US2570437A - Drying tumbler having operation sequence controls - Google Patents

Description

H. c. ELLIS 2,570,437

DRYING TUMBLER HAVING OPERATION SEQUENCE CONTROLS 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 9, 1951 Filed OCL. 5, 1945 QOQO e b i ask! I m E r m L F H i i 1 i E i E i u :4- hjflwnza; Q J/zzeri? am/L',

Oct. 9, 1951 H. c. ELLIS 5 9 DRYING TUMBLER HAVING OPERATION SEQUENCE CONTROLS Filed Oct. 5, 1945 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 9, 1951 H. c. ELLIS 2,570,437

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DRYING TUMBLER HAVING OPERATION SEQUENCE CONTROLS Oct. 9, 1951 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Oct. 5, 1945 H. c. ELLIS 2,570,437

DRYING TUMBLER HAVING OPERATION SEQUENCE CONTROLS 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Oct. 9, 1951 Filed Oct. 5, 1945 W 5 iillu ha W HHHM l w I a. Q RN |ll.. U Z Q Z 0 2 0 7- H m QN MIT M Q W Oct. 9, 1951 H. c. ELLIS 2,570,437

DRYING TUMBLER HAVING OPERATION SEQUENCE CONTROLS Filed Oct. 5, 1945 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 f7d972707 fuz er Patented Oct. 9, 1951 DRYING TUMBLER- HAVING OPERATION SEQUENCE CONTROLS Hubert 0. Ellis, Evanston, Ill., assignor to The Ellis Drier Company, Chicago, Ill.

Application October 3, 1945, Serial him-619,948

This invention relates in general to a clothes drier and cooler of the reversing tumbler type which is set for periodic operation to automatically complete a cycle of movements and operations for receiving, drying, cooling, and opening the drier for discharging and recharging.

In removing the moisture content from clothes.

fabrics, and other materials in a dry tumbler of this type, it is desirable not only to insure that the apparatus is operated a suflicient time to thoroughly dry the material in the tumbler, but also to expedite the operation, it is necessary that the clothes or other materials be delivered at such a temperature that they may be freely handled in a relatively cool condition.

It is therefore an important object of the present invention to provide a drier of the clothes tumbler type having means for automatically controlling the application of heat for a predetermined period and then reducing the heat or applying a cooling so that the contents of the drier may be delivered in dried condition and at such a temperature that it may be freely handled without danger to the operator.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved means for circulating the heating and cooling medium within a drier, to regulate the heat and the time of applying it, to reduce the heat by tempering it, and to turn off the heat and apply a cooling medium. A further object of the invention is to provide means for collecting and removing lint from the heating and cooling circulating line, storing it within the drier casing for removing it from time to time.

A further object of the invention is to provide controlling means in connection with the drier for automatically operating the cylinder and fan motors in timed relation to the cycle of drying operations and opening and closing the charging door of the drier.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide improved means for raising or lowering the tumbler cylinder to bring it opposite the charging opening of the drier when the drier is stopped for unloading and recharging.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a combined electrical pneumatic and mechanical system of operation for opening and closing the charging door and moving the damper by pneumatic means, for controlling the operation of the electric motors for driving the tumbler cylinder in reverse directions, and for operating the air circulating fans, and also for operating various mechanical constructions such as a lint collector and discharger.

12 Claims. (CI. 34-45) Still a further object of the invention is to provide an improved system for controlling a drier having a predetermined cycle of operations, having safety switches, over load and low voltage relays, automatic door switches and signal lamps to indicate when one or both of the motors are runnmg.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dry tumbler which is generally of new and improved construction and is characterized by simplicity of design and operation as well as case and facility of assembly and use.

Other objects of the invention and various advantagesand characteristics of the present dry tumbling apparatus and system of operation will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features of construction and operation which are hereinafter described and more particularly defined by the claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification or disclosure and in which like letters and numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a dry tumbler in accordance with this invention, with a portion of the upper cover and casing broken away;

Figure 2 is an and elevation of the drier shown in Figure 1 at the driving end;

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the other end of the drier;

Figure 4 is a rear view with parts broken away to show the circulating fans. heat coils, and air ducts;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view of the drier; Figure 5A is a fragmentary detail showing a recirculating type of drier;

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating the damper operation;

Figure 7 is an enlarged view illustrating the damper adjustment and control;

Figure 8 is a detail plan view as taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 7;

Figures 9 and 10 are transverse and longitudinal sectional views respectively illustrating the lint collector and its drive;

Figure 11 is a view of the frontof the controller;

Figure 12 is a vertical sectional view of the controller showing one of the operating switches in elevation;

Figure 13 is another vertical sectional view through the controller showing some of the opcrating and indicating park therein in elevation;

HgureMisanelevationa-lviewwiththecontollercasinacover removcdshowinatheoperatingleversandthenormallyopenandnormaliy cloaedvalvemembersoperatedthereby;

HgurelSisascctionaldetailviewofthe charginsdoorsaietysw'itcmami murelflsawiringdiagramofthemotorcircuits andthecontrollins connections thereior in thecontrol boxaiso showing tically the air control lines for the door and damper 'l'hepresent inventionmaybe applied either to adrierottheoncethromhtypeasshownand described more particularly in this application withairdrawnmheateiclrculatedthroughthe hrmbler,andexpelled.asindicatedinl"lgure5. ortotherecircuiatinxtminwhichairdrawn into the casing is heated. and recirculated through the tumbler as many times as desired. aaindimtedbythestruchrreshowninfigureSA which is substituted for the once-through arrarmementshowninligure 5.

