US2873537A - Combination washer and dryer with condenser means - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 17, 1959 w. E. GRAY, JR., ETA'L 2,

COMBINATION'WASHER AND DRYER WITH CONDENSER MEANS Filed Dec. 19, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 II o o o INVENTORS WALTER E. GRAY m. 3 ans P. FALKENSTEIN Feb. 17, 1959 w. E. GRAY,-JR., ET AL 2, 7

COMBINATION WASHER AND DRYER WITH CONDENSER MEANS Filed Dec. 19, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS WALTER E. GRAY .TR. @OTIS P. FALKENSTEIN w. E. GRAY, JR., ET'AL 2,873,537

Feb. 17, 1959 COMBINATION WASHER AND DRYER WITH CONDENSER MEANS Filed Dec. 19, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

WALTER E- GRAY :lR.

on: P. FALKIN'TIIM Walter E. Gray, Jr., Erie, Pa., and Otis P.

2,873,537 Patented Feb. 17, 1959 United States Patent Ofiice COMBINATION WASHER AND DRYER WITH CONDENSER MEANS Falkenstein, Jetfersonville, Ind., assignors to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application December 19, 1956, Serial No. 629,384 Claims. (CI. 34-75) The present invention relates to clothes drying machines of the air recirculation type and more particularly it relates to a condenser arrangement for use in such machines for removing moisture from the recirculated air. It should be understood that the term clothes drying machines is intended to include both clothes dryers and combination washer-dryers since the invention, in its broader aspects, may be applied to both. The invention, however, finds particular utility in combination washerdryers, as will be pointed out hereinafter.

In recirculation type .clothes drying machines the machine is sealed ofi during the drying operation, and the air within the machine is circulated in a closed path for drying clothes. A fan or blower is provided for moving the air, and conduit or duct means are arranged for passing it first over heating means and then through the clothes. The heating means, of course, heats the air to a suitable drying temperature. After leaving the clothes basket the moisture laden air is directed into or over moisture condensing means which removes from the air the moisture extracted from the clothes. The relatively dry air leaving the condensing means is then directed back to the heater and, thence, recirculated through the clothes basket for extracting still more moisture from the clothes.

The moisture condensing means used in these recirculation systems customarily employ cold water as the moisture condensing medium. Particularly, it is used in combination washer-dryers since water supply lines must be provided for these machines for the washing operation anyway. The condensing arrangements provided heretofore, however, have not made the most effective use possible of the condenser water; and it is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a new and improved condenser arrangement which will etfect maximum condensation for the quantity of condenser water used. 6

More specifically it is an object of the present invention to provide a drying machine having an improved condenser arrangement in which the exposure of the condenser water to the hot moist air leaving the clothes basket is of a sutficient duration to obtain maximum-condensation for the quantity of condenser water used.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination washer-dryer having a condenser arrangement in which the condenser components form a bafile arrangement causing the air stream to flow through a tortuous or serpentine path within the condenser to provide the maximum surface-for-surface contact between the condenser elements and the most moist air from the clothes basket.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a drying machine having an improved condenser arrangement whereby the entrainment of condenser water is re duced to a minimum.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a condensing means which. causes the condensing medium to continually present new surface area to the 2 moist air stream as the condensing medium passes through the condensing means.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize the invention will be pointed out with the particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this invention.

In carrying out the present invention there is provided a clothes drying machine having a suitable clothes tumbling drum, an air moving means and a duct means for directing an air stream over air heating means and into the clothes drum for drying the clothes and thence return ing the air back to the air moving means, thereby forming a closed air circulating system. A condenser means is disposed upstream from the heater in the duct for return ing the air to the air mover, the condensing means including a plurality of water trays, the uppermost of which is disposed beneath a condenser water inlet. The trays are arranged within the duct one above the other with adja cent trays slanting in opposite directions to cause the condensate water to flow in cascade fashion from the lower end of one tray along the duct wall to the upper end of the next lower tray for cooling the air after it leaves the clothes drum thereby condensing the moisture out of the air.

