US2986917A - Combination washer-drier lint removal arrangements - Google Patents

Description

June 6, 1961 T. R. SMITH 2,986,917

COMBINATION WASHER-DRIER LINT REMOVAL ARRANGEMENTS Filed June 4, 1958 4 Shets-Sheet 1 ,firwenl'or M, Thomas 4?. Smith /44 IEEflW/Q WI M r 1 o n p.

June 6, 1961 T. R. SMITH 2,986,917

COMBINATION WASHER'"DRIER LINT REMOVAL ARRANGEMENTS Filed June 4, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 6,1961

Filed June 4, 1958 T. R. SMITH 2,986,917

COMBINATION WASHER-DRIER LINT REMOVAL ARRANGEMENTS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 clfworngys T. R. SMITH June 6, 1961 COMBINATION WASHER-DRIER LINT REMOVAL ARRANGEMENTS Filed June 4, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 h M 0N N Q n... s m Q MN 0| mm! o m E l P 5 $0 \w m Q R 1 6 MN 0Q II n a vw m: 03 Q0 m R 0 I II \m\\ m3 MQ\ 0000000000000 mm 0 O O O O O Q 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 O 0000000000 0 mm 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7| 1| 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 g 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 I 0 0 0 0 0 OW II. Q Q o km mm United ware Filed June 4, 1958, Ser. No. 739,749 3 Claims. (Cl. 68-20) This invention relates to a combination washer-drier for fabrics and relates in particular to a means for automatically flushing various parts of the condenser system of that washer-drier free from any lint which may tend to accumulate on those areas during the drying operations of the machine.

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Serial No. 505,694, filed May 16, 1955, and application Serial No. 651,367, filed April 8, 1957, now Patent No. 2,921,384.

In the Washer-drier illustrated in the accompanying drawings a generally irnperforate cylindrical casing serves as a fluid container for washing fluid and provides a means for enclosing a revoluble clothes tumbler the cantilevered drive shaft of which is journalled in bearings supported by cooperation of two spaced rear walls at the rear of this casing. Washing operations for the fabrics received by this tumbler are effected in a conventional manner while the drying of these fabrics is produced by circulating the hot moisture vapors from the tumbler into a separate vapor condenser positioned between the two spaced rear walls and mounted within the confines of a scroll provided between those spaced walls in accordance with the invention disclosed and claimed in the copending John C. Mellinger and Paul A. Martin application, Serial No. 701,131, filed December 6, 1957, and assigned to the assignee of the instant invention.

Air flow from the tumbler into the condenser is produced by the rotation of a blower impeller mounted between these spaced rear walls and immediately adjacent an opening in the rear wall openly facing the perforate rear wall of the tumbler. Continuous rotation of the blower impeller moves air into the condenser unit so that condensation of moisture vapors withdrawn from the tumbler may take place within the scroll and condenser areas due to the cooling of these moisture vapors by their contact with a misty spray of cooling fluid resulting from the impingement of that fluid against the rotating impeller. The cool air discharged from the condenser area is recirculated through the tumbler after being reheated by a heating unit located in the upper region of the cylindrical casing enclosing the drum and communicating with the outlet of the vapor condenser unit.

Operational tests have shown a tendency for lint given off by the tumbling of fabrics during the drying cycle to adhere and accumulate on the rear surface of the tumbler as well as on the surface of the rear wall immediately facing that tumbler. In addition, there have been some tendencies for lint to adhere to the areas immediately surrounding the entrance to the condenser unit as well as on the water tube projecting into the condenser region for delivering cooling fluid against the impeller to produce the necessary spray for the condensation of the moisture vapors. While most of the lint is actually flushed down the drain by the condenser operation itself during the drying cycle, a more satisfactory and eflicient washing and drying operation will be obtained if these deposits are flushed from the cylindrical casing and not permitted to contaminate subsequent washing fluids or restrict air flow during subsequent drying operations.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to reduce the accumulation of lint associated with the contes Patent i denser unit in a combination washing and drying machine.

Patented June 6, 1961 ice It is a further object of the invention to eliminate lint by a stystem that is inexpensive to operate. Further objects and advantages of this invention will become evident as the description proceeds and from an examination of the accompanying drawings which illustrate the embodiments of the invention and in which similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation of a combination washerdrier, partially broken away, incorporating my invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation, partially broken away, showing the right side of the combination washer-drier illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation, partially broken away, showing the left side of the combination washer-drier shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a rear elevation, partially broken away, of the combination washer-drier unit shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 55 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIGURE 4 showing the blower condenser unit together with the lint flush nozzle for maintaining this portion of the washer-drier unit free of lint between drying operations;

' FIGURE 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the supporting hub structure shown in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the blower condenser unit as shown in FIGURE 6 with a modified form of lint flush nozzle;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary view in elevation of the modified form of lint flush nozzle shown in FIGURE 8; and

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary view in elevation of an alternative form of drain pump assembly.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, it will be seen that the combination washer-drier unit shown in these drawings includes a substantially flat surfaced base frame 10 mounted on legs 11. Mounted on base frame 10 are the channel members 13 and 14 which are welded or securely aflixed in some suitable manner to the base frame 10 to form the two major supports for the washer-drier unit illustrated in the accompanying figures.

As apparent from an inspection of FIGURES l and 4 channel members 13 and 14 are substantially triangular in elevational configuration with the apex of these members receiving pivot pins 16 and 17. These pivot pins 16 and 17 are journalled in the flanged bearing sleeves 18 and 19, respectively, which form a two-point support for the tub brackets 21 and 22, respectively. This allows the cylindrical tub or casing which is generally indicated by the arrow 24, and which is fastened to the brackets 21 and 22, to oscillate back and forth on pins 16 and 17 in an arcuate movement in response to various forces generated within that tub.

Tub 24 is maintained in an upright position on pins 16 and 17 by the two centering springs 25 connected between tub 24 and base 10 through the spring anchor brackets 26 fastened to the latter member. FIGURES 1 and 3 show the tub 24 as being provided with a tub damper bracket 28 which forms the support for the damper leaf spring 29 carrying the damper pad 31 in a ball and socket joint at the end of the damper spring 29. Base frame 10 is provided with an upstanding damper plate 32 which is engaged by the damper pad 31 to absorb and dissipate the energy imparted to tub 24 causing it to oscillate on the supporting pivot pins 16 and 17.

Tub or casing 24 includes a generally cylindrical side wall 71, a pair of spaced rear walls 72 and 73 and a front wall 74. The front wall 74 and outer rear wall 72 are connected to the cylindrical side wall 71 by means of the encompassing flanged hoop-like members 76 while the e se- 1 partition wall or false tub back 73 positioned between walls 72 and 74 is welded to side wall 71. It will be seen from an inspection of FIGURE 5 that the spaced rear walls 72 and 73 support the tub bearing assembly generally indicated by the referepce numeral 80 and shown in detail in FIGURE 7.

The tub bearing assembly 80 includes a spacer hub 81 which is located between and which abuts the rear walls 72 and 73, and the threaded clamp member 82 receiving the spanner clamp nut 83 which, when tightened on member 82, produces a rigid support for the bearing 85 and 86 adjacent walls 72 and 73, respectively. A spacer sleeve 88 loosely encircling the drum drive shaft 89 regulates the spacing between these bearings which journal drum drive shaft 89.

The rear end of the drum drive shaft 89 is rigidly connected to the large drive pulley 91 whereas its cantilevered front end is threaded into the hub 94 of the drum or clothes tumbler 95. Tumbler 95 includes a perforate rear wall '96 which is rigidly aflixed to and cooperates with the spider-like member 97 to form a double cone support connected to the hub 94 and providing a rigid support for the clothes basket 95 on drum drive shaft 89. A sealing member 101 including a carbon nose ring 102 pressed against the rear surface of this revoluble hub structure by coil spring 103 prevents water from the washing action carried on within tub 24 from damaging bearings 85 and 86-.

As apparent from an inspection of FIGURE 5, the clothes drum or tumbler 95 also includes a perforate cylindrical side wall 104 which carries clothes elevating means 105. Side wall 104 merges into the short front wall 106 and joins the flanged rear wall 96 in an overlapping relationship to form a protruding flange 108 which, while not touching wall 73, cooperates with that wall 73 to form an effective air seal to prevent heated air entering tub 24 through cylindrical side wall 71 during the drying operations from being short circuited around the rear peripheral edge of drum 95.

