Fluid recirculation system for an automatic washer
First Claim
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1. An automatic washing machine comprisingan imperforate wash tub;
- a wash basket positioned within said wash tub defining a wash zone;
a fresh water inlet; and
a recirculation system comprising;
a collection zone for receiving wash liquid from said wash zone and being spaced below said wash basket;
a pump having a suction inlet communicating via a first fluid conduit with said collection zone;
a recirculation nozzle selectively communicating with a discharge outlet of said pump via a second fluid conduit, said nozzle being positioned to direct wash fluid into said wash zone;
a mixing zone for receiving and storing a supply of detergent and fresh water, said mixing zone selectively communicating with said suction inlet via a third fluid conduit and selectively communicating with a discharge outlet of said pump via a fourth fluid conduit;
sensing means associated with said collection zone for sensing the presence of wash liquid within said collection zone; and
control means for admitting wash liquid to said wash zone in response to a predetermined condition of said sensing means.
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Abstract
An automatic washer having an improved recirculation system wherein wash liquid is collected in a sump and recirculated onto the clothes load in a first recirculation loop and wash liquid is recirculated from a mixing tank through conduits and a pump back to the mixing tank to effect thorough mixing of the wash liquid. The mixing tank can be selectively connected to the first recirculation loop to direct selected amounts of wash fluid into the wash load, and a sensor is provided to sense the amount of wash fluid in the sump to assure that a sufficient amount of wash fluid is being recirculated into the clothes load.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. An automatic washing machine comprising
an imperforate wash tub; -
a wash basket positioned within said wash tub defining a wash zone; a fresh water inlet; and a recirculation system comprising; a collection zone for receiving wash liquid from said wash zone and being spaced below said wash basket; a pump having a suction inlet communicating via a first fluid conduit with said collection zone; a recirculation nozzle selectively communicating with a discharge outlet of said pump via a second fluid conduit, said nozzle being positioned to direct wash fluid into said wash zone; a mixing zone for receiving and storing a supply of detergent and fresh water, said mixing zone selectively communicating with said suction inlet via a third fluid conduit and selectively communicating with a discharge outlet of said pump via a fourth fluid conduit; sensing means associated with said collection zone for sensing the presence of wash liquid within said collection zone; and control means for admitting wash liquid to said wash zone in response to a predetermined condition of said sensing means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A fluid recirculation system for an automatic washer comprising:
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a collection zone for wash liquid; a pump having a suction inlet communicating via a first fluid conduit with said collection zone; a recirculation nozzle selectively communicating with a discharge outlet of said pump via a second fluid conduit; a mixing zone for receiving a supply of detergent and fresh water, said mixing zone having an outlet selectively communicating with said suction inlet via a third fluid conduit and an inlet selectively communicating with a discharge outlet of said pump via a fourth fluid conduit; and sensing means associated with said collection zone for sensing the presence of wash liquid within said collection zone; and control means for admitting wash liquid to said wash zone in response to a predetermined condition of said sensing means. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. An automatic washing machine comprising
an imperforate wash tub; -
a wash basket positioned within said wash tub defining a wash zone; and a recirculation system having at least two recirculation loops comprising; a collection zone for wash liquid spaced below said wash basket and communicating with said wash zone; a pump having a suction inlet communicating via a first fluid conduit with said collection zone; a recirculation nozzle selectively communicating with a discharge outlet of said pump via a second fluid conduit, said nozzle being positioned to direct wash fluid into said wash zone; a mixing zone for receiving a supply of detergent and fresh water, said mixing zone selectively communicating with said suction inlet via a third fluid conduit and selectively communicating with a discharge outlet of said pump via a fourth fluid conduit; said collection zone, pump, recirculation nozzle and first and second fluid conduits comprising a first loop of said recirculation system passing through said wash zone, and said mixing zone, pump and third and fourth fluid conduits comprising a second loop of said recirculation system entirely outside of said wash zone. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification