Abstract: A dishwasher is provided having a wash pump and soil collection system. The wash pump may be a volute type pump having a horizontal axis and includes a casing surrounding a wash impeller. The casing has a main outlet and a secondary outlet. The wash impeller draws wash liquid from the dishwasher sump region and pumps the wash liquid through the main outlet and the secondary outlet. The wash liquid pumped through the main outlet is provided to a wash arm device such that wash liquid is recirculated throughout the dishwasher interior wash chamber. The wash liquid pumped through the secondary outlet is directed to flow into a soil collector. The soil collector includes a soil separation channel which receives the flow from the secondary outlet and includes at least one filter screen panel for returning filtered wash liquid back into the sump such that soils are retained in the soil separation channel and accumulate within a soil accumulator region.

Abstract: A dishwasher pump and automatic purge system for a dishwasher having a recirculation pump, a drain pump and a wash chamber having a sump. The recirculation pump includes a main outlet and a secondary outlet wherein wash liquid pumped out through the main outlet is recirculated throughout the dishwasher interior wash chamber during a wash phase. The sump includes a soil collector which receives wash liquid from the secondary outlet. The soil collector includes a filter screen for returning filtered wash liquid back into the sump such that soils are retained in the soil collector. During a first wash phase while the recirculation pump is recirculating wash liquid throughout the wash chamber, the drain pump is energized on and off to drain soils from the soil collector. More specifically, the drain pump is energized on and off during the wash phase in response to the pressure within the soil collector which is sensed by a pressure sensor.

Abstract: A dishwasher having a fluid recirculation system which operates in a wash mode for spraying liquid onto objects supported on dishwasher upper and lower racks. The dishwasher includes a pump having a pump impeller disposed within a pump chamber for supplying wash liquid to first and second spray devices, associated with the lower rack and upper racks, respectively. The pump impeller draws wash liquid into the pump chamber and imparts a rotary motion to the wash liquid disposed in the pump chamber. A rotatable diffuser or flow director having a plurality of vanes extending into the pump chamber selectively directs the rotating wash liquid toward the spray devices and thereby controls wash liquid recirculation within the dishwasher responsive to the rotational motion of the wash liquid in the pump chamber.

Abstract: A dishwasher pump and automatic purge system which includes a wash impeller supported for rotation within a pump chamber wherein the pump chamber has a main outlet and a sample outlet port. Wash liquid pumped out through the main outlet is recirculated throughout the dishwasher interior wash chamber. A soil collector receives wash liquid through the sample outlet port. The soil collector includes a filter screen for returning filtered wash liquid back into the sump such that soils are retained in the soil collector. Pressure within the soil collector is sensed by a pressure sensor. The soil collector is purged by a drain pump when the pressure within the soil accumulator exceeds a predetermined limit level such that soils are cleared from the collector and the filter screen. When the pressure within the soil accumulator is reduced to below the predetermined limit level, the drain pump is deenergized.

Abstract: A thermal input system is provided for a dishwasher having an interior wash chamber receiving soiled dishes and wash liquid. A heater is disposed in a sump region of the wash chamber along with a wash pump which operates to recirculate wash liquid through out the wash chamber. A soil collection chamber receives a portion of recirculating wash liquid from the wash pump wherein soils entrained in the wash liquid are captured within the soil collection chamber. A pressure sensor senses fluid pressure within the soil collection chamber. Control means are provided for energizing the heater during a thermal hold period in response to the pressure within the soil collector exceeding a predetermined limit pressure. In particular, the control means operates to sequence the dishwasher through a predetermined period of operation but bypasses the thermal hold cycle when the pressure within the soil collector does not exceed the predetermined limit pressure.

Abstract: An inlet construction is provided which is particularly useful in a spray arm for a dishwasher. The inlet is formed of a circular opening in a bottom wall of the spray arm and a flat plate positioned within the hollow arm, above the opening and generally perpendicular to the direction of the liquid jet directed at the underside of the arm. The plate is held in place by being pressed against a plurality of spacers formed on the bottom wall of the arm by resilient fingers positioned adjacent to each of the spacers. The liquid jet strikes the plate and the liquid is forced radially outwardly into the arms of the spray arm to be ejected from openings in the spray arm.

Abstract: A motor mount is provided for a dishwasher for preventing transmission of vibration generated by a motor through a pump to the dishwasher tub. The motor mount is secured at its base to the pump and includes a plurality of arms extending radially from the base for mounting the motor thereto. The arms are separate along their length from the pump, and are torsionally resilient, permitting the motor to vibrate torsionally with respect to the pump. The arms are radially and axially rigid, thereby preventing radial or axial motion of the motor.

Abstract: A silverware basket for use in a dishwasher, the silverware basket having a rear wall, a water previous front wall spaced from the rear wall, a water pervious bottom wall connecting the front and rear walls and a plurality of upper and lower dividers extending between the rear wall and the front wall to provide a substatially solid upper and lower barrier between the front and rear walls. The combination of the upper divider and lower divider define a substantially vertical plane or wall bounded by the rear wall, the bottom wall, the front wall and a top of the front wall, wherein a minority of an area of the plane or wall is solid. In the preferred embodiment, the dividers are formed integrally with and project from the rear wall toward and engage with the front wall. The lower divider is also formed integrally with the bottom wall.

Abstract: A spray arm assembly for delivering a fluid under pressure into a dishwasher wash chamber consists of a spray arm having a rotational axis and defining a fluid passageway for distributing incoming fluid into the wash chamber, a tower section, structure for mounting the tower section to the spray arm for guided movement relative to the spray arm between a retracted position and an extended position, and structure on the tower section for directing fluid from the fluid supply into the wash chamber with the lower section in its extended position. Mounting structure, integrally formed with the spray arm, prevents the tower section from separating from the spray arm with the tower section in its extended position. Any number of cooperating tower sections can be employed.

Abstract: A soil removal apparatus for a dishwashing machine including a stilling zone located in the sump of the dishwasher, and a receptacle located below the stilling zone for collecting and storing soil particles. The receptacle is also provided with a check valve and a second inlet as well as an outlet so that, upon operation of the dishwasher in the drain mode, drain water is routed through the receptacle for flushing soil particles from the receptacle to the outlet of the receptacle. During the draining operation, a check valve closes the first inlet of the receptacle.

Abstract: An automatic dishwasher includes a cabinet enclosing an interior washing chamber with a pump mounted in the cabinet for pumping liquids into and out of the washing chamber. The pump includes a housing having spaced apart walls and a rotatable motor shaft extending into the housing from a first one of the walls. A rotatable impeller is mounted for longitudinal movement along the motor shaft and is keyed to rotate with the motor shaft between the spaced apart walls of the housing. A removable bearing mount that supports a thrust bearing is threaded into the pump housing and, with the thrust bearing, provides an axial stop for limiting the movement of the impeller along the motor shaft. The bearing mount also includes an annular surface disposed near the exposed edges of the blades of the impeller and spaced therefrom by a predetermined, desired clearance or gap. The optimization of the clearance maximizes the efficiency of the pump.

Abstract: A bidirectional pump has a chamber in communication both with a drain conduit and a conduit for delivering washing liquid into a wash chamber. The drain conduit has a port communicating between the pump chamber and a drain outlet. An opening communicates between the delivery and drain conduits and is selectively sealed by a deformable diaphragm. With the pump rotating in a first direction and the liquid being delivered principally through the delivery conduit by the pump, a pressure differential is established across the diaphragm thereby urging a portion of the diaphragm sealingly against the port to prevent delivery of washing liquid through the drain conduit as during a rinsing cycle of the dishwasher. Reverse rotation of the pump reverses the pressure balance to urge the sealing portion of the diaphragm away from the drain port, thereby permitting flow through the drain conduit for suitable disposal of the used washing liquid.

