Patent ID: 7108000

Claim:
A washer comprising: a washing chamber dimensioned to receive articles to be washed; an intake assembly having a first blower and a first chamber fluidly connectable with the washing chamber; plumbing to deliver a fluid to the washing chamber; and a pressure equalization system operable to maintain an equalized pressure in the washing chamber, said pressure equalization system including: a heating element disposed in the first chamber to heat air therein; a first gate element movable between an open position and a closed position, said first gate element disposed between said first blower and said washing chamber for controlling fluid flow between the first chamber and the washing chamber, wherein said first gate clement moves to the open position when said first blower is activated; and a second gate element disposed in the first chamber and movable between an open position and a closed position to control air flow into the first chamber from the environment surrounding the washer, said second gate element located between said first blower and said first gate element, wherein said first gate element and said second gate element move to the open position in response to a negative pressure condition in said washing chamber to increase the pressure therein.