US2975623A - Heating means for combination washer-dryer - Google Patents

Description

March 1961 R. EICHHORN ETAL 2,975,623

HEATING MEANS FOR COMBINATION WASHER-DRYER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 29, 1957 INVENTORS ROBERT L EICHHORN DON R. CRONK W ld huh,

ATTORNEYS March 21, 1961 R; EICHHORN EI'AL 2,975,623

HEATING MEANS FOR COMBINATION WASHER-DRYER Filed July 29, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 21, 1961 EICHHORN EI'AL 2,975,623

HEATING MEANS FOR COMBINATION WASHER-DRYER Filed July 29, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS ROBERT L. EICHHORN DON R. CRONK TTORNEYS United States atent HEATING MEANS FOR COMBINATION WASHER-DRYER Robert L. Eichhorn and Don R. Cronk, Benton Harbor, Mich., assignors to Whirlpool Corporation, St. Joseph,

Mich., a corporation of Delaware Filed July 29, 1957, Ser. No. 674,948

9 Claims. (CI. 68-12) The present invention relates to improvements in laundering machines and especially to automatic home laundering machines of the combination type wherein both laundering and drying are automatically completed within the same machine and the fabrics or clothes are subjected to a complete operation and are completely laundered and dried.

A laundering machine of the preferred type in which the present invention may be embodied includes a laundering cylinder or drum which defines a laundering zone therein in which the clothes are subjected to a washing and a drying action. The machine is preferably selfcontained and controlled by a pre-settable sequential time controlled device provided with cam controlled electrical switches for operating the various functional elements in their Proper sequence and for the desired length of time to complete the laundering operation.

In a machine of the type shown in the drawings to illustrate the invention, fabrics or clothes are subjected to a washing action within the laundering zone such as by rotating the drum at a tumbling speed and directing a stream of water against the fabrics therein with the fabrics tumbling and impacting against the solid nonliquid interior of the drum to aid in loosening the soils from the wetted fibers of the fabrics. The drum is perforated for the escape of washing liquid and beneath the drum is positioned a washing liquid tank with a drum wrapper furnishing sloping side walls of the tank.

A gas burner is located beneath the tank to heat the liquid therein and apply heat to the sloping walls leading to the tank. An air conduit means directs a flow of air along the combustion chamber, in which the burner is located, up through a, flue and into a transverse duct or heater box and then axially through the laundering drum and up axially across the top of the drum through a lint tube where a fan draws the air out of the machine. The flow of air is controlled by a damper in the lint tube so that a reduced flow of air will pass through the drum during the washing operation to aid in supporting combustion'and to heat the laundering zone for increasing the temperature of the stream of water and of the clothes as they are impacted against the inside of the drum. During the drying operation, an increased flow of air is passed through the drum for evaporating the moisture and drying the fabrics therein.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved laundering machine which is automatically operated by a pre-settable sequential time control and which automatically performs both a laundering and a drying operation performing both operations in an improved manner.

Another Object of the invention is to provide improved apparatus for laundering fabrics in a laundering zone wherein the fabrics are subjected to a stream of liquid and are impacted against a non-liquid surface in a laundering zone in which the air is heated to a temperature greater than the washing liquid.

Another object of the invention is to provide a launder- 2,975,623 Patented Mar. 21, 1961 ing machine in which a continual flow of heated air passes through the laundering zone during the washing operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide an im- I proved arrangement for heating laundering liquid to be applied to fabrics in a laundering zone and wherein the liquid can escape from the laundering Zone and is rapidly heated as it escapes.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved heating means for washing liquid and wherein a single heating means serves to heat the washing fluid both directly and indirectly and wherein the same heating means is used for heating drying air during the drying portion of the laundering operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a laundering machine utilizing a flow of heated air wherein an improved flow path for the heated air is defined through the machine.

A still further object' of the invention is to provide an improved laundering machine for laundering fabrics wherein a flow of heated air is utilized during both washing and drying operation and wherein an improved means flow is employed during a washing period of operation.

