US3635645A

US3635645A - Pneumatic control system for a fuel-burning apparatus or the like

Info

Publication number: US3635645A
Application number: US5709A
Authority: US
Inventors: Douglas R Scott
Original assignee: Robertshaw Controls Co
Current assignee: Robertshaw Controls Co
Priority date: 1970-01-26
Filing date: 1970-01-26
Publication date: 1972-01-18
Anticipated expiration: 1989-01-18

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a pneumatic control system for a clothes dryer wherein the flow of fuel to the main burner means is pneumatically controlled in such a manner that the ignition means for the main burner means must be first pneumatically actuated before the pneumatic control system will pneumatically open the fuel supply means to the main burner means, the control system including a pneumatically operated logic ''''memory'''' unit to assure that the ignition means is always pneumatically operated before the main burner can be pneumatically operated to its on condition by a pneumatically operated NAND unit each time there is a requirement to turn on the main burner means. The ''''memory'''' unit is prevented from transmitting atmosphere therethrough when being switched by its setting signal.

Description

States Patent [54] PNEUMATIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A FUEL-BURNING APPARATUS OR THE LIKE [72] Inventor: Douglas R. Scott, Elkhart, ind.

[73] Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company,

Richmond, Va.

[22] Filed: Jan. 26, 1970 [2]] Appl. No.: 5,709

[52] US. Cl ..43l/67, l37/625.66

[51] Int. Cl ..F23n 5/00 [58] Field of Search ..431/66, 67

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,522,662 8/1970 Mueller et al ..43l/67 X 1 inn, 1, i972 Primary ExaminerCarroll B. Dority, Jr. Attorney-Auzville Jackson, Jr., Robert L. Marben and Candor, Candor & Tassone ABSTRACT This disclosure relates to a pneumatic control system for a clothes dryer wherein the flow of fuel to the main burner means is pneumatically controlled in such a manner that the ignition means for the main burner means must be first pneumatically actuated before the pneumatic control system will pneumatically open the fuel supply means to the main burner means, the control system including a pneumatically operated logic memory" unit to assure that the ignition means is always pneumatically operated before the main burner can be pneumatically operated to its on condition by a pneumatically operated NAND unit each time there is a requirement to turn on the main burner means. The memory" unit is prevented from transmitting atmosphere therethrough when being switched by its setting signal.

8 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PATENTEUJAN181972 SHEET 1 BF 2 INVENTOR. DOUGLAS R. SCOTT and F 7% HIS ATTORNEYS Pmmwmwm 3,635645 sum 2 OF 2 INVENTOR. DOUGLAS R. SCOTT HIS ATTORNEYS PNEUMATIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A FUEL-BURNING APPARATUS OR TlllllE LTKE This invention is related to the pneumatic control systems and methods set forth in the copending Pat. applications, Ser. No. 717,586, filed Apr. 1, 1968, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,522,661, and Ser. No. 732,784, filed May 28, 1968, now US. Pat. No. 3,522,662, which are assigned to the same assignee to whom this application is assigned.

It is well known that a fuel-buming apparatus, such as a clothes dryer or the like, has been provided wherein the flow of fuel to the main burner means thereof is controlled by an electric thermostat means that will not permit the flow of fuel to the main burner means until after an electrical ignition means has been electrically actuated so as to assure that the flow of fuel to the main burner means will be properly ignited.

The first-aforementioned patent application discloses and claims a pneumatic control system for controlling the flow of fuel to a main burner means of an apparatus or the like in such a manner that the ignition means for the main burner means must first be pneumatically actuated each time before the control system will permit a flow of fuel to the main burner means.

The second aforementioned patent application relates to a pneumatic control system for a fuel-buming apparatus that has fewer control parts that the control system of the firstaforementioned patent application as well as an improved arrangement that is substantially fail safe in the logic units thereof so that the source of fuel will automatically be disconnected or not be interconnected to the main burner means upon any one or combination of a number of possible component failures.

Accordingly, one of the features of this invention is to provide such a pneumatic control system which will perform the same functions as the control systems of the aforementioned patent applications while providing a more accurate and responsive system.

In particular, the embodiment of this invention provides a pneumatically operated logic memory unit which is utilized in combination with a pneumatically operated logic hand unit so that the same must each receive particular pneumatic signals from the control system before the nand unit will pneumatically turn on the main burner means, the pneumatically operated logic nand unit only causing the fuel source to be interconnected to the burner means if the pneumatically operated ignition means of the control system has been first pneumatically actuated to ignition condition as will be apparent hereinafter. The memory" unit prevents the flow of atmosphere therethrough during the switching of the memo ry unit by its control signal.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved pneumatic control system for a fuel-burning apparatus or the like, the system of this invention having one or more of the novel features set forth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention are apparent from a reading of this description which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating the improved control system of this invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the pneumatically operated logic units of the control system of FIG. 1 with the logic units being illustrated in cross section.

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter described and illustrated as being particularly adapted to pneumatically control the operation of a domestic clothes dryer or the like, it is to be understood that the various features of this invention can be utilized singly or in any combination thereof to provide control means for other types of apparatus as desired.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized to illustrate one of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the improved control system of this invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 and is utilized for controlling the operation of a clothes dryer, generally indicated by the reference numeral 11, having a main burner means 12 adapted to be interconnected to a fuel source manifold 13 by a pair of pneumatically operated valve means 16 and M in a manner hereinafter described.

The apparatus 11 includes an electric motor 15 which rotates the clothes-receiving drum (not shown) of the apparatus 11 during the entire cycle of operation of the apparatus 11 in a conventional manner, the electric motor 15 being adapted to be interconnected across two power source leads L and L in a manner hereinafterdescribed.

The electric motor 15 is adapted to drive an eccentric cam 16 that is interconnected to its output shaft 17 as long as the electric motor 15 is energized whereby the eccentric cam 16 will continuously move a piston rod arrangement 18 to operate a vacuum pump means 19 so as to provide a continuous vacuum source for the system 10 of this invention as long as the electric motor 15 is energized, the vacuum pump means 19 having its inlet 20 interconnected to a conduit means 21.

The power source lead L is interconnected to one side 22 of the electric motor 15 by a lead 23. The other power source lead L is interconnected by a lead 241 to a conventional timeroperated switch blade 25 that has its contact 26 cooperable with a fixed contact 27 that is interconnected by a lead 28 to a dryer-door-operated switch blade 29. The dryer-dooroperated switch blade 29 has a contact 30 cooperable with a contact 31 that is interconnected by a lead 32 to the other side 33 of the electric motor 15.

Therefore, it can be seen that in order for the electric motor 15 to be placed across the power source leads L and L for the electric motor 15 to be energized, not only must the dryer door be disposed in its closed position to close and hold the switch blade 29 against the contact 31, but also the housewife or the like must manually set the cycle timer means (not shown) of the control system 10 so that the same is in an on condition to hold the switch blade 25 against the contact 27 for a preset time period after the lapse of which the timer cycle means will automatically open the switch blade 25 away from the contact 27 to terminate the operation of the control system 10 in a conventional manner.

The pneumatically operated valve means 14 and 14' for interconnecting the fuel source conduit 13 to the main burner means 12 of the apparatus 11 are identical in construction and operation and while one such valve means could properly control the on-off condition of the main burner means 12, the use of two such valve means merely provides a safety factor so that if one of the valve means fails, the other valve means will still perform its function. Thus, only the pneumatically operated valve means 14 will be described and like parts of the valve means M will be indicated by like reference numerals followed by a prime mark.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the pneumatically operated valve means M comprises a housing means 35 having a valve seat 36 that interconnects its fuel source inlet 37 to its fuel source outlet 38, the valve seat 36 being opened and closed by a valve member 39 that is moved between its opened and closed posi tions by a vacuum-operated actuator that is generally indicated by the reference numeral 40. The vacuum-operated actuator 40 comprises a cup-shaped housing member 61 hav ing its open end 42 closed by a flexible diaphragm 43 that is interconnected to the valve member 39 by a tying means 141 in a conventional manner whereby the flexible diaphragm 13 cooperates with the housing 41 to define a chamber 415 therebetween. A compression spring 416 is disposed in the chamber 15 to tend to normally move the flexible diaphragm 13 upwardly as illustrated in FIG. 1 to maintain the valve member 39 in its closed position against the valve seat 36 to prevent any flow of fuel to the main burner means 12. However, when the vacuum source 19 is interconnected to the chamber 45 in a manner hereinafter described to evacuate the chamber 415, the pressure difierential acting across the diaphragm 43 moves the diaphragm 43 downwardly in opposition to the force of the compression spring 46 to move the valve member 39 to its open position so that the fuel source 13 will be interconnected to the main burner means 12 as long as the pneumatically operated

actuators

40 and 40 are in their actuated condition.

The ignition means for the main burner means 12 comprises an ignition coil 47 having one side 48 thereof interconnected by a lead 49 to the lead 24 through a door-operated switch 29', similar to door switch 29, so that the side 48 of the ignition coil 47 is always interconnected to the power source lead L when the dryer door is closed. The other side 50 of the ignition coil 47 is interconnected by a lead 51 to a switch blade 52 that has a contact 53 cooperable with a contact 54 that is interconnected to the power source lead L by a lead 55.

A vacuum-operated actuator 56 controls the switch blade 52 and comprises a cup-shaped housing 57 having its open end 58 closed by a flexible diaphragm 59 that is interconnected to the switch blade 52 by a. suitable tying means 60, the flexible diaphragm 59 cooperating with the housing 57 to define a chamber 61 therebetween that receives a compression spring 62 that normally tends to urge the flexible diaphragm 59 upwardly to hold the switch blade 52 out of contact with the contact 54 and thereby maintain the ignition coil 47 in its deenergized condition. However, when the chamber 61 of the actuator 56 is interconnected to the vacuum source 19 in a manner hereinafter described, the resulting pressure differential acting across the diaphragm 59 moves the diaphragm 59 downwardly in opposition to the force of the compression spring 62 to place the switch blade 52 into contact with the contact 54 so as to place the ignition coil 47 across the power source leads L and L When the ignition coil 47 is placed across the power source leads L and L by the vacuum-operated actuator 56 in a manner hereinafter described, the ignition coil 47 subsequently heats up to a temperature that will be sufficient for igniting fuel issuing from the main burner means 12 in a conventional igniting manner.

