US3648931A

US3648931A - Dishwasher with selectable levels of wash

Info

Publication number: US3648931A
Application number: US70180A
Authority: US
Inventors: James W Jacobs
Original assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
Current assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
Priority date: 1970-09-08
Filing date: 1970-09-08
Publication date: 1972-03-14
Anticipated expiration: 1989-03-14

Abstract

A dishwasher having an improved water circulation arrangement for use therewith including a fluid circulating pump variously connectable with a lower rotating spray arm, a vertical spray column on the spray arm and an upper spray header. The spray header is positioned on the spray column such that the spray header receives fluid by means of a vertical supply stub extending concentrically within the spray column providing fluid communication between the pump and the spray header. A threeposition sleeve valve is located on the lower end of the supply tube and is operative to selectively connect the fluid flow from the pump alternatively to the combination of all three spray devices; the combination of the spray arm and the spray column, or only the upper spray header.

Description

United States Patent .1 acobs Mar. 14, 1972 [54] DISHWASHER WITH SELECTABLE LEVELS OF WASH [72] Inventor: James W. Jacobs, Dayton, Ohio {73] Assignee: General Motors Corporation, Detroit,

Mich.

221 Filed: Sept. 8, 1970 211 Appl. No.: 70,180

[52] US. Cl. ..239/248, 134/58 D, 134/176, 134/178, 134/179, 239/444, 239/585 [51] Int. Cl ..B05b 3/00 Field of Search ..234/246, 251, 248, 261, 262,

3,292,645 12/1966 Braden et al..... ..239/57 D 3,496,949 2/1970 Mercer ..239/25l X 3,529,773 9/1970 Barnum ..134/176 X Primary Examiner-Allen N. Knowles Assistant ExaminerEdwin D. Grant AttorneyWilliam S. Pettigrew, Frederick M. Ritchie and Edward P. Barthel ABSTRACT A dishwasher having an improved water circulation arrangement for use therewith including a fluid circulating pump variously connectable with a lower rotating spray arm, a vertical spray column on the spray arm and an upper spray header. The spray header is positioned on the spray column such that the spray header receives fluid by means of a vertical supply stub extending concentrically within the spray column providing fluid communication between the pump and the spray header. A three-position sleeve valve is located on the lower end of the supply tube and is operative to selectively connect the fluid flow from the pump alternatively to the combination of all three spray devices; the combination of the spray arm and the spray column, or only the upper spray header.

4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PAIENTEHMARM I972 3,648,931

I N VEN TOR.

ATTORNEY PATENTEBMAR 14 I972 SHEET 2 [IF 2 BY MSW/0M5 ATTORN FY DISHWASHER WITH SELECTABLE LEVELS OF WASH This invention relates to dishwashers and more particularly to a selective washing arrangement for an automatic domestic dishwasher.

With the development of the dishwashing art, it has been an objective to provide for control of the pattern of the washing operation in order to make the operation of the appliance more flexible. For instance, the operator may desire to wash cooking utensils in the lower rack with the full flow of water directed to a lower rotating arm and an intermediate spray column so that the resultant increase of water pressure will give the machine the maximum scrubbing action of which it is capable. In the conventional situation the lower rotating arm, the intermediate spray column and an upper spray header may be utilized for more complete washing action for both upper and lower racks. The upper spray header alone may also be employed with gentle action for special loads such as rinsing delicate crystal and fine china.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a dishwasher with selective levels of wash whereby different type loads such as normal mixed dish and utensil loads, bulky cooking utensil loads or fine china or crystal loads may be washed separately with varying spray patterns and intensities.

A further object of this invention is to provide a vertically movable sleeve type valve located in a dishwasher pump housing passage for controlling the flow of pressurized fluid in a multiple rack dishwasher such that three spray levels of washing fluid means may be used in combination to wash; a lower and intermediate spray level may be used; or an upper spray level only may be used.

It is another object of the invention to provide a dishwasher with selective levels of wash for a multiple rack dishwasher including a washing fluid supply pump variously connectable to a lower rotatable horizontal spray arm, a vertical spray column including an upper spray header thereon mounted on the spray arm for rotation therewith, a supply tube positioned concentrically within the spray column providing fluid communication between the pump and the spray header and a three position resiliently biased sleeve valve located on the lower end of the supply tube and operable by solenoid means for reciprocal movement thereon to connect the pump fluid flow alternatively to the combination of the spray arm, spray column and spray header; the combination of the spray arm and the spray column; or only the spray header whereby both upper and lower levels of utensils are washed, the lower level of utensils is washed or the upper level of utensils is washed, respectively.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, wherein a preferred embodiment of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a generally schematic representation of a dishwasher incorporating the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary vertical section view through the sump region of the improved dishwasher showing the pump assembly and spray means in relation to the fluid control device of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view in vertical section of a portion of FIG. 2 showing the normal position of the fluid control device;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view in vertical section similar to FIG. 3 showing the fluid control device in still another position.

FIG. 5 is a schematic wiring diagram suitable for use with the dishwasher of this invention.

In accordance with this invention and with reference to FIG. I, a dishwasher is shown composed of casing 12 enclosing a dishwashing chamber 14. The dishwashing chamber 14 is closed at the front thereof by a dishwasher door, (not shown), and having at the bottom thereof a depressed sump 16 leading to a water distribution system.

The water distribution system of the dishwasher 10 includes a pump assembly 18 driven by suitable drive means, for example, a reversible electric motor 20 disposed below the pump assembly in machinery compartment 19. The pump assembly 18 includes a rotatable horizontal spray arm 21 thereon to which fluid is supplied from the sump region 16 for distribution through the washingchamber 14 during a cleaning cycle of the dishwasher as established by a sequence or timer control means 22 having a timer control knob 23 located on the front of the dishwasher upper panel 25.

In general, the water distribution system includes the revolving spray arm 21 located beneath a lower utensil support rack 24 and a rotating spray column or tower 26 fixed to said spray arm and extending upwardly through a guard portion 28 of the lower rack permitting the removal of the lower rack from the dishwashing chamber. The spray column 26, shown in detail in FIG. 2, is formed with an enlarged bulbous housing or header portion 30 at the top thereof having an upper spray nozzle orj outlet 32, aimed through an open passageway 34 (FIG. 1) formed by a central wire network on an upper utensil support rack 36, together with a plurality of evenly spaced outlets or ports 35 around the periphery of the header 30. The reaction effect of the water spray from spray arm ports 27 will cause the water distribution means, including the spray arm 2l and spray column 26, to rotate. Water pressure will fill the interior of the spray arm 21 and spray column 26 throughout so that a dish covering spray will issue from the spray arm ports 27 and then directed upwardly over the dishes or utensils on the bottom rack 24. At the same time, a spray jet issuing from the ports 29 on the spray column 26 will be directed downwardly toward the dishes or utensils on the lower rack from a more central position. A jet stream from the nozzle 32 may be aimed at a rotatable and freely rotating swirl spray impeller or wobble plate water deflector 31 located on the casing upper wall 33 above the upper rack 36. The details of one such system is shown in US Pat. No. 3,292,645 issued Dec. 20, 1966 to Braden et al. and assigned to the assignee of the present invention and the disclosure thereof is incorporated herein by reference. 7

An annular lower heater element 37 and an upper heater element 38 are located below the racks 24 and 36 respectively, to provide recovery heat to the wash and rinse water and for supplying selective heat to the utensils in the racks during the drying cycle. The details of the selective heating arrangement are described and claimed in copending US. Pat. application (A-l3,636), assigned to the same assignee as the instant application, and reference may be had thereto for further details thereof. ltvwill be noted that suitable nylon rol lers 39 may be provided to allow easy movement of the racks 24 and 36 in and out of the dishwashing chamber during loading and unloading thereof on suitable glides formed of stainless steel.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a peripheral flange 40 on the supporting plate 42 is retained on a radially inwardly turned ledge 44 of the sump 16. A first pump 46 of the plural pumping assembly 18 is located within the sump 16 above the plate 42 and a second pump 48 of the assembly 18 is located at a point below the sump ledge 44 within the machinery compartment 19. The second pump 48 more particularly includes an outer casing formed by a downwardly bulged portion 49 in the support plate 42 which in turn defines a convolutely-shaped pumping chamber 50 opened to the washing compartment side of the support plate 42. A passageway 53 formed radially outwardly through the support plate 42 communicates the pumping chamber 50 within the looped drain conduit 52 and serves as an outlet for the pump 48. The pumping chamber 50 and passageway 53 are closed by a cover plate 54 supported on the upper surface of the support plate 42 and secured thereto by suitable means including screw fasteners (not shown). An opening 56 located centrally of plate 54 is aligned with the convolute pumping chamber 50 to serve as the inlet opening thereto.

