Abstract: A system for indicating by means of at least one warning light the residual heat of at least one pan support grid for a gas burner in domestic cooking or heating appliances controlled by an electronic control device, in which the residual heat of the grid is measured indirectly by the electronic control device on the basis of data relative to the flame level set for the burner and the time for which said flame level is maintained, these data being corrected by a factor which takes account of the physical characteristics of the grid, such that the warning light is and remains activated when the residual heat of the grid exceeds a predetermined safety threshold (A) for its handling by the user.

Abstract: A fabric support device is provided for use in a wash basket of an automatic washer. The fabric support device includes an elongated bag having a generally rectangular shape, the bag being formed from a mesh material which allows fluid to pass therethrough. The bag has an open side edge such that clothes can be inserted into the bag. At least one spring member may extend longitudinally along the bag wherein the bag may be rolled into a generally cylindrical shape against the bias of the spring and inserted into the wash basket. Upon release, the bag is biased outwardly against the inner wall of the wash basket such that clothes are supported within the wash basket for washing but are not subject to stretching, twisting and excessive movement.

Abstract: A detergent dispensing method and apparatus for an automatic vertical axis washer. The washer includes a tub ring having a louvered area creating a drop zone through which wash additives are directly dispensed into the wash tub. In addition, the washer further includes a tub ring splash shield and D-ring splash shield. The tub ring and D-ring splash shields, along with the tub ring with the louvered area, act to direct wash additives into the wash tub and to further prevent wash fluid from escaping from the wash cycle.

Abstract: With the system the movement a solenoid valve valving member is damped both during opening and during closure by delaying pulses applied during the movement of the valve mobile member, to reduce end-of-travel impact both during opening and during closure, and to reduce vibration and noise.

Abstract: A motor controller for a single phase induction motor (SPIM), wherein the SPIM is driven by two windings, a line winding connected to the ac line and a control winding driven by the controller. The SPIM torque and hence the speed and direction is controlled by the voltage output of the controller for all speeds below the synchronous speed (set by ac line frequency). The controller adjusts the amplitude, the phase angle relative to the line winding, and the frequency of the voltage for the desired SPIM responses. The controller can also selectively switch power to the line winding for a different operating mode with both windings at below synchronous speed. Or, the controller can open the connection to the line winding after starting, and operate the SPIM via the control winding at any speed by adjusting the amplitude and frequency of the controller voltage.

Abstract: A hybrid control for a clothes dryer which combines an electromechanical timer and a microprocessor. The electromechanical timer has a plurality of switches connected to a plurality of input ports of the microprocessor. The timer switches are driven by a plurality of cams such that the plurality of switches open and close in response to the cams at predetermined angular positions of the timer. In this manner, the switches provide control input to the electronic circuit for initiating the dry cycle and further provide control input to the electronic circuit during the dry cycle such that the electromechanical timer and the electronic circuit operate together to control the dryer operation. In addition, a sensor supplies a signal to the microprocessor corresponding to the moisture level of the clothes within the drum.

Abstract: A trim assembly for a dishwasher tub having a U-shaped front flange disposed about a front opening. The front flange has radiused upper corners to minimize material stretching during tub forming. The trim assembly connects to the front flange of the tub and includes a pair of corner trim member, a plurality of straight trim members and a pair of tub trim spacers wherein the trim assembly forms a continuous frame of trim disposed about the peripheral edge of the front flange. The straight trim members frictionally engage the straight edge portions of the tub front flange. The pair of corner trim members snap connect to the tub flange upper corners such that the tub front flange is provided with square upper corners. The pair of bottom trim spacers are disposed at the bottom edges of the side trim members and complete the trim assembly. The bottom trim spacers function to deflect wash liquid running off from the dishwasher door back into the tub and serves as structural spacers in the tub support assembly.

Abstract: A hybrid control for a clothes dryer which combines an electromechanical timer and a microprocessor. The electromechanical timer has a plurality of switches connected to a plurality of input ports of the microprocessor. The timer switches are driven by a plurality of cams such that the plurality of switches open and close in response to the cams at predetermined angular positions which define control positions of the timer. In this manner, the switches provide control input to the electronic circuit for initiating the dry cycle and further provide control input to the electronic circuit during the dry cycle such that the electromechanical timer and the electronic circuit operate together to control the dryer operation. The timer is arranged such that a change from one control position to an adjacent control position results in only one switch being either opened or closed.

Abstract: A surface cooking appliance having a unique rotatable burner. The surface cooking appliance includes a top surface having a first opening and wherein a gas supply tube is provided having a terminal end adjacent the first opening. An igniter is mounted to the top surface adjacent the first opening. A burner is supported on the top surface above the first opening. The burner includes an inlet port, off-set from the center point of the burner, for receiving gas from the gas supply tube. The burner further includes at least two igniter openings for receiving the igniter such that the burner may be rotated about the terminal end of the gas supply tube and positioned in a plurality of positions wherein the igniter is disposed in one of the at least two openings.

