Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing the air flow in a clothes dryer by determining a pressure characteristic of the air within the drying chamber when the dryer is turned on and comparing the determined pressure characteristic to a predetermined reference value to ascertain the condition of the air flow in the dryer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laundry dryer capable of removing and/or preventing wrinkles of laundry. A laundry dryer includes a drum to hole laundry, a steam generator to selectively supply steam to the drum, a water supply source to hold water that is supplied to the steam generator, a water softening member provided in the water supply source to soften water, and a drain hose through which the water of the water supply source is selectively drained outside.

Abstract: A front control panel assembly is mounted to an upper portion of a laundry appliance cabinet. The control panel has upper and lower spaced apart support brackets, each having a slot having a guiding portion and a trough. A heat shield is mounted to the cabinet and has four spaced apart cantilever posts each having a shaft portion and an end portion received in the support brackets to support the control panel to the cabinet. The lower support brackets secure the corresponding shaft portion via a clasp portion. The secured control panel can move only in opposite first and second radial directions relative the axis of the shaft portion. The guiding portion helps locate the cantilever posts relative the support brackets. A screw passing frontally through the control panel secures it to the heat shield. Cantilever post support bracket cooperation inhibits control panel rotation about the axis of the screw.

Abstract: A display device of a dryer, which can achieve the reliability of a function to display a clogging degree in the dryer, is disclosed. The display device includes a display unit for displaying a clogging degree of an air passage through at least one level indicator, and a controller for controlling the display unit when power is supplied, such that the level indicator flickers for a predetermined time, and then displays the clogging degree of the air passage. The display for the clogging degree of the air passage is executed, following the display of a normal operation state of the display unit.

Abstract: Various compressed air systems for commercial vehicles are disclosed. In one embodiment, a compressed air system is provided that includes a compressor, an air dryer apparatus, a purge reservoir, and an indicator device. The indicator device comprises a moisture-indicating material that is in contact with the purge air within the purge reservoir.

Abstract: A portable heater incorporates a housing, heating element, outlet for heat generated by the heating element, and diagnostic testing capabilities that test for defective or abnormal conditions of various safety features and report their status. The features include an object sensing or cover detect function, which operates to disconnect the heater from the primary power source in the event an object is detected that may obstruct the heater outlet, a tilt sensor, which detects whether the heater has been tilted, a fuse, and a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) breaker. The diagnostic testing function preferably receives power directly from the primary source of power to enable the status of the tests to be displayed whenever the heater is plugged in. Light emitting diodes preferably provide backlighting to icons representing the various features to indicate their status to the user.

Abstract: A packaging bag and a drying agent with a moisture absorption indicator function are provided without using a heavy metal harmful to the human body. The packaging bag includes a first packaging material (10) and a second packaging material (20). The first packaging material (10) is provided on an outermost side thereof with a transparent barrier film (12) having a barrier property against water vapor. The second packaging material (20) has a light-reflective or light-absorbing film (24) and a pattern printed layer (23) overlaid on a bag interior side thereof, the pattern printed layer (23) having a printed moisture-absorbing indicator pattern (30). A desiccant-containing resin film (11, 21) which becomes transparent due to moisture absorption is overlaid on a bag interior side of at least one of the first packaging material (10) and the second packaging material (20).

Abstract: A drier information system is provided including display means relating to a given region of the system which means serves, at least while a drying cycle is in operation, to provide a visual display indicating at least one of the following parameters: the extent of the region; a boundary of the region; direction or example of manipulation of a pair of hands or other article while in the region to provide for a preferred drying sequence. The visual display can represent the parameters as a two dimensional array within or adjacent the region. Alternatively the visual display can represent the parameters as a virtual or actual three dimensional array within or adjacent the region.

Abstract: A hand dryer with visible light indicated sensing area utilizes a visible light to provide the user a visible indicating area that can be recognized by the naked eyes, so that the user can identify the invisible IR sensing area through the visible indicating area and conveniently put the hands in the sensing area for drying.

