Combined Patents (Class 34/427)
  • Patent number: 12156624
    Abstract: A heating system for heating a target fluid may include an intermediate liquid circulation path for holding an intermediate liquid and a target fluid flow path for conveying the target fluid, where the target fluid flow path and the circulation path are separate from one another but thermally communicate with one another via a heat exchanger. The intermediate liquid may be heated by a heater and circulated in the intermediate liquid circulation path by a pump. A ratio of the maximum heat output of the heater to the volume of the intermediate liquid circulation path may be at least about 5 Watts/cm3. The thermal mass of the intermediate liquid may be 0.3 times the thermal mass of the target fluid or less. The heating system may be utilized in a washing appliance such as a dishwasher, where the target fluid is the wash water used in such appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: OhmIQ, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory S. Lyon
  • Patent number: 11959222
    Abstract: A clothes treatment apparatus includes a cabinet including an inlet, a first chamber positioned inside the cabinet and defining a space for accommodating clothes through the inlet, and a hanger bar positioned in the first chamber and configured to hold clothes accommodated in the first chamber. The apparatus further includes a driver including: a motor configured to generate torque; a vibrating body configured to support the motor and vibrate alternately in opposite rotation directions by rotation of the motor; and a motion converter configured to rotate together with the vibrating body and convert the vibration of the vibrating body in connection with the hanger bar such that the hanger bar reciprocates along a predetermined movement direction. The hanger bar is configured to reciprocate with different amplitudes and periods depending on a number of times that the motor rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Semin Jang, Jaehyung Kim, Minji Kim
  • Patent number: 11482410
    Abstract: A wafer-cleaning apparatus includes an inner pin that supports a wafer. The wafer-cleaning apparatus further includes a nozzle disposed above the inner pin, a light source disposed under the inner pin, a window disposed between the light source and the wafer, and a window protector disposed between the wafer and the window. The nozzle supplies a chemical liquid to the wafer and the inner pin distributes a portion of the chemical liquid on an upper surface of the wafer by rotating the wafer. The window protector receives a portion of the chemical liquid that flows out of the wafer and the light source supplies the light to the wafer through the window protector and the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hunjae Jang, Seungmin Shin, Kuntack Lee, Seungho Kim, Younghoo Kim, Taehong Kim, Sunghyun Park
  • Patent number: 10916456
    Abstract: A substrate liquid processing apparatus includes a placing unit which places thereon a substrate; a liquid processing unit which processes the substrate by immersing the substrate in a processing liquid with a posture in which a plate surface of the substrate is perpendicular to a horizontal direction; a transfer unit which transfers the substrate between the placing unit and the liquid processing unit; and a rotating unit which rotates the substrate, after being subjected to a first processing by the liquid processing unit, around an axis perpendicular to the plate surface, and in a direction different from that when the first processing is performed. Further, the transfer unit transfers the substrate, after being subjected to the first processing, to the rotating unit and transfers the rotated substrate to the liquid processing unit. The liquid processing unit performs a second processing by immersing the rotated substrate in the processing liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Hironobu Hyakutake
  • Patent number: 9874384
    Abstract: The refrigeration system includes a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, one or both of a receiver drier unit and an accumulator unit fluidly connected by refrigerant lines to form a refrigerant circuit. The receiver drier unit includes a receiver drier and a first sensor, and the accumulator unit includes an accumulator and a second sensor. A controller is electrically connected to the first and second sensors and in some cases electrically connected to an electrical valve. The electrical valve is fluidly connected to a refrigerant reservoir. The controller determines the refrigerant charge level, and selectively controls the electrical valve to allow the refrigerant to flow from the refrigerant reservoir to the refrigerant circuit when the refrigerant charge level is below the predetermined refrigerant charge level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: BERGSTROM, INC.
