Radially oriented motor for a fluid balance ring
AssigneeMaytag Corporation
InventorsJoel L. Herr, Troy A. Johnson, John E. Thomas
Life of this patent
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AssigneeMaytag Corporation
InventorsJoel L. Herr, Troy A. Johnson, John E. Thomas
Estimating the term…
A radially mounted motor is provided in a closed system fluid balance ring for high rotational speed washing machines. The motor is mounted at an orientation of 90.degree. relative to the rotational axis of the washing machine spinner. Such an orientation prevents adverse effects on the motor contacts from centrifugal forces generated by the rotating spinner. A 90.degree. orientation also eliminates deflection of the motor shaft and excessive friction on the motor bearings. The angular orientation of the motor assures proper functioning of the closed system fluid balance ring of the washing machine. The balance system also includes a valve to control movement of fluid within the ring. The valve is mounted at an angle with respect to a tangent of the spinner so as to prevent detrimental effects from the centrifugal forces of the rotating spinner.
An improved fluid balance ring for a laundry appliance having a spinner mounted for rotation about an axis, the ring including a motor with a shaft and a pump operatively connected to the motor for transferring fluid within the ring to balance an uneven load in the spinner, the improvement comprising:
A method of balancing an uneven load in a rotating spinner, comprising:
A washing machine comprising:
An improved fluid balance ring for a laundry appliance having a spinner mounted for rotation about an axis, the ring including a motor with a shaft and a pump operatively connected to the motor for transferring fluid within the ring to balance an uneven load in the spinner, the improvement comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.