US2838002A

US2838002A - Two-way pump

Info

Publication number: US2838002A
Authority: US
Inventors: Cohen David
Original assignee: General Electric Co
Current assignee: General Electric Co
Priority date: 1955-11-21
Filing date: 1955-11-21
Publication date: 1958-06-10
Anticipated expiration: 1975-06-10

Description

D. CQHEN TWO-WAY PUMP June 10, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 21, 1955 PIC-Ll OOOO INVENTOR.

DAVID COHEN HIS ATTORNEY June 10, 1958 D. COHEN 2,838,002

TWO-WAY PUMP Filed Nov. 21, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2' FIG. 2.

INVENTOR. DAVID COHEN awzmw HIS ATTORNEY TWO-WAY PUMP David Cohen, St. Joseph, Mich., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application November 21, 1955, Serial No. 548,040 7 Claims. (Cl. 103-2) This invention relates to two-way pumps and more particularly to such pumps for use in the liquid flow system of automatic clothes washing machines. In certain automatic washing machines a recirculation conduit is provided whereby the washing liquid is continuously circulated from the machine tub through the clothes basket during the washing operation. A drain conduit is also provided whereby the tub is emptied during the centrifugal extraction operation customarily following the washing operation. The switching of the flow from the recirculation conduit to the drain conduit, or vice versa, is accomplished automatically by means of a suitable mechanism included within the machine. Our invention is directed to an improved apparatus for accomplishing that result, i. e. for selectively pumping the washing liquid from the tub into either the recirculation conduit or the drain conduit. However, in its broader aspects our invention is useful generally in any similar flow diversion systems without being limited solely to laundry apparatus.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved two-way pump having separate valve means for governing the flow from the pump into alternate outlet conduits depending upon the direction of rotation of the pump.

A second object is to provide an automatic clothes washing machine having an improved direction responsive drain and recirculation pump.

In carrying out my invention I provide a centrifugal pump having an impeller rotating within a cylindrical pump chamber. The pump is provided with a centrally disposed inlet into the pump chamber and with a pair of outlets leading from the periphery of the chamber. Each of the outlets is provided with a separate resilient flap-like valve for opening and closing it; and the two resilient valves are arranged so that they are actuated alternately and separately by the flow of liquid from the impeller. When the impeller is rotating in one direction, one of these valves is closed by the flow, and when the impeller is rotating in the other direction, the other of the valves is closed. Thus, depending upon the direction of the rotation of the impeller the flow of liquid from the pump is passed outwardly through one or the other of the outlets but not through both.

The pump is particularly useful in a washing machine of the type including washing means within a centrifugal extraction basket, both of which are driven through a mechanism including a reversible drive motor. The pump can be advantageously used in such a machine to pump water from the tub to a recirculation conduit or to a drain conduit depending upon the direction of rotation of the drive motor. The pump is preferably driven directly from the drive motor, and one of its outlets is connected to the recirculation conduit and the other to the drain conduit. Thus, upon one direction ofmotor rotation the pump is effective to recirculate washing liquid within the machine while the washing means performs a washing operation within the basket; whereas upon reis 2,838,002 Patented June 10, 1958 2 verse motor rotation the pump discharges the washing liquid to a drain while the basket is rotated at high speed for centrifugal extraction.

The features of my invention which I believe to be novel are pointed out with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, both as to its organization and method of operation may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, with certain surfaces brokenaway and partially in section, of an automatic clothes washing machine including an improved drain and recirculation pump embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the pump utilized in the machine of Fig. 1, the view being taken from the underside and with a portion of the pump housing cover and impeller removed and showing the position of the valves with the impeller at rest;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 and showing the position of the valves with the impeller rotating in one direction;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 and showing the position of the valves with the impeller rotating in the opposite direction; and v Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Referring first to Fig. 1, there isshown an automatic clothes washer of the type having a rotatable clothes basket I mounted within an outer enclosing tub or container 2 which is supported within and enclosed by exterior cabinet structure 3. The cabinet structure includes a base assembly 4- secured to the cabinet by any suitable fastening means 5. For leveling the machine, a plurality of adjustable levelling feet 6 are provided extending through reinforcing plates 7 on the base and held by appropriate lock nuts 8. includes a top 9 having a backsplash panel 10 upon which may be mounted appropriate control knobs 11 for adjusting and controlling the sequence of machine operations.

