Abstract: An overflow control system for use with home appliances such as washing machines, incorporating conventional stand pipe which receives the outlet conduit from the appliance, the stand pipe being provided with an attachment having a displacement, conductivity or a pressure sensor installed for sensing the height of liquids in the stand pipe. This stand pipe may be vertically connected to the sewage line outlet found in a home and the signals from the sensors may be used to shut off the power to the appliance and to excite an alarm. Connected in parallel with the sensors may be a moisture sensor deployed under the appliance which again shuts the power off whenever the machine is inadvertently filled beyond its limits or when leakage occurs.

Abstract: An overflow control system for use with home appliances such as washing machines, incorporating conventional stand pipe which receives the outlet conduit from the appliance, the stand pipe being provided with an attachment having a displacement, conductivity or a pressure sensor installed for sensing the height of liquids in the stand pipe. This stand pipe may be vertically connected to the sewage line outlet found in a home and the signals from the sensors may be used to shut off the power to the appliance and to excite an alarm. Connected in parallel with the sensors may be a moisture sensor deployed under the appliance which again shuts the power off whenever the machine is inadvertently filled beyond its limits or when leakage occurs.

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 flood control arrangement for dishwashers in which the in-flow to the dishwasher tub from the water supply line is automatically terminated in the event the tub water rises to a flood level. The arrangement includes a sealing plunger disposed in a plunger body member housing installed downstream of the water fill valve. The sealing plunger tends to be moved to the sealing position by the line water pressure to shut off in-flow to the dishwasher but is blocked from movement to this position whenever the water level is below the flood level by the stem of a float positioned in the dishwasher tub. When the water level in the tub approaches the flood level, the float rises in the tub to a position whereat the float stem releases the sealing plunger to allow it to move to the sealing position and shut off further flow to the dishwasher.

Abstract: A dishwashing apparatus is provided with a float controlled liquid inlet valve. The float includes a centrally located, downwardly extending, stem portion which extends through the inner aperture of a standpipe associated with the bottom wall of the liquid container. A cap portion of the float surrounds and encloses the upper extremity of the standpipe and prevents spraying liquid from escaping the liquid container through the standpipe aperture. A floatation chamber is axially spaced below the cap portion of the float and is connected thereto by a plurality of arms. The spacing of the float chamber from the cap defines openings which allow liquid to wash through the inner section of the float and around the standpipe to remove debris.

Abstract: A dishwasher employing a float assembly positioned in a centrally located sump in close proximity laterally and vertically to a horizontally rotating circulation pump impeller inlet area for accurately terminating fill when the liquid level rises slightly above the dynamic prime level thereby enabling lower water usage by eliminating the need to overfill to compensate for inaccuracies in liquid level control. A baffle partially encloses the float to prevent nuisance trips resulting from liquid turbulence in the sump caused by pump operation. A cover is provided over the float mechanism to prevent nuisance trips caused by overspray striking the float. In its preferred form the float assembly comprises a multi-chambered open bottom float portion and an inverted U-shaped stem portion. One end of the U-shaped stem is connected to the float. The free end is slidably supported in a vertical standpipe formed in the bottom of the sump.

Abstract: A system (10) for controlling the flow of temperature selected water to the tub of a washing machine. Individual solenoid operated inlet valves (12,15) are employed to admit and control mixing of water from a heated and unheated source. The temperature selected mixed water is discharged through a third solenoid operated diverter valve (24) yielding a high rate of flow when the solenoid thereof is deenergized and a lower rate of discharge to the tub when the flow control valve solenoid is energized by the water level sensing switch (48) associated with the tub. A timer controlled switch (82) interrupts the power to the hot and cold filling valves to provide stepped filling during agitation during washing and rinsing cycles. The valve assembly employs only three solenoid valve operators.

Abstract: A level control arrangement for dishwashers in which the inflow to the dishwasher tub from the water supply line is automatically terminated when the water level in the tub reaches a predetermined level. The arrangement includes a two-stage level control valve disposed in a valve housing installed downstream of the water fill valve. The valve is moved into and out of engagement with the valve housing in response to a connector which in turn is in operative engagement with a stem of a float positioned in the dishwasher tub. When the water level in the tub approaches a predetermined washing level, the float rises in the tub to a position where the connector permits the valve to move to a sealing position, thereby terminating further flow to the dishwasher tub. When the water is drained from the tub, the float stem moves the connector thereby releasing the pressure exerted against the sealed valve through a port located within the valve.