Tub 24 includes a lower recessed portion 111 which forms a sump for tub 24. A combination drain valve and drain pump assembly, indicated generally by the arrow 112, communicates with sump 111 and is attached to casing 24 in order .to control fluid flow from casing 24. While not shown in detail, the valve portion of assembly 112 is located between sump 111 and the drain pump and includes a solenoid actuator controlled by timer mechanism 178 in order to retain washing and rinsing fluids within casing 24 during the washing operations of the machine while draining these fluids together with condensing fluids and condensate from the machine during other prescribed intervals. This valve is normally closed but is opened by the energization of the actuator solenoid thereby permitting the continuously operating drain pump to discharge fluids from sump 111 to an external drain through the drain conduit 113.

Sump 111 includes a perforate tray 114 for preventing foreign particles passing through the perforate drum into tub 24 and from entering and damaging pump 112. Tray 114 is removable from its position shown in FIGURE 5 through the drum access door 115 provided in the side wall 104.

Tub 24 includes the circular loading opening 117 which is encircled by the bellows seal 118 having its opposite end fastened around a similar opening formed in cabinet 119 enclosing this combination unit. Sealing member 118 includes a number of convolutions permitting arcuate movement of tub 24 relative to cabinet 119. A rectangular door 121 hinged'on cabinet 119 carries a transparent door glass 122 having a cylindrical portion extending rearwardly through the bellows seal 118 which is provided with a flexible annular sealing lip 124 engageable withthe periphery of the glass door 122. This seals the unit while enabling the operator of the machine to observe the operations taking place within tub 24 during the washing and drying processes. The lamp 126 fastened to the exterior of the tub 24 shines through the transparent member 127 carried in tub 24 for illuminating the interior of that tub unit during the loading operations i t i mac i e- Tub 24 also includes a heater housing 131 which may be formed separately or as a part of the casing side wall and which supports a heating element 132 capable of radiating heat energy through an opening located in the cylindrical tub wall 71 and covered by the heater housing 131. Heater housing 131 also mounts the thermostat 133 which is connected in series with heater 132. A louvered shielding member 134 carried by tub 24 and positioned between heater housing 131 and the heating element 132 creates a divided air flow into tub 24. This maintains heater housing 131 in a relatively cool condition and directs a major portion of the heat from heating element 132 into the clothes drum by way of the perforate side wall 104.

The power necessary to rotate drum 9.5 through the large pulley 91 is supplied by the single speed, double ended motor 137 which is mounted on bracket 138 carried on a lower portion of tub 24. One end of the motor shaft of motor 137 is connected to a flexible universal coupling 139 which in turn is connected tothe transmission input shaft 140 constituting an extension of the motor shaft.

The other end of the motor shaft is provided with a small drive pulley 51 which rotates the input pulley 52 of the combination valve and recirculating pump assembly 53 through the belt 54 which interconnects pulleys 51 and 5 2. R ecirculating assembly 53 is substantially like the combination valve and pump assembly 112 with the ex: ception that it is of smaller capacity. The valve portion is closed during the centrifuging operations in order to decrease the time allotted for the drain periods but is normally open during the wash and dry operations in order to produce a constant flushiug action of various parts of the dasher-drier.

If recirculation of the condensing fluid used during the drying operation is objectionable, the valve portion may be moved to a closed position during that operation also. On the other hand, if neither the lengthening oi the drain periods nor the recirculation of the condensing fluids is objectionable, the valve portion may be completely eliminated leaving only the pump portion to produce the constant movement of fluids through that pump when any such fluids are present within sump 111.

The discharge side of the pump assembly 53 is connected to a fluid recirculating hose 56 which extends ap: proximately halfway up the cylindrical side wall 71 of casing 24 through which is protrudes. Hose 56 generally parallels the rear surface of the partition wall 73 and terminates in a nozzle 57 provided with a major discharge aperture 58 directed into the blower condenser unit described hereinafter.

A split pulley 141 having a pair of axially separable sheaves splined to each other is rigidly connected to shaft 140 through one of its sheaves. The other sheave is constantly biased toward the shaft connected sheave by means of the compression spring 142 which encircles the shaft extension 140. This arrangement automatically regulates the tension in the small belt 144 which regulates the drain pump 112. whenever motor 137 is energized.

Shaft extension 140 also drives the two speed transmission unit 145 and the pulley 146 afiixed to the end of that portion of shaft 140 extending completely through transmission 145. Transmission 145 is provided with an output pulley 147 which is connected to the large drum shaft pulley 91 through belt 148. In the illustrative embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, an energization of the solenoid 149, which controls the output speed of pulley 147, causes the clothes receptacle 95 to be rotated at a speed of approximately 300 revolutions per minute while the deener gization of that solenoid causes receptacle 95 to tumble its contents at approximately 50 revolutions per minute.