As shown herein, wash basket 1 is of the type adapted to contain the articles to be laundered and a charge of washing liquid. The side wall 12 of the basket is inclined upwardly and outwardly and is provided with a plurality of overflow and liquid discharge apertures 12a adjacent its upper edge in the region of maximum diameter. The

uppermost edge of the basket is rolled inwardly at 13 and.

carries a balance ring and clothes retainer 13a preventing flotation and projection of articles of clothing from the basket during washing and extracting operations. The washing means is shown herein in the form of an agitator 14 having a center post 15 and a plurality of outwardly extending, radial agitating vanes 16. The vanes 16 are joined at their lower ends to a downwardly and outwardly flared skirt 17 as shown.

Basket 1 and agitator 14 are independently rotatable. For example, the agitator is driven with an oscillatory motion to perform the washing operation in a substantially stationary basket; while, for extraction of liquid from the laundry articles, the agitator and basket are rotated together at a high speed. correspondingly, a central basket hub 18 is secured by an appropriate clamping means, such as 19, to a spin tube (not shown) projecting upwardly from a drivemechanism 2t). Hub 18 carries basket 1 through fastening devices 21 extending through the bottom wall of the basket into a hub flange 22. In

a conventional manner, agitator 14 is driven through an.

The cabinet structure also 3 20, forming a transmission assembly, and the driving connections therefrom to basket 1 and agitator 14 form no part of my invention, a typical construction suitable for practice of the present invention is shown and described in Patent No. 2,639,618 issued to J. W. McNairy on May 26, 1953, and assigned to General Electric Company, assignee of the instant application.

As above indicated, the present invention is directed to that type of washing machine in which the washing liquid is constantly recirculated during the washing action. In such a recirculation system, washing liquid flows from wash basket 1 into outer tub 2 throughout the washing period and is pumped back into the wash basket. As a part of the recirculation system, I have shown basket 1 as including an aperture 24 in the bottom wall thereof, and with an inverted conical, discharge noz zle 25, having a small port 26 through which washing liquid and small insoluble soil particles may pass into the outer tub 2. As shown, nozzle 25 is located under skirt 17 of the agitator in an area of limited turbulence, in which the insoluble soil particles tend to collect. Such particles are prevented from entering the static zone adjacent the basket hub by means of a boot 27 extending from basket hub 18 downwardly and outwardly to a radius approaching the radius of discharge nozzle 25. In addition to the thus described path of liquid flow from the basket into the tub a substantial quantity of liquid is discharged through the upper apertures 22a in the basket during recirculation and washing action.

The power source for driving basket 1 and agitator i4 shown as an electric motor 23; and in accordance with this invention this motor is reversible, depending for example upon the relative polarities of connections to windings in the motor. Motor shaft 29 is connected to a bidirectional centrifugal clutch assembly 3b as described in detail in the aforementioned McNairy Patent 2,639,618. This bidirectional clutch assembly upon one direction of motor rotation transmits torque from motor shaft 29 to a lower clutch half 31 integral with a drive pulley 32. The pulley 32 drives a flexible belt 33, which in turn drives the agitator input drive pulley 34. The turning of the pulley 34 drives the mechanism 2d so that it oscillates the agitator 14 within the basket. During drive through the lower clutch half 31 the upper clutch half 35 remains substantially stationary. However, upon reverse rotation of motor shaft 29, the upper clutch half 35 is driven thereby to transmit rotation through its integral drive pulley 36 and flexible belt 37 to an input pulley 38. This rotation of the pulley 38 drives mechanism 2% so as to effect rotation of extraction basket 1. My invention is not limited to the particular form of drive shown since other types of transmissions may be employed which upon one direction of motor rotation operate agitation means within the washing receptacle and which upon reverse motor rotation drive the washing receptacle for centrifugal extraction.

