Patent GB-621587-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to a washing machine fluid control system
IPC: D06F1/08
Filed: 1946-10-16
Abstract: 621,587. Washing-machines. DOLE VALVE CO. Oct. 16, 1946, No. 30782. Convention date, Nov. 13, 1945. [Class 138 (ii)] [Also in Group XXIX] A fluid-control system for a washing-machine comprises an automatic temperature-controlled mixing valve 10, Fig. 1, connected to relatively hot and cold fluid supply ducts 12, 13, a conduit 18 connecting the discharge side of the valve to a duct 21 delivering to a tub 15, a valve 19 in the conduit 18, manual means operable only to open the valve 19, and fluid-responsive means which are operable on the attainment of a pre-determined height of fluid in the tub for closing the valve 19 and are adapted only to close the valve. The means for closing the valve 19 may comprise a device of the float, diving-bell or fluid-weight type. Included in the conduit 18 is a device 17 which maintains a constant rate of flow irrespective of the pressure and comprises a resilient diaphragm 22 seated on a shoulder member 23 and provided with a central orifice 24 smaller than the opening formed by the member 23. The valve 19 comprises, as shown in Fig. 2, a casing 37 having a central sleeve 38 which is in direct communication with the outlet 39 to the duct 21; a chamber 40 surrounding this sleeve communicates with the outlet end of the pipe 18. A resilient diaphragm 43, which seats upon the upper end of the sleeve 38 and closes the upper end of the chamber 40, is formed with one or more orifices 46 for providing communication between the chamber 40 and the space above the diaphragm 43, and a central aperture 44 which is reinforced by a collar 45 and is of greater cross-sectional area than the combined cross-sectional areas of the orifices 46. When the opening 44 is open, the greater fluid-pressure on the underside of the diaphragm lifts the latter from its seating on the sleeve 38 and provides for a free flow from the chamber 40 to the outlet 39; when the opening 44 is closed, the greater pressure above the diaphragm seats the latter and prevents fluid flow. The flow through the opening 44 is controlled by the tapered end 49<SP>1</SP> of a pilot 49 which is carried by a bell-crank lever 52; the pilot is of hexagonal cross-section and is slidable in a cylindrical casing 50. The pilot is normally urged towards its closed position by a spring 60, and is actuated by a cup member 59 which is mounted on a slidable shaft 61 for co-operation with the end 57 of the bell-crank lever 52. A cap 63 provided on the bearing 62 of the shaft 61 houses a spring-' pressed ball 64 for engaging either of two annular recesses 65, 66 in the shaft 61. When the shaft 61 is moved manually so that the ball 66 engages the recess 65, the valve 19 is opened and fluid flows into the tub 15; this movement of the shaft is effected by a member 76, Fig. 1, which is adapted only to move the shaft from right to left. In order to close the valve, a cup 67, which is connected by a hose 70 with the tub, is pivotally carried on a pivoted arm 68. When, at a stage corresponding to the desired fluid level in this tub, sufficient fluid has passed to the cup 67 to cause an extension 72 on the arm 68 to act through a grooved collar 74 on the shaft 61 to overcome pressure of the ball 64, the shaft 61 is moved to the position in which the valve 19 is closed and the ball 64 enters the recess 66. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, cold and hot byepasses 27, 32 lead from the pipes 13, 12 to the delivery duct 21, and each of these includes a constant-flow device 28, 33 and a valve 30, 35 similar to the valve 19; by opening one or more of the valves 19, 30, 35, fluid at several temperatures is made available without changing the setting of the valve 10. In the modification shown in Fig. 5, the valves 19, 30, 35 are each controlled by a solenoid 79 carrying a fluid-tight shell 78 in which is disposed the pilot 49. The solenoid 79 is connected in an electric circuit which includes a push-button switch 85 and a switch 81 controlled by the pivoted arm of the float member 93. When the switch 85 is closed, the solenoid is energized so as to open the valve and cause fluid to flow to the tub; at the same time, a relay coil 88 is energized so as to close a holding switch 91 for maintaining the circuit of the solenoid 79 after release of the switch 85 and its return by a spring to its open position. When the float rises, the switch 81 is opened so as to close the valve.