Fluid dynamic diverter valve for an appliance

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6347645
  • Patent Number
    6,347,645
  • Date Filed
    Wednesday, March 7, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, February 19, 2002
    22 years ago
Abstract
A fluid dynamic diverter valve is provided which has a valve body with a fluid inlet zone communicating with a fluid diversion zone, which in turn communicates with a fluid outlet zone. In the fluid inlet zone there is at least one inlet for a fluid, at least one air inlet and a venturi passage for guiding the fluid as a jet. In a passage downstream of the venturi passage the air inlet communicates with the fluid jet exiting the venturi passage and the jet enters the diversion zone. Depending on whether the air inlet is blocked or not, the fluid jet either continues straight through the diversion zone to a first outlet from the valve body or, if the air stream is blocked, the jet is diverted to impinge upon a wall in the diversion chamber, the wall being arranged to be directed toward a different one of the outlet openings in the fluid outlet zone. A second (or more) air inlet might be provided and a third (or more) body outlet may be provided such that selective blocking of one of the air inlets will cause the fluid jet to be diverted in the diversion zone to a different one of the body outlet openings. A control may be provided in combination with the valve for controlling the air flow into the air inlets which may be in the form of a low power actuator. The diverter valve can be used in a wide variety of applications and has particular usefulness in a domestic appliance such as an automatic washer or dishwasher.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




The present invention relates to diverter valves and in particular to a fluid dynamic diverter valve which can be used to divert a fluid stream, particularly in an appliance.




In domestic appliances, such as automatic clothes washers or dishwashers, various valves are used to divert a fluid stream, such as a water stream, through a number of dispensers, such as for delivery of detergent, bleach, fabric softeners, rinse agents, etc. Typically the diversion is accomplished by using a series of independent dedicated valves and conduits, usually actuated by solenoids. Water flows through conduits and is presented to one or more solenoid operated valves to be diverted to an appropriate dispenser or other point of utilization.




Oftentimes the amount of water presents a dynamic flow being controlled that is high enough to require sufficiently large and robust solenoids to overcome or withstand this flow. The use of extra conduits and multiple relatively high power solenoids is costly and it would be an advance in the art if there were provided a low cost alternative to diverting a fluid stream to multiple outlets.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The present invention provides a low cost alternative to divert a fluid stream to one of multiple outlets in a manner which is cost effective relative to the use of multiple relatively high power solenoids and conduits.




The present invention utilizes the fluid flow or dynamics of the fluid in order to divert the fluid flow to one of two or more different channels which can then be directed to appropriate outlets, dispensers or other points of utilization depending upon the particular application and/or appliance.




A fluid dynamic diverter valve is utilized which includes a fluid inlet zone, a fluid diversion zone and a fluid outlet zone.




The present invention is designed to operate under fluid pressures ranging from 0.311 bar (4.5 psi) to 5.51 bar (80 psi). Normally, in the industry in order to divert water from a single source multiple hoses and solenoids are used. The solenoids are bulky, expensive and their electrical code requirements add more cost and complexity. The use of extra conduits add more complexity and potential leakage problems as well. In the present invention, there are no additional conduits. The present invention provides for an integrated hose and vacuum break assembly as part of the molding, thus eliminating any potential for leakage.




In an embodiment of the invention, in the fluid inlet zone there is a fluid flow path which includes a venturi passage in communication with two air channels which introduce air to opposite lateral sides of the fluid stream exiting the venturi. Although the term “air” is used, this term should be understood herein to include any gas, however, in most instances ambient air will most likely be used. The fluid diversion zone comprises a chamber located downstream of the venturi outlet and which has shaped or oriented lateral side walls for receiving and guiding the fluid stream. The shaped or oriented walls of the chamber terminate at an outlet leading to the fluid outlet zone. The fluid outlet zone has three spaced outlet passages which are arranged to selectively receive fluid flow which has exited the diversion chamber in particular direction.




When a fluid flow is introduced into the venturi passage, a steady jet of fluid flows straight out of the exit of the venturi, straight through the diversion chamber and out through a center outlet passage of the fluid outlet zone. Air is aspirated through both air channels in equal amounts by operation of the venturi and the fluid jet remains centered and stable.




