Abstract: A dishwasher appliance that includes features for condensation abatement on objects surrounding the dishwasher appliance during a drying cycle is provided. The dishwasher appliance is operable in a plurality of drying cycle modes. The mode in which the dishwasher appliance operates the dry cycle is determined based at least in part on a minimum cycle temperature indicative of the minimum temperature within or of a tub of the dishwasher appliance during an operation cycle. Moreover, methods for condensation abatement are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method of operating a water supply system with one or more water consuming appliances includes a water heater fluidly coupled to a water consuming appliance through a supply conduit. The water consuming appliance includes an appliance communication module for communicating a target temperature. A mixing valve is positioned on the supply conduit, is in operative communication with the appliance communication module, and heats water from the water heater and cold water from the water supply to provide a flow of supply water to the water consuming appliance at the target temperature.

Abstract: A dishwashing appliance includes a tub defining a wash chamber. The dishwashing appliance also includes an inlet defined in the tub and providing fluid communication into the wash chamber. A sump is positioned at a bottom of the wash chamber for receiving fluid from the wash chamber and a heater is in operative communication with the sump. The dishwashing appliance also includes a heat pipe heat exchanger having a condenser section and an evaporator section. The condenser section in operative communication with the wash chamber and the evaporator section is in operative communication with the sump.

Abstract: A drying system includes a tub having a plurality of walls. The tub also defines a wet chamber. The drying system also includes a heat pipe heat exchanger integrally joined to one of the plurality of walls of the tub. The drying system may be provided in a dishwashing appliance. A method of making a dishwashing appliance includes positioning a pipe within a mold and forming a portion of the dishwashing appliance over the pipe in the mold.

Abstract: A drying system includes a tub defining a wet chamber, a water storage chamber, an inlet defined in the tub and providing fluid communication into the wet chamber and a heat pipe heat exchanger. The heat pipe heat exchanger includes a condenser section and an evaporator section. The condenser section is in operative communication with the inlet upstream of the wet chamber and the evaporator section is in operative communication with the water storage chamber.

Abstract: A dishwashing appliance includes a first water storage tank, a second water storage tank, and a heat pipe heat exchanger comprising a condenser section and an evaporator section. The evaporator section is in operative communication with the first water storage tank and the condenser section is in operative communication with the second water storage tank.

Abstract: A dishwashing appliance includes a tub defining a wash chamber. The dishwashing appliance also includes a fluid circulation system configured to deliver fluid to the wash chamber. The fluid circulation system includes a heating element in operative communication with at least one component of the fluid circulation system. The dishwashing appliance also includes a heat pipe heat exchanger having a condenser section and an evaporator section. The condenser section is in operative communication with the wash chamber and the evaporator section is in operative communication with the heating element of the fluid circulation system.

Abstract: A dishwasher appliance is provided. The dishwasher appliance includes a cabinet and a tub positioned within the cabinet. The tub may define a wash chamber. The dishwasher appliance may also include a drying system comprising a cooling conduit, a first fan, and a second fan. The cooling conduit may define a cooling conduit passage that is in fluid communication with the wash chamber. The first fan may be operable to draw wash chamber air into the cooling conduit passage. In addition, the second fan may be operable to direct a flow of ambient air onto an exterior surface of the cooling conduit.

Abstract: A dishwasher appliance and method of operation is provided. The dishwasher appliance may include a tub defining a wash chamber, a coarse filter disposed, a recirculation pump, and a drain pump. The method may include activating the recirculation pump to flow wash fluid through the coarse filter in a primary flow direction, and activating the drain pump to flow wash fluid through the coarse filter in the primary flow direction for an initial purge cycle. Further included may be flushing wash fluid through the coarse filter and into the tub in a secondary flow direction opposite from the primary flow direction. Still further included may be activating the recirculation pump to flow wash fluid through the coarse filter in the primary flow direction, and activating the drain pump to flow wash fluid through the coarse filter in the primary flow direction for an additional purge cycle.

Abstract: A variable position diverter that provides wash fluid to selected combinations of outlet ports and spray assemblies. The diverter includes a housing having a plurality of outlet ports and a valve disk having a plurality of apertures. The valve disk is rotated relative to the housing to align one or more of the plurality of apertures with one or more of the plurality of outlet ports to selectively control the flow of wash fluid through a plurality of spray assemblies. Selectively diverting wash fluid in this manner can improve wash performance and reduce cycle time while meeting government regulations regarding water usage.

