Ratio feed detergent controller and method with automatic feed rate learning capability
US5500050A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 15, 1994 |
| Grant date | Mar 19, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 15, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/8766
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A detergent dispenser controller for use with a washing device, such as a dishwasher, that measures detergent concentration in a water tank by measuring the conductivity of the detergent solution in the water tank. The detergent controller automatically learns the feed rate of the detergent dispenser used, regardless of the type of detergent dispenser being used. For each detergent feed cycle, the controller computes a Feed Factor equal to the amount of detergent feed on time required for each unit increase in the detergent concentration, which is the inverse of the detergent feed rate. The controller stores the computed Feed Factor for the last N feed cycles in a non-volatile memory, and computes a running average of the N feed factors stored in the non-volatile memory. Whenever the detergent dispenser is powered on, it determines the difference between the measured wash tank detergent concentration and a specified detergent concentration set point value. The computed average feed factor and the difference between the set point and the current detergent concentration are multiplied to compute a detergent feed on time. The detergent dispenser is then turned on for the computed feed…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.