An ignition coil temperature-sensing means 63 is provided for the system and comprises a bimetal member 64 that is interconnected to a valve member 65 by a typing means 66, the valve member 65 being disposed in a housing means 67 having a valve seat 68 fluidly interconnecting a conduit 69 to a conduit 70. When the bimetal member 64 senses a temperature of the ignition coil 47 below a temperature sufficient for igniting fuel issuing from the main burner means 12, the bimetal member 64 is in such a condition that the same maintains the valve member 65 away from the valve seat 68 and against a valve seat 68 that leads to the atmosphere so as to fluidly interconnect the

conduits

69 and 70 together. However, when the ignition coil 47 reaches an ignition temperature, the bimetal metal member 64 warps in such a manner that the same moves the valve member 65 against the valve seat 68 to terminate the fluid connection between the

conduits

69 and 70 and opens the valve seat 68 so that atmosphere is interconnected to the conduit 70 for a purpose hereinafter described. in addition, when the main burner means 12 is operating, the bimetal member 64 also senses the flames at the main burner means 12 so that the bimetal member 64 will maintain the valve member 65 in its closed position against the valve seat 68 as long as fuel is burning at the main burner means 12.

Another temperature-sensing device 71 is provided for the control system 10 and is adapted to sense the temperature effect of the main burner means 12. The temperature-sensing means 71 comprises a bimetal member 72 that is interconnected to a valve member 73 by a tying means 74, the valve member 73 being disposed in a housing means 75 to open and close a valve seat 76 thereof that is adapted to fluidly interconnect the atmosphere with the interior of the housing 75 when the valve seat 76 is open. However, when the valve seat 76 is closed, the housing 75, in effect, interconnects the conduit 21 to the conduit 69 of the ignition temperature-sensing means 63.

As long as the temperature effect of the burner means 12 of the apparatus 11 is below a predetermined temperature effect setting of the sensing means 71, the bimetal member 72 maintains the valve member 73 against the valve seat 76 to, in effect, fluidly interconnect the

conduits

21 and 69 together whereby if the electric motor 15 is energized, the vacuum source 19 will be interconnected to the conduit 69. However, when the temperature-sensing means 71 senses a temperature effect of the burner means 12 above the set temperature effect setting of the thermostatic means 71, the bimetal member 72 warps in a manner to move the valve member 73 away from the valve seat 76 and, thus, in effect, disconnects the vacuum source 19 from the conduit 69 as the atmosphere is now interconnected to the conduit 69 through the opened valve seat 76 for a purpose hereinafter described. Of course, it is to be understood that the sensing device 71 could be manually adjustable for temperature selection purposes by the housewife or the like or could be factory set for an optimum drying temperature for the apparatus 11.

The conduit 69 is interconnected by a conduit 77 to a port means 78 of a pneumatically operated logic memory unit 79 later to be described, the conduit 77 also being fluidly interconnected to a conduit 80 that leads to a port means 81 of a pneumatically operated logic nand unit 82 of this invention. The conduit 80 has a restriction 83 therein intermediate the port means 81 of the logic nand unit 82 and the conduit 77.

The conduit 70 leading from the ignition temperaturesensing means 63 is interconnected to another port means 85 of the logic nand unit 82 as well as to a conduit 86 that is interconnected to one side 87 of a check valve 88, the conduit 70 having a restriction means 89 therein in advance of the conduit 86.

The check valve 88 comprises a housing means 90 having a valve seat 91 adapted to be opened and closed by a valve member 92, the valve seat 91 being adapted to interconnect the conduit 86 at the side 87 thereof to the other side 93 of the check valve 88 that leads to a conduit 94. The valve member 92 normally seats against the valve seat 92 to prevent fluid communication between the

conduits

86 and 94 so that when the conduit 70 is interconnected to the vacuum source 19 by the valve means 63 and 71 being disposed in the positions of FIG. 1, the vacuum source 19 opens the valve member 92 away from the valve seat 91 so as to be interconnected to the conduit 94.

The conduit 94 is fluidly interconnected to a conduit 95 that has one end 96 thereof interconnected to a port means 97 of the logic memory unit 79 while the other end 98 of the conduit 95 is interconnected to another port means 99 of the logic memory unit 79.

The conduit 95 is fluidly interconnected to a conduit 101 that leads to a port means 102 of the logic nand unit 82, the logic nand unit having another port means 103 thereof fluidly interconnected to a conduit means 104 that is fluidly interconnected to branch conduit means 105 and 105' that are respectively fluidly interconnected to the

chambers

45 and 45 of the

vacuum actuators

40 and 40. The

branch conduits

105 and 105' respectively have

restrictions

107 and 107 therein.

The conduit 104 intermediate the

actuators

40 and 40 and the nand unit 82 is interconnected to the atmosphere by a controlled bleed means 100 for a purpose hereinafter described. However, the controlled bleed means 100 interconnects the conduit 104 to the atmosphere at a controlled rate that is less than the effective rate of fluid interconnection provided by the restriction 83 in the conduit 77 as will be apparent hereinafter.

