SYSTEM TO DETECT PRIMING OF A BULK DISPENSE SYSTEM FOR AN APPLIANCE
First Claim
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1. A system for dispensing a fluid in an appliance, comprising:
- a tank for storing the fluid;
a pumping device for drawing fluid from the tank, the pumping device having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet is connected to receive fluid from said tank;
a pressure sensor configured for providing one or more pressure measurements of fluid between said tank and said pumping device;
at least one processing device configured foractivating said pumping device so as to draw fluid from said tank;
receiving pressure measurements of the fluid from said pressure sensor; and
determining when the pressure measurements of the fluid become substantially constant after said step of activating said pumping device.
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Abstract
A bulk fluid dispensing system that can detect when priming has occurred is provided. The system can prime itself so as to remove e.g., air gaps that might affect the metering of a proper amount of a fluid such as laundry detergent or fabric softener into a wash chamber or wash bin of the appliance. A pressure sensor can be used to determine when such priming has occurred. Other features can be provided as well.
9 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A system for dispensing a fluid in an appliance, comprising:
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a tank for storing the fluid; a pumping device for drawing fluid from the tank, the pumping device having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet is connected to receive fluid from said tank; a pressure sensor configured for providing one or more pressure measurements of fluid between said tank and said pumping device; at least one processing device configured for activating said pumping device so as to draw fluid from said tank; receiving pressure measurements of the fluid from said pressure sensor; and determining when the pressure measurements of the fluid become substantially constant after said step of activating said pumping device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for dispensing a fluid in an appliance, comprising the steps of:
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providing a supply of the fluid for delivery in the appliance; causing the fluid to flow along a path from the supply to a wash chamber of the appliance; measuring the pressure of the fluid along the path during said step of causing; and
,determining when the pressure of the fluid become constant along the path during said step of causing. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification