Abstract: An appliance such as a dishwasher comprises an upper region and a lower region forming an appliance footprint. Positioned in the upper region is a spray arm assembly and a wash tub forming a wash zone. The wash zone has a low or reduced capacity, thereby holding fewer objects than conventional dishwashers but maintaining the appliance footprint so that the dishwasher fits an appliance opening, e.g., in kitchen cabinetry, that has a standard width dimension and a standard height dimension. In one embodiment, the wash zone has an opening through is received a rack, which supports the objects in the wash zone. The rack is moveable between a first position and a second position, and in one example, the rack is configured to move between the first position and the second position relative to the wash zone and independent of the spray arm assembly.

Abstract: A spray arm assembly for a dishwasher system is disclosed. The spray arm assembly includes a spray arm which has an internal chamber, a liquid inlet in flow communication with the internal chamber to supply the internal chamber with liquid from a source of liquid, an outlet passageway in flow communication with the internal chamber for discharging liquid from the internal chamber, an air inlet in flow communication with the outlet passageway, and a region adjacent the air inlet and defining part of the outlet passageway. The region is configured to create a venturi effect at the air inlet when the liquid passes through the region so that air is drawn into the outlet passageway from the air inlet and a mixture of air and liquid is discharged from the outlet passageway. A dishwasher system incorporating such a spray arm assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An appliance for washing objects in which is employed a pump system for varying the spray velocity of washing fluid dispensed from spray jets affixed at an angle relative to a spray arm. In one embodiment, the pump system includes a pump having a pump motor such as a synchronous motor responsive to a variable frequency, single-phase alternating current input. The pump system also includes a pump motor control circuit configured to vary the frequency and voltage of the input, which in one example effectuates changes in the rotational speed of the pump motor in accordance with one or more operational cycles. The pump motor control circuit incorporates in one example a rectifier and an inverter that permits operation of the appliance when coupled to supply mains.

Abstract: A method for cooling an icemaker is disclosed. The icemaker includes an ice mold body having a channel for transport of coolant and a plurality of ice cavities. The method includes the steps of injecting a coolant into the channel, adding water to the ice cavities, forming ice cubes in the ice cavities, removing coolant from the channel, heating the ice mold body, and ejecting the ice cubes from the ice mold body. The removal step is performed by reversing direction of a coolant pump.

Abstract: An electrolytic sanitizer is disclosed for use in a dishwasher holding a salt solution, the dishwasher having a water rinse cycle. A spaced anode and cathode are provided in contact with the salt solution in the dishwasher. A source of current provides a voltage across the anode and cathode to generate chlorine from the salt solution, the chlorine being introduced into the water rinse cycle to sanitize objects in the dishwasher. Related dishwasher designs are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of controlling temperature for forming ice within an icemaker compartment of a refrigerator is disclosed. The method includes the steps of activating at least one of the compressor and the coolant pump during an icemaking cycle to provide cooling to the icemaker compartment sufficient to make ice at a first rate, and increasing operation of at least one of the compressor and the coolant pump to provide cooling to the icemaker compartment sufficient to make ice at a second rate, which is faster than the first rate. A related refrigerator is also disclosed.

Abstract: A dishwasher and associated control method are provided wherein a water supply manifold supplies a wash chamber with wash liquid. The supply manifold includes a hot water inlet from an external hot water source and a separate cold water inlet, and is configured to be selectively actuated between the hot water inlet or cold water inlet. A controller is in communication with the supply manifold and is configured to act on a signal that is indicative of an actual or pre-defined high electricity demand period on a power supply to the hot water source. The controller is configured to generate an output control signal to the supply manifold to cause the manifold to direct substantially only cold water from the outlet to the wash chamber during the high electricity demand period.

Abstract: An appliance for washing objects is described that can store energy from a first fluid such as washing fluid that drains from a basin in the appliance. The appliance is likewise configured to transfer the stored energy to a second fluid, which in one example is a washing fluid received from a fluid supply such as a municipal water supply. In one embodiment, the appliance comprises a thermal retention device with a fluid conducting feature through which flows the first fluid and the second fluid so as to raise the temperature of the second fluid before the second fluid flows directly into the basin of the appliance.

Abstract: A hinge assembly and a refrigerator using the assembly are disclosed. The assembly rotatably mounts an access door for a compartment of the refrigerator to part of refrigerator that defines the compartment. The hinge assembly has a body coupled to the part and a hinge manifold supported by the body and slidably received in the access door. The manifold has a first supply conduit for supplying a working medium to an icemaker disposed in the access door and a first return conduit for returning the working medium from the icemaker. The hinge assembly can be manufactured as a separate module to be assembled with the refrigerator or retrofit into an existing refrigerator.

Abstract: A valve assembly for use with a washing appliance having a main controller includes a valve that is moveable between a first position that prevents water from flowing through a supply line and a second position that allows water to flow through the supply line. A control assembly separate from the main controller is configured to control the valve to move between the first position and the second position. The control assembly includes a flow sensor configured to output a signal representing an amount of water flowing through the supply line and a control unit configured to control the valve assembly based on the output signal of the flow sensor.