This invmtion covers a cycle of operations. Theelothcsorothermaterialtobedriedaredepositedinthedryereyiinderinwetordamp conditiomthecylinderissuiiicientiychargcdflhe doortheretoisckiscd,theoutsidedooroithe casingiscloseithedrivingmotoriorthetmnhler cylinderrnaythenbeoperatetheatedairhthen armliedforapredeterminedtimeaiterwhichit is automatically shut oil and relatively cold air iaadmittedsothat the contentso! thecylinderk cooiedsuiiicientlytopermithandllng. Thecylinderisstoppemthecasingcoverisraisedandfl theopeningofthecylinderisnotinregister withtheopeninginthecaslng.t cylindermay be movedstep by step in either direction to registerthedooropenings. Theeylinderdooristhen opened and the contents withdrawn and the cylindermaythenberechargedioranotheroperation.

Reierring now more particularly to the drawings,aperioratedtumblercyiinder Iiisrotatahly mounted at its ends in horlaontal position in a casinghavingacylindricalenclosingwallflwith anairinletopeningilatthetopandanairoutlet openingzlatthebottomoithecylmderextendinglengthwise thereof.

Atthetrontoithecasingisahingeddooreomprisingsectionsfl,hingedatthetoptotheupper portion of the casing and having a hinged lower portion 3| withanange ii at its loweredgeabutting a flange 31 projecting outwardly from the caslngatthebottom oi the door opening.

Inthe'tumbler cylinder liareanumberoi periorated flights 33 for causing a thorough intermingling and tumbling movement of the materials in the cylinder. Between adjacent flights aredoorsectionsil slidableingroove supportsliattheedgesthereofwiththeseetbns in different paths so that the sections 34 may be movedinoverlapping relationtoprovideanopeningadaptedtoregisterwiththedooropening in thecasing, whereby the contents 0! the cylindermaybeeasiiyremovedandanewcharge inserted.

Kxtendingimmthebackofthecaaingandover theinletopening 21 isahotair 8i and a cold air pasage 31 formed by an exterior caslngwaliilwhichmayhaveatwoparthinged. door I! normally closable over the H 1 but capable of being opened for access to the 1 mm?- Beparating the hot and cold passageways are supportimarmalieaehhavirmaboitflatmdingoppoaitelytheretrunwithvaiveflatcelland p w fl lmilthem aectitmaandtuniinztomtheplatuoutwardly agaimttheheadll atonemdandaiaatenim nutllattheothermd. withthia EEEEEE theheatingflwheretheairiahcated bythesteampipellbeforeitisintroducedinto theturnblereyiinder.

Inthelowerportionoitheeaaingandatone sideoitheairoutletflareexhamtianslLeach havinzacasingwithacentraiinletopening'll iorreceivingairiromwithinthecasinganddia- 'IScharxhx-iromaspoutlithrormhanopmirm in the casing, closed by a screen 80 and held in place by a clamping frame 8I.

Interposed between the air outlets 28 and the discharge fans TI is a lint removing device comprising an inner screen 82 semi-circular in form and of relatively fine mesh hacked and supported by an outer and stronger screen 83 of relatively coarse mesh. A partition 84 completes the closure of the space between the lint remover and the bottom of the casing so that all of the air and other material which passes through the tumbler cylinder and is withdrawn by the suction of the fan 1'! must pass through the lint screenings. The lint collects so rapidly that means must be provided for removing the accumulation or the efliciency of the air-flow will be greatly diminished. For this purpose a. brush-like wiper 85 is mounted on arms 86 secured to a longitudinally extending shaft 81 so that the rotation of the shaft will cause the wiper to engage its screen 82 collecting and discharging the lint from the bottom of the screen as the wiper is moved.

In order to effect this movement this shaft 81 projects through one end of the casing where a ratchet wheel 88 is secured to the shaft. A ratchet lever 89 is freely mounted on the shaft and has one arm which carries a spring pressed pawl 90 for engaging the ratchet wheel in one direction of movement. From the other arm of the lever a connecting rod 9I is pivoted on a shoulder screw 92 secured eccentrically to the end of a shaft 93 which supports the tumbler cylinder at this end. A fan motor 84 is preferably mounted at the outside of the casing and secured directly to a common shaft 95 for all of the fans within the casing. A cylinder motor 96 is also preferably supported at the outside of the casing and at the same end as the fan motor 94 and it is connected to the tumbler cylinder by reversing and reduction gearing 91 which is not shown in detail but is operative to drive the cylinder at a relatively slow speed such as thirty-six revolutions per minute, reversing its movement after about five or six movements in each direction. With this construction the eccentric connection of the lint remover will operate with a step by step motion regardless of the direction of rotation of the tumbler cylinder.

At each end of the casing is a door operating cylinder 98 having a pivot 99 at its lower end permitting the upper end to oscillate slightly and extending from the upper end of the cylinder is a piston rod I having a projecting door bracket IOI at its upper end adapted to engage in a recess I02 at the end of the door section 29 so that as the pistons arethrust upwardly the door is raised and as the pistons are pulled downwardly the door is closed.

