Abstract: A container (300) adapted to store a quantity of metal powder (101, 301), the container (300) comprising a container body having an opening and a sensing device (111, 121) for sensing the temperature of the powder (101, 301) and/or the humidity level inside the container (300), wherein a first reading received from the sensing device (111, 121) is compared to a second reading received from a second sensing device configured to sense the temperature and/or humidity level of an environment outside of the container, and based on the first reading and the second reading, a user is provided within an indication about whether the container can be opened.

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance for treating laundry according to an automatic cycle of operation includes a cabinet defining a cabinet interior. A drum is rotatable within the cabinet interior, and at least partially defines a treating chamber. The treating chamber has a treating chamber air inlet and a treating chamber air outlet. A drying air circuit is fluidly coupled to the treating chamber air inlet and to the treating chamber air outlet. The laundry treating appliance can include first and second air temperature sensors, at least a first humidity sensor, and a controller operably coupled with the sensors.

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance and method for controlling the operation of a laundry treating appliance having a rotatable drum at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving laundry for treatment in accordance with a treating cycle of operation by determining the presence of a bulky laundry item based on image data of the laundry within the treating chamber.

Abstract: A grain drying system and process includes a controller that is electronically coupled to a variable speed fan and to a heater or a heat pump to supply air through a plenum and the grain. Also coupled to the controller are ambient temperature and humidity sensors, internal plenum temperature and a humidity sensor. The controller adjusts a fan speed in combination with operating the heater or heat pump to deliver a target equilibrium moisture temperature, during a first period when the ambient air is outside the equilibrium moisture target. The controller operates the fan at a minimum speed, during a second period when the ambient air is outside the equilibrium moisture target, and the controller is unable to obtain equilibrium moisture target air in the plenum in view of operational limits of the fan and the heater or heat pump.

Abstract: Disclosed are a dryer and a method of controlling the same, the dryer which is capable of: quickly and accurately determining an amount of laundry loaded in the dryer and controlling a drying operation according to the amount of the laundry: measuring a current supplied to rotate the drum and extracting a force applied to laundry in the drum to measure an amount of the laundry, thereby minimizing an error in the amount of laundry and thus enhancing accuracy of the measurement and improving a drying time; setting a drying time in consideration of both a calculated amount of laundry and a type of the laundry, such that damage to the laundry is prevented and over-drying or less-drying of the laundry is solved, thereby efficiently drying the laundry; and setting a drying time or a rotation speed during a drying operation according to an amount of laundry.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus for vehicle includes a photographing apparatus, heating means, an outside air temperature detector, and a control device. The photographing apparatus is disposed inside a vehicle so as to face a window of the vehicle and is configured to receive photographing light passing through the window. The heating means is disposed inside the vehicle so as to face the window and generates heat when receiving electricity. The outside air temperature detector detects outside air temperature which is air temperature outside of the vehicle. The control device calculates an amount corresponding to a target value of electric energy to be supplied to the heating means for a predetermined period of time based on the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature detector and temperature of the photographing apparatus, the control device supplying electric energy corresponding to the target value to the heating means.

Abstract: A system and method for indicating dryness of a sterilizer product includes taking a first humidity reading before a cycle of the sterilizer is started, taking a second humidity reading after the cycle of the sterilizer is finished, indicating to a user the dryness of the sterilizer product based on the first humidity reading and the second humidity reading.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and approaches for managing post-harvest crop quality and pests are described. Such a system may include a plurality of edge devices each comprising sensor components and collectively forming a mesh network, for measuring the local physical environment within stored crops and, for example, transmitting the measurements to a service from within the crop storage area. In certain embodiments, such a system may be used to manage post-harvest crops and storage areas—for example, approaches are described for determining fumigation treatment duration, determining phosphine dosage, determining heat treatment duration, and determining safe storage time for crops.

Abstract: A control method of a laundry treatment apparatus is disclosed which includes a course setting procedure receiving a control command including RPM control data of an impeller, RPM control data of a compressor or opening degree control data of an expansion valve, a hot air supply procedure for supplying heated air to a drum through control of the impeller, compressor and expansion valve, a temperature measurement procedure measuring temperature of air introduced into the drum during execution of the hot air supply procedure, a first control procedure for controlling the impeller, compressor and expansion valve based on the control command when the measured temperature is equal to or higher than a reference temperature, and a second control procedure controlling the impeller, compressor and expansion valve based on a control command different from the control command set in the course setting procedure when the measured temperature is lower than the reference temperature.