If one of the air channels is closed, thus preventing aspiration of air through that channel, an unsteady state occurs in the fluid jet being emitted from the venturi. This unsteady state causes the fluid to divert toward the lateral side wall corresponding to the closed air channel, thus causing the fluid jet to impinge upon and be guided by that particular wall. An end of the wall at the exit of the chamber may be curved and is directed toward one of the outlet passages so that the fluid jet will be directed to that passage.




If only the second air channel is closed, the fluid jet will be diverted to the lateral side wall corresponding to the second closed air channel and that wall is arranged to direct the fluid jet out of the chamber exit toward the third outlet passage.




The force required to close the air flow through either channel is very minimal, thus permitting the use of a low power and low cost actuator for controlling the opening or closing of the selected air channel. Various types of actuators can be used including wax motors, bi-metal actuators, leaf springs, electromagnetically operated actuations and low power solenoid actuators.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of an automatic washer, partially cut away to illustrate various interior components and is illustrative of the type of appliance in which the present invention can be utilized.





FIG. 2

is a schematic illustration of fluid flow paths and elements including an embodiment of a fluid dynamic diverter valve embodying the principles of the present invention.





FIG. 3

is an elevation view of a bottom half of a fluid dynamic diverter valve body embodying the principles of the present invention.





FIG. 4

is a plan view of a top half of a fluid dynamic diverter valve designed to mate with the bottom half illustrated in FIG.


3


.





FIG. 5

is a perspective assembled view of the two halves of a fluid dynamic diverter valve as shown in

FIGS. 3 and 4

.





FIG. 6

is a schematic illustration of an actuator valve which can be utilized with the present invention.





FIG. 7

is a schematic illustration of an actuator valve which can be utilized with the present invention.





FIG. 8

is a schematic illustration of an actuator valve which can be used with the present invention.





FIG. 9

is a schematic illustration of an actuator valve which can be utilized with the present invention.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS





FIG. 1

illustrates generally a washing machine of the automatic type, i.e. a machine having a pre-settable sequential control for operating a washer through a pre-selected program of automatic washing, rinsing and drying operations in which the present invention may be utilized. The present disclosure explains the use of the present invention in the environment of an automatic washer as a preferred embodiment although it should be understood that the present invention can be utilized in virtually any application where a fluid stream is to be diverted into one of a selected number of outlets. The fluid in an appliance is typically water, or water with some additive, however the present invention can be used with any fluid, that is, any liquid or gas or even air.




The machine


20


includes a frame


22


carrying panels


24


forming the sides


24




a


, top


24




b


, front


24




c


and back


24




d


of the cabinet


25


for the washing machine


20


. A hinged lid


26


is provided in the usual manner to provide access to the interior or treatment zone


27


of the washing machine


20


. The washing machine


20


has a console


28


including a timer dial or other timing mechanism and a temperature selector


32


as well as a cycle selector


33


and other selectors as desired.




Internally of the machine


20


described herein by exemplifications, there is disposed an imperforate fluid containing tub


34


within which is a spin wash basket


36


with perforations or holes


35


therein, while a pump


38


is provided below the tub


34


. The spin basket


36


defines a wash chamber. A motor


100


is operatively connected to the basket


36


through a transmission to rotate the basket


36


relative to the stationary tub


34


. All of the components inside the cabinet are supported by struts


39


.




Water is supplied to the imperforate tub


34


by hot and cold water supply inlets


40


and


42


. A hot water valve


44


and a cold water valve


46


are connected to manifold conduit


48


. The manifold conduit


48


is interconnected to a plurality of wash additive dispensers


50


,


52


and


54


disposed around a top opening


56


above the tub, just below the openable lid


26


. As seen in

FIG. 1

, these dispensers are accessible when the hinged lid


26


is an open position. Dispensers


50


and


52


can be used for dispensing additives such as bleach or fabric softeners and dispenser


54


can be used to dispense detergent (either liquid or granular) into the wash load at the appropriate time in the automatic wash cycle. Each of the dispensers


50


,


52


and


54


is supplied with liquid (generally fresh water) through separate dedicated conduits


58


,


60


,


62


respectively. The conduits are connected to a fluid dynamic diverter valve


64


described in detail below to which the water manifold conduit


48


is also connected.




