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US 5,291,626 AGranted
Machine for cleansing articles
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsBarbara D. Molnar, Donald T. McGrath, Mark E. Dausch, Vivek V. Badami, Walter Whipple, III
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A machine for cleansing articles, such as a dishwasher, incorporates a device for measuring the turbidity of an at least partially transparent liquid. The device includes a sensor for detecting scattered electromagnetic radiation, regardless of polarization, and a sensor for detecting transmitted electromagnetic radiation, regardless of polarization.
Claims28
A machine for cleansing articles with a liquid comprising:
- a source of electromagnetic radiation directed into said liquid;
- a sensor for detecting electromagnetic radiation, regardless of polarization, scattered by propagation through said liquid;
- a controller responsive to said sensor;
- a frame for containing said articles during said cleansing;
- and
- liquid-handling means integral to said frame for cleansing said articles in response to said controller.
3 more elements
A method for washing articles comprising the steps of:
- (a) washing said articles with water for at least one wash cycle;
- (b) during the washing step measuring at least once the turbidity of the water used to wash said articles by:
- (1) propagating electromagnetic radiation through the water;
- and
- (2) detecting electromagnetic radiation, regardless of polarization, scattered by particles suspended in the water;
- and
- (c) controlling the duration of said at least one wash cycle in accordance with the at least one turbidity measurement.
4 more elements
A method for washing articles comprising the steps of:
- (a) washing said articles with water in a plurality of wash cycles;
- (b) during at least one of the wash cycles measuring at least once the turbidity of the water used to wash said articles by:
- (1) propagating electromagnetic radiation through the water;
- and
- (2) detecting electromagnetic radiation, regardless of polarization, scattered by particles suspended in the water;
- and
- (c) controlling the number of the wash cycles in accordance with the at least one turbidity measurement.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.