Patent Application
20090293550
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to washing machines and to tunnel style washing machines having multiple modules (for example, pre wash modules, washing modules, rinse modules).
2. Description of the Related Art
Tunnel style washing machines are conventional. In one conventional design for a tunnel style washing machine, the washing machine includes a core, or weldment, that moves and operates as a single piece. The core defines multiple modules stacked along the axis of the core piece. For each module, the core defines: (i) vertical two end walls at the axial ends of the module; (ii) a cylindrically shaped washing chamber side wall (or waterway) centered about the horizontal axis of the core; and (iii) a cylindrically shaped laundry chamber side wall, which is also centered about the horizontal axis of the core, but is located within, and spaced apart from, the waterway. The waterway is substantially fluid tight in order to hold in the washing related fluid of its module (for example, rinse fluid).
The laundry chamber contains and guides laundry undergoing washing related operations. More specifically, the laundry chamber is shaped and rotated to guide laundry with respect to the following directions: (i) in the direction of the core axis (that is, horizontally back and forth); and (ii) in a direction of rotation about the core axis. To be even more specific, when the core, including its laundry chamber rotates, it tends to moves the laundry it contains in a generally helical direction so that the laundry simultaneously rotates and moves along the core axis. The rotational component of the motion imparted by the laundry chamber helps perform washing related operations, such as washing and rinsing. The linear, core-axis-direction component of the motion imparted to the laundry by the laundry chamber moves the laundry through the module. More specifically: (i) by rotating the core piece in a first direction (let's say, counterclockwise), the laundry can be drawn into the chamber through an opening in one of the end walls; (ii) by alternating rotation in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions, the laundry will maintain an essentially constant position (for washing cycle, rinsing cycle, etc.) with respect to the direction of the core axis because the linear motions imparted by the alternating clockwise and counterclockwise motions of the laundry chamber will offset each other; and (iii) by again rotating the core, including the laundry chamber, counterclockwise by more than 360 degrees, the laundry will be directed out of the module through an opening in the opposite end wall at the end of an operational cycle.
The laundry chamber is porous so that washing related fluids can get to the laundry contained in the laundry chamber. The washing related fluids are contained by the washing chamber and the end walls. Despite the fact that the washing chamber and end walls of a given module rotate with the core piece of which they form a part, the fluid level in a given module will remain relatively constant. It is noted that in some other conventional tunnel washing machine designs, the modules rotate independently of each other, rather than rotating in unison as portions of a single core piece.
In operation, first end wall 44 has an opening (not shown) to allow insertion of the laundry to be washed (not shown) into the interior space defined by inner side wall 14, first end wall 44 and second end wall 45. Wash water feed tube 30 then feeds water, and/or laundry-treatment-related chemicals, in the direction of arrow W into the interior space defined by outer side wall 12, first end wall 44 and second end wall 45. The wash water rises to level 16. As shown in
In order to simultaneously allow for rotation of outer side wall 12 and non-rotation of the wash water feed tube, seal seam 43 is defined and provided by first seal portion 41 and second seal portion 42. The first and second seal portions are made from elastic material, such as rubber, so that these portions form a seal around the wash water feed tube. The water feed tube hardware remains stationary and the seal rotates over the portion of the wash water feed tube hardware. Importantly, except where forced open by the wash water feed tube, the seal elastically self-closes so that it holds the wash water in the interior space defined by outer wall 12 (which is sometimes called the waterway).
In some conventional washing machines, the temperature of the wash water is controlled by steam. One conventional way to accomplish this is by indirect injection of the steam. Another conventional way is by direct injection of the steam.
Other publications which may be of interest may include: (i) U.S. Pat. No. 4,879,887 (“Kagi”); (ii) U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,475 (“Edmundson”); (iii) U.S. Pat. No. 5,426,958 (“Sheppard 1”); (iv) U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,283 (“Sheppard 2”); (v) U.S. Pat. No. 4,546,511 (“Kaufmann”); (vi) PCT application WO 2006/101372 (“LG Electronics”); and/or (vii) Japanese patent related publication JP 11030482.
Description Of the Related Art Section Disclaimer: To the extent that specific publications are discussed above in this Description of the Related Art Section, these discussions should not be taken as an admission that the discussed publications (for example, published patents) are prior art for patent law purposes. For example, some or all of the discussed publications may not be sufficiently early in time, may not reflect subject matter developed early enough in time and/or may not be sufficiently enabling so as to amount to prior art for patent law purposes. To the extent that specific publications are discussed above in this Description of the Related Art Section, they are all hereby incorporated by reference into this document in their respective entirety(ies).
The present invention recognizes that the direct steam injection washing chamber shown in
The present invention is directed to a washing machine with improvements to the hardware for direct steam injection. One improvement is a steam delivery tube (herein called a sparge tube) that penetrates a side wall above the water level, but releases steam below the water level. One improvement is a steam delivery tube (herein called a sparge tube) that penetrates a rotating side wall above the water level, but releases steam below the water level. Another improvement is the use of a curved sparge tube that can conform within and between the contours of (typically cylindrical) rotating side walls. Another improvement is a sparge tube that releases steam in a direction at least substantially parallel to the central axis of the washing chamber. Preferably, the washing machine is a tunnel washing machine with multiple modules of various types, multiple sparge tubes, multiple fluid feeding tubes and multiple temperature probes.