The conduit 70 leading from the ignition temperaturesensing means 63 is fluidly interconnected to a conduit 106 that is fluidly interconnected to the chamber 61 of the actuator 56.

A remaining port means 108 of the logic nand unit 82 is interconnected to the atmosphere through a filter 108' and a port means 109 of the logic memory unit 79 is interconnected to the atmosphere.

The remaining port means 110 of the memory unit 79 is interconnected by a conduit 110' to the conduit 70 interlOlOl9 0128 mediate the restriction 89 and the sensor n3 for a purpose hereinafter described and to the atmosphere through a restriction 1109, the conduit 1110 having a one-way check valve 99 similar to the check valve 89 whereby like parts are indicated by like reference numerals followed by a prime mark.

As previously stated, the control system 110 is so constructed and arranged that the ignition coil 417 for the burner means 112 must be first energized to a temperature thereof that will be sufficient for igniting fuel issuing from the burner means l2 each time before the actuators 419 and will be actuated to simultaneously move the valve members 39 and 39' from their closed positions to their open positions to cause fuel to issue from the main burner means 112.

Thus, since both temperature'sensing devices 63 and 711 are normally disposed in the positions illustrated in FIG. 1 when the control system 19 is initially turned on by the housewife or the like setting the timer cycle means in its on" position to close the switch blade 25 against the contact 27, the thusenergized electric motor will operate the vacuum pump 119 and since the temperature effect of the apparatus 111 is below the temperature effect setting of the thermostatic device 711, the vacuum pump 119 is adapted to evacuate the conduit 69 through the closed housing 75 as well as to evacuate the conduit means 79 and 77 leading respectively to the logic memory" unit 79 and logic nand unit 32.

The logic nand unit 92 will now receive a pneumatic signal at the port means 102 thereof from the memory unit 79 as well as a pneumatic signal at the port means 85 thereof as long as the valve member 65 of the ignition temperature-sensing means 63 is in its open position from the valve seat 68 and is closed against the valve seat 68' whereby the nand unit will be in a deactivated condition to prevent the vacuum source 19 from being interconnected to the conduit 1104 so that the valve means 141 and M remain in their closed positions to prevent fuel from reaching the main burner means 112. However, after the ignition coil 47 reaches its ignition condition, the valve means 65 closes against the valve seat 68 and opens the valve seat 68' so as to terminate the pneumatic signal to the port means 85 of the nand unit 82 whereby the nand unit 82 will now be activated to a condition thereof to interconnect the vacuum source 19 to the conduit 194 so that the actuators 40 and 410 will be evacuated to open the valve members 39 and 39' so that fuel can issue from the burner means 12 and be ignited by the ignition means 47 Accordingly, the

logic units

79 and 82 always require that the valve member 65 must first be in its open position away from the valve seat as and then be moved to a closed position against the valve seat 68 after each closing of the main valve means M and M before the main valve means 141 and M can be again opened, the valve member 65 only closing against the valve seat as after an open condition thereof by the ignition coil 47 being energized to a temperature suitable for igniting fuel that is to subsequently issue from the main burner means 112.

The details of the

logic units

79 and 82 for accomplishing the above function will now be described in detail whereby reference is now made to F116. 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the

logic units

79 and 92 are substantially identical in construction whereby only the particular details of the logic memory" unit 79 will now be described and like parts of the logic nand unit 82 will be indicated by the same reference numerals followed by the reference letter A. In this manner, it will be appreciated that the logic units of this invention can be made from the same parts in a simple and effective manner while producing different logic functions as will be apparent hereinafter so that the cost of the control system it) of this invention is relatively small when considering the costs of prior-known electrical and pneumatic control systems.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the logic memory" unit 79 comprises two housing parts 111 and 1112 suitably secured together to hold two annular members 1113 and 1114 between the opposed and respective inner end wall means 115 and 1116 thereof. A flexible, one-piece diaphragm member 117 is disposed in the housing means 111111 and 11112 and has an intermediate or large central outwardly directed diaphragm portion 1119 provided with an outer peripheral portion 11119 that is secured and sealed between the annular members H213 and 1M. An outboard smaller spaced diaphragm portion 120 of the diaphragm member 1117 has its outer periphery 11211 secured and sealed between the housing member llllll and the annular member M3 to define a chamber 1122 between the diaphragm portion 120 and the end wall means 115 of the housing member 11111 while cooperating with the larger central diaphragm portion M8 to define a chamber 1123 between the diaphragm portions 11119 and 1129. An opposed smaller outboard spaced diaphragm portion 1124i of the diaphragm member 1117 has its outer periphery secured and seated between the annular member 11114 and the housing member 11112 to define a chamber 126 between the diaphragm portion i241 and the end wall means 11116 of the housing member 1122 while cooperating with the central diaphragm portion lllfi to define a chamber 127 between the diaphragm portions 1119 and 1241.

The diaphragm member 117 has a bore B28 interrupting the end 129 thereof so as to receive a compression spring 1139 that has one end bearing against the end wall means 116 of the housing member 11112 and the other end thereof bearing against the diaphragm member 11117 to normally urge the diaphragm portion 129 against a frustoconical valve seat 1911 that projects inwardly from the end wall means 11115 of the housing member llllll into the chamber 122. The valve seat means ll3ll of the logic memory unit 79 is interconnected to the port means 78 thereof that leads to the conduit 77 whereas the valve seat means 1131A of the nand unit 92 is intercon nected to the port means til that leads to the conduit 90.