For providing recirculation of Washing liquid discharged into the outer tub, during the washing operation, and for disposal of the washing liquid on conclusion of the washing operation, I provide a pump assembly 42 secured to the wall of the outer tub 2. This pump assembly embodies my invention in one preferred form thereof. The pump is driven from motor 28 through a pump shaft 43 actuated from a motor shaft extension 44 which has secured thereon a drive coupling plate 45. Thepump shaft has a similar drive plate 450 in generally aligned relationship, and the two drive plates are connected together by means of a flexible connection 46. This flexible connection is 'so constructed as to transmit driving torque from motor shaft 43 to the pump, while permitting relative motion of the motor with respect to the pump, as may be caused by any vibration of the moving parts of the apparatus. In Fig. 1, pump 42 is shown as having an in ,let bafiie 47 to prevent entrance of undesirably large articles into the pump.

Pump 42 discharges either through a recirculation hose or conduit 43 or a drain hose or conduit 4-9, depending upon the direction of motor rotation. As shown in Fig. i, the upper end of the recirculation conduit 48 is provided with an appropriate nozzle 59 discharging into wash basket 1. The drain conduit may be provided with a goose neck 51 adapted to rest on the upper edge of a stationary tub, drain standpi-pe, or the like.

With the construction as thus far described, it will be understood that when motor 28 rotates in a first direction, providing drive through clutch half 31 to the agitator input pulley, the agitator is driven within basket 1 to provide the desired washing action. At the same time liquid discharges from nozzle and through overflow apertures 12 into outer tub 2, and is recirculated by pump 42 back to basket 1. Upon conclusion of the washing operation, the direction of motor rotation is reversed, thereby providing a drive to rotate basket 1 at high speed for centrifugal extraction. At the same time, the change in the direction of rotation of pump 4-2 renders it effective to discharge all liquid in the outer tub through drain conduit 49.

Referring to Fig. 5, it will be noted that the pump 42 includes an impeller otl which is disposed within a suitable housing 65. The impeller 64) is mounted on the pump shaft 43 by means of a central hub 66a and it includes a circular skirt 61 and a plurality of radial impcller vanes 64 which extend upwardly from the skirt. T he pump shaft 43 is journalled with respect to the pump housing bottom plate by means of suitable anti-friction bearings (not shown) and appropriate sealing means between the shaft and the plate may be employed to prevent leakage along the shaft. The upper or cover portion of the pump housing includes a centrally located aperture 65a which comprises the inlet to the pump.

Specifically, it comprises an axial inlet. The pump housing is mounted on the bottom of the tub 2 and the inlet 65a communicates directly with the opening in the bottom of the tub covered by the strainer 47. The

outlet conduits

48 and 49 into which the pump discharges are positioned wholly outside of the tub as shown. These conduits connect with the pump housing through a laterally positioned valve chamber 66 which provides an exit from the cylindrical pump chamber section 67 of the housing within which the impeller 60 is mounted. When the impeller is driven by the drive motor 28, water is centrifugally projected into the valve chamber under a substantial pressure.

As thus far described, this pump acts generally in the manner of a centrifugal pump taking in liquid through the axial inlet with tangential fiow from the impeller. Thus, if no arrangements were employed to control the flow the pump would tend to discharge through both

conduits

48 and 49 at the same time.

As a significant part of my invention, I control this flow by means of resilient flap-

like valves

62 and 63 separately'mounted within the pump housing adjacent the entrance into the

conduits

48 and 49. These valves preferably are formed of relatively thin sheets of material having a thicker bead of material along one edge. As shown, valve 63 has a bead 63a pivotally anchoring the valve in the housing intermediate port 68 leading into conduit 48, and housing wall 69. Similarly, valve 62 has a bead '70 'pivotally anchoring the valve in the housing intermediate port 71 leading into conduit 49, and housing wall 72. Both valves are provided with second edges projecting beyond the side walls of the valve chamber and into the path of liquid discharged from the cylindrical section 67 of the pump chamber. Preferably each valve is located at rest position in a plane substantially radial with respect to the pump shaft 43. Each valve is preferably formed from rubber or similar flexible plastic-like material having sufiicient resiliency'so that the inherent'restoring action ofthe material causes the valve to assume its normal rest position adjacent the wall of the housing, i. 'e. its open position, whenever the pump impeller is at rest (see Fig. 2). The top and bottom edges of each valve conveniently are of narrow cross section, thus minimizing the possibility of water-soaked lint collecting thereon and'interfering with the normal closing of the valve ports. 4

