Abstract: An automatic dishwasher includes a water inlet line, a flow control valve assembly, a wash water introducing means for introducing wash water into a container which is adapted to receive dishes, and control means for selectively controlling the flow control valve assembly. The flow control valve assembly includes a first flow control valve which is selectively actuated by a first solenoid coil and a second flow control valve which is selectively actuated by a second solenoid coil. A first ferromagnetic member is disposed between a first end of the solenoid coils and a second ferromagnetic member is disposed between the other end of the solenoid coils. The solenoid coils are so interconnected that when an actuating potential is applied across them, they are electrically in series. The series connection of the coils allows the coils to be configured such that a significant saving in the cost of coil wire is achieved over parallel connected coils.

Abstract: An automatic dishwasher includes a water inlet line, a flow control valve assembly, a wash water introducing means for introducing wash water into a container which is adapted to receive dishes, and a control for selectively controlling the flow control valve assembly. The flow control valve assembly includes a first flow control valve which is selectively actuated by a first solenoid coil and a second flow control valve which is selectively actuated by a second solenoid coil. A first ferromagnetic member is disposed between a first end of the solenoid coils and a second ferromagnetic member is disposed between the other end of the solenoid coils. The solenoid coils are so interconnected that when an actuating potential is applied across them, (a) they generate magnetic fields of the opposite polarity, and (b) they are electrically in series.

Abstract: A rack-type high capacity warewashing machine is designed to cleanse and sanitize foodware in a cycle time of the order of one minute and to accomplish sanitizing by heating the foodware with fresh hot water sufficiently to kill residual bacteria thereon. The method of operation of the machine includes a final rinse period in which fresh water at a temperature of at least 180.degree. F. (82.22.degree. C.) is sprayed over the foodware to remove residual soil and to heat the foodware surfaces to at least 160.degree. F. (71.11.degree. C.), followed by a dwell period in which the wet heated foodware is maintained in a substantially closed humid atmosphere to prolong the time during which the foodware surfaces remain above bacteria killing temperature and to cause a build-up of Heat Unit Equivalents to at least 3600.

Abstract: A warewasher such as a domestic dishwashing machine has a first recirculating path for recirculating wash and rinse fluids through nozzles which spray the fluid onto food ware items in the wash chamber of the warewasher. Fluid is also circulated from the wash chamber through a soil collecting circuit which conducts fluid to a soil collector where soil is filtered from the fluid before it is returned to the wash chamber. The soil collector quickly removes food soil debris from the fluid on its first passage through the soil collecting circuit and holds it for discharge into the warewasher drain system when the fluids are subsequently drained from the warewasher. A drain pump impeller is used to perform the dual functions of draining liquid from the chamber and recirculating fluid through the soil collecting circuit.

Abstract: A dishwasher dispenser control having a circuit including two single pole, double throw switches for actuating the heater of the dishwasher independently or in combination with dispenser elements of the dishwasher. The operators for the dispenser elements, in the illustrated embodiment, are low resistance, bimetal heater elements and are arranged to be connected in series with the dishwasher heater to effect operation of the dispensers. In one arrangement, a single one of the dispenser operator elements is connected in series with the dishwasher heater, and in another arrangement, each of the dispenser elements is connected in series with the heater element.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is used in combination with a dishwasher of the type having a sump, a washing spray assembly, a circulating pump which pumps washing fluid from the sump through the washing spray assembly, a rinsing spray assembly, a source of fresh rinsing water which flows through the rinsing assembly, a booster heater for heating the rinsing water to a predetermined temperature and a drain line for draining excess washing solution from the sump. The heat recovery system includes a heat exchanger in which fresh rinsing water flows in heat exchange relation with the excess washing solution from the sump before the rinsing water reaches the booster heater. A rinse valve controlling the flow of rinsing water cooperates with a pump located on the drain line so that the rinsing water and the washing solution flow through the heat exchanger at only preselected times during the operating cycle of the dishwasher.

Abstract: A dishwasher comprising a dishwashing tub, a liquid circulation pump, and an immersion heater disposed at a lower section of the dishwashing tub. The immersion heater is covered by a heater cover which includes a bottom free end and an upper free end. When the liquid circulation pump and the immersion heater are energized, warm liquid is circulated through the bottom free end of the heater cover. When only immersion heater is energized, the liquid disposed in the heater cover is heated up to generate the steam through the upper free end of the heater cover.

