Abstract: This invention relates a control for an automatic washer incorporating a spray pretreatment or stain care cycle. In order to manage the occurrence of the condition of suds lock, the state of the washing machine related to the suds lock condition during spray pretreatment is determined by one or more of a number of methods. With this information concerning the state of the spray pretreatment process, the occurrence of suds lock can be ascertained and the cycle can be controlled accordingly to minimize negative effects resulting from a prolonged suds lock condition. Additionally, with certain information related to the occurrence of suds lock, steps can be taken during the spray pretreatment portion of the cycle to avoid the condition of suds lock altogether. Using the same primary process for measuring suds lock, load size can also be ascertained. Information about load size can be used to control the wash cycle.

Abstract: The invention includes a liquid pumping system. The liquid is preferably condensate and the condensate pumping system may include a tank having an upper reservoir and a sump disposed below the upper reservoir. The upper reservoir may include an orifice and may be positioned to receive condensate from an evaporator. The condensate pumping system may also include a device to seal the orifice, a condensate tube connected to the sump, and an air pump attached to the sump through an air tube.

Abstract: An oven capable of being operated in a self-cleaning cycle wherein the time period of the self clean cycle is responsive to the amount of soil accumulation in the oven. The oven includes a cooking chamber, a heating device for supplying heat into the cooking chamber and an exhaust flue extending from the cooking chamber leading to atmosphere. A heat control device is provided for controlling the operation of the heating device and an input device is used for signaling the heat control device to initiate the self-cleaning cycle. A gas sensor communicates with the exhaust flue for measuring a concentration of a gas component produced from combustion of food soils within the cooking chamber. The gas sensor has a signal output indicative of the measured concentration of the gas component during the self-cleaning cycle. The heat control device receives successive gas concentration signals from the gas sensor and calculates a gas concentration versus time curve.

Abstract: A low cost method and apparatus for indicating when to replace a water filter in a water and ice delivery system for a refrigerator. The invention uses a low cost microprocessor and senses the operational condition of an ice maker water valve, a water dispenser valve to monitor and track water usage. The microprocessor has a built-in memory to retain water usage and other data during a power outage, The invention also senses the status of a door switch to permit user input of a reset message indicating that the filter has been changed as well as an input indicating a different type of filter has been installed. The microprocessor controls a tri-color light emitting diode to display the status of the filter as “good”, “order” or “change” which is determined based on the selection of the type of filter system, the amount of time since the last filter change, and the amount of water usage since the last filter change.

Abstract: A mesh bag for holding small items in a dishwasher. The bag preferably includes a top frame having a resilient front rail member and a resilient rear rail member. Each rail member has opposite ends. The rail members are pivotably joined at their ends such that the rail members are disposed adjacent each other. A mesh body depends from the top frame and has a substantially flat, rectangular shape. The mesh body includes a first mesh side wall and a second mesh side wall joined together along opposite side edges and a bottom edge. The top edge of the first mesh side wall is connected to the front rail member and the top edge of the second mesh side wall is connected to the rear rail such that the frame forms a closure mechanism for the bag.

Abstract: An attachment mechanism to secure a console onto an appliance is provided in which the console is mounted without the use of threaded fasteners and, one mounted, the attachment mechanism is hidden from view from the exterior of the appliance. A projection on one of the appliance and console mates with an opening in the other of the appliance and console and a clip extends from one of the appliance and console to mate with an opening in the other of the appliance and console, such that the projection serves to align the two parts and the clip serves to secure the parts together. Preferably the projection and clip, or more than one of each, are located on a mating surface between the appliance and console such that when the console is mounted onto the appliance, the projection and clip can no longer be seen from the exterior of the appliance.

Abstract: A gas valve assembly for forming a plurality of valves is provided which includes a unitary valve body having a gas supply passage interconnected to a plurality of flow control chambers wherein the gas supply passage is interconnected with a supply of gas. A plurality of valve plugs corresponding in number to the number of flow control chambers are provided wherein each of the valve plugs is rotatably disposed in one of the flow control chambers. A plurality of gear train assemblies operate for rotating the valve plugs within the flow control chambers. A valve cover encloses the plurality of gear trains and mounts to the valve body. A plurality of motors, secured to the valve cover, operate to rotate the valve plugs within the flow control chambers, wherein the plurality of flow control chambers and corresponding valve plugs form a plurality of valves provided in a single valve body.

Abstract: An automatic washer includes a control which allows the user to observe the operation of the washer under a set condition or conditions. When these conditions are met, the user may open the door or lid of the washer and observe, for a predetermined period of time, the wash activity. After reclosing the door or lid, the washer may be restarted to continue the wash cycle.

Abstract: A dishwasher having a tub which includes a bottom sump and a side wall wherein a first dishware rack is supported within the tub and a second dishware rack is supported within the tub above the first dishware rack. A pump is provided for drawing wash liquid from the sump for pumping wash liquid through a pump outlet. A hub member is attached to the spray arm and extends downwardly from the spray arm. The hub member includes a bearing flange surface. A cap member which is connectable to the pump outlet has an annular bearing surface arranged between the bearing flange surface and the spray arm. The cap member is connectable to a housing wall provided about the pump outlet without the use of fasteners such that the spray arm may be readily connected to the pump outlet. The cap member is further provided with a discharge conduit. A supply line extends from the discharge conduit and is secured to the tub.

