Pressure compensating timed fluid fill system

Claim 2

A pressure compensating timed fluid fill system comprising an electrically actuated inlet valve controlling flow of fluid under pressure between a source and a receptacle being filled; means actuating said valve between open and closed positions; fluid pressure responsive means receiving pressure fluid when said inlet valve is open; a timer motor and electrical circuitry controlling the energization of said electrically actuated inlet valve; a movable electric switch contact secured to said fluid pressure responsive means; switch means responsive to the position of said movable contact controlling the energization of said timer motor; and an electrical source connected to said circuitry whereby the period of time said inlet valve remains open is determined by the position of said movable contact relative to said switch means, the movable contact being positioned in response to the inlet fluid pressure applied to said fluid pressure responsive means automatically controlling said timer as a function of the fluid inlet pressure thereby assuring complete filling of the receptacle regardless of variations in inlet fluid pressure.

Claim 3

A pressure compensating timed fluid fill system comprising an electrically actuated inlet valve controlling flow of fluid under pressure between a source and a receptacle being filled; means actuating said valve between open and closed positions; fluid pressure responsive means receiving pressure fluid when said inlet valve is open; a movable electric switch contact secured to said fluid pressure responsive means; a switch drum having a predetermined pattern of conductive material on the outer surface thereof; said movable switch contact being in continuous engagement with the outer drum surface; a drive motor rotating said switch drum; and a timer motor and electrical circuitry connecting said switch drum and said movable contact, and said electrically actuated inlet valve; and an electrical source whereby the period of time said inlet valve remains opened is determined by the position of said movable contact upon the conductive material of said switch drum, the movable contact being positioned in response to the inlet flUid pressure applied to said fluid pressure responsive means so that the circuitry to the timer motor is automatically controlled as a function of the inlet fluid pressure thereby assuring complete filling of the receptacle regardless of variations in inlet fluid pressures.

Claim 4

A pressure compensating timed fluid fill system comprising an electrically actuated inlet valve controlling flow of fluid under pressure between a source and a receptacle being filled; means actuating said valve between open and closed positions; fluid pressure responsive means receiving pressure fluid when said inlet valve is open; a movable electric switch contact secured to said fluid pressure responsive means; a switch drum having a predetermined pattern of conductive material on the outer surface thereof; said movable switch contact being in continuous engagement with the outer drum surface; a drive motor rotating said switch drum; and a timer motor and electrical circuitry connecting said switch drum and said movable contact, and said electrically actuated inlet valve; and an electrical source whereby the period of time said inlet valve remains opened is determined by the position of said movable contact upon the conductive material of said switch drum, the movable contact being positioned in response to the inlet flUid pressure applied to said fluid pressure responsive means so that the circuitry to the timer motor is automatically controlled as a function of the inlet fluid pressure thereby assuring complete filling of the receptacle regardless of variations in inlet fluid pressures.

Claim 5

A pressure compensating timed fluid fill system comprising a solenoid actuated inlet valve controlling flow of fluid under pressure between a source and a receptacle being filled; a bellows member; a rigid arm secured to said bellows; a movable switch contact secured to said rigid arm; a conduit connected downstream of said inlet valve supplying pressure fluid to said bellows; a switch drum; a predetermined pattern of conductive material secured to the outer surface of said switch drum; a drive motor continuously rotating said switch drum; said movable contact being continuously biased into engagement with the outer surface of said switch drum and engaging varying portions of said conductive material depending upon the position of said movable contact axially of said drum; a timer motor controlling a predetermined operational cycle; and electrical circuitry connecting said timer motor in circuit with said switch drum, said movable contact, and said solenoid valve, whereby said timer motor is energized in accordance with the axial position of said movable contact upon the outer surface of said drum thereby precisely regulating the time said valve is open in accordance with the inlet pressure sensed by said bellows.

Claim 6

A pressure compensating timed fluid fill system comprising a solenoid actuated inlet valve controlling flow of fluid under pressure between a source and a receptacle being filled; a bellows member; a rigid arm secured to said bellows; a movable switch contact secured to said rigid arm; a conduit connected downstream of said inlet valve supplying pressure fluid to said bellows; a switch drum; a predetermined pattern of conductive material secured to the outer surface of said switch drum; a drive motor continuously rotating said switch drum; said movable contact being continuously biased into engagement with the outer surface of said switch drum and engaging varying portions of said conductive material depending upon the position of said movable contact axially of said drum; a timer motor controlling a predetermined operational cycle; and electrical circuitry connecting said timer motor in circuit with said switch drum, said movable contact, and said solenoid valve, whereby said timer motor is energized in accordance with the axial position of said movable contact upon the outer surface of said drum thereby precisely regulating the time said valve is open in accordance with the inlet pressure sensed by said bellows.

Claim 7

In a washing machine appliance a pressure compensating timed filled system comprising a solenoid actuated inlet valve controlling inlet flow of water into said washing machine; a conduit connected downstream of said inlet valve; a bellows member; said conduit connecting with said bellows and supplying inlet water pressure thereto; a rigid arm secured to said bellows; a movable contact secured to said rigid arm; a switch drum having a predetermined pattern of conductive material on the outer surface thereof; said movable contact being continuously biased into engagement with the outer surface of said switch drum; an electrical drive motor continually rotating said switch drum when said appliance is in operation; a timer motor regulating the washing cycle of said appliance; and electrical circuitry connecting said timer motor in circuit with said switch drum, said movable contact, and said solenoid valve whereby said timer motor is energized in accordance with inlet water pressure as determined by the position of said movable contact upon said switch drum surface and said predetermined pattern of conductive material thereby assuring complete filling of the washing machine prior to initiation of a washing cycle.

Claim 8

In a washing machine appliance a pressure compensating timed filled system comprising a solenoid actuated inlet valve controlling inlet flow of water into said washing machine; a conduit connected downstream of said inlet valve; a bellows member; said conduit connecting with said bellows and supplying inlet water pressure thereto; a rigid arm secured to said bellows; a movable contact secured to said rigid arm; a switch drum having a predetermined pattern of conductive material on the outer surface thereof; said movable contact being continuously biased into engagement with the outer surface of said switch drum; an electrical drive motor continually rotating said switch drum when said appliance is in operation; a timer motor regulating the washing cycle of said appliance; and electrical circuitry connecting said timer motor in circuit with said switch drum, said movable contact, and said solenoid valve whereby said timer motor is energized in accordance with inlet water pressure as determined by the position of said movable contact upon said switch drum surface and said predetermined pattern of conductive material thereby assuring complete filling of the washing machine prior to initiation of a washing cycle.

Claim 9

A pressure compensating timed fluid fill system comprising an electrically actuated inlet valve controlling flow of fluid under pressure between a source and a receptacle being filled; means actuating said valve between open and closed positions; a cycle timer motor connected in electrical circuitry with and controlling the energization of said electrically actuated inlet valve; and a pressure responsive motor driven percentage timer receiving inlet fluid pressure when said inlet valve is open; said percentage timer regulating the time of energization of said cycle timer motor in response to inlet fluid pressure thereby providing a predetermined quantity of fluid in the receptacle.

Claim 10

A pressure compensating timed fluid fill system comprising an electrically actuated inlet valve controlling flow of fluid under pressure between a source and a receptacle being filled; means actuating said valve between open and closed positions; a cycle timer motor connected in electrical circuitry with and controlling the energization of said electrically actuated inlet valve; and a pressure responsive motor driven percentage timer receiving inlet fluid pressure when said inlet valve is open; said percentage timer regulating the time of energization of said cycle timer motor in response to inlet fluid pressure thereby providing a predetermined quantity of fluid in the receptacle.