Abstract: A control system for a fuel-burning appliance such as a wood or pellet burning stove may include a particulate matter sensor. The control system may also include an ignition system to ignite an ignition charge of ignitable fuel. A processor controls the operation of the functional components of the appliance to maintain operating conditions within pre-determined parameters.

Abstract: An appliance, system, and method for operating an appliance and determining presence of water softener at water provided to an appliance is provided. The system is configured to obtain a first water hardness value; obtain a second water hardness value based on a location of the appliance; determine a ratio of the first water hardness value and the second water hardness value; compare the ratio of the first water hardness value and the second water hardness value to a threshold limit; transmit a first water hardness signal when the threshold limit is exceeded, wherein the first water hardness signal corresponds to the first water hardness value; transmit, to the database storage device, a second water hardness signal when the ratio is within the threshold limit; and adjust operation of the appliance based on whether the first water hardness signal or the second water hardness signal is transmitted.

Abstract: An appliance, system, and method for operating an appliance is provided. The appliance, system, and method include performing a wash cycle and draining wash water from the wash chamber, flowing a quantity of water to a wash chamber, determining a water hardness value based on a water conductivity measurement and a temperature measurement, and draining the quantity of water from the wash chamber.

Abstract: An appliance, system, and method for operating an appliance is provided. The appliance, system, and method are configured to execute operations including determining when a dispensing device for a detergent meets or exceeds a detergent level threshold, determining if a first wash mode corresponding to a performance wash mode is activated, and changing operation from the first wash mode to a second wash mode corresponding to an efficiency wash mode when the dispensing device meets or exceeds the detergent level threshold and the first wash mode is activated.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a wash tub positioned within a cabinet, a water supply for dispensing wash fluid into the wash tub, a bulk dispenser for selectively adding a wash additive to the wash fluid, and a conductivity sensor for measuring an electrical conductivity of the wash fluid collected in the wash tub. A controller is configured to operate the water supply to dispense the wash fluid, measure a first conductivity of the wash fluid using the conductivity sensor, operate the bulk dispenser to dispense the wash additive, measure a second conductivity of the wash fluid using the conductivity sensor, determine that the wash additive was not dispensed based at least in part on the first conductivity and the second conductivity, and implement a responsive action.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a wash basket that is rotatably mounted within a wash tub and that defines a wash chamber for receiving a load of clothes. A water supply selectively dispenses a flow of wash fluid and a bulk dispenser selectively adds a wash additive to the flow of wash fluid. A controller is configured to initiate a bulk flush operation by operating the water supply to provide the flow of wash fluid and the bulk dispenser to dispense the wash additive, obtain one or more images of the flow of wash fluid using a camera assembly, analyze the one or more images using an image recognition process to determine an additive content of the flow of wash fluid, and terminate the bulk flush operation in response to determining that the additive content falls below a predetermined additive threshold.

Abstract: A controller is in signal communication with a pressure sensor, a turbidity sensor, a conductivity sensor and a temperature sensor. The controller is configured to monitor the pressure measurement of the pressure sensor and record an ambient temperature measurement in response to the pressure measurement stabilizing. The controller is also configured to record a turbidity measurement from the turbidity sensor, a conductivity measurement from the conductivity sensor, and a temperature measurement from the temperature sensor in response to the pressure measurement incrementing. Additionally, the controller is configured to compare the turbidity measurement to a reference turbidity value, the conductivity measurement to a reference conductivity value, and the temperature measurement to the ambient temperature measurement, and determine either a presence or an absence of fluid in the wash tub based at least in part on the turbidity measurement, the conductivity measurement, and the temperature measurement.

Abstract: A controller is configured to monitor the pressure measurement of the pressure sensor and record an ambient temperature measurement in response to the pressure measurement stabilizing. Activate the pump and a timer in response to a drain cycle starting. The controller also configured to record a turbidity measurement from the turbidity sensor, a conductivity measurement from the conductivity sensor, and a temperature measurement from the temperature sensor and compare the turbidity measurement to a reference turbidity value, the conductivity measurement to a reference conductivity value, and the temperature measurement to the ambient temperature measurement. Then determine either a presence or an absence of fluid in the wash tub based at least in part on the turbidity measurement, the conductivity measurement, and the temperature measurement, and deactivate the pump in response to either the timer expiring or the determination of the absence of fluid in the wash tub.

Abstract: A pump is configured to drain liquid from the wash basket. A vent line extends between the wash basket and the cabinet. The vent line includes a fan, a humidity sensor proximate the fan, and a controller. The controller is operable to perform a drain cycle. The drain cycle includes activating the pump. Comparing, across a set interval of time, a humidity within the washing machine appliance to a reference humidity. Determining the humidity's proximity to the reference humidity. Detecting a fault in the drain cycle in response to the humidity exceeding the reference humidity. Continuing a rinse cycle in response to the humidity being proximate the reference humidity.

Abstract: A method of operating a washing machine appliance includes rotating a wash basket within the washing machine appliance and monitoring a humidity for a period of time while rotating the wash basket. The method also includes determining a slope of the monitored humidity over the period of time. In response to the determined slope being less than a minimum threshold, the method includes providing a user notification.

