Patent GB-453430-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to power operated valves
IPC: D06F39/00
Filed: 1935-03-06
Abstract: 453,430. Valve control in washing - machines. STRUCKMAN, E., 97, Copse Hill, Wimbledon, London. March 6, 1935, Nos. 7026, 13095, and 22974. [Class 138 (ii)] [See also Group XXIX] The supply valves of a washing -machine are opened by the energization of a circuit containing either a motor which actuates a cam and lever mechanism associated with the valve spindle, each valve having its own motor and cam and lever mechanism, or one of a pair of solenoids which operates a clutch to connect a constantly rotating cam-shaft to the valve operating spindle, each valve having its own pair of solenoids and the cam-shaft being common to all the valves. The motor or solenoid is then switched out and the valve is held open by the cam and lever or, in the case of the solenoid-operated device, by a latch. The next energization of the motor circuit further rotates the cam to permit the valve to close or, in the other form, energization of a circuit containing the other solenoid releases the latch to permit the valve to close. Energization of the circuits is controlled entirely by a rotary time element and the motors automatically switch themselves out after operating the cam mechanisms by predetermined amounts. In the form shown in Fig. 1, the valves 9 in the supply pipes 2 ... 8 are operated by motors 15 which are energized to open the valves by the engagement of a contact on a constantly rotating arm 12a with contacts 13 in an outer ring and to close the valve by engagement with contacts 14 in an inner ring. In the form shown in Fig. 6, each motor is provided with two pairs of contacts 23, 30 and 24, 31 carried on spring arms secured to an insulating block 27 and a cam 33 adjustably secured in a groove in the periphery of a constantly rotating drum is associated with each pair of contacts, several such cams being provided, spaced around the periphery, when any particular valve requires operation more than once in the cycle. Closing of the contacts 23, 30 energizes the motor circuit to open the valve which is closed by the closing of the contacts 24, 31 after the contacts 23, 30 have been opened when the cam passes therefrom and the motor circuit broken by the selfoperating circuit-breaker. To prevent simultaneous closing of both pairs of contacts an insulating strip 32 bridges members of opposite pairs whereby the rear contact 30 is removed from the path of the contact 23 whenever the cam 33 contacts with the strip carrying the contact 24. The motor rotates a disc 59, Fig. 9, counterclockwise. The disc carries two pins 57, 58 one in advance of the other so as to engage a lever arm 52 to effect a preliminary opening of the valve which the lever arm 52 operates before the main operating pin 58 contacts therewith. During the valve-opening operation a contact 65 carried by a disc 61 rotating with the disc 59 bridges a pair of stationary contacts 63 to complete the motor circuit until the contact 65 rides off the contacts 63 and stops the motor by which time the valve will be fully open. Another contact 66 on the disc 61 has meanwhile bridged another pair of stationary contacts 64 whereby the motor circuit, on the next closing of the contacts 24, 31 by the cam control drum, is again completed to rotate the disc 59 further to free the pin 58 from the arm 52 and permit the valve to close. The motor switches itself out when the contact 66 leaves the stationary contacts 64. In the form shown in Fig. 10, the valves are controlled by solenoids 72, 79. A motordriven cam-shaft 67 constantly reciprocates a rod 70. When the solenoid 72 is energized it rocks a bell-crank lever 74 clockwise whereby an arm 71 pivoted on the valve spindle is moved into the path of the rod 70. A nose 77 on the arm 71 is engaged behind a latch 78 to hold the valve open until the latch is released by the energization of the solenoid 79. The steam valve is operated by the same automatic control, but a byepass is provided whereby when the main steam valve is closed a certain amount of steam passes to the machine to maintain the temperature of the washing liquids. The valve control described in connection with Fig. 9 forms the subject-matter of Specification 453,479, [Group XXIX].