Method and means for disposing of lint in a laundry apparatus

July 7, 1964

METHOD AND MEANS FOR

Filed Nov, 14, I960

R. G. FECHO ETAL 3,139,633

DISPOSING OF LINT IN A LAUNDRY APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1

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INVENTORS

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BY Cha,rias H Wide

ATTORNEYS

July 7, 1964 _R. _G. _FECHO etal 3,139,633

METHOD AND MEANS FOR DISPOSING OF LINT IN A LAUNDRY APPARATUS

Filed Nov. 14, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 2

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ATTORNEYS

July 7, 1964

METHOD AND MEANS FOR

Filed Nov. 14, 1960

R. G. FECHO ETAL

3,139,633

DISPOSING OF LINT IN A LAUNDRY APPARATUS

Sheets-Sheet 3

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July 7, 1964 _{R G FECHO ETAL} 3,139,633

METHOD AND MEANS FOR DISPOSING OF LINT IN A LAUNDRY APPARATUS

Filed Nov. 14, i960 _R . _x „

Sheets-Sheet 4

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July 7, 1964 _{R G FECHO ETAL} 3,139,633

METHOD AND MEANS FOR DISPOSING OF LINT IN A LAUNDRY APPARATUS

Filed Nov, 14, i960 . _

Sheets-Sheet 5

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INVENTORS

Ftfarte Yj.jFec/i.o BY CAa-ries //. Mzc/e

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United States Patent Office

3,139,633

Patented July 7, 1964

139 633

METHOD AND MEANS FOR DISPOSING OF LINT IN A LAUNDRY APPARATUS

Rhine G. Fecho, Baroda, and Charles H. Wade, Benton Harbor, Mich., assignors to Whirlpool Corporation, St. Joseph, Mich., a corporation of Delaware

Filed Nov. 14, I960, Ser. No. 68,819

Claims. (CI. 8—158)

This invention relates generally to a laundry machine and method and more particularly relates to a lint separator means and a water flush-down system which may be utilized in connection therewith so that a combination washer-dryer can handle successive loads over a period of time, without necessitating operator’s attention after each load or without impairing either the washing or drying processes, as might otherwise occur in machines requiring attention after each batch of materials to be laundred is handled. The actual lint separation is accomplished by introducing the exhaust lint-laden air during drying periods into a lint separator wherein it is given a swirling action and heavier lint particles are separated from the main air stream and introduced along with a very small portion of the total air flow into an annulus having a tangential outlet. During other periods 4 of operation when liquid is introduced into the machine, a portion of the liquid is directed into the lint separator, thereby effecting a washdown and the lint-laden liquid exits through the tangential outlet and passes through a conduit to the sump of the machine for discharge through the conventional liquid drain for discharge from the system.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved laundry machine and method.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid flush-down system for a lint separator.

Another object of the present invention is to provide in a combination washer-dryer machine a lint separator for separating lint from the air stream discharged from the machine during its drying operation and further to provide for the automatic flushing of that lint separator in subsequent washing operations.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry apparatus with which is combined a lint separator having a liquid flush-down system.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and means for disposing of lint in a laundry apparatus.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a lint wash-down system which is correlated with the operation of an automatic laundering apparatus having a sequential program of different laundering operation periods.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a lint separator for a laundry machine wherein the lint is separated from the main air stream and wherein wash-down means insure that the volume of the main air , stream will always be maintained, thereby operating the apparatus at designed drying efficiency. :

Many other advantages, features and additional objects of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description which follows and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment of a laundry apparatus incorporating the improvements of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.

On the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a rear elevational view with parts removed and with parts broken away showing a combination washer-dryer incorporating a lint separator and provided with the lint washdown arrangement of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the machine of FIGURE 1 with parts removed for the sake of more 5 clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view with parts shown in cross-section and with parts removed showing additional details of construction of the lint separator and lint washdown means of the present invention;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken generally on line IV—IV of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken generally on line V—V of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary elevational view of the 15 tank back showing the lint separator of the present invention superimposed thereon and illustrating additional details of construction;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on line VII—VII of FIGURE 6.