Secured to the inside of the casing adjacent the lower edge of the door opening is a switch assembly I03 having a projecting movable part I04 adapted to be engaged by the lower door section 30 when the door is pulled downwardly by the door cylinders 99. When the door is open the switch is open, and when the door is closed the switch is closed thereby closing a circuit so that the cylinder motor may be started. This insures that the casing door is closed before the tumbler cylinder can be operated.

A control box I05 is mounted atv the motor end of the casing and comprises a front cover I 05 in which a drying timer I01 and a cooling timer I08 are mounted adjacent thetop having independent setting mechanisms I09 and H0 respec tively. In the cover are a number of openings through which controlling parts extend for operation or observation. These parts are as follows: The fan motor has a starting switch button I I I. a stop switch button I I2 and a fan indicating lamp II3; an inching switch has a starting button II4, an inch-up stopping button H5 and an inch-down stopping button II8; the cylinder motor has an indicating lamp III, a safety on and off switch button H8, and damper and door levers H9 and I extend through operating slots I2I and I22 respectively; visible and accessible through the front cover plate. Within the panel box I05 each of the operating levers IIS and I20 controls the operation of two valves one a normally open valve I23 and the other a normally closed valve I24, secured to a common mounting block I25 which is connected to a source of fluid pressure supply by a pipe I 28. Each lever, as H9, is mounted by a pivot I21 in a support I28 below the block I25 and has a projection I29 connected by a pivot I30 with the lower'end of a link I3I. One end of the pivot I30 projects laterally into the path of a movable armature I32 of a magnet I33 so that the lever can be moved freely upward in its slot I2I but when the magnet I33 is energized its armature will engage the arm I29 or the projecting portion of the pivot I30 which will push the lever H9 and its link connection I3I downwardly to the bottom of its slot. Extending laterally from the link near its upper end are bearing pins I34 which extend into slide bars I35 mounted in glide blocks I36 spaced apart to allow the link I3I to move therebetween, the glide bars having stems I31 extending upwardly into the normally open and normally closed valve blocks I23 and I24. The normally open and normally closed valves for the damper cylinder are connected by pipes I38 and I39 with opposite ends of the damper cylinder 66 and the normally open and normally closed valves of the door operating lever I20 are connected by pipe connections I and HI with the opposite ends of the door cylinders 98.

Each of these normally open and normally closed valves has a connection through pipe I28 (Figure 12) to the source of fluid pressure supply, a pipe connection to one end of the cylinder to which it relates, an exhaust pipe I42, and valve means (not shown, within the valve) actuated by the movement of the operating levers. When pressure is admitted through the normally closed valve to one end of a door cylinder, the other end of the cylinder is connected to exhaust through the normally open valve, and this connection is reversed through the valves for actuating the door cylinder reversely.

Lint removed from screen 82 by wiper 85 collects in a pile 23 at the bottom of the casing. Lint removal doors 24 are hinged at their tops at the front of the casing and tend to swing to closed position. A door may be opened without stopping the cylinder 25 or fans I1 and the lint raked or otherwise removed therefrom, the doors swinging closed by their weight and additionally closed by the suction within the casing.

In a recirculating type of drier, the essential drying, lint removing, and controlling parts are the same, but as shown more particularly by Figure 5A, there is an air inlet opening 15a in the rear wall of the drier casing communicating with the interior of the casing, provided with a screen 7 15a and a closable door 80a. Extending from the fan 11 is a discharge spout 19a which communicates with the bottom of the heating passageway 35 and forces air therethrough which is drawn into the face through its inlet opening 15, from the bottom of the casing.

Instead of providing a discharge opening through the casing for the fan discharge spout, a closure Ia is applied to the opening over which the screen 55 extends as shown in Figure 5, thus making it possible to utilize the same casing for both types of driers. In the recirculating type, air is drawn in through the door 50a which may swing freely inward or may be fastened in closed position, the air being continuously recirculated through the heating chamber, the tumbler, and through the lint removing device. The air thus reused is continuously heated and requires less heat from the heating coils than where fresh air is drawn continuously from the outside of the easing circulated through the drier and then expelled therefrom by the fan.

In both forms of driers, the operation of the tumbler, the lint removing device and the controlling mechanism is the same.

- .In operation, the drying timer I01 is first set for the desired drying time and the cooling timer I55 includes the time covered by the drying timer I51 plus the time for the cooling timer. These timers are spring operated and have normally open and normally closed switches for automatically controlling the operation of the hot and cold air double valve or damper in accordance with the times for which the timers are set.

. To start the tumbler cylinder motor and assuming that the cylinder doors are closed but that the casing doors are open, the door closing lever I25 is raised which admits fluid under pressure to the door cylinder 55 for closing the door. This closes the door interlock switch I55 shown in Figure I5 which allows electrical connections to be made through the driving and other motors. Control switch I I5 is turned to the "on position and by pressing cylinder start button H4, a control circuit is closed for operating the main line switches to admit current to operate the cylinder motor. This also releases the motor brakes and starts the timer motor which energizes the forward and reverse contactors to alternate the reverse driving mechanism approximately six times per minute.

To start the fan motor, press the fan start button III which is maintained normally in closed position for continuously actuating the fan motors. In the normal cycle of operations, the movement of the tumbler cylinder is continued for the drying time, then the valve or damper is changed'reducing the heat applied to the drying cylinder and applying cold air thereto for a predetermined time, after which the tumbler cylinder is stopped and the casing door is automatically opened. To stop the tumbler cylinder at any time for emergency or other reasons, it is necessary only to operate the cylinder and fan stop buttons H5 and III respectively. If it is necessary to raise or lower the tumbler cylinder to make it register with the casing door opening, the cylinder start button H4 is pressed and to inch the cylinder up or down, the buttons H5 and I I6 are operated as required. This will position the door of the tumbler cylinder to register with the open door of the casing so that dried and cooled material may be easily removed from the tumbler cylinder, and the tumbler cylinder recharged with the same or other material as desired.