Abstract: A device and method for drying containers, in particular bottles, having a drying unit for removing water on the container surface. The drying process saves energy and is adapted to ambient conditions, so that labels, for example, can be applied reliably in a downstream labeling machine. The device includes at least one measuring unit for measuring ambient parameters. In addition, a control unit designed so that the drying performance of the drying unit can be regulated as a function of at least one measured ambient parameter is provided. The device and method makes it possible to prevent the condensation of water on the container surface or to keep it below a certain minimum.

Abstract: A dryer exhaust duct alarm detects the presence of lint or other obstructions in an exhaust duct or vent. A thin lever is suspended within the duct and is slightly cupped in shape to more effectively capture air flow. In the presence of uninhibited air flow, the lever is substantially displaced from its initial substantially-vertical position toward a substantially horizontal position. But when airflow is inhibited, the lever is not sufficiently displaced. A detector detects operation of the dryer. If the dryer operates for a determined period of time but the lever is not sufficiently displaced, the user is alerted of the problem. Other data may also be presented to the user, including real-time data over a communication medium.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a dryer with safety function which can interrupt a drying operation of the dryer in clogging of an exhaust duct. The dry with safety function includes a judgment means for judging clogging of the exhaust duct, and a display means interworking with the judgment means, for displaying the clogging state of the exhaust duct in clogging of the exhaust duct. The user can be rapidly informed of the clogging state of the exhaust duct.

Abstract: A method of reducing the risk of fire or containing fire in a laundry appliance and an appliance incorporating said method. The appliance includes a sensor means capable of sensing an abnormal fault condition indicative of an increased fire risk or a fire within the appliance drum. In response to sensing the abnormal fault condition, the appliance controller enters a fire containment cycle which rotates the drum at a tumbling speed.

Abstract: A dryer for drying moist goods is provided. The dryer reduces the amount of conditioned air used during the drying cycle by drawing drying air from the exterior of the building rather than the interior of the building thereby reducing the overall energy efficiency of the building. The dryer includes an air flow passage extending between a fresh air inlet and an exhaust air outlet. A drying chamber forms a portion of the air flow passage and is interposed between the fresh air inlet and the exhaust air outlet. A blower moves air through the air flow passage. The fresh air inlet and exhaust air outlet are separated from one another by a common wall and are positioned adjacent to one another. The fresh air inlet and exhaust air outlet are configured to attach to a combined supply and exhaust duct such that exhaust air and fresh air are passed between the dryer and the exterior of the building through the combined supply and exhaust duct.

Abstract: A dryer is disclosed. The dryer includes dryer includes a door opening sensing unit sensing an opening of a door, a heater heating air provided in a drum, and a microcomputer determining an error in the heater based on an internal temperature condition of the drum, which changes in accordance with a driving time of the heater, and setting a new driving time of the heater, when the door is open before the driving time of the heater being counted reaches a predetermined driving time.

Abstract: A low pressure dryer for granular or powdery material includes a plurality of canisters rotatable about a common vertical axis serially among material heating, vacuum drying and material inventory discharge positions; pneumatic piston-cylinder means for rotating the canisters about said axis among said heating, vacuum drying and inventory discharge positions; means for heating contents of a canister at said heating position; means for sealing and drawing vacuum within a canister at said vacuum drying position and means for selectably permitting downward flow of dried granular or powdery material out of a canister at said discharge position where said canisters move collectively and unitarily one with another.

Abstract: The present invention disclosed herein is an apparatus for drying a substrate. In accordance with the present invention, the apparatus includes a measuring unit to detect a density of IPA vapor at predetermined regions in a process chamber or a pipe. The measuring unit has a radiating unit, a detection unit, and a window unit. The radiating unit transmits infrared-ray in a wavenumber region where light is absorbed by the IPA vapor.

Abstract: A clothes dryer has a test button for testing the fire suppression system of the dryer. The test button is connected to the temperature sensor of the fire suppression system such that when the test button is actuated it presents a signal, such as by shorting the two leads of the temperature sensor together, to simulate the condition of the temperature sensor sensing a high temperature. This triggers the control circuit of the fire suppression system to turn on a water valve to activate the sprinkler system. The fire suppression system is then reset by actuating a reset button.