As shown on the drawings:

Although the principles of the present invention are of general utility, the preferred structural embodiment herein disclosed by way of illustrative example constitutes a domestic laundry appliance known as a combination 25 washer-dryer regulated by a sequential controller which automatically operates the machine through a predetermined sequence of washing, rinsing and drying periods. The drying operations may include a centrifuging operation, as well as an additional drying operation wherein 30 thermal energy is added to a stream of ventilating air circulated through the treatment zone. To provide the thermal energy, electrical heating means may be utilized, although it will be appreciated that a fuel-fired heating means could be used with equal efficiency and without 35 departing from the principles of the present invention.

Thus, in the preferred example shown in the drawings, a domestic laundry appliance such as a combination washer-dryer is shown generally at 10 and comprises an outer cabinet 11 enclosing an inner casing forming a tub 40 12 which prescribes the boundaries of a treatment zone. Since the laundry appliance 10 is intended for use as a combination washer and dryer, it is convenient to provide a so-called horizontal axis machine. Accordingly, to that end there is provided a shaft 13 carried by appropriate ₄₅ bearings and adapted to drivingly rotate a drum or basket (not shown) within the treatment zone, thereby to subject clothes contained therein to a series of washing, rinsing and drying steps.

The tub 12 is formed with a sump 14 at a lower por₅₀ tion thereof.

To rotatably drive the shaft 13, a pulley 16 is corotatably connected therewith and has a belt 17 threaded thereover which is associated with a driving pulley 18 carried on a power take-off shaft 19 projecting outward55 ly from a speed changer mechanism 20 associated with an electric driving motor (not shown). Thus, the shaft 13 may be rotatably driven for operating the drum or basket either at a tumbling speed during washing periods, or at a centrifuging speed during an extraction period, θθ The speed changer mechanism or gear box 20 has a second power take-off shaft 21 to which is connected a pulley 22 associated with a pulley belt 23. Suitable tension is kept on the belt 23 by an idler pulley 24 and the belt 23 is used to rotatably drive a pulley 26 at05 tached to a pump shaft 27 associated with a liquid pump 28 and with a blower pulley 29 connected to the rotatable driving shaft 30 of an air translation means shown generally at 31.

In order to charge the machine 10 with liquid for car70 rying out the washing and rinsing steps of the laundering process, there is provided a motor-operated mixing valve shown generally at 32. The mixing valve 32 has

3,139,633 a coupling connection 33 and a coupling connection 34, each adapted to be connected respectively to the “hot” and “cold” supply pipes of a usual domestic water supply. A solenoid or suitable motor-operating means are provided for the mixing valve 32, as shown at 36, so 5 that water at a preselected temperature may be delivered through a valve outlet 37 and into a conduit 38.

The conduit 38 has connected thereto a Y type flow divider shown at 39. The flow divider 39 has a main stem 40 and a branch stem 41. The stems 40 and 41 jq are proportioned to divide the flow. In the exemplary form of the invention illustrated, approximately twothirds of the flow directed through the conduit 33 is carried by the main stem 40 for delivery through a conduit 42 while approximately one-third of the flow volume 15 carried in the conduit 38 is carried by the branch stem 41 and into a conduit 43.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the conduit 42 is connected as at 44 to a vacuum break 46 and a conduit 47 carries the inlet fluid into an inlet opening 48 formed 20 in the wall of the tub 12. The water supplied through opening 48 to the tub 12 is used for washing, rinsing, and fluid balancing.

Suitable water level sensing means are provided including pressure switches 49 and 50 connected in paral- 25 lei by a conduit 51 and made responsive to the water level in the tub 12 by a sensing tube 52 connected to the tub as at 53. It will be understood that the pressureresponsive switches 49 and 50 are associated through suitable electrical circuit means with the sequential con- 30 troller for the machine 10 so that the operation of the mixing valve 32 can be controlled as a function of the water level in the tub 12.