As a further aspect of the invention, the above-mcntioned trays are so disposed within the duct to create a battle construction in the duct thereby causing the air stream to take a serpentine path through the condensing means as it flows back to the blower. As a still further aspect of the invention, each of the above-mentioned water trays is constructed with the plurality of transverse depressions and dams therein which cause the water to flow in an undulating path as it passes along the individual trays thereby increasing the exposure time between the condenser water and the air stream.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a combination clothes washing and drying machine embodying the present invention, the view being partially broken away to illustrate details of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of the machine of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view with the rear Wall of the imperforate outer casing removed;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

Referring now to Fig. 1, there is shown therein a combination clothes washing and drying machine having an imperforate casing or tub 2 within which the washing and drying operations are conducted. The tub 2 includes a cylindrical side wall 3 and front and rear walls 4 and 5. The casing or tub is supported from the base 6 of themachine by means of a plurality of arms 7 which are attached to the tub bybrackets 8 and to the base by meansof upstanding supportplates 9. The base 6 also serves to support an outer appearance cabinet 10 which surrounds the tub 2.

Within the imperforate casing or tub 2 there is provided a vertically extending wall or partition 11 which divides. the casing into a front chamber or compartment 12 and between the outer casing wall and the partition 11. For the insertion and removal of clothes from the machine the basket 14 is provided with a front, loading opening which is aligned with openings provided respectively in the front walls of the casing 3 and the appearance cabinet 10. A hingedly mounted door (not shown) closes the opening in the appearance cabinet and seals off the tub during the operation of the machine.

The basket 14 is rotated during the operation of the machine by means of an electric motor 18 which is mounted on the base 6. The motor drives the basket .through a multi-speed gear transmission 19 also mounted on th base. A belt 20 connects the basket 14 to the multi-speed gear transmission 19, the belt extending between an output pulley of the transmission and a pulley 21 mounted on the basket drive shaft 15. Through the use of the multi-speed gear transmission 19, it is possible to rotate the basket at difierent speeds. This permits a lower speed to be used to tumble the clothes during the washing, rinsing, and air drying operations and a higher speed to be used to extract water centrifugally from the clothes during different portions of the washing cycle.

Wash water is introduced into the machine through a water inlet means 22 which is controlled by means of a suitable solenoid actuated valve structure 23 connected to hot and cold water inlet lines (not shown). The water inlet 22 discharges water across an air gap into the funnel 24 which connects with the rear compartment through a tube 25, extending intothe compartment between the outer walls 5 and the partition 11. The air gap, of course, positively prevents a back flow from the machine into the water supply, as can best be seen in Fig. 3. Wash water flows through the tube 25 into the rear compartment and thereupon flows over the various components within the rear compartment, collecting in the bottom of the rear compartment from where it flows into the front compartment through the water drain opening 26 or the air outlet opening 27, in the bottom of the partition 11, as shown in Fig. 3. In order to discharge the wash and rinse water from the machine a sump 28 is attached to the tub at the bottom thereof. This sump 28 communicates with the tub through an opening in the bottom of the front compartment and is connected to a pump or other suitable drain means by means of a flexible hose 29.

In order to continuously circulate hot, dry air into the front compartment during the drying operation, the rear compartment is provided with an air circulating system which includes a blower 30, a heater 31, a moisture condensing means in the form of one or more water trays 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36, and an air flow directing means or duct 37. The side wall 3 of the tub and the interior scroll or wall means 38 form the curved or substantially spiral duct 37 which leads from a central chamber 39 in a curved path to the front compartment air outlet opening 27 in the bottom of partition 11.