An embodiment of the fluid dynamic diverter valve


64


and associated fluid conduits are illustrated in an isolated schematic view in FIG.


2


. The fluid dynamic diverter valve


64


is supplied with fluid (typically water) through conduit


48


as supplied through valves


44


and


46


from conduits


40


and


42


. Of course, any number of supply conduits can be combined through appropriate valves leading to a single supply conduit such as


48


as required by a particular installation and appliance.




The valves


44


,


46


are operated by means of an appropriate control mechanism


66


which receives power from line


68


. The fluid flow from conduit


48


enters the diverter valve


64


and is diverted, in a manner which will be described below, to one of the selected outlets leading to conduits


58


,


60


and


62


which, for example, can lead to dispensers


50


,


52


and


54


. The dispensers may dispense directly into another space, such as a wash zone, or they may be connected to further outlet conduits


70


,


72


and


74


as illustrated.




The fluid dynamic diverter valve


64


is also supplied with ambient air through a first air inlet channel


76


and a second air inlet channel


78


. An actuator valve


80


is provided in line


76


to control the flow of air through line


76


through operation of the control


66


and an actuator valve


82


is supplied in line


78


to control the flow of ambient air through line


78


. The actuator valve


82


is also controlled by control


66


.





FIGS. 3 and 4

illustrate the internal geometry of a preferred embodiment of the fluid dynamic diverter valve


64


used in the present invention, while

FIG. 5

illustrates an assembled view of the valve.

FIG. 3

illustrates a bottom half


90


of a body


91


of the fluid dynamic diverter valve


64


. A fluid inlet tube


92


is provided at one end which has an internal passage


94


for receiving a flow of fluid, for example, from conduit


48


. The passage


94


opens into a small inlet chamber


96


positioned near a first end of the lower half


90


. The inlet chamber communicates with a narrow passage


98


which forms a venturi for the inlet fluid flow. The venturi passage


98


has an outlet at


102


which opens into a slightly enlarged passage


104


. Two other passages


106


,


108


also lead into the slightly enlarged passage


104


. A first chamber


110


communicates with the first side passage


106


and a second side chamber


112


communicates with the second side passage


108


.





FIG. 4

illustrates a top half


114


of the body


91


of the fluid dynamic diverter valve


64


and is designed to overlie and mate with the bottom half


90


and to be sealed thereto (as illustrated in

FIG. 5

) such that enclosed and sealed passages exist in the space formed between the two halves.




A first air inlet channel


76


is provided which has an internal passage


116


leading to an inlet opening


118


which, when the two halves are placed together, communicates with the first side chamber


110


, thus providing first side chamber


110


with a communication path through the first air inlet channel


76


. The second air inlet channel


78


is also provided with an internal passage


120


which has an inlet opening


122


which, when the two halves


114


,


90


are mated together, communicates with the second side chamber


112


. This provides the second side chamber


112


with a communication path through the second air channel


78


.




In operation, when fluid is introduced through the fluid inlet tube


92


to the fluid dynamic diverter valve


64


, the fluid will enter the inlet chamber


96


and flow through the venturi channel


98


and out the outlet opening


102


into the slightly enlarged passage


104


. As this occurs, air will be drawn in from the first side passage


106


from the first air channel


76


and air will be drawn in from the second side passage


108


through the second air channel


78


by the known venturi principle. Due to the symmetrical placement of the side air passages


106


and


108


, the fluid jet from venturi passage


98


will continue in a straight line through passage


104


and will enter a relatively large diverter chamber


124


. An end of the chamber


124


opposite from the slightly enlarged passage


104


is open as at


126


and fluid flow which is directed through the center of the diverter chamber


124


will continue in a straight line toward outlet passage


128


.