Various embodiments of the present invention may exhibit one or more of the following objects, features and/or advantages:
(i) reduce or eliminate leakage during normal operations where a sparge tube penetrates a washing chamber wall, especially a rotating washing chamber wall;
(ii) reduces chance of catastrophic seal failure of a seal around a sparge tube;
(iii) reduces damage resulting from any catastrophic seal failure of a seal around a sparge tube;
(iv) prevents damage and/or wear to laundry due to direct contact with hot steam;
(v) prevents damage and/or wear to seal, especially a rotating seal, due to direct contact with hot steam;
(vi) allows more accurate, precise and/or responsive control of wash water temperature;
(vii) allows higher steam feed rate;
(viii) allows use of hotter steam;
(ix) faster heating rate; and/or
(x) reduces seal inversion due to direct forces on the seal interface;
(xi) diverts flow to the waterway sidewalls and applies force to hold seal in place.
According to an aspect of the present invention, a washing machine includes: a driving device; a liquid containing chamber; liquid source hardware; and a sparge tube. The liquid containing chamber is at least substantially liquid tight and defines a central axis, an angular direction and an axial direction. The liquid containing chamber includes a first side wall, a first end wall, and a second end wall. The first side wall is at least substantially in the shape of a peripheral wall of a cylinder. The first side wall includes a first seal located around the first side wall around its angular direction. The sparge tube is structured to carry and direct steam from a steam source. The liquid source hardware is structured, connected and located to fill the liquid containing chamber with liquid up to a predetermined liquid level. The driving device and liquid containing chamber are structured, located and connected so that the driving device drives the liquid containing chamber to rotate about the central axis. The sparge tube remains stationary when the liquid containing chamber rotates. The sparge tube comprises a straight portion and a curved portion. The straight portion of sparge tube is sized, shaped and located to penetrate the first side wall through the first seal at a location above the liquid level. The first seal has a rotating seal geometry to accommodate the rotation of the liquid containing chamber relative to the sparge tube. The curved portion of the sparge tube extends in the angular direction from the vicinity of the location where the straight portion penetrates the first side wall above the liquid level down below the liquid level. The curved portion of the sparge tube defines a steam release opening located below the liquid level. The steam release opening is sized, shaped and located to release steam in a direction at least substantially parallel to the central axis.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, a washing machine includes: a liquid containing chamber; liquid source hardware; and a steam conduit structured to carry and direct steam from a steam source. The liquid containing chamber is at least substantially liquid tight and includes a first wall including a first seal. The liquid source hardware is structured, connected and located to fill the liquid containing chamber with liquid up to a predetermined liquid level. The steam conduit is sized, shaped and located to penetrate the first wall through the first seal at a location above the liquid level. The steam conduit defines a steam release opening below the liquid level.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, a washing machine includes: a generally cylindrical liquid containing chamber; liquid source hardware; and a steam conduit structured to carry and direct steam from a steam source. The liquid containing chamber is at least substantially liquid tight. The liquid containing chamber includes a first wall shaped as a peripheral wall of a cylinder. The first wall includes a first seal, and defines a central axis. The liquid source hardware is structured, connected and located to fill the liquid containing chamber with liquid up to a predetermined liquid level. The steam conduit is sized, shaped and located to penetrate the first wall through the first seal at a location above the liquid level. The steam conduit comprises a curved portion that is curved substantially in the shape of a circular arc. The curved portion, the fluid containing portion and the first seal are located, sized and shaped so that the curved portion is at least substantially co-axial with the first wall.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, a washing machine includes: a generally cylindrical liquid containing chamber, liquid source hardware; and a steam conduit structured to carry and direct steam from a steam source. The liquid containing chamber is at least substantially liquid tight. The liquid containing chamber includes a first wall shaped as a peripheral wall of a cylinder. The first wall includes a first seal, and defines a central axis. The liquid source hardware is structured, connected and located to fill the liquid containing chamber with fluid up to a predetermined liquid level. The steam conduit defines a steam release opening below the liquid level. The steam release opening is sized, shaped and located to release steam in a direction at least substantially parallel to the central axis.
The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
As best seen with reference to
As shown in
The feature wherein the temperature probe 309 enters the waterway above the fluid level, and then descends below fluid level within the waterway is considered as inventive subject matter both in conjunction with, and in isolation from the sparge tube related technology discussed herein. Although the temperature probe 309 is shown with a bend designed to take the end of the temperature probe below the fluid level, alternatively, the temperature probe could be curved, as will be discussed in connection with the sparge tube.
Also shown in
Because sparge tube 308 penetrates the water containing chamber above the water level, it can be made relatively large. Also, the steam is released axially and therefore not released in a direction toward the laundry or toward the rotating seal. These advantageous features of the present invention can allow a relatively large steam feed rate. This means that water that is becoming too cool can quickly be correctly in its temperature.
