US2607207A - Hydraulic control for automatic washing machines - Google Patents

Description

Aug. v19, 1952 Flled Nov 27. 1946 Aug. 19, 1952 c. D. BRANsoN 2,607,207

HYDRAULIC CONTROL FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES Filed Nov. 27, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 TO TIMER UN IT MANU LLY ADJ'- AUTO.- ADJ. WITH SPRING ro |=Le1wl CONTROL U CONTROL com BAL. VALVE CONTRO L M ECH.

` gmc/wm 65 Czcu'lesD. BraJzsozv.

@www1/,MM fm www5 HOT Aus. 19, 1952 c. D.' BRANSQN 2,607,207

HYDRAULIC CONTROL FOR. AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES Filed Nov. 27, 194e 6 sheets-sheet s TQ TIMER u 'TIME Il l2 Mnrun smurf F'Low com'nol. VALVE TO TUB Fide.

p .0. las

Charles' D. Brcucsolv.

33* Cla/maw, am

Aug. 19, 1952 c. D. BRANsoN 2,607,207

HYDRAULIC CONTROL FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES Filed Nov. 27, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 TIMER UNIT lao :W f4 l C "'@J DP y Charles .D. Branson.

Aug. 19, 1952 c. D. BRANsoN 2,607,207

HYDRAULIC CONTROL FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES Filed Nov. 27. 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 U 125 SEI-F- ALmNlNG Ba mq .I 3" 125 FLQJI. ,A o ,26

TO TIMER 172 161 FLC p. [2. WA

"w I 170 J Clica-les D. Brause/L.

Patented ug. 19, 1952 UNITED.. ASI'fA-TES PATENT OFFICE HYDRAULIC CONTROL FOR AUTOMATIC `1 WASHING MACHINES n V Charlesll- Branson, Knoxville, Tenn., assignor to Robertshaw-Fulton Controls Company, a

I corporation of Delaware Application November 27, 1946, Serial No. 712,643

'This invention' relates lhydraulic lcontrols,

nother. object ofztliis invention toiprovide a hydraulic control for automatic; washing machines .which may use any" suitable source of liquid under pressure, vas. water ,from the usualy water mainf fordetermini'ngethe beginning and the end of:A each of thesteps constitutingthe automatic cycleof the machineeav f *5 1 j 'Another,.obje'ct'of :this invention is to provide an-improved controlgfor vautomatic Vwashing machines wherebyaoneror more of the stepsin-the automatic cyclefoithe machinemay bereadily omitted. v v 1. l

YAnotherobject .otthis invention is to provide an imprvedcontrol :as just characterized which assuresfagainst reverse operationk of the control. Another obj ect jof this invention is to provide arriimproved control1v wherein each Vof the steps oftheautomatic cycleof the machine isinitiated andterminated 'bythe use Aof changes in `fluid pressure, thereby avoiding theA complexity introducedby*solenoidfvalves and other electrical systemsfor effecting the control. f

. Another' object of this :invention is tov provide acontrolof the; type just-characteried wherein the severalstepsof the automatic cycle are under the control of a motor-driven `pilotmvalve which can be readily manipulated topredetermine which ofthe steps ofthe automatic cycle o fthemachine shall-beperformedg;

:Another objectief,v this invention is to provide an, improved mixingvalve which maybe readily set so as to predeterminethetemperature of the mixture, for examplethat at-v which the washing is done, so thatthe washingY temperature may. be set to be appropriate for theharaQter oi the fabricsbeingwashed Another object of this. invention isf tov provide an improved: mixing valve which .is automatically operatedat predetermined times toadjust the valve so that f luidcan be delivered at. a lower temperature for predetermined periods 4f claims. (C1. css-12) y 1yr; f2 f1 :1" Another objectv of :this-.;`nvention is to j provide an improved mixing valve; wherein 4 the valve is balanced against variations in and diierences between the; pressures of thefluids being mixed. Another object of this inventionjis to provide an improved thermostatically controlled mixing valve for washingmach'ines wherein the mixing valve, as for exampleca-. ing;p @rodv een. be operated so that icolden; nsewatergmaylOW through the valve.' ,l i

Another object of this inventionistq provide a device of the type last characterized wherein Aactuation of the mixing nvalve t o permit flow of colder water therethrough is eieted lautomatically by the useoiwaterpresuref Another'object of this invention is to provide an improved pressure operated valve.

Another object ofvthis invention/iste; provide an improved control for automatic washingmachines wherein the level of the water in* the tub is automaticallypredetermined@ as t@ es silre'a certain waterv level therein irrespective of how much water may be absorbed bythe fabrics being washed. Another object-of thisinvewtionlis'to provide an improved. Qontrol for auieniaifwashng machines wherein the flow of water to the tub is controlled by hydrostvaticgpressure thatin turn is regulatedbythe water levelin the tub.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved hydrostatic control for washing machines which assuresthat no injurywilllbccur to the parts even` though there maybe wide variations in the water pressure available for operating the machine.

Another object of this invention is tofprovide an improved control forl automatic washing machines which assures against injury tothe thermostatic control even vthough the temperature of the'water Should rise, after the valve controlled thereby has reached its seat.A e Another object ofi this invention is toprovide a hydraulic control with all improved pilot valve which not, onlyy exactly predetermines thesequence of hydrostatic .operation but also effects rapid transition from stage to stage so as to avoid the sluggish actionin'cident to a gradual change in pressure.

Another 'object of this invention is to provide an improved timing mechanism lwhich exactly predetermines the beginning and end ofgtherespective steps `in the' automatic cycle of a machine and avoids sluggish transition from one step to another. V

Another object of this invention is to provide Van improved pilot valve for predetermining the operation of a plurality of devices actuated by fluid pressure.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved control utilizing hydrostatic pressure which is composed throughout of parts that may be readily standardized, that are relatively inexpensive to manufacture, that are easy to assemble and service, and that are certain and eiiicient in operation.

Other objects will appear as the description of the invention proceeds.

The invention is capable of receiving a variety of mechanical expressions only one of which has been illustrated on the accompanying drawings, but it is to be expressly understood vthat the drawings are for purposes of illustration only, and are not to be construed as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims for that purpose.

