APPLIANCE BULK DISPENSER CALIBRATION USING A PRESSURE SENSOR

• US 20130255329A1
• Filed: 03/27/2012
• Published: 10/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. DBA GE Appliances (Haier Group Company)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Leibman, Alexander Boris, Kappler, Jerrod Aaron, Kwon, Lois Haeun
• Granted Patent: US 9,027,381 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 68/17.R
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/22 Content of detergent or additives
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/42 Detergent or additive supply
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 33/37 of metering of detergents or additives
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/022 in a liquid state D06F39/024 takes precedence

Abstract

A system for calibrating a fluid additive dispensing system of an appliance such as e.g., a washing machine is provided. For example, the system can calibrate for significant differences in the pressure of the water supply provided to the appliance during operation. Calibrations can also be implemented for significant differences in viscosity and/or density of the fluid additives.

Claims

1. A method for calibrating a fluid additive dispensing system for an appliance, the dispensing system including at least one bulk dispense container of fluid additive connected to a pumping device, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a pressure sensor configured for providing one or more pressure measurements of the fluid additive flowing between the pumping device and the bulk dispense container;

measuring the pressure P_s of the fluid additive while the pumping device is inactive;

activating the pumping device for a predetermined time interval Δ

t_test sufficient to draw fluid additive from the bulk container;

deactivating the pumping device;

measuring the amount of pressure increase Δ

P_INT over pressure P_s in the fluid additive after said step of deactivating; and

,

using the pressure increase Δ

P_INT and pressure P_s to determine the time interval t_tot required to operate the pumping device so as to deliver a certain quantity of fluid additive.

2. A method for calibrating a fluid additive dispensing system for an appliance as in claim 1, wherein said step of using comprises:

applying one or more relationships between the pressure increase Δ

P_INT and pressure P_s to determine the time interval t_tot needed to operate the pumping device so as to deliver a certain quantity of fluid additive.

3. A method for calibrating a fluid additive dispensing system for an appliance as in claim 1, wherein the one or more relationships used in said step of applying are developed empirically.

4. A method for calibrating a fluid additive dispensing system for an appliance as in claim 1, wherein said step of using further comprises:

applying a relationship between pressure increase Δ

P_INT, pressure P_s, and the time to prime t_p over a range of different values for Δ

P_INT and pressure P_s.

5. A method for calibrating a fluid additive dispensing system for an appliance as in claim 1, wherein said step of using further comprises:

applying a relationship between Δ

P_INT, pressure P_s, and the time to dispense t_d over a range of different values for Δ

P_INT and pressure P_s.

6. A method for calibrating a fluid additive dispensing system for an appliance as in claim 1, wherein the time interval t_tot for operating the pumping device so as to deliver the certain quantity of fluid additive includes the time to prime the pumping device.

7. A method for calibrating a fluid additive dispensing system for an appliance as in claim 1, wherein the time interval t_tot for operating the pumping device so as to deliver the certain quantity of fluid additive is the sum of the time to prime the aspirator, t_p, as well as the time necessary to deliver a certain amount of fluid additive once primed, t_d.

8. A method for calibrating a fluid additive dispensing system for an appliance as in claim 1, wherein the pumping device is an aspirator.

9. A method for calibrating a fluid additive dispensing system for an appliance as in claim 1, further comprising the step of positioning the pressure sensor at or near a bottom of the bulk dispense container.

10. A method for calibrating a fluid additive dispensing system for an appliance as in claim 1, further comprising the step of operating the pumping device for the time interval t_tot so as to deliver fluid additive.

11. A method for calibrating a fluid additive dispensing system for an appliance as in claim 10, wherein said step of operating the pumping device comprises opening a valve connecting the pumping device with a water supply.

12. A system for dispensing a fluid additive in an appliance, comprising:

a tank for storing the fluid additive;

a pumping device for drawing fluid from the tank, the pumping device connectable with a water supply and connected to 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;

providing a pressure sensor configured for providing one or more pressure measurements of the fluid additive flowing between the pumping device and the bulk dispense container;

measuring the pressure P_s of the fluid additive while the pumping device is inactive;

activating the pumping device for a predetermined time interval Δ

t_test sufficient to draw fluid additive from the bulk container;

deactivating the pumping device;

measuring the amount of pressure increase Δ

P_INT above P_s in the fluid additive after said step of deactivating; and

,

using the pressure increase Δ

P_INT and to pressure P_s to determine the time interval t_tot required to operate the pumping device so as to deliver a certain quantity of fluid additive.

13. A system for dispensing a fluid additive in an appliance as in claim 12, wherein said at least one processing device is further configured for

applying a relationship between Δ

P_INT, pressure P_s, and the time to prime t_p over a range of different values for pressure increase Δ

P_INT and pressure P_s.

14. A system for dispensing a fluid additive in an appliance as in claim 12, wherein said at least one processing device is further configured for

applying a relationship between Δ

P_INT, pressure P_s, and the time to dispense t_d over a range of different values for Δ

P_INT and pressure P_s.

15. A system for dispensing a fluid additive in an appliance as in claim 12, wherein the appliance is a washing machine.

16. A system for dispensing a fluid additive in an appliance as in claim 12, wherein said pumping device comprises an aspirator.

17. A system for dispensing a fluid additive in an appliance as in claim 12, wherein said pressure sensor is positioned at or below a bottom portion of said tank.