The diaphragm member 1117 has a passage means 132 passing through the diaphragm portion 129 in offset relation to the valve seat 1131 so as to always fluidly interconnect the chambers 1122 and 1126 together, the passage 132 also being in offset relation to a frustoconical valve seat 133 that projects inwardly from the end wall means MS of the housing member 1112 and is received in the bore 128 of the diaphragm member 1117 to be opened and closed by the end wall 11341 of the diaphragm member 11117 that defines the closed end of the bore 128 and forms part of the effective surface of the diaphragm portion 124 that defines the chamber 1126. The valve seat 1133 of the logic memory unit 79 is interconnected to the port llll which leads to the conduit 11110 and the valve seat 1133A of the logic nand unit 112 is interconnected to the port means 108 that leads to the atmosphere.

The port means 78 and 99 of the housing member lllll and the port means 110 of the housing member 11112 can comprise outwardly extending tubular nipples that can be effectively telescoped into flexible conduit means to fluidly interconnect the same to such conduit means, such nipple extensions containing suitable air-filtering means 134'. In the embodiment illustrated in FlG. 2, the nipple port means 99 and 79 of the logic memory" unit 79 are fluidly interconnected respective ly to the

conduits

98 and 70 whereas the nipple port means 811 and 1103 of the logic nand unit 82 are respectively interconnected to the conduits 8t) and MM.

The annular member 114 carries the port means 97 in the form of a nipple extension projecting out of an opening means 135 in the housing member 11112 and the port means 1199 comprises a nipple extension of the annular member llll3 projecting out of an opening means 136 of the housing member H1. The nipple port means 97 of the logic memory" unit 79 is interconnected to the end 96 of the conduit member 95 and the nipple port means 1199 is interconnected to the atmosphere whereas the corresponding nipple port means 1192 and 95 of the logic nand unit 92 are respectively interconnected to the conduits 11911 and 70.

Accordingly, it can be seen that the chamber 1122 of the logic memory" unit 79 always interconnected to the port means 99 and, thus, to the end 99 of the conduit 95 whereas the port means 78 and, thus, the conduit 77 is adapted to be interconnected to the chamber 122 when the diaphragm member 117 opens the valve seat 131. The atmosphere port means 109 is always interconnected to the chamber 123. The chamber 127 is always interconnected by the port means 97 to the end 96 of the conduit means 95. As previously stated, the chamber 126 is always interconnected to the chamber 122 by the passage means 132 and adapted to be interconnected to the atmosphere or effectively blocked from the atmosphere at the port means 1 10 except for the controlled rate provided by the bleed restriction 100 when the diaphragm member 117 opens the valve seat 133 depending on whether the valve 88' is open or closed as will be apparent hereinafter.

In regard to the logic nand unit 82, the chamber 122A thereof is always interconnected by the port means 103 to the conduit 104 and is adapted to be interconnected to the port means 81 and, thus, to the conduit 80 when the diaphragm member 117A opens the valve seat 131A, the chamber 122A always being interconnected to the chamber 126A by the passage means 132A in the diaphragm member 117A. The chamber 123A is always interconnected by the port means 85 to the conduit 70. The chamber 127A is always interconnected by the port means 102 to the conduit 101. The chamber 126A, while always being interconnected to the chamber 122A by the passage means 132A in the diaphragm member 117A, is adapted to be interconnected to the atmosphere at the port 108 when the diaphragm member 117A opens the valve seat 133A.

The operation of the control system 10 of this invention will now be described.

Assuming that the dryer door is in its closed position to hold the

switch blades

29 and 29 in their closed positions, the housewife or the like sets the timer selector means for operating the dryer 11 for a predetermined length of time whereby the timer mechanism closes and holds the switch blade 25 against the contact 27 and will maintain the switch blade 25 against the contact 27 during the entire cycle of operation of the dryer 11 so that at the conclusion of such time period, the timer means will automatically open the blade 25 away from the contact 27 to terminate the operation of the apparatus 1 1.

With the switch blade 25 now moved to its closed position against the contact 27, it can be seen that the electric motor is placed across the power source leads L and L so that the electric motor 15 will continuously rotate the laundryreceiving drum to tumble the clothes in an atmosphere to be heated by the burner means 12 for drying of the laundry or the like. As the output shaft 17 of the motor 15 is continuously rotating, the same through the eccentric cam 16 reciprocates suitable pumping mechanism of the vacuum pump 19 to continuously provide a vacuum source for the control system 10.

