US4782544A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Water extraction method and control for automatic washer
Assignee: Whirlpool Corp
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Filing: 1987-04-16
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Granted: 1988-11-08
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Expires: 2007-04-16
Abstract
Abstract A method and control for an automatic washer is provided in which moisture extraction from a fabric load is controlled by extracting the moisture at increasingly faster levels of basket rotation. Initially the basket is rotated relatively slowly and it is subsequently rotated at successively faster speed levels, each increase occurring after substantially all of the moisture has been removed which is removable at a given speed level. Inertia of the fabric load is measured to determine the amount of incremental moisture removal. Use of such a method substantially reduces the force applied to the fabric load during the centrifugal extraction resulting in less wrinkling of the fabrics.
Inventors
- 👤 Arne M. Nystuen
- 👤 David W. Mundy
- 👤 John M. Kuss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:41
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06F; D06F34/00; D06F34/14; D06F34/18; D06F33/00; D06F33/30; D06F33/32; D06F33/40; D06F2103/00; D06F2103/02; D06F2103/08; D06F2103/18; D06F2103/24; D06F2103/38; D06F2105/00; D06F2105/46; D06F2105/48; D06F37/00; D06F37/30; D06F37/304
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of extracting moisture from a fabric load in an automatic washer which has a rotatable wash basket comprising the steps: rotating said basket at a first, low rotational speed level until all of the moisture removable at that rotational speed level has been removed; increasing the rotational speed of the basket to a next, higher rotational speed level until all of the moisture removable at that rotational speed level has been removed; and repeating the prior step until a desired degree moisture removal has occurred.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of extracting moisture from a fabric load in an automatic washer which has a rotatable wash basket comprising the steps: rotating said basket at a first, low rotational speed level until all of the moisture removable at that rotational speed level has been removed; increasing the rotational speed of the basket to a next, higher rotational speed level until all of the moisture removable at that rotational speed level has been removed; and repeating the prior step until a desired degree moisture removal has occurred.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein a periodic sensing of incremental moisture removal is performed at each speed level to determine when all moisture removable at that speed level has been removed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein at each speed level said basket is repeatedly accelerated between a low limit speed and a high limit speed, the times for such accelerations measured and successive times compared to determine the incremental amount of moisture removal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein an electric motor is utilized to rotate said basket and a constant torque is applied to said basket by said motor during each acceleration at each speed level.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein the increasing of rotational speed to a next, higher level occurs when the difference of two successive acceleration times is within a predetermined range.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein said times for acceleration are measured by resetting a timer at an initiation of each acceleration and reading said timer at a termination of each acceleration.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of extracting moisture from a fabric load in an automatic washer which has a rotatable wash basket comprising the steps: initially rotating said basket at a low spin speed level to begin removal of said moisture at said low speed level; periodically sensing the amount of moisture removed; incrementally increasing the speed of rotation of said basket to effectuate additional moisture removal from said fabric load until a predetermined condition determined from the measurement of removed moisture has occurred.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of extracting moisture from a fabric load in an automatic washer which has a rotatable wash basket comprising the steps: initially rotating said basket at a low spin speed level to begin removal of said moisture at said low speed level; periodically sensing the amount of moisture removed; incrementally increasing the speed of rotation of said basket to effectuate additional moisture removal from said fabric load until a predetermined condition determined from the measurement of removed moisture has occurred.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 7, wherein said basket is rotated at a plurality of defined speed levels, said basket rotational speed being incrementally increased between said defined levels.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein said basket rotational speed is maintained at a given defined level until virtually all moisture removable at said defined level has been removed and then said rotational speed is incremented to a next higher defined level.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 9, wherein a periodic sensing of incremental moisture removal is performed at each speed level to determine when all moisture removable at that speed level has been removed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein at each speed level said basket is repeatedly accelerated between a low limit speed and a high limit speed, the times for such accelerations measured as successive times compared to determine the incremented amount of moisture removal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 11, wherein a constant torque is applied to said basket during each acceleration at each speed level.