The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 06, 2001
Filed:
Jun. 04, 1999
Todd M. Jozwiak, Benton Harbor, MI (US);
Edward L. Thies, Niles, MI (US);
Claude W. Miller, Troy, OH (US);
Roger J. Bertsch, Stevensville, MI (US);
Wilbur W. Jarvis, St. Joseph, MI (US);
Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI (US);
Abstract
A dishwasher is provided having a wash pump and soil collection system. The wash pump may be a volute type pump having a horizontal axis and includes a casing surrounding a wash impeller. The casing has a main outlet and a secondary outlet. The wash impeller draws wash liquid from the dishwasher sump region and pumps the wash liquid through the main outlet and the secondary outlet. The wash liquid pumped through the main outlet is provided to a wash arm device such that wash liquid is recirculated throughout the dishwasher interior wash chamber. The wash liquid pumped through the secondary outlet is directed to flow into a soil collector. The soil collector includes a soil separation channel which receives the flow from the secondary outlet and includes at least one filter screen panel for returning filtered wash liquid back into the sump such that soils are retained in the soil separation channel and accumulate within a soil accumulator region. A pressure sensor may be provided for sensing the pressure within the soil accumulator. A drain pump is provided having an inlet fluidly connected to the soil separation channel. When the pressure within the soil collector exceeds a predetermined limit level, the drain pump is energized such that soils are cleared or purged from the soil collector. Alternatively, a second outlet may be provided in the soil collector through which wash liquid flows back into the wash chamber when the filter screen is clogged with soils.