Referring in detail to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference characters are employed to designate corresponding parts in the several figures,

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic View to illustrate the component elements of a hydrostatic control embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an axial section through a preferred form of automatic mixing valve; Y

Fig. 3 is an axial section through a preferred form of how control valve;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a preferred timing mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the automatic switch. controlled by said timing mechanism;

Figs. 6 and '7 are respectively edge and face views of the cam used in the timing mechanism of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is an axial section through the timing mechanism of Fig. 4 and the pilot valve associated therewith;

Fig. 9 is a perspective View of Ithe casing, with its fluid connections, for said timing mechanism and said pilot valve;

Fig. l is a perspective View of the cylinder of said pilot valve removed from its casing;

Fig. ll is an elevation partly in section of the motor drive for the timing mechanism;

Fig. l2 is an axial section through a preferred form of pressure responsive motor unit;

Fig. 13 is an elevation of the cylinder of the u pilot Valve;

Fig. 14 is an end view of said cylinder;

Fig. l is an axial section through said cylinder; and

Figs. 16 to 2l, inclusive, are sections through said cylinder on lines IE--IB to 2IV--2I, respectively.

Referring first to the diagram of Fig. 1, I0 designates a fragment of a washing machine tub of any suitable character and construction and with which may be associated any suitable motor, suggested diagrammatically by the rectangle 9, for imparting any appropriate motion to the movable parts which are driven to eect the washing operation. While any suitable motor, as for example a hydraulic motor, may be used, it will be assumed for the purpose of exemplifying the present invention that an electric motor is employed. As this motor and the elements driven thereby constitute no part of the present invention, they have not been illustrated inthe interest of clarity.

Tub IB is supplied with Water through a suitable pipe or passage, a fragment of which is illustrated at II, after passing through a flow control valve generally indicated at l2. This valve is in turn operated by hydrostatic pressure under the control of a float valve in or assocated with the tub and generally indicated at I3. The water passing through the flow control valve first passes through a mixing valve generally indicated at I4 and which is supplied with hot and cold water from any suitable sources through pipes I5 and I6 respectively. The admission of wash water, rinse-water, etc., to the tub I0, and also the other steps in the automatic cycle to be performed by the machine, are automatically controlled through use of hydrostatic pressure, as hereinafter explained in detail, under the control of a pilot valve generally indicated at Il, which in turn is operated by a timing mechanism generally indicated at I8. The timing mechanism also operates the mechanism, here assumed to be a switch and generally indicated at I9, for starting and stopping the motor 9. The timing mechanism and pilot valve are motor driven, and While as before indicated any suitable motor, such as a hydraulic motor, may be used, it is here assumed that the timing mechanism and pilot valve are driven by an electric motor generally indicated at 20 under the control of the switch mechanism generally indicated at I9.

Referring now to Fig. 2, a preferred form of thermostatically operated and manually adjustable mixing valve is lshown in detail, but while the structure here illustrated is particularly adapted for use in an automatic Washing machine, the valve disclosed possesses utility in other applications, and therefore it is to be expressly understood that it is the intention to protect the improved valve construction as applica.- ble to various uses as Well as a subcombination of the control here disclosed.

As shown in Fig. 2, the valve includesl a casing 25 of any suitable size, construction and material provided with inlet nipples 26 and 21 respectively connected in any suitable way to the pipes for cold and hot Water designated I6 and I5 in Fig. l. Each of these inlet nipples is preferably provided with a filter 28 to prevent scale or other foreign matter from entering the hydraulic system hereinafter described. Any suitable sources of cold and hot water may be connected with said nipples 2B and 21 respectively, as the cold water main of the building and the buildings system for supplying hot water to Various outlets, as conventionally provided. Nipples I6 and I'I lead to cold and hot water chambers 29 and 3D respectively, and said chambers in turn communicate with an intermediate mixing chamber 3l through ports 32 and 33 respectively, provided in any suitable way, but here shown as merely apertures formed in the walls dividing the chambers 29 and 30 from the chamber 3l, although suitable members providing ported valve seats may be provided in said apertures if preferred. To facilitate manufacture the portion of the casing including the chamber 30 may be made separate from the portion containing the chamber 29 and the two portions connected in any suitable Way, with or without interposed packing, as shown at 3i'. Disposed in the chamber 3l for cooperation with the valve ports 32 and 33Y is a balanced valve member 34 of any suitable construction but here shown as provided at its opposite extremities with beveled seating faces 35 and 36 respectively adapted to cooperate with the ports 32 and 33 for proportioning the flow of hot and cold water into the mixing chamber 3l. Mixing chamber 3I communicates through any suitable passage or passages (not shown) and formed in the casing 25 leading to a thermostat chamber 31 separated from the cold Water chamber 29 by a partition 38. l

Disposed in chamber 31 is a thermostat of any suitable construction but preferably having an external cup-shaped wall 39 having a flanged open end 40 and here shown as also vreduced in diameter at its opposite end 4|. End wall 42 of said cup-shaped wall 39 is provided with an aperture ,atl 43, and hermetically sealed to said end wall around said aperture is an expansible and collapsible corrugated tubular wall or bellows 44. The movable end wall of said bellows 44 has attached thereto in any suitable way a hollow valve stem 46 which passes through the aperture 43 and to which the valve member 34 is attached in any suitable way. The passage 46' through said stem opens at one end into chamber 38 but its opposite end is closed by movable end Wall 45. Partition 38 has an aperture 41 therein through which said valve stem extends, and a flexible wall shown as an expansible and collapsible corrugated tubular wall or bellows 49 has one end secured in any suitable way to the valve stem 46, as shown at 49, while its opposite end is secured in any suitable way to a hanged plate 5|] mounted in a seat surrounding said aperture 41 with interposed packing as shown at 41'. As shown, said flanged plate 50 is formed to provide a seat 5| in whichv is carried a yieldable annular pad 52 against which the end wall 42 of the thermostat is seated when its iiange 48 is mounted on or adjacent the flange 53 of the casing 25, in which position it is secured in any suitable way, as by an annular plate 54 that is in turn held in position by the flange 55l of a bonnet member 56 hereinafter described. Packing 51 may be interposed between the members 53, 54 and 55 as illustrated, and said members may be connected together in any suitable way, as by bolts and nuts, screws, etc., which have been omitted from the drawing in the interest of simplicity. With the parts assembled as shown annular plate 54 presses on the ange 40 of the thermostat, and hence end wall 42 of the thermostat presses pad 52 onto its seat 5| and thereby presses flanged plate 50 against packing 41' so that all leakage of water between chambers 29 and 31 is prevented. Bellows 48 has the same effective area as valve port 32 so that variations in the cold water pressure are balanced out. On the other hand the chamber inside of the communicating bellows 44 and 48 is in communication with the passage 46', as through one or more apertures 48', so that bellows 48 is subjected on its opposite sides to the pressures of the hot and cold water. member 34 is balanced against pressure variations in and pressure differences between the hot and cold water.

Spaced from the iiange 48 of the cup-shaped wall 39 is an interior flanged member 51 secured to the wall 39 in any suitable way, and attached to the inner periphery of said flanged member 51 is an expansible and collapsible corrugated tubular wall or bellows 58 which extends into the chamber 59 of the thermostat. The inner side of the opposite and movable end wall 68 of said bellows 58 is engaged by but unattached to a cup-shaped member 6| having an aperture 62.