Abstract: In a washing machine appliance, a vent line extends between the wash tub and the aperture on the cabinet. The vent line includes a fan, a humidity sensor, and a controller. The controller is configured to activate the fan during a drying cycle in order to urge air from the wash tub into the vent line and out of the aperture in the cabinet. Compare, across a set interval of time, a difference in a humidity measurement from the humidity sensor to a reference humidity value. Detect a fault in the drying cycle in response to the difference in humidity exceeding the reference humidity at least a set number of times.

Abstract: A method of operating a washing machine appliance includes measuring a humidity value with the humidity sensor and comparing the measured humidity value to an expected humidity value. The method also includes flagging a fault in response to the measured humidity value differing from the expected humidity value by at least a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method of drying a load of articles in a wash basket of a washing machine appliance includes determining a drying time for the load of articles. The drying time may be determined based on a load type and/or load size of the load of articles. The method further includes rotating the wash basket within the washing machine appliance for the determined drying time.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance may include a wash tub, a wash basket, a dispensing assembly, a water hardness sensor, a camera assembly, and a controller. The wash tub may be positioned within a cabinet. The water hardness sensor may be mounted in fluid communication with the wash tub. The camera assembly may be spaced apart from the wash tub. The controller may be communicatively coupled to the water hardness sensor and the camera assembly. The controller may be configured to direct a washing operation. The washing operation may include identifying a wash additive provided to the washing machine appliance, determining a water hardness level of water provided to the washing machine appliance, determining a cycle additive volume based on the identified wash additive and the determined water hardness level, and dispensing the determined cycle additive volume within the wash tub.

Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a tub, a drum rotatably mounted within the tub and defining a chamber configured for receiving a load of clothes, a water temperature sensor in the tub, and a humidity sensor having an air temperature sensor in an exhaust in fluid communication with the chamber. A controller is configured to take a series of readings from the water temperature sensor and the air temperature sensor, to determine a difference or average of the temperature changes in those sensors, and to compare the rate of temperature change over time. Where the controller determines that the rate of change between the water temperature sensor and the air temperature sensor is inconsistent, the controller provides a notification to the user that one or both of the temperature sensors is in error and requires servicing.

Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a drum rotatably mounted within a cabinet and defining a chamber configured for receiving a load of clothes, a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet for providing selective access to the chamber, and a user interface for controlling operation of the laundry appliance. A controller is configured to monitor the number of wash cycles that have occurred in the laundry appliance since the last self-clean cycle. Once the laundry appliance reaches a predetermined number of wash cycles without an intervening self-clean cycle, an automatic self-clean cycle is initiated upon the next selection of a drying cycle by the user, wherein the drying cycle provides an indication that the chamber is empty of article of laundry and that the user has no further immediate washing needs. In these circumstances, the controller is configured to reconfigure the selected drying cycle into a combination cycle including a self-clean cycle which is automatically followed by the desired drying cycle.

Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a basket rotatably mounted within a cabinet and defining a chamber configured for receiving a load of clothes, a water supply valve for regulating a flow of water into the chamber, and a humidity sensor positioned within the cabinet for monitoring a chamber humidity. A controller is configured to determine that the water supply valve is open to permit the flow of water into the chamber, identify an anticipated humidity within the chamber based at least in part on the water supply valve being open, obtain the chamber humidity using the humidity sensor, and implementing a responsive action if the chamber humidity does not correspond to the anticipated humidity.

Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a drum rotatably mounted within a cabinet and defining a chamber configured for receiving a load of clothes, a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet for providing selective access to the chamber, and a user interface for controlling operation of the laundry appliance. A controller is configured to initiate a self-clean cycle and to automatically commence a drying cycle at the conclusion of the self-clean cycle. The drying cycle is based on operation data associated with the drying cycle, such as a predetermined period of time to complete drying or based on a predetermined final humidity of air exhausted from the chamber during the drying cycle.

Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a basket rotatably mounted within a cabinet and defining a chamber configured for receiving a load of clothes, a water supply valve for regulating a flow of water into the chamber, and a humidity sensor positioned within the cabinet for monitoring a chamber humidity. A controller is configured to determine that the water supply valve is open to permit the flow of water into the chamber, identify an anticipated humidity within the chamber based at least in part on the water supply valve being open, obtain the chamber humidity using the humidity sensor, and implementing a responsive action if the chamber humidity does not correspond to the anticipated humidity.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a wash basket that is rotatably mounted within a wash tub and that defines a wash chamber for receiving a load of clothes. A dispensing assembly selectively dispenses a flow of wash fluid through a discharge nozzle into the wash tub and a camera assembly is used to monitor the wash fluid and diagnose issues related to the detergent dispenser. Specifically, a controller of the washing machine appliance uses the camera assembly to obtain one or more images of the flow of dispensed wash fluid, analyze the one or more images using a machine learning image recognition process to determine an actual detergent content of the flow of wash fluid, determine that the actual detergent content is different than a target detergent content, and implement a responsive action, e.g., such as stopping the operating cycle and notifying a user.