Rotating filter for a dishwasher and methods of cleaning a rotating filter
AssigneeWhirlpool Corporation
InventorsJACQUELYN R. GEDA, ANTONY M. RAPPETTE
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A dishwasher with a tub at least partially defining a washing chamber, a liquid spraying system, a liquid recirculation circuit, and a liquid filtering system where the liquid filtering system includes a rotating filter and where a granular agent contacts the rotating filter to clean the filter. Methods of cleaning a rotating filter provided within a liquid flow by scouring the filter with a granular agent.
Claims81
A dishwasher for treating dishes according to an automatic cycle of operation, comprising:
- a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber;
- a sprayer spraying a liquid into the treating chamber;
- a recirculation circuit fluidly coupling the treating chamber to the sprayer and recirculating sprayed liquid back to the sprayer for subsequent spraying;
- a rotating filter located within the recirculation circuit and filtering liquid passing through the recirculation circuit;
- and
- a granular agent reservoir in open communication with at least a portion of the rotating filter and storing a granular agent, which contacts the rotating filter to clean the filter during rotation.
A dishwasher for treating dishes according to an automatic cycle of operation, comprising:
- a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber;
- a sprayer spraying a liquid into the treating chamber;
- a recirculation circuit fluidly coupling the treating chamber to the sprayer and recirculating sprayed liquid back to the sprayer for subsequent spraying;
- a rotating filter located within the recirculation circuit and filtering liquid passing through the recirculation circuit;
- and
- a granular agent supply comprising a granular agent configured to be dispensed from the granular agent supply into contact with the rotating filter to effect a cleaning of the rotating filter.
A method of cleaning a rotating filter located within a liquid circuit such that liquid flows through the rotating filter to effect a filtering of the liquid, the method comprising:
- passing of liquid through the liquid circuit;
- rotating the filter during the passing of the liquid;
- and
- scouring the rotating filter by introducing a granular agent into the liquid circuit during the passing of the liquid and the rotating of the filter such that the granular agent becomes entrained within the passing liquid and is carried by the passing liquid into contact with the rotating filter.
A method of cleaning a rotating filter provided within a liquid flow and the filter having an upstream surface and a downstream surface relative to the liquid flow, the method comprising:
- scouring the filter by introducing a granular agent adjacent the upstream surface during at least one of a rotating of the filter and a passing of liquid through the filter from the upstream surface to the downstream surface.
A method of cleaning a rotating filter provided within a liquid recirculation circuit of a dishwasher, with a flow diverter spaced from the filter to define a gap between the diverter and the filter, the method comprising:
- introducing a granular agent into the gap;
- and
- while at least some of the granular agent resides within the gap, rotating filter or passing liquid through the filter to effect a cleaning of the filter with the granular agent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.