At the initial operation of the control system 10, not only is the ignition coil 47 not at an ignition temperature, but also the temperature effect of the apparatus 11 is below the temperature effect setting of the thermostatic means 71 whereby both

valve members

65 and 73 are in the position as illustrated in FIG. 1 so that the vacuum source 19 is not only interconnected to the vacuum-operated actuator 56 to evacuate the chamber 61 thereof and close the switch blade 52 against the contact 54 to place the ignition coil 47 across the power source leads L and L but also the vacuum source 19 is interconnected by the

conduits

77 and 80 to the valve seats 131 and 131A of the memory unit 79 and nand unit 82, which valve seats 131 and 131A are normally closed by the

diaphragm members

117 and 117A due to the force of the respective compression springs 130 and 130A, and by the conduit means 70 to the

chambers

127 and 122 of the memory unit 79 and the chamber 123A of the nand unit 82. The vacuum in the conduits 70 and 110' causes the check valve 88' to close so that the open valve seat 133 of the memory unit 79 is effectively blocked from the atmosphere as the bleed 100 does not effect evacuation of chamber 126.

In particular, since the conduit 70 is interconnected to the inlet 20 of the vacuum pump 19 by the positioned

valve members

65 and 73, the vacuum pump 19 can evacuate the chamber 123A of the nand unit 82 to maintain the diaphragm member 117A thereof in its deactivated and seating position against the valve seat 131A so that the vacuum source in the conduit leading to the valve seat 131A cannot reach the actuators 40 and 40' to open the valve means 14 and 14.

Also, since the conduit 86 is now being evacuated, the check valve 88 opens whereas the check valve 88 closes so that the conduit can be evacuated whereby the end 96 thereof evacuates the chamber 127 of the memory" unit 79 so that the resulting pressure difierential acting across the large central diaphragm portion 118 causes the diaphragm member 117 to move upwardly in FIG. 2 in opposition to the force of the compression spring to its activated position to open the valve seat 131.

However, before, the evacuation of the chamber 127 of the memory" unit 79 can effect the switching of the diaphragm member 117 upwardly in FIG. 2, the vacuum source 19 now being interconnected to the chamber 126 by the way of conduit 95, chamber 122 and diaphragm passage 132 to chamber 126, assists in the complete evacuation of the chamber 122 so that when the diaphragm member 117 does switch to its up position in FIG. 2, no atmospheric pressure is permitted to pass out into the conduit 95 and, thus, slow down or prevent the setting of the memory unit 79 in its on" position.

With the valve seat 131 now being opened by the activated memory unit 79, the vacuum source 19 is interconnected by the conduit 77 through the restriction means 83 to the chamber 122 of the memory unit 79 so that the conduit 101 effectively leading from the chamber 122 of the memory" unit 79 is evacuated to evacuate the chamber 127A of the nand unit 82.

With the chamber 127A of the nand unit 82 now being evacuated, it can be seen that as long as the valve member 65 of the ignition temperature-sensing means 63 is in its seated position against the valve seat 68', the opposing chamber 123A of the nand unit 82 is also evacuated so that an equal vacuum condition exists across the central diaphragm portion 118A of the diaphragm member 117A of the nand unit 82 so that the compression spring 130A maintains the diaphragm member 117A in its up or deactivated position in FIG. 2 to maintain the valve seat 131A thereof closed and the chamber 122A thereof that leads to the

chambers

45 and 45 of the

actuators

40 and 40 of the valve means 14 and 14' interconnected to the atmosphere through the passage means 132A of the diaphragm member 117A and the open valve seat 133A whereby the

valve members

14 and 14 cannot be opened to interconnect the fuel source 13 to the main burner means 12 as long as a vacuum signal is directed to the chamber 123A by the ignition-sensing means 63.

However, when the energized ignition coil 47 subsequently heats up to ignition condition, the sensing member 64 warps downwardly in FIG. 1 to open the valve seat 68 and close the valve member 65 against the valve seat 68 and thereby disconnect the vacuum source 19 from the conduit 70 which begins to return to atmospheric condition by the opened valve seat 68' so that not only is the chamber 61 of the actuator 56 returned to atmospheric condition to open the switch blade 52 away from the contact 54 and deenergize the ignition coil 47, but also the chamber 123A of the nand unit 82 returns to atmospheric condition whereby the resulting pressure differential acting across the diaphragm portion 118A of the diaphragm member 117A of the nand unit 82 causes the diaphragm member 117A to move downwardly in FIG. 2 in opposition to the force of the compression spring 130A to its activated position to not only open the valve seat 131A to the chamber 122A, but also to close the valve seat 133A from the chamber 126A.

In this manner, since the valve member 73 of the temperature-effect-sensing means 71 in its open condition, the vacuum source 19, in effect, is interconnected to the chambers 45 and 45' of the

actuators

40 and 40 to move the valve members 39 and 39' to their open position so that the fuel source 13 is now interconnected to the main burner means 12 and is ignited by the ignition coil 47'.

As previously stated, when the valve member 65 of the ignition temperature-sensing means 63 is moved to its closed position against the valve seat 68 to permit the now-opened valve seat 68 to return the conduit 78 to atmospheric condition to terminate the vacuum signal to the chamber 123A of the nand unit 82 so as to activate the same, the check valve 88 closes so that such return of air into the conduit 78 cannot reach the conduit 94 whereby the diaphragm member 117 of the memory" unit 79 remains in its actuated condition wherein the valve seat 131 is in its open condition and the valve seat 133 is in its closed condition so that a continuous vacuum signal is directed from the chamber 122 to the chamber 127A of the NAND unit to maintain the NAND unit in its activated position for maintaining the valve means 14 and 14 in their open condition, the restriction 83 providing a greater flow than the controlled bleed means 108 in the conduit 104 so that the valve means 14 and 14 remain open. A holding circuit is provided for the memory unit from the vacuum source 19 to the chamber 122 of the memory" unit 79 and by means of the conduit 95 to the chamber 127 to maintain the diaphragm member 117 in its up or activated position. Also, the return of air into the conduit 78 causes the check valve 88 to open whereby atmosphere is at the closed valve seat 133 of unit 79.

