Total sensing combination washer-dryer

Claim 2

In a laundry apparatus, a semielectronic control system for directing the apparatus through a sequence of laundering operations performed during a sequence of discreet steps, the control system comprising: a. a plurality of electromechanical components for actuating various machine functions, b. multiposition switch means connected with the components for energizing one or more of the components during each of the sequence of discreet steps, c. a plurality of condition sensing means connected with said switch means for successive actuation thereby, d. sensor means located within the apparatus and connected with the plurality of condition sensing means for sensing conditions indicating the desirability of advancing from one of the sequential steps to a subsequent one, and e. actuating means connected with the condition sensing means for advancing the switch means to successive positions in response to signals produced by the condition sensing means.

Claim 3

In a laundry apparatus as defined in claim 1 and further including a tub for containing liquid in which fabrics are immersed during one of the laundering operations, inlet means for admitting liquid to the tub prior to said one laundering operation and drain means for expelling liquid from the tub following said one laundering operation; the sensor means further including first and second electrode means associated with the inlet means and the drain means respectively for sensing the conductivity of liquid passing therethrough, the first and second electrode means connected to one of said plurality of condition sensing means whereby said one laundering operation is terminated by advancement of the switch means when said first and second electrodes sense the conductivity of liquids passing through the inlet and drain means to be substantially equal.

Claim 4

In a laundry apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the inlet means includes a chamber for retaining a sample of liquid added to the tub prior to said one laundry operation and the drain means includes a conduit through which liquid passes following said one laundry operation, the first electrode means comprises first pair of conductors, electrically isolated from each other, mounted in the chamber to be immersed in the liquid sample retained therein and the second electrode means comprises a second pair of conductOrs, electrically isolated from each other, mounted in the conduit to be immersed in liquid passing therethrough.

Claim 5

In a laundry apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said one of said plurality of condition sensing means includes an electrical bridge circuit and the first and second electrode means comprise first and second adjacent legs of the bridge circuit.

Claim 6

In a laundry apparatus as defined in claim 1 and further including a drum for tumbling fabrics during one of the laundering operations and suction means associated with the drum for removing moisture from fabrics by drawing air therethrough at relatively high velocity during said one laundering operation; the sensor means including electrode means associated with the suction means for sensing the water vapor content of the air passing through said suction means, the electrode means connected with one of the plurality of condition sensing means whereby said one laundry operation is terminated by advancement of the switch means when the water vapor content of air sensed by the electrode means drops below a predetermined level.

Claim 7

In a laundry apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein the drum has an annular perforate area formed therein, the suction means includes a nozzle located adjacent said perforate area to draw air therethrough and the electrode means comprises a pair of conductors, electrically isolated from each other, mounted in said nozzle whereby the electrical resistance between said pair of electrodes is dependent on the water vapor content of air passing through said nozzle.

Claim 8

In a laundry apparatus as defined in claim 5, said one of the plurality of condition sensing means comprising: a. semiconductor means capable of assuming opposite conductive states having a control lead and first and second power leads, said electrode means connected between the control and first power leads whereby the conductive state of the semiconductor means varies in proportion to the water vapor content of air passing through the suction means, b. amplifier means connected with said second power lead of the semiconductor means whereby the output of the amplifier is proportional to the conductive state of the semiconductor means and, c. a pulse generator connected with the amplifier means and controlled therefrom whereby a pulse is generated in response to a predetermined level of output from the amplifier.

Claim 9

In a sequentially operated laundry apparatus having a control circuit and having a tub for containing liquid in which fabrics are immersed during at least one laundering operation, inlet means for admitting liquid to the tub prior to said one laundering operation and drain means for conducting liquid from the tub following said one laundering operation to a suitable drain; said control circuit including a purge control circuit comprising: a. electrically controlled diverter means connected with the inlet means and having first and second outlet ports communicating with the tub and the drain means respectively, the diverter means capable in a first energized state of directing liquid from the inlet means to the first outlet port and in a second energized state of directing liquid from the inlet means to the second outlet port; b. condition responsive circuitry connected with the diverter means for switching the diverter means between said first and second energized states and for interrupting the sequential operation of said laundry apparatus when said diverter means is in said second energized state; c. temperature responsive means associated with the inlet means for sensing the temperature of liquid passing therethrough and connected with the condition responsive circuitry whereby said diverter means is transferred from said second to said first energized state when liquid passing through the inlet means attains a predetermined temperature.

Claim 10

In a sequentially operated laundry apparatus having a control circuit and having a tub for containing liquid in which fabrics are immersed during at least one laundering operation, inlet means for admitting liquid to the tub prior to said one laundering operation and drain means for conducting liquid from the tub following said one laundering operation to a suitable drain; said control circuit including a purge control circuit comprising: a. electrically controlled diverter means connected with the inlet means and having first and second outlet ports communicating with the tub and the drain means respectively, the diverter means capable in a first energized state of directing liquid from the inlet means to the first outlet port and in a second energized state of directing liquid from the inlet means to the second outlet port; b. condition responsive circuitry connected with the diverter means for switching the diverter means between said first and second energized states and for interrupting the sequential operation of said laundry apparatus when said diverter means is in said second energized state; c. temperature responsive means associated with the inlet means for sensing the temperature of liquid passing therethrough and connected with the condition responsive circuitry whereby said diverter means is transferred from said second to said first energized state when liquid passing through the inlet means attains a predetermined temperature.

Claim 11

In a laundry apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein the inlet means comprises a water conduit and the temperature responsive meAns is a thermistor disposed within said conduit.