Abstract: A laundry additive dispenser for use with laundry appliances has a tiltable bin pivotally mounted for user access on a panel of the laundry appliance. The bin is divided into three sections which are exposed when the bin is tilted forward to a receiving position and may be filled with liquid or granular laundry additives. The bin is then tilted back to a dispensing position. The sections of the bin for dispensing liquid laundry additives each have a siphon therein. Solenoid operated valves selectively communicate each section with a water distribution path. When an appropriate valve is opened water flows in the proper section of the bin and when the water-additive solution reaches an appropriate level, siphoning action begins and the entire contents of the section is dispensed to a clothes treatment zone in the appliance. Each section is provided with an overflow tube to insure that the liquid level in the section does not reach a level so as to prevent the siphoning action.

Abstract: A programmed sequence fluid distributor system is provided which is particularly adapted for controlling fluid feeding and the maintenance of the detergent concentration in the washing bath of a dish-washing machine or the like. The system basically comprises a fluid source, a conduit arrangement for moving the fluid to a desired location, a pump for controlling the flow of the fluid and a programmer for controlling the pump. The programmer comprises an electronic circuit including at least two stages. These stages each comprise RC type oscillators wherein the resistive branch includes a potentiometer for setting the duration of the cycle associated with that stage. A binary pulse counter counts the pulses produced by the oscillator and ultimately controls the stopping and starting of the pump during the various operating cycles of the machine, by controlling energization of a relay in the pump circuit.

Abstract: A control circuit is disclosed for appliances such as dishwashers and clothes washers. The control circuit employs a microprocessor programmed to respond to user selected options to determine the operating sequence of the appliance. The circuit includes a drain feedback system which permits the microprocessor to detect and identify a plurality of drain fault conditions including failure to drain, slow drain and plugged drain. A protective response is initiated by the microprocessor to prevent flooding or damage to the appliance should any of these fault conditions occur, and the user is advised of the specific fault mode via an alpha-numeric digital display on the appliance control panel. In the event a rapid drain occurs, the feedback system immediately terminates pump-out and transfers the time saved to a subsequent time-insensitive cycle, thereby eliminating undesirable operation of pump and motor while maintaining the total cycle time as originally programmed.

Abstract: A dishwasher using steam to heat cold wash water and to propel the heated wash water through a spray arm mounted in a dish containing compartment for washing dishes for a predetermined time period. A detergent liquid is added to the wash water and the entraining action of the steam in withdrawing wash water from a tank underlying the compartment is also used in withdrawing a volume of detergent from a source of supply and delivering it into the wash water. The steam from a boiler is also used to heat cold rinse water delivered to the tank after the wash water has been drained therefrom and to propel this heated rinse water through the spray arm for rinsing the dishes after a predetermined time period. A sterilizing liquid and a rinse aid are added to the rinse water at the start of the rinsing cycle.

Abstract: A dishwashing apparatus having a pump arrangement which is belt driven by a laterally disposed drive motor. The apparatus further includes a tub defining a washing chamber and a fluid inlet system including a fill valve for supplying fluid to the washing chamber. The pump recirculates the fluid within the washing chamber to wash the dishes and drains the fluid from the washing chamber. A timer controls the apparatus through a predetermined cycle of recirculation and drain periods for rinsing and washing the dishes. Operation of the fill valve is controlled to provide different levels of fluid for rinsing and washing with the fill valve being operable prior to recirculation in predetermined fills to provide a first fluid level and being operable after recirculation has begun in at least one other fill to provide a second higher fluid level.

Abstract: A relay control circuit for controlling the operation of various electrically actuated devices in a washing appliance such as a dishwasher is disclosed. The circuit employs four relays to provide eight operating functions, including filling, draining, dispensing of additives, water circulation, water circulation with heat, and drying.

Abstract: An improved control circuit is provided for an automatic dishwasher having a reversing relay with valve arrangement which supplies cavitation air to the fluid distribution system to reduce the energy level at which the liquid is sprayed into the wash chamber to achieve a GENTLE wash and rinse cycle for fine china and crystal. The reversing relay solenoid armature operates, in conjunction with a start relay, to provide a primary function of reversing the direction of rotation of the motor between wash and drain periods while providing an auxiliary function of opening its associated valve to admit cavitation air to the recirculation pump during a GENTLE wash and rinse cycle and closing the valve during the REGULAR wash and rinse cycle.

Abstract: A dish-washing machine composed of thermoplastic material comprising an inner enclosure fitting within but spaced from an outer enclosure, and a plurality of functional units. The functional units include a dish-carrying drawer unit having a rotor mounted within the inner enclosure, an electrical control unit mounted in the space between the upper end of the inner enclosure and the outer enclosure, and an hydraulic unit located in the space between the lower end of the inner enclosure and the outer enclosure. A vapor condenser is located within the space between the inner and outer enclosures for condensing steam passing through holes in the inner enclosure.

Abstract: A tandem rack dishwashing machine in which the single unit model is designed to handle two half-racks at a time and arranged in tandem, the half-racks supporting soiled dishes, or one full rack at a time; and in which the double unit model is designed to handle two full racks of soiled dishes at a time and arranged in tandem, the double unit model having a control switch in series with a starting switch and positioned at the exit end of the machine so as to be closed by the racks only when the two full racks are received within the washing and rinsing area. The dish-rinsing water need not be at 180.degree. F., because the rinse water is chemically sanitized and need be only at 140.degree. F., which is the same temperature as the wash water. Novel means is used for quickly draining the wash water from the machine into a holding tank which then feeds it into the sewer.

Abstract: A dishwasher utilizing treating liquid for washing dishes in a treating cycle and air for drying the washed dishes in a drying cycle. An electric heater is provided for heating the dish-treating liquid and the drying air. A control is provided for energizing the heater to heat the treating liquid as an incident of the dishwasher operating in the treating cycle and selectively causing energization of the heater as an incident of the dishwasher operating in the drying cycle. The control further includes structure for preventing energizing of the heater notwithstanding the dishwasher operating in the drying cycle.

Abstract: A dishwasher control system having a circuitry adapted to automatically drain the dishwasher whenever a selected cycle is user cancelled with user capability to immediately select another cycle. The circuitry includes a timer drain contact for energizing the pump and to drain the dishwasher at the end of all its selectable cycle. A momentary switch and alternate timer contacts are operable with any of the selected cycles to get out of the selected cycle by first energizing the rapid advance timer motor advancing the timer into the drain period where the user may reset the dishwasher to start a substituted cycle.

Abstract: A receptacle such as a dishwasher tub having an improved control for effecting filling of the tub to a preselected full level and protecting the apparatus against undesirable overfill in the event the normal flow control malfunctions. The flow control includes a control valve having two valve elements for cooperatively preventing such undesirable overfill. One of the valve elements may be controlled by an electrically operated solenoid, and the other valve element may be controlled by mechanical control structure. In the illustrated embodiment, the electrically controlled valve element is controlled by a timer, and the mechanically controlled valve element is controlled by a float. A heater is provided for heating liquid in the tub and an improved control is provided for controlling the heater so as to prevent energization thereof whenever the sensed liquid volume in the tub is below a preselected minimum.

Abstract: A cycle-select switching system for automatic appliances and the like of the type for selectively performing any one of a plurality of distinct operating cycles. The switching system comprises selection means having a plurality of outputs, each corresponding to one of the operating cycles, and a momentary contact switch for producing a control signal of variable time duration. The selection means is responsive to the control signal by sequentially advancing to the output defined by a selected time duration of the control signal and thereby initiating the operating cycle corresponding thereto.

Abstract: An appliance programmer, in particular an automatic washer programmer, employs a memory circuit and sequence control for establishing a predetermined program. The program may be altered by two techniques. A first technique includes the utilization of a circuit for sampling the circuit connections of the programmer so that any number of steps of the program can be varied to alter the entire program. This technique provides for the manufacture of an integrated circuit to establish a predetermined program and application of that circuit in a variety of appliances with different program requirements. A second technique utilizes operator control switches for manually altering the program and includes apparatus for locking out program modifications after a predetermined time interval at the initiation of program selection.

Abstract: An oven apparatus or dishwasher apparatus having a combination chamber wherein a heated liquid is impelled and recirculated in a chamber comprising of an oven chamber or a dishwasher chamber to carry out food cooking or surface cleaning operations within the combination chamber of the apparatus, also operations to prevent redeposition of food particles. A timer is also provided and adapted to operate the apparatus for cooking or cleaning cycles, which also allows selection of a pre-wash, or a main wash having a settling down abeyance period before a reuse of prior impelled liquid, or selection of a portion of the operation cycle for liquid cooking or steam cooking operations or dry heat operations.

Abstract: A door latch control means for a dishwasher is disclosed which includes a mechanical linkage associated with the dishwasher timer to unlatch the door at the onset of the drying portion of the cycle. A first lever is pivotally mounted and spring biased to be tripped by the timer whereupon a pin on the first lever strikes a second lever, thereby causing the second lever to be moved upwardly. A forked trip lever is pivotally connected to the second lever to unlatch a door latch trip and allow the door to swing partially open.