The pulley 146 aflixed to the end of shaft 140 is connected to the fan pulley 151 through the belt 152 so as to drive pulley 151 at a speed approximately equal to that of motor 137. As shown in FIGURE 6, pulley 151 is rigidly connected to an impeller shaft 155 which is journalled in a bearing 156 supported by the removable circular plate 157 bolted to the rear wall 72 of tub 24.

A combination transmission support and belt tensioning device is provided by the slotted bracket 158 which is connected to the rear wall 72 through the adjustable machine screws 159. Bracket 158 journals shaft 140 allowing the transmission unit 145 to pivot freely around the bearing receiving the latter shaft. By moving the transmission unit 145 and its mounting bracket 158 away from the fan pulley 151, the slack may be taken out of belt 152. The slack is automatically taken out of the tumbler drive belt 148 by means of the compression spring 161 mounted between bracket 158 and the transmission unit 145 and tending to pivot transmission unit 145 downwardly around shaft 140. The tension in the drain pump belt 144 is automatically maintained during these adjustments by means of the spring biased split pulley 141.

A combination blower condenser unit capable of moving air through tub 24 scrubbing lint from this air and condensing out the moisture from hot vapors produced within casing 24 during its drying operations is positioned between portions of the spaced walls 72 and 73. As shown in FIGURE 6, the partition wall 73 is provided with a flanged opening 163 which receives a rubber annular extension ring 164 terminating just short of the blades of an impeller member 165 fixed to the impeller shaft 155. Ring 164 is provided with a resilient lip 160 encompassing the flange 162 formed on opening 163 and cooperates with that latter member to define an orifice having a streamlined cross section for reducing air turbulence and consequently cooling fluid splash back through opening 163.

A housing for the impeller member 165 is produced by the cooperation of walls 72 and 73 with an imperforate scroll-shaped side wall 166 shown in dotted lines in FIG- URE 4, and which bridges the space between walls 72 and 73 to enclose the separate vapor condenser and blower units formed between these walls. A condenser water pipe 167 directed toward the hub of impeller 165 allows the latter member to break up the stream of condensing fluid discharged from the condenser pipe 167 and thereby produces a cool mist, spray and fog for condensing out hot moisture vapors entering this blower condenser unit through opening 163 during the drying operations of the combination washer-drier. Parts within this blower housing may be cleaned, adjusted or easily replaced in some cases by removing plate 157.

A series of small curved moisture entrained baffle plates 168 and a horizontal baffle plate 169, shown in the brokenaway portion of FIGURE 4, also bridge walls 72 and 73 to centrifugally separate out the droplets of moisture carried in the air leaving the blower housing unit and entering the heater housing unit 131 for reheating and recirculation through tub 24 and clothes receptacle 95. These plates 168 and 169 are not concerned with any vapor condensing function as that function is completely accomplished within the confines of members 71, 72, 73 and 166. Members 168 and 169 do, however, prevent excess moisture in fluid form from being carried into heater housing 131.

The water for the vapor condensing operation is supplied through the external conduit 172 while Water for washing operation is supplied through the conduit 173 which empties into the cup 174 attached to casing 24 and provided with a flapper check valve 175 and draining into tub 24 between walls 73 and 74. Flapper valve 175 not only prevents suds from escaping from tub 174 during the washing operation but also prevents steamy vapors from escaping from within the front washing and drying chamber of tub 24 and condensing on the cooler interior surfaces of cabinet 119. Since there is a tendency to compress air within the front chamber due to the expansion of heated air and due to the pumping action of hte tumbling fabrics within drum 95, the flapper check valve 177 covering the vapor breather hole 178 in rear wall 72 is provided. This allows air to escape from tub 2-4 in a unidirectional breathing action through these two flapper check valves 175 and 177 without producing condensation on the cabinet surfaces since the air escaping through the breather hole 178 is cooled by means of the blower condenser unit within scroll 166 before being discharged through aperture 178.

Since sump 111 which receives the washing and condensing fluids discharged into casing 24 is positioned between walls 73 and 74, a small drain aperture 176 is provided in wall 73 to enable the condensing fluid, its resulting condensate and the lint scrubbed from the air entering the combination blower condensing unit to pass into sump 111 and into the drain pump 112 for discharge to an external drain.