In some non-preferred embodiments of the present invention, there is not direct injection of steam into the water. For example, instead of having steam release openings at the end of the sparge tube, a CTE, such as a Penberthy CTE (see http://www.penberthy-online.com/), may be used to deliver the steam into the water. Among other reasons, this is not preferred because: (i) steam and/or hot water will be directed at the rotating seal and/or the laundry being washed; and (ii) CTE does not heat the water as quickly as direct steam. However, the CTE is mentioned here to show the possible scope of the present invention.
Some exemplary, inventive, optional and/or preferred characteristics, parameters and/or features for making and/or using washing machines according to the present invention are as follows: (i) 5/16 inch thick EPDM seals; (ii) shroud drain from each sparge tube section to allow for any runoff from section to be returned to the rinse reclaim tank and/or reused in the system; (iii) use of present invention in dynamic counterflow systems; (iv) reduce length of seal as much as feasible to provide for tighter lateral seal to the waterway, improved seal and elimination of leakage from turnbuckles; (v) sparge tube penetrates seal perpendicular to tangent line of seal at entry point; (vi) spade entry design; (vii) for EPDM seals design system so that surface temperature of the sparge tube in the vicinity of the penetration plane is less than 400 degrees F. and preferably about 340 degrees F.; (viii) static heating rate of approximately 17 degrees F. per minute; (ix) in static test able to hold 200 degrees F. temperature at 12.2 GPM water feed into the chamber at 50% valve opening; (x) 6-7 alternate rotations per minute for washing cycle; (xi) steam at 320 degrees; and/or (xii) steam feed rate of 700 pounds per hour.
The following definitions are provided to facilitate claim interpretation:
Present invention: means at least some embodiments of the present invention; references to various feature(s) of the “present invention” throughout this document do not mean that all claimed embodiments or methods include the referenced feature(s).
First, second, third, etc. (“ordinals”): Unless otherwise noted, ordinals only serve to distinguish or identify (e.g., various members of a group); the mere use of ordinals implies neither a consecutive numerical limit nor a serial limitation.
Electrically Connected: means either directly electrically connected, or indirectly electrically connected, such that intervening elements are present; in an indirect electrical connection, the intervening elements may include inductors and/or transformers.
Mechanically connected: Includes both direct mechanical connections, and indirect mechanical connections made through intermediate components; includes rigid mechanical connections as well as mechanical connection that allows for relative motion between the mechanically connected components; includes, but is not limited, to welded connections, solder connections, connections by fasteners (for example, nails, bolts, screws, nuts, hook-and-loop fasteners, knots, rivets, force fit connections, friction fit connections, connections secured by engagement added by gravitational forces, quick-release connections, pivoting or rotatable connections, slidable mechanical connections, latches and/or magnetic connections).
Data communication: any sort of data communication scheme now known or to be developed in the future, including wireless communication, wired communication and communication routes that have wireless and wired portions; data communication is not necessarily limited to: (i) direct data communication; (ii) indirect data communication; and/or (iii) data communication where the format, packetization status, medium, encryption status and/or protocol remains constant over the entire course of the data communication.
Receive/provide/send/input/output: unless otherwise explicitly specified, these words should not be taken to imply: (i) any particular degree of directness with respect to the relationship between their objects and subjects; and/or (ii) absence of intermediate components, actions and/or things interposed between their objects and subjects.
To the extent that the definitions provided above are consistent with ordinary, plain, and accustomed meanings (as generally shown by documents such as dictionaries and/or technical lexicons), the above definitions shall be considered supplemental in nature. To the extent that the definitions provided above are inconsistent with ordinary, plain, and accustomed meanings (as generally shown by documents such as dictionaries and/or technical lexicons), the above definitions shall control. If the definitions provided above are broader than the ordinary, plain, and accustomed meanings in some aspect, then the above definitions shall be considered to broaden the claim accordingly.
To the extent that a patentee may act as its own lexicographer under applicable law, it is hereby further directed that all words appearing in the claims section, except for the above-defined words, shall take on their ordinary, plain, and accustomed meanings (as generally shown by documents such as dictionaries and/or technical lexicons), and shall not be considered to be specially defined in this specification. In the situation where a word or term used in the claims has more than one alternative ordinary, plain and accustomed meaning, the broadest definition that is consistent with technological feasibility and not directly inconsistent with the specification shall control.
Unless otherwise explicitly provided in the claim language, steps in method steps or process claims need only be performed in the same time order as the order the steps are recited in the claim only to the extent that impossibility or extreme feasibility problems dictate that the recited step order (or portion of the recited step order) be used. This broad interpretation with respect to step order is to be used regardless of whether the alternative time ordering(s) of the claimed steps is particularly mentioned or discussed in this document.
The present application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/058,360, filed on Jun. 3, 2008; all of the foregoing patent-related document(s) are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their respective entirety(ies).
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61058360 | Jun 2008 | US |
