Abstract: A load adaptive brake system is provided for an appliance which includes a motor, a drive wheel driven by the motor and a rotatable vessel. A brake surface is fixed relative to a non-movable portion of the appliance and at least one brake shoe carried by the vessel to rotate with the vessel. A biasing mechanism is engageable with the brake shoe to press the brake shoe into engagement with the brake surface. A cam is carried on the vessel, but is rotatable with respect thereto, and engageable with a portion of the brake shoe to overcome a bias of the biasing mechanism when the cam is rotated relative to the vessel in a first direction to disengage the brake shoe from the brake surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a dehumidifier in a de-ice mode is provided wherein the dehumidifier has an evaporator coil, a fan operated by a fan motor to cause a flow of ambient air over the evaporator coil, and a compressor operated by a compressor motor to cause a flow of refrigerant to the evaporator coil. A control is provided for detecting a characteristic of the dehumidifier associated with the formation of frost on the evaporator coil. Such characteristic could be the temperature of the evaporator coil, the rate of change of the temperature of the coil, a drop in the amp draw of the compressor motor below a predetermined value or a predetermined rate of downward change in the amp draw of the compressor motor. The control terminates power to the compressor motor after detection of the characteristic, either immediately or after a predetermined time, while continuing operation of the fan to provide the melting.

Abstract: A pyrolytic self-cleaning oven having a catalytic composition positioned in the oven cavity or exhaust gas passage in order to complete the combustion and/or the oxidation of gases produced by a process carried out inside the oven. The catalytic composition is supported by a ceramic coating on a metal wire. The metal wire is electrically connected to a control system of the oven for controlling the cooking and/or pyrolytic cleaning process. The catalytic composition carried on the metal wire may be part of a net-shaped catalytic element.

Abstract: A fluid supply and reservoir is proved which may be used in conjunction with a clothes refreshing appliance. A fluid cartridge has a top wall to which the nozzle assembly may be secured, and a supply of pressurized air is connected to the nozzle assembly to draw fluid from the reservoir into the nozzle assembly through a siphon tube by a venturi action. The air supply may be provided through an air supply arrangement which includes guide walls for positioning the nozzle assembly relative to the air supply, and a resiliently mounted air supply tube for mating with an air supply opening in the nozzle assembly. An arrangement may also be provided in the reservoir to assure a constant fluid pressure therein to provide a constant flow of fluid through the nozzle assembly.

Abstract: A wash liquid recirculation system for a dishwasher is provided including a unique soil separating system. The recirculation system includes a wash pump which is provided with an internal filter plate to concentrate soils. The wash pump includes an impeller disposed within a pump housing or casing. When energized, the wash pump draws wash liquid from a sump area and pumps wash liquid through the impeller into the pump housing or casing. The filter plate is disposed within the casing for dividing the casing into a first and second region and for concentrating soils in the second region. Concentrated soils are delivered from the second region to a soil collection system. The filter plate is disposed radially outwardly from the impeller, substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the impeller.

Abstract: A device for electrically powering user devices present on a part of a household electrical appliance movable relative to a fixed main structure of this latter, such as a door, for example of a refrigerator, openable away from the refrigerator cabinet, electrical conductors being present in said movable part and in said fixed structure. The device comprises a magnetic induction transformer arranged to connect said electrical conductors together, said induction transformer being positioned between said movable part and said fixed structure.

Abstract: A modular ice maker having a frame formed from a base, a tub resting on the base, and a pair of opposing side panels affixed to opposing sides of side tub and base assembly. The ice maker has a refrigerated compartment with a ice forming and dispensing device and an ice storage bin receiving and storing ice from the ice forming and dispensing device. An inner door or chute rotates about a horizontal axis to provide access to the ice storage bin and to provide a surface extending outwardly of the refrigerated compartment to redirect and guide dropped ice back into the ice storage bin. An outer door sealingly closing the refrigerated compartment is provided with a surface adapted for providing a camming action to drive the inner door upwardly when the outer door is closed.

Abstract: A method for sensing overheating of a food container positioned on a glass ceramic cooking hob, for example during the preparation of a food contained in said container, electrical heating elements being provided for predefined regions of said hob. The method includes continuously measuring the variation in temperature of the region of the cooking hob during the activation of a corresponding heating element on which the container is positioned on the hob. The method further includes halting said activation when said temperature undergoes a sudden increase relative to a temperature value maintained substantially constant with time during activation of the heating element.

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: 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: 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.