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 pressure operated water level control device having a movable selector for selecting different water level settings thereof. A heat motor unit is carried by the device and is operatively associated with the selector for moving the selector to a certain low water level setting thereof when the heat motor means is activated.

Abstract: The solenoid operated water valve has a Venturi on its outlet which aspirates air through the pressure sensing side of a pressure switch until the water level in the washing machine reaches the end of the tube connected to the system through the selection valve. This prevents further aspiration and the Venturi rapidly lowers the pressure in the pressure switch to actuate the switch. The check valve prevents venting the pressure switch to atmosphere long enough for the associated timer to continue the machine program.

Abstract: The cycles of an oscillator varying in frequency in proportion to the changing level of a monitored liquid are counted over a fixed period of time. A derived submultiple of the count is compared relative to an electronically stored table of numbers indicative of known liquid levels. Predetermined relationships between the count and the table initiate control functions for maintaining or varying the level of monitored liquid during a programmed series of operations such as, for example, the programmed cycles of a microcomputer controlled clothes washing machine.

Abstract: An automatic washing machine in which an initial filling time required for filling a tub with water to a predetermined level at the start of a washing process is measured and stored in a memory, whereby time required for rinsing process is automatically determined on the basis of the measured initial filling time. Means is provided for determining the rinsing time duration on the basis of a preset rinsing time stored in the memory in place of the measured filling time when the latter is abnormally short, thereby to assure an adequate rinsing action.

Abstract: A float support includes a guide sleeve extending upwardly from a dishwasher chamber sump for slidable reception of a float stem. The support includes a hollow standpipe having an upper portion, partially defined by an external wall of the guide sleeve along part of its axial height, and a lower portion extending down through the sump in an offset manner. The inverted cuplike float includes a plurality of cavities at least one of which is adapted to entrap air to provide buoyance to the float. A remaining one of the cavities defines a combined float damping and overflow cavity which conceals the upper portion of the hollow standpipe such that the standpipe establishes an air break path between the overflow cavity and atmosphere thereby damping the vertical travel of the float.

Abstract: An improved float assembly for a dishwasher liquid fill system includes cam means on the float stem. The cam includes a first portion operative, upon the liquid rising to its normal fill level, to maintain a switch in its circuit closing position allowing the fill valve to be opened at selected intervals during the operational cycle. Upon the float being buoyed upwardly by the liquid level rising above its normal-fill level to an over-fill level the cam means is operative to retain the float at an elevated position permitting the dishwasher to complete its operational cycle after which the float may be manually reset to its lower position to again permit normal operation of the dishwasher.

Abstract: A dishwasher fill system providing a combination fill control system and timer fill sequence that assures a predetermined minimum quantity of water is present in the dishwashing chamber regardless of the water fill flow rate and the household waterline pressure. The system provides two assured fill levels with a predetermined minimum water level fill cycle portion for a rinse fill and an increased minimum level fill cycle portion for a wash fill. If the rinse fill water level is below its minimum quantity after a predetermined run time, first switch means will energize the timer motor and the fill valve will remain open until said rinse fill minimum level is reached. A fill sensor switch at this point will turn off the water valve and energize the timer motor.

Abstract: A clothes washing machine which recirculates wash or rinse water from a surrounding tub into a clothes holding basket to reduce the quantity of water required for wash and rinse cycles. The fill level is controlled by an adjustable pressure-sensitive switch which senses the pressure level at the drain outlet located in the bottom of the tub in order to control water fill levels at the beginning of each wash and rinse cycle. The pressure-sensitive switch is reset preparatory to the initiation of each wash or rinse cycle of the tub by the low pressure existing in the tub bottom after the tub has been drained at the end of each wash and rinse 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.

Abstract: A combination drain sump and air pressure chamber member for use in an automatic washing machine having a switch responsive to air pressure, a tub for holding washing liquid, and a pump for removing the liquid from the machine. The combination comprises a sump member having a side wall and bottom wall with the side wall having an opening in liquid flow communication with the pump. There is an openended dip tube in liquid flow communication with the tub and extends downwardly within the sump below the outlet opening and spaced from the sump walls. An air pressure chamber member is located laterally of and above the sump and a connecting chamber member is arranged in communication at one end with the air chamber member and at the opposite end with the top of the sump member and has a major portion thereof located above the sump outlet opening when viewed in vertical cross-section.