US3633622A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Valve mechanism for dishwasher
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1970-09-03
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Granted: 1972-01-11
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Expires: 1990-09-03
Abstract
Abstract In a pump housing having a valve for controlling the flow of pressurized fluid therethrough, a valve element is pivotally mounted in the housing, adjacent the outlet, for pivotal movement within the housing between a first position opening the outlet and a second position closing the outlet. At an intermediate position, between the first and second positions, the valve element is poised to be responsive to fluid flow through the housing whereby the valve element is caused to move to the second position in response to pressure of fluid flowing through the housing. The valve mechanism also includes a first biasing means that urges the valve element toward its normal first position, a second biasing means adapted to urge the valve element from the first position to the intermediate position, and releasable holding means that normally acts to prevent the second biasing means from moving the valve element to the intermediate position until the latching means is actuated to release the second biasing means. The releasable latching means is preferably a bimetallic electric resistance element that responds thermally and deflectively contracts to thereby release the second biasing means.
Inventors
- 👤 Bobby J Ralston
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:24
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47L; A47L15/00; A47L15/42; A47L15/4214; A47L15/4225; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86493; Y10T137/86847
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A valve for a fluid pump in which an outlet of the pump is closed in response to fluid pressure against a pivotal valve element, including: a. means for holding the valve element in a first normally open position out of the flow path of the pumped fluid, b. a drive plate movable to overcome the holding means and thereby move the valve element into the path of the pumped fluid, c. biasing means for so moving the drive plate, d. means for normally latching the drive plate whereby it is prevented from being moved by the biasing means, and e. means for releasing the latching means at a predetermined time whereby the drive plate will so move in response to the biasing means that it extends across the path of the pumped fluid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A valve for a fluid pump in which an outlet of the pump is closed in response to fluid pressure against a pivotal valve element, including: a. means for holding the valve element in a first normally open position out of the flow path of the pumped fluid, b. a drive plate movable to overcome the holding means and thereby move the valve element into the path of the pumped fluid, c. biasing means for so moving the drive plate, d. means for normally latching the drive plate whereby it is prevented from being moved by the biasing means, and e. means for releasing the latching means at a predetermined time whereby the drive plate will so move in response to the biasing means that it extends across the path of the pumped fluid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said latching means includes an electrical current-responsive element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said latching means includes a thermally responsive element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention of claim 1 further comprising a second outlet in said housing adjacent said first mentioned outlet, and said valve element being operative to close off said second outlet when in said first position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
164 words
In a pump for use in an automatic dishwasher: a. a pump housing, b. at least first and second outlets in said housing, c. a valve element adapted to be pivotal between a first position and a second position whereby it closes one of said outlets when in said first position and closes the other of said outlets when in said second position, d. a first spring normally biasing said valve element toward said second position, e. one of said outlets being positioned relative to the flow of fluid through said housing so that the fluid tends to urge said valve element fully into said second position, f. a second spring adapted to urge said valve element to said first position when the flow of fluid urging said valve element to said second position diminishes below a predetermined magnitude, g. releasable latching means normally preventing said valve element from being urged away from said first position, and h. means for releasing said latching means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
164 words
In a pump for use in an automatic dishwasher: a. a pump housing, b. at least first and second outlets in said housing, c. a valve element adapted to be pivotal between a first position and a second position whereby it closes one of said outlets when in said first position and closes the other of said outlets when in said second position, d. a first spring normally biasing said valve element toward said second position, e. one of said outlets being positioned relative to the flow of fluid through said housing so that the fluid tends to urge said valve element fully into said second position, f. a second spring adapted to urge said valve element to said first position when the flow of fluid urging said valve element to said second position diminishes below a predetermined magnitude, g. releasable latching means normally preventing said valve element from being urged away from said first position, and h. means for releasing said latching means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein said releasable latching means includes an electrical current responsive element.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2788190A
Cited
US3498327A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-10 | 1975-07-12 | 1976-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-10 | 1979-07-12 | 1980-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-10 | 1983-07-12 | 1984-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |