Patent GB-1017222-A (GB)
Title: Valving mechanism
IPC: G05B19/44
Filed: 1962-10-18
Abstract: 1,017,222. Laundering. ROBERTSHAW CONTROLS CO. Oct.18, 1962 [Oct. 30, 1961; Nov. 10, 1961; Nov. 20,1961], No. 39506/62. Heading D1A. Apparatus comprises-a head having a reading surface interrupted by plurality: of passage  means, at flexible reading element -disposed in  sliding .engagement with said 'surface' and.having  channel means adapted to interconnect two of said passage means; and means for/causing relative .] movement between said flexible element and head. In Figs. 9, 10 a surface 32 of a head 30 is formed with passages. 34 and 40 connected by .pipes 37 and 43: 'to a: respective vacuum :pump 38:and  vacuum actuator 44. A flexible sheet 46 is formed with spaced-apart elongated dimples 50 so arranged that when sheet 46 is moved in. the. direction 54,  the dimples continuously bridge the passages 34,  40 to apply vacuum'to the actuator 44, the vacuum  In the latter being broken when an aperture 56 in  sheet 46 becomes aligned with passage 40 In Fig. 8 the arrangement is applied to the  control of a washing machine An endless flexible belt 84, from 0.003 to 0. 005 inch thick, passes  over a rotary drum driven by a shaft 112, and a semi cylindrical head 78 which is pivoted at 80 and is spring-biased in the belt-stretching direction. Head 78 is formed.with a line; of passages A to J which co operate with dimples 50 and holes 56 in belt 84. Passages A, C, E, G, I are connected by pipes 43 to respective vacuum actuators X, N, O, P, Q;' 'Passages B D F H J are connected by, a manifold 58 and pipe 37 to a vacuum pump 38  driven by a motor V Shaft 112 is driven by a motor U via a friction clutch 92 and gears 94, 96. A shaft 100 may be rotated by a knob 106 to rotate shaft 112, via gears 96,102 against clutch 92, to set belt 114 at an initial position against a fixed mark 114 If shaft 100 is pulled outwards, a cam 98. thereon closes a switch K to energize the motors  U and V for starting the operating cycle. If shaft 100 is pushed inwards, cam 98 allows switch K to open, and gear 102 operates a lever 116 for opening a valve M to destroy the vacuum in manifold 58. At the commencement of the cycle passages C and D are connected to evacuate actuator N for opening a valve S to pass hot water from a heater 146 via a constant-volume valve 148 to the rotatable tube 120 of the washing machine. Passages I and J are then connected to evacuate actuator Q for closing a switch R to start a motor W for driving an agitator 126 via gearing 140, and a drainage pump 132. Passages G and H are next connected for evacuating actuator P for operating a lever 150 associated with gearing 140, whereby tub 120 is spun to discharge the liquid therein over its rim 128 into a stantionary tub 122 from which it is withdrawn by pump 132 and discharged into a waste  sink 138. Passages C, D and E, F are then connected to actuators N and O to open the hot valve S and a cold valve T for filling the tub with tepid water. After agitation and spinning are performed, the tub 120 is again filled with tepid water and the cycle is repeated Finally, dimples 50A bridge the passages A and B, whereby the actuator X is evacuated for shifting shaft 100 axially to open' switch K and valve M. The Specification describes many alternative forms of flexible reading elements.