Appliance methods and apparatus

• US 20040261434A1
• Filed: 12/31/2003
• Published: 12/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. DBA GE Appliances (Haier Group Company)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Gnadinger, Errin Whitney, Tarr, Ronald Scott, Zentner, Martin Mitchell, Cosgrove, James Alan
• Granted Patent: US 7,621,283 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/137
• CPC Class Codes: F25C 1/04 by using stationary moulds
• CPC Class Codes: F25C 2305/024 Rotating rake
• CPC Class Codes: F25C 2400/10 Refrigerator units
• CPC Class Codes: F25C 2400/14 Water supply
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/126 Water cooler
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/06 Refrigerators with a vertical mullion

Abstract

A method includes using a turbine ratemeter in an appliance to meter delivery of a liquid.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

using a turbine ratemeter in an appliance to meter delivery of a liquid.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said using a turbine ratemeter comprises using a turbine ratemeter in at least one of a refrigerator, a dishwasher, and a washing machine.

3. A method of operating a dishwasher, said method comprising:

sensing a current to a pump motor to detect a cavitation of the pump; and

actuating a valve in response to detecting the cavitation.

4. A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein said sensing a current comprises sensing a phase of an alternating current (AC) to the pump motor.

5. A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein said actuating a valve comprises supplying water to the dishwasher using a turbine ratemeter to deliver a predetermined amount of water.

6. A method of operating a dishwasher, said method comprising:

using a turbine ratemeter to deliver a first amount of water to the dishwasher for a first dishwashing cycle;

monitoring at least one operation of the dishwasher during the first dishwashing cycle to detect an underfill condition;

using the turbine ratemeter to add additional water to the dishwasher upon detecting at least one underfill condition during the first dishwashing cycle;

retaining a first total amount of additional water added during the first dishwashing cycle;

using the turbine ratemeter to deliver the first amount of water to the dishwasher for a second dishwashing cycle subsequent the first cycle;

monitoring at least one operation of the dishwasher during the second dishwashing cycle to detect an underfill condition;

using the turbine ratemeter to add additional water to the dishwasher upon detecting at least one underfill condition during the second dishwasher cycle;

retaining a second total amount of additional water added during the second dishwashing cycle; and

determining a second amount of water to deliver to the dishwasher for a third dishwashing cycle subsequent the second cycle using the retained first total amount of additional water added and the retained second total amount of additional water added.

7. A method in accordance with claim 6 further comprising:

using the turbine ratemeter to deliver the second amount of water to the dishwasher for a dishwashing cycle subsequent the second cycle;

monitoring at least one operation of the dishwasher during the dishwashing cycle subsequent the second cycle to detect an underfill condition; and

prompting a user to check a load of the dishwasher.

8. A method in accordance with claim 7 further comprising using the turbine ratemeter to add additional water to the dishwasher when the user did not check the load.

9. A method in accordance with claim 6 further comprising repeating the above steps every time the dishwasher is subjected to a power loss.

10. A dishwasher comprising:

a wash chamber; and

a turbine ratemeter positioned to deliver water into said wash chamber.

11. A dishwasher in accordance with claim 10 further comprising:

a pump motor configured to pump liquid into said wash chamber; and

a controller coupled to said motor, said controller configured to detect a cavitation of said pump and use said ratemeter to deliver a predetermined amount of water upon the detection.

12. A dishwasher in accordance with claim 11 wherein said controller configured to detect a cavitation by sensing a current to said motor.

13. A dishwasher in accordance with claim 12 wherein said controller configured to detect a cavitation by sensing a phase of an alternating current to said motor.

14. A dishwasher comprising:

a wash chamber;

means to deliver a metered amount of water into said wash chamber; and

a controller coupled to said means, said controller configured to

deliver a first amount of water to the dishwasher for a first dishwashing cycle;

monitor at least one operation of the dishwasher during the first dishwashing cycle to detect an underfill condition;

add additional water to the dishwasher upon detecting at least one underfill condition during the first dishwashing cycle;

retain a first total amount of additional water added during the first dishwashing cycle;

deliver the first amount of water to the dishwasher for a second dishwashing cycle subsequent the first cycle;

monitor at least one operation of the dishwasher during the second dishwashing cycle to detect an underfill condition;

add additional water to the dishwasher upon detecting at least one underfill condition during the second dishwasher cycle;

retain a second total amount of additional water added during the second dishwashing cycle; and

determine a second amount of water to deliver to the dishwasher for a third dishwashing cycle subsequent the second cycle using the retained first total amount of additional water added and the retained second total amount of additional water added.

15. A dishwasher in accordance with claim 14 further comprising a pump motor coupled to said controller, said controller further configured to monitor said pump to detect a pump cavitation.

16. A dishwasher in accordance with claim 15, wherein said controller further configured to deliver a predetermined amount of water to said wash chamber upon a detecting the pump cavitation.

17. A dishwasher in accordance with claim 15, wherein said controller further configured to provide an indication upon detecting the pump cavitation.

18. A dishwasher in accordance with claim 17, wherein said controller further configured to provide a visual indication upon detecting the pump cavitation.

19. A dishwasher in accordance with claim 17, wherein said controller further configured to provide an audible indication upon detecting the pump cavitation.

20. A dishwasher in accordance with claim 14, wherein said controller further configured to:

after a power loss, deliver the first amount of water to the dishwasher for a first dishwashing cycle subsequent the power loss;

monitor at least one operation of the dishwasher during the first dishwashing cycle subsequent the power loss to detect an underfill condition;

add additional water to the dishwasher upon detecting at least one underfill condition during the first dishwashing cycle subsequent the power loss;

retain a first total amount of additional water added during the first dishwashing cycle subsequent the power loss;

deliver the first amount of water to the dishwasher for a second dishwashing cycle subsequent the first cycle subsequent the power loss;

monitor at least one operation of the dishwasher during the second dishwashing cycle subsequent the power loss to detect an underfill condition;

add additional water to the dishwasher upon detecting at least one underfill condition during the second dishwasher cycle subsequent the power loss;

retain a second total amount of additional water added during the second dishwashing cycle subsequent the power loss; and

determine a second amount of water to deliver to the dishwasher for a third dishwashing cycle subsequent the second cycle subsequent the power loss using the retained first total amount of additional water added and the retained second total amount of additional water added.