Other objects and advantages will become more apparent throughout the teachings of the principles of the invention in connection with the disclosure of the preferred embodiment in the specification, claim-sand drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a laundering machine shown somewhat diagrammatically and with the cabinet removed from the machine to generally illustrate the location of the combustion chamber and the path of flow of air through the machine;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view shown somewhat diagrammatically and illustrating the machine of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the laundry machine with a front inspection panel of the cabinet removed to illustrate the mechanism within the cabinet, the drawing showing only the lower part of the machine;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the laundry machine with the portions of the cabinet and other elements removed for clarity illustrating the combustion 'zone of the machine;

Figure 5 is a rear elevational view of a machine with the cabinet and other elements broken away or removed to better show the details of construction of the rear end; and V Figure 6 is an enlarged detailed elevational view of a damper for controlling the-flow of air through a lint tube on the machine. I

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate somewhat diagrammatically the overall arrangement of the machine elements and show the location of many of the salient elements which embody the principles of the invention. The machine includes a cabinet 19 which normally surrounds the working parts of the machine, but which is broken away for clarity of the drawing. Rotatably supported within the cabinet for rotation about a horizontal axis is a laundering cylinder ordrum 12 which defines alaundering zone 14 therein in which the washing and drying functions are performed. Although other forms of laundering apparatus may be employed, thelaundering drum 12 is rotated throughout the laundering and drying operation at a tumbling speed, being driven by a pulley lfi secured to its supportingshaft 18. Of course, the drum rotates at centrifuging speed during fluid extraction.

As will be further described in connection with the drawings which show greater detail of the structure in Figures 4, 5, and 6, the drum is perforated for the escape of washing liquid and the liquid precipitates downwardly to be captured in aliquid tank 20 which is positioned directly below thedrum 12 and which has a wrap-aroundbottom 22 that extends upwardly inangular sides 24 and '25 to receive the washing liquid.

The liquid in thetank 20 is heated by aburner 26 located in acombustion zone 28. This burner forms a unit heat supply for heating the liquid in thetank 20, for heating the air which is passed through thelaundering zone 14 during the washing operation, and for heating the air which passes through thelaundering zone 14 during the drying operation.

For these operations, the air is directed through an air conduit means defining a path of flow for optimum laundering results. The path includes the combustion chamber 23 with the air entering the front of the machine where the burner is mounted. The air flows axially to the back of the machine, reverses itself and again flows axially through thelaundering zone 14, and again reverses itself to flow axially along thelint tube 30 to the back of the machine where it enters thefan scroll 32 and is discharged through thedischarge opening 34.

Two stages of air flow are utilized by the machine as controlled by aflow control damper 36 mounted in thelint tube 30.

As to the more specific details of construction, thecabinet 10, as shown in Figures 3, 4 and is supported at its four corners byfeet 38, 40, 42 and 44, which may be adjustable in order to level the cabinet. As illustrated in Figure 5, the horizontal drum orcylinder 12 is supported onvertical supports 45 and 47 at the rear of the machine carrying across beam 49 in which is carried a bearing for rotationally journalling theshaft 18 supporting the drum.

According to the operation of the preferred embodiment, the drum is rotated at a speed throughout the washing operation whereby the articles will fall to im pact against the inside of the cylinder. Thedrum driving pulley 16 is driven by a V-belt 46 passing over the V-pulley 16. Thebelt 46 is driven by a V-pulley 48 secured to an idler shaft '50. The idler shaft is driven by adriving pulley 52, with thepulleys 43 and 52 being secured to the shaft so as to rotate with each other.

The driving pulley'52 is driven by abelt 54 which in turn passes over and is driven by anoutput pulley 56 of a variable spede controllingpulley assembly 58. The input pulley of the assembly ispulley 60 which is driven by abelt 62 passing over adrive pulley 64 of adrive motor 66. The speedcontrol pulley assembly 58 has acentral shaft 68, the position of which controls the drive ratio through the pulley assembly in order to eventually control the speed of rotation of thelaundering drum 12.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, within thefan scroll 32 is afan 70 mounted on a rotatably supported shaft '72. The shaft andfan 70 are driven by apulley 74 which is driven 'by abelt 76, as illustrated in Fig. 5. Abelt tightening pulley 78 is used to maintain the proper driving tension of thebelt 76. The belt is driven by apulley 80 mounted on a drive shaft 82 of themotor 66.

The aforedescribed mechanism will rotate thedrum 16 at the correct speeds during the washing and the air drying operation. With the use of thevariable speed control 58, the drum may be rotated at higher speeds at the end of a washing operation for spin-drying the fabrics therein to centrifugally extract the washing or the rinse liquid in preparation for the air drying operation.