Abstract: A lint trap having an enclosure with an interior surface, an open end, with an inlet spaced from an outlet on the interior surface. A cover is removably mountable to the open end of the enclosure with a filter secured to the cover, where side edges of the filter slidably engage with the interior surface between the inlet and outlet.

Abstract: A restriction sensor system for identifying the existence of blockages in exhaust conduits of clothes dryers. The restriction sensor system may include a pressure sensing device having a body configured to be coupled to an exhaust conduit of a clothes dryer. The pressure sensing device may be capable of determining changes in air pressure in the exhaust conduit. Once the air pressure present in the exhaust conduit exceeds a threshold air pressure, the pressure sensing device may send a signal to an indicator to generate an alarm, which may be a visual alarm or audible alarm, or both.

Abstract: A clothes dryer with safety feature of lint airflow obstruction detection comprises a frame connectable to a conventional clothes dryer. An anemometer sensor grid connected to the frame. The anemometer sensor grid is capable of detecting airflow therethrough. A light is electrically connected to the anemometer sensor grid.

Abstract: A vent check strip for checking a dryer or a vent pipe connected to a dryer. The vent check strip has a temperature sensitive area that changes its color at a threshold temperature within a working temperature range of the dryer when the dryer functions normally. The vent check strip can be placed inside the dryer or the vent pipe so that after the dryer is turned on to perform its normal drying function for a period of time until the dryer reaches the working temperature range, the vent check strip can be retrieved for examination. If the vent check strip does not change its color, then it indicates that the dryer is malfunction or the vent pipe is clogged, kinked, broken or otherwise damaged and needs to be serviced.

Abstract: A fire arrester for use with a clothes dryer includes a fire detector at the dryer vent to detect fires starting in the dryer and provides an electrical power disconnect means to break the flow of electrical power being supplied to operate the dryer. Optionally, the signal is applied to release an extinguishing agent or fire suppressant into the interior of the dryer just prior to shutting off the dryer blower. The output signal from the fire detector can also be used to provide various alarms, including local visual and/or alarms, as well as a remote alarm, which can be accomplished by sending a signal to a remote monitoring facility such as a home intrusion service or to a local fire department. Optionally, the activation of any of the alarm signals, and/or the activation of any of the features or functions of the fire arrester can be accomplished by using wireless communications.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring drying of an agricultural porous media such as grain and seed, includes deriving moisture content of the porous media using time domain reflectometry and utilizing moisture content to monitor and/or control the drying process. The porous media is positioned around a time domain reflectometry probe. An array of probes can be used to measure moisture in different areas of one batch of porous media or in a plurality of batches of porous media. The derivation of moisture content of the porous media around each probe would allow information to be provided to a dryer controller to alter the drying process if needed.

Abstract: A device for absorbing or blotting grease from the surface of foods such as pizza comprising a support member having a handle for manually gripping the device and an absorbent or oligiophilic pad attached to such support member for blotting the surface of a food item.

Abstract: An automated acoustic micro imaging system includes a part-storage station favoring a dry environment, a part-transport robot, and a wet-environment inspection station. The wet-environment inspection station has an ultrasonic beam generator, a coupling fluid in which parts are inspected, and a part-retention stage. A moisture barrier is located between the wet-environment inspection station and the part-storage station favoring a dry environment. The inspection station includes a kinematic, quick-change part-retaining chuck and robotic means for interchanging chucks. Automatic acoustic micro imaging methods are disclosed.

Abstract: An air flow testing device for use with a clothes dryer to indicate an obstruction in the exhaust system. Three potential states of exhausted air are monitored by the testing device when the dryer's lint screen is removed from its opening. In the first state, when the exhaust system is unobstructed, an impeller of the device freely turns within a casing held against the lint screen opening as the dryer is operating. In the second state, when the exhaust system is blocked, the same impeller remains static and does not rotate. In the third state when the exhaust system is partially blocked, the impeller moves and may stop. If either a fully or partially blocked state is detected, a user can simply clear the system including the tubing and flapper to resolve this common dryer problem without calling in a repair person.

