METHOD OF OPERATING A DISHWASHER

• US 20130000673A1
• Filed: 06/29/2011
• Published: 01/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: DELGADO, KRISTOPHER L., TULLER, BARRY E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,574,373 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/10
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0047 Energy or water consumption, e.g. by saving energy or water
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4291 Recovery arrangements, e.g. for the recovery of energy or water
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/09 Water level
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/20 Time, e.g. elapsed operating time
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/02 Water discharge, e.g. opening or closure of discharge valve
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/03 Water recirculation, e.g. control of distributing valves for redirection of water flow

Abstract

A method of operating a dishwasher includes storing wash liquid in a portion of the spray system of the dishwasher for subsequent reuse. The spray system can include one or more supply conduits, and wash liquid can be alternatively supplied to the supply conduits to store the wash liquid in at least one of the supply conduits.

Claims

1. A method of operating a dishwasher having a treating chamber supplied with wash liquid by a spray system having multiple, independent supply conduits terminating in at least one sprayer, the method comprising:

recirculating wash liquid from the treating chamber to the spray system;

while recirculating the wash liquid, alternatively supplying the recirculated wash liquid to the supply conduits to store the wash liquid in at least one of the supply conduits;

terminating the recirculation of wash liquid when a predetermined amount of wash liquid is stored; and

draining any remaining wash liquid.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the alternatively supplying the recirculated wash liquid comprises selectively actuating a diverter valve fluidly coupling the recirculating wash liquid to the supply conduits.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein selectively actuating the diverter valve comprises sequentially fluidly coupling the diverter valve to the supply conduits.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the sequentially fluidly coupling the diverter valve to the supply conduits comprises sequentially advancing the diverter valve from the current supply conduit to the next supply conduit when the current supply conduit reaches a filled condition.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the terminating the recirculation comprises fluidly uncoupling the diverter valve from any of the supply conduits.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the recirculating comprises filtering the wash liquid prior to storing the wash liquid in the at least one of the supply conduits.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the alternatively supplying the recirculated wash liquid to the liquid supply conduits comprises sequentially supplying the recirculated wash liquid to each liquid supply conduit.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the terminating the recirculation comprises terminating the recirculation of wash liquid when the at least one of the liquid supply conduits reaches a filled condition with wash liquid.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the terminating the recirculation comprises terminating the recirculation of wash liquid when all of the liquid supply conduits reach a filled condition with wash liquid.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined amount of wash liquid comprises an amount of wash liquid approximately equal to a maximum capacity of the spray system.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising draining a predetermined amount of the wash liquid prior to the recirculating the wash liquid.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising supplying liquid to the treating chamber and recirculating the liquid through the treating chamber to remove soils from any utensils within the treating chamber and to form the wash liquid.

13. A method of operating a dishwasher having a treating chamber supplied with wash liquid by a spray system having at least one supply conduit terminating in at least one sprayer, the method comprising:

recirculating wash liquid from the treating chamber to the spray system;

while recirculating the wash liquid, storing a portion of the wash liquid in the at least one supply conduit by supplying the recirculated wash liquid to the at least one supply conduit;

terminating the recirculation of wash liquid when a predetermined amount of wash liquid is stored; and

draining any remaining wash liquid.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the recirculating comprises filtering the wash liquid prior to storing the portion of the wash liquid in the at least one supply conduit.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the storing comprises closing an inlet to the at least one supply conduit after the inlet has been open a predetermined period of time.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the terminating the recirculation comprises terminating the recirculation of liquid when the at least one liquid supply conduit reaches a filled condition with wash liquid.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the predetermined amount of wash liquid comprises an amount of wash liquid approximately equal to a maximum capacity of the spray system.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising supplying liquid to the treating chamber and recirculating the liquid through the treating chamber to remove soils from any utensils within the treating chamber and to form the wash liquid.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising draining a predetermined amount of wash liquid prior to the recirculating the wash liquid.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one liquid supply conduit comprises a first supply conduit terminating in at least one first sprayer and a second supply conduit terminating in at least one second sprayer, and the recirculating comprises sequentially supplying wash liquid to the first and second supply conduits.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the storing comprises sequentially storing portions of the wash liquid in the first and second supply conduits.