Systems and methods for controlling warewasher wash cycle duration, detecting water levels and priming warewasher chemical feed lines
First Claim
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1. A method for selectively extending a warewasher wash cycle duration beyond a set minimum duration, the method comprising the steps of:
- beginning the wash cycle;
heating rinse water during the wash cycle; and
running the wash cycle for the set minimum duration;
after the wash cycle has run for the set minimum duration;
either ending the wash cycle if a determination is made that the temperature of the rinse water has reached a desired rinse water temperature or continuing the wash cycle if a determination is made that the temperature of the rinse water has not reached the desired rinse water temperature.
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Abstract
A system and method of selectively extending a wash cycle duration of a warewasher beyond a set minimum duration provides suitable cleaning of wares while at the same time seeking to increase the number of wash cycles per unit time. A system and method for detecting water level in a wash chamber or other tank provides the ability to identify a progressively fouling electrode. A system and method of automatically priming one or more chemical feed lines of a warewasher is also described.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method for selectively extending a warewasher wash cycle duration beyond a set minimum duration, the method comprising the steps of:
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beginning the wash cycle;
heating rinse water during the wash cycle; and
running the wash cycle for the set minimum duration;
after the wash cycle has run for the set minimum duration;
either ending the wash cycle if a determination is made that the temperature of the rinse water has reached a desired rinse water temperature or continuing the wash cycle if a determination is made that the temperature of the rinse water has not reached the desired rinse water temperature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8)
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5. A warewasher system, comprising:
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a wash chamber for receiving objects to be washed;
a pump for recirculating wash water through the wash chamber during a wash cycle;
a tank and associated heater for heating rinse water;
a path for delivering water from the tank to the wash chamber;
a flow control device for controlling water flow along the path;
a temperature sensor for indicating a temperature of the rinse water in the tank; and
a controller connected to receive input from the temperature sensor, connected to control the flow control device and the pump and having at least one operating mode that, if active, will carry out the following steps for a wash cycle;
heat rinse water during the wash cycle; and
after the wash cycle runs for a set minimum duration;
end the wash cycle if the temperature of the rinse water has reached a desired rinse water temperature;
continue the wash cycle if the temperature of the rinse water has not reached the desired rinse water temperature. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. A method of controlling a warewasher wash cycle duration to last for at least a first time period but no longer than a second time period, the method comprising the steps of:
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initiating a wash cycle;
heating rinse water;
detecting a temperature of the rinse water; and
after the wash cycle has run for at least the first time period;
ending the wash cycle if or when the temperature of the rinse water has reached a desired temperature;
continuing the wash cycle if the temperature of the rinse water has not reached the desired temperature;
ending the wash cycle after the second time period even if the temperature of the rinse water has not reached the desired temperature.
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11. A method for monitoring a liquid level within a tank or chamber using a sensor system formed by a first electrode spaced apart from a second electrode within the tank or chamber, the method comprising the steps of:
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delivering an electrical signal to the first electrode;
sampling an electrical parameter at the first electrode a plurality of times during application of the electrical signal;
adding the plurality of samples to produce a sample sum;
analyzing the sample sum to determine whether a volume of liquid within the tank or chamber contacts both the first electrode and second electrode. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A warewasher, comprising:
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a wash chamber;
a sensor system formed by a first electrode spaced apart from a second electrode, both electrodes within the chamber;
a controller electrically connected with at least the first electrode and operating to;
deliver a electrical signal to the first electrode;
sample an electrical parameter at the first electrode a plurality of times during application of the electrical signal;
add the plurality of samples to produce a sample sum;
analyze the sample sum to determine whether a volume of liquid within the tank or chamber contacts both the first electrode and second electrode. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A warewasher, comprising:
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a wash chamber;
a sensor system formed by a first electrode spaced apart from a second electrode within the chamber;
a controller electrically connected with at least the first electrode and operable to carry out the following steps;
deliver a voltage pulse to the first electrode;
sample voltage at the first electrode a plurality of times during application of the voltage pulse;
add the plurality of voltage samples to produce a sample voltage sum;
compare the sample voltage sum to a shorted threshold sum, and if the sample voltage sum is less than the shorted threshold sum the controller makes a determination that the first electrode and second electrode are shorted by a metallic article within the tank. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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29. A method for controlling a chemical feed system in a warewasher having a chemical feed path, a sensor system for detecting the presence/absence of a chemical along the chemical feed path and a chemical feed pump for moving chemicals along the chemical feed path to a wash chamber of the warewasher, the method comprising the steps of:
when an absence of the chemical is detected along the chemical feed path, operation of the chemical feed pump is initiated, without requiring user interaction, in attempt to automatically prime the chemical feed path. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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32. A warewasher chemical feed system, comprising:
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a chemical feed line extending from a chemical source to a wash chamber of the warewasher;
a sensor system for detecting the presence/absence of a chemical along the chemical feed line;
a pump for moving chemicals along the chemical feed line to the wash chamber; and
a controller connected with the sensor system and for controlling the pump, when an absence of the chemical along the chemical feed path is detected by the controller, the controller effects operation of the pump in attempt to prime the chemical feed line. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34)
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Specification