It should be noted that since the function of drain aperture 176 is to drain fluids from the space between walls 72 and 73, its size and shape is dictated by the quantity of liquid flowing through it and the possible effects of lint accumulation in this area. A conduit leading from a drain port in the lowest portion of side wall 71 to sump 111 or directly to a valve communicating with an external drain would accomplish a similar function. An oversize aperture or conduit in, through or around wall 73 would have the undesirable effect of short circuiting unheated air into the clothes receptacle during the drying operations.

In operation, during the washing operation, warm water is fed into the casing 24 to the desired fluid level through conduit 173. Drum 95 with its load of fabrics is then rotated at a tumbling speed in this body of fluid to effect a conventional tumbling and cleansing action which is followed by a series of rinses and centrifuging operations to leave the fabrics in a damp-dry condition at the start of the drying operation. This washing operation will tend to wash the lower portion of casing 24, including that portion between walls 72 and 73, free of most lint which may have remained in this casing after a previous drying operation.

While rotation of drum 95 in approximately three inches of water during the washing operation aids in keeping the clothes receptacle 95 relatively free of lint, the blower condenser unit is flushed by the operation of the lint flush device which recirculates a portion of the washing fluid over those areas adjacent the condenser unit which have a greater tendency to gather lint during the drying operation than do the other areas within the washer-drier. Since motor 137 rotates constantly during both the washing and drying operations, the recirculating pump assembly 53 is capable of pumping upwardly through tube 56 whenever fluid is present within sump 111 and whenever the valve portion of assembly 53 is opened to permit such a fluid flow. Since that valve portion of assembly 53 is opened during the washing and rinsing operations, fluid flows through nozzle 57 and out aperture 58 against impeller which is also constantly rotated by motor 137. The washing fluid impinging on impeller 165 is broken up into a misty spray which bathes the impeller 165 as well as the inside areas of the blower condenser unit with the detergent solution normally available in the washing operations so as to produce an eflicient cleansing operation of these areas.

Since there is a tendency for the water condenser tube 167 to cool down during the drying operations due to the cooling fluid passing through it, moisture condensation tends to take place on the outer surfaces of this tube. By perforating the recirculating nozzle 57 as partially shown by the small jet openings 59 located beneath condenser tube .167, condenser tube 167 is washed free of lint accumulations that may have taken place during previous drying operations. Tube 59 may also be slightly reformed in order to accommodate jet openings capable of washing the inside of flange 162 as well as those areas adjacent the perforate tub wall 96 and that portion of wall 73 immediately around openings 163.

While FIGURE 6 illustrates one method of flushing lint from various areas tending to accumulate lint, this method may be modified in a number of ways in order to accomplish the same objectives. For example, while nozzle 57 is shown as being positioned parallel to the condenser fluid conduit 167, nozzle 57 may also be inserted in different radial positions around scroll 166, as better envisioned by reference to FIGURE 4, so that the washing and rinsing fluid can be impinged against the periphery of impeller 165, or even in somewhat of a reverse direction through opening 163. While only one lint flush nozzle 57 is illustrated, it will be appreciated that a plurality of such nozzles fed by the single conduit 56 could be utilized to produce the lint flush objectives of this invention.

A slight modification of the shape and the location of thelint flush nozzle construction is shown in FIGURES 8 and 9. From these figures it will be seen that the terminus of the recirculation hose 56 does not completely parallel condenser conduit 167 as is in the case of .FIG- URE 6. While entering side wall 71 in ,a similar manner, hose 56 parallels condenser conduit 167 for only a short distance before veering forwardly to pass through partition wall 73 and then terminate in -a fan-shaped nozzle 61 which is positioned in front of and in parallel relationship,

to the latter partition wall.

While pump assembly 53 functions the same in both embodiments described, the nozzle embodiment of FIG- URES 8 and 9 functions somewhat differently. Washing and rinsing fluids pumped through hose 56 are discharged in a sheet of fluid some of which sweeps across the front face of that portion of wall 73 around opening 163 and some of which is drawn into the blower condenser unit by the suction produced by rotation of impeller 165 resulting in the cleansing of tube 167 and the parts within the blower condenser unit by the impinging of this fluid with impeller 165. The primary advantage of this latter modification lies in the fact that it produces an eflicient flushing of areas around opening 163, flange 162 and those portions of walls 73 and 96 which are positioned closer to the axis of rotation of drum 95 due to the fanning out of the fluid leaving tan nozzle 61. This action, in addition to the flushing, or bathing, action produced by the rotation of drum 95, tends to thoroughly flush all areas traversed by the air flowing through this illustrated combination washer-drier and prevents lint from accumulating to any extent and interfering with the air flow necessary for tetfi cient operations. In addition, the lint flush action produced by the cooperation of the described elements prevents any contamination of washing fluids subsequently placed within casing 24.