Extending through said aperture 62 to slide therein is a post 63 having a head 64, while the opposite end of said post has attached thereto in anyA suitable way a flange 65 providing a spring seat. A coil spring 61 extends between the flange 65 on said cup-shaped member 6| and spring seat 65. Spring B1 normally holds the cup-shaped armut Thereby valve member '6|' in engagement with the headv 64 vor the'movable end 'wall 60, but if the pressure vin chamber 59 continues to' increase after valve member 34 has engagedits'l'seaty at port ,'33, the bellows 58 may contract liftingA member 1 6| against the tension of 'spring 61j, thefcup-shaped member 6| sliding on po's't63 l! The depth-ofthe depression in member 'Blf ssuch that theV head 64 will not be engaged by walx1=`68under the maximum displacement contemplated.

Attached to the annular'plate 54 in any suitable way is one end of an'expans'ible and collapsible corrugated tubular'wall or bellows 68 whose opposite end is formed as or attached in any suitable way to a reentrant cup-shaped movable wall 69. The end Wall 10 of cup-shaped wall 69 engages the flanged member 65 heretofore referred to, and a coil spring 1| reacts between 'said bottom Wall 10 vand a stationary member 12 formed by or carried on the end wall of the bonnet member 56 heretofore referred to. Member 12 as shown has an inwardly extending tubular portion 13 having internalthreads 14, and mounted for rectilinear movement in said portion 13 is the threaded enlargement'15 of a stem 16 which has its inner end 11 extending into contact with the lend wall 1l) of'cup-shaped member 69. Stem 10 is here shwnasfprovided with a packing gland 18 which-may be of any-suitable construction or, if preferred,'a packless construction may be employed instead. Stem 16 extends outwardly to any suitable distancewhere is is provided with any suitable mechanism for moving the stem in the direction of its'axis. vIn the case of `a washing machine this f lwould be va, location where it isl easy of access, and the mechanism for moving the stem 16 in thie direction of its axis may be associated with anylsuitable indicating means calibrated invtemperature so that by reference thereto the operator will be able to set the temperature of the wash water as desired within the range provided, asrwill appear from the ensuing description. p

The chamber 19 within the bonnet member 56 is in communicationl witha pipe leading to a source'of Apressure fluid for 'a purpose to be explained. The cup-shaped wall 39 is provided with one or more aperture'sjl in the area be'- tween the flanged member` 51` and the flange 48 so as to provide a means-ofcommunication between the chamber 82 interiorly of the bellows 68 and the chamber'31. Thereby the pressure of the Water in the chamber 31'is transmitted to the chamber 82 where it acts on Vcup-shaped member 69 attached to the movablek end lof bellows 68 to hold end wall 10 in contact with the end 11 of stem 16. The valve member 34 is preferably urged toward its seat a't`port 32 by' a suitable spring 83, here shown as a coil spring reacting between the valve member'34 and a suitable valve seat 84 provided in the wall of the hot water chamber 30. The chamber 59 heretofore referred to in the thermostat'is charged with any suitable thermosensitive fluid, the 'same being preferably lled with a suitable 'thermosensitive liquid. Chamber 31 has a suitable outlet nipple-85 leading therefrom and throughwhich the mixture of hot and cold water flows 'from the thermostat chamber 31.

Explaining the operation of the mixing valve as so far described, cold and hot waterfiow respectively into the chambers 29 and 30, and assuming that the valve member '34 isin an intermediate position, the coldvandhot water flow through the ports 32 and-.33 respectively tothe mixing chamber 3 l. From chamber 3 I the mixed cold and hot water flows into the chamber 31 where it is in intimate heat interchanging relationship with the exterior wall 39, 4I of the thermostat. -If desired any suitable baiiling means may be provided in chamber 31 to assure flow of the mixture into intimate contact with the thermostat. Thenoe the mixt-ure flows from the chamber 31 throughthe outlet 85.

Assuming a predetermined setting for the thermostat as hereinafter explained, if the temperature of the mixture rises above the predetermined temperature the thermosensitive fluid in chamber 58 expands to contract bellows 44, bellows 58 with its spring 61 being so constructed as to afford greater opposition to movement under the pressure in the chamber 59 then bellows 44 with its spring 83. Contracton of bellows 44 causes the valve stem 46 to move downwardly as viewed in Fig. 2, decreasing the flowthrough port 33 but increasing the iiow through port 32 so as to restore the temperature of the mixture to its predetermined degree. Conversely, if the temperature of the mixture drops vbelow the predetermined temperature the thermosensitive fluid in chamber 3-3 contracts. and spring 83 acts through the valve member`34l and stem 45 to expand the bellows 44, moving thek valve member 34 I to decrease the now of cold water `through the port 32 and increase the flow of hot water through the port 33. If the temperature of the mixture causes the thermostat to engage valve member 34 with its seat at port 33, further expansion of chamber 59 by compression of the bellows 44 is prevented, and if for any reason the temperature of the mixture should rise thereafter `to increase the pressure in chamber 59, this pressure acting on the movable end wall Bil of bellows 58 will lift the cup-shaped member 6l, against the tension of the spring 61, off of the head 64 until such time as the temperature decreases suiciently to permit the spring 61 to restore engagement between the cup-shaped member 6I and head 64. The apertures 8| permit free circulation of the liquid between the chamber 31 and the chamber 82 interiorly of bellows 68, so that the latter chamber is full of liquid at the same pressure as the liquid in the chamber 31. rIliereby the movable wall 10 is held by the water pressure against the end 11 of stem 15, spring 1I being of such strength that it yields to assure this engagement.

As well understood, different fabrics should be washed at different temperatures. By way of example, woolen fabrics may be washed at a temperature around 90 F., and. cotton goods may be washed at a temperature around 150 F., while silks, rayon, etc., may be washed at intermediate temperatures. In order to set the machine at the temperature best suited for the fabrics being washed the thermostatically operated valve so far described is adjustable within the limits of a predetermined range selected toinclude the lowest and highest temperatures at which the washing of Vdifferent fabrics should be effected. To this end the stem 16 as heretofore explained is manually settable by any suitable mechanism so as to adjust it in the direction of its axis. If stem 16 is moved downwardly as viewed in 2 the end wall 13 of cup-shaped member is moved downwardly, moving the post 63, cup-shaped member 3| and spring 61, which act as a unit, downwardly and expanding the bellows 58 by action against its movable end wall 6G, This tends to contract the chamber 59, but as the chamber 53 is preferably full of a thermosensitive liquid the pressure is transmitted to the movable end wall 45 of bellows 44 causing the valve member 34 to move downwardly so as to decrease the iiow of hot water through port 32 and increase the flow of cold water through port 32, thereby maintaining a lower temperature of the mixture because valve member 34 will close port 33 when a lower temperature of the mixture has been reached, Conversely, movement of the stem 16 upwardly as viewed in Fig. 2 will cause valve member 34 to approach the port 32 so that a higher temperature will be maintained because valve member 34 will not close its port 33 until a higher temperature has been reached. Thereby, by a simple manual manipulation of the stem 15, the temperature of the mixture may be nicely predetermined to suit the particular fabrics being washed.

In the case of a washing machine there are one or more periods during the automatic cycle of operation during which, in the interest of conserving hot water, colder water should be admitted to the tub for rinsing purposes. To avoid the necessity of a separate cold water line leading to the tub with a. separate automatically actuated valve for admitting rinse water to the tub, the mixing valve as sol far described may be used to perform the operation of admitting rinse water. If the rinsing is to be performed with water at the temperature at the lower end of the range for which the machine is set the thermostat for predetermined periods must be automatically adjusted to maintain the entering water at its lower temperature. To this end, at predetermined times as hereinafter explained, water under pressure is admitted to the chamber 19 through pipe 80. Bellows 68 is now subjected on its opposite sides to the pressure of the water so that spring 1I is free to expand. This contracts the bellows B8 moving the end 15 of cup-shaped member 69 away from the inner end 11 of stem 1S and transmitting its movement through flange 65, post 63 and spring 61, which act as a unit, to the movable end wall 6B of the bellows 58. As the chamber 59 is full of liquid, pressure is transmitted therethrough to the movable end wa-ll 45 of bellows 44, whereby the valve member 34 is moved downwardly as viewed in this figure to its extreme position as determined by the engagement of the movable wall 1li with the plate 54. Thereby the water flowing out of the chamber 31 is kept at the lowest temperature cf the available range, and as is apparent this position, if preferred, could be one in which the hot water port 33 is entirely closed. As long as the pressure is maintained in chamber 31, the colder water may thus flow through the outlet to the tub for rinsing purposes. Therefore chamber 19 with its expansible and collapsible wall 68 functions as a fluid-pressure motor for operating the mixing valve as a valve controlling the flow of rinse water.

The water flowing through the outlet 35 of the mixing valve, whether wash water or rinse water, iirst flows through any suitable passages or piping to the inlet nipple 94 of a now control valve generally indicated at i2 in Fig. 1 and shown in detail, though somewhat schematically, in Fig. 3. As here illustrated the flow control valve includes a casing 9i from which extends the outlet li heretofore referred to. Associated with the outlet l! is any suitable valve seat 32 with which cooperates a valve member 93 of any suitable construction. Valve member 33 is carried by the movable end wall 94 of an expansible and collapsible chamber 95 whoseperipheral wall is shown as composed of an expams'ible and collapsible corrugatedtubular Wall or bellows 96 having Vone end formed as or attached in any suitable Way tothe movable'end Wall 94 and its opposite end attached in any suitable way to a stationary Wall 91he're`shown as constituting the closure for the end of the casing 9|.. The movable end Wall 94 is provided witha bleed opening '93y for a purpose tofbeexplain'ed, so that'v the interior' chamber 95 is in communication through said bleed opening with the chamber 99 exteriorly of the bellows 93. Stationary end Wall 91 is provided in any suitable Way with a nipple forming a passage through which the chamber 95 isv in4 communication with a line leading to a iioat controlled valve next to be. described. Stationaryend Wall 91 'or nipple |00also preferably carries a tubular stopy |0| so as to predetermine the extent to whichthe bellows 96 maybe contracted. f

'Referring novv to Fig. 1,V a iioat controlled Valve generally indicated atr|3is mounted in or associated with the interior ofthe tub I0 so as to respond to the level of the Water ,tliereinV Any suitable float controlledyalve may be used. As shown,

av niloatv |05 of any suitable construction is connectedvto-apivoted link |06 Whose pivotpin |01 Y mounted inany suitable Way, as by a bracket ljon a Wall |09 in which is a valve port H0. C'Jooperatingy with said valve port is a poppet valve member IIIcarried by the-link |06.V The float valvefis preferably enclosed in a casing I I2 which ismso constructed that the water level may rise Withinthe ;Sam-as it rises ,in the tub While 'minimizing passageofnlint or the like into the chamber II3 to interfere with the operation of poppet valve Port ||0 is connected through any suitablepassages or piping'l I4 andl l5 with the nipple |00 of the now controldvalve, the connection as shown being throughthepilotvalve generally indicated at I1 as wll'berexplaned hereinafter in detail-` 1. d ;1Y f f- Toexplainthe operation of the flow control and-id cat valves, chamber |95., either-by reason of the inherent resiliency of thefbellows -96 or by reason .of vany suitable spring associated with chamber 95 -is .normally expanded-to engage valve memberg93 Withv its seat 92, s o that the port at 92 Vis normally closed. When Water under pressure enters the chamber 99 an excess pressure is built up on themovable end Wall 94. The Water entering, the casing 97| through nipple 90 accordingly liftsthe valve member l93 and ilows yout through outlet to thev tub |0. During this period-Water can pass through the bleed opening 98 into the chamber 95, but as chamber 95 is in communication through the passages I5 and ||4 withthe chamber ||3 Vat the iloat valve, and therefore with the atmosphere, pressure cannot be built up in said chamber `95 as long at the float valve is open. Hence-the diierential pressure acting exteriorly on movable end Wall 94 holds valve member 93 open. I The Waterwill accordingly continue to now-into the .tub until the predetermined level has been reached, andwithoutport I0. Novv'water entering the bleed opening v98 into thechamber A9 5builds up the pressure in the g latter unti1 theA pressure.. therein becomes equglzed with thejpressurefnthe chamber 99. whereby thehellow '96.. bnr-reason Qfyitsinherent resiliency or any suitable'spring associated therewith, expands to cause valvemember 93 to close the port at 92" and discontinue the flow of Water from the mixing valve to the tub. Thus the flow control `valve 93`is operated by a pressure motor 95 under the control (through the pilot valve to be described) of the float operated valve I3.

While the pressure operated valve as described possesses marked utility as'applied to an automatic washing machine it is apparent that it has utility in other applications, and therefore it is to be expressly understood that it is the Aintention to protect the improved valve as applicable to various uses aswell as a subcombination of the control here disclosed.