To complete the hydraulic circuitry of the machine 10, reference is made to the pump 28. The pump 28 draws 35 a suction preferably on the bottom of the sump 14, for example, at an outlet 54 to which is connected a conduit 56 leading to the inlet of the pump 28.

The pump 28 has an outlet 57 to which is connected a conduit 58 leading to a two-way valve 59 having a 40 motor operator 60 and controlling the discharge of the pump 28 alternatively to drain via a conduit 61, or to a conduit 62.

The machine 10 illustratively takes the form of a laundry appliance having a high speed centrifuging sys- 45 tern and incorporating a water balance arrangement. Further, the machine 10 contemplates recirculation of laundry liquid during the washing periods with a continuous stream of laundry liquid being directed into the interior of the drum or basket for conditioning contact 50 with the clothes being tumbled within the treatment zone. Thus, to effect those ends, the conduit 62 is connected to a two-way valve 63 having a motor operator 64 and discharging alternatively to a conduit 66 leading to the water balance system or to a conduit 67 leading 55 to a spray nozzle for directing a continuous stream of fluid into the interior of the drum or basket rotatable within the treatment zone. It will be understood, of course, that the constructional details of either the water balance system or the water recirculation system are θθ not necessary to a proper understanding of the principles of the present invention.

Disposed within the compartment formed by the cabinet 11 and in contiguity to the tub or tank 12, there is provided a heater box 68. As previously referred to, the ₆₅illustrative embodiment herein disclosed contemplates the utilization of electrical heating elements 69, thereby to temperature-condition drying air which enters the treatment zone via the heater box 68 for diffusion through the treatment zone. ?θ

The heated drying air from the heater box is directed into the tub or tank 12 and circulates within the treatment zone including the drum or basket and picks up moisture and lint from the clothes tumbling within the drum, leaving the treatment zone through an opening 71 75 formed in a tank back 70 constituting the rear wall of the tub 12 or treatment zone. The air translation means is attached on the rear side of the tank back 70 and has an inlet in register with the opening 71.

It will be noted from the drawings that the air translation means 31 comprises a fan scroll 72 which comprises a generally circular body portion flanged as at 73 and including spaced apertures 74 to facilitate attachment of a thin sheet metal backing plate (not shown) to the fan scroll 72. The complete scroll and backing plate assembly are securely attached to the tank back 70 by clamping means.

A centrifugal impeller wheel 76 is rotatably carried in the scroll 72 and for that purpose, a bearing construction 77 is formed in a boss 78 formed on the rear wall 79 of the scroll 72, which boss is given radial support by a plurality of circumferentially spaced and integral ribs 80 formed on the wall 79.

As shown at the broken areas on FIGURE 3, the centrifugal impeller wheel 76 has a circumferential row of impeller blades 81. The pulley member 29 is locked on the shaft 30 which rotates within the bearing assembly 77, it being understood that the impeller wheel 76 is fastened to the shaft 30, thereby to accomplish rotation of the centrifugal impeller 76 within the interior of the fan scroll 72.

The pumping chamber in which the impeller 76 is rotatably driven is essentially circular in configuration and the fan scroll 72 is provided with a peripheral blower outlet 82 which extends tangentially away from the body portion of the fan scroll 72. The impeller 76 operates to draw lint-laden air from within tank 12 through the opening 71 and the opening in the scroll backing plate are centrally located relative to the center of the pumping chamber and blower wheel 76 for discharge radially outwardly and tangentially into the blower outlet 82.

As is most clearly shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, the blower outlet 82 is in tangential communication with a generally cylindrical separator end portion 83 which is an integral part of the fan scroll 72. Fixedly secured to the separator end portion 83 is a so-called cyclone cover or cyclone separator 84 which may include as a part thereof a cover adapter shown generally at 86.

Referring specifically to FIGURES 3 and 4, it will noted that the separator end portion 83 has formed therein on a center, axis a longitudinally projecting tube shown at 87. The tube 87 is cylindrical in shape and extends axially to terminate just short of the end of the separator end portion 83 adjacent the cyclone separator 84. An end wall 88 closes the tube 87.