However, if the air flow through the first air inlet channel


76


is blocked, such as by operation of the actuator valve


80


, the fluid jet exiting the venturi passage


98


at outlet


102


will become unstable in the slightly enlarged passage


104


and the fluid jet will migrate and be diverted toward and impinge upon a side wall


130


associated with and located on the same side as the first side passage


106


. This side wall


130


is first curved away from the center of the diverter chamber


124


and, at an end of the first sidewall


130


adjacent to the outlet opening


126


, the first side wall


130


is directed toward a portion of an outlet zone where an outlet passage


132


is located. Thus, by closing off the first air channel


76


, the fluid jet is caused to flow along the first side wall


130


of the diverter chamber


124


and is directed at diverter chamber outlet


126


toward the outlet opening


132


.




On the other hand, if the second air inlet channel


78


is closed, such as by operation of the actuator valve


82


, the fluid jet exiting the venturi passage


98


will be caused to impinge upon a second sidewall


134


of the diverter chamber


124


. This second side wall


134


is located on the same side as the second side passage


108


which effectively has been blocked. The second sidewall


134


is curved first away from the center of the diverter chamber


110


and, at an end adjacent to the diverter chamber outlet opening


126


, is directed toward a third outlet passage


136


such that fluid flowing along the second sidewall


120


will be directed toward the third outlet passage


136


.




The three outlet passages


128


,


132


,


136


can be connected to appropriate conduits such as conduits


58


,


60


and


62


shown in

FIG. 1

leading to selected dispensers


50


,


52


and


54


, or other locations or points of utilization depending upon the particular installation into which the fluid dynamic diverter valve is being utilized.




Thus, the disclosed diverter valve


64


can be used to divert fluid flow to one of several outlets without the use of any moving parts in the valve


64


itself.




Although in the embodiment illustrated in

FIGS. 3-5

two air channels are provided to the diverter valve and three outlet passages are provided, it will be understood to one of skill in the art that one air inlet and two outlets could be provided or more than two air inlets and more than three outlets could also be provided with appropriately shaped internal passages for the air inlets and the outlets. For example, four air inlet channels could be provided with side passages located at 90° to each other, rather than the two air inlet passages located at 180° from each other as in FIG.


3


. In this arrangement one passage would be coming up out of the page and one passage would be going down into the page from the perspective as seen in FIG.


3


. With such an arrangement, five outlet passages could be provided so that a single stream could be diverted into one of five selected outlets. Also, the particular geometry of the diverter chamber can be modified. What is important is that the side walls against which the fluid jet is diverted are arranged to direct the diverted jet toward a selected outlet opening. For example, as illustrated in

FIG. 3

, side wall


130


could continue to curve outwardly and be connected to outlet opening


136


rather than curving back inwardly to direct the fluid jet to outlet passage


132


.




Further diversion of fluid streams can be effected by serially connecting additional fluid dynamic diverter valves to one or more of outlet passages


128


,


132


,


136


to further divide a fluid stream into other selected multiple outlets.




The operation of the fluid dynamic diverter valve


64


described above relies on the ability to close off a selected one of the air inlet channels. The air being drawn in through the air channels by the venturi jet is at a relatively low pressure, thus permitting a relatively low force to be used to close off the selected air channel. This permits the use of a relatively low power actuator which can be one of many different types of actuators as selected for a particular installation.




For example, in

FIG. 6

there is illustrated a ball valve type actuator


140


in which a steel ball


142


is captured in an air flow passage


144


. The ball is normally seated on a post


146


by operation of gravity or by operation of a spring


148


and is positioned below an opening


150


at an end of the air passage


144


. Surrounding the opening


150


is an electromagnetic coil


152


which can be selectively energized to create a magnetic field which will attract the ball


142


causing the ball to move upwardly and to seal off the opening


150


, thus blocking air flow. The air passage can continue from the interior of the coil


152


to the selected air channel to provide a flow of air when the ball is seated on the peg


146


.