Thus, since flames now exist at the main burner means 12, the temperature-sensing means 63 will maintain the valve member 65 closed against the valve seat 68 so that the burner means 12 will continue to operate unless the temperature effect being produced by the burner means 12 exceeds the predetermined temperature effect setting of the thermostat means 71.

If the temperature effect of the burner means 12 exceeds the setting of the thermostat 71, the temperature-sensing member 72 will move the valve member 73 away from the valve seat 76 to effectively disconnect the conduit 77 from the vacuum source 19 whereby the air will return not only to the chamber 127 of the memory unit 79 through the opened valve seat 131 to deactivate the same, but also permit air to return to the chamber 127A of the NAND unit 82 whereby the compression spring 130A of the NAND unit 82 will move the diaphragm member 117A upwardly to close the valve seat 131A and open the valve seat 133A so that the chambers 45 and 45' and the

actuators

30 and 38 will be interconnected to the atmosphere by the passage means 132A in the diaphragm member 117A leading to the chamber 126A that is interconnected to the open valve seat 123A that leads to the atmosphere at the port 188 as well as by the bleed means 188 in the conduit 184. Similarly, the diaphragm member 117 of the memory" unit 79 moves downwardly in FIG. 2 under the force of the compression spring 138 because the chamber 127 returns to atmospheric condition so that the valve seat 131 is now closed and the valve seat 133 is opened to return the chamber 126 to atmospheric condition.

Since flames do not now exist at the main burner means 12, the ignition temperature-sensing means 63 now causes the valve member 65 to move away from the valve seat 68 and against the valve seat 68' so that when the valve member 73 of the thermostat 71 is again moved to its closed condition against the valve seat 76 by the temperature effect in the dryer 11 falling below the set temperature effect of the thermostat '71, the main burner means 12 will be operated in the manner previously described wherein the igniter means 47 will again be first energized to ignition condition before the valve members 14 and 14' can be opened.

However, if during the normal operation of the control system 10, wherein the main burner means 12 has been interconnected to the fuel source 13 in the manner previously described so as to be continuously burning, the housewife or the like should open the dryer door temporarily to cause the switch blades 29 and 29 to open so as to disconnect the electric motor 15 from the power source leads L and L whereby the vacuum source 19 ceases to function so that the control system bleeds to atmospheric condition by the controlled bleed 188, and the housewife subsequently closes the dryer door to again activate the motor 15 before the ignition temperature-sensing means 63 has moved the valve member 65 away from the valve seat 68, the NAND unit 82 cannot cause reopening of the valve means 14 and 14' because the "memory unit 79 has not been reset to its activated position so as to interconnect the conduit 77 to the chamber 122 thereof and, thus, to the chamber 127A of the NAND unit 82 as it requires an opening of the valve member 65 away from the valve seat 68 of the ignition temperature-sensing means 63 to activate the memory" unit 79 and the NAND unit 82 requires a subsequent closing of the valve member 65 against the valve seat 68 to terminate the vacuum signal to the chamber 123A thereof before the NAND unit 82 can be activated to cause opening of the valve means 14 and 14'.

Thus, it can be seen that the control system 18 of this invention utilizes only two logic units each formed of identical structure but performing different logic functions in a manner to control the main burner means 12 so that the system requires that the ignition means 47 be always pneumatically operated to ignition condition before the main burner means 12 can be pneumatically operated to its on" condition each time there is a requirement to turn on the main burner means.

Further, it can be seen that the logic unit 79 of this invention is so constructed and arranged that during the time of switching the memory" unit 79, no atmospheric signal is seen by the unit 79 to slow down or prevent its switching operation.

Further, any clogging of the

restrictions

89 and 83 by dirt or the like during the operation of the system 18 will not cause an adverse situation as the bleed means 188 will cause the valve means 14 and 14' to close and thereby terminate the operation of the burner 12.

Thus, it can be seen that this invention provides an improved pneumatic control system for a fuel-burning apparatus or the like.

