Staggered multi-mode spray arm wash system

Abstract

An automatic dishwasher is provided with a spray assembly comprising a multi-conduit system for receiving pressurized washing liquid for feeding a plurality of spray arms. The plurality of spray arms includes at least a lower spray arm, a middle spray arm, and an upper spray arm. Each of the spray arms includes at least one radially extending hollow projection. Each of the spray arms includes a plurality of orifices for distributing the liquid throughout the dishwasher. The multi-conduit includes a water feed system and a water diverting mechanism for selectively diverting water into any one of the spray arms, any two of the spray arms, or all three of the spray arms.

1 . An automatic dishwasher comprising:
 a multi-conduit system for receiving pressurized washing liquid for feeding a plurality of spray arms;   said plurality of spray arms include at least a lower spray arm, a middle spray arm, and an upper spray arm;   each of said spray arms including a plurality of orifices for distributing said liquid throughout the dishwasher; and,   said multi-conduit including a water feed system and a water diverting mechanism for selectively diverting water into any one of said spray arms, any two of said spray arms, or all three of said spray arms.   
     
     
         2 . The dishwasher of  claim 1  wherein said multi-conduit system includes at least three distinct water flow paths to said lower spray arm, said middle spray arm, and said upper spray arm. 
     
     
         3 . The dishwasher of  claim 2  wherein said at least three flow paths include a first water flow path which includes said lower spray arm, a second water flow path which includes said middle spray arm, and a third water flow path which includes said upper spray arm. 
     
     
         4 . The dishwasher of  claim 3 , further comprising a control system operative to implement a plurality of operating modes, wherein in a first mode said first water flow path directs water exclusively to said lower spray arm. 
     
     
         5 . The dishwasher of  claim 4 , wherein in a second mode said second water flow path directs water exclusively to said middle spray arm. 
     
     
         6 . The dishwasher of  claim 5 , wherein in a third mode said third water flow path directs water exclusively to said upper spray arm. 
     
     
         7 . The dishwasher of  claim 6 , wherein in a fourth mode, an additional fourth water flow path directs water to said lower spray arm and said middle spray arm. 
     
     
         8 . The dishwasher of  claim 7 , wherein in a fifth mode, an additional fifth water flow path directs water to said lower spray arm and said upper spray arm. 
     
     
         9 . The dishwasher of  claim 8 , wherein in a sixth mode, an additional sixth water flow path directs water to said middle spray arm and said upper spray arm. 
     
     
         10 . The dishwasher of  claim 9 , wherein in a seventh mode, an additional seventh water flow path directs water to said lower spray arm, said middle spray arm, and said upper spray arm. 
     
     
         11 . The dishwasher of  claim 10 , wherein each of said modes includes a variable flow rate. 
     
     
         12 . A spray assembly for an automatic dishwasher comprising:
 a multi mode conduit system for receiving pressurized washing liquid;   a plurality of spray arms;   a plurality of orifices formed in said spray arms for distributing said liquid throughout the dishwasher;   said multi mode conduit system including a water feed system and a water diverting mechanism for selectively diverting water flow direction and water flow pressure into fluid communication with said plurality of spray arms; and,   said selectively diverting water mechanism is operative to divert water flow to at least one of said upper spray arm only; said middle spray arm only; said lower spray arm only; said upper and said middle spray arms; said upper and said lower spray arms; said middle and said lower spray arms; and said upper, said middle, and said lower spray arms.   
     
     
         13 . The spray assembly of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a magnetic ball valve for selectively opening and closing said water flow to at least one of said spray arms wherein a ball is located within a conduit and a magnet is located outside of the conduit.   
     
     
         14 . The spray assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 another conduit valve for selectively opening and closing said water flow to at least another one of said spray arms.   
     
     
         15 . The dishwasher of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a turbidity sensor for sensing soil in said water flow; and,   wherein said control system is further operative in response to said turbidity sensor to direct water to at least one said spray arm.   
     
     
         16 . The spray assembly of  claim 12 , wherein selectively diverting water mechanism is further operative to provide a variable flow rate. 
     
     
         17 . A wash cycle method for an automatic dishwasher comprising:
 selectively receiving pressurized washing liquid through a multi mode conduit system, said multi mode conduit system including a water feed system and a water diverting mechanism;   distributing said pressurized water to a plurality of spray arms throughout the dishwasher;   spraying said liquid throughout the dishwasher through a plurality of orifices formed in said spray arms;   selectively diverting water flow into said plurality of spray arms, including selectively diverting water flow to an upper spray arm only, a middle spray arm only, and a lower spray arm only.   
     
     
         18 . The wash cycle method according to  claim 17 , wherein said selectively diverting water flow into said plurality of spray arms includes staggering said selectively diverting water flow from any one of said plurality of spray arms to any other one of said plurality of spray arms. 
     
     
         19 . The wash cycle method according to  claim 17 , wherein said selectively diverting water flow into said plurality of spray arms includes staggering said selectively diverting water flow from any pair of said plurality of spray arms to any other pair of said plurality of spray arms. 
     
     
         20 . The wash cycle method according to  claim 17 , wherein said selectively diverting water flow into said plurality of spray arms includes staggering said selectively diverting water flow from any pair of said plurality of spray arms to any one of said plurality of spray arms. 
     
     
         21 . The wash cycle method according to  claim 17 , wherein said selectively diverting water flow into said plurality of spray arms includes staggering said selectively diverting water flow from any one of said plurality of spray arms to any pair of said plurality of spray arms. 
     
     
         22 . The wash cycle method according to  claim 17 , wherein said selectively diverting water flow into said plurality of spray arms includes staggering said selectively diverting water flow from any one of said plurality of spray arms to all of said plurality of spray arms. 
     
     
         23 . The wash cycle method according to  claim 17 , wherein said selectively diverting water flow into said plurality of spray arms includes staggering said selectively diverting water flow from all of said plurality of spray arms to at least any one of said plurality of spray arms. 
     
     
         24 . The wash cycle method according to  claim 17 , wherein said selectively diverting water flow into said plurality of spray arms includes selectively altering a water flow rate through said multi mode conduit system between a high flow rate mode and a low flow rate mode, and staggering said selectively diverting water flow from any one of said plurality of spray arms to at least any other one of said plurality of spray arms.