Dishwasher fluid control system

In a dishwashing apparatus, the combination comprising:

• means defining a washing chamber;
• fluid inlet means for supplying fluid to said washing chamber;
• means for recirculating said fluid within said washing chamber;
• sequential control means for controlling energization of said apparatus during a cycle of operations including a plurality of fluid recirculation periods;
• fluid level switch means for energizing and deenergizing said fluid inlet means to admit a first metered quantity of fluid into said washing chamber under static conditions prior to energization of said recirculating means for initiation of each of said fluid recirculation periods of said cycle of operations;
• and switch means included in said sequential control means for initiating energization of said recirculating means and for reenergizing said fluid inlet means to admit an additional timed quantity of fluid after energization of said recirculating means for at least one of said fluid recirculation periods of said same cycle of operations while said fluid is being recirculated.

In a dishwashing apparatus, the combination comprising:

• means defining a washing chamber and including a bottom wall defining a sump;
• fluid inlet means including valve means for supplying fluid to said washing chamber for accumulation in said sump;
• recirculation means for recirculating said fluid from said sump to said washing chamber;
• sequential control means including circuit opening and closing means for controlling said apparatus during a cycle of operations including a plurality of fluid recirculation periods for rinsing and washing;
• fluid inlet control means including level detecting means having switch means responsive to a changing fluid level for energizing and deenergizing said valve means to provide a primary metered fluid fill in said washing chamber under static conditions prior to initiation of each of said fluid recirculation periods of said cycle of operations;
• and timer switch means included in said sequential control means for reenergizing said valve means to admit a secondary timed fluid fill at the beginning of at least one predetermined fluid recirculation period of said same cycle of operations while said fluid is being recirculated, said level detecting switch means and said timer switch means being cooperatively associated and connected to said valve means to operate as secondary shut-off control of one for the other whereby said timer switch means is operable as a secondary shut-off control to prevent an overfill during said primary fluid fill and said level detecting switch means is operable as a secondary shut-off control to prevent an overfill during said secondary fluid fill.

An apparatus for rinsing and washing dishes, the combination comprising:

• means defining a washing chamber and including a bottom wall defining a sump;
• fluid inlet means including valve means for supplying fluid to said washing chamber for accumulation in said sump;
• pump means communicating with said sump and operable for effecting a recirculation of washing fluid from said sump to said washing chamber;
• sequential control means for controlling said apparatus through a cycle of operations including a series of fluid recirculation periods for rinsing and washing said dishes;
• fluid level switch means operable in a first posture during preprogrammed periods of deenergization of said pump means preceding each of said fluid recirculation periods for energizing said fluid inlet means during a primary fill period and operable from said first posture to a second posture at a predetermined liquid level for deenergizing said inlet means;
• and timer switch means included in said sequential control means for initiating energization of said pump means, said fluid level switch means being reset from said second posture to said first posture upon initiation of recirculation, said timer switch means being further operable for reenergizing said fluid inlet means during a secondary fill period to admit an additional quantity of fluid during the initial part of at least one preprogrammed recirculation period of said same cycle of operations while said fluid is being recirculated, said fluid level switch means and said timer switch means being connected in a series circuit with said timer switch means being preprogrammed for operation to a closed position for a predetermined time period during said primary and secondary fill periods whereby said timer switch means is operable as a secondary shut-off control of said fluid inlet means during the primary fill period and whereby said fluid level switch means is operable as a secondary shut-off of said fluid inlet means during the secondary fill period.