    Inventors: Brett S. Connell, Aaron D. Sullivan, Brett J. Herrmann, Terry Zeigler
  • Patent number: 9518354
    Abstract: A clothes dryer with improved moisture sensing and wireless data transfer is provided. An example drying appliance includes a plurality of sensors positioned inside a drum of the drying appliance. The plurality of sensors are wired together to provide a combined output signal indicative of one or more parameters of clothing inside the drum. The drying appliance includes a near field communication (NFC) tag mounted on an exterior surface of the drum. The NFC tag receives the combined output signal from the plurality of sensors. The drying appliance includes an NFC reader positioned on a stationary member of the drying appliance and receiving external utility power. The NFC reader receives sensor data from the NFC tag and provides the sensor data to a controller, such that the controller can control the drying appliance based on the one or more parameters of the clothing inside the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashutosh Kulkarni, Jaeseok Noh
  • Patent number: 9435587
    Abstract: A method for detecting a degree of blockage of an exhaust duct includes detecting the temperature of air in an intake and exhaust system, calculating a rate of change of the detected temperature, and determining a degree of blockage of the exhaust duct based on the detected temperature and the rate of change of the detected temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyung Woo Lee, Hee Beom Park, Sang Oh Yoo, Geun Kang, Pil Soo Chang
  • Patent number: 9027258
    Abstract: A method of operating a clothes dryer having a treating chamber for receiving a laundry load, an air system for supplying and exhausting air from the treating chamber, a heating element for heating the air supplied to the treating chamber, and a controller implementing a cycle of operation, wherein the controller estimates a cycle time of a drying cycle of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan R. Bellinger, David J. Kmet, Scott D. Parde, Michele A. Paustian, Joseph M. Shaw, David M. Williams
  • Publication number: 20150080668
    Abstract: The invention relates to a material for the detection of biological electro-magnetic signals made of a epidermis of a living organism and a diagnostic device using the same, and more particularly, to a material for the detection of biological electro-magnetic signals made of a epidermis of a living organism, through drying is one stage, also selecting is another stage of production, and a diagnostic device using the same. The material of the invention has an effect of detecting biological electro-magnetic signals. Accordingly, the material for the detection of biological electro-magnetic signals of the invention can be used for manufacturing a diagnostic device for detecting biological electro-magnetic signals non-invasively as well as effectively used in diagnosis in cases where biological electro-magnetic signals are changed by cancer, inflammations due to immunodeficiency and so on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Sang-Moon Lee
  • Patent number: 8950081
    Abstract: Methods of removing moisture from a compressor using a sorbent technology are provided. A dehydration device incorporating the sorbent technology is disposed in a system that contains a hygroscopic fluid. By passing the hygroscopic fluid over the sorbent technology, moisture is removed from the hygroscopic fluid. The systems include sealed devices and integral components for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and refrigeration devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew J. Heidecker
  • Patent number: 8950083
    Abstract: The present invention aims to shorten a drying time for time for drying a coiled electrode. To this end, a drying device for drying the coiled electrode wound on a winding core includes a heating unit for heating the coiled electrode from a winding core side. Since this enables heat to be transferred from a core part toward a surface of the coiled electrode, tiny spaces can be generated between layers of an electrode and moisture can be evaporated from these spaces. Thus, moisture of the core part side, which has been difficult to evaporate, can be reliably evaporated and a drying time for the coiled electrode can be shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 8931186
    Abstract: A drying machine is disclosed. The drying machine includes a selectively rotatable drum receiving an object to be dried, a steam supply member having one side connected to a steam generator and the other side connected to the drum, and a swirler installed in the steam supply member at a predetermined position for swirling steam flowing through the steam supply member. A method for controlling the drying machine includes heating a drum, supplying steam generated in a steam generator into the drum, and supplying hot air into the drum. The drying machine having the above described configuration can efficiently eliminate creases of clothes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Chul Jin Choi, Dae Bong Yang, Chong Ryu, Jea Hyuk Wee, Young Soo Kim, Sang Hun Bae, Chang Woo Son, Dong Hyun Kim, Young Bok Son
  • Patent number: 8898930
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide a method for the treatment of a transport support (1) for the conveyance and storage of semiconductor substrates, with said support (1) possibly having first undergone a cleaning operation using a liquid. The method includes a treatment stage in which the transport support (1) is placed in a sealed chamber (4) connected to a vacuum pump (5) and said transport support (1) is subjected to the combined action of a subatmospheric pressure and infrared radiation to favor the removal of foreign bodies on the walls of the transport support (1). The invention also concerns a treatment station for a transport support (1) for implementation of the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventors: Erwan Godot, Remi Thollot, Amaud Favre
  • Publication number: 20140334863
    Abstract: A plastic pencil comprising a writing core, an interlayer coating material placed about the writing core, a porous casing enclosing the interlayer coating material on the writing core and a covering applied to the exterior surface of the porous casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventor: Hemant Patel
  • Patent number: 8881425
    Abstract: Systems and methods are used for drying wood products in one or more kilns with recovered flue gases. In some embodiments, methods for drying wood products include firing a fuel in the one or more combustion devices, thereby producing a heated fluid and a flue gas. The heated fluid is circulated to provide a primary heat source to the one or more indirect fired kilns. An amount of flue gas is recovered and transferred to provide a secondary heat source to the one or more indirect fired kilns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventor: Philip Latos
  • Patent number: 8863404
    Abstract: A dryer performance optimization system comprising a dryer having an inner wall and being adapted to rotate at variable speeds and a variable frequency drive being adapted to vary the rotational speed of the dryer. The preferred system also comprises a baghouse having an inlet end being adapted to receive exhaust gas from the dryer and an outlet end and a controller being adapted to control the temperature of the exhaust gas from the dryer. A method for controlling the temperature of exhaust gas in a baghouse comprising providing a dryer performance optimization system as described herein and varying the temperature of the exhaust gas from the dryer by varying the rotational speed of the dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Astec, Inc.
