Methods for Operating Dishwasher Appliances Having Energy Recovery Features

Abstract

Dishwasher appliances and method for operating dishwasher appliances are provided. A method includes executing a wet cycle, wherein a heating unit and a fan of a desiccant assembly are active during the wet cycle. The desiccant assembly includes the heating unit, the fan, and a desiccant module and is in fluid communication with a wash chamber of the dishwasher appliance. The method further includes executing a delay period, the delay period occurring for a predetermined time period between the wet cycle and a dry cycle, wherein the heating unit and the fan are inactive during the delay period. The method further includes draining liquid from the wash chamber after the delay period, and executing a dry cycle, wherein the fan is active and the heating unit is inactive during the dry cycle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for operating a dishwasher appliance, the method comprising:
 executing a wet cycle, wherein a heating unit and a fan of a desiccant assembly are active during the wet cycle, the desiccant assembly comprising the heating unit, the fan, and a desiccant module and in fluid communication with a wash chamber of the dishwasher appliance;   executing a delay period, the delay period occurring for a predetermined time period between the wet cycle and a dry cycle, wherein the heating unit and the fan are inactive during the delay period;   draining liquid from the wash chamber after the delay period; and   executing a dry cycle, wherein the fan is active and the heating unit is inactive during the dry cycle.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the wet cycle comprises a prewash cycle, a wash cycle and a rinse cycle, and wherein the heating unit and the fan are continuously active during the entire prewash cycle, the entire wash cycle and the entire rinse cycle. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fan is continuously active and the heating unit is continuously inactive during the entire dry cycle. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined time period is between 1 minute and 15 minutes. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein no liquid is drained from the wash chamber after the wet cycle and before the delay period is executed. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the heating unit and the fan are inactive during the step of draining liquid from the wash chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the heating unit and the fan are continuously inactive during the entire step of draining liquid from the wash chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a tub fan is active during the delay period and active during the dry cycle, the tub fan configured to actively flow air within the wash chamber. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the tub fan is inactive during the wet cycle. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the tub fan is active during the step of draining liquid from the wash chamber. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the desiccant module comprises a granular desiccant. 
     
     
         12 . A dishwasher appliance, comprising:
 a cabinet defining an interior;   a tub disposed within the interior and defining a wash chamber for the receipt of articles for cleaning;   a tub fan, the tub fan positioned within the interior and configured to actively flow air within the wash chamber;   a sump for collecting liquid from the chamber;   a drain conduit for draining liquid from the tub;   a fluid circulation conduit for circulating liquid in the tub; and   a closed-loop adsorption assembly in fluid communication with the wash chamber, the closed-loop adsorption assembly comprising a desiccant assembly, the desiccant assembly comprising a desiccant module, a heating unit and a fan.   
     
     
         13 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 12 , further comprising a controller, the controller in communication with the heating unit and the fan and configured for:
 executing a wet cycle, wherein the heating unit and the fan are active during the wet cycle;   executing a delay period, the delay period occurring for a predetermined time period between the wet cycle and a dry cycle, wherein the heating unit and the fan are inactive during the delay period;   draining liquid from the wash chamber after the delay period; and   executing a dry cycle, wherein the fan is active and the heating unit is inactive during the dry cycle.   
     
     
         14 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 13 , wherein the wet cycle comprises a prewash cycle, a wash cycle and a rinse cycle, and wherein the heating unit and the fan are continuously active during the entire prewash cycle, the entire wash cycle and the entire rinse cycle. 
     
     
         15 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 13 , wherein the fan is continuously active and the heating unit is continuously inactive during the entire dry cycle. 
     
     
         16 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 13 , wherein the predetermined time period is between 1 minute and 15 minutes. 
     
     
         17 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 13 , wherein the heating unit and the fan are inactive during the step of draining liquid from the wash chamber. 
     
     
         18 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 13 , wherein the controller is further in communication with the tub fan, and wherein the tub fan is active during the delay period and active during the dry cycle. 
     
     
         19 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 18 , wherein the tub fan is inactive during the wet cycle. 
     
     
         20 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 18 , wherein the tub fan is active during the step of draining liquid from the wash chamber.