Above the cover plate 54 is located a tubular housing 60 of the first pump 46 having a lower open end and upper open end serving as the inlet and outlet, respectively, to an axially elongated cylindrical pumping chamber 61 formed therethrough. On the bottom edge of the tubular housing 60 a flange 62 extends in a radially outward direction with the flange including groups of circumferentially spaced fingers 63 depending therefrom to a point adjacent a lower surface of the sump 16 which defines inlet 64 in part by the cover plate 54 and in part by the upper portion of support plate 42. Suitable weep holes 66 extend through the flange 62 to drain the upper surface thereof. In the illustrated embodiment the housing 60 further includes a reduced diameter extension 70 on the outlet end thereof supporting a depending central hub 72 of the rotary fluid distributing arm 21 for rotation relative thereto.

Intermediate each of the radially outwardly directed portions a flow diverter element 74 is supported within the dishwashing chamber 14 above the upper surface of the supporting plate 42 intermediate the tubular housing 60 and the cover plate 54. The flow diverter element 74 includes a surface or ramp 76 inclined upwardly from the support plate 42 radially inwardly from the outer periphery of the diverter element 74 for directing fluid from the lower level of the sump 16 into the lower inlet opening 64 to the cylindrical pumping chamber 61 across flow straightener vanes 78 having one end thereof integrally formed with the inclined surface 76 and the opposite end thereof located within the lower opening in the tubular housing 60.

The

pumps

46 and 48 are driven by the electric motor secured to the depending internally threaded bosses on the supporting plate 42 by means of screw elements (not shown). A rotatable shaft 82 from the motor 20 is directed upwardly through an opening 84 in the housing, inlet opening 56 to the convoluted pumping chamber 50, and an opening 86 formed in the flat upper surface portion 88 of the flow diverter 74. Within the convoluted pumping chamber 50 a centrifugal impeller 90 has a central hub 92 portion thereof secured to the rotatable shaft 82 and a plurality of circumferentially located curved blades 94 thereon to extend generally radially outwardly across the upper surface of the hub 92 within the convolute pumping chamber 50 for effecting a desired pumping action therein upon rotation of the impeller 90.

Within the chamber 61 an axial flow impeller 96 of pump 46 has its upper cylindrical central hub portion 98 secured to the upper end of the rotatable shaft 82 by suitable fastening means such as a screw element 100 threaded through an opening in the upper surface of the hub 98 in threaded engagement with internal threading in the upper end of the shaft 82 to force a small diameter lower end portion of the hub 98 against an upper bearing surface 99 located centrally of the centrifugal impeller 90. A suitable lock washer 102 preferably is interposed between the axial flow impeller 96 and screw element 100. The impeller 96 has a plurality of radially extending blades 104 secured on the outer periphery thereof so that the radially outer edges thereof are in close proximity to the inner surface of the tubular housing 60 for effecting a desired pumping action within the pumping chamber 61.

The illustrated embodiment of the pumping assembly further includes a seal assembly 106 supported in the housing of the drain pump to sealingly engage the outer periphery of the rotatable shaft 82 below the centrifugal impeller 90 for preventing the leakage of fluid exteriorly of the sump 16. The details of the plural pump arrangement and diverter are disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,265,311 issued Aug. 9, 1966, assigned to the assignee of the instant invention and reference may be had to this patent for a more complete description thereof.

In the operation of the improved plural pump assembly, upon conditioning the electric motor 20 to rotate in a clockwise direction, the axial flow impeller 96 will displace fluid from the pumping chamber 61 so as to cause washing fluid in the sump 16 to be drawn from the lower level thereof through the fingers 63 that serve to prevent the ingress of large particles into the pump. The fluid thence flows upwardly across the inclined surfaces 76 and between the flow straightener vanes 78 into the open end of the housing 60,

thence upwardly through the pumping chamber 61 through the outlet opening 120 into the rotary fluid spray arm 21 that is driven by the pump fluid to distribute spray against articles supported within the washing compartment 14. During clockwise rotation of the motor 20, the curved blades 94 of the centrifugal drain impeller of drain pump 48 are arranged to idle within the convoluted pumping chamber without producing any pumping effect therein.