    Inventor: Malcolm Swanson
  • Patent number: 8863403
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a control method of clothing dryer that sprays an appropriate amount of mist based on the amount of clothing and dries the clothing at a fiber rearrangement temperature to remove wrinkles from the clothing. Standard regain of clothing is confirmed, mist is sprayed such that an amount of mist equivalent to approximately twice the standard regain reaches the clothing, and the clothing is dried at the fiber rearrangement temperature, whereby wrinkles are removed from the clothing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bo Ram Lee, Hyun Sook Kim, Hwang Mook Cho, So Jung Yu
  • Publication number: 20140290577
    Abstract: Provided is a method of controlling a gas supply apparatus including a vaporizer, a carrier gas supply source and a gas supply line, the method including: supplying a liquid or sold raw material to a raw material container included in a vaporizer; vaporizing the liquid or sold raw material in the raw material container to produce a raw material gas; exhausting an interior of the raw material container having the liquid or sold raw material; supplying a carrier gas from the carrier gas supply source to the raw material container; and flowing the raw material gas and the carrier gas from the raw material container to a processing chamber in which a substrate to be processed is accommodated via the gas supply line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Shigeru NAKAJIMA, Hiromi SHIMA, Yusuke TACHINO
  • Patent number: 8844159
    Abstract: A system for drying a load of wood including: a heat generating device providing heat necessary for drying the load of wood, apparatus for generating a gaseous coolant flow for treating the load of wood by combustion of biomass under O2, the gaseous coolant flow being essentially constituted by CO2, a heat exchange device allowing the transfer of the heat produced by the heat generating device to the gaseous coolant flow for treating the load of wood, a unit for treating/drying the load of wood, including a central volume, known as a technical or treatment volume, dedicated to the drying of the wood, and inlet and outlet hatches for the loads of wood, situated at the upstream and downstream ends of said central volume, and a thermal device for the dehydration and condensation of the steam extracted from the wood during the drying cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: HOLCOP
    Inventor: Raymond Guyomarc'h
  • Patent number: 8832965
    Abstract: One of the controlling methods disclosed relates to control of a laundry machine including a tub and a drum, the method includes the steps of: sensing selection of a tub drying step and performing the tub drying step. The other controlling method of a laundry machine comprises the steps of: selecting a tub drying step; sensing door operation of the laundry machine; and performing the tub drying step based on the result of the door operation. Further, a laundry machine is disclosed that comprises a tub drying step selecting part configured to dry a tub (2); and a control part configured to control the tub (2) dried in case the tub drying step selecting part is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Young Bok Son, Myoung Suk You, Sung Min Ye, Tae Hee Lee, Deug Hee Lee, Ae Kyung Chae, Yoon Seob Eom
  • Publication number: 20140250715
    Abstract: A dryer and towel dispenser combination and method of operating the same. The combination includes a towel dispenser for dispensing a towel through a first area, a sensor having a sensing area for sensing an object that penetrates the sensing area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: BOBRICK WASHROOM EQUIPMENT, INC.