In Figs. 2, 3, and 4 there are illustrated various operating conditions of the pump 42. Specifically, in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 the relationship of the pump impeller 60 and the

respective valves

62 and 63 is shown for three conditions of operation: namely, when the impeller is at rest; functioning during the washing operation; and when it is functioning during the centrifugal extraction operation. Fig. 3 illustrates the action of the valves when the pump is driven in a clockwise direction during the washing or rinsing steps of operation. Liquid discharged in a generally tangential direction from the pump chamber 67 into the valve chamber 66 exerts a pressure against valve 63, tending to hold it against wall 69 and adding to the inherent resilient restoring action of the valve material. Port 68 leading to recirculation conduit 48 thus is kept open so that liquid is recirculated from the tub 2 to the basket 1. At the same time the liquid flowing into valve chamber 66 acts against the free end of valve 62, bending or'flexing the valve in a counter-clockwise direction about the anchoring bead 70 and forcing the valve into closed position with respect to port 71 and against the inherent restoring action of the valve material. The closing of port 71 thus prevents flow of liquid into drain conduit 49 and also the pulling of air therefrom into the valve chamber 66. p

When the pump is driven in a counter-clockwise direction during the spin extraction step of operation, the valve positioning is as shown in Fig.- 4. Liquid discharged in a generally tangential reverse direction from the pump chamber 67 into the valve chamber 66, exerts a pressure against valve 62, which has previously been restored to its rest position by its internal resilience when the flow of liquid as above described has been interrupted during the reversal of motor 28 and pump 42. Valve 62 is then held against wall 72 with the pressure of the liquid aiding the inherent restoring action of the valve material. Port 71, leading to drainage conduit 49 thus is kept open so that the tub 2 is drained. At the same time the liquid flowing into the valve chamber 66 acts against the free edge of valve 63, bending the valve in a clockwise direction about the anchoring head 67 and forcing the valve into closed position with respect to port 68 and against the inherent restoring action of the valve material. This, of course, closes ofr the recirculation conduit. Each valve is so constructed and mounted that once the valve has started to bend about its anchoring bead, no position of dead center is reached and the movement of the valve proceeds promptly to its full closing position. At the same time the movement of the valve builds up a progressively greater restoring action which reaches a maximum when the valve is fully closed. As a consequence of the construction described, it is not necessary to have the valves project into the orbit of impeller 61 in order to be mechanically actuated thereby. Generally, I prefer to have the valves bend through an angle of about 90. In'addition I prefer to have the free edges of the valves project into the beveled edge of the pump chamber section sutficiently to provide an obstruction to the tangential flow of liquid at all times when the pump is at rest. This is clearly shown in Fig. 2.

It will be noted that in my preferred embodiment the outer wall of the valve chamber section of the pump is provided with a small recess 73 intermediate the

outlet ports

68 and 71. When either of the

flap valves

62 and 63 is closed, its free end overlies a portion of this recess.

See Figs. 3 and 4 respectively. The purpose ofthe recess 73 is to provide a force aiding in the opening of the previ-' ously closed valve when the impeller changes direction, if for some reason this valve should not open immediately due to its own internal resilience. When the liquid begins to leave the impeller in the reverse direction, it flows under considerable pressure into the recess and under the free end of the closed valve. This provides a lifting force which aids in the opening of the valve. In fact, together with the internal resilience of the valve it insures that the valve is opened as the other one is closed.

From the foregoing description, the operation of the clothes washing machine equipped with the twoway pump becomes evident. -With the machine controls set for washing or rinsing, a drive to the agitation means is effected and the pump is driven in a direction providing recirculation from the outer tub into the wash basket. Upon reversal of the direction of rotation of the motor, under the control of any suitable sequential control, or by manual selection of .a knob 11, the transmission automatically rotates the basket at high speed for centrifugal extraction, or other liquid extraction means are brought into effect, and at the same time the pump becomes effective to discharge the contents of the outer tub to the drain.

While this invention has been described by reference to a particular embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that numerous modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without actually departing from the in-- vention. It is, therefore, the purpose of the appended claims to cover all such equivalent variations as come within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A centrifugal pump comprising a housing defining a pump chamber section and a valve chamber section, an impeller for. rotation within said pump chamber section and having a discharge path into said valve chamber section, an inlet through which fluid enters said pump chamber section, two outlet ports from said valve chamber section, and two independently, alternately movable flap valves mounted within said valve chamber adjacent said ports and arranged to be actuated by the movement of fluid from said impeller in reverse directions to close their respectively associated ports, said valves being biased to flex about their respective mountings to their port open positions when said impeller is inactive.

