Patent GB-608752-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in washing machines
IPC: D06F17/02
Filed: 1946-12-05
Abstract: 608,752. Washing-machines. GOLD, R. L. Dec. 5, 1946, No. 35984. [Class 138(ii)] A washing-machine comprises a tank 10 haying a movable cover 11, means 13 for heating the water in the tank, a pump 60 for pumping air, a second pump 57 for pumping water, a distribution valve 14 having two axially-spaced sets of ports in its casing, and pipe connections between the pumps, distribution valve casing and tank; the distribution valve is so constructed as to provide in the various positions of the valve the necessary connections between the ports in its casing (a) fill and empty the tank, and (b) blow air in a closed circuit through the water in the tank in order to effect the washing operation. The heater may be of the immersion type and placed between the bottom of the tank and a perforated partition plate 12 or it may consist of elements clamped to the underside of the tank. The distribution valve, which is placed on the side of an enclosure 15 for the tank 10, comprises an outer cylindrical casing 14 inside which the valve proper is rotatable about the axis of the casing. The casing of the valve comprises, as shown in Fig. 2, an internal closure at one end and a removable cover 24 at the opposite end. A set of four angularly-spaced ports 16-19 is provided in the casing in a plane at rightangles to the axis of the casing as shown in Fig. 7 (which shows the two parts of the valve separated for the sake of clearness), and a second set of angularly-spaced ports 20-22 is disposed in a second plane axially spaced from the first set. The valve proper 27, which is disposed on a central spindle 26 in the casing, comprises a hollow body having ports and passages therein and a transverse partition 28 adapted to be disposed between the two sets of ports in the casing. By rotation of the spindle 26, the valve may be set into any one of four angular positions in which different sets of ports in the casing are placed in communication. A spring-pressed pin 42 mounted in the valve 27 is adapted to engage recesses in an arcuate groove 44 in the casing so as to lock the valve in any of its four angular positions. In use for filling the tank, the valve 27 is turned to its first angular position in which the pump 57 draws in water from a container through the pipe 48 as shown in Fig. 7, and pumps it back to the valve casing and thence by the pipe 55 to the bottom of the tank. When sufficient water is in the tank, the articles to be washed and soap are placed in the tank, the heater 13 is switched on, and the valve 27 turned to its second position. The pump 60 then draws air from the upper part of the tank through the pipe 56 and discharges it through the pipe 55 into the tank so as to agitate the water and articles in the tank. When, at the end of this operation, the valve is turned to its third position, the pump 57 draws water from the tank through the pipe 55 and delivers it through the pipe 48 to a drain. At this stage, the above operation may be repeated as often as may be required to provide a rinsing treatment. For drying, the articles are draped on a rack 66. Fig. 1, which is mounted either in the tank or in a hollow extension fitted to the top of the tank, and the valve is turned to its fourth position. The pump 60 then draws air from the upper part of the tank through the pipe 56 and discharges it through the pipe 48 to a drain. The air removed in this process is replaced by air which is drawn into the upper part of the pipe 55 from a branch pipe 63 therein. A two-way valve 64 in this pipe is adapted to be operated automatically when the valve 27 is moved to and from its fourth position; in this position of the valve 27, the valve 64 opens for the supply of air from the atmosphere to the bottom of the tank. The operation of the two pumps 57, 60 is such that, when one is effective, the other is merely idling. Certain ports or passages may be provided in the valve and either the casing or cover thereof for providing for the discharge to a drain of anv steam which accumulates in the tank during the washing operation, a pipe 49 being provided between the upper part of the tank and the valve casing for this purpose. Specifications 585,817 and 608,751 are referred to.