FIG. 7

illustrates an actuator in the form of a leaf spring valve


154


in which a leaf spring


156


is provided with a pair of conical seal members


158


,


160


on opposite sides of a free end of the leaf spring. A second end of the leaf spring is secured to a mounting bracket


162


which also carries two opposed electromagnetic coils


164


,


166


. The conical seal members


158


,


160


are arranged adjacent to open ends of air conduits


168


,


170


which normally are open at their ends. In operation, when the electromagnetic coil


164


is energized, the leaf spring


156


is attracted toward it, thus causing the conical seal member


158


to seat in the open end of the air conduit


168


, effectively blocking the air passage. When the electromagnetic coil is de-energized, the leaf spring will return to the center position, thus opening the end of the air conduit


168


and permitting air to flow through air conduit


168


. The second conical seal member


156


can be selectively used to close off the air conduit


170


in a similar manner. This leaf spring arrangement could also be replaced with a bi-metal member which can be caused to move one way or the other from a central location as is known.





FIG. 8

illustrates the use of a wax motor


172


as an actuator. When current is supplied to the wax motor, the wax will expand and a piston


174


with a conical seal member


176


will extend and be engaged into a open end of an air conduit


178


. When current flow is terminated, the wax will contract and the piston


174


will be drawn back into the wax motor, thus releasing the seal member


176


from the air conduit


178


, again allowing air flow into the air conduit. A low power solenoid can also be used in a manner essentially the same as the wax motor shown in FIG.


9


.





FIG. 9

illustrates a ratcheting device which can be utilized as the actuator. A solenoid


182


has an extending arm


184


which can be used to selectively rotate a pawl


186


which, in turn, rotates a finger member


188


to any one of a selected number of positions depending upon the configuration of the pawl


186


. Illustrated here are three positions, one as shown in full in which the finger


188


covers an opening leading to an air conduit


190


. A second opening


192


leading to an air conduit


194


is open, thus allowing air flow through air conduit


194


. The finger could selectively be moved to cover the second opening


192


rather than the opening leading to air conduit


190


to alternate which air conduit is closed. Alternatively, the finger could be rotated to a third position in which both openings leading to air conduits


190


and


194


are open. With this type of an actuator, any number of air conduits could be selectively closed, one at a time.




Other similar types of actuators could be utilized to control the opening into the air channels leading to the fluid dynamic diverter valve body


91


to divert the fluid stream entering the valve body to a selected one of a plurality of outlet openings from the valve body.




As is apparent from the foregoing specification, the invention is susceptible of being embodied with various alterations and modifications which may differ particularly from those that have been described in the preceding specification and description. It should be understood that we wish to embody within the scope of the patent warranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of our contribution to the art.



