Method and apparatus for filling a wash tub of an automatic clothes washer

An automatic clothes washer comprising:

• a wash tub;
• hot and cold water valves for filling said wash tub with hot and cold water;
• operator actuable means for selecting a desired water level and temperature;
• means for determining the time to fill said wash tub to a selected level with a predetermined water flow rate;
• means for determining respective on times of hot and cold water at predetermined temperatures to provide a mixture at a selected temperature;
• and
• means for turning on said hot and cold water valves in accordance with said respective on times to fill said wash tub to said selected level with water at said selected temperature.

An automatic clothes washer comprising:

• a wash tub having a first sensor for providing an output signal indicating a predetermined water level;
• a mixing valve comprising hot and cold water valves for filling said wash tub with water, said mixing valve having a second sensor for providing a signal indicating the temperature of outlet water from said mixing valve;
• an operator actuable control for providing signals indicating a desired water temperature and water level;
• a controller coupled to receive said first and second sensor signals and said operator actuable control signals, said controller comprising means responsive to said signals for determining in advance the on times of said hot and cold water valves to provide the desired water temperature and level, and opening said hot and cold water valves in accordance with said determined on times;
• and
• said controller determining means comprising means responsive to said first sensor and a timer for generating and storing a historical average of flow rate through said mixing valve.