US2911511A - Hot water heater - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 3, 1959 E. P. MEGARRY 2,911,511

HOT WATER HEATER Filed Sept. 11, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet. 1

Edward R Megarry IN V EN TOR.

' WW 3M Nov. 3, 1959 E. P. MEGARRY 2,911,511

HOT WATER HEATER Filed Sept. ll,v 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.3

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cu/Wavy 29-Ma United States Patent I HOT WATER HEATER Edward P. Megarry, West Bro'okfield, Mass. Application September 11, 1957, Serial No. 683,380

Claims. (Cl. 219-38) This invention relates to an attachment for or an integral part of a washing'machine for enabling the washing machineto operate effectively without attachment to a source of hot Water.

Presently available automatic washing machines have connections for both hot and cold water, the presumption having been that anyone having need or use for an automatic washing machine would have the necessary hot water to with the cold water or to be used exclusive of cold water during at least parts of the cycle of washing operation. In many instances, an automatic washing machine would be used if there were an available source of hot water. Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide either an attachment for an existing washing machine or providing as an integral part of a washing machine means by which the hot water supply is formed and maintained until used by the washing machine operator.

Another object of this invention is to provide a hot water reservoir in or in conjunction with a washing machine, means for heating the water that is in the reservoir or for preheating the water prior to its storage in the reservoir, the hot water being useful during the washing cycle of an automatic washing machine. This hot water reservoir can store water to take the place of the domestic hot water supply or can be used as an auxiliary supply should the domestic system be inadequate to replenish the supply as it is used, should the domestic supply be temporarily out of order or should a particular washing load require water that is hotter than that supplied by the domestic system.

One of the important features of our invention is that it is capable of being practiced with a minimum of structure and with very little alteration in the existing manufacturers make of automatic washing machines. For this reason the invention is practical as an attachment for a washing machine as well as practical for the original installation in the production of washing machines.

Not only does this invention solve abasic deficiency problem Where there is no hot water available or where the hot water supply is insufficient, the invention serves another end and that is to make a washing machine far more versatile and salable. It is within the purview of the invention to provide a control, such as a push button, switch, etc. which will discharge a quantity of hot water whose temperature is'in excess of the available supply, so that the housewife for a given load of laundry or for a given part of the cycle of a washing operation, may add a charge of this super hot water.

This use of the invention has considerable appeal during the later parts of the washing cycle when the detergent or soap suds have lost their vitality and can be at least visually enhanced by the elevation of the water temperature. Often,-such enhancing is accompanied by improved washing action.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent intollowing the description of the illustrated form of the invention.

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Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a part of a washing machine constructed to practice the invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 22 of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is an elevational view of a washing machine with parts broken away to show the invention thereon.

In the accompanying drawing there is a fragmentary part of an automatic washing machine 1 which has been altered to conform to the principles of the invention. The washing machine has an ordinary casing 2, electric wire by which to connect to a source of electrical potential and a hot and cold water mixing valve 10 with couplings 12 and 14 whose ordinary function is to connect to a domestic cold and hot water supply respectively. The outlet pipe 16 extending from the mixing valve 10 operatively connects with the washing machine washing zone 4 to apply water for the washing, rinse, etc. parts of the cycle when demanded by the washing machine mechanism (unshown). Pump 17 in pipe 16 is optional or may schematically represent the washing machine pump. The demands are transmitted in the form of electrical impulses through wiring 18 associated with the mixing valve 10. The mixing valve in most washing machines is a solenoid operated valve.

In the embodiment of Figure 1 pipe lines 20 and 22, flexible or inflexible, are connected to a Y or a T 23 whence connection is made to the cold water supply of the dwelling, store or other place where the washing machine is being used. Valve 24 is in pipe 26 to control the flow of water into the chamber 26 enclosed by housing 28. Chamber 26 has a movable wall, for example diaphragm 30, extending across it, and separating a switch compartment 32 from the remainder of the chamher. The diaphragm has rod 34 secured to it for movement in response to deflection of the diaphragm. Switch contacts 35 and 36 are attached to a cross member 38 of insulating material and secured to the rod 34. The contacts 35 and 36 bridge the pairs of contacts 3?, 40 and 41, 42 that are carried by insulating supports 44 and 46 in casing 28. Electrical cord represented by electric wires 48 and .49, of the washing machine, branched from. the Wiring of the washing machine and is connected to the pair 39, 49of contacts. Switch 50 is in one side of the electrical supply line. This represents a separate switch for controlling the energization of the switch of Figure 2 or represents the main switch of the washing machine so that each time that the washing machine mechanism is energized for commencing a washing cycle, the circuit (Figure 2) is capable of being energized. Electric wires 56 and 57 extend from the pair of contacts 41, 42 and are connected to the three submersion heaters 58, 59 and 60. The wires 56 and 57 are used to energize these heaters when switch 62 constituted by the previously described contacts, demands heat.

