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Heating air for drying dishes in a dishwasher using an in-line wash liquid heater

  • US 9,833,120 B2
  • Filed: 04/03/2013
  • Issued: 12/05/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A dishwasher for washing utensils according to an automatic cycle of operation, comprising:

  • a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving utensils for cleaning;

    a liquid supply system fluidly coupled to the treating chamber and having a pump assembly selectively supplying liquid to the treating chamber, and where the liquid supply system includes a first conduit portion through which the liquid passes as it is supplied to the treating chamber and wherein the first conduit is located within a lower sump housing that is fluidly coupled downstream of an outlet of the pump assembly;

    an air supply system fluidly coupled to the treating chamber and selectively supplying air to the treating chamber, and including a second conduit portion through which the air passes, with the first conduit portion at least partially forming the second conduit portion to define a thermal transfer interface between the liquid supply system and the air supply system; and

    a heating system located within the lower sump housing, comprising;

    a film heating element provided on the thermal transfer interface and wherein the film heating element includes a sleeve that at least partially wraps around the first conduit portion to form a tubular in-line heater configured to heat liquid flowing through the first conduit portion; and

    an axial fin array having a cylindrical structure wrapping around at least a portion of the sleeve of the film heating element and where the axial fin array is thermally coupled to and extending from the film heating element and wherein fins of the axial fin array extend into the second conduit portion such that air flowing through the air supply system passes over the fins whereby the heat in the fins is transferred to the passing air; and

    wherein activation of the film heating element provides heat to both of the liquid supply system and the air supply system.

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