Abstract: According to the invention a seal is established between a rotary spray arm and a stationary pedestal support for the spray arm. Liquid from a pump, which forcibly delivers liquid to the spray arm is forced between cooperating parts of the spray arm and spray arm support in such a manner that a sealing split ring is urged both axially and radially relative to the rotational axis of the spray arm into sealing engagement with surfaces on both the spray arm and spray arm support.

Abstract: A dishwasher structure having a centrifugal pump for providing dishwashing liquid to a spray arm thereof. The swirling motion of the dishwashing liquid effected by operation of the pump is utilized to divert a portion of the liquid to an accumulator wherein soil material is collected from the liquid. The cleansed liquid is returned to the pump chamber to be repumped with additional dishwashing liquid. The soil accumulating chamber is arranged concentrically about a guide chamber, in turn arranged concentrically about the pump chamber to provide a compact coaxial liquid cleansing structure. A drain is provided for draining the dishwashing liquid and collected soil at the end of the dishwashing cycle. A filter screen is provided at the inlet to the pump and an improved chopper is provided for comminuting solid soil matter at the upstream side of the filter screen.

Abstract: A dishwasher structure having a centrifugal pump for providing dishwashing liquid to a spray arm thereof. The swirling motion of the dishwashing liquid effected by operation of the pump is utilized to divert a portion of the liquid to an accumulator wherein soil material is collected from the liquid. The cleansed liquid is returned to the pump chamber to be repumped with additional dishwashing liquid. A drain is provided for draining the dishwashing liquid and collected soil at the end of the dishwashing cycle and is controlled by a pressure-responsive drain valve which is operated by differing pressure conditions automatically during dishwashing and drain cycles respectively.

Abstract: A dishwasher structure having a centrifugal pump for providing dishwashing liquid to a spray arm thereof. The swirling motion of the dishwashing liquid effected by operation of the pump is utilized to divert a portion of the liquid to an accumulator wherein soil material is collected from the liquid. The cleansed liquid is returned to the pump chamber to be repumped with additional dishwashing liquid. The soil accumulating chamber is arranged concentrically about a guide chamber, in turn arranged concentrically about the pump chamber to provide a compact coaxial liquid cleansing structure. A drain is provided for draining the dishwashing liquid and collected soil at the end of the dishwashing cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively modifying the vertical height of an upwardly extending tower structure for an automatic dishwashing appliance. The tower structure is provided with a bearing surface adapted to receive a collar having an upper end on which a rotatable spray arm may be mounted. As selected by the operator of the dishwashing appliance, the vertical height of the collar may be modified such that the upper spray arm is positioned in an upper or a lower position.

Abstract: A fluid discharge device such as for use in draining an appliance, such as a dishwasher, into the sink. The discharge device is arranged to prevent splashing of the discharge fluid on the bottom of the sink and includes a divider wall within the discharge duct for dividing the fluid flow into a plurality of streams. The wall may be perforate to further cause a turbulent reduction in the longitudinal velocity of the discharging fluid stream. The duct may be provided with projections extending transversely into the fluid flow to further provide turbulent reduction in the longitudinal velocity of the fluid stream. The discharge device is adapted to be provided in a turned discharge conduit, such as an elbow, and is arranged to provide the desired splash-prevention functioning while yet effectively minimizing obstruction to the fluid flow so as to prevent blockage thereof as by food particles and the like carried by the discharging fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for distributing wash liquid to a spray device which is located above a dish-supporting rack in a dishwashing appliance, the apparatus including a vertical hollow tower having an open lower end fixedly attached to the rack, means for rotatably mounting the spray device onto an apertured upper end of the tower so that there is fluid communication between the tower and the spray device, and a fluid-expansible coupling member located below the rack and having an upper opening below and substantially concentric with the open lower end of the tower. A hub assembly supports the coupling member on a pump means which forces wash liquid through the hub assembly and into the coupling member to expand it into a sealing contact with the tower at the open lower end of the tower so that fluid flows through the tower to the spray device.