In carrying out the cycle of operations, the cylinder motor 95 is represented in the diagram, Figure 16, as a three-phase motor having current supply mains I55, I5I and I52 with a fused knife switch I55 for connecting them respectively to main conductors I54, I55 and I55, in which are circuit breaker switches I51 controlled by an electrical switch maintaining device I55 having a normally open interlock I55 for controlling the opening and closing of these circuit breaker switches.

The cylinder motor 55 is connected for reverse rotation by switches I52 and I55 controlled by a reverse electrical switch device I54, and by conductors I60 and lil and connected between main conductor I54 and I55 having switches I52 and I53 and switches I55 and I55 controlled by a forward electrical switch device I51, the arrangement being such that when the forward device I61 is energized, switches I55 and I55 are closed and current is supplied to the cylinder motor 55 to cause its rotation in one direction, and when the other reverse switch device I55 is energized.

current is supplied to the cylinder motor to cause its rotation in the reverse direction of rotation. This reversal is controlled by a reversing timer I55 which alternately energizes the forward and reverse switch devices approximately six times per minute in the present invention.

The switch I55 is assumed to be closed and to start the cylinder motor, the door lever I55 is raised which closes the door by means of the door cylinders 95. This closes the door safety switch I04 and the control switch H5 is turned to on" position, the cylinder start switch I I4 being depressed momentarily and closing a circuit through switch device I55 and its normally open interlock and releasing the brakes indicated by a magnet winding I65 for the cylinder motor whenever the cylinder motor is energized. This circuit is traced from main I55 adjacent switch I55 by means of conductor I55 having a fuse I15 therein to contact PI of switch II5, lower conductor III of this switch, conductor I12 maintaining interlock I55, conductor I591: to the P5 contact of lamp II1, thence through conductor I15, door switch I54, conductor I11, front contacts of inch-up switch II5, conductor I15, front contacts of inch-down switch II5, conductor I15, contact 2I5, conductor I14 to P5 contact of cylinder start switch II4, thence through conductor I55, switch maintaining device I55, conductor I55, switch I90, conductor I5I, switch I52, conductor I93, contact P5 of the control switch II5, upper contact I55 of switch I I5 to contact P2 and thence through conductor I5I, fuse I52 back to supply main I55. This control circuit actuates the switch maintaining device I55 closing the switches I51, the normally open interlock switch I59 being also closed when the switches I51 are closed and opening the switches through the maintaining device I55 when it is open.

Closing the switches I51 sets up an energizing circuit for releasing the brake I55 by means of a conductor I55 connected to one of the mains I56, thence through the brake magnet I55 to another supply main I55.

Closing the switches energizes the timer I55, alternately moving the switch contact member I84 to engage contacts I55 or I55. Switch contact I84 is connected to the conductor I54 which isconnected as traced above to main I55, and either of the contacts I55 or III is connected through conductors I55 or I55 respectively to conductor I 55 respectively and thence by conductor I96 to conductor I89 which leads, as traced above, to the other supply main I55.

When the cylinder start switch I I4 is depressed, a circuit is thereby closed from terminal contact P6 by way of conductor I 81 through the back contacts of the switch, conductors I88, I13, electrical switch maintaining device I58, conductor I89, overload relay switch I90, conductor I9I, overload rela switch I92, conductor I93 and switch contact P3 thereby completing the circuit. A circuit is also closed from contact P6 through conductor I12, interlock device I59 for the switch maintaining device I58 by way of conductor I59A to one terminal P of cylinder motor indicating lamp H1 and thence by conductor I19 to safety contactP3 completing the circuit.

A circuit is also closed through the door switch from starting switch contact P6 through conductor I81, back contacts of cylinder start switch I I4, conductor I88, conductor I14, conductor I15, front switch contacts of inch-down switch II6, conductor I16, front contacts of inch-up switch II5, conductor I11, door switch I04, conductor I18 to one terminal of cylinder motor indicating lamp H1 and thence through the lamp and by conductor I19 to the other safety switch terminal P3.

With the above circuits and connections established, the cylinder motor is in operation, the cylinder indicating lamp I I1 is lighted and the release of pressure on the cylinder start switch allows its contact bar to reestablish connections between front contacts P1 and P6.

When the cylinder start switch is released, a maintaining circuit is traced from contact P6 of the safety switch through conductor I12 maintaining switch I59, conductor I59A, conductor I16, door switch I04, conductor I11, inch-up switch II5, conductor I16, inch-down switch II6, conductor I15, conductor I14 to the cylinder start switch and thence through conductor I13 and switch maintaining device I58, conductor I89, switch I90, conductor I9I, switch I92, conductor I93 to the other safety switch terminal P3.

An energizing circuit is also established through the reversing timer I68 which may be traced from the safety switch I I8 to the contact P8 of the cylinder starting switch by the path above set forth and thence through contact switch I I4, P1 contact thereof, conductor I94, reversing timer I68, conductor I95, and thence through switch I90, conduct-or I9I, switch I92, and conductor I93 to the opposite safety switch terminal P3.

