GB447359A - Improved means for braking the rotary drums of washing and dyeing machines - Google Patents

Abstract

Control of the valves of a washing or dyeing machine in predetermined sequence is effected by piston-and-cylinder mechanism operated through fluid-pressure admitted by valves which are electrically operated under the control of a rotary time-driven member. Each machine valve requiring operation is mechanically connected to the piston rods of two cylinders, one of which opens and the other closes the valve and the circuit to the electrical means operating the valves supplying the fluid pressure to the cylinders is maintained only sufficiently long to open or close the machine valve, the latter remaining in the position set by one cylinder until it is operated in the reverse direction by the other cylinder. Alternatively, each pair of piston and cylinder mechanisms may be replaced by one double-acting piston and cylinder. In Fig. 1, the pistons 13<1>, 15<1> working in the cylinders 14<1>, 16<1> respectively open and close the hot water supply valve 6<1>; similar cylinders 20, 21 operate the discharge valve 8 and other pairs of cylinders, not shown, operate the other liquid and detergent valves. The opening and closing of the door 2 of the casing 1 may be similarly controlled, a double-acting cylinder 24 being shown for this purpose and a latching mechanism for stopping the rotary washing-cylinder in a predetermined position may also be operated in this way. A small motor for " inching " the rotary cylinder may also be clutched to the driving gear for the rotary cylinder under a similar control. The latching mechanism comprises an arm 67 secured to a piston 68 reciprocated in a cylinder <PICT:0447359/IV/1> <PICT:0447359/IV/2> <PICT:0447359/IV/3> under the control of valves operated by the time member. The arm is projected into the path of a V-shaped member 65 formed on one end of the cylinder after the power has been cut off to stop the p machine approximately in the required position, the arm co-operating with the V-member to stop it exactly in the required position. The cylinders 14<1>, 16<1> are connected by pipes 47, 49 to the valves 29, 30, shown in Fig. 2, so that as fluid pressure is supplied to one cylinder the other is opened to exhaust. As many valves as there are single acting cylinders are provided and two valves are provided for each double acting cylinder. The pipes 47, 49 lead to radial passages 38 which communicate with other radial passages 39 communicating by pipes 48, 50 with radial passages in the associated valve, the latter passages communicating with exhaust through points 40 when the valve stems 37 are raised to bring annular grooves 37<a> thereon into register with the exhaust ports 40 and the pipes 48, 50. Fluid pressure is supplied through the pipes 28 into a chamber 34 having a normally closed ball valve 35 which is raised off its seat by the energization of an electromagnet 41, 42 associated with each valve and operating an armature 45 which engages the valve stem. (The electromagnets M, M<1> are those associated with other valves arranged behind the valves 29, 30 and controlling some of the other piston and cylinder mechanisms). The energization of the magnets is controlled by constantly rotating discs having contacts adjustably secured to their peripheries, the contacts bridging stationary contacts at the appropriate times. Each disc preferably carries two contacts, one lying to each side of the disc, so that each disc corresponds to the opening and closing of one of the machine valves. The control valves may be completely enclosed and the lower ends thereof and of the magnets may be immersed in an oil bath.