What is claimed is:

1. A pneumatic control system for a fuel-burning apparatus having burner means adapted to be interconnected to a source of fuel comprising a source of pneumatic fluid, pneumatically operated ignition means for said burner means, interconnecting means for interconnecting said fuel source to said burner means, pneumatically operated valve means for controlling the flow of fuel from said fuel source to said burner means through said interconnecting means, means for interconnect ing said pneumatic source to said pneumatically operated i gnition means to operate the same every time before said pneumatically operated valve means is opened, and means for interconnecting said pneumatic source to said pneumatically operated valve means to operate the same for interconnecting said fuel source to said burner means only after said ignition means has been pneumatically operated for igniting said burner means, said means for interconnecting said pneumatic source to said pneumatically operated valve means comprising a pneumatically operated logic memory unit, said pneumatically operated logic memory unit providing an output pneumatic signal from said pneumatic source only when said memory" unit is activated by said means interconnecting said pneumatic source to said pneumatically operated ignition means, said memory" unit being deactivated each time said pneumatically operated valve means disconnects said fuel source from said burner means whereby said memory" unit terminates its output pneumatic signal until reactivated by said means interconnecting said pneumatic source to said pneumatically operated ignition means, said output pneumatic signal being required before said means for interconnecting said pneumatic source to said pneumatically operate valve means can interconnect said pneumatic source to said pneumatically operated valve means, said memory unit providing an atmospheric output signal when in a deactivated condition thereof, said means interconnecting said pneumatic source to said pneumatically operated ignition means interconnecting said pneumatic source to said memory" unit to not only cause switching of said memory" unit from its deactivated condition to its activated condition but also to terminate said atmospheric output signal during said switching operation and thereby prevent an atmospheric output signal during the time said memory unit is being switched from its deactivated condition to its activated condition.

2. A pneumatic control system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pneumatically operated logic memory unit comprises a housing means carrying a plurality of spaced diaphragm means that move in unison relative to said housing means and cooperate therewith to define a plurality of chambers in stacked relation.

3. A pneumatic control system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said pneumatic source is directed to one of said chambers to activate said memory unit when said pneumatic source is interconnected to said pneumatically operated ignition means whereby another chamber directs said output pneumatic signal from said pneumatic source, and means interconnecting said other chamber with said one chamber to provide a holding pneumatic circuit means for said memory unit in its activated condition.

4. A pneumatic control system as set forth in claim 3 wherein a restriction means interconnects said pneumatic source to said one chamber when said pneumatic source is interconnected to said pneumatically operated ignition means.

5. A pneumatic control system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said other chamber and a third chamber of said memory" unit have valve seats leading thereto to be altemately opened and closed by said diaphragm means.

6. A pneumatic control system as set forth in claim 5 wherein said valve seat of said third chamber is adapted to interconnect the atmosphere to its respective chamber when said diaphragm means opens said valve seat of said third chamber and said source is disconnected from said pneumatically operated ignition means.

7. A pneumatic control system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said valve seat of said other chamber is adapted to interconnect said pneumatic source to its respective chamber when said diaphragm means opens said other valve seat.

8. A pneumatic control system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said diaphragm means has passage means therein interconnecting said third chamber and said other chamber together.

Claims

1. A pneumatic control system for a fuel-burning apparatus having burner means adapted to be interconnected to a source of fuel comprising a source of pneumatic fluid, pneumatically operated ignition means for said burner means, interconnecting means for interconnecting said fuel source to said burner means, pneumatically operated valve means for controlling the flow of fuel from said fuel source to said burner means through said interconnecting means, means for interconnecting said pneumatic source to said pneumatically operated ignition means to operate the same every time before said pneumatically operated valve means is opened, and means for interconnecting said pneumatic source to said pneumatically operated valve means to operate the same for interconnecting said fuel source to said burner means only after said ignition means has been pneumatically operated for igniting said burner means, said means for interconnecting said pneumatic source to said pneumatically operated valve means comprising a pneumatically operated logic ''''memory'''' unit, said pneumatically operated logic ''''memory'''' unit providing an output pneumatic signal from said pneumatic source only when said ''''memory'''' unit is activated by said means interconnecting said pneumatic source to said pneumatically operated ignition means, said ''''memory'''' unit being deactivated each time said pneumatically operated valve means disconnects said fuel source from said burner means whereby said ''''memory'''' unit terminates its output pneumatic signal until reactivated by said means interconnecting said pneumatic source to said pneumatically operated ignition means, said output pneumatic signal being required before said means for interconnecting said pneumatic source to said pneumatically operate valve means can interconnect said pneumatic source to said pneumatically operated valve means, said ''''memory'''' unit providing an atmospheric output signal when in a deactivated condition thereof, said means interconnecting said pneumatic source to said pneumatically operated ignition means interconnecting said pneumatic source to said ''''memory'''' unit to not only cause sWitching of said ''''memory'''' unit from its deactivated condition to its activated condition but also to terminate said atmospheric output signal during said switching operation and thereby prevent an atmospheric output signal during the time said ''''memory'''' unit is being switched from its deactivated condition to its activated condition.

2. A pneumatic control system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pneumatically operated logic ''''memory'''' unit comprises a housing means carrying a plurality of spaced diaphragm means that move in unison relative to said housing means and cooperate therewith to define a plurality of chambers in stacked relation.

3. A pneumatic control system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said pneumatic source is directed to one of said chambers to activate said ''''memory'''' unit when said pneumatic source is interconnected to said pneumatically operated ignition means whereby another chamber directs said output pneumatic signal from said pneumatic source, and means interconnecting said other chamber with said one chamber to provide a holding pneumatic circuit means for said ''''memory'''' unit in its activated condition.

5. A pneumatic control system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said other chamber and a third chamber of said ''''memory'''' unit have valve seats leading thereto to be alternately opened and closed by said diaphragm means.