A substantial portion of the tube 87 is enlarged as at 89 to form a baffle shaped somewhat like an air foil and having a radial extent with gently converging side wall portions terminating in an apical portion 90 spaced radially inwardly of an inner circumferential wall 91 forming the cylindrical bore of the separator end portion 83.

The inner tube 87 and the baffle 89 within the separator end portion 83 cause the air and lint mixture to spiral in the general manner of the arrows 92, thus traveling through a generally helical path towards the cyclone cover 84.

Due to the greater density of the lint, the air being of lesser density tends to concentrate inwardly of the peripheral wall 91, while the heavier lint-laden air tends to travel closely adjacent the inner periphery 91 of the separator end portion 83.

The separator end portion 83 and the cyclone cover 84 form a chamber in which the lint-laden air entering tangentially from the blower outlet 82 is given a swirling spiraling motion axially toward the end of the separator end portion 83. In this regard, note that the cyclone cover 84 has formed at one end thereof a peripheral wall 93 and an inwardly spaced wall 94, thereby to form an annulus 96 having an outlet opening 97

3,3 formed therein. The inner wall 94 forms an axial opening for a large percentage of the total volume of air flow while the swirling spiraling lint-laden air will move axially towards the annulus 96 and the opening prescribed by the inner wall 94.

To accomplish the drying process efficiently, it is necessary for the air translation means 31 to move a relatively large volume of air and, accordingly, the air will achieve high velocities when passing through the restrictions offered by the blower outlet 82 and the separator end portion 83. Since lint is denser than air and moves with substantially the same velocity as the air stream carrying it, any lint suspended in the air stream will be subjected to greater centrifugal forces within the separator end portion 83 than the air itself. Due to these larger centrifugal forces, the lint will have a tendency to form a layer directly adjacent the inner periphery 91 of the separator end portion 83. Of course, the lint in moving to this outer layer displaces the air inwardly such that by the time the air stream has spirally progressed to the vicinity of the annulus 96 and to the beginning of the axial outlet opening prescribed by the inner wall 94, substantially all of the lint included in the air stream in the separator end portion 83 will be in the outer peripheral layer of the air stream and thus be forced into the annulus 96 by the axially progressing spiraling motion of the air stream. In practice, the radial thickness of the lint area will always be less than the radial thickness of the armulus 96 so therefore some air will also enter the annulus 96 with the lint.

An end wall 98 at the end of the annulus 96 serves to stop the axially spiraling progression of the lint layer and that part of the air stream included between the inner and outer walls 94 and 93 of the annulus 96 and causes both to move in circular motion with the annulus 96 where both the lint and the air pass through the tangential outlet 97.

To reduce the spiraling and increase the axial velocity of the major portion of the total air stream with the lint separated out, the inner surface of the inner wall 94 is provided with a radially inwardly extending vane 99.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a lint washdown arrangement is provided.

The branch outlet 41 of the Y connection 39 discharges liquid into the conduit 43 and the conduit 43 is connected to a vacuum break shown at 100 (FIGURE 1). After passing through the vacuum break 100, the liquid is carried by a conduit 101 and is connected to a water inlet 102 fastened in firm assembly with the tank back 70.

The water inlet 102 is arranged to direct a pattern of spray through the back cover of the blower housing and onto the blower wheel or impeller 76.

In the exemplary machine of the present disclosure, the average amount of water supplied to the inlet 102 is in a volume of approximately two gallons per minute whenever solenoid 36 of mixing valve 32 is. energized. A very large percentage of such water is centrifugally extracted from the blower housing and into the separator end portion 83. As the water is thrown outwardly by the blower, it completely cleans the inside of the fan scroll 72 of lint that may have accumulated in the scroll during the previous dry cycle. The water that is not centrifugally extracted from the blower housing drains to the bottom of the blower housing and a drain opening 103 is formed in the blower backing plate and in the tank back 70 to drain such water back into the interior of the tub or tank 12.

