Abstract: An improved water temperature control and method for automatic clothes washers having a tub for containing water and a water valve with a hot water inlet and a cold water inlet, a temperature sensing control including a temperature responsive switch for controlling at least one of the water inlets, a water conduit from the water valve to the tub. The improvement is a water sampling tank having an inlet, an outlet, and a water chamber therebetween, the tank being arranged in water flow communication with the conduit between the water valve and the tub so that a small portion of water passing through the conduit is diverted through the chamber. The water temperature responsive switch is in temperature sensing relationship with the water in the chamber.

Abstract: A novel sealing arrangement for mounting a combination pump-motor assembly in sealed relationship to the bottom opening of a dishwasher tub, whereby a fluid-tight seal is insured, notwithstanding thermal expansion and contraction of the tub bottom. The seal is effected between a circumferential downwardly directed bead, of a flexible shroud that covers the assembly, and an upwardly facing grooved lip which defines the opening in the tub bottom whereby the weight of the wash fluid in the tub tends to enhance the sealing action.

Abstract: A water softening system utilizing a reusable, self-contained water softener device for an agitator type clothes washer. The water softener device includes a quantity of cation exchange resin contained in a torus shaped jacket formed of a closely woven porous, synthetic-fiber fabric. The water softener device is placed in the clothes washer in association with the agitator such that water will be circulated through the resin to effect a hardness reduction thereof by the removal of calcium and/or magnesium ions. After the softening operation, the water softener is removed from the washer and detergent and soiled fabrics are placed therein. The resin is then regenerated by treatment of the device with a salt solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-contained air conditioning unit including a reversible refrigeration system and more particularly to a control system having a plurality of sensing means that are effective in maintaining operation of the unit in a heat pump mode when the ambient and the surface temperature of selected refrigeration components are above a preselected frosting temperature.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for use in conjunction with a time accumulating means adapted to accumulate timer run time on a timer mechanism in response to an outward reciprocation of the slide of a coin-receiving mechanism from a fully inward position. The mechanism is associated with the slide and provides for positively stopping inward movement of a gear rack used to set the timer run time and includes resilient means to take up any deviation in mechanism assembly tolerance thereafter without further inward movement of the gear rack.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a water delivery system for an automatic ice-forming element of a refrigeration apparatus. The refrigeration apparatus is formed of inner and outer spaced-apart cases with a holding element positioned between the cases in contact with a water supply line for maintaining said line in heat exchange relationship with at least one wall of the outer case.

Abstract: An electric range having a solid glass-ceramic cooktop with a baking oven positioned beneath the cooktop. The oven includes a vertical exhaust duct joined to an oven vent means associated with the top wall of the oven and extending to an exhaust opening in the backsplash of the range. The vertical duct has a cooling air entry at its bottom portion for entry of relatively cool dry air for mixing with the oven gases prior to discharge of the oven gases from the exhaust opening.

Abstract: A broiling oven formed by an oven liner and an access door. Two electric radiant heating elements are located beneath the top wall of the oven liner. A hinged reflective plate is supported at each side of the innermost heating element. When these plates are lowered they form a miniature broiling compartment using the innermost heating element. When they are raised both heating elements may be operated together or separately.

Abstract: A belt drive mechanism for transmitting torque between a driving rotatable member and a driven rotatable member through a drive belt which is an automatic belt tightener. Included is a freely-riding pulley assembly pivotable about the driving member as a center and including two pulleys with outside diameter flanges and reduced interior diameters having their longitudinal axes of rotation parallel and a fixed distance apart. The driving member has its longitudinal axis of rotation parallel to the rotational axes of the pulleys and is arranged in a wedge-like relationship therebetween. The flanges of each pulley are in contact with the driving member and the drive belt passes over the driving member and then over the reduced diameter of both of the flanged pulleys. By this arrangement, the belt has imparted to it a driving force delivered by the driving member and both of the pulleys.

Abstract: A roller for a dishwasher rack is provided which is easily molded and which includes a flexible peripheral flange that prevents the roller from cutting the tub and door lining material. The roller also includes a generously radiused portion adjacent the dishwasher tub sidewall which prevents it from scoring the tub liner and serves to keep the rack in alignment by abutting the tub sidewall.