Abstract: A method of ventilation includes receiving at least one signal indicative of an operation of one or more exhaust fans causing air to be exhausted out of a building. The method further includes determining, by one or more processing devices, a total expulsion rate of air being exhausted out of the building by the one or more exhaust fans based on the signal, and determining, by the one or more processing devices, a target fan speed of one or more intake fans configured to draw external air into the building. The target fan speed of the one or more intake fans is determined to achieve an inflow rate that is substantially equal to the total expulsion rate. The method also includes controlling the one or more intake fans using one or more control signals in accordance with the target fan speed.

Abstract: In a method for operating a tumble dryer for drying damp laundry, the profile of the moisture of the air in the tumble dryer, advantageously the absolute moisture, is measured during an initial phase of the drying process. The profile of the measured moisture is then compared with stored profiles for the moisture or a gradient of the profile of the measured moisture is compared with stored gradient threshold values for gradient values of the moisture. In this case, profiles and/or gradient threshold values for fibers from the following group: cotton, wool and synthetic fibers, and also an upper gradient threshold value and a lower gradient threshold value are stored.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a clothes treating apparatus, including a communication unit to transmit or receive information related to a usage history of the clothes treating apparatus, a memory to store the information related to the usage history, an air supply device to heat air supplied into an accommodation space of the clothes treating apparatus, and a controller to extract a use time zone of the clothes treating apparatus based on the information related to the usage history, drive the air supply device in a preset pattern within the extracted use time zone, and stop an operation of the clothes treating apparatus at a time zone except for the extracted use time zone.

Abstract: A dryer monitoring system receives dryer information from one or more sensors concerning operation of one or more dryers, such as clothes dryers. For example, the dryer monitoring system may receive temperature and/or humidity information from one or more dryers. The dryer monitor analyzes the dryer data to determine whether textiles in the dryer are dry. The dryer monitor may analyze one or more states and/or one or more indicators (patterns in the dryer data) during the dryness determination.

Abstract: Sensed conditions are communicated from a cable sensing array suspended in one or more grain storage bins using an adapter which includes a port for making a wired connection with a cable output of the cable sensing array. The adapter further includes a sensor receiver in connection with the port to receive sensed conditions from the cable sensing array, and an interface. In a preferred embodiment, the interface forms a wired connection with a headphone jack of a smartphone. A program executable on the smartphone communicates a sampling instruction from the smartphone to the adapter through the interface to cause the adapter to retrieve the sensed condition data from the sensing array and transmit the sensed condition data back to the smartphone. The program on the smartphone may include further instructions to transmit the data over a wireless network to a remote server for access by internet enabled devices.

Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus includes a cabinet forming an external appearance of the laundry treating apparatus, an accommodation space provided in the cabinet to receive laundry, and a discharge portion allowing an interior of the accommodation space to communicate with an exterior of the cabinet and adapted to discharge air in the accommodation space from the cabinet. The laundry treating apparatus also includes a supply portion that supplies air into the accommodation space, and a shutoff portion adapted to open and close the discharge portion.

Abstract: A method of operating a laundry treating appliance to adjust the thermal output of the heater to control the total power consumption of the washing machine.

Abstract: A process of drying moisture containing material having a tendency to create dust when dried, said process including the steps of providing said material in a heated chamber having a steam containing atmosphere at a temperature above the dewpoint of the steam, recirculating a hot gas including a portion of the steam through said chamber in order to evaporate moisture from the material to a predetermined level of dryness.

Abstract: Energy efficiencies are achieved in a dryer or washer/dryer by selectively varying temperature ranges, time periods, heater power levels, and air flow rates. Efficiency improvements on the order of 16% were obtained over typical constant power, constant temperature, timed drying cycles by varying one or more of these parameters. Efficiencies can also be improved by drawing air from alternative warm sources such as an attic or warm external environment, or by heat recovery from dryer exhaust passages.

Abstract: A method for estimating the temperature of a laundry load in a treating chamber of a laundry dryer.

