US3373902A - Liquid dispensing means - Google Patents

Description

J. C- LAUFER, SR

LIQUID DISPENSING MEANS March 19, 1968 Filed May 25, 1966 FWGB' I NVEN'TOR.

TOHN C. LAUF'ER, SR.

H \s ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,373,902 LIQUID DISPENSING MEANS John C. Laufer, Sr., Louisville, Ky., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed May 25, 1966, Ser. No. 552,842 8 Claims. (Cl. 222133) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Liquid additive dispensing means for a Washing machine. The dispensing means includes fluid amplifier means comprising a pair of fluid amplifiers. The first fluid amplifier selectively directs incoming water either directly into the washing machine wash chamber or into the second amplifier. When the incoming water is directed into it, the second amplifier aspirates the additive from a container and directs a mixture of it and the water into the wash chamber.

This invention relates generally to a means for dispensing a liquid and, more specifically, to such means particularly adapted for dispensing a liquid additive into an automatic Washing machine.

The present invention is particularly useful as a rinse aid injector for an automatic'dishwasher, a liquid detergent dispenser for either an automatic dishwasher or an automatic clothes washer, or as a bleach dispenser for an automatic clothes washer, although obviously not limited in usefulness to such applications. Most devices, of the nature just mentioned, heretofore have involved relatively costly and mechanically complex arrangements. For example, the most common rinse aid injector in use today includes a very expensive solenoid to operate the metering or dispensing mechanism. Since a solenoid is used, there is also an additional switch required in the sequence control means to selectively and periodically energize the solenoid. Also, detergent dispensers or bleach dispensers usually involve mechanical devices having moving parts susceptible to wear and resultant malfunction. Therefore it would be desirable to provide an improved liquid dispensing means, particularly adapted for dispensing a liquid additive into an automatic washing machine, which is comparatively inexpensive to manufacture but reliable in operation.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved liquid dispensing means.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved liquid dispensing means which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture but which provides comparatively reliable operation.

Briefly stated, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided means to selectively dispense a liquid from a container into a receptacle including fluid amplifier means having two outlets with each of the outlets communicating directly with the receptacle. The fluid amplifier means have a first inlet in communication with a source of liquid under pressure and a second inlet communicating with the source of liquid to be dispensed. One of the outlets from the fluid amplifier means is downstream from the second inlet whereby liquid passing from the fluid amplifier means out the outlet downstream from the second inlet aspirates liquid into the fluid amplifier means from the container and mixes this liquid with the liquid passing through the fluid amplifier means for subsequent conveyance to the receptacle.

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention, it is believed the invention will be better understood from the following de- "ice scription taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:-

FIGURE 1 includes an elevational view, partially cut away to show details, of an automatic washing machine and a schematic illustration, in enlarged scale, of the liquid dispensing means of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along line 22 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the dispensing means of FIGURE 1 shown in condition of operation different from that illustrated in FIGURE 1.

Referring now to the drawing, and particularly to FIG- URE 1 thereof, an automatic washing machine in the form of an automatic dishwasher 10 is illustrated and includes an outer cabinet 11 defining therein a wash chamber, or receptacle, 12. Disposed within wash chamber 12 are dishsupporting racks 13 and 14 which are adapted to receive and support dishes to be washed within chamber 12. Access to chamber 12 is provided by means of a closure member or door 15 which is provided in one wall of cabinet 11 and which is pivotally secured thereto by means of a hinge 16.

The lower extremity of wash chamber 12 is defined by a bottom wall 17 which has a centrally depressed portion forming a sump 18. Positioned within sump 18 and supported by bottom wall 17 is a motor-pump assembly 19 which includes an electrically-reversible motor 20 and a pump 21. Pump 21 may be directly mechanically linked to motor 20 so that, when motor 20 is operated in one direction of rotation, pump 21 is rotated to withdraw wash fluid from sump 18 and propel it upwardly through a rotatable reaction-type spray arm 22 from which the fluid is discharged to generate a wash action Within wash chamber 12. In the other direction of rotation of motor 20, pump 21 is rotated to withdraw wash fluid from sump 18 and propel it out through an effluent discharge conduit 23 which communicates with anormal household sewer system (not shown).