Abstract: An improved flexible coupling assembly for connecting a driving member to a driven member and includes two spaced circular end plates, one for securing to the driving member and one for securing to the driven member, the end plates being interconnected by a one-piece flexible plastic molded body having a plurality of bowed ribs which compensates for axial and lateral displacement between the end plates.

Abstract: Apparatus for varying microwave power level is included in a microwave oven. The microwave oven includes a magnetron for producing microwaves used for heating and a half-wave voltage doubler for supplying half-wave pulsating DC voltage to the magnetron. In order to vary voltage and thus power output of the magnetron, the charging of the capacitor in the half-wave voltage doubler is controlled by a variable resistance connected in series with the rectifier in the otherwise conventional half-wave voltage doubler.

Abstract: The present invention provides an air conditioning system for a mobile home and a method of adapting a mobile home for removably receiving an air conditioning unit. The system includes securing a mounting means to the support structure of the mobile home and an air conditioning unit that is adapted to be removably secured to the mounting means. When installed on the mounting means, the air conditioning unit is aligned to deliver conditioned air into the interior of the mobile home through its built-in air distribution system.

Abstract: A household refrigerator having a door and a cooling compartment has a heat exchange transfer medium circulatory system associated with the door. The circulatory system has a probe extending into the cooling compartment in the closed position of the door and a serpentine portion positioned within the door and extending along an inner wall of the door. The circulatory system is a closed system that is movable with the door and contains a heat transfer medium for cooling the door.

Abstract: A plug-in surface heating unit assembly for use in the cooktop of an electric range. The heating unit is a metal sheathed electrical resistance heating element in spiral form with radial, outwardly directed terminal portions in close formation. The invention relates to a folded spring blade which is fastened between a movable terminal block and the cooktop so that the spring normally biases the terminal block into an upward position while biasing the heating unit into a down position so that the unit will sit level with respect to the cooktop. The terminal block is supported by means of a lost-motion connection from a fixed mounting bracket that is supported under the cooktop.

Abstract: A single evaporator, single fan combination refrigerator includes a temperature control system which thermostatically maintains the fresh food compartment at a desired temperature by cycling the refrigeration system on and off as required, and which controls freezer compartment temperature by varying the airflow through a duct conducting refrigerated air from the evaporator chamber to the fresh food compartment. In order to compensate for variations in freezer compartment temperature which would otherwise result when the setting of the fresh food control is changed, the airflow through the duct is varied as a funtion of the setting of the fresh food control, as well as of the freezer control.

Abstract: A single evaporator, single fan combination refrigerator includes a temperature control system which thermostatically maintains the fresh food compartment at a desired temperature by cycling the refrigerator system on and off as required, and which controls freezer compartment temperature by varying airflow through a duct conducting refrigerated air from the evaporator chamber to the fresh food compartment. Variable airflow control apparatus comprising a mechanical summer operating an air valve varies airflow through the duct as a function of the settings of both the fresh food control and the freezer control.

Abstract: A single evaporator, single fan combination refrigerator includes a temperature control system which thermostatically maintains the fresh food compartment at a desired temperature by cycling the refrigerator system on and off as required, and which controls freezer compartment temperature by varying airfow through a pair of ducts conducting refrigerated air from the evaporator chamber to the fresh food compartment. The freezer control operates a pair of main dampers disposed in the ducts. In order to compensate for variations in freezer compartment temperature which would otherwise result when the setting of the thermostatic fresh food control is changed, a pair of compensating dampers are also disposed in the ducts and operatively connected to the fresh food control for ganged operation with the thermostatic control. The dampers are constructed to only partially block airflow when in the fully closed position.

Abstract: An electric range for household cooking purposes has a cooktop with a plurality of surface heating units in the form of coils of metal-sheathed, electrical resistance heating elements. Each unit is mounted in an opening in the cooktop. A combined reflector pan and trim ring is interposed in the opening for supporting the unit, for radiating the heating energy in an upward direction and for collecting spillage. The combined pan and trim ring is manufactured of the optimum materials so it will perform its functions, and, moreover, may be cleaned in a pyrolytic self-cleaning oven without injury or discoloration.

Abstract: A heat pipe for controlling the temperature of a refrigeration system of a refrigerator is of a general "U" configuration. A means is provided within the heat pipe to terminate the passage of gas and/or liquid through the heat pipe when the ambient temperature of the second end of the heat pipe is greater than the temperature of the portion of the refrigerator contacting the first end of the heat pipe.