Drum Bypass Control

Abstract

A seal for a tub/drum assembly has a ring body to secure the seal to the tub/drum assembly. An arm extends from the ring body. The arm reduces a gap between the tub and drum. A mass at an end of the arm. The mass enables the arm to deflect at high drum rotational speeds increasing the gap between the tub and drum during high rotational speed of the drum. Alternatively, the arm is of a material prohibiting substantial deflection so that the gap is maintained at all speeds between the tub and drum without the arm contacting the drum creating high resistance in an airflow path.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A seal for a tub/drum assembly comprising:
 a ring body for securing to the tub/drum assembly;   an arm extending from the ring body, the arm reducing a gap between the tub and drum;   a mass at an end of the arm, the mass enabling the arm to deflect or extend at high drum rotational speeds increasing the gap between the tub and drum during desired rotational speeds of the drum.   
     
     
         2 . The seal for a tub/drum assembly according to  claim 1 , where the arm includes a chamber for retaining the mass inside the chamber. 
     
     
         3 . The seal for a tub/drum assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the mass can be a fluid, metal or the like. 
     
     
         4 . The seal for a tub/drum assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a pocket to receive an end of the drum for enhancing securement to the drum. 
     
     
         5 . The seal for a tub/drum assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a composite material on the other part of the tub and drum assembly to enable contact of the mass or arm to prevent seal damage. 
     
     
         6 . A seal for a tub/drum assembly comprising:
 a ring body for securing to the tub/drum assembly;   an arm extending from the ring body, the arm reducing a gap between the tub and drum;   the arm reducing a gap between the tub and drum, the arm being of a material prohibiting substantial deflection so that the gap is maintained at all speeds between the tub and drum without the arm contacting the drum creating high resistance in an airflow path.   
     
     
         7 . The seal for a tub/drum assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the ring is secured to the tub. 
     
     
         8 . The seal for a tub/drum assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the arm includes a seal with a lip extending towards the drum. 
     
     
         9 . The seal for a tub/drum assembly according to  claim 7 , further comprising a seal on the drum adjacent the arm. 
     
     
         10 . The seal for a tub/drum assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein the seal includes a lip extending towards the arm. 
     
     
         11 . A tub/drum assembly for a combination washer/dryer comprising:
 a tub for receiving a drum;   a drum rotatable inside the tub;   a ring body for securing to the drum;   an arm extending from the ring body, the arm reducing a gap between the tub and drum;   a mass at an end of the arm, the mass enabling the arm to deflect at high drum rotational speeds increasing the gap between the tub and drum during the desired rotational speeds of the drum.   
     
     
         12 . The tub/drum assembly for a combination washer/dryer according to  claim 11 , wherein where the arm includes a chamber for retaining the mass inside the chamber and wherein the mass can be a fluid, metal or the like. 
     
     
         13 . The tub/drum assembly for a combination washer/dryer according to  claim 11 , further comprising a pocket to receive an end of the drum for enhancing securement to the drum. 
     
     
         14 . The tub/drum assembly for a combination washer/dryer according to  claim 11 , further comprising a composite material on the tub for enabling contact of the mass or arm to prevent seal damage. 
     
     
         15 . A tub/drum assembly for a combination washer/dryer comprising:
 a tub for receiving a drum;   a drum rotatable inside the tub;   a ring body for securing to the tub;   an arm extending from the ring body, the arm reducing a gap between the tub and drum;   the arm being of a material prohibiting substantial deflection so that the gap is maintained at all speeds between the tub and drum without the arm contacting the drum creating high resistance in an airflow path.   
     
     
         16 . The tub/drum assembly for a combination washer/dryer according to  claim 15 , wherein the arm includes a seal with a lip extending towards the drum. 
     
     
         17 . The tub/drum assembly for a combination washer/dryer according to  claim 15 , further comprising a seal on the drum adjacent the arm. 
     
     
         18 . The tub/drum assembly for a combination washer/dryer according to  claim 17 , wherein the seal includes a lip extending towards the arm. 
     
     
         19 . A combination washer/dryer unit including the tub and drum assembly according to  claim 11 . 
     
     
         20 . A combination washer/dryer including the tub and drum assembly according to  claim 15 .