Abstract: A dishwashing apparatus having a dispenser operable at a preselected time in the dishwashing cycle for dispensing a treating liquid such as a rinse additive. The dispenser is arranged so as to measure in a measuring cup a preselected quantity of additives as an incident of moving the dishwasher door between opened and closed positions and to dispense the preselected quantity at the proper time in the wash cycle. The measuring cup for the additive is pivotally mounted within the dispenser and is pivoted from a position submerged in the liquid additive when the dishwasher door is opened in the horizontal plane, and above the liquid additive level when the dishwasher door is closed in the vertical plane, to a position so as to discharge the liquid by gravity into a discharge conduit. The discharge conduit additive receiving opening is located above the level of the liquid additive at all door positions and conveys the liquid additive by gravity into the washing chamber.

Abstract: A temperature sensing system for controlling the temperature of fill water in an automatic washer having an inlet hot water valve and an inlet cold water valve. The inlet hot water valve is continuously open during fill and the inlet cold water valve is normally closed during fill. A first predetermined temperature level of the incoming hot water is sensed and also a second predetermined level of incoming hot water is sensed, the second temperature level being lower than the first temperature level. A switch is provided to bypass the sensing of the second predetermined temperature level of the incoming hot water. This switch allows the user of the clothes washer to preselect either of two water temperature levels desired. When both the inlet hot water temperature is above the first temperature level and the sensing of the second temperature level is bypassed, the cold water valve is opened by a control.

Abstract: An automatic belt tightener for use in a belt drive mechanism for transmitting torque between a driving rotatable member and a driven rotatable member through a flat drive belt. Included is a roller assembly pivotable about the driving member and including a first, second and third roller, the driving member and the three rollers each having outside diameter grooves formed respectively by a pair of flanges, reduced interior diameters, and having their longitudinal axes of rotation parallel and spaced a fixed distance apart during operation of the mechanism. The flanges of only the first and third roller being in contact with the driving member and the second roller being driven by the first and third rollers. A drive belt passes between and in contact with reduced interior diameter of the first and second rollers and between and in contact with the reduced diameters of the second and third rollers and partially around the third roller and exiting the mechanism.

Abstract: A liquid level indicator device for providing a visual indication of the level of liquid within a movably mounted tank, disclosed as a dishwasher door mounted rinse aid liquid dispenser tank, in which the dispenser tank is alternately positioned in either the vertical or horizontal position by the opening and closing of the door. The liquid level indicator includes a tank wall mounted indicator housing defining a viewing chamber into which is passed a small quantity of liquid when the tank is in the vertical or door closed position if the level is above a predetermined level and a portion of which liquid is retained within the viewing chamber as the tank moves to the door open position to enable viewing of the liquid through a sight window provided.

Abstract: A control mechanism for providing four separate linear control positions. Included is a lever having two ends, one end being free to register the four linear positions. First and second stationary solenoids both being located on one side of the lever are provided and the first solenoid plunger is pivotally secured to the lever at the end opposite the free end. The plunger of the second solenoid is pivotally secured to the lever between the ends of the lever. A stationary assembly including a spring is positioned and arranged to exert force on the lever between the first and second solenoids in a direction opposite the direction of solenoid plunger movement upon solenoid actuation. The spring force exerted on the lever is less than the combined force of the plungers of the first and second solenoids upon their common actuation. Separate spring force is exerted on the lever so that the lever is perpendicular to the plungers of the solenoids when both the first and second solenoids are deactuated.

Abstract: An improved safety start system for use in a domestic appliance. The system includes a drive motor circuit for energizing the drive motor through the drive motor switch and door switch and includes a manually operable start switch connected for energizing both the start and run windings to initiate motor operation. A switch is provided for de-energizing the start winding and locking in the run winding when the motor comes up to speed. The improvement comprises an electrically operated door latch in parallel circuit with the drive motor run winding and is actuated to lock the door closed when the run winding is energized and unlock the door when the run winding is de-energized. An arrangement is also provided to automatically open the door when it is unlocked. By this system for the appliance to operate the door must be manually closed while the start switch is operated.

Abstract: A variable speed drive system for a clothes dryer having a driven rotatable drum wherein the drum may be rotated at high speed, low speed, or no speed during operation of the machine. There is provided an improved mechanism for transmitting torque between a driving rotatable member and the driven rotatable drum through an endless drive belt. The driving rotatable member has a first diameter area and a second diameter area, the first area having a greater diameter than the second. There are two pulley assemblies each being pivotable about each of the first and second diameter areas and each having a drive belt. A shift mechanism for controlling the three modes of drum operation is provided which includes capability to rotate selectively each of the pulley assemblies about the driving member which causes one or both of the drive belts to slip to accomplish the desired mode of drum operation.

Abstract: A combination thermal energy storage material capable of functioning in two discrete temperature ranges and comprised of two constituents, one of which has a phase change in the low temperature range between about 35.degree. F. and about 55.degree. F., and the other of which has a phase change in the high temperature range of between about 90.degree. F. and about 130.degree. F. Both temperature ranges are selected to correspond with the operable and desirable ranges for a heat pump operation. The two constituents are selected to be non-reactive with one another and in the mixture maintain independent phase change characteristics. However, the mixture itself alters in some cases, depending upon concentration, the melting points of each member of the pair so that the transition temperatures of the phase changes in the mixture are somewhat different and somewhat lower than the phase changes characteristic of the independent constituents and is dependent upon the concentration of the constituents in the mixture.

Abstract: A dishwasher is disclosed which includes a tub formed of plastic, such as polypropylene, or other heat-deformable material. A heating element for effecting the final drying of the articles in the dishwasher is disposed near the bottom wall of the tub where the heat from the heating element could cause a deformation of the adjacent portion of the bottom wall of the tub. A shallow receptacle is disposed between the heating element and the portion of the bottom wall of the tub in close proximity thereto. The receptacle retains a small amount of the water used in the washing and rinsing operations and the evaporation of this water during the energization of the heating element insures that the temperature of the adjacent bottom wall remains below that at which any damage thereto could occur. Spaced dividers extending transversely of the slope of the bottom wall are provided in the receptacle to insure that water is retained therein over substantially the entire surface of the bottom of the receptacle.

Abstract: A vacuum control assembly for regulating the vacuum servo mechanism of an internal combustion engine's distributor including a vacuum sensitive device located between the carburetor spark and EGR vacuum ports and the distributor breaker plate servo mechanism, the device containing two parallel flow circuits connected to the servo, one being connected to the spark port and containing a servo operated cut-off valve, the other being connected to the EGR port and containing a servo operated switching valve that connects the distributor servo mechanism to the EGR port once the engine has reached a predetermined speed.