Whirlpool Corporation

Donald E Knoop

Stephen W Paddock

Edward H Getz

David Wayne Mundy

Clarence C Clarke

Rodney F Seeland

A liquid control system is provided for an automatic washer which responds to a user's input of fabric type to introduce into the tub of the washer an optimum volume of liquid to wash a clothes load in the tub based on sensed pressure wave changes as the tub is filled and agitated simultaneously.

Pressure sensing automatic water level control

An automatic temperature control for automatic washers is provided which minimizes the cycling of the water inlet valves to a maximum of two cycles each during the fill process. A predetermined volume of water from a first inlet line is admitted for measuring the temperature and flow rate and then that flow is terminated while a second predetermined volume of water from a second inlet line is admitted for measuring that temperature and flow rate. Then the amount of each of the two inlet streams is calculated so that a final preselected water level will be attained at a preselected temperature.

Automatic temperature control for automatic washers

A liquid control system is provided for an automatic washer which responds to a user's inputs of fabric type, desired temperature and additives required, to introduce into the tub of the washer an optimum volume of liquid to wash a clothes load in the tub, the average temperature of the liquid introduced to the tub being adjusted to compensate for the thermal effects of the tub. The selected additives are dispensed in a diluted form in the proper amounts during the filling operation.

Automatic liquid control system for a clothes washing machine

A refrigerator includes a compressor, an evaporator fan, a condensor fan and a defrost heater which are controlled by a defrost control system. The control senses the number and duration of freezer and fresh food compartment openings, the duration of the previous defrost operation, and the total accumulated compressor run time since the previous defrosting operation. A stored count is decremented by weighting functions which are adaptably varied in accordance with the number and duration of compartment door openings and the duration of the previous defrosting operation. When the stored count is decremented to zero, the defrosting operation may be initiated, unless inhibited. The defrosting operation is inhibited if the total accumulated compressor run time is less than a predetermined amount. The control is reset to a point just short of a defrosting operation if a power outage occurs.

Adaptive defrost control system

To determine whether a motor is operative, where visual inspection of rotation is impossible or difficult, the motor is energized by connection to an AC source for a short interval to bring the motor to running speed. After lapse of the short interval the AC source is disconnected and the motor coasts to a stop. An AC detector determines that AC power has been terminated and closes a switch to connect a voltage detector to a memory. The voltage detector amplifies a residual EMF field generated while the motor is acting as a generator due to the presence of a residual magnetic field produced in the rotor during prior energization. The detected voltage sets the memory which energizes a motor rotation indicator.

Growing community of inventors

Royalton Township, Berrien County, MI, United States of America

Donald E Knoop