Abstract: In a monitoring system for a wood drying kiln having a housing with an interior area for placement of a charge of wood for drying the charge of wood, the interior area having a floor, environment devices for adjusting heat and humidity in the interior area of the kiln, and a control unit for controlling the environment devices, the improvement is a support in the interior area for supporting a representative sample of the charge of wood, a sensor mounted to the support for sensing the weight of the sample which is a function of moisture content in the sample and a proportioning mechanism connected between the sensor and the sample for suspending the sample and for applying a proportioned force resulting from the weight of the sample to the sensor. The sensor is connected to the control unit for generating a signal which is proportional to the weight, and thus, to the moisture content of the sample.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the mass transport properties of pos materials. The apparatus is a permeation or diffusion cell that comprises two outer portions with longitudinal channels therein, two clamping plates with openings therein, two flow inlets and two flow outlets in fluid communication with such outer portion channels, which cell retains a sample of porous material during measurement procedures. In one embodiment, the apparatus is configured for measuring pure diffusion transport properties of the sample of porous material. In another embodiment, the apparatus is configured for measuring the diffusion and convection transport properties of the sample of porous material. In a further embodiment, the apparatus is configured for measuring the pure convection transport properties of the sample of porous material.

Abstract: A dryer is provided which is adapted to receive and dry polymeric material. The dryer comprises a support structure, a drying hopper assembly, a polymeric material supply device and a controller. The drying hopper assembly includes a drying hopper having an inlet for receiving wet polymeric material to be dried and an outlet through which dry polymeric material exits the hopper, and load cell apparatus associated with the support structure and the drying hopper for sensing the weight of the drying hopper and any polymeric material contained therein. The load cell apparatus generates first signals representative of the weight of the drying hopper and any contents it may have. The polymeric material supply device is adapted to supply wet polymeric material to the drying hopper through the material inlet. The controller is coupled to the polymeric material supply device and the load cell apparatus.

Abstract: An exhaust vent cover assembly and method of manufacture. The vent cover assembly includes a vent cover and a pair of heat stacked moisture sensor electrodes. The vent cover includes a perforated first portion defining a first plane and a solid second portion defining a second plane. The second plane is at an angle to the first plane. The vent cover is formed from a non-conductive material, and the electrodes are embedded in the second portion of the cover. The electrodes include a plurality of retainers to prevent removal from the cover assembly.

Abstract: A footwear dryer support rod that includes an interconnectable rod assembly including a fixed length rod section, a circuit housing rod section, and a spring loaded telescoping rod section; an alarm circuit housed within the circuit housing rod section including a detecting circuit and an alarm circuit, the alarm circuit including an electrically driven audible output device; two disk shaped, resilient protector pads, one resilient protector pad being securable to the end of the fixed length rod section and one resilient protector pad being securable to the end of the spring loaded telescoping rod section; a first moisture probe pair extending outwardly from the end of the fixed length rod section and positioned through one of the resilient protector pads; and a second moisture probe pair extending outwardly from the end of the telescoping rod section and positioned through a one of the resilient protector pads.

Abstract: A dryer mounted in a housing with a balance for determining the moisture content of material to be weighed which is in a dish placed in the balance and is subjected to a heat source. The dish is placed in a dish support device which can be placed in and removed from the dryer together with the dish. The dish can be inserted into the dish support device and removed from the dish support device manually and from the side. An upwardly bent inner edge of a support ring prevents impurities resting on the support ring from unintentionally dropping into the dish.

Abstract: A dryer system comprising a particle counter that measures the level of particulates in the dryer is disclosed. The dryer system is particularly adapted for drying garments to be worn in clean room environments. The dryer system preferably comprises an enclosure having a rotatable drum for receiving and tumbling garments or other clothing, a fan and motor assembly for providing airflow through the drum, an exhaust duct near the drum and in communication with the drum, a sampling tube in the exhaust duct, and a particle counter for measuring the concentration of particles withdrawn through the sampling tube from the drum. A sampling line may optionally be incorporated in the dryer inlet for withdrawing one or more samples of inlet air and transferring to the particle counter. A check may then be made to ensure that the incoming air is sufficiently clean.

Abstract: A process for spray drying of ceramic suspensions for the production of a powder which is dust free, sufficiently stable for storage and with good flow characteristics. The ceramic suspension is spray dried in a chamber (1) to a powder with a water content which is 0.1-10% higher than required in the final powder and hereafter fluidized in a fluid bed (6) with ambient air for an evaporative cooling process, whereby the water content is reduced to the required value at the same time as the powder is cooled. The produced powder has a high water content without tendency to lumping.

Abstract: A display is provided for indicating changes between first and second operating conditions in an appliance such as a clothes dryer. A sensing circuit senses changes in operating conditions within the appliance. The sensing circuit creates an intermittent sensing signal which is sent to a light. The light blinks at a frequency corresponding to the frequency of the sensor signal. A second light remains lit continuously during the operation of the appliance.

Abstract: An on-line type moisture measuring system for powdered or granular materials wherein the moisture content of the materials is repeatedly measured by supplying a dehumidified and dried air each time the materials are sampled for measuring and thereafter automatically discharged. The system is comprised of a combination of sampling means and a moisture measuring apparatus. The sampling means samples a fixed amount of the materials from a material storage container and pneumatically transports the sampled materials.

Abstract: A control system for a clothes dryer is disclosed. A microprocessor monitors the heated inlet air temperature and the exhaust temperature. If the inlet temperature exceeds a high limit value a given number of times, an air blockage indicator is activated. Degrees of dryness are measured by the number of times the inlet temperature has dropped below a threshold value while the heater is off because the exhaust temperature has exceeded a desired value. An estimated drying time is calculated and displayed to the user based on a linear function of the inlet and exhaust temperatures measured at the beginning of the cycle and again a short time later.

Abstract: An on-line moisture control method for powdered or granular materials and a related system to practice the method. A fixed amount of materials are sampled by a material sampling means, transported into a heat treatment chamber having an airtight heating part, heated in the heat treatment chamber while an inert gas is supplied therein, and the weight measured by a weight measuring unit. The moisture generated by heating the materials is sent to a moisture measuring unit together with the inert gas. An operation unit receives the weight value measured by the weight measuring unit and the titrated value measured by the moisture measuring unit, and calculates the moisture content of the materials and displays the value.

Abstract: The grain moisture sensor of the present invention includes a plurality of conductors for communicating a variable voltage between two points. The conductors are mounted on the continuous flow dryer wall between the exterior and interior walls, in the heat plenum and oriented such that the grain flows between the conductors in response to the action of the variable discharge means. The sensor further includes electrical circuitry for measuring the capacitance of the conductor, calculating the percent moisture content of the grain and controlling the speed of a discharge means so as to control the discharge of grain from the dryer in response to the moisture content of the grain being lowered to a predetermined level.

Abstract: An on-line drying control method for powdered or granular materials and a related system to execute the method. A fixed amount of materials stored and dried in a drying means such as a hopper dryer is sampled, transported into a moisture measuring/operating station wherein the sampled materials are heated in a heat treatment chamber and the moisture content is calculated by an operation unit. The moisture content is sent to a temperature controller to control the temperature of the drying means so that the obtained moisture content corresponds to a predetermined moisture content while comparing both moisture contents.

Abstract: A method and apparatus constructed to measure the fluid present in a multifilament or fiber strand moving at high speed is described and involves conductive contact points along the strand path which contact the strand and generate signals. The signals which are conductance measurements are synchronously demodulated to produce a signal representing the volume of fluid in the strand.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous dryer for veneer. In addition to terature sensors near the inlet and middle zones to determine heat demand and to control heat input in these zones, the dryer also has an infrared detector at the exit end to determine surface temperature and thus to determine residual moisture of the veneer. The signal from this infrared detector is processed to give a control signal for blowers in the drying zones near the exit. By this means, more precise and reliable control in final moisture is achieved. Variations in dryer load, initial moisture, wood density, and sheet thickness can be better tolerated.