While the two illustrative embodiments of FIGURES 6 and 8 have each been powered by a pump system separate from the drain pump assembly 112, either modification may be operated from the drain pump assembly 112 as shown in the fragmentary view of FIGURE 10. In that view the recirculating hose 56 taps into assembly 112 ahead of the drain valve of that latter assembly thereby making fluids available to hose '6 whenever fluids are present within sump 111. Since the drain periods tend to be lengthened somewhat by the recirculation of the fluids during the drain-out operations and since it may not be desirable to recirculate the condensing fluids during the drying operation, the normally opened solenoid operated valve 63 which is controlled by timer 173 and mounted on casing 24 is provided in order to terminate fluid .flow through hose 56 if so desired. It will be apparent from this description that the operation of either embodiment of FIGURE 6 or FIGURE 8 is practically identical regardless of whether the fluid pressure is supplied by the separate pump assembly 53 or the drain pump assembly 112.

During the drying operations when heat is applied to the fabrics within drum by the energization of heater 132, an evaporation of moisture from these fabrics takes place. Since the impeller rotates whenever drive motor 137 is energized, the resulting moisture vapors are drawn through opening 163 in the false back 73 and are carried into the blower housing formed by the cooperation of scroll 166 with walls 71, 72 and 73. The moisture vapors entering this blower housing which partially encompasses impeller 165, are cooled and condensed due to its intimate contact with a misty spray produced by the impingement of cooling fluid flowing through tube 167 onto the hub of the rotating impeller 165 which is also driven by motor 137. It will be apparent from FIGURE 6 that the impingement of this cooling fluid against the hub of impeller 165 rather than against'the blades themselves will reduce the amount of splash back through opening 163.

While the efficiency of this condenser unit is dependent upon many design factors, tests have shown that units built in accordance with the illustrative drawings condense out all of the moisture from the air during its circulation between walls 72 and 73 by the time that the air leaves the effluent opening formed by the cooperation of the lower end of scroll 166 with its adjacent-casing walls.

Since the air leaving drum 95 and entering the housing formed within scroll 166 encounters a violent misty spray which thoroughly scrubs the air entering that blower housing .free of any suspended particles, the air entering opening 163 is thoroughly removed of its airborne lint and saturated with cooling fluid prior to the time that it leaves eifluent port 180.

While most of the cooling fluid, condensate and lint discharged from the blower housing formed between walls 72 and 73 is discharged through opening 176 and sump 111 to drain, the air flow through this combination unit, which is approximately 150 cubic feet per minute, has a tendency, due to the restricted area of the efliuent opening 180 of that blower housing, to produce some carry-over of the smaller moisture particles past opening 176.

In order to separate these smaller moisture particles and any lint carried by them from the air stream prior to its reentry into heater housing 131, that air stream is passed through a series of small curved moisture entraining baflie plates 168 which cause a sharp reversal of the air flow to take place after it has been discharged from the blower housing between walls 72 and 73. This reversal of air flow, which is directed approximately toward rotational axis of the drum 95 causes the moisture particles to become centrifugally separated from the air stream with the result that they are caught on the baffles 168 to reduce the total moisture content of the air as it travels upwardly between walls 72 and 73.

The positioning of baflle 169 between walls 72 and 73 represents an additional means for preventing the air leaving baflles 168 from progressing directly toward heator housing 131. Batlie 169 requires the air progressing from the blower housing and bafile members 168 to progress upwardly between scroll 166 and the end of baflle 169 as it passes around the tub bearing assembly 80.

