Abstract: A washing machine appliance having an improved additive dispenser is provided. The chamber geometry and water flow pattern of the additive dispenser provide complete delivery of wash liquid, even when using powdered detergent during low water volume dispense cycles. The water flows past the siphon inlet to clear the siphon path, dissolve and entrain wash additive, and clear the chamber floor upon delivery of the wash liquid.

Abstract: An additive dispenser for a washing machine appliance is provided. The additive dispenser includes sidewalls and a bottom wall defining an additive reservoir. A first siphon and a second siphon are positioned within the additive reservoir. The first siphon defines a first peak and a first inlet. The second siphon defines a second peak and a second inlet. The first peak is defined at a lower vertical height than the second peak, and the first inlet is defined at a greater vertical height than the second inlet. Also provided are methods for operating a washing machine appliance having an additive dispenser, where the additive dispenser includes sidewalls and a bottom wall defining an additive reservoir, a first siphon defining a first inlet, and a second siphon defining a second inlet. The methods include opening and closing one or more valves to flow water to the additive reservoir of the dispenser.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for connecting to an auxiliary power source and operating a water heater. One exemplary aspect is directed to a water heater configured to heat a volume of water. The water heater can include a first heating system configured to operate at a first power and a second heating system configured to operate at a second power. The second power can be less than the first power. The water heater can further include a first AC connection configured to receive externally supplied AC power at a first voltage and a second AC connection configured to receive externally supplied AC power at a second voltage. The second voltage can be less than the first voltage. The water heater can use only the second heating system when the second AC connection receives the externally supplied AC power at the second voltage.

Abstract: A water heater is provided having a sorption based reactor that is integrated into a water tank. The water heater is operated between an adsorption cycle and a desorption cycle. During the endothermic desorption cycle, a primary heat exchanger is used to transfer heat from a condensing primary fluid that was vaporized from the sorbate to water in the tank. A charging heat transfer system supplies heat for the vaporization during endothermic desorption cycle. During the exothermic adsorption cycle, a secondary heat exchanger is used along with a secondary fluid to transfer heat generated by adsorption of the primary fluid to water in the tank. An evaporator provides for vaporization of the primary fluid during the adsorption cycle. Substantial improvements in energy efficiency can be achieved.

Abstract: A water heater that can be operated with improved efficiency is provided. The water heater uses a thermally activated sorption heat pump to heat water stored in a tank. A sorbate is endothermically desorbed from a refrigerant, which in turn is released as a gas or vapor. The latent heat of condensing this refrigerant vapor to a liquid is transferred directly to the water in the tank. Ambient air is then used to vaporize the refrigerant liquid. The vapor refrigerant is then exothermically absorbed by the sorbate. The heat released by this absorption is transferred to the water in the tank using a heat transfer fluid. The cycle can then be repeated by desorbing the sorbate again to release the refrigerant as vapor. A heat source is used to provide heat energy to endothermically desorb the sorbate.

Abstract: Washing machine appliances and methods for washing articles in washing machine appliances are provided. A method includes flowing a hot water volume into a tub, wherein the hot water volume is the only water volume flowed at a hot temperature into the tub, and performing an agitation cycle after flowing the hot water volume into the tub and after a detergent and an additive have been added to the tub. The method further includes draining water from the tub after performing the agitation cycle, and flowing a cold water volume into the tub after draining the water from the tub. The method further includes draining water from the tub after flowing the cold water volume into the tub, and performing an extraction cycle after flowing the cold water volume into the tub and draining the water from the tub.

Abstract: Washing machine appliances and methods for washing articles in washing machine appliances are provided. A method includes flowing a warm water volume into a tub, and performing a first agitation cycle after flowing the warm water volume into the tub. The method further includes flowing a hot water volume into the tub, and performing a second agitation cycle after flowing the hot water volume into the tub and after an additive has been added to the tub. The method further includes draining water from the tub after performing the second agitation cycle, and flowing a cold water volume into the tub after draining the water from the tub. The method further includes draining water from the tub after flowing the cold water volume into the tub, and performing an extraction cycle after flowing the cold water volume into the tub and draining the water from the tub.

Abstract: A water heater is provided having a sorption based reactor that is integrated into a water tank. The water heater is operated between an adsorption cycle and a desorption cycle. During the endothermic desorption cycle, a primary heat exchanger is used to transfer heat from a condensing primary fluid that was vaporized from the sorbate to water in the tank. A charging heat transfer system supplies heat for the vaporization during endothermic desorption cycle. During the exothermic adsorption cycle, a secondary heat exchanger is used along with a secondary fluid to transfer heat generated by adsorption of the primary fluid to water in the tank. An evaporator provides for vaporization of the primary fluid during the adsorption cycle. Substantial improvements in energy efficiency can be achieved.

Abstract: A water heater is provided having a sorption based reactor that is integrated into a water tank. The water heater is operated between an adsorption cycle and a desorption cycle. During the endothermic desorption cycle, a primary heat exchanger is used to transfer heat from a condensing primary fluid that was vaporized from the sorbate to water in the tank. A secondary heat transfer system uses a secondary fluid to supply heat for such vaporization during the endothermic desorption cycle. During the exothermic adsorption cycle, a secondary heat exchanger is used along with the secondary fluid to transfer heat generated by adsorption of the primary fluid to water in the tank. An evaporator provides for vaporization of the primary fluid during the adsorption cycle. Substantial improvements in energy efficiency can be achieved.

