Fill control for appliance
OwnerMichael T. Clouser, Michael R. DuHackinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A control system for monitoring the filling of a washing appliance with liquid. The control system energizes a fault indicator when a no-fill and/or an overfill condition occurs. Specifically, when a no-fill condition occurs at a time when the washing appliance should have a predetermined liquid level therein, the control system energizes a fault indicator and suspends operation so that damage to the washing appliance is prevented and/or minimized. When an overfill condition (i.e., a liquid level above a predetermined level) occurs the control system energizes a fault indicator and suspends operation to prevent and/or minimize damage to the washing appliance and/or the surrounding environment.
Claims28
A control system for a washing appliance comprising:
- a fault indicator operable to signal occurrence of a fault when energized;
- and
- a sequence controller controlling a portion of operation of said washing appliance, said sequence controller being operable to energize said fault indicator when a no-fill condition occurs in said washing appliance.
A control system for a washing appliance comprising:
- a liquid fill device operable to selectively allow a liquid to flow into a washing appliance;
- a fault indicator operable to signal occurrence of a no-fill condition when energized;
- a level sensor responsive to a level of said liquid in said washing appliance;
- a level switch responsive to said level sensor, said level switch having a first position corresponding to a first predetermined liquid level in said washing appliance and a second position corresponding to a second predetermined liquid level in said washing appliance, said second predetermined liquid level being greater than said first predetermined liquid level;
- and
- a sequence controller operable to control energization of said fault indicator when said level switch is in said first position and energizing said fault indicator when a no-fill condition occurs.
A method of operating a washing appliance comprising the steps of:
- (a) monitoring a liquid level in a washing appliance during a fill cycle of said washing appliance;
- and
- (b) signaling a fault condition when a no-fill condition occurs in said washing appliance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.