Abstract: Nuclear fuel rods are processed to remove moisture in an oven which is evacuated. Measurement of the moisture content in each of a plurality of nuclear fuel rods (typically 44) is carried out by condensing the vapor derived from one randomly-selected control rod in a nitrogen-liquid cooled trap, collecting the condensed vapor in magnesium perchlorate, and determining the weight of the collected moisture. Moisture from the one fuel rod is condensed, collected and has its weight determined repeatedly in increments until the difference between the weight of a last increment and of a just preceding increment is less than 1 mg. (The permissible content is 6 mg. or less.) The rods have small perforations through which the vapor can escape. The evacuating system includes a main evacuating channel connected directly to the oven and a branch channel connected to the one fuel rod through the cold trap.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for determining the timewise progress of the drying of a damp material sample. The material sample is continually connected to a movable part of a weighing mechanism during the drying process, and the delivery of the drying air stream can be interrupted in time with the weighing. Such apparatus facilitates automatic determination of the drying progress curve.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for controlling an electric clothes dryer having an electrical heater arranged to be supplied with electric power from a power source to generate heat so as to dry clothes by air heated by the heater, the apparatus comprising a switching device for opening/closing an electrical connection between the power source and the heater in response to a control signal, a voltage detecting circuit for detecting a voltage of the power source and for generating an overvoltage signal when the detected voltage exceeds a predetermined value, and a control signal generating circuit responsive to the overvoltage signal for generating the control signal for turning on/off the switching device. The control signal is formed so that the opening period of the switching device corresponds to the value of the overvoltage signal.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for measuring the moisture content of wood and paper products utilizing the dependency of the resistance or capacitance of such products upon moisture content. A resistance or capacitance-controlled oscillator circuit is completed by electrical connection to a product. Electrical connection of the resistance-controlled oscillator embodiment is accomplished by either application of a conducting contact grid pattern to a product or by forming a parallel plate probe incorporating the product therein. Electrical connection of the capacitance-controlled oscillator embodiment may also be accomplished by forming a parallel plate probe incorporating the product therein or by insertion of a plurality of conductive cylinders in parallel combination into flutes of a corrugated paperboard product when such a product is to be subject to measurement.

Abstract: An operation wherein a large amount of material is passed through the nip of two rolls and a dryer at high speed using only a small specimen of material is disclosed. A low mass carrier for the specimen is provided. The carrier and specimen are quickly accelerated to the peripheral speed of the rolls and the specimen is passed through the rolls and quickly stopped inside a static dryer. Specific apparatus for carrying out each step of the operation is disclosed.

Abstract: A computer controlled grain dryer system includes a grain drying bin, a solenoid valved burner, a blower, and an arrangement of grain unloading augers. An air temperature sensor for the drying airflow provides a temperature signal. A grain moisture sampling system receives a grain sample from the grain unloaders and conveys the sample to a capacitive sample cell. A grain moisture meter senses grain moisture content as a function of the dielectric constant of the sample in the cell. A digital computer is interfaced with the temperature sensors, the moisture meter, the burner valves, the blower, and the auger motors and is programmed to automatically control the grain sampling and the drying process according to a set temperature limit and moisture content for the particular grain to be processed.

Abstract: For determining the relative humidity of a highly moist gas, particularly air exiting from a wood-drying apparatus, there is used a humidity sensing arrangement having a capacitive sensor, whose capacitance varies with changes in the relative humidity of gas to which it is exposed, and means for generating an output signal proportional to the prevailing capacitance of said capacitive sensor. The capacitive sensor is exposed to a heated partial flow of the highly moist gas, and the output signal of the output signal generating means is modified in correspondence with the extent to which the partial flow has been heated.