Patent US3908681A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3908681A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Forced air circulation system for a dishwasher
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1973-11-09
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Granted: 1975-09-30
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Expires: 1993-11-09
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed a dishwasher incorporating a fan and motor for circulating air downwardly through the wash chamber during the drying cycle. The fan and motor are mounted within the dishwasher door. The fan is of the squirrel cage type with the motor being mounted radially inwardly of the fan blades.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas O Schimke
- 👤 Donald S Cushing
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 16:33
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47L; A47L15/00; A47L15/42; A47L15/48; A47L15/486
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A dishwasher comprising: a tub and a movable door defining therebetween a wash chamber, the door having inner and outer panels defining therebetween a compartment; an article receiving rack and means mounting the rack for movement into and at least partially out of the wash chamber; means for spraying washing liquid toward the rack; a heat source for heating air passing through the wash chamber during a drying portion of the operating cycle; and means for diverting air both upwardly and downwardly in the wash chamber during the drying portion of the cycle including a fan, in the compartment, having an inlet opening to the exterior of the dishwasher and an outlet opening through the inner door panel into the wash chamber at a first elevation; a motor drivably connected to the fan and nested within the confines of the fan to cause air entering the inlet opening to pass over said motor in heat exchange relationship thereto; and means for exhausting air from the wash chamber at a second elevation below the first elevation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
A dishwasher comprising: a tub and a movable door defining therebetween a wash chamber, the door having inner and outer panels defining therebetween a compartment; an article receiving rack and means mounting the rack for movement into and at least partially out of the wash chamber; means for spraying washing liquid toward the rack; a heat source for heating air passing through the wash chamber during a drying portion of the operating cycle; and means for diverting air both upwardly and downwardly in the wash chamber during the drying portion of the cycle including a fan, in the compartment, having an inlet opening to the exterior of the dishwasher and an outlet opening through the inner door panel into the wash chamber at a first elevation; a motor drivably connected to the fan and nested within the confines of the fan to cause air entering the inlet opening to pass over said motor in heat exchange relationship thereto; and means for exhausting air from the wash chamber at a second elevation below the first elevation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the rack resides in the wash chamber below the first elevation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The dishwasher of claim 2 further comprising a silverware receiver carried by the rack between the elevations, the receiver being positioned adjacent the inner door panel when the door is closed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the fan inlet opens through the outer door panel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The dishwasher of claim 4 wherein the fan comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced blades defining a cavity radially inwardly therefrom and means mounting the blades for rotation, the motor at least partially residing in the cavity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The dishwasher of claim 5 wherein the door compartment is generally planer, the blade mounting means mounts the blades for rotation in a plane extending substantially in the plane of the door compartment.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-29 | 1979-03-31 | 1979-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-29 | 1983-03-31 | 1983-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-29 | 1987-03-31 | 1987-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |