Abstract: A device for controlling the operation of a refrigeration appliance such as a domestic refrigerator consists of a circuit (2) comprising a plurality of resistive elements (3, 4, 5, 6) for generating reference signals (V.sub.A) to be compared in a comparator (18) with analog signals (V.sub.R) originating from a plurality of temperature sensors (21). The resistors have adjustable characteristics and are activated sequentially by a sequencer circuit (16) which also controls the supply of data (V.sub.C) derived from said comparisons into a memory (26, 27, 28). The sequencer circuit is connected to a control unit (35) for controlling the refrigeration appliance. The control unit reads the data from the memory at the end of each sequence of comparisons between the reference signals (V.sub.A) and the signal (V.sub.R) from the sensors, and on the basis of the data read out operate on the usual components (42, 43, 44) of the refrigeration appliance which generate and control its temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of rinsing fabric in a washer having a wash chamber rotatable about a vertical axis. Water is added to the wash chamber while rotating the wash chamber about its vertical axis a number of revolutions sufficient to cause the fabric, rinse water and wash chamber to rotate at approximately the same speed. The wash chamber is periodically decelerated to cause the fabric and rinse water to move relative to the wash chamber due to rotational inertia of the fabric and rinse water. The fabric is caused to tumble within the wash chamber as the wash chamber decelerates by impinging the fabric on structures in the wash chamber as the fabric is moving relative to the wash chamber. A spray of rinse water is directed onto the fabric during a first period of time as the fabric is rotating with and tumbling in the wash chamber. The rinse water is then drained from the wash chamber. Finally, the rinse water is removed from the fabric by spinning and draining the wash chamber.

Abstract: An electric, gas combined or similiar oven (1) is provided comprising a door (3) provided with a window (4), said window having an outer (5) and an inner surface (6) and a panel (9) interposed therebetween, said panel (9) comprises at least one mobile portion (25, 26) which when moved within the door (3) allows visual access to the interior of the usual cooking chamber (2) of the oven (1), the movement of said portion (25, 26) being controlled from the outside of said oven (1) by a suitable control member (40).

Abstract: An apparatus for laundering a textile wash load that includes an imperforate wash tub having a sump at its lower end. A perforate wash basket that is adapted to receive a load of textile materials to be laundered is disposed concentrically within the wash tub. The wash basket includes an inner surface upon which are disposed a plurality of agitator vanes. A fluid conducting tower is disposed along the central longitudinal axis of the wash basket. The tower includes a nozzle assembly that is adapted to spray liquid onto the wash load. The tower also includes a mixing tank that receives wash additive.

Abstract: A method of washing fabric in a washer having a wash chamber rotatable about a vertical axis and charged with a detergent solution is provided. The wash chamber is rotated about its vertical axis a number of revolutions sufficient to cause the fabric and detergent solution within the wash chamber to rotate at a speed approximately the same as the wash chamber. The wash chamber is periodically decelerated to cause the fabric and detergent solution to move relative to the wash chamber due to rotational inertia of the fabric and detergent solution. The fabric is caused to tumble within the wash chamber by impinging the fabric on structures in the wash chamber as the fabric is moving relative to the wash chamber. The steps of rotating, decelerating, and tumbling are repeated for a predetermined first period of time. A recirculating spray of concentrated detergent solution is directed on to the fabric during the first period of time as the fabric is rotating with and tumbling in the wash chamber.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a rinse process which can be used with any cycle, but which has particular utility following a wash cycle have a highly concentrated detergent solution.The method of rinsing fabric provided by the present invention is useful in a washer having a wash chamber rotatable about a horizontal axis. The steps undertaken in the method begin with loading fabric to be washed into the wash chamber of the washer. The fabric is then washed in a detergent solution while rotating the wash chamber about its horizontal axis for a first period of time. Next the detergent solution is drained from the wash chamber. The fabric is then rinsed by adding water to the wash chamber while spinning the wash chamber at a speed to effect more than a one gravity centrifugal force on the fabric such that the fabric will not tumble within the wash chamber as it spins. Finally, the wash chamber is drained of the rinse water.