The Washing operation within the laundering zone is preferably performed by directing a stream of water against the fabrics therein by a nozzle 84 (Figure 3) supplied with washing liquid under force through a washingliquid line 86. Liquid is supplied by a pump P shown diagrammatically and connected to thetank 20. As thedrum 12 rotates, the stream or spray of washing liquid issuing from thenozzle 84 engages the fabrics t w he fibers and loosen the soil particles. As the drum continues to rotate and carry the fabrics upwardly, with the drum rotating in the direction indicated by an arrow 88, the fabrics will tumble downwardly to impact against the solid non-liquid inner surface of thedrum 12. Inasmuch as thedrum 12 is perforated, and the liquid level in thetank 20 is maintained beneath the drum, there will be a solid surface for impacting the clothes. This impacting will flex the fibers aiding in loosening the soils therefrom for an improved laundering operation. Thenozzle 84 will be located at one end of the drum to be directed across the drum to engage the fabrics therein. In accordance with the present invention, the air in thelaundering zone 14 within thedrum 12 is at a temperature greater than the washing liquid and will flow relatively slowly axially through the drum. This air is heated by theburner 26 which is also provided for heating the washing liquid in thetank 20 and for heating the air used for drying the fabrics within thelaundering zone 14.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, the burner is preferably fired with a combustible gas which is admitted to the machine through asupply pipe 90. The gas, after entering the machine, flows through a main shut-offvalve 92 and thereafter flows through a pressure-regulatingvalve 94. Flowing across the front of the machine, through apipe 96, the gas next enters an automaticgas control valve 98 which is opened to regulate the flow of gas in accordance with the operation of a presettabletime control switch 100, shown schematically in Fig. 1. The sequential time control switch preferably operates to rotate a plurality of cams at a uniform speed to sequentially operate switches connected to control the operating elements of the machine. One of the switches will be devoted to controlling a circuit connected to leads 102 (Figure 3) of thegas valve 98. The valve is also controlled by a temperatureresponsive thermostat 87 which is located behind tank plate and is responsive to the temperature of the washing liquid within the tank 219. Thegas valve 98 may also be operated to be responsive to an air temperature responsive thermostat shown schematically at 104 (Figure l.) exposed to the air passing by thegas valve 98 andburner 26.

Thus, theburner 26 is supplied with a combustible fuel and is ignited at aburner end 108 to heat the gases that fiow through thecombustion chamber 28. The air flowing through the combustion chamber enters at a front end 112a of the chamber and flows axially rearwardly to leave through anopening 112!) at the rear end of the chamber. Positioned to project vertically upwardly at the rear of the chamber and at the front of the opening 112]) is a deflector plate orflame target 114, Figs. 1 and 4. Theflame target 114 concentrates the heat within thecombustion chamber 28 and prevents the direct flow of burning gases up through theflue 106 where they might enter thelaundering zone 14. Thecombustion chamber 28 is insulated on its outer side by insulated bottom andside walls 107 and 109, respectively.

Theburner 26, extending into thecombustion chamber 28, thus heats the washing liquid directly in thetank 20 and the tank bottom which is preferably of sheet metal, transmits heat so that the inclinedbottom sloping extensions 24 and 25 will also be heated. The bottom of the tank extends upwardly to be integral withvertical side walls 110 and 111 and with theinclined walls 24 and 25. These complete the tank wrapper which extends along the bottom and upwardly along the sides of the cylindrical drum. Tank end walls, shovm generally at 115 and 117 in Figure 1, extend across the end of the wrap-around tank to prevent the escape of washing liquid. Thus, during operation of the laundering machine, when a stream of water is being directed against the fabrics in the drum '12, the water escapes downwardly through theperforated drum 12 passing into thetank 20 and spraying through the opening of th'e'drum against theheated walls 24, 25, 110 and 111 of the wrap-around tank. This increases the speed and effectiveness of heating the liquid.

In a domestic laundry machine, such as the type shown, the liquid commonly used is water with a soap or detergent used in the water during the laundering operation, and with a clear water used during rinsing operations. Water can be admitted cold to the machine to be heated in thetank 20, but preferably is admitted hot from a household hot water supply line and the temperature is increased to an optimum laundering temperature, as determined by thethermostat 87, which controls the operation of theburner 26.

The air passing through the machine flows axially through thecombustion zone 28 out through theopening 112b at the back of the zone, up through theflue 106 and into a heater box ortransverse duct 116 which is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 as rectangular in shape and extending across the rear of the machine.

As illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 5, theflue 106 is rectangular in cross section and passes air through anopening 118 into the heater box. The air flows across the heater box to its opposite end where it is provided with arectangular opening 120 through which it discharges heated air into thelaundering zone 14. The air passes through aback end wall 121 of thedrum 12, which may have an annular arrangement of enlarged perforations for the free passage of air at the radius which is aligned with theopening 120.