Abstract: A method of controlling a tumble laundry drier (1), the method including the steps of: starting a drying/ironing cycle and feeding drying air into the drum (5) from a drum input to a drum output; continuously measuring the electrical resistance/conductivity between two electrodes (25) located on the inside of the door; estimating the weight of the laundry inside the drum (5); measuring a temperature of the drying air at the drum output; stopping the drying/ironing cycle, if the weight of the laundry is above a weight threshold, when the electrical resistance/conductivity between the two electrodes (25) is above/below a resistance/conductivity threshold; and stopping the drying/ironing cycle, if the weight of the laundry is below a weight threshold, when the electrical resistance/conductivity between the two electrodes (25) is above/below a resistance/conductivity threshold and also when the temperature of the drying air at the drum output is above a temperature threshold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining a fluffing state of laundry based on a determined temperature indicative of the surface of the laundry.

Abstract: A grain drying system includes a master control unit external to the grain storage bin which is preprogrammed with a desirable grain moisture content or EMC. Condition sensor assemblies mounted within the grain bin determine the relative humidity and the temperature of the grain within the grain bin. Also, sensors mounted in the bin's plenum determine temperature, relative humidity and air pressure. A weather station mounted externally of the grain bin determines the outside air temperature and relative humidity. Depending on the conditions determined by the sensor assemblies and the weather station, the master control unit selectively activates the grain bin's drying fan when needed and when it is efficient and effective to do so. A radio or cellular modem allows for communication of the grain's condition. The internal sensor assemblies are preferably secured to flexible cables hung within the grain bin. The cable and rigid rod-like members support the sensors.

Abstract: A process of drying moisture containing material having a tendency to create dust when dried, said process including the steps of providing said material in a heated chamber having a steam containing atmosphere at a temperature above the dewpoint of the steam, recirculating a hot gas including a portion of the steam through said chamber in order to evaporate moisture from the material to a predetermined level of dryness.

Abstract: A dryer monitoring system receives dryer information from one or more sensors concerning operation of one or more dryers, such as clothes dryers. For example, the dryer monitoring system may receive temperature, humidity, and/or dryer on/off information concerning the dryers. The dryer monitoring system may analyze the dryer information and generate reports communicating the dryer information, identify possible maintenance issues with the dryers, identify ambient environmental conditions that may lead to inefficient drying, identify possible operator errors, and/or diagnose other dryer conditions that may be determined based on the dryer information.

Abstract: A dryer and a control method thereof, in which load of an object to be dried is detected using a sensor which has less risk of contamination and an anticipated drying time based on the detected load is accurately determined and displayed. The dryer includes a rotatable drum to accommodate the object, a front support installed at an entrance of the drum to support the drum, a rear support installed at an opposite side of the entrance of the drum to support the drum, an exhaust hole formed in the front support, through which interior air of the drum is discharged, and a humidity sensor installed to the front support at a position adjacent to the exhaust hole, the humidity sensor being located upstream of the exhaust hole in a rotating direction of the drum to detect humidity of the air to be introduced into the exhaust hole.

Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of a clothes dryer by determining a load size estimation based on at least one of a temperature variation of the laundry load and a delay time wherein the delay time is a time it takes for the temperature variation to satisfy a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An overall restoration system useful in removing moisture from structures is provided. The contemplated system includes a power and control device, a series of sensors, and a number of various different drying equipment, all capable of communication with a remote server. The system is highly portable, flexible and cost-efficient to manufacture and operate.

Abstract: A method of controlling the operation of a clothes dryer with a moisture sensor having a conductivity circuit with spaced contacts.

Abstract: A method for preparing a container holding high level radioactive waste for dry storage. In one aspect, the method includes: (a) providing a gas circulation system comprising a condensing module, a desiccant module, a gas circulator module; (b) connecting the gas circulation system to the canister so as to form a hermetically sealed closed-loop path that includes the cavity; (c) filling the hermetically sealed closed-loop path with a non-reactive gas; (d) circulating the non-reactive gas through the hermetically sealed closed-loop path until the condensing module is no longer removing substantial amounts of water from the circulating non-reactive gas, wherein the desiccant module is sealed off from the hermetically sealed closed-loop path during step (d); and (e) adding the desiccant module to the hermetically sealed closed-loop path and continuing to circulate the non-reactive gas through the hermetically sealed closed-loop path, the desiccant module dehumidifying the circulating the non-reactive gas.