Claims
  • 1. A fluid diverter comprising:a fluid dynamic diverter valve having an inlet for a fluid stream, a passage for said fluid stream, first and second inlets for air streams communicating with said passage and three outlets for said fluid stream, and a control for selectively controlling a flow of air into said first and second air stream inlets, wherein said fluid stream is directed by said valve to a first of said outlets when air is permitted to flow into said first and second air stream inlets and said fluid stream is directed by said valve to a second of said outlets when air is prevented from flowing into said first air stream inlet, and said fluid stream is directed by said valve to a third of said outlets when air is prevented from flowing into said second air stream inlet.
  • 2. A fluid diverter according to claim 1, wherein said passage includes a venturi passage for said fluid leading to an enlarged passage and said first and second air stream inlets communicate with opposite sides of said enlarged passage downstream of said venturi passage.
  • 3. A fluid diverter according to claim 2, wherein said passage includes a further enlarged diverter chamber downstream of said enlarged passage with a first wall section positioned to direct a flow of fluid along said first wall to one of said outlets and a second wall section positioned to direct a flow of fluid along said second wall to a different one of said outlets.
  • 4. A fluid diverter according to claim 1, wherein said control includes a valve actuator located adjacent air conduits leading to each of said first and second air stream inlets, said valve actuator being arranged to be able to selectively open or close an opening in said air conduits to permit or prevent air from flowing through said air conduits.
  • 5. A fluid diverter according to claim 4, wherein said valve actuator comprises one of a ball valve, a leaf spring valve, a solenoid valve, a wax motor operated valve and a ratcheting valve.
  • 6. A fluid diverter according to claim 1, wherein said fluid dynamic diverter valve contains no moving parts.
  • 7. A fluid diverter valve comprising:a fluid dynamic diverter valve body having a fluid inlet opening for receiving a flow of fluid, first and second air inlets for receiving first and second flows of air, and three body outlet openings for selectively discharging said flow of fluid from said body, said body having an internal passage leading from said fluid inlet to a venturi passage, an enlarged passage and a diverting chamber, said diverting chamber communicating with each of said outlet openings, said body further having a first side passage leading from said first air inlet to said enlarged passage, a second side passage leading from said second air inlet to said enlarged passage, with said first side passage being located on an opposite side of said enlarged passage from said second side passage, said diverting chamber being aligned with a first of said body outlet openings and having a first side wall shaped and arranged to lead to a second of said body outlet openings from said diverting chamber so as to direct fluid flowing along said first side wall towards said second of said body outlet openings and a second side wall shaped and arranged to lead to a third body outlet opening so as to direct fluid flowing along said second side wall towards said third body outlet openings.
  • 8. A fluid diverter valve according to claim 7, wherein said valve body is formed of two mating parts, said passage being formed between said two parts when they are assembled together.
  • 9. A fluid diverter valve according to claim 7, wherein said valve body is formed of two mating parts, said passages being formed in one of said parts to form open channels and being covered by the other of said parts to form enclosed passages.
  • 10. A fluid diverter valve according to claim 9, further including first and second air inlet channels formed in said other of said parts and having an opening mating with respective ones of said first and second air inlets in said one of said parts.
  • 11. A fluid diverter valve comprising:a fluid dynamic diverter valve body having a fluid inlet zone communicating with a fluid diversion zone, which in turn communicates with a fluid outlet zone having three body outlet openings, said fluid inlet zone having at least one inlet for a fluid, first and second air inlets, a venturi passage for guiding said fluid as a jet, and a passage downstream of said venturi passage where said air inlets communicate with opposite sides of said fluid jet exiting said venturi passage, said fluid diversion zone being aligned with a first of said body outlet openings and having a fluid diversion chamber with a first wall leading to an opening directed towards said fluid outlet zone, and a second wall leading to said opening directed towards said fluid outlet zone, wherein said first wall is directed towards a second of said body outlet openings and said second wall is directed towards a third of said body outlet openings.
  • 12. An appliance comprising:a dynamic fluid diverter valve, a fluid inlet conduit leading to said valve to provide a flow of fluid to said valve, a first outlet fluid conduit leading from said valve to a first point of utilization, a second fluid outlet conduit leading from said valve to a second point of utilization, a third fluid outlet conduit leading from said valve to a third point of utilization, a first air inlet channel leading to said valve, a second air inlet channel leading to said valve, a control for selectively controlling a flow of air in said first and second air inlet channels, said valve being configured such that said flow of fluid will flow through said valve to said first fluid outlet conduit when air is permitted by said control to flow into said first and second air inlet channels and said flow of fluid will flow through said valve to said second fluid outlet conduit when air is prevented by said control from flowing into said first air inlet channel and said flow of fluid will flow through said valve to said third fluid outlet conduit when air is prevented by said control from flowing into said second air inlet channel.
  • 13. An appliance according to claim 12, wherein said control includes a valve actuator, said valve actuator being arranged to be able to selectively open or close an opening in said air inlet channels to permit or prevent air from flowing through said air inlet channels.
  • 14. An appliance according to claim 12, wherein said appliance comprises an automatic washer.
Parent Case Info

This application claims the benefit of provisional application No. 60/206,756, filed May 24, 2000.

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Number Name Date Kind
3053276 Woodward Sep 1962 A
3357441 Adams Dec 1967 A
3444710 Gaugler et al. May 1969 A
3521653 Becker et al. Jul 1970 A
3643688 Meinert Feb 1972 A
3877486 Merrell et al. Apr 1975 A
3942559 Kranz et al. Mar 1976 A
4241760 Mon Dec 1980 A
4278110 Price et al. Jul 1981 A
5067509 Hunter Nov 1991 A
5365962 Taylor Nov 1994 A
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60/206756 May 2000 US