Abstract: A blind connector is provided on an access panel. The access panel covers an access opening in a wall of an apparatus. The wall separates an access area from a connective element such as a harness on the other side of the wall. The blind connector holds the connective element by a connector on the connective element. The blind connector makes the connective element readily available when the access panel is removed. This improved access panel provides easy access to an ice maker harness in the freezer portion of a refrigerator-freezer for the later connection of an ice maker kit.

Abstract: A two piece bin for mounting to a refrigerator door having a transparent container portion and surrounding collar portion welded thereto, the collar portion having a portion on a front side being tubular for a light weight yet sturdy structure. The bin having an indented width to interfit within the vertical columns of the refrigerator door and an outwardly extending portion abutting an exposed end face of the vertical columns, the tubular portion of the collar arranged around this outward portion to be abutted to the vertical columns.

Abstract: A suspension rod assembly for a resiliently supporting a moving system of a washing machine. The suspension rod assembly includes a rod having an upper end engaging a stationary support structure and a lower end. An end cap including a washer and an annular retainer is mounted to the lower end of the rod. A friction tube is disposed about the lower portion of the rod and has a flanged bottom edge captured between the annular retainer and the washer. The friction tube extends upwardly from the end cap about the rod and a tubular cup is provided about the friction tube. The cup includes a cylindrical wall forming an elongated annular cavity between the friction tube and the cylindrical wall. A compressible friction member is disposed within the elongated annular cavity and is radially compressed between the cylindrical wall and friction tube for frictionally engaging the friction tube.

Abstract: A container for a refrigerator in which the container comprises a pan having an access opening, which is covered by a door pivotally mounted to the pan. The pan is slidably mounted within the refrigerator in a conventional manner. The door has opposing fingers extending from the side edges thereof and a hook extending from the top edge thereof. As the pan is slid outwardly from the refrigerator, the fingers abut liner studs extending from the inner liner of the refrigerator to partially rotate the door from a closed position toward an open position. On the continued sliding of the pan, the hook abuts a sloped surface of the liner to continue the rotation of the door completely into the open position.

Abstract: A dishwasher having a fluid recirculation system which operates in a wash mode for spraying liquid onto objects supported on dishwasher upper and lower racks. The dishwasher includes a pump having a pump impeller disposed within a pump chamber for supplying wash liquid to first and second spray devices, associated with the lower rack and upper racks, respectively. The pump impeller draws wash liquid into the pump chamber and imparts a rotary motion to the wash liquid disposed in the pump chamber. A rotatable diffuser or flow director having a plurality of vanes extending into the pump chamber selectively directs the rotating wash liquid toward the spray devices and thereby controls wash liquid recirculation within the dishwasher responsive to the rotational motion of the wash liquid in the pump chamber.

Abstract: An outer shell for a refrigerator a cabinet formed from a plurality of vertically arranged panels each having opposed vertical edges, a top edge and a bottom edge. A plurality of dovetail-like, linear joints interlock the vertical edges of the vertically arranged panels without requiring additional fasteners or welding. A top panel is interconnected with the top edges of the vertically arranged panels and a bottom panel is interconnected with the bottom edges of the vertically arranged panels. Each of the linear joints comprise a channel having a fan shaped cross-section provided along one edge of a panel and a connecting flange formed along the edge of a second adjacent panel wherein the connecting flange is received into the channel such that the first and second panels are interconnected. The outer shell is easily assembled by joining adjacent panels via the interlocking joints. Moreover, the joints provide strength to the outer shell and are well suited for use in insulation foaming.

Abstract: A room dehumidifier includes a closed refrigerant cycle apparatus with an evaporator coil inclined at 20 from vertical on an air inlet side of the dehumidifier, which also includes openings in the cabinetry to allow a substantial portion of inlet air to bypass the evaporator coil, a fan and orifice plate arranged downstream of the evaporator coil, bypass openings to draw air through the cabinet, and a condenser coil arranged vertically on an outlet side of said fan. The fan blows air through the condenser coil and out back side louvers of the cabinet. A drip bucket is located beneath the evaporator coils and a compressor is located beneath the condenser coils.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for carrying out the method for drying crockery in a dishwasher with a rinse container closeable by means of a door. By means of two or three successive different method steps, the drying is improved. The method steps include a drainage phase, a drying phase with blower or condenser and an automatic, partial opening of the door.

Abstract: A wash additive dispensing system for an automatic washer wherein the wash additive dispenser system includes a cup for receiving the additive, a tray pivotally supporting the cup for movement between an upright orientation for retaining the wash additive in the cup and a dumping orientation in which the additive in the cup is dispensed. The tray is disposed along the rear portion of an access opening provided in the cabinet enclosure and is slidable supported by a housing between a first position for adding wash additive to the cup and a second position for dispensing wash additive from the cup. When disposed in the second position, a handle portion of the tray forms part of the rear surface of the washer access opening.