Suitable sequence control means (not shown) may be provided to control the electrical energization of the motor 20 as well as any other electrical components necessary to carry out the washing operation of dishwasher 10. Normally, an electrically-operated solenoid valve 24 is provided in a conduit 25 to operate in response to the sequence control means to control the admission of water to wash chamber 12. It is to be understood that conduit 25 is in liquid-receiving relationship with a source of Water under pressure such as, for example, the normal household plumbing system. In the conventional installation, the downstream side of valve 24 directly communicates with wash chamber 12 so that water allowed to pass through valve 24 directly enters wash chamber 12 until a suit-able quantity collects therein at which time the sequence control means closes valve 24. The admission of such additives as detergent, rinse aid or bleach is conventionally controlled by the sequence control means through additional solenoids or mechanically-tripped, spring-loaded devices. The present invention incorporates an addi tive dispensing means directly into the water fill system and, in so doing, obviates additional solenoids or springloaded, mechanically-tripped mechanisms.

In accordance with the present invention, an improved liquid dispensing means is incorporated into the water admission system. Downstream from valve 24 is a conduit 26 which conveys fluid from valve 24 to the main inlet 27 of a fluid amplifier or similar device 28. Fluid amplifier 28 further includes a first outlet 29 and a second outlet 30 as Well as a pair of control inlets 31 and 32. Outlet 29 communicates directly with wash chamber 12 by means of a conduit 33 which terminates adjacent to and immediately above an inlet funnel 34. Outlet 30 communicates with the main inlet 35 of a second fluid amplifier 3 or similar device 36 by meansof a conduit 37. Fluid amplifier 36 is substantially identical to fluid amplifier 28 and, in addition to main inlet 35, comprises a first outlet 38 and a second outlet 39 along with a pair of control inlets 40 and 41. Outlet 38 communicates with wash chamber 12 in a manner similar to outlet 29 of fluid amplifier 28 by means of a conduit 42.

Fluid amplifiers, of the type illustrated, which is the type utilizing a side control jet to deflect a main fluid flow into one of several branch passages, are well known. In this type of device a main flow passageway is connected to a chamber from which branch passageways lead off. At the point where the main flow enters the chamber, side ports for passage of control fluid transverse to the main flow are provided which, by selectively allowing such control fluid to flow, will control the main flow by deflecting it in the desired branch passage. These devices are therefore referred to as fluid amplifiers due to the fact that a small control fluid flow may be utilized to control the flow of a large fluid stream. Naturally, an advantage of such control devices is the fact that the momentum of the primary flow stream is preserved and any pressure drop across the device is relatively small. In addition, such devices may be made to be bi-stable. That is, once the primary stream is deflected to flow through a given branch stream, the boundary layer effect between this stream and the flow passage walls tend to lock the primary stream to flow in that direction.

Referring again to FIGURE 1, the operation of the specific fluid amplifier 28 employed in the preferred embodiment will be presented, it being understood that operation of the fluid amplifier 36 is substantially identical thereto. Water passing through valve 24 and conduit 26 enters fluid amplifier 28 through inlet 27 and is supplied under substantial pressure and potential mass flow. Water entering inlet 27 passes through a passageway 43 and into a chamber 44. From chamber 44 the water may exit through passageway 45 and then out through the first outlet 29 or it may exit from chamber 44 through passageway 46 and then out through the second outlet 30. As is well known in the fluid amplifier art, control inlets 31 and 32 communicate with chamber 44 by means of passageways 47 and 48 respectively. A jet of control fluid, either air or water, may be applied to chamber 44 by either of passageway 47 or 48. In the most common arrangement, when a control jet enters chamber 44 from passageway 47 simultaneously with the main fluid flow from passageway 43, the resulting mixture exits from chamber 44 through passageway 46. Chamber 44 and its adjoining passageways may be so designed that under the foregoing conditions, virtually no fluid will exit through passageway 45. Along the same lines, if a control jet is introduced into chamber 44 from passageway 48, and if chamber 44 and the adjoining passageways have been so designed, no fluid will exit through passageway 45.