Actuated by the reversing timer is the switch contact member I84 which is alternately moved to engage contact I 85 in one direction, or contact I86 in the other direction. This contact member is connected through conductor I94 and when moved to engage contact I85, it closes a circuit from conductor I94 through contacts I84 and I85, conductor I96, forward electrical switch device I61, and conductors I91 and I98 to the conductor I89, thus energizing the electrical switch device I 61 and closing reversing switches I65 and I66. When the switch contact member I84 makes engagement with contact I86, a circuit is closed from conductor I94 through contacts I64 and I86, conductor I99, through reverse electrical switch device I64 and thence through conductor I98 to conductor I89 and to the safety switch contact P3 by the circuit previously traced, thereby energizing the reverse electrical switches I62 and I63.

In the main line on the forward electrical reversing switch side is an overload and low voltage electrical tripping device 200 for controllin switch I90 and for the reversing switches I62 and I63. The switch I92 is controlled by an overload and low voltage electrical tripping device I, both of which are automatically operated to protect the cylinder motor 96 and to open the controlling circuits ifthe voltage falls too low or the load is too great.

The drying timer I01 (Figure 16) is set for a predetermined length of operations and has a switch 202 operated thereby at the end of the set time for controlling a solenoid 203 with an armature 204 (representing magnet I33 and its armature I32 of Figure 12) movable for tripping the damper lever H9 and opening the damper switch 95. Tripping the damper lever actuates the damper cylinder 66 and moves the damper from a drying to a cooling position.

In a similar manner, the cooling timer I06 has a switch 205 operated thereby at the endof a set period, and included in a circuit with a solenoid 206 which operates an armature 201 to tripthe door lever I20, opening a switch I205 and opening normally closed valve I24 (Figure 12) for admitting fluid under pressure to the door cylinders 98 for opening the casing door when the cooling Switches 95 and I20S- operation is complete. are shown diagrammatically in Figure 16 in line with their respective solenoid armatures 204 and 201 controlled by the drying timer solenoid 203 and the cooling timer solenoid 206. Switch 98 operates to cut the drying timer out of the circuit so that the cooling timer can then take over the operation. The circuits for these two timers comprises a conductor 208 connected to the safety switch contact P6 at one side of each of the switches H93 and I205. From the other side of switch I I9S, a conductor 209 extends to the solenoid winding 203, thence through switch 202 of the timer I01 and by means of conductors H0 and 2 to the opposite terminal P3 of the safety switch II8. For the cooling timer, a conductor 2I2 leads from the other side of the switch I20S through the solenoid winding 206 and timer switch 205 to conductor 2 and thence to the other contact P3 of the safety switch II8.

With this connection of the timers, the drying timer will maintain the tumbler cylinder in operation under drying conditions for the period for which timer I01 is set, and at the expiration of the time, switch 202 will be opened, breaking the circuit through solenoid 203 and dropping the damper lever II9; the cooling timer will continue the operation of the cylinder motor for a further predetermined period, whereupon the operation of the solenoid will trip the door lever, actuating the door cylinders 98 raising the door and opening the door safety switch I04 which opens the controlling circuit through the switch maintaining device I58 which opens the main circuit breaker switches I51, thereby opening the circuit to the cylinder motor 96 and deenergizing the brake solenoid I68 to stop the tumbler cylinder.

If it happens that the cylinder door does not register with the casing door opening when the cylinder is stopped, it may be necessary to raise or inch up the door side of the cylinder a small amount, less than one rotation, or to lower or inch down the door side of the cylinder a small amount for the same reason. This is accomplished by simultaneously pressing the cylinder start button H4 and either the inch up button H5 or the inch down button II6.

Since the door switch I04 is open at this time 11 itistoestablkhatemporarycontrol circuit which does not include the door switch. Assumingthatthemchupswitchisoperatedto engageitsrearcontacmthhcircuitmaybetraced asiollows:

From contactP' oisafety switch III by way oi conductor I" back contacts of cylinder start switch ill, conductors Ill, I'll, to back contact III of inch-up switch Ill, thence through conductor I to iorward electrical device lll. conductors I", I, switch Ill, conductor ill. switch ill and conductor Ill to the other terminalPloIsaietUswitch Ill. Thisenergiaesthe iorwardmainswitches "land lficlosinganopcrating circuit through them to the cylinder motor ttwhichwillbemaintainedonlyaslong as the inch-up switch is At the same time the previously traced circuit will be closed through the cylinder start switch by way of conductor I'll throightheswitchmaintaining device "land lllbackthrmlghtheswitches Illand llltothetermirnlmofthesatetyswitch Ill.

Depressionofthecylinderstartswitchbreaks the switch connection between frontterminals PI and P1 thereby opening the circuit through conductor Ill whichleadstothereversingtimer I".

Similarly when the inch down switch is dep fi itsbackcontactsatthesame timethecylinderstartswitchisdepressedanenergizing circuit is traced through the inch down switchasiollows:

Promsaiety switchterminalP, conductor lll, cylinder start switch, back contacts, conductors I", I", I'll, conductor 2 to the back contact iii thence through switch III to terminal Pl conductor iii to conductor I" and through electrical switch device I and energizing reversing switches I62 and I thence through conductor I, switch ill, conductor Iii. switch [32, conductor in, to the opposite terminal P3 of the safety switch III. In either 'casetheinchuportheinchdownswitchissimply pressed in for a brief interval to rotate the cylinder in the corresponding direction, and a circult is closed through the cylinder motor indicating lamp ill to light the lamp; as previously traced.

The fan motor is operated separately from the cylinder motor and is independent of the door and damper cylinder operations. The fan start button I. the fan stop button Ill and the Ian indicating lamp III are mounted upon the control box ill ior convenience and although in the diagram figure 21, the current supply means ISIA, IIIA and ISIA are represented as diilerent than the supply means for the cylinder motor, in practicetheyarethesame. Aiusedkniieswitch Il'i connects the supply meansto main conductors III, II! and Ill leading through circuit breaker switches Ill to the fan motor ll represented as a three-phase alternating current motor. Inatleasttwooithephasesareoverload and low voltage relays 222 for controlling switches 22! and 221' connected inseries and to a switch maintaining device I for the circuit breaker switches Ill. This maintaining device Illisinturncontrolledbyanelectricinterlock III and circuits Iron! these controlling devicesleadtothefanstartandianstopswitches for which the controlling circuits are as follows:

Whenthefanstartswitchisdepressedtocngage the back contacts PII and PI! thereof, the tollowing circuit k closed from the saiety switch contact P, through conductors III and Ill to back contact Pl! throfls Ian start switch Ill 01 operations thereof and the cycle may to the contact PH; thaice through conductor "Lirontcontactl'lljanswitchlllcmtactl'". conductor 28.. switch device I, cmdncta 22!.

switches 22!, conductor I, switch 228', cmduebyopeningthemaineirudttotheianmotor.

Withthisconstructiornitwfllbeaeenthatthe complete operation of the machine is entirely controlled from the control box III. that thetimeoidrylngandcoolingisaetthe tionofthemaehineiscontimiomior atedbyraisingbothoitheleverall! The motor operation can be stopped at by turning the safety switch Ill, andii any electrical iault such as an mixed or when the cycle of operations is complete, the cylinder will be stopped and the outer cylinder door will be automatically opened. When the controlling apparatus voltageis thesameasthat oi the mains, conductors II. and III are cmnected to safety switch contacts PI and P2. To change the voltage applied to the controlling apparatus from that which is applied to the mains, conductors ill and III are disconnected andatransiormer luisconnectcdbyconductors 21! and ill'to mains 2i! and 220 as shown in dotted outline (Figure 16). and is connected by conductor I to safety switch contact P2 and by conductors 231 and III to safety switch contactPl.

Thedryingtimeandthecoolhgtimeiorany clothes or other materials to be washed is de termined somewhatbythenatureotsuchmaterialsandbeiorethetumhlerissctinoncraflon. the setting mechanisms I and III at the top oithecontrolpanelwhichreaemhlethehandsol clocksarepositionediorthedesiredtimeoidryingandthedesiredtimeoicooling. Theclothea orothermaterialtohedriedaredepoaitedinthe tumblerinwetordampconditimwhenthe outer hinge door I! is opened and registers with door Ilinthetumbler. Thetinnblerdooris closedbyslidingit endwiseand door 20 is closed, the drier may tion. The door 2! is closed by closing lever I20 which closes the door interlock switch Ill. allowing electrical connections tobemadethroughthedrivingandothermotora. The control switch III is turned and by then pressingstartbutton Ii|,themotor!or operatingthetumblerisenergindandthetmnhleris alternated approximately six times per minute.

Theianiorremovingthelintisactuatcdby pressingtheianstartbuttcnlllandmaybe 13 stopped by pressing the fan stop button H2. To observe whether the fan motor is running, the lamp H3 at the front of the panel is lighted when the fan is in operation. Likewise the lamp Ill indicates at the front of the panel when the tumbler motor is in operation. 7

During the drying operation, the valve at the top of the tumbler is opened to admit heat from the hot air passageway 36 afterthe time determined by the setting of the drying timer and after the predetermined time has elapsed, a circult is closed by the timer which causes the operation of the valve opening and connection from the cold air passage 31 and closing the hot air passage. The operation of the tumbler then continues for the time set on the cooling timer, after the expiration of which, the tumbler motor circuit is opened by the operation of the cooling switch 205.

During the operation of the drying tumbler, the lint removing device continues in operation and if it is desired to remove the lint or any portion thereof, the door 24 in the casing is opened and the lint or dirt removed therefrom without affecting the operation of the tumbler.

When the tumbler cylinder is stopped, after the contents has been sufficiently cooled, the door of the tumbler cylinder may not register with the door of the casing. In this case, it is necessary either to press the inch-up button H or the inch-down button Hi which causes the movement of the tumbler in a corresponding direction to register the door openings. The contents is taken out and the tumbler cylinder may then be recharged for another complete cycle of operations.

The various detailed operations of each of the separate parts are described in connection with the structural description. Likewise the circuit connections are all described and traced in detail. It is also pointed out that the tumbler cylinder motor may be stopped at any time by turning the safety switch I I8 and when the cycle of operations is complete, both of the levers H9 and I are at the bottoms of their slots. It is necessary to raise them both to repeat the cycle of operations.

Various changes may be made in the construction, combination, and arrangement of the various parts, and the invention is not to be understood as restricted to the specific construction, combination, and arrangements as herein set forth as these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a drier of the class described, a casing having a cylindrical chamber with an air inlet and an air outlet, a perforated tumbler cylinder rotatable in the chamber, an exhaust fan in the casing for receiving the air from the outlet and discharging it from the casing, an electric driving motor for the exhaust fan, an electric operating motor for rotating the tumbler cylinder,

valve means comprising a valve having opposed seats and a valve head movable between the seats for admitting relatively hot and cold air to the casing inlet for the tumbler, fluid pressure means for actuating the valve means to open, close, and partially open the valves, a hinged door for the casing for access to the tumbler cylinder, fluid pressure means for'opening and closing the door, timing means for operating the valve means and controlling the fluid pressure means to close the casing door, to operate the cylinder driving motor to drive the tumbler cylinder, and to stop the cylinder driving motor when I the cylinder door mechanism is operated to open the door.

2. In a drier of the class described, a rotatable tumbler cylinder, a casing for the cylinder having an air inlet and an air outlet, means com prising a valve having opposed seats and a valve head movable between the seats for admitting relatively hot and cold air at the inlet, a fan in the casing for removing air in the outlet, a door in the casing having means for opening and closing the door, an electrical door switch closed by the door in its closing position and opened when the door is raised, a driving motor for the cylinder having a circuit including the door switch, and clock means for producing a timed cycle of operations comprising means whereby the cylinder operating motor is started after the door switch is closed by closing the door, means for opening one valve and admitting hot air to the cylinder for a'predetermined period, said means partially closing the hot air valve and opening the other to admit relatively cold air to the cylinder for a period to cool the contents of the tumbler cylinder, means for stopping the tumbler cylinder and means for opening the casing and thereby operating the door switch to prevent further operation of the tumber cylinder motor.

3. In a drier of the class described, a tumbler cylinder, a casing in which the cylinder is 1'0- tatable having an air inlet and an air outlet at opposite sides of the cylinder, means for admitting hot air to the inlet, means for admitting cold air to the inlet, a valve structure comprising a valve having opposed seats and a valve head movable between the seats for closing off the hot I air or for closing off the cold air, a fluid pressure valve operating cylinder connected to operate the valves, a lever for controlling fluid pressure to the cylinder having open and closed positions, a normally open valve structure and a normally closed valve structure for controlling fluid pressure to said cylinder and operated by the movement of said lever, and a pair of clock timers, one com prising connected means for maintaining the operating lever in a position to admit heat through the valve structure for a predetermined time, and the other timer comprising connected means for operating the lever to close the hot air valve for the admission of hot air to the tumbler cylinder and to open the cold air valve for the admission of cold air to the tumbler cylinder for a predetermined time.

4. In a drier of the class described, a tumbler cylinder, a casing in which the tumbler cylinder is rotatable having an air inlet and an air outlet in the casing, means for admitting hot and cold air through the air inlet, said means including a valve structure comprising a valve having opposed seats and a valve head movable between the seats, an operating cylinder for moving the valve structure in reverse directions, a lever and a valve operated thereby for controlling fluid pressure to the operating cylinder and the valve structure comprising a normally open valve and a normally closed valve reversely operated thereby, and clock timing means including an operative connection therewith for maintaining the controlling lever in one position for a predetermined time to actuate the operating cylinder piston for opening the hot air valve structure to the admission of heat to the cylinder, and for moving the operating lever to cooling position for opening the cold air valve to admit cooling air to the cylinder ior a predetermined time.

5. In a drier oi the class described having a rotatable tumbler cylinder, an electric motor 101 driving the cylinder, means for admitting hot and cold air to the cylinder, a timer including an electrical switch for controlling the time of the admission of hot air, another timer including an electrical switch for controlling the time of admitting the cold air, magnets controlled by the said timer switches, an operating lever for the hot and cold air means, a door for the drier and a fluid motor for opening and closing it, an operating lever for controlling the fluid motor for closing and opening the door, and electro-responsive means in connection with the timers and magnets and operated by the switches thereof for actuating the levers to operate said hot and cold air means and also to open the door in predetermined relation.

6. In a drier of the class described, a tumbler cylinder. an electric motor for rotating it in a casing, the casing having a door and fluid pressure means for opening and closing the door, a lever for controlling the fluid pressure means, means for admitting hot and cold air to the tumbler cylinder and including a valve operated by a fluid pressure device, a lever for controlling fluid pressure to said valve device, one of said levers being raised to control the admission of hot air through the valve and lowered to admit cold air therethrough, the other lever being raised to control the closing of the casing door and lowered to control the opening of the casing door, and timers including switches and electro-responsive means for actuating the levers to move them from raised to lowered position thereby first operating the valve and then opening the door.

. 7. In a rotary drier, a casing having a tumbler cylinder rotatable therein, the casing having a door and fluid pressure means for raising and closing the door, a door in the tumbler cylinder, an electric motor for driving the tumbler cylinder, electrical supply and circuit controlling means for actuating the motor to drive the cylinder and including a door switch in the motor circuit operated by the casing doors in closing and opening, valve means for admitting hot and relatively cold air to the cylinder, electrical clock operated timing means for predetermining the time of admission of the hot air, electrical clock operated timing means for predetermining the time for admission of the relatively cold air, the cylinder having a door which is stopped to register with the casing door, means for automatically stopping the motor when the cold air admission time is ocmplete, and means to control the fluid pressure means to open the casing door when the motor stops, thereby opening the door switch in the motor circuit.