Abstract: A water heater that can be operated with improved efficiency is provided. The water heater uses a thermally activated sorption heat pump to heat water stored in a tank. A sorbate is endothermically desorbed from a refrigerant, which in turn is released as a gas or vapor. The latent heat of condensing this refrigerant vapor to a liquid is transferred directly to the water in the tank. Ambient air is then used to vaporize the refrigerant liquid. The vapor refrigerant is then exothermically absorbed by the sorbate. The heat released by this absorption is transferred to the water in the tank using a heat transfer fluid. The cycle can then be repeated by desorbing the sorbate again to release the refrigerant as vapor.

Abstract: A method of sanitizing articles in a wash chamber of a washing machine appliance is provided. The method includes providing the wash chamber with an oxygen bleach wash additive and, optionally, with a detergent wash additive, determining a water fill volume target, and adding a first wash volume of water to the wash chamber. The first wash volume is determined based on a fixed percentage of the water fill volume target in is less than the water fill volume target such that the oxygen bleach wash additive is present in a relatively concentrated amount.

Abstract: Washing machine appliances and methods are provided. A washing machine appliance has a drum positioned within a tub, the drum defining a wash chamber for receipt of articles for washing, and an ozone generation system for directing ozonized water into tub. A method includes flowing ozonized water into the tub. The method further includes rotating the drum in a first gentle cycle including rotating the drum for a first predetermined rotation period and holding the drum generally stationary for a first predetermined exposure period. The method further includes rotating the drum in a second agitation cycle including rotating the drum for a second predetermined rotation period, the second predetermined rotation period longer than the first predetermined rotation period. The method further includes draining ozonized water from the tub of the washing machine appliance, and rotating the drum to extract ozonized water from the articles within the wash chamber.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance and a method for regulating ozone within the same are provided. The method includes activating an ozone generation system of the washing machine appliance in order to initiate a flow of ozonized water into a tub of the washing machine appliance and measuring an amount of ozone within an exhaust conduit of the washing machine appliance with an ozone sensor. Based at least in part on the amount of ozone within the exhaust conduit, various steps can be taken to regulate the amount of ozone within a wash chamber of the washing machine appliance.

Abstract: An appliance for conditioning air of a room comprises one or more power consuming features/functions including a temperature controlling element for one of heating and cooling air. A controller is operatively connected to the one or more power consuming features/functions. The controller is configured to receive and process a signal indicative of a utility state. The controller operates the appliance in one of a plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode in response to the received signal. The controller is configured to at least one of selectively adjust and deactivate at least one of the one or more power consuming features/functions to reduce power consumption of the appliance in the energy savings mode.

Abstract: A water heating storage system and method for controlling a water heating storage system for energy storage is provided. A water heating storage system may be in communication with a power generation utility to control and maintain temperatures within a storage tank in order to maximize energy storage and minimize energy usage.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for connecting to an auxiliary power source and operating a water heater. One exemplary aspect is directed to a water heater configured to heat a volume of water. The water heater can include a first heating system configured to operate at a first power and a second heating system configured to operate at a second power. The second power can be less than the first power. The water heater can further include a first AC connection configured to receive externally supplied AC power at a first voltage and a second AC connection configured to receive externally supplied AC power at a second voltage. The second voltage can be less than the first voltage. The water heater can use only the second heating system when the second AC connection receives the externally supplied AC power at the second voltage.

Abstract: A water heating control and storage system, including an insulated tank for containing water to be heated. The storage system has a heat exchanger connected to the tank for using energy stored during off peak times as in water heated above normal storage temperature. An operation control device receives a demand response signal and enables water to be heated in a heat storing mode to heat water for usage. A method for controlling a water heating storage system includes providing an insulated tank for containing water to be heated; providing a heat exchanger coupled to the tank; and selectively operating in a heat storing mode in which water in the tank is heated to a higher than normal temperature and a heat exchange mode during which heat is extracted from the water stored in the tank by a heat exchanger for supplying stored energy to another energy consuming load in response to a demand response signal.

Abstract: A hot water heater, and method of regulating the same, which includes a PID control. The PID control is responsive to inputs such as water temperature in the hot water heater and the flow rate of water such as through inlets and outlets coupled to the hot water heater. In one embodiment, the PID control generates an output that modifies the operating parameters of a heating device to accommodate changes in the temperature of the fluid in the hot water heater. The output results from one or more modules of a three-term control structure, wherein the modules comprise one or more of a proportional control module, an integral control module, and a derivative control module. Each of the modules is assigned at least one term, wherein the term is defined in accordance with gain parameters such as a proportional gain, an integral gain, and a derivative gain.

Abstract: A water heating storage system and method for controlling a water heating storage system for energy storage is provided. A water heating storage system may be in communication with a power generation utility to control and maintain temperatures within a storage tank in order to maximize energy storage and minimize energy usage.

Abstract: A water heating control and storage system, including an insulated tank for containing water to be heated. The tank has at least two heating elements, including an upper heating element and a lower heating element. An operation control device receives a demand response signal and enables each element to independently heat water for usage. A method for controlling a water heating storage system includes providing an insulated tank for containing water to be heated; providing an upper heating element with a thermostat and thermal limiting device and a lower heating element with a thermostat and thermal limiting device to heat upper and lower portions of water inside the tank; and providing a pair of switches for enabling each of the heating elements to independently heat upper and lower portions of the water for usage.