Methods of operating and protecting a dishwashing appliance from runaway heating conditions

Abstract

Methods of operating a dishwashing appliance are provided herein. A method may include measuring a temperature at a temperature sensor and identifying a runaway heat condition within a wash chamber based on the measured temperature. The method may also include directing a volume of water to the wash chamber in response to identifying the runaway heat condition and circulating the volume of water within the wash chamber for a recirculation period.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of operating a dishwashing appliance comprising a tub defining a wash chamber, the dishwashing appliance further comprising a temperature sensor mounted to the tub, the method comprising:
 measuring a temperature at the temperature sensor;   identifying a runaway heat condition within the wash chamber based on the measured temperature;   directing a volume of water to the wash chamber in response to identifying the runaway heat condition; and   circulating the volume of water within the wash chamber for a recirculation period.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein measuring the temperature occurs during an idle state of the dishwashing appliance following a wash cycle. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein identifying the runaway heat condition comprises
 comparing the measured temperature to a predetermined temperature, and   determining the measured temperature equals or exceeds the predetermined temperature threshold.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the recirculation period is a predetermined time period. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising draining the volume of water from the wash chamber upon expiration of the recirculation period. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the measured temperature is a first temperature, and wherein the method further comprises measuring a second temperature subsequent to draining the volume of water. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the runaway heat condition is a first runaway heat condition, wherein the volume of water is a first volume of water, wherein the recirculation period is a first recirculation period, and wherein the method further comprises:
 identifying a second runaway heat condition within the wash chamber based on the second measured temperature;   directing a second volume of water to the wash chamber in response to identifying the second runaway heat condition; and   circulating the second volume of water within the wash chamber for a second recirculation period.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dishwashing appliance further comprises a resistive heating element mounted to the tub within the wash chamber. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the temperature sensor is positioned beneath the resistive heating element in vertical alignment therewith. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the temperature sensor is mounted to a bottom surface of the tub outside of the wash chamber. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 halting power to the resistive heating element in response to identifying the runaway heat condition.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 transmitting an alert signal in response to identifying the runaway heat condition.   
     
     
         13 . A method of operating a dishwashing appliance comprising a tub defining a wash chamber, a temperature sensor mounted to the tub, a resistive heating element positioned above the temperature sensor in thermal communication with the wash chamber, the method comprising:
 measuring a temperature at the temperature sensor;   identifying a runaway heat condition within the wash chamber based on the measured temperature;   directing a volume of water to the wash chamber in response to identifying the runaway heat condition;   circulating the volume of water within the wash chamber for a recirculation period; and   draining the volume of water from the wash chamber upon expiration of the recirculation period.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the recirculation period is a predetermined time period. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the measured temperature is a first temperature, and wherein the method further comprises measuring a second temperature subsequent to draining the volume of water. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the runaway heat condition is a first runaway heat condition, wherein the volume of water is a first volume of water, wherein the recirculation period is a first recirculation period, and wherein the method further comprises:
 identifying a second runaway heat condition within the wash chamber based on the second measured temperature;   directing a second volume of water to the wash chamber in response to identifying the second runaway heat condition; and   circulating the second volume of water within the wash chamber for a second recirculation period.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the temperature sensor is mounted to a bottom surface of the tub outside of the wash chamber. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 halting power to the resistive heating element in response to identifying the runaway heat condition.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising transmitting an alert signal in response to identifying the runaway heat condition.