The water that is extracted from the blower housing or fan scroll 72 is violently swirled in the separator end portion 83 and moves towards the cyclone cover 84 completely washing the inside surfaces of all of the components with which the water comes in contact. Since the water is much heavier than air, it immediately

1,633 forces itself to the periphery of the separator end portion 83 and forces the air into an inner layer. As the mixture of air and water layers move in a helical path downstream, they enter the cyclone cover 84 with the 5 air entering the smaller diameter prescribed by the inner wall 94 and the water with the washed down lint entering the larger diameter of the annulus 96. The violent swirling action of the water thoroughly cleans the entire inside portion of the annulus 96 and the swirling 10 water proceeds to the tangential discharge port 97 of the cyclone cover 84.

The discharge port 97 is connected by a large sized hose 104 (FIGURE 1) to an opening 105 in the bottom of the tub or tank 12, namely, at the sump portion 14 15 of the tub 12. Because of the comparatively large volume of water going through the conduit or hose 104, any lint accumulated in the hose during a drying operation is completely rinsed from within the hose back into the tank or tub 12, whereupon the lint-laden water 20 may be pumped to drain by the pump 28.

It is contemplated by the present invention that a lint washdown will be effected whenever water is supplied from the two-way valve 32 since the Y connection 39 automatically apportions approximately one-third of the 25 volume flow from the conduit 38 into the blower housing. Thus, in a typical operational sequence of a combination washer-dryer as herein disclosed by way of illustrative example, the program sequence would include a filling operation for the washing period, as well as several rins30 ing periods and water will, therefore, be directed through the air circuit of the machine during the wash and the multiple rinse periods. It is also contemplated, of course, that the sequential program preselected by the operator on the sequential controller could include a so-called 35 “purging” period preceding the washing period during which time a purging supply of water would be directed through the air circuit of the system specifically for the purpose of washing down lint from the entire system and directing the lint-laden liquid into the machine with ⁴⁰ the pump 28 in operation and the valve 59 positioned so that the lint-laden water would be directed through the conduit 61 to drain.

Referring specifically to FIGURES 1 and 3, it will be noted that the cyclone cover 84 includes two separate 45 outlets, one of the outlets being shown at 106 in the cover adapter 86 and the other of the outlets being shown at 107 in a wall of the cyclone cover 84. A sheet metal valve 108 is carried by a pivot pin 109 having an actuator stem 110 projecting upwardly and outwardly of the cyclone 50 separator 84. A coil spring 111 is connected thereto and has its opposite end connected to a boss 112 formed on the cyclone adapter 86. Thus, the valve 108 is normally biased to a position to close the opening 107.

A solenoid or motor (not shown) operator is provided 55 for the valve 108 and selectively opens the valve 108 to open the outlet 107 while simultaneously closing the outlet 106. In a typical automatic combination washerdryer, during the wash cycle the solenoid for the valve 108 is deenergized and the spring 111 biases the valve 60 108 so that it closes the outlet 107 that leads into the room or to the external venting duct work which may be connected to the outlet 107. With the valve 108 in that position during the wash and rinse cycles, everything that enters the center diameter at the entrance of the 65 cyclone cover 84 passes axially out the opposite end of the cyclone 84 into the cover adapter 86 through the opening 106. During the dry cycle the solenoid controlling the valve 108 is energized to close outlet 106 and open outlet 107 to allow the lint free air to escape to 70 atmosphere.

In a machine having electrical heating elements, the valve 108 may constitute a continuous sheet form member which completely closes the opening 107, however, with a fuel-fired heating means such as a so-called gas 75 machine, then it is necessary to leave a hole in the mov

3,139,633 able valve 108 for gas combustion purposes. To illustrate such provision, a hole 115 is shown in the valve 108. It may be noted that the vane 99 formed in the throat provided by the inner wall 94 cuts down the swirling action of the air so that any residuum water carried by the air stream will not pass outwardly through the opening 115.

In this connection, any water that remains in the air stream and which passes into the smaller diameter provided by the inner wall 94, is separated in the cyclone cover 84 and runs down a stoped wall shown at 113 which forms a funnel 114 at the bottom of the cyclone cover 84 and into a passage 116 formed in the lower portion of the cyclone adapter 86. With exemplary constructions of the type herein illustrated, tests have indicated approximately 93% of the water that enters the blower housing is discharged through the tangential outlet 97. Any residual water remaining is collected in the funnel 114 and enters the passage 116 for discharge through an outlet conduit 117 intersecting the passage 116 and formed by an integral boss on the bottom of the cyclone adapter 86. An appropriate conduit 118 is connected to the passage 117 and leads to an opening 119 formed in the tank back 70, thereby to direct the liquid in the passage 117 to the interior of the tank or tub 12.

It will be noted that the cyclone adapter 86 has an inner cylindrical portion 120 which extends into the cyclone cover 84. The inner cylindrical portion is provided with two transverse baffles including a first baffle 121 at the front end and a second baffle 122 at the rear end. Both of the baffles 121 and 122 are arranged to extend radially inwardly and constitute baffle walls extending across the passage. The first baffle 121 causes the air and any moisture that it still contains to bend downwardly into the cyclone adapter 86, thus forcing the air downwardly which allows any water entrained therein to be extracted from the air. The second baffle 122 downstream of the first baffle 121 again redirects the air upwardly and forces any remaining water out of the air stream. Thus, any moisture separated from the air stream drains downwardly through a port 123 and into passage 117 for return to the tub or tank 12 via the conduit 118 and the opening 119 in the tank back 70. The air that passes above the baffle 122 in the adapter cover 86 enters the heater box 68 for recirculation through the machine 10. The water being sprayed into the clothes load in the drum is heated by this heated air whenever heating element 69 is energized.

It will be understood that the entire operation of the machine provided with the improvements of the present invention is entirely automatic. As previously referred to, there is provided a sequential control means shown herein schematically in FIGURE 2 at 116, the sequential control means having selector means 117 at an accessible position on the machine for adjustment by the operator to select a program of operation. The sequential control means 116 may conveniently take the form of a timer motor which drives, through a step-by-step progression, a series of cams each associated with a cam-operated switch, which cam-operated switches are in control of the electrical circuitry arranged to operate the motoroperated devices referred to in the disclosure of this invention. By virtue of such arrangement it will be appreciated that the machine may be automatically operated through a series of washing, rinsing and drying periods and water will be caused to enter the air circuit or the blower housing during selected operating periods, or in a separate purging period, thereby to maintain the cleanliness of the air circuit and to insure operation of the air translation means at optimum efficiency.

In operation, a combination of air and lint during the dry cycle enters at the axis of the air translation means 31 and is discharged from the blower housing into the lint separator 83, 84. The inner tube 87 and baffle 89 in the separator cause the air and lint mixture to spiral towards the cyclone cover 84 so as not to interfere with the additional air entering the cyclone separator. The air being of lesser density enters the small center diameter of the cyclone separator and the air-lint mixture being of greater density enters the larger diameter of the annulus 96 and swirls to the tangential outlet 97 connected by the hose 104 to the sump of the tank as at 165.

During selected portions of the program or cycle, water is introduced into the air circuit at the water inlet 102 and is violently swirled in the scroll and separator portions of the blower housing for movement towards the cyclone cover, thereby to completely wash all of the exposed surfaces. The lint-laden water is discharged through the tangential opening 97 and is returned via the hose 104 to the sump, as at 105. Lint-free air is discharged through the center opening provided by the inner wall 94 and may be vented through the outlet 107 to the outside of the machine, or may be returned to the heater box 68 through the cyclone adapter 86 for recirculation in the machine. Any residue moisture is separated in the cyclone separator and is drained through the funnel 114 into the passage 116. Additionally, transverse baffles 121 and 122 by changing the direction of the air, further remove any remaining moisture which moisture exits through the port 123 and into the passage 116 for removal from the separator via the outlet 117 and for return to the tub 112 via the hose 118.

Although minor modifications might be suggested by those versed in the art, it should be understood that we wish to embody within the scope of the patent warranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of our contribution to the art.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive