Abstract: A dishwashing appliance includes a tub, a fluid circulation system, and a heating assembly positioned outside of the tub. The heating assembly includes a housing and a tubular heating element disposed within the housing. The tubular heating element includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface of the tubular heating element defines a first passage in fluid communication with the fluid circulation system. The outer surface of the tubular heating element is spaced apart from an inner surface of the housing such that a second passage is defined between the outer surface of the tubular heating element and the inner surface of the housing. The second passage is in fluid communication with the tub. A resistive heating material is disposed on the outer surface of the tubular heating element. The resistive heating material is configured to provide thermal energy to the first passage and the second passage.

Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a drive shaft extending along an axial direction, and an output component, the output component defining a central opening in which the drive shaft is inserted. The clutch assembly further includes a clutch selectively coupling the output component to the drive shaft. The clutch includes a cavity defined in the output component and in communication with the central opening. The clutch further includes a bearing disposed within the cavity, the bearing movable within the cavity between a first position and a second position. The bearing is spaced from the drive shaft in the first position. The bearing contacts an inner surface of the output component defining the cavity and contacts the drive shaft to transfer rotational motion from the drive shaft to the output component in the second position.

Abstract: A dishwasher appliance includes a tub defining a wash chamber with a sump positioned at a bottom of the wash chamber for receiving fluid from the wash chamber. A filtering system is positioned between the wash chamber and an outlet of the sump portion. The filtering system includes a first filter and a second filter. The second filter includes a hollow annular base portion and a filter body extending between the base portion and the first filter. The second filter also includes a plurality of nozzles circumferentially arranged about the hollow annular base portion, each nozzle of the plurality of nozzles in fluid communication with the hollow annular base portion and oriented towards the filter body for cleaning the filter body. An inlet in fluid communication with the hollow annular base portion may also be provided.

Abstract: A dishwasher appliance is provided having a disk diverter assembly operably coupled to a primary supply conduit for selectively diverting a flow of wash fluid between a middle spray assembly and an upper spray assembly. The disk diverter assembly includes a diverter disk positioned within a diverter housing defining a fluid inlet, a first fluid outlet in fluid communication with the middle spray assembly, and a second fluid outlet in fluid communication with the upper spray assembly. The diverter disk defines an aperture and a partial flange that extends along an axial direction. A positioning assembly selectively rotates the diverter disk between a first position where wash fluid is directed only through the first fluid outlet to the middle spray assembly and a second position where wash fluid is directed only through the second fluid outlet to the upper spray assembly.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a first filter member including a first filter panel which defines a central axial aperture and a second filter member including a second filter panel which defines a central axial aperture. The filter assembly further includes a first discharge blade which includes a body and a blade arm, the body defining a central axial bore hole and in contact with the first outer surface of the first filter panel. The filter assembly further includes a second discharge blade which includes a body and a blade arm extending radially from the body, the body defining a central axial bore hole and in contact with the second opposing outer surface of the first filter panel and the first outer surface of the second filter panel. The filter assembly further includes a washer in contact with the second outer surface of the second filter panel, and a shaft.

Abstract: A fluid circulation assembly for a dishwasher appliance includes a motor with a drive shaft rotatably coupled to the motor. An impeller is coupled to the drive shaft with a one-way clutch. The one-way clutch includes a housing integrally formed in the impeller and a bearing disposed within the housing. The bearing is movable within the housing between a first position and a second position. The bearing is spaced from the drive shaft in the first position, and the bearing operatively engages the housing and the drive shaft to transfer rotational motion from the drive shaft to the impeller in the second position.

Abstract: A pump assembly for a dishwashing appliance includes an inner diffuser shell defining a motor housing and an outer diffuser shell spaced apart from the inner diffuser shell to define a diffusing plenum. A motor positioned within the motor housing rotates a wash pump impeller and urges a flow of wash fluid through the diffusing plenum. Within the diffusing plenum, guide vanes extend between the inner diffuser shell and the outer diffuser shell to diffuse and direct the flow of wash fluid.

Abstract: A pump assembly for a dishwashing appliance includes an inner diffuser shell defining a motor housing and an outer diffuser shell spaced apart from the inner diffuser shell to define a diffusing plenum. A motor positioned within the motor housing rotates a wash pump impeller and urges a flow of wash fluid through the diffusing plenum. Within the diffusing plenum, guide vanes extend between the inner diffuser shell and the outer diffuser shell to diffuse and direct the flow of wash fluid. The motor is powered by electrical wires that pass through a hole defined through the outer diffuser shell, through one of the plurality of guide vanes, and through the inner diffuser shell.

Abstract: A dishwasher appliance includes a filter screen positioned within a sump for removing soil from recirculated wash fluid. A wash pump assembly includes a wash pump impeller for drawing wash fluid through the filter screen and pumping it through a supply conduit. A filter cleaning assembly includes a filter cleaning manifold positioned proximate the filter screen and defining a wash fluid plenum in fluid communication with the supply conduit. A plurality of cleaning ports are defined by the filter cleaning manifold and are in fluid communication with the wash fluid plenum, the cleaning ports being positioned and oriented for directing wash fluid toward the filter screen.

Abstract: A pump assembly for a dishwashing appliance includes an inner diffuser shell defining a motor housing and an outer diffuser shell spaced apart from the inner diffuser shell to define a diffusing plenum. A motor positioned within the motor housing rotates a wash pump impeller and urges a flow of wash fluid through the diffusing plenum. Within the diffusing plenum, guide vanes extend between the inner diffuser shell and the outer diffuser shell to diffuse and direct the flow of wash fluid.

Abstract: A pump assembly for a dishwashing appliance includes an inner diffuser shell defining a motor housing and an outer diffuser shell spaced apart from the inner diffuser shell to define a diffusing plenum. A motor positioned within the motor housing rotates a wash pump impeller and urges a flow of wash fluid through the diffusing plenum. Within the diffusing plenum, guide vanes extend between the inner diffuser shell and the outer diffuser shell to diffuse and direct the flow of wash fluid. The motor is powered by electrical wires that pass through a hole defined through the outer diffuser shell, through one of the plurality of guide vanes, and through the inner diffuser shell.

Abstract: A dishwashing appliance includes a tub, a fluid circulation system, and a heating assembly positioned outside of the tub. The heating assembly includes a housing and a tubular heating element disposed within the housing. The tubular heating element includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface of the tubular heating element defines a first passage in fluid communication with the fluid circulation system. The outer surface of the tubular heating element is spaced apart from an inner surface of the housing such that a second passage is defined between the outer surface of the tubular heating element and the inner surface of the housing. The second passage is in fluid communication with the tub. A resistive heating material is disposed on the outer surface of the tubular heating element. The resistive heating material is configured to provide thermal energy to the first passage and the second passage.

Abstract: A dishwasher appliance is provided having a disk diverter assembly operably coupled to a primary supply conduit for selectively diverting a flow of wash fluid between a middle spray assembly and an upper spray assembly. The disk diverter assembly includes a diverter disk positioned within a diverter housing defining a fluid inlet, a first fluid outlet in fluid communication with the middle spray assembly, and a second fluid outlet in fluid communication with the upper spray assembly. The diverter disk defines an aperture and a partial flange that extends along an axial direction. A positioning assembly selectively rotates the diverter disk between a first position where wash fluid is directed only through the first fluid outlet to the middle spray assembly and a second position where wash fluid is directed only through the second fluid outlet to the upper spray assembly.

Abstract: A spray arm assembly includes a spray arm including a plurality of branches connected to each other and arrayed about a center point, each of the plurality of branches defining a passage therethrough and an aperture in fluid communication with the passage. The center point defines a spray arm central axis. The spray arm is rotatable about the spray arm central axis. The spray arm assembly further includes a base conduit defining a passage therethrough, the base conduit defining a base conduit central axis. The base conduit central axis is offset from the spray arm central axis. The spray arm assembly further includes an intermediate conduit connecting the base conduit and the spray arm, the intermediate conduit defining a passage in fluid communication between the passage of the base conduit and the passages of the plurality of branches. The intermediate conduit is rotatable about the base conduit central axis.

Abstract: A filter assembly for filtering a wash fluid to be circulated by a circulation pump in a dishwasher appliance includes a discharge blade defining lateral, transverse and vertical directions. The discharge blade includes a blade hub and a pair of opposing blades, and each of the opposing blades extend outward from the blade hub to a blade tip along the lateral direction. Further, each opposing blade may include a leading edge, a trailing edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface. The trailing edge of at least one opposing blade may be spaced apart from the leading edge along both the transverse and vertical directions, and may define a curve extending between the blade hub and blade tip along the lateral direction. Still further, the top surface of the at least one opposing blade may define a slope between the leading edge and the trailing edge along the transverse direction.

Abstract: A dishwasher appliance is provided having an upper rack assembly that includes a rack that defines a vertical support structure and a manifold base. A manifold cap is attached to the rack over the manifold base such that the manifold cap and the manifold base define a spray manifold. A docking port is defined in a rear wall of the rack for providing fluid communication between the spray manifold and a fluid circulation assembly when the rack is positioned within the wash chamber.

Abstract: Adapters and spray arm assemblies for dishwasher appliances are provided. An adapter defines an axial direction, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction. The adapter includes a base unit. The base unit includes an inlet housing defining an inlet annulus. The base unit further includes a first conduit extending from the inlet housing and comprising a passage defined between an inlet and an outlet. The base unit further includes a second conduit extending from the inlet housing and comprising a passage defined between an inlet and an outlet. The entire passage of the first conduit and the entire passage of the second conduit each extend at an angle to the axial direction of less than or equal to 60 degrees.

Abstract: Bottle washer assemblies for dishwasher appliances are provided. A bottle washer assembly includes a main conduit defining a main passage for flowing wash fluid therethrough, and a tine base connected to the main conduit, the tine base defining a base passage in fluid communication with the main passage for flowing wash fluid from the main passage therethrough. The bottle washer assembly further includes a check valve disposed within the base passage, the check valve movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position the check valve permits wash fluid flow therepast and in the closed position the check valve prevents wash fluid flow therepast. The bottle washer assembly further includes a spray tine, the spray tine comprising a conduit defining a passage for flowing wash fluid therethrough, the spray tine removably connectable to the tine base.

Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a drive shaft extending along an axial direction, and an output component, the output component defining a central opening in which the drive shaft is inserted. The clutch assembly further includes a clutch selectively coupling the output component to the drive shaft. The clutch includes a cavity defined in the output component and in communication with the central opening. The clutch further includes a bearing disposed within the cavity, the bearing movable within the cavity between a first position and a second position. The bearing is spaced from the drive shaft in the first position. The bearing contacts an inner surface of the output component defining the cavity and contacts the drive shaft to transfer rotational motion from the drive shaft to the output component in the second position.

Abstract: A dishwasher appliance includes a tub defining a wash chamber with a sump positioned at a bottom of the wash chamber for receiving fluid from the wash chamber. A filtering system is positioned between the wash chamber and an outlet of the sump portion. The filtering system includes a first filter and a second filter. The second filter includes a hollow annular base portion and a filter body extending between the base portion and the first filter. The second filter also includes a plurality of nozzles circumferentially arranged about the hollow annular base portion, each nozzle of the plurality of nozzles in fluid communication with the hollow annular base portion and oriented towards the filter body for cleaning the filter body. An inlet in fluid communication with the hollow annular base portion may also be provided.