    Inventor: DIKRAN BABIKIAN
  • Publication number: 20140158431
    Abstract: A method transferring drill cuttings, the method comprising transferring the drill cuttings from a pressurized transference device to a pressurized container; transferring the drill cuttings from the pressurized container to a land-based pit discharging station; and discharging the drill cuttings into the land-based pit discharging station. Also, a system for transferring drill cuttings while drilling, the system comprising a pressurized transfer device; a pressurized container in fluid communication with the pressurized transfer device; a conduit disposed between the pressurized transfer device and the pressurized container; and a land-based pit discharging station in fluid communication with the pressurized container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Trey W. Anderson, Gary E. Fout, Gordon MacMillian Logan, John Koch
  • Patent number: 8726539
    Abstract: A gas heater with specialized controls allows an operator to deploy a single device to heat and to dry when extracting moisture from a structure. The heater has a fan in a blow thru arrangement ahead of a burner. The burner uses either natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas. The heater has air flow, fan motor, temperature, and ignition controls and sensors. The heater delivers high temperature air to the structure that hastens evaporation as the heated air absorbs great concentrations of water vapor. Then the moisture laden heated air exits the building as the heater draws in fresh air, ducts it into a structure, and pressurizes the structure. This moisture laden air then leaks from the building through select windows using the energy imparted from the fan and then exhausts the moisture to the atmosphere, drying the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Cambridge Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary J. Potter, Marc Braun, Jeffrey A. Kieffer
  • Publication number: 20140075774
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides one embodiment of a semiconductor processing apparatus. The semiconductor processing apparatus includes a load lock designed to receive a wafer carrier; an inner wafer carrier buffer configured to hold the wafer carrier received from the load lock and to perform a nitrogen purge to the wafer carrier; and a processing module designed to perform a semiconductor process to wafers from the wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Jason Shen, Wen-Yu Huang, Li-Jen Ko, Hsiang Yin Shen
  • Patent number: 8671587
    Abstract: A method for carrying out a drying step in a dishwasher that includes a housing, a washing tub, a door with a hinged lower region operable to close the washing tub, an opening device for automatically opening the door to an ajar position and a condensation drying system including a cooling-air flow generator. The method includes guiding a portion of a cooling-air flow along a portion of an underside of a countertop covering a top of the dishwasher housing both before and after the door is opened to an ajar position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Erik Berends, Martin Kornberger, Dirk Wegener
  • Publication number: 20140026435
    Abstract: A method for controlling a rotatable-drum laundry drier to dry laundry in a drum is provided. The control method includes the steps of memorizing, in a memory device of the laundry drier, a comparison threshold variable in time according to a predetermined profile, and, at predetermined drying times in the laundry drying cycle, measuring an electric quantity indicating the moisture in the laundry at the drying time; comparing, at each drying time, the measured electric quantity with the memorized comparison threshold corresponding to the drying time; and determining the end of drying cycle time on the basis of this comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Fabio Altinier, Michele Bisaro, Roberto Ragogna
  • Publication number: 20140020260
    Abstract: A laundry drying machine with a heat pump system comprises a process air circuit including a rotating drum, a blower and a heater, a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, an evaporator, the condenser and evaporator being in heat exchange relationship with the process air circuit, an auxiliary condenser cooled by an air flow driven by a fan, and at least two temperature sensors placed in the process air circuit and/or in the refrigerant circuit. A method for controlling the laundry drying machine includes receiving an input indicating a desired behavior of the laundry drying machine selected from the group consisting of optimized use of energy, overall drying time and fabric care, and controlling components of the machine according to signals from the two temperature sensors and according to the desired behavior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: JAMES P. CAROW, MOEED MUKHTAR, JURIJ PADERNO, PAOLO SPRANZI
  • Patent number: 8607471
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for operating a clothes dryer, the dryer including a drum rotatably installed within a cabinet, a blow fan configured to supply air into the drum, a heater configured to heat air, and a liquid injection means configured to inject liquid into the drum, the method including a drying step of supplying hot air heated by the heater into the drum to dry clothes, a preprocessing step of cooling the inside of the drum with supplying air in a turn-off state of the heater, and a liquid injection step of injecting the liquid into the drum after performing the preprocessing step, wherein the liquid injection step is repeatedly performed in plural times, whereby the liquid can be injected into clothes after the preprocessing step, so as to allow an effective deposition of the liquid onto the clothes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sanghun Bae, Minji Kim
  • Publication number: 20130192084
    Abstract: An existing water recirculation system of a laundry washer may be activated to circulate air in a way that can reduce the moisture in the tub and drum of the washer. Also included is a system whereby an existing drain pump of the washer may be selectively activated to cause air to vent through the washer and out the drain hose of the washer. These systems may be used individually or in conjunction with each other, and with drum rotation. Supplemental venting may also be provided by a dedicated fan, to provide an effective multi-action washing machine venting solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130152422
    Abstract: A washer dryer comprising a tub, a drum mounted in the tub to be rotatable around an essentially horizontal axis for receiving laundry items, a process air circuit comprising an air heater and a blower to heat and circulate the heated air through the drum, a heat exchanger to condense moisture from the process air coming out of the drum, and a first temperature sensor in the connecting part between the tub and the heat exchanger, whereby the first temperature sensor is located at a height that is above the lower end of the drum and below the heat exchanger to allow the first temperature sensor to be at least partially immersed in an aqueous liquid contained in the tub when the washer dryer is operated in a washing or rinsing phase. The invention also relates to a method for the operation of this washer dryer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: BSH HOME APPLIANCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yanhong Chen, Harald Moschütz, Vladimir Proseanic, Svetlana Visnepolschi
  • Publication number: 20130145644
    Abstract: A method for operating a washer dryer comprising a tub, a drum mounted in the tub to be rotatable around an essentially horizontal axis for receiving laundry items, a process air circuit comprising an air heater and a blower to heat and circulate the heated air through the drum, a heat exchanger to condense moisture from the process air coming out of the drum, a sensor placed in the process air circuit between the tub and the heat exchanger, and a rinsing device, whereby the rinsing device flushes the sensor in a flushing phase with an aqueous cleaning liquid when the temperature T in the process air circuit between the tub and the heat exchanger is in a temperature range between an upper temperature limit Tmaxset and a lower temperature limit Tminset. The invention also relates to a washer dryer for performing this method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: BSH HOME APPLIANCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Harald Moschütz, Vladimir Proseanic, Svetlana Visnepolschi
  • Publication number: 20130139402
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a laundry machine having a drying function. The laundry machine having a drying function comprises: a rotatably installed drum; a heater that generates hot air, and a fan; a filter that filters the hot air; a sensor that senses a hot-airflow resistance generated by a flow channel through which the hot air flows; and a controller which determines whether or not the filter is clogged on the basis of the hot-airflow resistance sensed by the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventor: Sangwook Hong
  • Publication number: 20130091726
    Abstract: A clothes treatment apparatus and a method for controlling a clothes treatment apparatus are provided. The clothes treatment apparatus may include a drying duct, a first blower fan located in the drying duct that circulates interior air within the drying duct, and a filter located in the drying duct. The method may include sensing clogging of the filter, and switching a flow of air passing through the filter from a first direction to an opposite second direction if clogging of the filter is sensed. The method may further include a washing cycle for washing clothes, and a drying cycle for drying the clothes. An implementation time of the washing cycle may be less than an implementation time of the drying cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventors: Youngsuk KIM, Hyojun Kim, Sangwook Hong, Naeun Kim
  • Publication number: 20130091727
    Abstract: A clothes treatment apparatus and a method for controlling a clothes treatment apparatus are provided. The method may include feeding heated hot air to clothes or other items received in a drum, and dehydrating the clothes or other items by performing a first rotation cycle for rotating the drum at a first RPM for a predetermined period of time. The first RPM may be a RPM that allows a centrifugal force applied to the clothes or other items during rotation of the drum to exceed gravity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventors: Heakyung YOO, Cheolsoo Ko, Youngsuk Kim
  • Publication number: 20120324755
    Abstract: A combination dryer assembly enables a user to selectively dry articles either in a hand-held, dynamic drying mode or an assembly-held, static drying mode. The dryer assembly incorporates a blow dryer apparatus, and a blow dryer retainer assembly. The blow dryer apparatus comprises an air-forcer for directing air; air conduit for conducting directed air along an air flow axis; and apparatus circuitry for powering said air-forcer. The retainer assembly comprises a conduit position mechanism for selectively positioning said air conduit; a position switch for switching apparatus-driving circuitry when said air conduit is positioned by said conduit positioning mechanism; and apparatus-driving circuitry for selectively and electrically powering the blow dryer apparatus either in a hand-held, dynamic drying mode or an assembly-held, static drying mode. The apparatus and apparatus-driving circuitry are electrically communicable with one another and a power source for powering the blow dryer apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventor: Shuai Zhao
  • Publication number: 20120317831
    Abstract: Methods of removing moisture from a compressor using a sorbent technology are provided. A dehydration device incorporating the sorbent technology is disposed in a system that contains a hygroscopic fluid. By passing the hygroscopic fluid over the sorbent technology, moisture is removed from the hygroscopic fluid. The systems include sealed devices and integral components for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and refrigeration devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew J. Heidecker
  • Publication number: 20120311884
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for separating volatiles from particulates are provided. The apparatus includes a separator having an internal volume and a fluid discharge outlet, a particulate discharge outlet, a particulate inlet, and a fluid inlet disposed on the separator and in fluid communication with the internal volume. The particulate inlet is disposed toward a first end of the separator and the fluid inlet is disposed toward a second end of the separator. The fluid inlet includes one or more openings disposed through a sidewall of the separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald S. Eisinger, Bruce S. Holden, Timothy Charles Frank
  • Publication number: 20120291307
    Abstract: A device for removing liquid from a part of a vehicle, the liquid removal device including an intake (11) for receiving matter containing gaseous component and non-gaseous components, a separator (14) for separating the gaseous and non gaseous components of matter entering the inlet (11), and an outlet (9, 10) for directing a gaseous component of the matter leaving the separator (14) towards the part of the vehicle from which liquid is to be removed, so as to remove liquid therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventor: Gregory Keyes
  • Publication number: 20120284930
    Abstract: Automatic refresh of a completed load of articles (e.g., laundry) left in a washing machine or dryer that has been idle for a period of time is provided. After a certain amount of time has elapsed following completion of a laundry cycle, the laundry is refreshed by restarting the appliance. All or a portion of a cycle of the appliance may be repeated in order to refresh the articles. User adjustable options can be provided for e.g., the length of the idle time, when the refresh is executed, and other options as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Douglas Laurence Robertson, Jonathan Blair Talmadge
  • Publication number: 20120276576
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to porous polymer monoliths. The present invention also relates to processes for the preparation of porous polymer monoliths, storage mediums formed from porous polymer monoliths and use thereof in the drying and storage of body fluids including blood and blood plasma samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Paul Raymond Haddad, Emily Frances Hilder, Esme Candish, Mark A.J. Bayliss
  • Patent number: 8296888
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a cloth treating apparatus, such as a laundry treating machine, and methods of control and operation which sanitize the machine. The laundry treating machine can include an accommodating space which supplies air and moisture in order to remove unpleasant odors, wrinkles, or dampness from the laundry. The laundry treating machine may further include a circulation duct to circulate, dehumidify, or heat air inside the accommodating space. Operation of the laundry treating machine can use steam-sanitizing to remove odors, moisture, bacteria from the accommodating space and circulation duct. Steam-sanitizing can be performed based on a user's selection or the occurrence of a condition, such as unloading of laundry from the accommodating space after treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hea Kyung Yoo, Sog Kie Hong, Dong Won Kim, Jong Seok Kim, Dae Yun Park
  • Publication number: 20120260519
    Abstract: A contact lens case drying apparatus and kit are provided. The apparatus includes a plate-like structure having an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper surface having at least one raised ridge that occupies a portion of a surface area of the upper surface of said plate-like structure, said ridge capable of supporting the contact lens case at a plurality of locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: Dora SUMMA, Richard Martin Summa
  • Publication number: 20120210517
