Patent ID: 9635994
Date: 2017-05-02
CPC Classifications: A47L

Claim:
1. A spray arm assembly for a dishwasher appliance, the spray arm assembly comprising: a spray arm comprising a plurality of branches connected to each other and arrayed about a center point, each of the plurality of branches defining a passage therethrough and an aperture in fluid communication with the passage, the center point defining a spray arm central axis, the spray arm rotatable about the spray arm central axis; a base conduit defining a passage therethrough, the base conduit defining a base conduit central axis; an intermediate conduit connecting the base conduit and the spray arm, the intermediate conduit defining a passage in fluid communication between the passage of the base conduit and the passages of the plurality of branches, the intermediate conduit rotatable about the base conduit central axis; and a gear assembly disposed within the intermediate conduit, the gear assembly comprising a first gear rotatable about the base conduit central axis, the first gear comprising a hollow central portion, a plurality of teeth, and openings defined between the teeth of the first gear, the gear assembly further comprising a second gear rotatable about the spray arm central axis, the second gear comprising a hollow central portion, a plurality of teeth, and openings defined between the teeth of the second gear; wherein the spray arm central axis is offset from the base conduit central axis, wherein the hollow central portion of the first gear is in fluid communication with the openings of the first gear allowing flow of wash fluid through the first gear in a radial direction, and wherein the hollow central portion of the second gear is in fluid communication with the openings of the second gear allowing flow of wash fluid through the second gear in a radial direction.