The air then flows axially through the laundering zone "14 following the path indicated by the articulated arrows-122.

The forward end of the drum is flared outwardly at 124 to form anopening 126 for loading and removing the fabrics or clothes being laundered. The outwardly flaredportion 124 is surrounded by anannular ring 130 which leads into an inwardly tapered perforated wall 132 of annular shape through which the air flows as it leaves thelaundering zone 14. Facing the wall 132 is animperforate wall 134 which faces the front of the machine and surrounds theopening 126 through which access to the drum is afforded.

Thus, perforated .wall 132 andimperforate wall 134 with anoutside wall 135 define an annularair flow channel 136 through which the air passes; upwardly into theduct 138 to flow rearwardly through thelint tube 30.

The air is drawn through the lint tube by thefan 70 which is located at the rear end of the machine and draws the air through the air flow system to discharge into thedischarge opening 34.

The flow of air through the air conduit means which defines the aforedescribed path of air flow, moves at two levels. The first level is a relatively low rate of air flow that occurs during the washing operation. The second level is an increased full rate of flow which occurs during the air drying operation. The flow in the present instance, is controlled by aflow damper 36, shown schematically in Fig. 1, and shown in detail in Fig. 6.

Thedamper plate 36 is mounted ontrunnions 140 and 142, which are pivotally mounted at the sides of thelint tube 30. Thedamper 36 is shown in its closed position in Fig. 6, which will be referred to as a first position and is the position which it assumes during the washing period. The damper is made so as to be somewhat smaller than the cross section of thetube 30 to provide anair flow space 144 between the outer edge of the damper and the inner surface of the tube. The air flow quantity is such to allow sufiicient air for proper combustion of the gases in thecombustion zone 28, but to prevent a cooling ofi of theliquid tank 20 and thecombustion chamber 28 during the washing period.

The flow of air, however, maintains an increased temperature in thelaundering zone 14 and causes the stream of water fromnozzle 84 to flow through the increased temperature and the fabrics to tumble through the in creased temperature as they are impacted on the solid inner surface of thedrum 12.

Thedamper 36 is pivoted upwardly to a substantially horizontal position to fully open thelint tube 30 in its second drying position. The damper is moved to this second position during the drying period for the machine. To pivot the damper, therod 146 which forms the tru-nnions and 142 is bent at right angles to form anarm 148 at the end oftrunnion 142. To this arm is connecetd atension spring 150 which continually urges thedamper 36 to open position. Acore 152 of an electrically energizable solenoid "154 is connected to anextension ann 156 connected to thetrunion arm 148. When the solenoid is energized, the core withdraws into the solenoid to pull downwardly on thetrunion arm 148 and move thedamper 36 to closed position. When the solenoid is deenergized, thespring 150 takes over and pulls the damper to open position. Thus, with failure of electrical circuit, the damper will move to open position.

The solenoid haselectrical leads 158 which are connected to a switch in the presettable sequential time control mechanism 160 to cause thedamper 36 to be operated at the proper time during the sequence of operations that complete the cycle of operation of the machine.

In operation, fabrics, usually in the form-of clothes to belaundered, .are placed within thedrum 12 through theopening 126 into thelaundering zone 14. Thedrum 12 rotates at a slow speed while a stream of water is directed against the fabrics by anozzle 84, Fig. 3. The clothes are carried upwardly with the drum and drop down to be imp-acted against the rigid non-liquid inner surface of the drum for the washing operation.

During the washing operation, theburner 26 is heating the .water in thetank 20 which is pumped up to thenozzle 84 through aline 86 by the pump P which withdraws water from thetank 20.

' In addition to heating the water in the tank, theburner 26 heats the air which flows through thecombustion zone 28, up theflue 106, through the transverse duct orheater box 116 and axially through thelaundering zone 14, up theduct 138 at the front end of the machine rearwardly through thelint tube 30. The flow of air through this air path is controlled by theair flow damper 36, which reduces the flow of air to a level to prevent cooling the water of thetank 20 but to utilize the heat of the burned gases for heating the stream of water and the fabrics as they are impacted, during the washing oper-. ation. During the drying operation, thedamper 36 is opened for a full flow of air to utilize the heated gases for drying of the fabrics.

Thus, it will be seen that we have provided an improved combination washing and drying machine which meets the objectives hereinbefore set forth. The apparatus of the invention is well adapted to use in a combination machine automatically controlled by a presettable sequential time control device. The machine is illustrated as being well suited to use as a domestic automatic laundry machine and can be operated bythe housewife through a complete cycle of operations without attention. The clothes will be placed in the machine and the time control operator started and the machine will automatically progress through its functions, stopping itself when the clothes have been completely laundered and are dry.

The features of the machine of the invention enable controlling the temperature of the washing fluid and obtaining an optimum operating temperature for an improved washing operation. Also, the utilization of the hot burned gases which are originally used for heating the water in the tank effect an economy in that the gases are passed through the laundering zone and are used for heating the sprayed stream' of water and the clothes during their impacted treatment. The path of gas flow is such that maximum amount of heat is received from the gases and retained within the cabinet before the gases are discharged to atmosphere. Further, a single heating means is utilized for the various heating functions,

We have, in the drawings and specification, presented a detailed disclosure of the preferred embodiments of our invention, but it is to be understood that we do not intend to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed and intend to cover all modifications, changes and alternative constructions falling within the scope of the principles taught by our invention.-

We claim as our invention:

1. A combination laundry machine for washing and drying operations comprising a chamber defining a laundering zone wherein articles may be subjected to a washing operation during a first operational period and subjected to a drying operation during a second operational period, an air conduit means defining a path of air flow through the laundering zone, flow control means for controlling the flow of air through the conduit means and operative to selectively create a first reduced flow quantity during the washing operation and a second increased flow quantity during the drying operation, a heater associated with the air conduit for increasing the temperature of air flowing through said zone, and a presettable sequential time control means determining the cycle of operation of the machine and operatively connected to the flow control means and causing the first flow quantity to be moved through the laundering zone during the washing period and the second fiow quantity during the drying period.

2. A laundering machine for washing articles comprising a washing and drying chamber wherein articles may be subjected to a laundering operation, a liquid container for washing liquid to be applied to the articles during laundering, means defining a combustion zone, a burner located in the combustion zone in heat-transferring relationship to the liquid container, conduit means defining a continuously open air flow path through the combustion zone and through the washing and drying chamber, and a fan positioned to move air through the combustion zone, conduit means and washing and drying chamber to aid in supporting combustion to heat the liquid for laundering, and whereby the heated air will transfer heat to the liquid and the articles in the washing and drying chamber during the washing of the articles and to said articles during the drying thereof.

3. In combination in a laundering machine or the like, a container defining a treating zone wherein articles are subjected to a flow of hot gas during washing and drying operations performed therein, a continuously open conduit means defining a flow path through the treating zone, a heater positioned to increase the temperature of the air flowing through the conduit means, means forcing air through the conduit means, and a time operated valve in the conduit means movable between a second position wherein a substantial flow of air is obtained during the drying operation and a first position wherein a reduced flow is obtained but the conduit is not completely closed whereby air flow through the container continues during the washing operation.

4. A combination laundry machine for washing and drying operations comprising a chamber defining a laundering zone wherein articles may be subjected to a washing operation during a first operational period and subjected to a drying operation during a second operational period, a continuously open air conduit means defining a path of air flow through the laundering zone,

a damper in the air conduit movable between a second position wherein a large flow volume is obtained during the drying operation and a first position wherein a reduced flow is obtained during the washing operation whereby the temperatures of the washing fluid and articles are increased, a heater associated with the air conduit for increasing the temperature of air flowing through said zone, and control means operative in accordance with the duration of the washing and drying operations to move the damper to the first position during washing operations and to the second position during drying operations.

5. A laundering machine for washing articles comprising a washing chamber wherein articles may be subjected to a laundering operation, a liquid container for washing liquid to be applied to the articles during laundering, means for directing a stream of liquid from the liquid container into the washing chamber during a washing period with the stream being terminated during a drying period, air conduit and blower means connected to drive heated air through the washing chamber during the laundering period, flow control means in the conduit having a first operating condition wherein the flow through the conduit is limited during the washing period and a second operating condition wherein an increased how is obtained during the drying period, a heater positioned to heat the air flowing through the conduit means, and sequential control means placing the flow control means in the first operating condition during the laundering period to increase the temperature of the washing fluid and the articles being laundered and in the second operating condition during the drying period.