Abstract: A system and method of operating a water supply system with one or more water consuming appliances is provided. A water supply system includes a water heater fluidly coupled to a water consuming appliance through a supply conduit. The water consuming appliance includes an appliance communication module for communicating a target temperature. A mixing valve is positioned on the supply conduit and is in operative communication with the appliance communication module. The mixing valve mixes heated water from the water heater and cold water from the water supply to provide a flow of supply water to the water consuming appliance at the target temperature. The water supply system may further include a second water consuming appliance, a second supply conduit, and a second mixing valve for providing the second water consuming appliance with a flow of heated water at a different set point temperature.

Abstract: A pump inlet assembly and method of operating a dishwasher appliance are provided. The pump inlet assembly includes an inlet conduit providing fluid communication between a sump and a pump. The inlet conduit defines an integrally formed boss which is coupled with a sensor housing using an overmolding process. A pressure sensor is positioned in the sensor housing and is protected from wash fluid by an airgap defined by the boss. The measured pressure may be used to determine the water level within the dishwasher when the pump is not operating and the suction pressure within the inlet conduit when the pump is operating. The inlet conduit, boss, pressure sensor, and pump housing may be integrally formed by injection molding and/or overmolding processes to reduce costs and the likelihood of leaks.

Abstract: A dishwasher appliance and method of operation is provided. The dishwasher appliance may include a tub defining a wash chamber, a coarse filter disposed, a recirculation pump, and a drain pump. The method may include activating the recirculation pump to flow wash fluid through the coarse filter in a primary flow direction, and activating the drain pump to flow wash fluid through the coarse filter in the primary flow direction for an initial purge cycle. Further included may be flushing wash fluid through the coarse filter and into the tub in a secondary flow direction opposite from the primary flow direction. Still further included may be activating the recirculation pump to flow wash fluid through the coarse filter in the primary flow direction, and activating the drain pump to flow wash fluid through the coarse filter in the primary flow direction for an additional purge cycle.

Abstract: A method for forming a unitary control panel for an appliance is provided. The method includes establishing three-dimensional information of the unitary control panel, converting the three-dimensional information of the unitary control panel into a plurality of slices, and successively forming or additively constructing each cross-sectional layer of the unitary control panel.

Abstract: A variable position diverter that provides wash fluid to selected combinations of outlet ports and spray assemblies. The diverter includes a housing having a plurality of outlet ports and a valve disk having a plurality of apertures. The valve disk is rotated relative to the housing to align one or more of the plurality of apertures with one or more of the plurality of outlet ports to selectively control the flow of wash fluid through a plurality of spray assemblies. Selectively diverting wash fluid in this manner can improve wash performance and reduce cycle time while meeting government regulations regarding water usage.

Abstract: A dishwasher appliance with a unitary sump, wherein the sump is integrally formed of a continuous piece of material such that a sump portion and a first filter portion of the unitary sump are integrally formed of the continuous piece of material, is provided. A dishwasher appliance with a unitary sump, wherein the sump is integrally formed of a continuous piece of material such that a sump portion and a diverter housing portion of the unitary sump are integrally formed of the continuous piece of material, also is provided. Further, a related method for forming a unitary sump for a dishwasher appliance is provided.

Abstract: A method for forming a unitary control panel for an appliance is provided. The method includes establishing three-dimensional information of the unitary control panel, converting the three-dimensional information of the unitary control panel into a plurality of slices, and successively forming or additively constructing each cross-sectional layer of the unitary control panel.

Abstract: A filter for dishwasher appliance includes a filter medium, a body extending along an axial direction of the filter, and a cap positioned at a first end of the body along the axial direction of the filter. The filter medium is configured to filter debris and other particles from wash fluid from the wash chamber of the dishwasher appliance and is attached to or formed integrally with the body of the filter. Additionally, the cap is configured to allow a flow of wash liquid from the wash chamber of the dishwasher appliance to the filter medium and may be formed integrally with the body of the filter using an additive manufacturing process.