US3610271A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid level control
Assignee: Whirlpool Corp
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Filing: 1970-04-15
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Granted: 1971-10-05
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Expires: 1990-04-15
Abstract
Abstract A variable liquid level control apparatus for a liquid receiving device such as a dishwasher, laundry appliance or the like in which the flow of liquid into a liquid-receiving chamber is terminated by a float with the float having a plurality of buoyant compartments and a device for closing at least one of these compartments, as desired, to increase the buoyancy of the float with the resulting lowering of the terminating level of the liquid. Thus with all compartments closed the float has greater buoyancy with the result that only a relatively small amount of liquid is admitted to the liquid-receiving chamber while when at least one compartment is open to receive liquid from the chamber the buoyancy is reduced so that a larger amount of liquid is admitted before the float terminates the supplying of the liquid.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilbur W Jarvis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:40
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K33/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7287; Y10T137/7358; Y10T137/7368; Y10T137/7413; Y10T137/7423
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A variable liquid level control apparatus for a liquidreceiving device, comprising: a liquid-receiving chamber; means for initiating and terminating the supplying of liquid to said chamber; a float device means buoyed up by liquid in said chamber to terminate said supplying at a terminating liquid level in said chamber corresponding to a desired volume of liquid, said float device means having a plurality of float compartments therein; and means for selectively closing one said compartment to the liquid in said chamber, thereby increasing the buoyancy of the float device means and lowering said terminating level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
A variable liquid level control apparatus for a liquidreceiving device, comprising: a liquid-receiving chamber; means for initiating and terminating the supplying of liquid to said chamber; a float device means buoyed up by liquid in said chamber to terminate said supplying at a terminating liquid level in said chamber corresponding to a desired volume of liquid, said float device means having a plurality of float compartments therein; and means for selectively closing one said compartment to the liquid in said chamber, thereby increasing the buoyancy of the float device means and lowering said terminating level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein there are provided a pair of said compartments with said one compartment being at a higher level than the other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for closing comprises a movable cover on said one compartment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said liquid-receiving chamber contains liquid projecting means for providing a flow of projected liquid into the chamber and said float device means is in the path of said projected liquid to receive said projected liquid in the one compartment when it is open.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said liquid-containing device comprises a dishwasher having spray means as a part of the washing apparatus comprising said liquid-projecting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said float device means comprises a float mounted for substantially vertical movement on a guide member, said plurality of compartments are located at different levels with the more elevated compartment having a bottom wall, and there is provided a drainage opening means in said wall for draining liquid therefrom.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said elevated compartment is provided with a movable cover for selectively exposing it to receive liquid from said chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said liquid-receiving chamber contains liquid-projecting means for providing a flow of projected liquid into the chamber and said float device means is in the path of said projected liquid to receive said projected liquid in the one compartment when it is open, and wherein said liquid-containing device comprises a dishwasher having spray means as a part of the washing apparatus comprising said liquid-projecting means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-04 | 1975-04-05 | 1975-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-04 | 1979-04-05 | 1979-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-04 | 1983-04-05 | 1983-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |