DynOzone - DynaWash® Ozone System

Abstract

An improved system for processing laundry, including a reduction of hot water, overall water usage, detergents and chemicals, and cycle time, by a laundry appliance of the horizontal axis washer-extractor type with a novel onboard, fully integrated ozone generating apparatus. The generating apparatus produces an ozone enriched gas, by means of ultraviolet lamps emitting specific wavelengths of light, which is then extricated via a diaphragm air pump and introduced into the wash tub via a removable diffuser assembly providing treatment of the wash water for improved sterilization, disinfection, bleaching and deodorizing of the laundered goods. Furthermore, the novel apparatus as an onboard, fully integrated machine component requires no separate control, wiring or connections, and as a replaceable component is advantageous to provide a consistent output of gas due to the inherent design and disintegration properties of ozone generating ultraviolet lamps.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Reference to Patent Numbers:

• • for the generation of activated oxygen or ozone:
    • U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,101
  • for the use of activated oxygen or ozone in laundry machines:
    • U.S Pat. No. 5,625,915
    • U.S Pat. No. 5,806,120
    • U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,649
    • U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,838
    • U.S. Pat. No. 6,408,471
    • U.S. Pat. No. 6,418,580

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

There has been no assistance, financially or otherwise, from any agency of the United States federal, state or local governments in the research and development of this invention.

The EDRO Corporation is a small business located in East Berlin, Conn. and incorporated in September, 1946 under the laws of the State of Conn.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The science of cleaning laundry in a horizontal axis large capacity washer-extractor (washing machine) is a commonly known art based on the following general description. A washer-extractor is designed for cleaning laundry only. The machine performs the following principle functions: water and chemical injection, wash/clean, rinse, drain, and water extraction. The washer-extractor is comprised of two basic parts: an outer shell or tub and a revolving basket within the tub. The shell holds the water and chemicals and the revolving basket holds the clothing. The basket is highly perforated with small holes on its outer surface. These small holes allow the chemicals and water to enter, saturate and pass through the clothing within the cylinder.

The wash load is cleaned by a combination of chemical and mechanical action. The mechanical action is dependent on the number and height of the rises and falls of the clothing per unit of time within the cylinder. Chemical action is dependent on the correct amount of chemical product per unit volume of water.

Extraction is performed after the tub has been drained to remove large amounts of water from the clothing. The extraction process is created by the acceleration of the basket from the slow rotation of washing to a much faster rotation. With the basket rotating at such a high rate of speed, the centrifugal force removes a majority of water from the clothing.

Washer-extractors employ a fully automatic control with the ability to control all operating aspects of the wash and extract cycles of the machine. The fully automatic control controls the Wash Motor Rotation Sequence (forward/pause/reverse), Extract Motor Speeds, Water Levels, Hot and Cold Water Valves, Extra Water Inlet, Sewer Drain, Extra Drain, Internal and External Chemical and Auxiliary Signals, Heating device, and Door Lock.

It is also well documented in the laundry industry that the use of activated oxygen or ozone in the wash process produces a number of significant benefits. Ozone, a species of activated oxygen, is a strong oxidizer and can act as a powerful disinfecting and cleansing additive for inactivating contaminants.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a laundry appliance of the horizontal axis washer-extractor type. An important object of the invention is to provide a machine of the aforementioned type with a consumable, built-in, on board activated oxygen or ozone system consisting of an ozone producing generator (Power Cell), diaphragm pump and replaceable diffuser.

SPECIFICATIONS & ILLUSTRATIONS

The machine (FIG. 1) includes:

• • a. Typical washer-extractor design and machine functions such as:
    • i. supporting base and frame
    • ii. watertight wash tub with water fill and drain valves
    • iii. a rotating cylinder with shaft, supported by bearings
    • iv. an electric motor and drive
  • b. an activated oxygen or ozone generator (Power Cell) with diaphragm pump and replaceable diffuser
  • c. a computer to integrate, monitor and control all machine functions

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

The invention incorporates a consumable, built-in, onboard activated oxygen or ozone generator (Power Cell) with a diaphragm pump and replaceable diffusing method to a washer-extractor. The system is an integral part of the machine. All components of the system are mounted directly on the frame of the washer-extractor, powered by the incoming voltage to the machine, and controlled and monitored by the control of the machine. There are no external components or utilities required to make the system functional, nor extra floor or wall space required for installation.

Major components of the DynOzone—DynaWash Ozone System consist of a Power Cell, pump and diffuser. The Power Cell (FIGS. 2-A & 2-B) is:

• • a. 2″ extruded PVC tube of specific length (depending on model) fitted with highly reflected aluminum flashing sealed on each end with an end cap
  • b. one end cap fitted with a polypropylene air intake with stainless steel mesh element
  • c. other end cap fitted with:
    • i. UV lamp (U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,101) of 24″ or 36″ (depending on model)
    • ii. stainless steel air fitting to form a means to extricate the activated oxygen or ozone gas

The DynOzone—DynaWash® Ozone System generates an activated oxygen or ozone gas by means of UV radiation. The Power Cell is the producer of this gas and is part of a system built-into and onboard a washer-extractor. The system functions as an integral part of the machine and the activated oxygen or ozone gas produced is fed through a secure, fluid-tight connection to the sump of the wash tub. The machine's control activates the Power Cell(s) and pump(s), and monitors the status of components throughout the wash process.

The Power Cell generates an activated oxygen or ozone gas by means of UV light frequency of approximately 185 and 254 nanometers. Ambient room air is drawn into the Power Cell via an intake filter. Once exposed to the radiation, activated oxygen is formed. The charged air is extricated from the Power Cell by means of a diaphragm pump (FIG. 3), then piped into the sump of the wash tub through a removable diffuser (FIG. 4). All functions of the ozone system and machine are incorporated within and controlled by means of the washer-extractor's control (FIG. 5).

The Power Cell is an easily removable all in one component. It is a consumable item and replaceable once its useful life is expired. Useful life is the shorter of approximately 10,000 hours of lamp ignition or lamp failure. According to the lamp patent holder (cross reference U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,101), the crystal used in the lamp deteriorates over time effectively diminishing the output of activated oxygen or ozone requiring the lamp to be replaced.

Typical systems which generate activated oxygen or ozone by means of UV radiation require lamp replacement as noted. For replacement, these systems only replace lamps upon failure. All other housing components remain. By replacing air intake filter, air flow is improved. By replacing aluminum flashing, reflective properties for activated oxygen or ozone generation are optimized. Lamp crystal can also be damaged by oils from human contact. UV lamps in the Power Cell are assembled in a controlled environment, sealed and not subject to external substances.

Claims

1. The invention relates to a laundry appliance of the horizontal axis washer-extractor type. An important object of the invention is to provide a machine of the aforementioned type with a consumable, built-in, on board activated oxygen or ozone producing generator (Power Cell), diaphragm pump and diffuser system.

2. The invention according to claim 1 is a machine designed as a complete system requiring no separate controls, wiring or connections required as commonly found in after market add on ozone systems for laundry washer-extractors.

3. The invention according to claim 1 is to have all components built into and fully integrated within the machine. Components are specifically sized for each capacity model according to the following chart: Rated Cubic Load High Water Level Light Exposure Number of Length of Lamp Number of Number of Capacity Content Ratio (gallons) Required (inches) Power Cells (inches) Power Cells Pumps 40 6.5 6.15 27 25 1.0 24 1 1 60 9.3 6.45 35 35 1.5 24 2 1 60 14.4 4.17 62 55 2.3 24 2 1 100 15.7 6.37 50 60 2.5 24 3 1 100 19.2 5.20 80 73 3.0 24 3 1 125 20.2 6.19 62 77 3.2 24 4 2 140 21.5 6.51 67 82 3.4 24 4 2 150 27.2 5.51 104 103 4.3 24 4 2 200 34.5 5.80 133 131 5.5 24 6 2 250 37.7 6.63 152 143 4.0 36 4 2 300 55.6 5.40 155 211 5.9 36 6 2 400 68.7 5.82 165 261 7.3 36 6 2

4. The invention according to claim 1 includes a Power Cell component which is the source of activated oxygen or ozone production. This component is advantageous in the continued consistent production of activated oxygen or ozone gas, as well as in the replacement of such consumable parts.

5. The invention provides a washing process that allows the laundry to be sterilized, disinfected, bleached and deodorized without being heated.