Abstract: A method for determining status of a drying cycle comprises receiving, at a first time, a first signal from a bladder pressure sensor configured to be responsive to changes in a weight of a container of the dryer, the container retaining materials to be dried. At a second time, the controller receives a second signal from the bladder pressure sensor. A change in the bladder pressure signals is calculated based on difference between the second signal and the first signal, and the change in the bladder pressure signals is interpreted as a change in the weight of the container. Based on the change in the weight of the container and the length of time, a rate of change in the weight of the container is calculated.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle frame and an optical device mounted on the vehicle frame. A first temperature sensor senses ambient air temperature surrounding the vehicle frame, a second temperature sensor senses a temperature of a lens of the optical device, and a humidity sensor senses moisture content of air proximal to the lens. An exhaust directs gas at the lens in response to the sensed ambient air temperature, the sensed lens temperature, and the sensed moisture content.

Abstract: A washer-dryer including 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 exiting the drum, and at least one temperature sensor, wherein at least a part of a surface of the temperature sensor is formed from a hydrophobic material, and a method for operating the washer-dryer.

Abstract: A method for determining an empty load in a clothes dryer having a drying chamber with an air inlet, an air outlet and operable according to a predetermined cycle of operation.

Abstract: A method for determining an end of cycle in a clothes dryer having a drying chamber with an air inlet, an air outlet and operable according to a predetermined cycle of operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a dryer used to reduce the moisture content of sheet material. A drying chamber is provided and includes a plurality of drying sections and a single point exhaust system. A seal section located at the input end of the dryer includes an exhaust passage through which a gas sample is drawn by a sampling fan. Gases within the seal section are a combination of ambient air drawn through restricted passages at the entry to the seal section and exhaust gas that bleeds into the seal section from the drying chamber. A controller monitors the temperature of the sampled gases and ambient air and adjusts the rate of exhaust flow from the main exhaust system as a function of the temperature differential. A heating system is also provided for heating the seal exhaust gases above the pitch condensation temperature for the flow.

Abstract: A dryer monitoring system receives dryer information from one or more sensors concerning operation of one or more dryers, such as clothes dryers. For example, the dryer monitoring system may receive temperature and/or humidity information from one or more dryers. The dryer monitor analyzes the dryer data to determine whether textiles in the dryer are dry. The dryer monitor may analyze one or more states and/or one or more indicators (patterns in the dryer data) during the dryness determination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biomass product drying system having a fluidized bed for mixing, drying and transporting the biomass product through one or more stages in order to sufficiently dry the biomass product for commercial markets.

Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of a dryer comprising dispensing a treating chemistry from a dispensing system into a treating chamber of the dryer based on an output from the environmental drying sensor.

Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of a clothes dryer having a drying chamber and an air flow system including a variable speed blower for forcing air through the drying chamber comprises the step of assessing a value related to the water removal rate and the step of adjusting the speed of the blower depending on the assessed value, the value being preferably based on a ratio between the water condensing rate and the power of a heater used to heat up the air flow upstream the drying chamber.

Abstract: Energy efficiencies are achieved in a dryer or washer/dryer by selectively varying temperature ranges, time periods, heater power levels, and air flow rates. Efficiency improvements on the order of 16% were obtained over typical constant power, constant temperature, timed drying cycles by varying one or more of these parameters. Efficiencies can also be improved by drawing air from alternative warm sources such as an attic or warm external environment, or by heat recovery from dryer exhaust passages.

Abstract: Granular material is dehumidified by: a) arranging a dehumidification plant having at least one hopper for containing the granular material, having a feed mouth and an output mouth, and at least one dry air generator fluidically connected to a dry air distributor inside the hopper; b) loading granular material into the hopper through the feed mouth; c) measuring the degree of initial humidity of the granular material entering the hopper; d) calculating on the basis of the values of initial humidity measured, the dehumidifying capacity of the dry air flow through the hopper needed to achieve predefined residual humidity values in the granular material leaving the hopper, the residence time of the granular material inside the hopper being fixed; e) generating a dry air flow through said hopper having a dehumidifying capacity calculated in the calculating step d).

