Alarm unit for dishwashing systems
AssigneeTCD Parts, Inc.
InventorMark B. Fisher
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for sequentially monitoring a level of a sanitation agent comprises the step of providing a supply tube having a first portion and a second portion. The method includes the step of linking the supply tube first portion and the supply tube second portion with a pipe. An optical sensor is situated adjacent the pipe, and is used to take a reference reading and a fault check reading. A controller imposes a warning signal when a difference between the reference reading and the fault check reading is greater than a threshold. The reference reading is taken when the sanitation agent is in direct contact with the pipe.
Claims20
An alarm system for monitoring a level of a sanitation agent in a dishwasher, the dishwasher having a sanitation agent supply vessel associated with a supply tube, the supply tube having a first portion adjacent the supply vessel and a second portion, the alarm system comprising:
- a hollow pipe configured for receiving the sanitation agent from the supply tube first portion and conveying the sanitation agent to the supply tube second portion;
- an optical sensor configured for sequentially taking a reference reading, a first reading, and a second reading;
- the first and the second readings being averaged to compute a fault check reading;
- a first output device;
- and
- a controller in electronic communication with the optical sensor and the first output device;
- wherein the controller causes the first output device to output a warning signal upon detecting an air bubble in the pipe when a magnitude of the difference between the reference reading and the fault check reading exceeds a threshold.
A method for monitoring a level of a sanitation agent in a dishwashing system having a sanitation agent supply vessel, the method comprising steps:
- providing a supply tube having a first portion and a second portion, the first and second portions being unconnected to one another;
- linking the supply tube first portion and the supply tube second portion with a pipe;
- situating an optical sensor adjacent the pipe;
- sequentially taking a reference reading, a first reading, and a second reading with the optical sensor;
- computing a fault check reading, the fault check reading being an average of the first reading and the second reading;
- and
- imposing by a controller a warning signal when a magnitude of the difference between the reference reading and the fault check reading exceeds a threshold;
- wherein the warning signal comprises at least one item selected from the group consisting of a flashing light and an audible alarm.
A method for sequentially monitoring a level of a sanitation agent, the method comprising steps:
- providing a supply tube having a first portion and a second portion;
- linking the supply tube first portion and the supply tube second portion with a pipe;
- situating an optical sensor adjacent the pipe;
- using the optical sensor to take a reference reading and a fault check reading;
- imposing by a controller a warning signal when a difference between the reference reading and the fault check reading is greater than a threshold;
- wherein the reference reading is taken when the sanitation agent is in direct contact with the pipe.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.