Abstract: A method of operating a laundry treating appliance to adjust the thermal output of the heater to control the total power consumption of the washing machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for deflecting a spray of wash liquid to a desired location in either a drum or tub of a cleaning appliance along different flow paths and/or flow patterns according to the velocity of the wash liquid.

Abstract: A method of operating a laundry treating appliance to adjust the thermal output of the heater to control the total power consumption of the washing machine.

Abstract: A fabric treatment appliance according to one embodiment of the invention comprises a receptacle defining a fabric treatment chamber for receiving laundry, a steam generator having an inlet for receiving water from a water supply and an outlet for supplying steam to the fabric treatment chamber, and a liquid trap upstream from the steam generation chamber blocking backflow of steam from the steam generation chamber to the water supply conduit.

Abstract: An automatic washing machine having a tub defining an interior, a sump in fluid communication with the interior of the tub, a wash basket located within the interior of the tub and defining a laundry treating space, and a foreign object trap located in a portion of the wash basket that defines a foreign object passageway for retaining foreign objects.

Abstract: A method for deflecting a spray of wash liquid to a desired location in either a drum or tub of a cleaning appliance along different flow paths and/or flow patterns according to the velocity of the wash liquid.

Abstract: A method for deflecting a spray of wash liquid to a desired location in either a drum or tub of a cleaning appliance along different flow paths and/or flow patterns according to the velocity of the wash liquid.

Abstract: An automatic washing machine having a foreign object trap located in a portion of a wash basket defines a foreign object passageway for retaining foreign objects.

Abstract: A method for operating a horizontal axis washing machine having a tub with a drum rotatably mounted in the tub and configured to hold a fabric load comprises introducing liquid into the drum to wet the fabric load and spinning the drum to distribute the fabric load about the drum prior to the introducing of the liquid.

Abstract: A fabric treatment appliance comprises a steam generator having a chamber configured to hold water; a supply conduit configured to transport water to the steam generator chamber; a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature representative of the steam generator chamber at a predetermined water level in the steam generator chamber; and a controller coupled to the temperature sensor and configured to control flow of water through the supply conduit based on the sensed temperature to control the level of water in the steam generator chamber. The disclosure provides methods of water supply control that can employ the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A fabric treatment appliance comprises at least one of a tub and drum defining a fabric treatment chamber, a steam generator having a steam generation chamber and configured to supply steam to the fabric treatment chamber, and a conduit fluidly coupling a water supply to the steam generation chamber. The fabric treatment appliance can also include a flow controller and/or a flow meter fluidly coupled to the conduit to facilitate controlling the supply of water to the steam generation chamber. The disclosure provides methods of water supply control that can employ the flow controller and/or the flow meter.

Abstract: A fabric treatment appliance, such as a washing machine, comprises at least one of a tub and drum configured to hold a fabric load. A method of operating the fabric treatment appliance comprises heating the fabric load and, after heating the fabric load, sanitizing the fabric load by heating the fabric load with steam.

Abstract: A fabric treating appliance utilizing steam for treating the fabric and having a steam generator with a conduit for directing the steam.

Abstract: A method for operating a washing machine having a tub with a drum rotatably mounted in the tub and configured to hold a fabric load comprises a pre-wash step; a heating step comprising introducing steam into at least one of the tub and the drum; and a washing step. The pre-wash step comprises recirculating liquid between the tub and the drum; rotating the drum at a first spin speed to distribute the clothing within the drum; and rotating the drum at a second spin speed greater than the first spin speed to draw the liquid through the fabric load.

Abstract: A fabric treatment appliance comprises at least one of a tub and drum defining a fabric treatment chamber, a steam generator having a steam generation chamber and configured to supply steam to the fabric treatment chamber, and a conduit fluidly coupling a water supply to the steam generation chamber. The fabric treatment appliance can also include a flow controller and/or a flow meter fluidly coupled to the conduit to facilitate controlling the supply of water to the steam generation chamber. The disclosure provides methods of water supply control that can employ the flow controller and/or the flow meter.

Abstract: A method of operating a fabric treatment appliance comprises a steam generation step and a steam generator cleaning step. In the steam generator cleaning step, a chamber of the steam generator can be flushed by introducing a volume of liquid into the chamber greater than the internal volume. The steam generator cleaning step can also involve thermally shocking scale formed within the chamber.

Abstract: A fabric treatment appliance comprises a steam generator having a chamber configured to hold water; a supply conduit configured to transport water to the steam generator chamber; a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature representative of the steam generator chamber at a predetermined water level in the steam generator chamber; and a controller coupled to the temperature sensor and configured to control flow of water through the supply conduit based on the sensed temperature to control the level of water in the steam generator chamber. The disclosure provides methods of water supply control that can employ the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A fabric treatment appliance comprises at least one of a tub and drum defining a fabric treatment chamber, a steam generator having a steam generation chamber and configured to supply steam to the fabric treatment chamber, and a conduit fluidly coupling a water supply to the steam generation chamber. The fabric treatment appliance can also include a flow controller and/or a flow meter fluidly coupled to the conduit to facilitate controlling the supply of water to the steam generation chamber. The disclosure provides methods of water supply control that can employ the flow controller and/or the flow meter.

Abstract: A fabric treatment appliance comprises a steam generator having a chamber configured to hold water; a supply conduit configured to transport water to the steam generator chamber; a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature representative of the steam generator chamber at a predetermined water level in the steam generator chamber; and a controller coupled to the temperature sensor and configured to control flow of water through the supply conduit based on the sensed temperature to control the level of water in the steam generator chamber. The disclosure provides methods of water supply control that can employ the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for deflecting a spray of wash liquid to a desired location in either a drum or tub of a cleaning appliance along different flow paths and/or flow patterns according to the velocity of the wash liquid.