The three submersion heaters are in jackets 63, 64 and 65, respectively. Each of the jackets is formed by an individual casing with jackets 63 and 64 connected by an upper transverse water conductor 66 and the lower ends of jackets 65 and 64 connected by a lower water conductor 67. Pipe 68 extends from chamber 26 and connects with the lower end of jacket 63 in order to supply water from the pipe 20 to the jackets thataccommodate the heaters. Pipe 69 extends from the upper extremity of jacket 65 and connects to the lower end of a hot water reservoir 70 that is formed by a tank 72. Check valve 74 which is pressure closed and gravity opened, is in tank .72. An outlet pipe 76 extends from an outlet in tank 72 and is connected with the hot water connector 14 of the mixing valve 10.

The operation of the illustrated form of the invention is as follows. Cold water is fed to the chamber 26 through valve 24 and simultaneously fed to the normally Patented Nov. 3, 1959- closed mixing valve 10. When the washing machine cycle is commenced, the Washing machine demands both cold and hot water in quantities which will vary in accordance with the temperature control of the automatic Washing machine. Since no domestic hot water is available or if available, it is not desired to be used, hot water is drawn from the reservoir 70. The hot water is conducted by pipe 76 to the mixing valve for mixture with the cold water entering the valve 10 by pipe 22. Thereafter the mixture of hot and cold water or of only cold or of onlyhot water passes through pipe 16 and into the wash ing zone.

The water in reservoir 70 is heated by passing through the jackets 63, 64 and 65' and being in the presence of the energized electric heaters 58, 59 and 60. After heating the Water it is passed by pipe 63 into the reservoir 70. When pressure builds up in reservoir 70, the valve 74 is closed and the entire system of reservoir, jackets and chamber 26 are pressurized. When the pressure in chamber 26 which is in substantial equilibrium with the pressure of chamber 70, reaches a high enough level to flex diaphragm 30 sufliciently to open switch 62, the circuit having the heaters or heating elements 53, 59 and 60, is opened so that the water will not be overheated beyond a predetermined heat level.

It is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination, a washing machine that has a mixwater connection and cold water supply means of a washing machine, an attachment comprising a jacket within which water is adapted to be heated, means connected with said jacket and the hot water connection of said mixing valve to deliver heated water to said mixing valve, means including a conductor of water connected with the means to supply the mixing valve with cold water for delivering cold water to said jacket to be subsequently heated and supplied to said mixing valve, said heating means including an electrical circuit and a submersible heating element in said circuit, and a pressure operated switch constituting a part of said circuit and responsive to the pressure generated in said jacket for operating said switch.

3. In a washing machine that has a mixing valve provided with a hot water inlet and a cold water inlet, a hot water reservoir, a conductor extending from the reservoir to the hot water inlet of said mixing valve, a water conductor extending from said cold waterinlet of said mixing valve and adapted to connect with an external source of cold water, a pipe extending from said cold water conductor, a water chamber into which said pipe opens, a heater, a jacket within which said heater is disposed and in registry with said chamber, means connecting said jacket with said reservoir so that a portion of the cold water from the cold water source flows into said chamber for flow into said jacket wherein it is heated and subsequently delivered to said reservoir until'sup plied to said mixing valve, a movable wall constituting a part of said chamber, said heater being electrically operative, a control switch actuated by said movable wall and operatively connected with the latter so that said switch is actuated in response to pressure in said chamber that is sensed by said movable wall.

4. The washing machine of claim 1 wherein said means connecting said reservoir with said hot water connection of said mixing valve include a casing, and-said electric heating means include an electric heater disposed in saidv casing.

5. The washing machine of claim l'wherein said means connecting said reservoir with said hot water connection of said mixing valve include a plurality of casings which are connected in communication with each other, and said electric heating means comprise an electric heater in each of said casings.

References Cited in the file of thispatent UNITED STATES PATENTS 861,811 Condon July 30, 1907 942,874 Stevens Dec. 7, 1909 1,889,747 Gallagher Dec. 6, 1932 2,434,928 Hill Jan. 27, 1948 2,514,050 Grebe July '4, 1950 2,694,768 Stiebel Nov. 16, 1954: 2,775,259 Stiebel Dec. 25, 1956.

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