The scroll or wall means, 38 which forms the inner curved wall of the duct and contains the central portion 39 therein, through'the greater portion of its length comprises a pair of spaced apart walls 38a and 38b. This double walled construction with a dead air space between the walls impedes heat transfer between the moist air flowing in the duct 37 and the hot air flowing into and through the central chamber 39 within the scroll. In the region adjacent the heater 31 the wall 38:: is extended or bulged outwardly further than usual from the wall 38b in order to confine the air leaving the blower to a path whereby it will flow over the heater 31. The blower discharges air from the duct 37 over the heater 31 which, as shown in Fig. 3, is mounted at the bottom right hand portion of the rear compartment. After passing through the heater 31 the air flows upwardly through a passage 39;: to the central chamber 39 which is surrounded by the scroll or wall means 38. From this central chamber 39 the air then p-asses into the front compartment of the tub through the plurality of slots or openings 40 formed in the partition 11.

In order to prevent the hot, dry air entering the front compartment 12 from flowing directly from the air inlet openings 40 to the outlet opening 27 across the back of the compartment 12 without passing through the drum, i; e. to prevent the air from short circuiting the drum, there is preferably provided an annular 'baffle or sealing member 40a which is mounted on the front side of the partition 11. The member 40a encircles the inlet opening 40, but is positioned inwardly of the outlet opening 27, and it may be, and preferably is, spring-biased outwardly so that its outer end engages or lies in juxtaposition to the rear portion of the drum 14. Thus, the annular member 40a forms a barrier preventing the air from flowing directly from the inlet openings 40 to the outlet 27 and forces the air to flow through the drum 14.

During the air drying operation of the machine both the blower 3t) and the heater 31 are energized, and the perforated drum 14, within the front compartment is rotated at its lower or tumble speed. As can best be seen in Fig. 3 cold condenser water is supplied to the condensing means through the conduit 41 which is connected to the household cold water line and controlled by a solenoid operated valve 42. It should be noted that condenser water could be supplied by the same means through which wash water is supplied to the machine during the washing cycle. That is, by proper valving and control means the same conduit 22 which supplies the wash water to the machine could be made to supply the cold con-' denser water. However, since a smaller quantity of condenser water is needed than wash water, during the washing cycle, it was found expedient in the illustrated embodiment of the invention to supply cold condenser water through a separate conduit 42, connected to the household supply of cold water. Condenser water is brought into the upper portion of the casing and falls upon the upper end 43 of the tray 32 whereupon it flows from tray to tray in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter. As a result of the operation of the blower 30, moist air is drawn inwardly from the rotating drum through the outlet opening 27 leading from the front compartment 12. This moist air then passes upwardly past the trays or condensing means and the water flowing thereon. Condenser water is supplied through the conduit 41 during the drying operation, and this condenser water flowing along the trays cools the air and removes the moisture therefrom.

The blower takes the dry air from the condenser trays or as it passes from the condenser trays and passes it downwardly over the heater 31 whereby it is heated to a suitable temperature for absorbing moisture from the clothes in the tumbling drum 14. From the heater the air passes upwardly into the center portion of the scroll 39 and then into the front chamber through the openings 40 in the partition 11. Having once entered the front chamber the air then passes into and through the drum 14, the rear wall of the drum being perforated in order to allow entry of the dry air into the drum. The hot air as it passes through the drum absorbs moisture from the clothes. After picking up the moisture the air then passes out of the drum through the perforations in the side wall and is returned to the rear compartment 13 j of the tub to the opening 27 whereupon the moisture is the duct 37 to promote the flow of water from tray to tray in cascade-like fashion. Thus tray 32 slants down- Hot, dry air is wardly to the left, as viewed in Fig. 3, thereby causing cold condenser water introduced from the inlet 41 and falling upon the end 43 of the tray 32 to flow downwardly to the left whereupon it enters a series of indented troughs or depressions 44 formed integrally upon the tray 32. As is illustrated in Fig. 4, these depressions 44 are formed in the tray 32 by a series of folds or dams 45 which aredrawn into the tray transverse to the length of the trays thereby forming the depressions 44 disposed transversely to the flow of water along the length of the tray. Adjacent dams 45 are provided, at the opposite ends thereof, with overflow portions 45a which allow the condenser water to flow from one depression to the next and cause the water to take a serpentine or undulating course in flowing along the tray 32 from one end to the other. All of the trays 33-36 are supplied with similar depressions 44 and dams 45 which prevent the condenser water from flowing directly from one end of the individual tray to the other. In other words, these dams 45 cause the condenser waterto take a much longer course as it flows downwardly along the individual tray. The dams 45, with their overflow portions 45a, also cause the condenser water to collect in the depressions 44 and as the individual depressions 44 overflow into the next adjacent depression, a somewhat turbulent flow is created in the area directly downstream from the overflow portions 45a. This has the effect of continuously changing the surface of the condenser water which is presented to the air stream. In other words, these overflow portions 45a prevent the same condenser water from remaining at all times upon the surface exposed to the air stream thereby promoting greater heat transfer.

Condenser water flowing along the tray 32 is discharged at the opposite or lower end 46 whereupon it flows down the imperforate casing until it reaches the upper end 47 of the tray 33. This tray 33 is slanting in the opposite direction from the tray 32 thereby causing the condenser water to flow from left to right, as seen in Fig. 3. Condenser water discharges from the tray 33 from the lower end 48 which abuts the interior scroll 38. From the end 48 of the tray 33 condenser water flows downwardly along the scroll until it reaches the upper end 49 of the tray 34 whereupon it passes along the tray 34 from right to left, as seen in Fig. 3, until it reaches the casing 2 at the lower end 50 of tray 34 and discharges down the casing wall to the upper end 51 of the tray 35. From the lower end 52 of tray 35 the condenser water is discharged onto the scroll 38 and flows downwardly on the scroll 38 to the upper end 53 of the tray 36, whereupon it again reverses its direction of flow, passing in an indulating or serpentine path along the tray 36 to the lower end 54 where it is discharged onto the casing wall 2. After discharge from the end of tray 36 onto the casing wall the condenser water flows into the bottom of the imperforate tub 2. Condenser water collecting in the bottom of the tub 2 flows through the opening 27 into the front compartment from which it drains into the sump 28 and is removed from the machine through the flexible hose 29.

As can be seen in Figs. 4, 5, and 6, the individual trays take on a number of different configurations and the arrangement of the trays within the duct 37 is such that they provide a baflle structure causing the air stream to take a serpentine path as it flows through the moisture condensing means. Referring to the Figs. 3 and 6, it can be seen that the moist air flowing upwardly from the opening 27 must flow to the outer side of the duct to pass tray 36, since the tray 36 blocks the duct except for the opening 55 which is bounded by the tray 36, the casing 2 and the barrier 11. However, referring now to Figs. 3 and 5, when the air stream approaches the next higher tray 35 its course is substantially blocked by the tray 35 and the air must flow back across the duct toward the interior wall or scroll 38 and thereupon flows through the opening56, shown partially in dotted lines in Fig. '5, bounded by the scroll 38, the tray 35, and the wall 5. Thus, prior to passing through the opening 56, the air must pass over the length of tray 36 resulting in good contact between the air stream and the water in the tray. Also, at tray 35, some of the air may pass through the opening 57 bounded by the casing 2, the wall 5, and the tray 35.

Similarly, as the air stream approaches the tray 34 it is deflected by the tray away from the scroll 38 and passes over the length of tray 35 and passes-tray 34 through the openings designated 58 and. 59 in Fig. 5. The openings 58 and 59 are disposed more closely adjacent the casing 2 than the scroll 38 thereby causing the air passing therethrough to be deflected away from the scroll in the area of tray 34. As may be seen in Figs. 3 and 4, when the air stream approaches the trays 33 and 32, it is forced to take a deviating path through these portions of the condensing means. More specifically, it must flow through the opening 61, as it passes both trays 33 and 32 and is also diverted through opening 63 as it passes tray 32.

The purpose of this baflle arrangement of the trays is to create a turbulent air flow through the condenser means, thereby causing as much surface to surface contact between the air stream and the condenser trays as possible. The air is also forced to take a serpentine course through the condensing means and must flow lengthwise over the individual trays. In this manner the condensation of moisture out of the air is effectively increased. The particular number of trays used is not deemed to be critical as long as there are a sufiicient number of trays to effectively utilize the cold water supplied thereto. That is, there must be a sutncient number of trays to permit an efficient heat transfer to take place in order to take advantage of and effectively utilize the heat diflerential between the cold condenser water and the hot air stream.

It should be noted that the amount of condenser water issuing from the conduit 40 is of a small enough quantity such that none of the water overflows the upper end of the tray 32. That is none of the water falling from the end of the conduit 40 overflows the portion 42 of tray 32 into the components of the machine disposed upon the right hand side of the scroll 38. On the other hand during the washing cycle, when wash water or rinse water is introduced into the machine, a much greater quantity of water is supplied than is normally supplied during the drying operation. for condensing purposes. Thus, as can be seen in Fig. 3, wash water entering the tub 2 through the tube 25, so positioned directly above the end 43 of the condenser tray 32, falls upon the end 43 and splashes or overflows this end of the tray, falling downwardly over the components of the machine positioned in the right hand portion of the outer compartment. Also a great quantity of this water flows downwardly along the tray 32 and spills over into the left hand portion of the machine thereby washing down the walls, trays and components of theleft hand side of the machine. The water flowing into the left hand side of the duct 37 during the wash or rinse cycles, flows downwardly therethrough washing the lint off its walls and then enters the front chamber of the tub through the opening 27 in the partition 11. The water flowing into the right hand side of the duct 37 flows downwardly through that side until it reaches the bathe extension 64. The water then enters the blower inlet 30a and passes through the blower itself. The blower is inactive during the washing operation of the machine and thereby the water may flow freely through it. The water as it flows downwardly through the right hand side of the duct and the blower also removes any lint which might possibly have collected on those elements. From the blower the water drops downwardly on the heater 31 washing lint therefrom and then passes into the front portion of the tub through the opening 26 in the partition 11.. The

opening 26 although large enough to' admit the water freely to the front compartment 12 is small enough compared to the opening127 that it .does not interfere to any appreciable extent with the air flow during the air drymg operation, The opening 25 may even be so arranged that it issealed by the low level of water in the tub resulting from condensation during the drying cycle.

The filling of thetube is controlled by a suitable water level means (not shown) which continues the filling operation until the bottom portion of the basket is covered then the inlet water valves are closed. By providrng a water level in the front compartment of such depth to cover the lower portion of the perforated basket 14 in the front compartment, a pool of equal depth is, of course, formed in the rear compartment 13, and this pool of water in the rear compartment covers the heater 31 due to the positioning of the heater near to the bottom of the compartment. The heater 31 thus may be used as an immersion type heater during the washing operation. This heater may be of sheathed resistance type and may be immersed in water without any ill efiects and if it is energized during the washing operation it is effective to heat the water over it. This heating of the water in the rear compartment also results in theheating of the water in the front compartment 14. The heated water in the rear compartment heats the partition 11, and the partition in turn heats the water in the front compartment. Also, there is some heating of the Water in the front compartment by convection currents through the openings 27 and 26 and due to the churning action of the drum. Thus, by the present invention the heater is eifective not only as an air heater during the drying operation but also as an immersion type water heater during the washing operation.

In order to control the heater 31 during both the Washing and the drying operations, a single thermostat 65 is provided within the machine. This single thermostat is mounted in the rear compartment, in the enlarged space 66 between the wall members 38a and 38b adjacent the heater 31. Positioned at this point, the thermostat may be used to cycle the heater on or ott both for the air heating and water heating. In other words it may be used to maintain the proper air temperature during the drying operation and the proper water temperature during the washing operation. In order for a single thermostat to be used for both these purposes it is desirable that it be located in the space 66 between the wall members or else in the space immediately adjacent the heater and the central chamber within the scroll. If it is located elsewhere than in the region encompassing those spaces it will not function as well to effect the proper cycling during both the operations.

It will be understood that the actuation of the condensing means as well as the other components of the machine is controlled by a suitable timer switch sequence control during the operation of the machine. Since the sequence control and circuit do not form a part of the present invention and since any suitable control may be used, no control is illustrated herein.

From the above it will be seen that there has been provided an improved combination washer and drying machine including a particularly elfective means whereby moisture may be condensed from the heated air which has been circulated through the clothes during the drying operation. This condensing means particularly reduces the entrainment of condenser Water in the air to a minimum during the condensing operation. It also provides a means whereby the condenser water is exposed to the heated air stream for a maximum period and the surface-to-surface contact between the air and the condenser elements is greatly improved, thereby reducing the quantity of condenser Water utilized during the condensing operation to a minimum. Also, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the particular arrangement of the condenser elements is such as to pro- S. mote the complete removal of lint from these el ments during the washing cycle when Wash Water is introduced into the machine and is directed over these ele ments.

While in accordance with the patent statutes there has been described what at present is considered to be the preferred embodiment of this invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention, and therefore, it is the aim of the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A combination clothes washing and drying machine comprising an imperforate casing, a vertically extending partition dividing said easing into front and rear compartments, a perforated clothes drum mounted for rotation in said front compartment, and an air inlet opening from said rear compartment through said partition into said front compartment and an air outlet opening from said front compartment through said partition into said rear compartment, means including a blower and duct means in said rear compartment for circulating air through said openings and said compartments in a closed path during the drying operation of said machine, thereby to pass air through said drum to dry the clothes therein, a heater disposed between said blower and said air inlet opening in said partition, a condensing means upstream from said heater for condensing moisture from said moist air leaving said front compartment, a water inlet for introducing water into said condensing means, said condensing means including a plurality of water trays disposed one above the other in said duct means, alternate ones of said trays slanting in one direction and intermediate trays slanting in the other direction to cause condensed water to flow in cascade-fashion from the upper end of one tray along said tray to the upper end of the next lower tray, each of said trays having a plurality of dams formed transversely of the length thereof to cause said condensate water to How in a serpentine path thereon, said trays also arranged within said duct to cause said air stream to flow in a tortuous path over said trays, and drain means in the lower portion of the casing for draining said condenser water and said wash water from said machine.

2. A combination clothes washing and drying machine comprising an 'imperforate casing, a vertically extending partition dividing said casing into front and rear compartments, a perforated clothes drum mounted for rotation within said front compartment, interior wall means with in said rear compartment forming a simple chamber therein and cooperating with said casing to form curved Walls of a substantially spiral duct leading from said central chamber, an air inlet opening in said partition from said central chamber into said front compartment, an air outlet opening in said partition from said central chamber into said front compartment, an air outlet opening in said partition from said front compartment into said substantially spiral duct, a blower in said duct in said rear compartment for circulating air through said central chamber into said front compartment and thence through said duct in a closed path during the drying operation of said machine, thereby to pass air through said drum to dry the clothes therein, a heater disposed between said blower and said central chamber, a condensing means in said duct upstream from said heater for condensing moisture from said moist air leaving said front compartment, a water inlet for introducing water into said condensing means, said condensing means including at least one water tray having an end disposed beneath said water inlet,

said tray slanting in one direction and in order to cause condenser water to flow from the upper end of said tray along said tray to the wall of said duct, whereupon condenser water flows down said curved wall of said duct, said tray arranged to cause the flow of air thereover to condense moisture therefrom-i after it leaves said clothes drum, and drain means in the lower portion of said casing for draining said condenser water and said Wash Water from said machine.