The fluid amplifier may be designed so that, instead of applying a positive control jet by means of either of passageways 47 or 48, it is possible to control the flow of fluid by letting the main fluid entering chamber 44 through passageway 43 aspirate the control fluid through either passageway 47 or 48. With this arrangement, if both control inlets 31 and 32 are closed, fluid entering through inlet 27 and passing through passageway 43 into chamber 44, will exit through passageway 45. On the other hand, if

control inlet 31 is opened, fluid entering chamber 44 through passageway 43 will aspirate air through passageway 47 and the resulting mixture will exit through passageway 46.

To more clearly explain the function of control inlets 31 and 32, and the effect they have upon fluid passing through passageway 43 into chamber 44, it should be understood that the configuration of chamber 44 may be Such that control inlet 32 and passageway 48 may be entirely deleted so that if inlet 31 is closed fluid will pass from passageway 43 into passageway 45 and exit through outlet 29 and, if inlet 31 is opened to aspirate air, the fluid passing from passageway 43 into chamber 44 will mix with the air and exit through passageway 46 and out through outlet 30. Also, if desired, inlet 32 and passageway 48 may be completely blocked off or may serve as a tuning means whereby a device such as a needle valve is positioned within inlet 32 and adjusted so that fluid amplifier 28 will convey all fluid entering inlet 27 out through outlet 29 when control inlet 31 is prevented from aspirating air but will direct all fluid out through outlet 30 when control inlet 31 is allowed to aspirate air.

Means are provided to control the admission of air through control inlet 31 and include a conduit 49 having a slit 50 in a flexible portion thereof. A cam 51 rotates about a shaft 52, which may be driven by the timer motor of the sequence control means (not shown), to flex a portion of conduit 49 to open slit 50, as best shown in FIG- URE 3, to allow air aspirate through conduit 49 and control inlet 31.

Fluid amplifier 36 has a passageway 53 interconnecting main inlet 35 with a chamber 54. Chamber 54 has passageways 55 and 56 leading therefrom to, respectively, outlets 38 and 39. Also, passageways 57 and 58 interconnect, respectively, control inlets 40 and 41 with chamber As mentioned above, the operation of fluid amplifier 36 is substantially identical to that of fluid amplifier 28. In other words, fluid entering main inlet 35 will exit through either outlet 38 or outlet 39 depending upon the freedom of inlet 40 to aspirate air. If inlet 40 is free to aspirate air into chamber 54, fluid entering main inlet 35 will leave chamber 54 through passageway 56 and out through outlet 39. On the other hand, if inlet 40 is not free to aspirate air, water'entering chamber 54 will exit therefrom through passageway 55 and outlet 38. As can be seen from FIGURE 1, liquid egressing from fluid amplifier 36 through outlet 38 will be directed into wash chamber 12 by means of conduits 42 and 33. Fluid leaving chamber 54 through passageway 56 and outlet 39 will be directed to a pressure responsive device 59 by conduit 60. Pressure responsive device 59 is in operative relationship with an electrical switch 61. Switch 61 may be placed in electrical series circuit with a signal means (not shown) for a purpose to be more fully described hereinafter.

Control inlet 40 of fluid amplifier 36 communicates with a conduit 62 which extends into a container 63. Container 63 is adapted to receive and contain a liquid additive such as, for example, a rinse aid, liquid detergent or bleach. Conduit 62 terminates with an open end near the bottom of container 63 so that it will be in liquidreceiving relationship with any liquid in container 63 until the level of the liquid substantially reaches the bottom of the container. A vent 64 is provided to allow air to enter container 63 as the liquid is removed therefrom.