Upon conditioning the motor 20 to drive the pumps in a counterclockwise direction, the curved blades 94 on the centrifugal impeller 90 will draw fluid from the sump 16, through the flow diverter element 74, the inlet opening 56, the convoluted pumping chamber 50 and thence through the drain passageway 53 to be discharged through the drain conduit 52 exteriorly of the cabinet 12. The counterclock rotation of the axial flow recirculation impeller 96 will draw any washing fluid in the rotary spray arm downwardly through the tubular housing 60 and discharge it through the lower open end thereof into the sump 16. Following this, the impeller 96 will displace air from the rotary spray tube 26 and force it into the bottom of the sump 18 during the drain cycle.

In accordance with certain principles of the present invention a novel cup-shaped selectable flow sleeve valve member 108 comprises a cylindrical sleeve 110 having a plurality of orifices or ports 1 12 provided therein that are shown as circular holes evenly dispersed circumferentially about the sleeve 110 adjacent the lower closed-end 114 thereof to permit fluid to pass from the housing 60 through sleeve valve 108 and into vertical spray header supply tube 115.

in the particular embodiment shown the orifices 112 are circular in shape and four in number equally spaced at 90 intervals. Said valve sleeve 110 also has a flared sealing rim 116 projecting radially outward extending normal to the upper open end of the sleeve 110 which, when the valve member 108 is in the position of FIG. 2, engages or beds on a generally flat annular valve seat 118 formed by the upper surface of a peripheral housing rim 119 projecting radially inwardly of the upper end of pump housing 60 defining a downwardly facing axial spray arm inlet opening 120 in communication with the inner cavity 121 of the rotating spray arm 21. The sleeve 110 has an inner diameter dimensioned to allow for the valve member 108 to be telescopically received on the lower end of the spray header supply tube 115 which is positioned concentrically within the vertical spray column 26 and is supported at its lower end for rotational movement with spray arm 21 and spray column 26 by means ofa press fit in aperture 122 in hub disc 123 of the spray arm 21 (FIG. 2). The upper end of the header supply tube 115 is similarly received in aperture 124 located in a neck portion 125 of spray column 26. The water passes upwardly from the hollow interior of tube 115 into the spray header 30 formed with an enlarged bulb shaped housing 126 which may include a plurality of nonreactive ports 35 of a type more specifically set forth in the above-mentioned Braden et a]. Patent, for example. The spray arm 21, spray column 26, spray header 30 and tube 115 are preferably molded plastic parts allowing a press fit of the tube 115 into the

apertures

122 and 124.

The axial bore 126 of the tubular housing 60 is counterbored at 128 to allow for the reception of helical biasing spring 130 therein. The helical biasing spring 130 is held fixed in counterbore 128 by a suitable retaining ring, indicated at 132 in FIG. 2, located in an interior groove in the counterbore 128 while a second retaining ring 133, fixedly located in an exterior groove on the valve sleeve 110 cooperates with the undersurface of valve rim 116 to secure the upper end of the spring 130. The said spring 130 biases the sleeve valve member 108 to a normal or first intermediate position, shown in FIG. 3, such that the sealing rim 116 is positioned wherein the spray arm inlet 120 is open together with the valve ports 1 12.

Vertical movement of the sleeve valve member 108, slidable on the lower end of supply tube 115, is controlled by an electrically operated solenoid assembly indicated at 134. The

nan-v solenoid assembly for reciprocating the valve member 108 is disposed above the upper end of the impeller 96 and the assembly is composed of upper and lower solenoid windings or coils 135 and 136 having soft iron magnetizable

tubular cores

137, 138 providing suitable flux gaps shown at G and G for

cores

137 and 138 respectively. The solenoid assembly 134 is suitably secured to housing 60 by means of a plurality of evenly spaced integral spacing members 141, for example, receiving suitable threaded fasteners 143. The solenoid assembly 134 has its

cores

137, 138 encapsulated in hollow cylinder or stator member 139, formed of a suitable material such as molded plastic. An armature shown at 144 moves or reciprocates vertically up or down from its first or intermediate position of FIG. 3 in response to the alternate energization of the solenoid coils 135 or 136, respectively. The armature 144, including enlarged soft iron head 145, is fixedly attached to the closed end 114 of the sleeve valve member 108 and is magnetizable so as to move up or down by magnetic attraction to complete the flux path through either gap G or G depending upon which coil is energized. Electrical leads 146, 147 are provided so that the

coils

135 and 136 may be electrically connected to a suitable power source (not shown). Thus, when either of the solenoid coils 135 or 136 is energized the armature 144 reciprocates vertically in response thereto to cause a rise or fall of the sleeve valve 108 while biasing spring 130 is either elongated or compressed and serves to urge the valve member in the opposite direction so that when the energized solenoid coil is deenergized the armature 144 will be moved within the cylinder 139 to its spring biased intermediate position of FIG. 3.

As described above, with the aforedescribed arrangement, the biasing spring 130 maintains, through the retaining rings 132, 133 the valve member 108 in its intermediate or first position with the flared sealing rim 116 spaced above the valve seat 118 an amount such that the bottom end 138 of tube 115 is substantially tangent with the upper edges of the valve parts 112 so that the ports are completely open for discharge of water into the spray header supply tube 115. If the pump 46 is energized under these conditions, water will be pumped out through the housing 60 via spray arm inlet 120 upwardly into the spray arm cavity 121 and thence through a plurality of holes 149 in disc 123 into the vertical column passage 150 to column spray ports 29 thereby creating a spray arm and spray column dispersion of water on the lower dish rack 24 and returning the water to the pump. Also, the water will pass through valve ports 112 into the supply tube 115 to the spray header 30 and out the header ports 35 and nozzle 32 thereby creating a spray header dispersion of water on the upper dish rack 36. This condition of arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 3.

When it is desired to discharge water only from the spray arm 21 and spray column 26, to achieve a heavy rate of flow on the lower rack 24 to clean heavy utensils like pots and pans, for example, the upper solenoid coil 135 is energized which results in the sleeve valve arrangement assuming a second upper position illustrated in the FIG. 4. As stated above, it will be noted from comparison of FIGS. 3 and 4 that in its intermediate first position of FIG. 3 the sleeve valve member 108 positions its ports 112 below the bottom end 148 of the supply tube 115 and therefore the valve ports 112 remain fully open. In the second position shown in FIG. 4, however, the cup-shaped valve member 108 comes to rest such that the bottom end 148 of the tube 115 rests on the closed end 114 of the valve member 108. In this position the tube 115 is below the valve ports 112 and is therefore in position to fully cover the ports 112, which prevents the flow of water to the upper spray header 30 while allowing water to flow to the spray arm 21 and spray column 26. Throughout the washing operation shown in FIG. 4 the water issuing from the pump 46 will be intercepted by the horizontal flair valve rim 116 and will be directed thereby to outward portions of the spray arm cavity 122 to allow a portion of the flow to be diverted to the spray column passageway 150 and ports 29 after which it will return to the sump 18 through the bottom of the dishwasher chamber. It will be appreciated that the biasing spring will return the valve member 108 to its neutral or first intermediate position shown in FIG. 3 when the solenoid coil is deenergized.

When it is desired to discharge a water flow only from spray header 30 to the upper level or upper dish rack 36 the lower solenoid coil 136 is energized which results in the arrangement assuming'a third lower position illustrated in FIG. 2. In the disclosed embodiment it will be seen that when the sleeve valve lower end is telescopically received within tubular weir or boss formed upwardly on the top surface of the cylinder 139 and which defines the weir 140 to reduce the openings of valve ports 112 to a substantially one-half circle orifice thereby diminishing the quantity of water that is allowed to flow into header supply tube 115 and thence into the spray header 30. Thisu'educed liquid flow is preferred so that the overall spray pattern produced by the

spray header openings

32 and 35 principally on the dishes in upper rack 36 prevents a high pressure spray from being directed against a light article in the upper rack 36 as for example, a cup or light crystal glassware, causing the article to be tossed around within the rack 36 and possibly cracked or broken. It should be noted however that the sleeve valve 108 could operate without the tubular weir 140 if it is desired for an alternative embodiment to provide increased liquid flow to the spray header 30.