Abstract: A method for controlling an automatic dryer is disclosed, which can determine a dryness level based on information relating the laundry by an initial average value of a sensing means, to thereby achieve stability and reliability in a drying process, the method comprising sensing whether the amount of laundry is small or large by using an average output value in a preset time period of an initial drying stage; detecting a saturation voltage generating point of the sensor; and performing a drying cycle based on each dryness level by using information for the amount of laundry and the saturation voltage generating point.

Abstract: A method of controlling a tumble laundry drier (1), the method including the steps of: starting a drying/ironing cycle and feeding drying air into the drum (5) from a drum input to a drum output; continuously measuring the electrical resistance/conductivity between two electrodes (25) located on the inside of the door; estimating the weight of the laundry inside the drum (5); measuring a temperature of the drying air at the drum output; stopping the drying/ironing cycle, if the weight of the laundry is above a weight threshold, when the electrical resistance/conductivity between the two electrodes (25) is above/below a resistance/conductivity threshold; and stopping the drying/ironing cycle, if the weight of the laundry is below a weight threshold, when the electrical resistance/conductivity between the two electrodes (25) is above/below a resistance/conductivity threshold and also when the temperature of the drying air at the drum output is above a temperature threshold.

Abstract: A dryer and a control method thereof, in which load of an object to be dried is detected using a sensor which has less risk of contamination and an anticipated drying time based on the detected load is accurately determined and displayed. The dryer includes a rotatable drum to accommodate the object, a front support installed at an entrance of the drum to support the drum, a rear support installed at an opposite side of the entrance of the drum to support the drum, an exhaust hole formed in the front support, through which interior air of the drum is discharged, and a humidity sensor installed to the front support at a position adjacent to the exhaust hole, the humidity sensor being located upstream of the exhaust hole in a rotating direction of the drum to detect humidity of the air to be introduced into the exhaust hole.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a dryer and a method of controlling a cleaning operation thereof that are capable of supplying moisture into a drying chamber of the dryer to wet contaminants in the drying chamber and blowing air to the wetted contaminants to remove the contaminants. The method includes supplying moisture into a drying chamber to wet contaminants in the drying chamber and removing the contaminants wetted by the moisture.

Abstract: A method for drying sensitive articles, essentially textiles made of wool, which are to be dried in the washing drum of a clothes dryer using a computer program. According to known methods for protecting sensitive articles to be dried during a drying program, the articles to be dried are introduced into a protective device which, filled with the articles to be dried, is then inserted into the washing drum before the start of the drying program. In order to prevent damage to the sensitive articles to be dried whenever the protective device is not used, a warning signal is generated prior to the start of the drying program when the protective device containing the sensitive articles to be dried is not properly fixed to the clothes dryer.

Abstract: A household appliance functions according to multiple operating cycles, wherein each operating cycle comprises at least one step characterized by a parameter having a factory-set default value. A user can access a controller of the household appliance through a user interface to simultaneously set new default values for a parameter common to at least two of the multiple operating cycles.

Abstract: Provided is a substrate processing method that prevents generation of watermarks on a substrate and can be performed at a low cost. The method controls the ambient humidity around the substrate depending on the kind of the chemical liquid, when the substrate is processed with the chemical liquid. The control of the humidity is performed at least in a drying step that dries the substrate W. In one embodiment, the ambient humidity around the substrate is controlled when a fluid containing IPA as a drying fluid is supplied to the substrate W after processing the substrate W with the chemical liquid.

Abstract: A method for operating a clothes treating apparatus having a dry function capable of reducing abrasion and crease of a dry object and improving a dry efficiency is provided. The method for operating a clothes treating apparatus having a dry function for drying the clothes by supplying hot air into the interior of a tub includes: supplying hot air into the interior of the tub while forwardly and reversely rotating the tub; detecting the moisture content of the clothes put into the interior of the tub; lowering the temperature of hot air and supplying the same when the detected moisture content is less than a first predetermined level; and supplying the hot air having a lower temperature to complete drying.

Abstract: Provided is a drying system capable of determining if the number of on/off switching unitings of a heating mechanism exceeds a preset number over a preset duration, and reducing the amount of heat that the heating mechanism radiates, in order to extend the service life of the heating mechanism and a switching uniting mechanism