the fine mesh filter becomes clogged, fluid will be forced to flow up the overflow tube and be exposed to another filter. A filter guard is secured to a housing of the recirculation pump over portions of the fine mesh filter.

Abstract: A dishwasher functions to chop all fluid entrained soil prior to directing fluid to at least upper and lower wash arms and directs a percentage of the fluid flow into a filter chamber having one or more fine mesh filter screens that open into the dishwasher tub basin. When the fine mesh filter becomes clogged, fluid is forced to flow up an overflow tube and be exposed to another filter. The draining of portions of the system are sequenced to enhance soil removal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the latch-assisted lid extractor. The present invention includes a canister and a lid connected to the canister via a latch assembly. The latch assembly includes an over-center lock to removably secure the lid to the canister. Additionally, the latch assembly can be moved from a first position sealing the canister with the lid to a second position urging the lid away from the canister. The present invention provides a mechanism that can both securely latch or fasten a lid to a canister and at the same time assist in removing the lid from the canister to enhance ease of operation.

Abstract: A cover encloses a filter cartridge in an outer housing. The cover has an unfiltered fluid inlet channel and a concentric filtered fluid outlet channel. The filter cartridge includes a filter media with a central passage. An upper endplate is provided on the upper end of the filter media, and the upper endplate has oblong openings defined therein. A separate seal retainer is attached to the upper endplate. The retainer has an outer body portion and a concentric inner body portion extending from the outer body portion. The outer body portion has a lower outwardly opening channel, and the inner body portion has an upper outwardly opening channel. An outer seal is provided in the lower channel to seal the filter cartridge with the housing. An inner seal is provided in upper channel to seal the inlet channel from the outlet channel in the cover.

Abstract: A cover encloses a filter cartridge in an outer housing. The cover has an unfiltered fluid inlet channel and a concentric filtered fluid outlet channel. The filter cartridge includes a filter media with a central passage. An upper endplate is provided on the upper end of the filter media, and the upper endplate has oblong openings defined therein. A separate seal retainer is attached to the upper endplate. The retainer has an outer body portion and a concentric inner body portion extending from the outer body portion. The outer body portion has a lower outwardly opening channel, and the inner body portion has an upper outwardly opening channel. An outer seal is provided in the lower channel to seal the filter cartridge with the housing. An inner seal is provided in upper channel to seal the inlet channel from the outlet channel in the cover.