An automatic washing machine as so far referred to has Van automatic cycle of operation composed of a plurality of steps orstages carried out in sequence. AThe .number of steps may be varied as apparent yto thos'emskilled in the art, but for the purpose of Villustratingthe.invention it will be assumed that the sequence. of operation includes the steps of YStart, Wash`, first rinse, second lrinsegr third rinse,dry, ,ul and 'fstopi" This sequence must neverA be capable of reversal. but itis desirablethat if the operator so wishes one or more of the intermediate steps can be omitted. To this end the hydraulic control of the present invention is subject to a manual setting which can never reverse the sequence of steps but which can predeterminately omit intermediate steps, whereupon the succeeding steps of the sequence are performed in proper order automatically. Y-

Referring now vto Figs. 4 to 8 inclusive, there is disclosed a `preferred form'- of manually7 settable timing mechanism'associated with a pilot valve of 'any suitable: construction for predetermining the beginning and end ofthe respective steps or stages in the sequenceof the' automatic cycle. While thetiming mechanism and the pilot valve now toY bedescribed are each. of particular utility as applied to an'automatic Washing machine it is apparent that eachxhas utility in other applications, and thereforev it is to be' expressly understood thatit is the intention'to'protect each of these improved devices as applicable to other uses as well as a subcombination of the hydraulic control-here disclosed. f A

As before noted, said timing mechanism is motor driven and while any other suitable form of motor may be employed, an electric motor of any suitable size and construction is shown at |20 and has its casing I2 I mounted in any suitable Way on the wall of the timer housing |22, as shown in Fig. 1l. The shaft |23 of vmotor |20 preferably has a self-aligning bearing |24 provided in any suitable vvay,l and said shaft extends through an opening |25 into the interior of the timer-housing where it is provided with a Worm |23.A Worm 26 is in mesh with a Worm wheel |21 iixed on a stub shaft |28 which in turn- (see Fig. 8) rhas xed thereon a second Worm |29 in mesh with a Worm wheel |30; fixed on stub shaft; 3|. Stub shaft |73! V(see Fig. 4) carries a cam |32 which isshown in detail in Figs. 6 and 7 and which is composed of a disk |33 that is flat formost of its circular extent but has an offset` ordeflected portion |34 extending through an arcof affewvdegrees leading toda free radial edge spaced from the plane of the disk. Disk |32 iits rotatably in the interdental spaces of a gear Wheel |35, and the offset |34 is spaced from the planeof the; disk |33 by the' width of one tooth on geargwheel |35. f; Aclv justably xed in -anysuitable Way tothe shaft` |36V of the pilot valve to be described, and in adjacency to gear wheel |35, is a ratchet wheel |31, having the same number of teeth as gear wheel 1.35, said teeth being inclined in the direction opposite to that in which cam |32 drives gear wheell |35, and pivotally mounted at |38 on said gear wheel |35 is a pawl |39 whose tooth |40 is urged into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel by a suitable spring |4| attached at its opposite ends to thep'awl and to the gear wheel |35.

Shaft |33 extends through an aperture |42 in the cover |43 of the timer housing |22, and extends to any desired location that is conveniently accessible to the operator where it is provided with a manually operablelrnob and indicating means so that shaft |36 with its ratchet wheel |31 may be rotated manually, in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 4, to any Suitable extent, pawl |39 preventing rotation of the shaft |36 in the opposite direction but, slipping over the teeth of the ratchet Wheel |31 when said shaft is rotated in the direction of the arrow. n

Shaft |36 is also shown as provided with the means for controlling the startingand stopping of the motors. v are electric the starting and stopping means takes the form of a cam operated switch. Referring particularly to Fig. 5, shaft |33 is shown as provided with a cam |44 which is circular for the greater part o f its circumference but rises to a high point followed by a stepl at |45. Mounted on any suitable support as the cover plate |43 for the housing |22 is a block |43` which carries three spring contact elements |41, |48 and |49 carrying contacts |59, and |52 respectively. Contact element |49 is in the circuit leading to the main motor 9 which operates the washing mechanism, contact element |48 is in the circuit of the timing motor |20, and contact element |41 is common to both of said circuits.

- When the machine stops the contact elements |48 and |49 are on the high point |45 of the cam but Contact element |41 has dropped down the step. When shaft |36 is rotated manually to the station designated Start cam |44 is rotated in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 5 to the position wherein the contact element |48 also Where as illustrated the motors drops down the step, bringing contact |5| into engagement with contact |50- and thereby closing the circuit through the timing motor |29. The timing motor drives the cam |32 through the reduction gearing composed of the two worms and worm wheels, and at each full revolution of the cam |32 the deflected portion |34 on the disk |33, by cooperation with the teeth on gear wheel |35, advances the latter by the amount of one tooth. Cam |04 carried by the shaft |36 is thereby rotated in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 5 until contact element |49 drops down the step |45, engaging contact |52 with contact |5| and thereby completing the circuit through the main motor associated with the tub. As the cam |44 continues to rotate the contacts remain in engagement throughout the automatic cycle of the machine and until the station marked Stop is reached, at which time contact element |41 drops down the step |45, while contact elements |48 and |49 are still on the high point of the cam, thereby separating contact |59 from both contacts |5| and |52, and thus interrupting the circuits of both motors.

Thus the machine proceeds through its automatic cycle, each revolution of the cam |32 advancing the gear wheel by the amount of one tooth, the pawl |39 driving the ratchet |31 and the pilot valve member tol which it is attached. Because of the character of the cam |32 it will be observed that the advancement of the gear wheel |35 is not only a step `by step motion but each advance is abrupt, and can only occur at the one point determined by the engagement of the offset |34 on the cam with the tooth with which it is then cooperating. This assures that the pilot valve, which is driven by the shaft |35, is advanced from one position to the next by an abrupt movement, a matter 0f importance in passing from one step or stage to another where as here the several operations of the machine are under the control of a pressure fluid and the sluggish action consequent on a gradual building up or release of pressurek would be highly undesirable.

While the machine is adapted to go through its entire automatic cycle without intervention of the operator, it sometimes occursthat the operator may wish to `omit one or more of the intervening steps, Vsay the second and third rinses above assumed. Shaft |36 can be rotated manu-y ally relatively to the gear wheel` |35 to the extentV required to skipV theV specified intermediate stages, ,the ratchet wheel |31 slipping over the pawl |39 during such manual manipulation of the shaft |136 vbut the latter-preventing any re verse movement of the pilot valve. Thereby the pilot valve is advanced so vas to skip the referredto stages, whereupon the automatic cycle is resumed and continued to its end. As the shaft |33 cannot be rotated ina direction opposite to the arrow in Fig. 4 the pilot valve cannot be moved to produce operations in the automatic cycle out of their proper order. Y

' Other operations in the automatic cycle of the machine, such as the opening and closing of the drain -valve, diagrammatically suggested at |51, the operation of a clutch or brake when mechanism is to be started or stopped, diagrammatically suggested at |58, etc., are effected by power units in the form of fluid-pressure motors. two of which are shown generally at |59 and |60 in Fig. 1, but while only two such motors are illustrated in the embodiment selected to exemplify the present inventionit is to be expressly understood that any suitable number of such motors may be employed depending upon the number of operations to be eiected. A preferred form of such motor is illustrated in detail in Fig. 12, but as such fluid motor is of wide utility, it is not claimed per se herein, the same being the subject matter of my copending application Serial No. 669,439, filed May 13, 194.6, and entitled Pressure Responsive Device. now Patent No. 2,554,659, and of which the present application is therefore a continuation in part. Stated generally, this fluid-pressure motor includes a cup-shaped housing |6| in theA opening end of which is secured an apertured plate |62 to which is attached in any suitable Way one end of an expansible and collapsible corrugated tubular wall or bellows |63. The opposite movable end |64 of said bellows carries a second cup-shaped element which has a freely sliding t in the interior cylindrical surface of housing |6| and, to reduce friction, it isshown as of substantially smaller diameter than said interior surface on the housing and as provided with a plurality of ribs or beads |65 extending in the direction of the axis of said cylindrical surfaces so as to reduce the rubbing contact therebetween to the lines or narrow surfaces affordedby the outer surfaces of said ribs or beads. The movable end wall |64 of the bellows |63 also carries a post or stem |68, which may be connected to the wall |64 in any suitable way, here shown as by a flexible or universal joint indicated at |69, post |68 extending to any suitable distance and being connected to any suitable mechanism to be actuated. Associated with the plate |62 is a seating member or gasket of any suitable yieldable material, such as rubber or neoprene, the same being shown as gripped between the plate |62 and a shoulder |1| on the housing |60. The free end |12 of cup-shaped member |65, when the bellows |63 is in its fully expanded position, is spaced from the seating member |10 by a distance equal to the throw of the member to be actuated by post |68, so that when post |68 moves to the desired operating position, said free end |12, will firmly seat on member |10 and provide a substantially huid-tight enclosure for the bellows |63. The chamber |13 within the housing |6| exteriorly of the bellows |63 is in communication through a suitable nipple |14 with a source of pressure-liquid controlled by the pilot valve to be described.

When pressure iiuid is admitted to the chamber |13 it acts on the movable end of the bellows |63, collapsing the latter and moving the post |68 to the left as viewed in Fig. 12 to actuate the mechanism connected thereto. As the post |68 completes its stroke the free end |12 of cupshaped member |65 engages the seat |10 providing a complete enclosure for the bellows |63. Therefore, if the pressure on the liquid in the chamber |13 continues to rise. this pressure does not rea-ch the'bellows |63 to injure the same.

This is important where the control uid may be water taken from the .public mains and have a normal pressure sufficiently -hi-gh so that if applied directlyto the bellows |63 there would ber danger of distortion or injury thereof.

From-the foregoing `*description it will be observed that all of the controls determining the initiation and termination of each of the steps or stages in the automatic cycle of the machine are eiected by hydrostatic pressure, and to predetermine the initiation and termination of the several steps or stages in their proper sequence a single pilot valve is shown as driven by the timing mechanism heretofore described rfor predetermining when hydrostatic pressure shall be supplied to and released from the several control mechanisms.

To this end the lcasing |22 for the timing mechanism has attached thereto or integrally formed therewith a tubular casing |80, and rotatablymounted in said casing |80 is a cylindrical valve member |8| suitably attached to the shaft |36 for rotation therewith. The details of said valve member are shown in Figs. 13 to 21 inclusive. As illustrated, said valve member |8| has at rone end a threaded opening |82 in which the end of the shaft |36 is secured. Centrally of said valve member and extending from one end thereof to the requisite depth for communication with the several control areas'hereinafter referred to is a passage |83 which is incommunication with a suitable pipe or passage |84 leading to any suitable drain. The valve member |8| Aalso contains Va suitable number, here shown as three, axially extending passages |85, |86 and |81.` For convenience ofy manufacture said passagesl are bored to the requisitedepth from one end of the valvefmember' and thereafter the end ot each passagefis closedbyaplugl88.l Y

Disposed circumferentially around theperiphery of the valve .mem-'ber |8l is a suitable number of, here shown as six, control areas or zones designated |89, |90,. |9|, |92, |93 and |94. Except as to the control area I 92, said control areas take the form of grooves of longer or shorter extent separated by regions |95 of the full diameter of the valve member, the respective grooves being also spaced from each other axially by cylindrical regions |96 which are al-so of the full diameter of the valve member |8|. Control area |92, however, is constituted by a single groove |91 that extends through 360, as shown in Fig. v19, and it Vis of suchvdepth that it breaks into each of the passages |85, |86 and |81. `Certain of the grooves have passages |98 extending therefrom to the -central drain passage |83, while other grooves have passages |99 leading to one of the three passages |65, |86 and |81. The valve member |8| fits snugly but rotatively in the casing I so that the'regions |95 and |96 prevent flow of liquid from one groove to another, and extending through the wall of the casing |80 are passages 200 leading to nipples 20| mounted exteriorly'on said casing and which are at proper times brought into communication with the several grooves of the control areas by the step by step advancement ofvalvefmember |8|.

The pressure iiuid used in the several hydrostatic controlsheretofore described is preferably water taken from the cold water main, and to this end a pipe 202 (see Fig. 1) is tapped into the cold water inletv I6 or nipple 26 and leads to that nipple 20| Vwhich is opposite groove |91. Therefore, water at pressure in the main enters groove |91,^and as this groove is of 360 extent it is always lled with water substantially at main pressure. As groove |91 breaks into each of the passages |86'l and |81 these passages are also' filled with water substantially at main pressure', andsaid water under pressure may flow throughthe passages |99 tothe grooves in communication therewith, whereby, when the respective nipples' and. lines communicating Vtherewith are brought into communication, during the rotation of said valve member |8|, with given grooves in the valve member, pressure fluid may ow to the corresponding controlmechanism as long as said communication is maintained. On the other hand, when a groove in communication with a passage |88 is opposite any given nipple the line in communication with said nipple is placed in communication through said passage |98 with the drain passage |83 vwhereby the pressure in said line is released. As will now be apparent vthe length of a'groove incommunication with apassage |99 determines how long fluid under pressure is applied vto 'a given line, while agroove in lcommunication with the passage l|98 determines when the pressure in a-,given line will be released. When a portion of. thenv'alve member between grooves is opposite a nipple theY previously existing. pressureis retained, as is apparent. I'

A The casing of the fluidfmotor |60 for operating ,vany suitable clutch or brake is connected through line 203 -with the nipple opposite the grooves 204-which together'constitute'the control area |89and Vdetermine when themechanism controlled ytherebyxvshall kbe started or stopped. i The casing of the fluid motor |59 which controls the rnaindrain :valve is in communication ,through `line2|l4 l,withithe nippleopposite the; groovesi 20,5 whichVA together constitute the contrer area 19.0. and determinerv when thedrin valve gshallj bei opened' and ',closed. -f The pipe 60 from the chamber 91 leads to the nipple opposite the grooves 205 which together constitute the control area I9 I, whereby said grooves determine theA application of pressure fluid to the fiuidpressure motor chamber I9 to cause movement of the valve member 34 to that position in which colder water is permitted to flow through the mixing valve for the rinse period as heretofore explained. The groove or grooves 207 constituting control area |93 are opposite a nipple 20| communicating through any suitable piping or passages with any appropriate control, such as a pressure motor of the character shown in Fig. 3 but omitted from the diagram of Figi 1 for the sake ofsimplicity, whereby the expansible and collapsible chamber thereof will develop or release internal pressure dependent on Whether the outlet of the chamber is closed by valve member |8| or placed in communication thereby with the drain through passages |98 and |83 (see Fig. 20). Such a control for example may be connected to an automatic balancing device which operates when y the machine is spinning at high speed to centrifuge water from the clothes. The line I|5 heretofore referred to as running from the flow control valve I2 is connected to the nipple opposite the grooves 208 which together constitute the control area 33, and the line I4 extending to the oat valve port I I is connected to a second nipple opposite the same grooves 208, so that said grooves determine when the chamber 95 of the flow control valve is in communication with said port through lines and H4. Insteadof arranging lines |I5vand |I4 on opposite sides of the valve ISI as shown in the diagram of Fig. 1 they are preferably arranged on the same side as shown in Fig. 8, and therefore these grooves are rectangularly shaped grooves that not only extend circumferentially'rbut also axially a suiiicient distance, as shown in Fig. 13, to connect the nipples in communication with lines II5 and I I4, and thereby place these lines in direct communication. While to illustrate the invention the drawings show diagrammatic pipes as connecting the Vvarious elements of the hydraulic system it is to be expressly understood that in practice at least some ofthe provisions for communicationbetween constituent elements of the systemmay be provided as passages formed in or associated with the walls of the involved structures.

As the operation of the component elements of the system has been explained in detail in connection with the description of the detailed structure of such elements, it will be sufficient here to .summarize briefly the operation of the hydraulic control as a system.

The operator of the washing machine first determines the temperature at which the Washing should be carried out and by manipulation of the rod 'I6 the thermostat 39 is adjusted to so position the valve member 34 with respect to its ports 32'far1d33Y that mixture of hot and cold *water of ,--predetermined temperature 1s maintainedby'fthe mixing valve. The operator then turns shaft |36* to the position designated Start,thereu'pon the contact member |48 drops down the step |45 bringing contacts |50 and I5I into engagement lwherebythe circuit through the timer motor is completed.y This motor starts toA rotate andth'rough the-gearingv heretofore explained and the -coacticn between cam |32 and gear wheel |35`shaft1|3t` is started in its step bystep--mo'tion, each advancement being effected abruptly when'the-deectionforoffset |34 passes through `the space between tvvok teeth on gear Wheel |35.v YRotation of the shaft |36, -aftera proper lapse of time, brings the cam |44 to the'position wherein the contact member |49 drops down the step |45 to complete the circuit through the main motor 9 associated with the tub. Rotation of the shaft |36 also effects rotation of the valve member |8| in a step by step motion, and because of the abruptness of these steps the respective grooves of the several control areas are moved into or out of position for communication with `one of the nipples abruptly, so that the Water under main pressure oWing through the pipe 202, groove |91 and passages |85, |86 or |81 to the several control areas is applied abruptly to the respective control elements or exhausted therefrom with equal abruptness.

Water at a predetermined temperature leaving the chamber 31 of the mixing valve through nipple iiovvs to the casing 9| of the floW control valve and as the interior of the chamber 95 as this time is in open communication with the port III) of the float valve I3 by reason of the location of a groove 20G in control area ISI, a differential pressure is applied exteriorly to the end Wall 94 of said chamber 95 lifting the valve member 93 to open Wide the port at seat 92. The water therefore flows through the pipe to the tub l0 and gradually rises therein until the float |05 causes the valve member I|I to close the port |I0. Thereafter the water owing through the bleeder opening 98 equalizes the pressure on the opposite sides of the movable end wall 94 of chamber 95 whereby, as before explained, the valve member 83 is moved to close its port 92 and terminate the flow of Water to the tub.

After the washing step of the cycle the appropriategroove 204 of control area |39 supplies iiuid under pressure to the chamber |13 of the fiuid motor |60 to open the drain valve. When the Wash Water has drained from the tub a groove 201 in control area |93 moves into position to convey iiuid under pressure to the chamberl 'I9 whereby the` valve member 34 is moved so that colder Water may flow through the mixing chamber 31 and thence to the interior of the chamber 99 in the flow control valve, again opening valve member 93 to permit the rinse water to flow tothe tub. When the rinse water has reached its proper level in the tub the float valve I II is again closed to cause the flow control valve member 93 to again close its port 92 as heretofore explained. At the close of the rinsing operation the tub is drained by application of iiuid pressure to the fluid motor |60. Then the succeeding steps of the automatic cycle are performed in proper order, the control areas in valve member ISI predetermining Whenrfluid under pressure shall be applied to or Withdrawn from the respective controls. Finally, at the end of the automatic cycle the contact member |50 drops down the step |49, leaving the contact members |48 and |49 on the high point of cam |44, whereby the circuits through both the main motor and the timer motor .are interrupted.

The control area |9| is of such construction that communication isl maintained between the lines m and ne an 2.11 times during me washing and rinsing periods, so that the inflow of Water to the tub is determined by flow control valve I2 is under the control ofthe float operated valve |3 to the end that during the Washing and rinsing periods the latter is free to effect the addition 17 f Water to the tub if'the level of the Water in the tub falls below the desired level. The pilot valve through operation of the control area ISI therefore closes the connection between lines I I4 and I I only when the tub is to be drained or it it desired to have the tub empty without fresh water coming under which circumstances the float operated valve I3 may open Without causing water to now into the tub because lines II4 and I I5 are not in communication and therefore pressure can not be relieved in chamber 95.

If the operator wishes to omit any of the steps in the automatic cycle he observes the indicating mechanism associated with shaft |35, and when the ystep which he desires to omit has been reached, he turns the shaft |36 through one step, if one step only is to be omitted, or through as many steps as he desires to omit, the ratchet I3'I sliding under the pawl |39 until the beginning of the next step to be performed is reached. Thereafter the automatic cycle is continued until the motors are stopped. By reason of the coaction ofthe ratchet I3? and the pawl |39 it will be noted that it is impossible to turn the control knob in the wrong direction so as to upset the automatic cycle.

