Washing machine with sparge tube

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a washing machine with improvements to the hardware for direct steam injection. One improvement is a steam delivery tube (herein called a sparge tube) that penetrates a side wall above the water level, but releases steam below the water level. One improvement is a steam delivery tube (herein called a sparge tube) that penetrates a rotating side wall above the water level, but releases steam below the water level. Another improvement is the use of a curved sparge tube that can conform within and between the contours of (typically cylindrical) rotating side walls. Another improvement is a sparge tube that releases steam in a direction at least substantially parallel to the central axis of the washing chamber. Another improvement is a temperature probe that penetrates a rotating side wall above the water level, but extends and measures temperature below the water level. A controller controls the open/shut status of steam valve. This controller uses the temperature measured by the temperature probe.

1 . A washing machine comprising:
 a driving device;   a liquid containing chamber that is at least substantially liquid tight and defines a central axis, an angular direction and an axial direction, with the liquid containing chamber comprising:
 a first side wall at least substantially in the shape of a peripheral wall of a cylinder, the first side wall comprising a first seal located around the first side wall around its angular direction, 
 a first end wall, and 
 a second end wall; 
   liquid source hardware; and   a sparge tube structured to carry and direct steam from a steam source;   wherein:   the liquid source hardware is structured, connected and located to fill the liquid containing chamber with liquid up to a predetermined liquid level;   the driving device and liquid containing chamber are structured, located and connected so that the driving device drives the liquid containing chamber to rotate about the central axis;   the sparge tube remains stationary when the liquid containing chamber rotates;   the sparge tube comprises a straight portion and a curved portion;   the straight portion of sparge tube is sized, shaped and located to penetrate the first side wall through the first seal at a location above the liquid level;   the first seal has a rotating seal geometry to accommodate the rotation of the liquid containing chamber relative to the sparge tube;   the curved portion of the sparge tube extends in the angular direction from the vicinity of the location where the straight portion penetrates the first side wall above the liquid level down below the liquid level;   the curved portion of the sparge tube defines a steam release opening located below the liquid level; and   the steam release opening is sized, shaped and located to release steam in a direction at least substantially parallel to the central axis.   
   
   
       2 . The machine of  claim 1  further comprising a second side wall shaped as a peripheral wall of a cylinder, located within an interior space defined by the first side wall and at least substantially co-axial with the first side wall, wherein:
 the second side wall is not liquid tight;   a portion of the second side wall is below the liquid level; and   the curved portion of the sparge tube is located between the first side wall and the second side wall.   
   
   
       3 . The machine of  claim 2  wherein the driving device and liquid containing chamber are structured, located and connected so that the driving device drives the liquid containing chamber to rotate about the central axis with the liquid containing chamber. 
   
   
       4 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein the liquid source hardware is structured, connected and located supply wash water as the liquid. 
   
   
       5 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein the central axis is horizontal. 
   
   
       6 . The machine of  claim 5  wherein the first and second end walls are vertical. 
   
   
       7 . The machine of  claim 6  further comprising a steam release controller, wherein:
 the steam release controller is structured, connected and/or programmed to receive the temperature data; and   the steam release control means controls the release of steam through the sparge tube based, at least in part, on the temperature data.   
   
   
       8 . The machine of  claim 6  wherein:
 the temperature probe hardware is sized, shaped and located to penetrate the first side wall through the first seal at a location above the liquid level; and   the temperature probe hardware extends below the liquid level.   
   
   
       9 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein the liquid containing chamber is in the form of a first washing module, the machine further comprising a frame comprising:
 a ground securing portion for securing the frame to the ground; and   a first washing module securing portion for mechanically securing the first washing module portion so that it is free to rotate about the central axis.   
   
   
       10 . The machine of  claim 9  further comprising:
 a first pre-wash module; and   a first rinsing module;   wherein:   the first washing module, the first pre-wash module and the first rinsing module are at least substantially co-axially aligned.   
   
   
       11 . A washing machine comprising:
 a liquid containing chamber that is at least substantially liquid tight and comprises a first wall comprising a first seal;   liquid source hardware; and   a steam conduit structured to carry and direct steam from a steam source;   wherein:   the liquid source hardware is structured, connected and located to fill the liquid containing chamber with liquid up to a predetermined liquid level;   the steam conduit is sized, shaped and located to penetrate the first wall through the first seal at a location above the liquid level; and   the steam conduit defines a steam release opening below the liquid level.   
   
   
       12 . The machine of  claim 11  wherein:
 the first wall is shaped as a peripheral wall of a cylinder defining a central axis and having a bottom; and   the steam release opening is located in the vicinity of the bottom.   
   
   
       13 . The machine of  claim 12  wherein the steam release opening is sized, shaped and located to direct steam out of the steam conduit in a direction at least substantially parallel to the central axis. 
   
   
       14 . The machine of  claim 12  further comprising a second wall shaped as a peripheral wall of a cylinder, located within an interior space defined by the first wall and at least substantially co-axial with the first wall, wherein:
 the second wall is not liquid tight;   a portion of the second wall is below the liquid level; and   the steam release opening is located between the first wall and the second wall.   
   
   
       15 . A washing machine comprising:
 a generally cylindrical liquid containing chamber that is at least substantially liquid tight, comprises a first wall shaped as a peripheral wall of a cylinder, with the first wall comprising a first seal, and defining a central axis;   liquid source hardware; and   a steam conduit structured to carry and direct steam from a steam source;   wherein:   the liquid source hardware is structured, connected and located to fill the liquid containing chamber with liquid up to a predetermined liquid level;   the steam conduit is sized, shaped and located to penetrate the first wall through the first seal at a location above the liquid level;   the steam conduit comprises a curved portion that is curved substantially in the shape of a circular arc; and   the curved portion, the fluid containing portion and the first seal are located, sized and shaped so that the curved portion is at least substantially co-axial with the first wall.   
   
   
       16 . The machine of  claim 15  further comprising a second wall shaped as a peripheral wall of a cylinder, located within an interior space defined by the first wall and at least substantially co-axial with the first wall, wherein:
 the second wall is not liquid tight;   a portion of the second wall is below the liquid level; and   the curved portion is located between the first wall and the second wall.   
   
   
       17 . The machine of  claim 15  wherein the curved portion defines at least one steam release opening that is sized, shaped and located to direct steam out of the steam conduit in a direction at least substantially parallel to the central axis. 
   
   
       18 . The machine of  15  further comprising a driving device, wherein:
 the driving device and liquid containing chamber are structured, located and connected so that the driving device drives the liquid containing chamber to rotate about the central axis;   the steam conduit remains stationary when the liquid containing chamber rotates; and   the first seal has a rotating seal geometry to accommodate the rotation of the liquid containing chamber relative to the steam conduit.   
   
   
       19 . A washing machine comprising:
 a generally cylindrical liquid containing chamber that is at least substantially liquid tight, comprises a first wall shaped as a peripheral wall of a cylinder, with the first wall comprising a first seal, and defining a central axis;   liquid source hardware; and   a steam conduit structured to carry and direct steam from a steam source;   wherein:   the liquid source hardware is structured, connected and located to fill the liquid containing chamber with fluid up to a predetermined liquid level;   the steam conduit defines a steam release opening below the liquid level; and   the steam release opening is sized, shaped and located to release steam in a direction at least substantially parallel to the central axis.   
   
   
       20 . The machine of  claim 19  wherein:
 the first wall has a bottom; and   the steam release opening is located in the vicinity of the bottom.