Abstract: A dishwasher appliance is provided with a spray arm assembly. The spray arm assembly defines an orifice for directing liquid out of the spray arm assembly. The orifice can selectively receive a nozzle with a particular outlet geometry. By selectively receiving the nozzle, a spray pattern of liquid exiting the orifice can be changed by replacing or modifying the nozzle without remanufacturing or replacing the spray arm assembly.

Abstract: A gravity and flow operated diverter valve diverts liquid flow from one source to either of two output destinations. The valve includes a housing, an inlet opening, a first outlet opening and a second outlet opening. A valve member is located coaxially in the housing interior, the valve member having at least one flow path extending axially therethough, an exterior edge of the valve member and an interior surface of the side wall having a cooperating cam follower structure defining a cyclic path, the path having at least two no flow positions in which the valve member is spaced from the upper wall, and at least two flow positions in which the flow path in the disc selectively allows communication with one or both of the first and second outlet openings, the cyclic path arranged so that on successive liquid flows into the inlet opening the valve member cycles between the at least two flow positions to selectively direct flow out of one or both of the first and second outlet openings.

Abstract: A fluid filtration assembly for a dishwasher system is described. The dishwasher system includes a tub defining a wash chamber configured to receive dishwasher contents. The fluid filtration assembly includes a filter assembly having a filter material, a filter fluid inlet, and a filter fluid outlet. The filter fluid inlet is in flow communication with the wash chamber and the filter material. The filter assembly further includes a cleaning fluid inlet that is configured to backflush the filter material. The filter fluid outlet is in flow communication with both the cleaning fluid inlet and the filter fluid inlet. The fluid filtration assembly further includes a valve assembly in flow communication with the cleaning fluid inlet through a first flow path.

Abstract: A two level conduit docking port for a dishwashing appliance is described. The docking port is provided having an upper port and a lower port, either of which is opened depending upon the position of a sliding valve that moves along the vertical direction. Movement of the valve to open either the upper port or the lower port is caused by contact between a protrusion on the sliding valve and a conduit attached to a height-adjustable rack. As such rack is pushed into the wash chamber of the dishwasher, the valve is moved vertically depending upon the vertical level of the rack.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diverter that may be used to control the flow of fluid to different locations or components within a dishwashing appliance. One or more dual outlets, each having an outer port that surrounds an inner port, can be used with rotating disk (or rotating valve) to selectively control the flow of fluid to various locations within the appliance. One or more single outlets may also be added to the diverter as desired depending upon the number of locations in the dishwasher to which the delivery of the fluid is desirable.

Abstract: A dishwasher spray arm assembly has a spray arm rotationally configured on a conduit. The spray arm includes a lower spray arm component mated with an upper spray arm component with an internal space defined between the upper and lower spray arm components. A bearing is interposed between the spray arm and conduit to conduct water from said conduit into the internal space, with the spray arm rotatably configured on the bearing. The bearing further includes a lower shaft section that mates with the conduit and an upper disc section sandwiched between the upper and lower spray arm components. A low-friction washer is disposed between the upper disc section and the lower spray arm component. The lower spray arm component and the disc section define a tortuous interference path for water to leak out from the internal space around the bearing.

Abstract: A dishwasher appliance is provided with a spray arm assembly. The spray arm assembly defines an orifice for directing liquid out of the spray arm assembly. The orifice can selectively receive a nozzle with a particular outlet geometry. By selectively receiving the nozzle, a spray pattern of liquid exiting the orifice can be changed by replacing or modifying the nozzle without remanufacturing or replacing the spray arm assembly.

Abstract: The present subject matter provides an appliance with features for determining a time interval for liquid flowing into and/or out of the appliance. For example, a flow of liquid into and/or out of a wash chamber of the appliance is initiated, and a first time is noted. A turbidity sensor is monitored until the sensor detects liquid or air respectively, and a second time is logged. A time interval is calculated based at least in part on the first time and the second time.

Abstract: A system is provided for detecting whether a filter is properly installed in a dishwashing appliance and for using such detection in the operation of the appliance. For example, the present invention provides for determining whether a filter is present or properly seated and, if not, provides for a notification to the user of the appliance. The present invention can also provide for modifying the operation of the dishwashing appliance if a filter is not properly detected. Additionally, the present invention can provide notification to the user of the appliance that a filter needs replacement after a predetermined period of use.

Abstract: A two level conduit docking port for a dishwashing appliance is described. The docking port is provided having an upper port and a lower port, either of which is opened depending upon the position of a sliding valve that moves along the vertical direction. Movement of the valve to open either the upper port or the lower port is caused by contact between a protrusion on the sliding valve and a conduit attached to a height-adjustable rack. As such rack is pushed into the wash chamber of the dishwasher, the valve is moved vertically depending upon the vertical level of the rack.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diverter that may be used to control the flow of fluid to different locations or components within a dishwashing appliance. One or more dual outlets, each having an outer port that surrounds an inner port, can be used with a rotating disk (or rotating valve) to selectively control the flow of fluid to various locations within the appliance. One or more single outlets may also be added to the diverter as desired depending upon the number of locations in the dishwasher to which the delivery of the fluid is desirable.

Abstract: Tines that can provide a spray into the interior of containers placed onto a rack of a dishwasher are provided. More particularly, hollow tines or tines having an internal fluid path for feeding washing fluid to one or more openings at or near an upper end of the tines are described. As a fluid is sprayed or ejected from the opening(s), it provides for the cleaning of the interior of glasses, containers, and other dishes placed over the tines.

Abstract: In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a fluid filtration assembly for a dishwasher system is described. The dishwasher system includes a tub defining a wash chamber configured to receive dishwasher contents. The fluid filtration assembly includes a filter assembly having a filter material, a filter fluid inlet, and a filter fluid outlet. The filter fluid inlet is in flow communication with the wash chamber and the filter material. The filter assembly further includes a cleaning fluid inlet that is configured to backflush the filter material. The filter fluid outlet is in flow communication with both the cleaning fluid inlet and the filter fluid inlet. The fluid filtration assembly further includes a valve assembly in flow communication with the cleaning fluid inlet through a first flow path.

Abstract: A spray assembly for an automatic dishwasher is described. The spray assembly includes a conduit for receiving pressurized washing liquid. The spray assembly further includes a spray body having two or more spray arms. Each spray arm has a plurality of orifices for distributing washing liquid throughout the dishwasher. The spray arms share a common central axis and are generally planar with one another. The spray arms each define a separate fluid path from the conduit to the orifices that is separated from the other fluid path(s) by one or more walls.

Abstract: A dishwasher spray arm assembly has a spray arm rotationally configured on a conduit. The spray arm includes a lower spray arm component mated with an upper spray arm component with an internal space defined between the upper and lower spray arm components. A bearing is interposed between the spray arm and conduit to conduct water from said conduit into the internal space, with the spray arm rotatably configured on the bearing. The bearing further includes a lower shaft section that mates with the conduit and an upper disc section sandwiched between the upper and lower spray arm components. A low-friction washer is disposed between the upper disc section and the lower spray arm component. The lower spray arm component and the disc section define a tortuous interference path for water to leak out from the internal space around the bearing.

Abstract: A gravity and flow operated diverter valve diverts liquid flow from one source to either of two output destinations. The valve includes a housing, an inlet opening, a first outlet opening and a second outlet opening. A valve member is located coaxially in the housing interior, the valve member having at least one flow path extending axially therethough, an exterior edge of the valve member and an interior surface of the side wall having a cooperating cam follower structure defining a cyclic path, the path having at least two no flow positions in which the valve member is spaced from the upper wall, and at least two flow positions in which the flow path in the disc selectively allows communication with one or both of the first and second outlet openings, the cyclic path arranged so that on successive liquid flows into the inlet opening the valve member cycles between the at least two flow positions to selectively direct flow out of one or both of the first and second outlet openings.