3. A combination clothes washing and drying machine comprising an imperforate casing, a vertically extending partition dividing said casing into front and rear compartments, a perforated clothes drum mounted for rotation in said front compartment, interior wall means within said rear compartment forming a central chamber therein and cooperating with said casing to form curved walls of a substantially spiral duct leading from said central chamber, an air inlet opening from said central chamber through said partition into said front compartment, an air outlet opening from said front compartment through said partition into substantially spiral duct, a blower in said duct for circulating air through said central chamber and said compartment in a closed path during the drying operation of said machine, thereby to pass air through said drum to dry the clothes therein, a heater disposed between said blower and said air inlet opening to said front compartment, a condensing means upstream from said heater for condensing moisture from said moist air leaving said front compartment, a water inlet for introducing water into said condensing means, said condensing means including a plurality of water trays disposed across said duct one above the other, alternate ones of said trays slanting in one direction and intermediate trays slanting in the other direction to cause condenser water to flow in cascade fashion from the lower end of one tray down said curved wall of said duct to the upper end of the next lower tray, each of said trays having a plurality of dams formed transversely to the length thereof cause said condensate water to iiow in a serpentine path thereon, said trays also arranged within said duct to cause said air stream to flow in a tortuous path over said trays, and drain means in said lower portion of said casing for draining said condenser water and said wash water from said machine.

4. A combination clothes washing and drying machine comprising an imperforate casing, a vertically extending partition dividing said easing into front and rear compartments, a perforated clothes drum mounted for rotation in said front compartment, an air opening from said rear compartment through said partition into said front compartment curved interior Wall means cooperating with said casing to form an outer curved passageway in said rear compartment leading from said air inlet opening, said curved interior wall means having a portion defining a separate central inner chamber therein, a blower for circulating air through said curved outer passageway and discharging air into said inner chamber, an air outlet opening through said partition from said front compartment into said outer curved passageway into said rear compartment, a heater positioned in said passageway leading from said blower to said central chamber for heating the air to said drum, and condensing means in said curved outer passageway in said rear compartment for condensing moisture from said air during its passage through said passageway, said condensing means comprising a condenser water inlet means, a plurality of water trays, said trays arranged substantially across to said curved passageway said uppermost tray arranged with one end beneath said condenser water inlet means, said water trays arranged within said curved passageway to promote continuous flow of condenser water successively in a substantially zig-zag manner from one tray to the wall of said passageway and thence to said tray next below, said trays also arranged within said curved passageway to form a battle structure to promote the turbulent flow of air thereover to condense moisture from said air during its passage through said condensing means, and drain means for draining said machine during the washing operation of said machine.

5. A combination clothes washing and drying machine comprising an imperforate casing, a vertically extending partition dividing said easing into front and rear cornpartments, a perforated clothes drum mounted for rotation in said front compartment, interior wall means with in said rear compartment forming a central chamber therein and cooperating with said casing to form curved walls of a substantially spiral duct leading from said central chamber, an air inlet opening in said partition from said central chamber into said front compartment, an air outlet opening in said partition from said front compartment into said substantially spiral duct, a blower in said duct in said rear compartment for circulating air through said central chamber into said front compartment and thence through said duct in a closed path during the drying operation of said machine, thereby to pass air through said drum to dry the clothes therein, a heater disposed between said blower and said central chamber, a condensing means in said duct upstream from said heater for condensing moisture from said moist air leaving said front compartment, a water inlet for introducing water into said condensing means, said condensing means including a plurality of water trays disposed one above the other in said duct means, alternate ones of said trays slanting in one direction and intermediate trays slanting in the other direction to cause condenser water to flow from the upper end of one tray along said tray to the wall of said duct, whereupon condenser water flows down said curved wall of said duct to said next lower tray, each of said trays having a plurality of dams formed transversely from the length thereof to cause said condensate water to flow in a serpentine path thereon, said trays also arranged within said duct to form a battle structure thereby causing said air stream to flow adjacent said casing in the area of said one tray and adjacent said wall means in the area of said next above tray, and drain means in the lower portion of said casing for draining said condenser water and said wash water from said machine.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,381,002 ONeil June 7, 1921 2,453,859 Pugh Nov. 16, 1948 2,724,905 Zehrbach Nov. 29, 1955

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