Abstract: A system for protecting optical elements from moisture and/or ice build up when used in freezing environment, such as a freezer compartment of a refrigerator. The system includes a hood or sleeve which can be assembled to an optical element such as a light emitting or receiving elements used in a freezer compartment. The sleeve acts to trap air about the optic element such that warm humid air does not readily move into contact with the optic element. Moreover, the warm, humid air that does flow toward the optic element may be cooled by the sleeve such that moisture condenses out of the air and onto the sleeve. A heater may be provided adjacent the sleeve for heating the sleeve if the optic element is impaired due to ice or moisture build up.

Abstract: An ice maker for use in a refrigeration apparatus as well as a method of optimizing ice production in an ice maker. The ice maker has a mold and a fan selectively operable to direct moving cold air past the mold during the ice formation process. In the preferred embodiment, the fan does not operate during the harvest portion of the cycle. A fan assembly consisting of a fan or blower, a motor, a switch in series with the motor and leads for electrically interconnecting the motor and in switch with the icemaker power supply is preferably assembled as a module removably interconnectable with the icemaker as an optional feature. The icemaker has an increased the rate of ice production due to the increased rate of convective heat transfer.

Abstract: A water inlet assembly for mounting adjacent an opening provided in a tub of an automatic dishwasher wherein the tub defines a cavity having a volume for washing dishes. The water inlet assembly includes a housing forming a venting chamber and having an outlet opening mounted in sealed relationship about the opening provided in the tub. The venting chamber has a vent opening which may be located above the outlet opening. The housing further includes an inlet nozzle for receiving wash liquid and a conduit for guiding liquid from the inlet nozzle to the venting chamber from which wash liquid can flow through the outlet opening into the tub. A water trap is formed into the housing and is located along the conduit. The conduit has a siphon opening located upstream of the water trap.

Abstract: A rack system for an oven wherein the oven includes an oven cavity having top, bottom, rear and side walls, the side walls including a plurality of support runners arranged as associated pairs on the side walls of the oven cavity. The oven cavity has an open frontal portion and an associated width defined by the lateral distance spanning the side walls. The rack system including a lower rack having a width substantially equal to the width of the oven cavity such that the upper rack may be supported by one of the runner pairs provided on the side wall of the oven cavity. An upper rack assembly is provided having a width substantially equal to the width of the oven cavity, the upper rack being supported on one of the runner pairs provided on the side wall of the oven cavity. The upper rack includes a main rack and an insert rack. The main rack has a width substantially equal to the width of the oven cavity and has a platform area and a cutout area.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic diverter valve is provided which has a valve body with a fluid inlet zone communicating with a fluid diversion zone, which in turn communicates with a fluid outlet zone. In the fluid inlet zone there is at least one inlet for a fluid, at least one air inlet and a venturi passage for guiding the fluid as a jet. In a passage downstream of the venturi passage the air inlet communicates with the fluid jet exiting the venturi passage and the jet enters the diversion zone. Depending on whether the air inlet is blocked or not, the fluid jet either continues straight through the diversion zone to a first outlet from the valve body or, if the air stream is blocked, the jet is diverted to impinge upon a wall in the diversion chamber, the wall being arranged to be directed toward a different one of the outlet openings in the fluid outlet zone.

Abstract: A device and a method for microwave feeding of an oven cavity by means of a coupling slot (1) which is fed by a waveguide. The a-dimension of the waveguide is significantly larger than the effective a-dimension of the slot. The slot comprised a radiating main slot part (5) and slot extensions (6,7) projecting from it at its respective sides, which extension have a substantially smaller cross-dimension than the b-dimension of the main slot part.

Abstract: An ice level sensing system for use on a refrigerator including a freezer compartment having top wall, opposite side walls and an access opening. A door is provided for closing the access opening. An ice maker is disposed within the freezer compartment adjacent the top wall for forming ice pieces. An ice storage bin is removably mounted to the door below the ice maker for receiving ice pieces from the ice maker. An emitter element, supported on a side wall of the freezer, emits a beam of light across the upper portion of the bin. A receiver element, supported on a freezer side wall opposite the emitter element, receives the beam of light wherein beam of light travels between the emitter element and the receiver element along a line of sight path. A paddle is rotatably supported on a freezer side wall for blocking the line of sight when the door is open.

Abstract: This invention relates a control for an automatic washer incorporating a spray pretreatment or stain care cycle. In order to manage the occurrence of the condition of suds lock, the state of the washing machine related to the suds lock condition during spray pretreatment is determined by one or more of a number of methods. With this information concerning the state of the spray pretreatment process, the occurrence of suds lock can be ascertained and the cycle can be controlled accordingly to minimize negative effects resulting from a prolonged suds lock condition. Additionally, with certain information related to the occurrence of suds lock, steps can be taken during the spray pretreatment portion of the cycle to avoid the condition of suds lock altogether. Using the same primary process for measuring suds lock, load size can also be ascertained. Information about load size can be used to control the wash cycle.