Abstract: An improved method of drying operation for an article using a field of electromagnetic radiation (e-field) generated between an anode element and a cathode element by a radio frequency (RF) applicator between the anode and cathode elements such that liquid in the article will be heated to effect a drying of the article.

Abstract: A method of drying an object comprising, providing an object into an RF cavity; applying broadband RF energy to the object in controlled manner which keeps the object within a desired temporal temperature schedule and within a desired spatial profile; and terminating the drying when it is at least estimated that a desired drying level is achieved.

Abstract: A dryer and a method for controlling the same are provided. The method for controlling a dryer includes supplying steam generated in a steam generator to a drum, and supplying hot air generated in a hot air heater to the drum. The method has an advantageous effect of removing wrinkles efficiently.

Abstract: A composite appliance base used for manufacture and assembly of various appliances such as a clothes washing machine, clothes dryer, or the like. The composite appliance base includes a heater box, an electric motor mount, a fan shroud, and at least one duct. There are also various inlets which are used for water hoses (in the case where the composite appliance base is used for a washing machine or the like) as well as exhaust ducts and integrated cable clips. In one embodiment, the composite appliance base includes a base portion and a fan shroud, as well as a first duct in fluid communication with the fan shroud. The composite appliance base also includes a second duct which functions as the heater box; the heater box is operable with a heater device to heat air flowing through the heater box, the duct, and the fan shroud.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dryer and a method for controlling the same. The dryer includes a selectably rotatable drum (20), a hot air heater (90) for heating air to supply hot air to the drum (20), a steam generator (200) for generating steam to supply the steam to the drum (20), and a water supply source (220) for supplying water to the steam generator, thereby removing wrinkles from clothes, effectively.

Abstract: A laundry dryer capable of effectively removing creases or rumples from an object to be dried, for example, laundry, and effectively removing odor from the laundry is disclosed. The laundry dryer includes a drum for accommodating an object to be dried, a rear supporter for covering a rear side of the drum, a substance supply device having an end arranged at the rear supporter, to supply a water-based substance to an interior of the drum, and a rear plate formed to constitute a rear wall of the dryer while partially exposing the substance supply device.

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 method of drying an object comprising, providing an object into an RF cavity; applying broadband RF energy to the object in controlled manner which keeps the object within a desired temporal temperature schedule and within a desired spatial profile; and terminating the drying when it is at least estimated that a desired drying level is achieved.

Abstract: A household appliance (1) e.g a washer-dryer, comprises an enclosure (2) into which objects to be heated are placed, a magnetron (4) for generating microwaves, a waveguide (3) for feeding the generated microwave into the enclosure, an arc detector (5) coupled to the waveguide (3) for detecting the arcing within the enclosure (2) and a control unit (6).

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of a synthetic fabric load during an automatic drying cycle in an automatic dryer avoids premature termination of the automatic drying cycle and ensures that the synthetic fabric items are dried according to a user's desired dryness level. The presence of the synthetic fabric load is detected by determining a duration of a first heating cycle, determining a duration of a second heating cycle, and determining the presence of the synthetic fabric load based on the durations of the first and the second heating cycles.

Abstract: A clothes dryer having a fire protection system. The clothes dryer chamber has an inlet which receives drying air and an exhaust for removing moisture laden air. The temperature within the drying chamber is monitored, and a determination is made from the dryer electronic controller whether or not a fire exists in the tumbler. The fire detection conditions are based on determining whether a certain temperature rise exists within the tumbler when the drying air ceases. The fire suppression system when activated will inject a fire suppressing substance into the tumbler for suppressing the fire.

Abstract: An arrangement for drying material in a selected drying location by a heated and flowing drying stream wherein the temperature and relative humidity levels of the drying stream are sensed upstream and downstream of such selected drying location and are relatively and comparatively controlled to arrive at a selected treated material moisture with comparatively minimal energy input.

Abstract: End of cycle detector and method for a microwave clothes dryer. The temperature of fabric in the dryer is monitored, an increase in the monitored temperature is detected when substantially all moisture has been removed from the fabric, and operation of the dryer is controlled in response to the increase in temperature.

Abstract: Compact microwave clothes dryer and method in which the dryer is small enough to be placed on a countertop, and air is circulated past microwave generator and power supply components to the drying chamber to transfer heat from the components to clothes in the chamber to supplement the microwave drying.

