Abstract: An apparatus includes a dryer having a dryer drum configured to receive laundry items to be dried during a drying cycle. The apparatus also includes a desiccant reservoir having a desiccant configured to remove moisture in air from the dryer drum during the drying cycle. The apparatus further includes a heat pump configured to regenerate the desiccant in the desiccant reservoir for use during a subsequent drying cycle. The heat pump includes a condenser configured to condense a refrigerant, an evaporator configured to evaporate the condensed refrigerant, and a compressor configured to compress the evaporated refrigerant and provide the compressed refrigerant to the condenser.

Abstract: A washer/dryer system includes a washer ventilation line, a dryer ventilation line, a washer, a dryer, and a ventilation reservoir. The washer ventilation line includes a washer air input line and a washer air output line. The dryer ventilation line includes a dryer air input line and a dryer air output line. The washer includes a washer drum connected to the washer ventilation line. The dryer includes a dryer drum connected to the dryer ventilation line. Each of the washer air input line, the washer air output line, the dryer air input line, and the dryer air output line are connected to the desiccant reservoir.

Abstract: A method includes supplying, using a water supply coupled to a tub of a dishwasher, water into the tub, wherein the tub includes a sump and a sprayer; circulating, using a circulation circuit coupled to the sump and the sprayer, the water from a sump to the sprayer; storing, using a water tank coupled to the circulation circuit, the circulated water from the circulation circuit on completion of a first phase; drawing heat, using a supply side of a thermoelectric module system coupled to the circulation circuit and the water tank, from the stored water in the water tank from the first phase; and outputting, using an output side of the thermoelectric module system, heat to the circulated water in the circulation circuit for a second phase.

Abstract: A method includes supplying, using a water supply coupled to a tub of a dishwasher, water into the tub, wherein the tub includes a sump and a sprayer; circulating, using a circulation circuit coupled to the sump and the sprayer, the water from a sump to the sprayer; storing, using a water tank coupled to the circulation circuit, the circulated water from the circulation circuit on completion of a first phase; drawing heat, using a supply side of a thermoelectric module system coupled to the circulation circuit and the water tank, from the stored water in the water tank from the first phase; and outputting, using an output side of the thermoelectric module system, heat to the circulated water in the circulation circuit for a second phase.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a tub, a first dish rack, and a second dish rack disposed above the first dish rack in the tub. The second dish rack includes a frame configured to couple to and adjust in a vertical position relative to a plurality of mounting rails in the tub. The second dish rack also includes a collapsible portion coupled to the frame and configured to adjust in a vertical position relative to the frame. In some embodiments, the second dish rack further includes a feed pipe coupled to the collapsible portion, the feed pipe having at least one connection point configured to align with at least one water supply point, wherein each vertical position of the collapsible portion corresponds to a different alignment of the at least one connection point and the at least one water supply point.

Abstract: A dishwasher filtration system includes a coarse filter disposed in a tub of a dishwasher, the coarse filter configured to filter water directed to a main wash pump. The system also includes a soil accumulation chamber configured to receive a portion of water from the main wash pump. The system further includes a fine filter covering an opening of the soil accumulation chamber, the fine filter configured to filter the portion of water received inside the soil accumulation chamber. The system also includes a backwash nozzle configured to supply water to the fine filter. In addition, the system may include a deflector that deflects the water from the backwash nozzle to the fine filter.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a tub, a first dish rack, and a second dish rack disposed above the first dish rack in the tub. The second dish rack includes a frame configured to couple to and adjust in a vertical position relative to a plurality of mounting rails in the tub. The second dish rack also includes a collapsible portion coupled to the frame and configured to adjust in a vertical position relative to the frame. In some embodiments, the second dish rack further includes a feed pipe coupled to the collapsible portion, the feed pipe having at least one connection point configured to align with at least one water supply point, wherein each vertical position of the collapsible portion corresponds to a different alignment of the at least one connection point and the at least one water supply point.