8. In a drier of the class described having a tumbler cylinder rotatable in the casing, the cylinder having manually operated doors, the casing having a door and fluid pressure means for opening and closing the door, fluid pressure operated valve means for admitting hot and relatively cool air to the cylinder, levers manually operable, one for controlling the door cylinder fluid pressure means, and the other for controlling the fluid pressure valve means, and electrical timing means including switches for closing electrical circuits and electro-magnetic devices in circuit with said switches, one circuit for operating the lever which controls the door opening and 16 closing fluid pressure means and the other circuit for operating the lever which controls the valve cylinder operating means.

9. In a drier o! the class described, the combination of a rotatable tumbler cylinder, a casing in which the cylinder is rotatable, valve means for admitting hot and relatively cold air to the cylinder. at door in the casing having fluid pressure door operating means, fluid pressure valve operating means including hot and cold air valve, a fan for drawing hot and cold air through the cylinder, a motor for operating the Ian and control means for the drier comprising a control panel, levers extending through the panel and movable relatively therein for controlling the door operating fluid pressure means and the valve fluid pressure operating means, a pair 0! adiustable timers tor predetermining the timing of the hot air and cold air valve operating means, said timers each comprising a switch operated thereby, a circuit and an electro-responsive device controlled by the switch and actuated to operate one of the levers, switches movable in the panel to control circuits for starting and stopping the cylinder motor for starting and stopp n the fan motor, lamps in the panel for indicating when the cylinder motor is in operation and when the fan motor is in operation, one circuit device being operative to move one of the levers from raisedto lowered position to control the operation of the valve operating means changing the valve means to cut of! hot air and to admit cold air to the tumbler cylinder, and the other circuit device being operative to move the other lever to down position for controlling the operation of the fluid pressure device door operating means to open the door.

10. In a drier oi the class described-the combination of a cylinder and a casing in which it is rotatable, 0! a motor and means for driving the cylinder in reverse directions in the casing, a door in the casing and fluid pressure means for opening and closing it, means for admitting hot and relatively cool air to the cylinder comprising a valve and a fluid pressure cylinder for operating the valve, a motor ran for drying air through the cylinder and a common control box for timing, controlling and operating the drier parts comprising a panel 'having levers projecting therethrough and movable manually upward, timing means in the panel having electrical means operated thereby for tripp the levers to move them downwardly, one of the levers operating the fluid pressure door means, and the other of the levers operating the fluid pressure valve means.

11. In a drier of the class described having a rotatable tumbler cylinder, a casing in which the cylinder is mounted, valve means for admitting hot and relatively cool air to the cylinder, a door in the casing, fluid pressure means for operating the casing door, a fluid pressure cylinder for operating the valve means, timing means for controlling the admission 0! hot and cold air to the cylinder by means of the valve means, an electric driving motor for the cylinder, a pair oi manually raisable operating levers, an electric circuit, switches and electro-responsive devices in connection with the levers for controlling the operation of the motor and the operation of the fluid pressure cylinder when the levers are relatively moved, the levers actuating the fluid pressure controlling means, and the levers being moved in a reverse direction by their electro-responsive devices tor reversely actuating said fluid normalcycle of operations. R

with an controlled by said levers.

,12. In a drier o! the class described, a rotatable tumbler cylinder, a casing' in which the cylinder ,is mounted, valve means for admitting hot and relatively cool air to the cylinder, fan means for drawing air through the cylinder, a driving motor forthe cylinder, a door in the casing, fluid pressure means for operating-the door, and a fluid pres sure means for operating the valve means,

-a-pair of manually 'r'aisablef operating levers and electriealswitches'therelor, timing means, circuits and electric-responsive" devices operable separately andinconjunction with each of said j leversior'first closing the casing' door, -starting theeyliridermotor and admitting hot air to the cylinder when the levers are manually moved in one direction for continuing the admission of hot air ,Ior'a predetermined time and thereupon operative to open a switch in a circuit effective to operateone or the 'levers"in a reverse dir ection andto actuate the valve cylinder. for admitting. coolair fora remaining predetermined time, the operation or one lever being effective H to stop the cylinder motor and thereafter the l "timing means belng'eflective .to' open another cir-j quit and to automatically' move the other lever HUBERT c}.-

to open the casing door thereby completingthe 7 18 REFERENCES crren The following references are oi record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,327,609 Bartholomew Jan. 13, 1920 1,655,514 Seifert Jan. 10, 1928 1,675,160 Carroll June 26, 1928 1,709,059 Carroll Apr. 16, 1929 1,758,594 Carroll May 13, 1930 1,775,730 McNigol Sept. 16, 1930 1,786,191 Carroll Dec. 23, 1930 1,819,823 Lockett Aug. 18, 1931 1,996,253 Otis Apr. 2, 1935 2,005,386 Otis June 18, 1935 2,050,625 Orr Aug. 11, 1936 2,078,000 Jensen Apr. 20, 1937. 2,158,309 Salisbury May 16, 1939 2,217,153 Bowdoin et a1. Oct. 8, 19110 2,285,517 Harvey et a1 June 9, 1942 2,333,000 Gayring Oct. 26, 1943 2,334,965 Thacker Nov. 23, 1943 2,360,915 Vermilya Oct. 24, 1944 2,387,293 Preston 1. Oct. 23, 1945 2,390,030 Paulson Nov. 27, v1945 2,397,091 Davis Mar. 26, 1946 12,398,880 Broglle Apr. 23, 1946 2,399,555 Locke Apr. 30, 1946

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