Abstract: Microwave clothes dryer with a moisture sensor having an array of short coaxial cables extending through an electrically conductive base plate which is grounded to the shielding structure of the dryer. The ends of the cables are flush with one side of the plate and are exposed for contact with clothes in the dryer chamber. Electrical resistance is monitored between the inner conductors and the plate to determine the dryness of clothes, and the dryer is shut down when the resistance reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: Microwave clothes dryer and method in which an impending fire and/or explosion is detected by monitoring gases from the drying chamber with a solid state gas sensor to detect the presence of a gas associated with fire or an explosion. In the disclosed embodiments, the gases to be detected include ethane, propane, butane, toluene, hydrogen sulfide, alcohol, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: System and method for interrupting the delivery of microwave power to a microwave cavity when a door to the cavity is opened and an interlock switch fails to operate. A switch actuated by movement of the door applies an overload current to an overload protector in the filament circuit of the generator which supplies microwave power to the cavity, thereby interrupting the filament current and shutting down the generator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a microwave dryer having a rotating drum with radially inwardly extending baffles for tumbling and turning over clothes, the baffles housing microwave magnetron tubes for emitting microwaves into the drum. Air can be circulated through the drum via air passages through the baffles and into the drum. The air drawn through the baffles also cools the magnetron tubes. An inner door closes the drum tightly and rotates with the drum. An outer door closes the cabinet entry and is rotatably connected to the inner door.

Abstract: The present invention features a UV tube detector for sensing a resonant arcing condition in a microwave environment. Where clothing or fabric is being dried in a magnetron-powered, microwave chamber, the UV tube detector is placed in proximity to the fabric. The UV tube detector senses a possible resonant arcing condition related to small metal objects hidden in the material. Upon the sensing of arcing, the UV tube provides a signal for shutting down the magnetron power. In conjunction with UV detection, the moisture condition can be monitored during the drying cycle. At a point in the microwave heating cycle consistent with an "end of microwave heating cycle" or "near dryness", the power output of the magnetrons is reduced or terminated. The moist fabric can then be dried via reduced microwave heating and/or by normal heating methods, including, but not limited to, electrical radiant heating and convection techniques.

Abstract: The present invention features a UV tube detector for sensing a resonant arcing condition in a microwave environment. Where clothing or fabric is being dried in a magnetron-powered, microwave chamber, the UV tube detector is placed in proximity to the fabric. The UV tube detector senses a possible resonant arcing condition related to small metal objects hidden in the material. Upon the sensing of arcing, tile UV tube provides a signal for shutting down the magnetron power. In conjunction with UV detection, the moisture condition can be monitored during the drying cycle. At a point in the microwave heating cycle consistent with an "end of microwave heating cycle" or "near dryness", the power output of the magnetrons is reduced or terminated. The moist fabric can then be dried via reduced microwave heating and/or by normal heating methods, including, but not limited to, electrical radiant heating and convection techniques.

Abstract: A fabric dryer employs microwave energy and an auxiliary air convection heater to heat the moisture in the fabric to be dried and provides for control of the microwave energy so that no arcing of metal or other electrically conductive parts occurs as the fabric becomes dryer. The fabric dryer has a controller that receives input from sensors and uses that input to progressively decrease the energy output from the magnetrons in such a manner to prevent arcing of all metal and other electrically conductive materials associated with the fabric, while also controlling the auxiliary air convection heater and an exhaust air recirculator to compensate for the decreased magnetron energy output.

Abstract: A fabric drying system has an exterior housing and a rotating chamber for containing fabric laden with moisture that is to be dried and uses a combination of microwave energy and an auxiliary convection air heater to heat and vaporize the moisture and expel it with exhaust air so as to dry the fabric. In addition, the fabric drying system employs energy efficiency devices that permit the system to dry the fabric using the least amount of energy. Heat energy from the exhaust air is transferred to the intake in a heat exchanger. Additionally, heat energy from the exhaust air is used by recirculating a portion of the exhaust air and mixing it with the intake air before the air is introduced into the fabric drying chamber. The system also provides for sensors that detect the temperature and/or humidity of the exhaust and the intake air.