Abstract: A drying apparatus for use with a laundry dryer includes a first section and a second section. Each section has a plurality of walls defining a cavity, the cavity comprising a portion of a channel for air flow. A first wall among the plurality of walls has a substantially flat exterior surface and a plurality of openings extending through the first wall from the exterior surface to the portion of the channel. The first section and the second section are configured to be disposed substantially adjacent to each other to form the channel. The first section comprises an air outlet cover at a first end, the air outlet cover configured to substantially cover an air outlet of the laundry dryer.

Abstract: A dishwasher drying system includes an air inlet configured to receive hot, humid air from a tub of a dishwasher. The dishwasher drying system also includes an air outlet configured to discharge the air to an ambient environment outside the dishwasher. The dishwasher drying system further includes an air moving device configured to cause the air to move from the air inlet to the air outlet. In addition, the dishwasher drying system includes a thermal storage heat exchanger positioned within an airflow path of the moving air, the thermal storage heat exchanger configured to absorb heat and condense moisture from the moving air as the moving air contacts the thermal storage heat exchanger during a dishwasher drying cycle.

Abstract: A drying apparatus for use with a laundry dryer includes a first section and a second section. Each section has a plurality of walls defining a cavity, the cavity comprising a portion of a channel for air flow. A first wall among the plurality of walls has a substantially flat exterior surface and a plurality of openings extending through the first wall from the exterior surface to the portion of the channel. The first section and the second section are configured to be disposed substantially adjacent to each other to form the channel. The first section comprises an air outlet cover at a first end, the air outlet cover configured to substantially cover an air outlet of the laundry dryer.

Abstract: A dishwasher drying system includes an air inlet configured to receive hot, humid air from a tub of a dishwasher. The dishwasher drying system also includes an air outlet configured to discharge the air to an ambient environment outside the dishwasher. The dishwasher drying system further includes an air moving device configured to cause the air to move from the air inlet to the air outlet. In addition, the dishwasher drying system includes a thermal storage heat exchanger positioned within an airflow path of the moving air, the thermal storage heat exchanger configured to absorb heat and condense moisture from the moving air as the moving air contacts the thermal storage heat exchanger during a dishwasher drying cycle.

Abstract: A dishwasher filtration system includes a coarse filter disposed in a tub of a dishwasher, the coarse filter configured to filter water directed to a main wash pump. The system also includes a soil accumulation chamber configured to receive a portion of water from the main wash pump. The system further includes a fine filter covering an opening of the soil accumulation chamber, the fine filter configured to filter the portion of water received inside the soil accumulation chamber. The system also includes a backwash nozzle configured to supply water to the fine filter. In addition, the system may include a deflector that deflects the water from the backwash nozzle to the fine filter.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a tub, a first dish rack, and a second dish rack disposed above the first dish rack in the tub. The second dish rack includes a frame configured to couple to and adjust in a vertical position relative to a plurality of mounting rails in the tub. The second dish rack also includes a collapsible portion coupled to the frame and configured to adjust in a vertical position relative to the frame. In some embodiments, the second dish rack further includes a feed pipe coupled to the collapsible portion, the feed pipe having at least one connection point configured to align with at least one water supply point, wherein each vertical position of the collapsible portion corresponds to a different alignment of the at least one connection point and the at least one water supply point.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the degree of engagement between a clothes mover and fabric items during a wash process, and a method for setting the liquid level in the automatic washer based on the degree of engagement between a clothes mover and the fabric items.

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 apparatus and method for determining the degree of engagement between a clothes mover and fabric items during a wash process, and a method for setting the liquid level in the automatic washer based on the degree of engagement between a clothes mover and the fabric items.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the degree of engagement between a clothes mover and fabric items during a wash process, and a method for setting the liquid level in the automatic washer based on the degree of engagement between a clothes mover and the fabric items.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the degree of engagement between a clothes mover and fabric items during a wash process, and a method for setting the liquid level in the automatic washer based on the degree of engagement between a clothes mover and the fabric items.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the degree of tangling of fabric items during a wash process based on at least one of the motor speed or motor current.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the degree of engagement between a clothes mover and fabric items during a wash process, and a method for setting the liquid level in the automatic washer based on the degree of engagement between a clothes mover and the fabric items.