2. A centrifugal pump comprising a housing defining a pump chamber section and a valve chamber section, an impeller for rotation within said pump chamber section and having a discharge path into said valve chamber section, an axial inlet through which fluid enters said pump chamber section, two outlet ports from said valve chamber section in side-by-side spaced relation, and two independently alternately movable resilient flap valves mounted along one edge within said valve chamber section adjacent said outlet ports for actuation by movement of fluid from said impeller, said valves normally flexing about their respective fixed edges under the restoring force of their internal resilience to assume their port open positions when said impeller is inactive, and including portions struck by the fluid leaving said impeller when said impeller is moving, whereby one of said valves is closed when said impeller is turning in one direction and the other is closed when said impeller is turning in the other direction.

3. A centrifugal pump comprising a housing defining a pump chamber section and a valve chamber section, an impeller for rotation within said pump chamber section and having a discharge path into said valve chamber section, an axial inlet through which fluid enters into said pump chamber section, two outlet ports from said valve chamber section, and two independently alternately movable flap valves mounted along one edge within said valve chamber section adjacent said ports, each valve having a aeespoa second edge extending into the discharge path from said impeller whereby upon rotation of said impeller the fluid discharged therefrom acts upon the second edge of one valve to hold said valve away from its associated port and upon the second edge of the other valve to move said other valve into closing relation with its associated port, said valves being biased to flex about their respective fixed edges to their port open positions when said impeller is inactive.

4. The combination of claim 3 including a recess in the valve chamber section of said housing, said recess being disposed between said outlet ports so that it is partially covered by free ends of said valves when said valves are closed, whereby the discharge from said impeller entering the uncovered portion of said recess provides a valve lifting force upon reverse rotation of said impeller.

5. In a centrifugal pump, a housing defining a pump chamber section and a valve chamber section, an impeller for rotation within said pump chamber section and having a discharge path into said vflve chamber section, an axial inlet through which fluid enters said pump chamber section, two outlet ports from said valve chamber section in side-by-side spaced relation, and means for sealing off, respectively, one of said ports on one direction of impeller rotation and the other of said ports on the opposite direction of impeller rotation, said means comprising a pair of independently, alternately movable flap valves mounted along one edge within said valve chamber section adjacent said ports for actuation by the movement of fluid from said impeller, each of said valves having a normally open position with respect to its associated port and being formed of a resilient material having a sufficient restoring action to move said valve about its fixed edge to said open position when the pressure of moving fluid is relieved therefrom, and each including a second edge extending into the discharge path from said impeller, whereby the movement of fluid from said impeller actuates said valves alternately and selectively depending upon the direction of impeller rotation. v

6. A centrifugal pump comprising a housing defining a pumping chamber, two outlet ports from said chamber, an impeller for rotation Within said chamber and effective centrifugally to discharge liquid into said ports, and two independently, alternately movable flap valves mounted in said housing and each associated with one of said ports, said valves being arranged to be actuated by the movement of fluid from said impeller in reverse directions to close their respectively associated ports, said valves being biased to flex about their respective mountings to their port open positions when said impeller is inactive. e

7. A centrifugal pump comprising a housing defining a pumping chamber, an inlet to said pumping chamber, two outlet ports from the periphery of said chamber, an impeller for rotation within said chamber andeflective centrifiugally to discharge liquid into said ports, two independently, alternately movable flap valves each associated with one of said ports, said valves being arranged to be actuated by the movement of fluid from said impeller in reverse directions to close their respectively associated ports, each of said valves having an end attached to said housing and a free portion arranged for movement to close its associated port, said free portions of said valves being biased to flex about the respective fixed ends of said valves to their port open positions when said impeller is inactive, a recess means in said housing arranged to be partially covered by the free ends of said valves when said valves are closed, whereby the discharge from said impeller entering the uncovered portion of said recess means provides a valve lifting force upon reverse rotation of said impeller.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,621,505 Smith Dec. 16, 1952