Abstract: An improved wash process is provided for a horizontal washer wherein a concentrated detergent solution is applied to a spinning wash load, the load is spun to effect a greater than one gravity force to maintain the clothes load against the basket wall, and the concentrated detergent solution is recirculated through the clothes load for a first period of time. After the first period of time, the detergent solution is diluted somewhat, although the concentration remains above a normal concentration of 0.06 to 0.28%. The wash chamber will then be spun to effect less than a one gravity centrifugal force on the fabric such that the fabric will tumble in the wash chamber. The lesser concentrated detergent solution will then be recirculated on to the fabric during a second time period.

Abstract: A cooktop mounting assembly is set forth which utilizes a unitary ring member for supporting the periphery of a glass-ceramic panel as well as a method for assembling the same.

Abstract: A motor mount is provided for a dishwasher for preventing transmission of vibration generated by a motor through a pump to the dishwasher tub. The motor mount is secured at its base to the pump and includes a plurality of arms extending radially from the base for mounting the motor thereto. The arms are separate along their length from the pump, and are torsionally resilient, permitting the motor to vibrate torsionally with respect to the pump. The arms are radially and axially rigid, thereby preventing radial or axial motion of the motor.

Abstract: A tipover prevention apparatus for an appliance includes a wall-mounted bracket which secures an appliance tether cable extending horizontally across the wall-facing side of the appliance. The bracket includes a plurality of downwardly extending hooks for removably securing the appliance tether cable, each of which hooks includes an interior relieved area in which the appliance tether cable is positioned. A pair of forwardly extending ridges located on the extreme right and left edges of the bracket impart tension to the appliance tether cable, maintaining the appliance tether cable in proper position.

Abstract: A clutch mechanism for the drive system of an automatic washer having a concentrically mounted wash basket, and a motor drivingly connected to the agitator to drive the basket. The clutch mechanism includes a first clutch member drivingly connected to the motor, and a second clutch member drivingly connected to the wash basket and selectively axially actuable for driving engagement with the first clutch member. Opposing engagement surfaces of the clutch members are provided with alternating radially extending splines and grooves having a generally sawtooth profile. The splines of one of the clutch members are provided with squared tips, and the grooves of the other clutch member are provided with squared recesses, so that the shape of the corresponding splines and recesses provide an easily achieved yet secure connection when the clutch members are drivingly engaged.

Abstract: A control for a clothes dryer with an induction drive motor and an electric resistance heater element. A single sense winding is threaded through sensors monitoring drive motor current and heater current, generating an output voltage each time the alternating motor or heater current passes through a zero-crossing. The control monitors the ON/OFF condition of the heater and samples the lagging phase angle of the motor current, to provide an improved means of detecting when the clothes load is dry by measuring variation in motor torque due to minute differences in the way that the clothes load is tumbling from one drum revolution to the next revolution, ignoring cyclical, repetitive variation due to uneven drum rotational friction. The control provides a clothes cooldown period with controlled moisture regain as per the user dryness selection.

Abstract: A wash arm assembly for a dishwasher includes a plurality of wash arms extending radially from a hub. The hub includes an interior fluid passageway, and is rotatably mounted on a dishwasher soil separator. Each wash arm includes a plurality of apertures for permitting wash liquid to flow therethrough, at least one of which on each spray arm is directed downwardly to provide a downwardly directed cleansing spray of wash liquid. Mounted to the wash arms is a disc-shaped filter guard which includes a plurality of elongate apertures, each of which apertures corresponds to a downwardly directed wash arm aperture. Disposed within each elongate aperture is an elongate tab having a planar surface, which is disposed adjacent to and partially overlying the corresponding wash arm aperture. The soil separator includes an upward-facing cover, which cover includes an annular fine filter coaxially located with the wash arm assembly axis.