As shown in FIG. 5, power from a 115 volt power supply L1, L2 is provided for energizing the components of the control circuitry. In order to prevent operation of dishwasher 10 with the door open, a door switch is included. The sequentially operated circuitry of the dishwasher is controlled by the timer 22 having a timer motor 161 which is selectively energized by a push-pull line switch 162 whenever the timer control knob 23 is depressed or pushed inwardly. The timing motor 161 is adapted to intermittently rotate a camshaft 163 to selectively and sequentially open and close a plurality of cam actuated switches. A solenoid actuated fill valve 164 is selectively energized through a cam actuated switch blade 165 to open and close contact A for energizing a valve (not shown). The

heating elements

37 and 38 are energized through heating element contacts B and C which are opened and closed by either switch blades 166 and 167 actuated by the cams on the shaft 163. The push-pull line switch 162 is located on one end of an axially shiftable timer shaft 168 and is closed whenever the timer motor 161 is actuated to control the dishwashing cycle.

The dishwasher motor 20 includes a-main run winding 171, a water distributing start winding 172 and a water draining start winding 173. A current responsive start relay 174 serves to energize the appropriate start winding in accordance with the timer selection of contacts D or E for a brief period until the motor comes up to its designed running speed and the current flow in the main winding drops off. Bypass switch 175 is operative through contacts F, G to return the timer push-pull knob 23 to its outward stop position after a full washing and drying cycle. A water conditioner solenoid is shown at 176 having contact H for switch blade 177 while

detergent dispenser solenoids

178, 179 are shown having contacts I and .1 respectively, for switch blade 181. The above-described por tion of the control circuit is of conventional design and forms no part of the present invention. The subject matter of the

dual heaters

37 and 38 together with their switches 182, 183 controlled by

push buttons

184, 185 of control panel selector switch 186 are claimed and described in the inventors abovementioned copending application (A-l3,636).

As mentioned above, one of the objects of the instant invention is to provide an improved selectable washing to achieve preselective levels of washing adapted to suit the washing of various types of utensils from fine china to bulky pots and pans. In accordance with this object a second manually operated preselector switch 187 is located on the control panel 25 having individual manually operated

switch blades

188 and 189 for controlling switch blade contacts K and L associated with the sleeve valve solenoid coils 135 and 136 numrespectively. Switch blade 188 is controlled by push button 191 to close contact K and switch blade 189 is controlled by push button 192 to close contact L while push button 193 is operative to open both

switch blades

188 and 189 thereby allowing the sleeve valve member 108 to be biased in its neutral position of FIG. 3. Referring again to FIG. 5, it can be seen, for example, that if switch 188 is closed, its operation will have no effect on the operation of heating means 40, 44, fill valve solenoid 164 or motor 20. it is to be understood that selector switch 187 is preferably of the type whereby the depression of one of the push buttons 191, 192 or 193 automatically resets the remaining two push buttons to the open position. in other words, it is necessary to have selector switch 187 arranged so that only one of the

switch blades

188 or 189 be closed at any given time.

With the aforedescribed arrangement, and with push button 193 depressed spring 130 maintains the sleeve valve member 108 in its neutral biased or intermediate position (FIG. 3) with sealing rim 116 out of engagement with spray arm inlet 120 so that inlet 120 is open along with valve ports 112. If pump impeller 96 is energized under these conditions, water will be pumped out of housing 60 through spray arm inlet 120 and valve ports 112 thereby creating distribution of the water through all three spray devices, i.e., spray arm 21, spray column 26, and spray header 30. When it is desired to distribute water from the spray arm 21 and spray column 26, push button 191 is depressed and upper solenoid 138 is energized which results in the arrangement assuming the position illustrated in FIG. 4 with the spray arm inlet 120 open and the sleeve valve ports 112 closed thereby creating distribution of water through spray arm 21 and spray column 26. Lastly, when it is desired to distribute water from the spray header 30 only, push button 192 is depressed and lower solenoid 140 is energized which results in the valve member 108 assuming the position of FIG. 2 with valve ports 112 open and spray arm inlet 120 closed.