6. A combination laundry machine for washing and drying articles comprising a laundering chamber defining a laundering zone therein where articles are subjected to a washing operation by a washing fluid during a first operational period and subjected to a drying operation during a second operational period, an air conduit means connected to define a flow path of air through the laundering zone, a flow controlling air valve means in the conduit operable between a first position wherein the flow of air is restricted but the conduit means is not completely closed during the washing operation and a second position wherein the conduit means is opened during the drying operation, an electrically controlled motor means connected to the air valve operative to control the position of the air valve, a heater positioned to increase the temperature of the air flowing through the air conduit means, and a presettable sequential time control operatively connected to the motor means whereby the air valve will be moved to the first position during the first washing operational period whereby the how of air through the machine will be limited and the temperature of the washing fluid and articles is increased and to second position during the second drying operational period whereby an increased fiow of air will be permitted.

7. A combination laundry machine for washing and drying fabric articles comprising in combination a cabinet for enclosing operating mechanism, a rotatable horizontal drum within the cabinet having draining perforations in the outer wall and having openings at the ends for the flow of air, a tank positioned beneath the drum to contain laundering liquid beneath and out of contact with the drum, said tank having a bottom extending upwardly and outwardly below the drum whereby liquid precipitating downwardly from the drum is received by the tank bottom, a gas burner positioned in a combustion zone within the cabinet beneath the tank bottom to heat the liquid in the tank and heat said bottom, a first conduit means extending upwardly within the cabinet from the combustion zone to conduct air upwardly from beneath the tank into a first open end of the drum, a second conduit means positioned at the second open end of the drum and directing a flow of air from inside of the drum upwardly above the drum, a third conduit means leading along the top of the drum from the second end to the first end, an air flow control damper in the third conduit and movable between a first position wherein the flow of air through said conduits is reduced during the washing operation and a second position wherein the flow through said conduits is increased during the drying operation, means for continually moving the air through said conduits during both the Washing and drying operations, nozzle means positioned to direct a stream of water against articles being washed within said drum during a washing period wherein washing liquid engages the articles during a washing operation and drains downwardly through said drum draining perforations with heated air passing through the moist fabric articles, said stream being terminated during a drying period, and means for positioning said damper in said first position during said washing period and for positioning the damper in said second position during said drying period.

8. A laundering machine for washing and drying fabric articles comprising in combination a cabinet for a housing operating mechanism, a horizontal drum supported within the cabinet and having perforations in the outer surface with an opening in the front end of the drum for loading the drum with articles to be washed and an airreceiving opening in the rear end of the drum, means for driving the drum in rotation, a tank positioned within the cabinet below the drum and having a wrap-around bottom containing liquid beneath the drum and extending upwardly beneath the sides of the drum to catch liquid discharged through the perforations in the drum, a gas burner positioned in a combustion zone beneath the tank within the cabinet, a first conduit extending upward at the rear of the cabinet from the combustion zone into the rear opening in the drum, a second conduit extending upwardly from the front end of the drum to the top of the cabinet, means defining air fiowopenings around the front drum opening, collecting means directing air from said opening to said second conduit, a third conduit extending along the top oftthe cabinet and connected to receive air from the second conduit, a fan at the rear of the cabinet connected to the third conduit to draw air through said conduits and through said combustion zone and said drum during both the washing and drying operations, a damper within said third conduit movable between a first position of reduced air flow during washing and a second position of increased flow dur- 10 ing drying, means for moving the damper into the first position during a washing operation and into the second position during a drying operation, and nozzle means positioned to spray a stream of water against the articles being laundered within the tub during the washing operation.

9. A combination laundry machine for washing and drying clothes comprising means defining a laundering zone in which articles are laundered, a container for washing liquid, means for applying the liquid from said container to the articles in the laundering zone during a washing period and continually draining the liquid from the articles during the washing period, means for generating thermal energy, means for applying a first quantity of thermal energy to said container during the Washing period to increase the temperature of the liquid therein, means for applying a second quantity of thermal energy from said generating means directly to said articles in said laundering zone to increase the temperature of said articles, and means for applying a third quantity of said thermal energy from said means directly to the articles during a drying period, said third quantity being larger than said second quantity.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,234,498 Seymour July 24, 1917 1,799,649 Schenck Apr. 7, 1931 2,193,495 Rolkern Mar. 12, 1940 2,307,254 Bassett Ian. 5, 1943 2,468,550 Fruth Apr. 26, 1949 2,777,313 Dodge Jan. 15, 1957 2,797,567 Heien July 2, 1957 2,827,783 I-Iandley Mar. 25, 1958 2,834,405 Voorheis May 13, 1958 2,839,128 Schweitzer June 17, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 277,957 Switzerland Dec. 17, 1951 471,211 Great Britain Aug. 31, 1937 580,319 France Aug. 28, 1924 761,989 Great Britain Nov. 21, 1956 1,137,092 France Jan. 7, 1957

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