Abstract: A combination motor-pump and soil separator assembly includes a reversible motor which drives a wash pump and a drain pump. When operated in a wash mode, the wash pump directs pressurized wash liquid to one or more wash arms. In addition, a centrifugally sampled portion of the wash liquid containing a high concentration of entrained soil particles is directed to a guide chamber. The guide chamber is in fluid communication with a soil container, which receives the wash liquid to be treated. Soil-laden water received within the soil container is passed through fine filters disposed in a wall of the soil container, resulting in a cleansed wash liquid. The cleansed wash liquid is then returned to the wash pump, where additional wash liquid is added, for recirculation within the dishwasher. Upon completion of a wash cycle, the motor is operated in the opposite direction, providing a draining action within the soil collector.

Abstract: A food preparation oven includes a cooking chamber (1) in which a device (12) is provided for generating heat waves and for directing them in a suitably concentrated manner onto the surfaces (6, 7, 8, 9, 10,11) of the walls of the chamber (1); the device (12) is removably arranged in the cooking chamber (1) and is mobile therein so as to direct the heat waves onto the entire surface of the walls, the concentrated waves scanning the surfaces (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) but covering only portions of them at any given time, creating only in and around these portions a high temperature which results in the pyrolysis of the impurities which have been deposited on the surfaces (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) during the use of the oven. The heat waves can also be used for food preparation.

Abstract: An access panel arrangement is provided having one or more decorative panels, a frame for removably receiving those panels within a groove engaging a portion of the panel periphery, and a cover attached to the frame and movable between open positions in which the panels can be removed from the frame and closed positions in which the panels are restrained within the frame. The cover is attached to the frame by a plurality of tab and slot pairs, at least one of which is close fitting and provides lateral alignment of the cover to the frame. These tab and slot pairs are dimensioned to permit relative rotation such that the cover is hingedly connected to the frame in a free-floating manner. Snap fit latches are provided to retain the cover in a closed position, but are sufficiently resilient to release the cover and permit movement to an open position and a closed position in response to hand pressures without the use of tools.

Abstract: A tube and fin-type evaporator is provided for a refrigerator having trapezoidally shaped fins with the wider portion of the fins disposed upstream in the cooling air flow path through the evaporator. The refrigerant tube passes through at least two rows of openings in these fins, and those openings are staggered and of different length to enhance turbulence and reduce tube shielding within the cooling air flow. Projections (dimples) on the fins adjacent the downstream side of each opening are provided to reduce dead air space downstream from the tube. Further, the openings are provided with collars to increase heat transfer between the fins and the tube. These projections and collars also serve to increase rigidity of the fins. The present invention enables the use of relatively small diameter, thin walled refrigerant tubes within the evaporator. Also, the tubes can be hydraulically expanded within the fins to enhance fin to tube contact and decrease heat transfer resistance.

Abstract: A refrigerator, freezer or the like comprises a cabinet (1), a pump (6) for producing vacuum and, in a refrigeration compartment (10) thereof, a container (17) closable in a vacuum-tight manner and able to be moved within said compartment (10), said container (17) comprising a lid (19) guided to open and close during its movement by elements (40) associated with said lid (19), which moves in guide tracks (41) provided in opposing walls (16) of said compartment (10) or in elements (42) associated with said walls (16), there being provided on said lid (19) mobile members (48) associated with pins (46, 50) acting as hinges about which, during the movement of said lid (19), said members (48) rotate under the action of a thrust exerted by pusher means (51), said movement taking (48), during their rotation about said pins (46, 50), exceed an equilibrium position beyond which the pusher means (51) act to provide independent guided movement of said lid (19).

Abstract: A microwave oven with a lighting device for illumination of the oven cavity. The lighting device comprises a smaller hole in the cavity wall, the small dimensions of said hole substantially eliminating leak of microwave through the hole, and a light-intensive glowlamp which is smaller than the hole and whch is positioned outside the cavity in close connection with the hole.

Abstract: For an electric range featuring combined heating by microwave energy, and/or thermal energy a compact and space-saving construction impervious to microwave energy is provided by the thermal-energy source being arranged in a hood which is impervious to microwaves and which is formed at the top of the cooking space. A reflector associated with the thermal-energy source and situated in the transition area between the heating space and the cooking space is connected to a metal grid in an electrically conductive manner and is connected to but insulated from the housing.