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US 2023/0055113 A1Published application
Laundry appliance having a fine-particle filter for separating microfibers from process fluids
AssigneeWhirlpool Corporation
InventorOmar R. Murad
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A laundry appliance includes a tub positioned within an outer cabinet. A drum is rotationally operable within the tub. A fluid pump directs a process fluid through a fluid path that includes the tub. A fine-particle filter is positioned within the fluid path. The fine-particle filter separates microfibers from the process fluid to define captured microfibers.
Claims20
A laundry appliance comprising:
- a tub positioned within an outer cabinet;
- a drum that is rotationally operable within the tub;
- a fluid pump that directs a process fluid through a fluid path that includes the tub;
- and
- a fine-particle filter positioned within the fluid path, wherein the fine-particle filter separates microfibers from the process fluid to define captured microfibers.
2 more elements
A laundry appliance comprising:
- a tub positioned within an outer cabinet;
- a drum that is rotationally operable within the tub;
- a motor that operates the drum about a rotational axis;
- a fluid pump that directs a process fluid through a fluid path that includes the tub;
- a fine-particle filter positioned within the fluid path, wherein the fine-particle filter separates microfibers from the process fluid, wherein delivery of the process fluid through the fine-particle filter results in an accumulation of process fluid within the tub;
- and
- a controller that operates the motor, wherein the controller operates the motor according to a predetermined operational sequence when a flow of the process fluid is below a threshold level with respect to the tub and the fluid pump, and wherein the controller operates the motor according to a diminished acceleration sequence when the flow of the process fluid reaches the threshold level.
4 more elements
A method for operating a laundry appliance, the method including steps of:
- beginning a laundry cycle and operating a motor for a drum according to a predetermined operational sequence;
- delivering process fluid through a fluid path that includes a tub and the drum that rotationally operates within the tub;
- filtering the process fluid using a fine-particle filter;
- slowing a flow of the process fluid within the tub and the drum to allow for increased filtration of the process fluid within the fine-particle filter;
- modulating operation of the motor to be a diminished acceleration sequence when the flow of the process fluid reaches a threshold level within the tub;
- modulating the operation of the motor to be the predetermined operational sequence when the flow of the process fluid is below the threshold;
- completing the laundry cycle;
- removing a fine-particle cartridge from the fine-particle filter when the fine-particle cartridge is saturated with micro fibers;
- and
- installing a new fine-particle cartridge into the fine-particle filter.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.