By providing appropriate control areas on the valve member ISI the automatic cycle may include any desired number of steps in sequence, and by properly proportioning the grooves `in the control areas the instant of application of pressure fluid to any given control or the release of pressure therefrom can be exactly predetermined, and owing to the manner in which valve member I8I is moved step by step, it moves quickly from one step to another so that there are no prolonged periods of time during which pressure is gradually being built up or gradually beingreleased.'

It will therefore be perceived that an improved control particularly adapted for use in conjunction with automatic washing machines has been provided wherein all of the control functions are eiected by water under pressure, which may be taken from the usual water mains, the component elements of the system being so constructed that injury will not be caused thereto even though the pressure in the main be relatively high. The control provides for readily omitting desired steps in the automatic cycle of the machine with assurance that the predetermined order of said steps shall not be upset. The control also facilitates predetermining the temperature at which the washing shall be done, while any abnormal rise in temperature will not injure the thermostat for predetermining such temperature. The need for a separate valve to control the flow of rinse water has been avoided, the mixing valve being automatically actuated at predetermined times to operate as a valve to admit rinse water. The water always rises to the predetermined level in the tub irrespective of how much water may be absorbed by the fabrics being washed, while the admission of water to the tub is controlledby a pressure operated valve that in turn is actuated by means responsive only to the water level. The complexity incident to the use of electric systems has been avoided, and at the same time any undesirable action incident to the gradual building up or release of pressure has been avoided. The system is composed throughout of parts which are easy to standardize, inexpensive to manufacture, easy to assemble and service, and certain and efcient in operation.

It will also be perceived that an improved mixing valve, an improved pressure operated valve,

machine. or ''ther suitable hydraulic controlfare also capable of other applications, and therefore it is to be expressly understood that it is within the contemplation of the present invention'th'at such devices are applicable to other uses than as subcombinations of the hydraulic control herein disclosed. Y 1 Y While the embodiment of the invention illustrated on the drawings has been described with considerable particularity it is to be expressly understood that the invention is not to be limited thereto, asA the same is capable of receiving a variety of mechanical expressions, some of which will now be apparent to those skilled in the art, while within the broader aspects of the present invention one or more of the improved structures constituting component elementsof the system as herein disclosed may he replaced by other suit'- able forms of devices to performcomparable functions. Changes may also be made in the'details of construction, arrangement, proportion of parts, sizes, etc., some of the improved features may be used Without others, the control YmayV be adapted to a smaller or a larger number of steps or stages in the automatic cycle of the machine or to effect other steps than herein discussed by way of example, and the control systemes a whole, while particularly adapted to use with an automatic washing machine, is also susceptible to other applications. Reference is therefore to Vbe had to the appended claims for a delinition of the invention. 7 Y' What is claimed-is: K- Y 1. In a hydraulic control for automatic washing machines having a tub, a motor associated therewith and a plurality'of elements to be controlled, the combination of a plurality of pressure motors respectively associated with said elements,

a single pilot valve for predetermining the admission and release of liquid under pressure to and from the respective pressure motors, connections for conducting liquid between said pilot valve and said pressure motors, a timing mechanism for moving said pilot valve through a plurality of stages to initiate and terminate the actuation .of said pressure motors in predetermined sequence, a motor for driving said timing mllanism, and means actuated by said timing mechanism for initiating the operation of said iirst named motor and terminating the operation of both Qi said motors.

2. In a hydraulic control for automatic WashT ing machines having a tub, a motor associated therewith and a plurality of elements to be con,- trolled, the combination of a plurality of pressure motors respectively associated with said elements, a single pilot valve for predetermining the admission and release of liquid under pressure to and from the respective pressure motors, connections for conducting liquid between said pilot valve and said pressure motors, a timing mechanism for moving said pilot valve through a plurality of stages to initiate and terminate the actuation of said pressure motors in predetermined sequence, a motor for driving said timing mechanism, and motor-control means for initiating the operation of said rst named motor and terminating the operation of both said motors and actuated by said timing mechanism, said timing Y mechanism including means for manually ad- .raming Said Pilot Valve With respect t Said timcontrolled mixing valve 4 for predetermining the temperature of the water to be supplied to said tub and having a Water connection with the tub,

plurality of pressure motors operatively connected to said elements and said mixing valve respectively, a single pilot valve for predetermining the admission and release of liquid under pressure to and from the respective pressure motors, connections for conducting liquid between said pilot valve and said pressure motors, a timing mechanism Vfor moving said pilot valve through succeeding stages v to predetermine the initiation .and termination oi? the operation of said pressure motors, and a motor for driving said timing mechanism, that one of said pressure motors operatively associated with said thermostaticaliy controlled mixing valve including means operatively connected thereto and operable when pressure is admitted Vto said motor for holding said mixing valve in a position -to admit rinsing water to 4the machine.

4.' In a hydraulic control, in combination With aV source of liquid under pressure, a plurality of pressure motors adapted to be operatively connected to the elements to be controlled, a, single pilot valve for predetermining when said source of pressure shall be connected to and disconnected from the respective motors, connections for conducting liquid between said pilot Valve and said motors, a timing mechanism for moving said pilot valve through its respective stages, amotor for driving said timing mechanism, and a thermo- Siaialiy Operated Valve-for controlling the temf perature of said liquid, one of said pressure motors being associated with said thermostatically operated valve and including meansv operatively connected thereto when liquid under pressure is admitted to said motor to move said thermostatically operated valve to a limit position.

-f CHARLES D. BftANsoN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name lDate 743,714 Guese Nov. 10, 1903 966,090 Hamacek Aug. 2,1910 971,934 VSiegrist Oct. 4, 1 910 1,676,084 Flagg July 3, 1928 1,745,707 Perrett Feb. 4, 1930 `1,760,902 Grattan June 3, 1930 1,849,283 Crane Mar. 15, 1932 1,851,502 Ferris et al Mar. 29, 1932 2,197,454 Smith Apr. 16,A 1940 2,228,700 Hamner Jan. 14, 1941 2,258,360 Hemer oct; 7', 1941 2,301,031 Ferguson Nov.` s, 1942 2,350,763 Jackson June 6, 1944 2,331,545 Kirby Aug. 7, 19,45

2,398,542 Light Apr. 16, l1946 2,444,631 chase July e, 104s 2,449,634 Bead@ sept. 21, 194s 2,453,707 Graham Nov. 16, 1,948

2,470,288 Childs M ay 17, 1949 2,475,503 Holthouse July 5, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 595,853 Germany Apr. 21, 1934

Images