Air progressing upwardly in this diagonal direction must again reverse its direction of travel prior to entry into heater housing 131 thereby presenting an additional opportunity for residual droplets to be separated from the air stream prior to its entry into housing 131 during the drying operation. Since these particles tend to gravitate toward scroll 166, this latter member has in actual practice been slightly spaced from side wall 71 to allow these droplets to drain to the bottom of casing 24 and pass through opening 176. It should also be stated at this point that in actual practice, scroll 166 and baflies 168 and 169 have been rigidly aflixed to the rear wall 72 and have extended toward but have not contacted the false back 73 at all apparent junction points between these members because of manufacturing tolerances, however, for all practical purposes these members 166, 168 and 169 do span or bridge the space between walls 72 and 73.

In the drawings and specification there have been set forth preferred embodiments of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, these are used in a generic and descriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation. Changes in form and the proportion of the parts, as well as the substitution of equivalents are contemplated, as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, Without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention as further defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a machine for washing and drying fabrics during washing and drying operations, a casing including walls defining a container adapted to retain a pool of cleansing fluid during said Washing operation and for confining lint shaken loose from said fabrics during said drying operation, means for supplying cleansing fluids, to said container, means positioned within said container for tumbling fabrics, a vapor condenser chamber externally of said container, means for supplying condensing fluids to said vapor condenser chamber, an opening in one of said walls of the casing located above the bottom of said container and above the level of cleansing fluid within said container, said opening communicating with said vapor condenser chamber, conduit means for returning air from said vapor condenser chamber to said container, heating means for drying fabrics positioned in the path of the return air from said conduit, a revoluble impeller located adjacent said opening for circulating air during the drying operation in a closed path through said opening, through said vapor condenser chamber, and over said heating means and returning to said container, means for rotating said impeller during said washing and drying operations to move air from said container to said vapor condenser chamber, means for circulating a part of the cleansing fluids into the air stream drawn by said impeller and for flushing portions of said vapor condenser chamber and said impeller free from lint accumulations deposited during previous drying operations, and communication means for returning the circulated cleansing fluid from said vapor condenser chamber to said container.

2. In a machine for washing and drying fabrics during washing and drying operations, a casing including walls defining a container adapted to retain a pool of cleansing fluid during said washing operation and for confining lint shaken loose from said fabrics during said drying operation, means for supplying cleansing fluids to said container, a vapor condenser chamber positioned externally of said container, an opening communicating with said vapor condenser chamber located in one of said walls and elevated above the bottom of said container and above the pool of cleansing fluid, conduit means for returning air from said vapor condenser chamber to said container, heating means for drying the fabrics positioned in the path of return air from said conduit, a revoluble impeller adjacent said opening, means for supplying condensing fluids to said vapor condenser chamber including a condensing fluid nozzle directed against said impeller for delivering cooling fluid against said impeller during drying operations, said impeller being revoluble to move air in a closed path into said vapor condenser chamber, and returning to said container through said conduit across said heating means, means for directing part of the cleansing fluids which accumulate in said container during washing operations onto portions of said vapor condenser chamber to flush accumulated lint deposits therefrom and communication means between said vapor condenser chamber and said container for returning the circulated washing fluid from said vapor condenser chamber to said container.

3. In a machine for washing and drying fabrics during washing and drying operations, a casing including walls defining a container adapted to retain a pool of cleansing fluid during said washing operation and for confining lint shaken loose from said fabrics during said drying operation, means for supplying cleansing fluids to said container, a vapor condenser chamber positioned externally of said container, conduit means for returning air from said vapor condenser chamber to said container, heating means for drying the fabrics positioned in the path of return air from said conduit, an opening in one of said Walls communicating with said vapor condenser chamber and positioned above the pool of cleansing fluid, a revoluble impeller in said vapor condenser chamber adjacent said opening, means for rotating said impeller during said drying operations to move air from said container to said vapor condenser chamber, a condensing fluid conduit having an aperture adjacent to and for delivering cooling fluid against said impeller, pump means for circulating and directing quantities of cleansing fluids past said opening and onto said impeller to flush said vapor condenser chamber free of any lint accumulations deposited therein during previous drying operations, and communication means for returning the circulated Washing fluid from said vapor condenser chamber to said container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,512,394 Sullivan June 20, 1950 2,555,725 Archbold June 5, 1951 2,561,257 Woodson July 17, 1951 2,607,209 Constantine Aug. 19, 1952 2,813,414 Johnston Nov. 19, 1957 2,834,121 Geldhof May 13, 1958 2,892,335 Gray June 30, 1959 2,910,854 Hughes Nov. 3, 1959 2,921,384 Smith Jan. 19. 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 166,902 Australia Feb. 9, 1956

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