Abstract: A dishwasher and associated control method are provided wherein a water supply manifold supplies a wash chamber with wash liquid. The supply manifold includes a hot water inlet from an external hot water source and a separate inlet from a storage tank, and is configured to be selectively actuated between the hot water inlet or storage tank inlet. A controller is in communication with the supply manifold and is configured to act on a signal that is indicative of an actual or pre-defined high electricity demand period on a power supply to the hot water source. The controller is configured to generate an output control signal to the supply manifold to cause the manifold to direct substantially only water from the storage tank to the wash chamber during the high electricity demand period.

Abstract: A heat recovery system for use with a washing appliance having a tub includes a heat exchanger having a first tube and a second tube extending through the first tube such that the first tube and the second tube are substantially concentric. A first end connector is configured to couple to a first end portion of the first tube and a first end portion of the second tube. The first end connector is formed as one-piece and includes a first connection portion configured to couple in flow communication with the first tube, and a second connection portion configured to couple in flow communication with the second tube.

Abstract: An appliance for washing objects in which is employed a pump system for varying the spray velocity of washing fluid dispensed from spray jets affixed at an angle relative to a spray arm. In one embodiment, the pump system includes a pump having a pump motor such as a synchronous motor responsive to a variable frequency, single-phase alternating current input. The pump system also includes a pump motor control circuit configured to vary the frequency and voltage of the input, which in one example effectuates changes in the rotational speed of the pump motor in accordance with one or more operational cycles. The pump motor control circuit incorporates in one example a rectifier and an inverter that permits operation of the appliance when coupled to supply mains.

Abstract: A secondary loop temperature control circuit for a temperature-controlled region in a compartment of a refrigerator is shown. The secondary loop temperature control circuit has a reservoir, configured to have a medium flow there through. A first heat exchanger is in flow communication with the reservoir and is configured to have the medium flow there through. The first heat exchanger is in thermal communication with the temperature-controlled region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for circulating air within an icemaker compartment of a refrigerator are disclosed. The method includes the steps of activating the icemaker, filling the ice cavities with water, and activating the fan after a predetermined time after the ice cavities are filled with water. The apparatus includes a food storage compartment, an access door operable to selectively close the food storage compartment, an icemaker compartment on the access door, an icemaker disposed in the icemaker compartment, the icemaker including an ice mold body defining a plurality of ice cavities, an ice storage bin disposed in the icemaker compartment, a fan for distributing cold air within the icemaker compartment, at least one heating element attached to the ice mold body, a coolant pump, and a controller for regulating the fan and the coolant pump.

Abstract: An icemaker having a mold comprising at least one cavity and a cooling system. The cooling system has a first heat exchanger configured to have a medium flow there through. The first heat exchanger is in thermal communication with the mold to reduce the temperature of the mold below a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A dishwasher and associated control method are provided wherein a water supply manifold supplies a wash chamber with wash liquid. The supply manifold includes a hot water inlet from an external hot water source and a separate cold water inlet, and is configured to be selectively actuated between the hot water inlet or cold water inlet. A controller is in communication with the supply manifold and is configured to act on a signal that is indicative of an actual or pre-defined high electricity demand period on a power supply to the hot water source. The controller is configured to generate an output control signal to the supply manifold to cause the manifold to direct substantially only cold water from the outlet to the wash chamber during the high electricity demand period.

Abstract: A dishwasher and associated control method are provided wherein a water supply manifold supplies a wash chamber with wash liquid. The supply manifold includes a hot water inlet from an external hot water source and a separate inlet from a storage tank, and is configured to be selectively actuated between the hot water inlet or storage tank inlet. A controller is in communication with the supply manifold and is configured to act on a signal that is indicative of an actual or pre-defined high electricity demand period on a power supply to the hot water source. The controller is configured to generate an output control signal to the supply manifold to cause the manifold to direct substantially only water from the storage tank to the wash chamber during the high electricity demand period.

Abstract: A method of controlling temperature for forming ice within an icemaker compartment of a refrigerator is disclosed. The method includes the steps of activating at least one of the compressor and the coolant pump during an icemaking cycle to provide cooling to the icemaker compartment sufficient to make ice at a first rate, and increasing operation of at least one of the compressor and the coolant pump to provide cooling to the icemaker compartment sufficient to make ice at a second rate, which is faster than the first rate. A related refrigerator is also disclosed.

Abstract: A wash fluid distribution system for dishwashers includes a spray arm mounted in one of four quadrants of a chamber floor. The spray arms can have lengths that maintain full rotation within their respective quadrant. Spray arms can also have lengths that impinge or overlap into an adjacent quadrant during full rotation of the spray arms. Each spray arm operates with a corresponding, independently controlled wash pump system. Adjacent spray arms can rotate at a same speed in opposing clockwise or counter-clockwise directions. Spray arms can also rotate in different rotation planes. A slanted surface on the chamber floor terminates at a shared particle collection area, which is centered on the chamber floor.