Fluid amplifier 36 is designed such that the liquid entering inlet 35, under normal conditions of operation, has suflicient velocity and mass flow as it passes the junction of passageway 57 with chamber 54, to aspirate the liquid within container 63 through conduit 62 and inlet 40 to mix with the water passing through chamber 54. The resulting mixture of water and additive will exit through passageway 55 and outlet 38 to enter wash chamber 12 through conduit 42. This will occur whenever water enters fluid amplifier 36 under sufiicient velocity and mass flow and as long as the liquid within container 63 is not depleted. When the liquid within container 63 becomes depleted, conduit 62 will draw air therethrough and into passageway 57. Fluid amplifier 36, being designed to direct its fluid stream out through passageway 56 when inlet 40 is free to aspirate air, will kick its flow out through outlet 39 at the time when inlet 40 begins to aspirate air. Inlet 41 may be, as set forth above with respect to inlet 32 of fluid amplifier 28, completely blocked 1. Means to selectively dispense a liquid additive into 01f or provided with a needle valve to serve as a tuning means to adjust fluid amplifier 36 such that all fluid entering inlet 35 will be conveyed out through outlet 38 when inlet 40 is prevented from aspirating air but will have an equally stable mode of operation wherein all fluid will be conveyed out through outlet 39 when inlet 40 is free to aspirate air.

When the liquid entering fluid amplifier 36 is directed out through outlet 39, it expands pressure responsive device 59 and actuates switch 61. As indicated above, switch 61 may be in electrical series circuit with a signal means so that the operator of dishwasher will be notified that the liquid within container 63 has been depleted.

A check valve 65 may be provided in conduit 37 to prevent reverse flow from fluid amplifier 36 toward fluid amplifier 28 due to any aspiratory effect created in passageway 46 when flow through fluid amplifier 28 is through passageway 45 and outlet 29.

With the foregoing arrangement, it should now be obvious that when valve 24 is opened, flow through fluid amplifier 28 will be out either outlet 29 or outlet 30. If cam 51 is in a position wherein slit 50 is closed, and air is not allowed to aspirate through inlet 31, water will exit through passageway 45 and outlet 29 to enter wash chamber 12. Because cam 51 is associated with the sequence control means (not shown) it is moved to open slit 50 at an appropriate predetermined time. If the present invention were being used as a rinse aid injector, this time would be during the fill of water for the last rinse just prior to the drying operation. Thus, when water was admitted to wash chamber 12 for the final rinse, inlet 31 would be free to aspirate air and water entering fluid amplifier 28 would exit through outlet 30, pass through conduit 37 and enter fluid amplifier 36 through main inlet 35. If the level of rinse air fluid in container 63 was high enough so that the terminal end of conduit 62 was submerged, inlet 40 would not be free to aspirate air and thus the fluid entering fluid amplifier 36 would exit through outlet 38 and enter wash chamber 12 through conduits 42 and 33. As mentioned above, as fluid passes through fluid amplifier 36, it would aspirate fluid from container 63 so that the fluid exiting through outlet 38 would be a mixture of water and rinse aid additive. If, on the other hand, the level of rinse aid additive in container 63 was such that conduit 62 were free to aspirate air, the fluid would exit from fluid amplifier 36 through outlet 39 thus closing switch 61 and energizing a signal or indicator light to inform the operator of the dishwasher that container 63 must be replenished with rinse aid additive.

If desired, conduits '60 and 42 could be interconnected so that water would still be admitted to wash chamber 12 even though the additive in container 63 had been depleted. With such an arrangement, the dishwasher would continue to operate without the additive and the light would remain on during fill for the final rinse.

Thus it can be seen that the present invention provides a relatively inexpensive, though reliable, liquid dispensing means especially suitable for use in an automatic washing machine although certainly not limited in its application to such use. The fluid amplifiers illustrated cost only a fraction of the cost of a solenoid operated dispensing means and, at the same time, have no moving parts subject to wear and eventual malfunction.

