Abstract: A hand dryer comprising a universal brushed AC blower vacuum motor, one or more resistive circuits of a heating element, and a universal voltage controller that selectively alternates the configuration and the electrical connection of the resistive circuits, in response to a detected input voltage is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus such as a hand dryer is configured to expel air in the form of a heated flowstream and an unheated flowstream. The heated flowstream results from active heating, such as would occur when the apparatus exposes the air to a heating element. The heating element heats the air to a temperature that is greater than the air in the unheated flowstream. The apparatus can direct each of the heated flowstream and the unheated flowstream to an exit plane, which defines a first side on which the apparatus prevents the heated flowstream from mixing with the unheated flowstream. The exit plane also defines a second side on which a target can reside. The heated flowstream can mix with the unheated flowstream on the second side, wherein mixing can occur when the heated flowstream and the unheated flowstream impinge on the target.