초록 ▼

A dishwasher includes a water inlet connectable to a water source. A dishwasher element is operable on water received through the inlet. A flow sensor is in fluid communication with the inlet and is operable to generate a control signal indicative of water flow through the inlet. A control apparatus

A dishwasher includes a water inlet connectable to a water source. A dishwasher element is operable on water received through the inlet. A flow sensor is in fluid communication with the inlet and is operable to generate a control signal indicative of water flow through the inlet. A control apparatus is connected between the dishwasher element and the flow sensor and is operable to inhibit operation of the dishwasher element in response to the control signal.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of operating a dishwasher, comprising:providing a conduit for carrying a fluid to the dishwasher; placing a temperature-sensing device within the conduit; determining whether there is a flow of fluid in the conduit by using the temperature-sensing device; and inhibiting operation of at l

1. A method of operating a dishwasher, comprising:providing a conduit for carrying a fluid to the dishwasher; placing a temperature-sensing device within the conduit; determining whether there is a flow of fluid in the conduit by using the temperature-sensing device; and inhibiting operation of at least a portion of the dishwasher dependent upon the determining step. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said determining step includes using the temperature-sensing device to detect a change in temperature.3. The method of claim 1, wherein the inhibiting step includes inhibiting operation of at least one of a heater and a pump if it is determined that there is no flow of fluid in the conduit.4. The method of claim 3, comprising the further step of continuing operation of the dishwasher other than the at least one of a heater and a pump if it is determined that there is no flow of fluid in the conduit.5. The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature-sensing device includes a thermistor.6. The method of claim 5, wherein said determining step includes:applying a voltage across said thermistor; sensing an amount of current flowing through said thermistor. 7. The method of claim 1, comprising the further step of indicating a fault condition to a user if it is determined that there is no flow of fluid in the conduit.8. The method of claim 1, comprising the further step of providing an electrical controller for performing at least one of the determining step and the inhibiting step.9. A dishwasher, comprising:a conduit for carrying a fluid therein; a temperature-sensing device within the conduit; and an electrical controller coupled to the temperature-sensing device and configured to: determine whether there is a flow of fluid in the conduit based on at least one temperature sensed by the temperature-sensing device; and inhibit operation of at least a portion of the dishwasher dependent upon the at least one temperature sensed by the temperature-sensing device. 10. The dishwasher of claim 9, further comprising a resistance water heater disposed downstream of said temperature-sensing device.11. The dishwasher of claim 9, wherein said electrical controller is configured to inhibit operation of at least a portion of the dishwasher dependent upon a temperature difference derived from at least two temperatures sensed by the temperature-sensing device.12. The dishwasher of claim 9, further comprising a valve in fluid communication with the conduit and disposed upstream of the temperature-sensing device.13. The dishwasher of claim 9, further comprising at least one of a heater and a pump, the electrical controller being configured to inhibit operation of the at least one of a heater and a pump dependent upon the temperature sensed by the temperature-sensing device.14. The dishwasher of claim 13, wherein the electrical controller is configured to continue operation of the dishwasher other than the at least one of a heater and a pump while operation of the at least one of a heater and a pump is being inhibited.15. The dishwasher of claim 9, wherein the temperature-sensing device includes a thermistor.16. The method of claim 15, wherein said electrical controller is configured to:apply a voltage across said thermistor; sense an amount of current flowing through said thermistor. 17. The dishwasher of claim 9, further comprising an indicator coupled to the electrical controller and configured to indicate a fault condition to a user dependent upon the temperature sensed by the temperature-sensing device.