    Abstract: Perfect Gym Towel is a multi-purpose towel to be used during exercise activities. More specifically, the Perfect Gym Towel comprises one side having a fabric sheet for absorbing sweat of a user and a second side comprising an anti-bacterial barrier to be placed on gym equipment during exercise activities or when resting the gym towel during periods of non-use. The antibacterial barrier comprises a rubber-based material, such as an artificial elastomer comprising a polymer, providing a resistant surface. These layers in combination create a usable towel with a water resistant barrier to protect the user from contaminates like germs, sweat, and solvents that are left behind on gym equipment (by other users) which can be absorbed into a traditional gym towel. Perfect Gym Towel is a towel option that can be appreciated by virtually all gym-goers for its cleanliness and protection that the product affords.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventor: Nimeshkumar Patel
  • Publication number: 20120192450
    Abstract: In a washing machine, a power management apparatus and a method of controlling the same, washing operation and drying operation commands are input by a user, power rate information for each time period is received from an EMS, a drying operation execution time is confirmed, and power rates corresponding to the drying operation execution time are determined based on the power rate information for each time period. Then, the power rates corresponding to the drying operation execution time are compared with the standard power rates to determine whether the power rates corresponding to the drying operation execution time are higher than the standard power rates, and an algorithm of a final spinning mode in the washing operation is adjusted if the power rates corresponding to the drying operation execution time are higher than the standard power rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun Sook KIM, Eun Suk BANG
  • Patent number: 8225523
    Abstract: A clothes-treating apparatus and a controlling method thereof are disclosed. According to a controlling method of a clothes-treating apparatus, a clothes-treating apparatus is capable of steam-cleansing a heat exchanger of a heat pump provided therein automatically. An additional device may not be provided in the clothes treating apparatus to cleanse and sterilize a heat exchanger of a heat pump provided in a mechanism compartment to supply dry or heated air to clothes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jung Wook Moon, Dae Yun Park, Sog Kie Hong, Jong Seok Kim, Seung Gyu Ryu, Hye Yong Park, Chang Gyu Choi, Dong Won Kim
  • Publication number: 20120167409
    Abstract: The present invention aims to shorten a drying time for time for drying a coiled electrode. To this end, a drying device for drying the coiled electrode wound on a winding core includes a heating unit for heating the coiled electrode from a winding core side. Since this enables heat to be transferred from a core part toward a surface of the coiled electrode, tiny spaces can be generated between layers of an electrode and moisture can be evaporated from these spaces. Thus, moisture of the core part side, which has been difficult to evaporate, can be reliably evaporated and a drying time for the coiled electrode can be shortened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: Nissan Motor Co.,
    Inventor: Hiroki Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20120167408
    Abstract: A method for drying grain with a single drying step is based on the glass transition temperature (Tg) hypothesis. The air used to dry the grain is maintained at a sufficient temperature and relative humidity (RH) such that the grain remains entirely in the rubbery state during the drying process, which prevents the formation of fissures that result from the transition of the grain to the glassy state at the grain kernel periphery. The result of the process is an improved head rice yield (HRY) comparable to longer, multi-step drying methods but which may be accomplished in less time and with lower energy requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Terry J. Siebenmorgen, George Ondier
  • Patent number: 8201345
    Abstract: A method for operating a cleanout cycle to remove treating chemistry dispensed within a dispenser dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael T. Dalton, Kaustav Ghosh, Karl D. McAllister
  • Patent number: 8196311
    Abstract: A system for removing water from sludge is disclosed. The system (100) includes: de-watering (102) sludge comprising an output from a wastewater treatment system to form a semi-solid sludge cake; dispensing (104) the sludge in a sludge hopper and dispensing a blending material in a recipient blending material hopper; depositing (106) the sludge and the blending material in a mixing device; mixing (108) the sludge and the blending material having a porous structure in a weight ratio of the sludge to the blending material of about from 2:1 to about 10:1; and compressing (110) the sludge and the blending material to release moisture. The system (100) provides an improved method of de-watering sludge, for more efficient processing, transporting and recycling, depending on the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Hydrocell Technologies
    Inventor: Dominick O'Reilly
  • Patent number: 8181356
    Abstract: A substrate processing method is arranged to perform a heat process on a substrate with a coating film formed thereon to bake and cure the coating film. At first, the substrate, with the coating film formed thereon, is held at a preparatory temperature lower than a lower limit of temperature for baking and curing the coating film, to adjust distribution of a predetermined component in the coating film. Then, the substrate, with distribution of the predetermined component thus adjusted, is subjected to a heat process at a temperature not lower than the lower limit of temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Takahisa Otsuka, Tsuyoshi Shibata