Electronic Escapement---A Hybrid Method of Appliance Control

The state-of-the-art programming appliance timer used in washing machines and dishwashers is a bargain, so much a bargain that it is allowed to dictate the functional design of many household appliances. The electronic escapement takes the best features from this timer and combines them with an electronic timing circuit that allows a new range of flexibility. Low-level sensors of many varieties and continuously adjustable timing bases are readily adaptable for work with the electronic escapement. Circuits are shown and examples given showing how the use of the electronic escapement can provide unique circuitry to accomplish control functions otherwise nigh impossible.