While the embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a dishwashing chamber having a sump on the bottom thereof adapted to contain a washing fluid, fluid supply pump means including housing means extending vertically upwardly from said sump, means for distributing said fluid in said chamber for washing dishes or the like, said distributing means including spray arm means rotatably mounted on said pump housing means, said spray arm means having inlet means in fluid communication with said housing means, a vertical spray column attached to said spray arm and in fluid communication therewith for rotation thereon and extending upwardly to a central part of said chamber, said spray column having spray ports in the side thereof and having a spray header on the top thereof having spray ports therein, a vertical fluid supply tube positioned within said spray column such that its lower end extends within said pump housing means and its upper end is in fluid communication only with said spray header, fluid control means in said pump housing means for controlling the distribution of the fluid flow from said pump means, said fluid control means including a resiliently biased sleeve valve slidably movable on said supply tube lower end from a resiliently biased intermediate position, means to reciprocally move said sleeve valve on said tube lower end from said intermediate positon, said sleeve valve having flared rim sealing means for opening and closing said spray arm inlet means for controlling the fluid flow to said spray arm and thence to said spray column, said sleeve valve having port means for controlling the fluid flow from said pump housing means to said supply tube, said sleeve valve reciprocal movement operative to regulate said spray arm inlet means and said sleeve valve port means thereby directing the fluid flow to said distributing means for obtaining three selective levels of wash, said levels including a first upper and lower fluid distribution providing fluid flow to said spray arm, said spray column and said spray header, a second lower fluid distribution providing fluid flow to said spray arm and said spray column only, and a third upper fluid distribution providing fluid flow to said spray header only.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said control means includes a helical spring positioned concentrically about said sleeve valve and retained between said sleeve valve flared rim sealing means and said pump housing for biasing said sleeve valve into an intermediate position on said tube lower end for said first upper and lower fluid distribution position wherein both said spray arm inlet means and said sleeve valve port means are open.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said means to move said sleeve valve includes an electrically operated solenoid positioned in said pump housing intermediate said pump means and said sleeve valve to move said sleeve valve alternately to an upper or lower position from said intermediate position whereby in said upper position said spray arm inlet means is open and said sleeve valve port means is closed while in said lower position said spray arm inlet means is closed and said sleeve valve port means is open.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein a tubular weir is positioned on said solenoid in axial alignment with said sleeve valve for telescopic reception therein of the closed bottom end of said sleeve valve, said sleeve valve port means being valve ports adjacent said sleeve valve bottom end wherein when said sleeve valve is moved to said lower position said valve ports are partially closed by said tubular weir to thereby reduce the flow of fluid to said spray header.

Claims

1. In combination with a dishwashing chamber having a sump on the bottom thereof adapted to contain a washing fluid, fluid supply pump means including housing means extending vertically upwardly from said sump, means for distributing said fluid in said chamber for washing dishes or the like, said distributing means including spray arm means rotatably mounted on said pump housing means, said spray arm means having inlet means in fluid communication with said housing means, a vertical spray column attached to said spray arm and in fluid communication therewith for rotation thereon and extending upwardly to a central part of said chamber, said spray column having spray ports in the side thereof and having a spray header on the top thereof having spray ports therein, a vertical fluid supply tube positioned within said spray column such that its lower end extends within said pump housing means and its upper end is in fluid communication only with said spray header, fluid control means in said pump housing means for controlling the distribution of the fluid flow from said pump means, said fluid control means including a resiliently biased sleeve valve slidably movable on said supply tube lower end from a resiliently biased intermediate position, means to reciprocally move said sleeve valve on said tube lower end from said intermediate position, said sleeve valve having flared rim sealing means for opening and closing said spray arm inlet means for controlling the fluid flow to said spray arm and thence to said spray column, said sleeve valve having port means for controlling the fluid flow from said pump housing means to said supply tube, said sleeve valve reciprocal movement operative to regulate said spray arm inlet means and said sleeve valve port means thereby directing the fluid flow to said distributing means for obtaining three selective levels of wash, said levels including a first upper and lower fluid distribution providing fluid flow to said spray arm, said spray column and said spray header, a second lower fluid distribution providing fluid flow to said spray arm and said spray column only, and a third upper fluid distribution providing fluid flow to said spray header only.