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 7, wherein said rotational speed is slowly and continuously increased such that most of the moisture initially in said fabric load is removed prior to said basket achieving a maximum rotational speed.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of extracting moisture from a fabric load in an automatic washer which has a rotatable wash basket comprising the steps: spinning said basket and periodically sensing the incremental amount of moisture removed; and terminating said spinning when said sensed incremental amount of moisture removed falls below a predetermined value.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of extracting moisture from a fabric load in an automatic washer which has a rotatable wash basket comprising the steps: spinning said basket and periodically sensing the incremental amount of moisture removed; and terminating said spinning when said sensed incremental amount of moisture removed falls below a predetermined value.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 14, wherein said periodic sensing is performed by repeatedly accelerating said basket between a low limit speed and a high limit speed, measuring the time required for such accelerations and comparing successive required times to determine the incremental amount of moisture removed.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 15, wherein a constant torque is applied to said basket during each acceleration at each speed level.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method according to claim 14, including the steps of increasing basket rotational speeds incrementally to a predetermined maximum speed, said incremental increases occurring when said sensed incremental amount of moisture removed falls below a predetermined value, and said termination of spinning occurring when said predetermined value is sensed at said maximum speed.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of extracting moisture from a fabric load in an automatic washer which has a rotatable wash basket comprising the steps: (1) accelerating said basket from a low limit speed to a high limit speed, (2) measuring the time required for said acceleration, (3) decelerating said basket to said low limit speed, (4) repeating steps 1 and 2, and (5) comparing successive acceleration time to determine the extent of moisture extraction from said fabric load.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of extracting moisture from a fabric load in an automatic washer which has a rotatable wash basket comprising the steps: (1) accelerating said basket from a low limit speed to a high limit speed, (2) measuring the time required for said acceleration, (3) decelerating said basket to said low limit speed, (4) repeating steps 1 and 2, and (5) comparing successive acceleration time to determine the extent of moisture extraction from said fabric load.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 18, including the steps of repeatedly increasing both the low limit speed and high limit speed incrementally when successive acceleration times are substantially equal and repeating steps 1 through 5 until a maximum high limit speed has been reached.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 19, including the step of terminating the rotation of said basket when successive acceleration times are sensed to be substantially equal at said maximum high limit speed.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 18, wherein said step of measuring the time required for said acceleration comprises resetting a timer at an initiation of each acceleration and reading said times at a termination of each acceleration.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
112 words
A control for use in an automatic washer which has a rotatable wash basket driven by an electric motor comprising: means for energizing said motor to rotate said basket at a first low speed level; means for periodically sensing an incremental amount of moisture removed from a fabric load within said wash basket; means for repeatedly increasing the rotational speed of said basket to a next higher speed level upon the occurrence of sensing an incremental amount of removed moisture below a preselected amount; and means for terminating the rotation of said basket when said increment amount of removed moisture is below a preselected amount at a predetermined maximum rotational speed level.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
112 words
A control for use in an automatic washer which has a rotatable wash basket driven by an electric motor comprising: means for energizing said motor to rotate said basket at a first low speed level; means for periodically sensing an incremental amount of moisture removed from a fabric load within said wash basket; means for repeatedly increasing the rotational speed of said basket to a next higher speed level upon the occurrence of sensing an incremental amount of removed moisture below a preselected amount; and means for terminating the rotation of said basket when said increment amount of removed moisture is below a preselected amount at a predetermined maximum rotational speed level.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
57 words
A control according to claim 22, wherein said means for periodically sensing an incremental amount of removed moisture comprises means for alternately accelerating and decelerating said basket between a low limit speed and a high limit speed at each speed level, means for measuring the time required for each acceleration and means for comparing successive acceleration times.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
40 words
A control according to claim 22 wherein said means for periodically sensing an incremented amount of removed moisture comprises means for periodically measuring the combined rotational inertia of said wash basket and clothes load and means for comparing successive measurements.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
34 words
A control means according to claim 24 wherein said means for periodically measuring the combined rotational inertia comprises means for periodically accelerating said basket with a constant torque and means for measuring said acceleration.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
78 words
A control for use in an automatic washer which has a rotatable wash basket for receiving a fabric load driven by an electric motor comprising: means for energizing said motor to rotate said basket; means for alternately accelerating and decelerating said basket between a low limit speed and a high limit speed; means for measuring the time required for each acceleration; and means for comparing successive acceleration times; whereby, an incremental amount of moistured extracted can be determined.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
78 words
A control for use in an automatic washer which has a rotatable wash basket for receiving a fabric load driven by an electric motor comprising: means for energizing said motor to rotate said basket; means for alternately accelerating and decelerating said basket between a low limit speed and a high limit speed; means for measuring the time required for each acceleration; and means for comparing successive acceleration times; whereby, an incremental amount of moistured extracted can be determined.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
A control according to claim 26, including means for cumulating determined extracted moisture extraction amounts to determine total moisture extracted.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
A control according to claim 27, including means for terminating rotation of said wash basket upon said cumulated amount of extracted moisture reaching a predetermined level.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
A control according to claim 26, including means for terminating rotation of said wash basket upon said incremental amount of extracted moisture being below a predetermined level.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
32 words
A control according to claim 26, including means for incrementally increasing said low limit speed and said high limit speed upon said incremental amount of extracted moisture being below a predetermined level.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
23 words
A control according to claim 30 including means for applying a constant torque to said basket during acceleration from each low limit speed.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
89 words
A control for an automatic washer which has a rotatable wash basket for receiving a fabric load driven by an electric motor comprising: means for energizing said motor to rotate said basket at a first low speed level; means for periodically sensing the amount of moisture removed; and means for incrementally increasing the rotational speed of said basket until a predetermined condition determined from the measurement of removed moisture has occured; whereby, moisture will be removed from said basket at said low speed level and at subsequent higher levels.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
89 words
A control for an automatic washer which has a rotatable wash basket for receiving a fabric load driven by an electric motor comprising: means for energizing said motor to rotate said basket at a first low speed level; means for periodically sensing the amount of moisture removed; and means for incrementally increasing the rotational speed of said basket until a predetermined condition determined from the measurement of removed moisture has occured; whereby, moisture will be removed from said basket at said low speed level and at subsequent higher levels.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
25 words
A control according to claim 32, including means for maintaining rotation of said basket at a given speed level until a predetermined condition has occurred.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
A control according to claim 33, wherein said predetermined condition comprises removal of substantially all moisture removable at said speed level.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
70 words
A control for use in an automatic washer which has a rotatable wash basket driven by an electric motor, said control comprising: means for energizing said motor to rotate said basket; means for periodically sensing an incremental amount of moisture removed from a fabric load within said basket; and means for terminating said spinning when said sensed incremental amount of moisture removed from said fabric falls below a predetermined value.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
70 words
A control for use in an automatic washer which has a rotatable wash basket driven by an electric motor, said control comprising: means for energizing said motor to rotate said basket; means for periodically sensing an incremental amount of moisture removed from a fabric load within said basket; and means for terminating said spinning when said sensed incremental amount of moisture removed from said fabric falls below a predetermined value.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
53 words
A control according to claim 35, wherein said means for periodically sensing comprises means for repeatedly accelerating said basket between a low limit speed and a high limit speed, means for measuring the time required for such accelerations and means for comparing successive required times to determine the incremented amount of moisture removed.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
52 words
A control according to claim 35, including means for increasing basket rotational speeds incrementally to a predetermined maximum speed when said sensed incremental amount of moisture removed falls below a predetermined value, and said means for termination of spinning being effective only when said predetermined value is sensed at said maximum speed.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-11-08 | 1992-05-09 | 1992-11-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-08 | 1996-05-09 | 1996-11-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-08 | 2000-05-09 | 2000-11-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |