US 11,739,455 B2
Ventilation valve and control system for venting fresh air within a laundry appliance
Dennis Kehl, Benton Harbor, MI (US)
Assigned to Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI (US)
Filed by WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, Benton Harbor, MI (US)
Filed on Apr. 29, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/244,049.
Prior Publication US 2022/0349101 A1, Nov. 3, 2022
Int. Cl. D06F 25/00 (2006.01); D06F 37/26 (2006.01); F16K 15/14 (2006.01)
CPC D06F 25/00 (2013.01) [D06F 37/26 (2013.01); F16K 15/14 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A combination washing and drying appliance comprising:
a tub positioned within an outer cabinet;
a rotating drum having a perforated wall, wherein the rotating drum is rotationally operable within the tub;
a blower that delivers process air through an airflow path that includes a processing space within the rotating drum and an interstitial space defined between the tub and the rotating drum; and
an operable vent that is selectively operable between a venting position and a closed position in response to operation of the rotating drum, wherein the operable vent in the venting position defines a passive flow of ambient air between the processing space and an area outside of the tub, and wherein the operable vent is operable to the closed position during a spin function of the rotating drum, wherein the operable vent includes a pitot mechanism that extends from the interstitial space to a diaphragm contained within a valve body, wherein rotation of the rotating drum during the spin function generated a pitot pressure that expands the diaphragm to engage a valve seat of the valve body to define the closed position of the operable vent.