As will be evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the invention are not limited to the particular details of the construction of the example illustrated, and it is contemplated that other modifications or applications will occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore intended that the appended claims shall cover such modifications and applications as do not depart from 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:

the water admitted to the wash chamber of an automatic washing machine comprising:

(a) fluid amplifier means having two outlets,

(b) each of said outlets communicating directly with the wash chamber,

(c) said fluid amplifier means having a first inlet through which at least a portion of the water admitted to the wash chamber must pass,

((1) said fluid amplifier means having a second inlet communicating with a source of liquid additive,

(e) one of said outlets being downstream from said second inlet whereby liquid passing from said fluid amplifier means out said one of said outlets aspirates liquid additive into said fluid amplifier means for mixture with the liquid passing therethrough, and

(f) a control inlet in said fluid amplifier means to select the one of said outlets through which liquid will pass from said fluid amplifier means.

2. Means to dispense a liquid additive from a container into the wash chamber of an automatic washing machine comprising:

(a) a first fluid amplifier having a main inlet, at least one control inlet and two outlets,

(b) a second fluid amplifier having a main inlet, at

least one control inlet and at least one outlet,

(c) means including a valve interconnecting said main inlet of said first fluid amplifier with a source of water under pressure,

(d) means interconnecting one of said outlets of said first fluid amplifier with the wash chamber,

(e) means interconnecting the other of said outlets of said first fluid amplifier with the main inlet of said second fluid amplifier,

(f) means to control the admission of fluid to said control inlet of said first fluid amplifier,

(g) means interconnecting said control inlet of said second fluid amplifier with the container, and

(h) means interconnecting said outlet of said second fluid amplifier with the wash chamber,

(i) said second fluid amplifier being designed to aspirate liquid from the container through said control inlet of said second fluid amplifier as liquid passes from said main inlet of said second fluid amplifier to said outlet of said second fluid amplifier.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said second fluid amplifier further comprises a second outlet communicating with a flow responsive switch operator to operate an electrical switch when flow occurs through said second outlet.

4. The invention of claim 3 further comprising an electrically-operated indicator controlled by said electrical switch.

5. Means to dispense a liquid from a container into a receptacle comprising:

(a) a first device comprising:

(aa) a main inlet communicating with a source of liquid under pressure,

(bb) a first outlet communicating with the receptacle,

(cc) a second outlet, and

(dd) a control inlet,

(b) a second device comprising:

(aa) a main inlet communicating with said second outlet of said first device,

(bb) a first outlet communicating with the receptacle,

(cc) a second outlet, and

(dd) a control inlet communicating with the container,

(c) means to control the admission of fluid through said control inlet of said first device,

(d) said first device being configurated to direct the liquid entering said first device through said main inlet thereof out through said first outlet thereof when fluid is prevented from entering said control inlet thereof,

(e) said first device being further configurated to direct the liquid entering said first device through said main inlet thereof out through said second outlet thereof when fluid is allowed to enter said control inlet thereof,

(f) said second device being configurated to direct the liquid entering said second device through said main inlet thereof out through said first outlet thereof when said control inlet thereof is free to aspirate air,

(g) said second device being further configurated to direct the liquid entering-said second device through said main inlet thereof out through said second outlet thereof when air is prevented from entering said control inlet thereof,

(b) said second device being adapted to draw liquid from the container through said control inlet thereof to mix with the liquid entering said main inlet thereof and to direct the resulting mixture out through said second outlet thereof.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein at least one of said first device and said second device has a second control inlet with a valve means associated therewith to serve as a tuning means for adjustment of flow characteristics through said device.

7. The invention of claim 5 further comprising means responsive to flow through said second outlet of said second device to operate an electrical switch.

8. The invention of claim 7 further comprising indicating means controlled by said electrical switch.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner.

RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Examiner.

Images