Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying clothes by adjusting the heat input into a drying chamber of a clothes dryer based on the airflow rate through the drying chamber.

Abstract: An automatic clothes dryer comprises a cabinet defining an interior space in which is rotatably mounted a drum that defines a drying chamber, a heater assembly having a heating element for heating air, and a motor for rotating the drum. A blower is mounted within the interior space and is fluidly coupled to the drying chamber for moving heated air through the drying chamber. A first temperature sensor is mounted upstream of the heating element. A second temperature sensor is mounted downstream of the blower. Outputs from the temperature sensors are utilized with one or more algorithms to determine the air flow characteristics through the dryer.

Abstract: An automatic clothes dryer comprises a cabinet defining an interior space in which is rotatably mounted a drum that defines a drying chamber, a heater assembly having a heating element for heating air, and a motor for rotating the drum. A blower is mounted within the interior space and is fluidly coupled to the drying chamber for moving heated air through the drying chamber. A first temperature sensor is mounted upstream of the heating element. A second temperature sensor is mounted downstream of the blower. Outputs from the temperature sensors are utilized with one or more methods to determine the air flow characteristics through the dryer.

Abstract: A clothes dryer has a system for regulating the inlet air temperature. The system includes a first sensor located in an inlet of the dryer and including a thermistor and a thermostat, a heat source located in a heater box adjacent the first sensor, and a second sensor located in an exhaust of the dryer. The thermistor measures the inlet air temperature of the dryer and cooperates with the controller to prevent the thermostat from reaching its trip temperature and turning off the heat source. Thus, damage due to excessive air temperatures in the dryer is prevented.

Abstract: An automatic clothes dryer comprises a cabinet adapted for support on a support surface and defining an interior space. A drum is rotatably mounted within the interior space and defines a drying chamber. A drive motor is mounted within the interior space and has an output shaft operably coupled to the drum for rotating the drum. A blower is mounted within the interior space and is fluidly coupled to the drying chamber for moving air through the drying chamber. The blower has a drive shaft remote from the output shaft to permit the independent positioning of the blower and drive motor within the interior space. The blower has an outlet fluidly connected to an exhaust outlet through a conduit that defines an air flow path having less than a 90 degree change in direction.

Abstract: An automatic clothes dryer comprises a cabinet in which is rotatably mounted a drum that defines a drying chamber and a motor for rotating the drum. A variable speed blower is mounted within the interior space and is fluidly coupled to the drying chamber for moving air through the drying chamber at varying flow rates to improve the drying of the clothes.