General Electric Company

Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.

Joseph Duane Tobbe

Andrew Joseph Spanyer

Timothy Martin Wetzel

Gregory Owen Miller

Jerrod Aaron Kappler

Matthew David Mersch

Dwight William Jacobus

Bang M Kim

Mark Edward Dausch

Youssef El-Shoubary

Prabhat Kumar Tekriwal

Shelly Elizabeth Warms

John Kenneth Hooker

Kevin Farrelly Nolan

Martin Mitchell Zentner

Michael John Utschig

Jeffrey Neal Slotnick

Carl W Risen

Roger L Hoffman

James Robert White

Carlos Eduardo Sanchez

Jesse Allen Curran

Paul Douglas Mantle

James R Cochrane

Carrie Lilley McIntyre

Lawrence R Collins

Larry Barton Curtis

Richard Michael Thomas

Christopher Browning Harlow

Glen Miller

Kittipat Vichyavichien

John W Pettengill

Matt D Mersch

Dennis Lee Heinz

Rodney James Barry

Scott Jeffrey Kocian

Brendan Moser

James R Carlson

Jerrod A Kappler

A method for forming a shipping support for a washing machine appliance includes attaching an elongated post to a corrugated sheet. The elongated post is oriented perpendicular to flutes of the corrugated sheet when the elongated post is attached to the corrugated sheet. The method also includes attaching the corrugated sheet to a frame. The frame has a truncated pyramid base at a center of the frame. The truncated pyramid base is formed with a plurality of supports attached to a plurality of flaps of the frame.

Method for forming a shipping support for a washing machine appliance

A fluid circulation assembly for a dishwasher appliance includes a collection chamber positioned below a sump. A first outlet conduit extends from a valve and is configured for receiving liquid from a pump when the valve is in a recirculation configuration, and a second outlet conduit extends from the valve and is configured for directing liquid from the pump to the collection chamber when the valve is in a drain configuration. A check valve is configured for obstructing liquid flow from the collection chamber to an unfiltered volume of the sump when the valve is in the drain configuration.

Fluid circulation assembly for a dishwasher appliance

A bulk dispensing system for a washing machine is provided. The bulk dispensing system includes at least one bulk storage tank mounted within the washing machine. A tube provides fluid communication between the at least one bulk storage tank and a tub mounted within a cabinet of the washing machine. A pump is operatively coupled to the tube and configured to move fluid from within the at least one bulk storage tank into the tub through the tube. A controller is operatively coupled to the pump and configured to control an amount of fluid moved into the tub.

Bulk dispensing system for washing machine

A dishwasher includes a cabinet having a wash chamber defined therein, a tub positioned within the wash chamber, a door coupled to the cabinet, and a fan positioned within the cabinet. An air conduit is positioned within the dishwasher and includes a conduit body configured to be mounted onto the door. The conduit body includes an air inlet and an air outlet, the air inlet is configured to be coupled in flow communication with the fan. The air conduit body is configured to channel air from the wash chamber through the conduit to an outside of the dishwasher, isolate the air within the conduit body from contacting the door, and provide a receptacle for condensed water other than a wash chamber tub.

Dishwasher assembly having an air conduit

A fluid filtration assembly for a dishwasher system includes at least one spray arm assembly configured to distribute fluid within a wash chamber, and a filter assembly including a filter body defining a fluid inlet and a soil outlet thereon. A soil collection chamber is coupled in flow communication with the soil outlet and is configured to receive soil filtered by the filter assembly. A pump is configured to direct fluid to one of the spray arm assembly and the soil collection chamber. A valve assembly is movable between a first position and a second position. The valve assembly is coupled in flow communication with the spray arm assembly and the soil collection chamber. In the first position, the pump is configured to direct fluid to the at least one spray arm assembly. In the second position, the pump is configured to direct fluid into the soil collection chamber.

Wash fluid distribution and filtration assembly and method

A dishwasher includes a tub, a fluid circulation assembly, and a water flow blocking mechanism. The assembly includes a pump, which is in flow communication with a lower spray arm via a water passage and at least one other spray arm via a conduit. The water flow blocking mechanism includes a water flow blocking device, a magnet, and a magnet positioning device. The water flow blocking device is normally positioned in a pocket in the conduit. The magnet positioning device is configured to move the magnet from a first position to a second position. When the magnet is in the first position, the water flow blocking device is maintained in the pocket by magnetic forces from the magnet. When the magnet is in the second position, the water flow blocking device is not retained in the pocket by magnetic forces of the magnet.

Methods and systems for performing an upper rack wash in a dishwasher

A control system for controlling a fill operation of a dishwasher having a pump and a pump motor driving the pump, and the dishwasher having a valve for controlling the flow of water to the dishwasher includes a monitoring device configured to be coupled to at least one of the pump and the pump motor. The monitoring device generates an output relating to at least one of an operating current and a speed of the pump motor. The control system also includes a controller configured to be operatively coupled to the valve, wherein the controller receives the output and is configured to operate the valve based on the output. The output relates to a fill condition of the dishwasher.

Methods and apparatus for controlling a dishwasher

A dishwasher includes a cabinet, an upper rack and a lower rack disposed within the cabinet. The upper and lower racks support articles to be cleaned. The dishwasher also includes a first spray arm and a second spray arm rotatably mounted within the cabinet. The first and second spray arms are operated based on a wash cycle. A controller is operatively coupled to the first and second spray arms for controlling the wash cycle. The controller is configured to operate the first and second spray arms independently of one another, and the controller is configured to control the wash cycle based on a usage condition of the water being washed.

Multiple spray arm dishwashing apparatus and method for assembling same

A fluid dispensing system for a dishwasher door assembly having an inner door panel and an outer door panel is provided. The fluid dispensing system includes a storage tank fixedly coupled within the door assembly between the inner door panel and the outer door panel. A pump is fixedly coupled within the door assembly. A dispenser extends at least partially through the door assembly. At least one conduit is in flow communication with the storage tank, the pump, and the dispenser. A control board is in electrical communication with the pump.

Fluid dispensing system for a washing device

A system for dispensing a liquid, wherein the system includes a reservoir comprising a plurality of apertures disposed therein, and at least one dispenser in flow communication with the reservoir, the dispenser comprising a first and a second tube operatively coupled to the reservoir.

Dishwasher liquid delivery systems

An adjustable rack assembly configured to couple to a sidewall of a dishwasher rack is provided. The sidewall having at least one horizontal wire member and at least one vertical wire member. The adjustable rack assembly includes a bracket on one side of the sidewall, the bracket supporting the at least one horizontal wire member in a first rack position and a support plate on another side of the sidewall, the support plate coupled to the bracket, the support plate having at least one arm with a catch member on a distal end thereof for receiving the at least one horizontal wire member in a second rack position.

Dishwasher rack assemblies

A mid-level spray-arm assembly for a dishwasher includes a bracket for mounting a spray-arm hub to an upper rack of the machine, and a bearing coupling extending between the hub and the bracket. The bearing coupling forms a first bearing surface for rotation of the bearing coupling relative to the bracket, and a second bearing surface for rotation of the spray-arm relative to the bearing coupling. Thus, redundant bearing surfaces are provided that facilitate a more even wearing of the bearing surfaces and allow rotation of the spray-arm even when one of the bearing surfaces fails.

Mid-level spray-arm assembly

The appliance comprises a container for receiving the soiled articles, a circulation pump for distributing a hot liquid to the container, a drain positioned in the container and connected to the pump for emptying the liquid from the container upon completion of a cycle and a hydroclone connected to the drain and the pump, for removing soil from the liquid such that about ninety percent (90%) of the liquid distributed to the container during one cycle can be utilized during at least one subsequent cycle. Another embodiment includes a dishwasher having a normal operating cycle, the dishwasher comprising a container for accommodating a plurality of articles, a circulation pump for delivering a liquid to the container and for circulating the liquid within the container, a diverter connected to the circulation pump for diverting at least a portion of the circulating liquid to a hydroclone while returning at least about ninety percent (90%) of the liquid diverted to the hydroclone to the circulating liquid, the returned liquid having at most about 0.02% solids contained therein.

Reduced energy cleaning appliance

A dishwasher including a third level washing apparatus which is low cost and effective in spraying water over the upper rack of the dishwasher is described. More particularly, and in one embodiment, the dishwasher includes a rotatable arm mounted in the dishwasher tub below the lower rack for providing first level washing, and a retractable tower secured to, and rotatable with, the rotatable arm and positioned to extend through the lower rack when fully extended. The retractable tower provides second level washing. The dishwasher also includes a third level wash apparatus having a base secured to the upper rack and an elongate body extending from the base. A water passage extends through the base and elongate body. In one embodiment, a spray member is spaced from an open outlet end of the elongate body, and at least one support member extends from the elongate body to the spray member for supporting the spray member at an elevation above the upper rack. In one specific embodiment, the retractable tower includes an uppermost, substantially cylindrical section having a sidewall with a plurality of water outlet ports. A water jet outlet is located at an outlet end of the uppermost section, and the water jet outlet is oriented so that when water flows out from the water jet outlet, the water is directed through the third level washing apparatus elongate body and flows against the spray member. The water flows out from the water jet outlet substantially along an axis which is off-center with respect to the spray member so that as the tower rotates, the water spray from the spray member rotates, or orbits, within the wash chamber over the upper rack to provide third level washing.

Growing community of inventors

Taylorsville, KY, United States of America

Joseph Duane Tobbe