Abstract: Systems and methods of grain drying using radio frequency waves while maintaining low temperature are disclosed herein. The method and systems described herein use radio frequency waves to dry harvest crops at low temperatures. Specifically, the system and method includes minimizing temperature increases caused by dielectric radio frequency heating while increasing intermolecular hydrogen bond disruption.

Abstract: A method of operating a laundry treating appliance for treating laundry according to a cycle of operation with the laundry treating appliance including a treating chamber for receiving laundry selectively accessible through a door, can include determining the removal of laundry after completion of the cycle of operation and reducing humidity in the treating chamber after determination of the removal of the laundry.

Abstract: A drying apparatus that is capable of effectively removing foreign substances, such as dead mite bodies and dust adhered to bedding, a washing machine having the drying apparatus, and a method of controlling the drying apparatus. When bedding having a large volume, such as a blanket or a cover, is washed, a bedding-dusting operation using rotation of a drum and high-temperature hot air is performed before and after a bedding washing course is performed, so that foreign substances, such as dead mite bodies or dust, are dusted off bedding and the effects of washing bedding can be improved. In addition, a section in which the bedding-dusting operation is to be performed, is automatically or manually selected as before bedding washing or after bedding washing so that various operations can be performed and the effects of washing bedding can be improved.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for drying a piece of textile which is impinged upon by an air flow having a varied partial steam pressure to evacuate moisture. The method and apparatus are particularly suitable for drying a piece of textile with a layered structure having a semi-permeable membrane.

Abstract: A dryer barrel basket may include a body with a mesh surface. The dryer barrel basket may also include a door positioned proximate a bottom portion of the dryer barrel basket. The dryer barrel basket may further include a hinge which may be sized and configured to allow the door to rotate between an open and closed position. In addition, the dryer barrel basket may include a locking mechanism that is configured to secure the door to the mesh body in a closed position and allow the door to be disposed in an open position using an opening mechanism.

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

Abstract: A dual tumble dryer unit that includes a housing that defines an interior, a divider that extends between first and second side walls and divides the interior into first and second sections, and first and second dryer assemblies that are positioned in the first and second sections. The first and second dryer assemblies each include a basket positioned to rotate about a horizontal axis, and a blower disposed positioned to blow air on the basket. A first drying path is defined between a first entry opening defined in the first side wall, the first basket and a first exit opening defined in the second side wall, and a second drying path is defined between a second entry opening defined in the first side wall, the second basket and a second exit opening defined in the second side wall.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for processing waste material is provided which comprises a heat proof chamber (102), a hot gas inlet (106, 112) for heating the interior of the heat proof chamber (102), and a rotatable drum (118) for containing waste to be processed. The drum (118) has gaps (120) therein, is located within the heat proof chamber (102), and separated therefrom around its edge by a gap. The apparatus (100) is also provided with a drive (126, 128) for rotating the drum (118) at a speed such that, in use, waste material that is heat softened is centrifugally separated from the remainder of the waste and passes through the gaps (120) in the drum (118).

Abstract: A clothing dryer and control method thereof is provided. A conventional dryness sensor may be used, without installation of a separate component, to detect breakage of a belt. Upon detection of belt breakage, the motor is stopped together with report of abnormality of the to reduce cost. A conventional temperature sensor may be used to maintain a proper surface temperature of a door of the clothing dryer, without installation of a separate component. Thereby, harm to a user due to rise in the surface temperature of the door may be prevented, and degradation of drying quality may be prevented. Furthermore, the pipe temperature of a compressor may be used to detect incorrect or broken wiring of the compressor. When incorrect or broken wiring of the compressor is detected, the compress is stopped together with report of to protect the product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for treating a material (20), in particular for drying a preferably strip-shaped material (20), comprising a gaseous treatment medium which flows through the material (20), at least one drum (2) which comprises a gas-permeable drum cover (21) which is at least partially covered with the material (20) which can be transported in the peripheral direction of the drum (2) inside (18) where a negative pressure can be set, a treatment chamber (14, 76, 78) surrounding the drum (2). When setting the negative pressure in the inside (18) of the drum (2), at least part of the gaseous treatment medium flows out from the treatment chamber (14, 76, 78) through the material (20) arranged on the drum cover (21) and through the gas-permeable drum cover (21) into the inside of the drum (2).

Abstract: Clothes dryers that distribute air through one or more lifters are disclosed. An example domestic clothes dryer includes a rotating drum defining a drying chamber, an air inlet upstream the drum, and lifter mounted in the drum, wherein said lifter is in communication with the air inlet for distributing air inside the drum through a plurality of openings. An example air inlet includes a shaped air plenum chamber facing a lower portion of a rear perforated wall of the drum and capable of delivering air to said lifter and/or directly to the drum through said rear perforated wall.

Abstract: A mixing laundry dryer vane has a general profile which is scooped or “saddle” shaped. The mixing dryer vane has two relatively tall end portions and a reduced height central portion. The mixing dryer vane may have an upper surface that extends arcuately from one taller end portion to the other taller end portion. The arcuate shape may define along the length of the vane a relatively deep concavity which defines the reduced height central portion. The mixing dryer vane's taller end portions may be configured and positioned to cause “wiping” of clothes off and away from an exhaust duct grill within the dryer. The taller end portions of the vane may have a generally propeller-like twist that directs clothes towards the scooped central portion of the vane. The scooped mixing vane in combination with other non-scooped dryer vanes can reduce or eliminate the tendency of harmonic tumbling of a load.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for processing waste material is provided which comprises a heat proof chamber (102), a hot gas inlet (106, 112) for heating the interior of the heat proof chamber (102), and a rotatable drum (118) for containing waste to be processed. The drum (118) has gaps (120) therein, is located within the heat proof chamber (102), and separated therefrom around its edge by a gap. The apparatus (100) is also provided with a drive (126, 128) for rotating the drum (118) at a speed such that, in use, waste material that is heat softened is centrifugally separated from the remainder of the waste and passes through the gaps (120) in the drum (118).

Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus having a heat pump may include a drum, and a heat pump that cools air received from the drum and then heats the cooled air. A heater may heat air transmitted from the heat pump to the drum. A sensing device may sense a state of a heating medium, such as temperature or pressure, and a controller may control the heater based on the sensed state of the heating medium. Speed drying may be performed, energy efficiency may be increased, and durability of the heat pump may be enhanced.

Abstract: A control method of a dryer is disclosed. A control method of a dryer including a heat pump having a inverter compressor includes determining a driving condition of the dryer; and adjusting at least one of an electric power supplied to the inverter compressor and a driving velocity of the compressor based on the driving condition.

Abstract: A drying apparatus provided with a total care function with respect to a substance such as bedding, a washing machine having the same, and a control method thereof may include a sterilization course, a deodorization course, a pest elimination course, a dust elimination course, and a refreshing course, and may be capable of performing each total care function in an independent manner. By changing a rotation speed of the drum according to the type and the weight of the bedding, the damage of the substance at each of the total care courses is reduced while obtaining optimal effects. By providing a standard course having all the total care functions, the manipulation efficiency is enhanced for a user who is not familiar with the manipulation of the courses and also for a user who is not in favor of the individual manipulation of the courses.

Abstract: A laundry dryer (1) has a laundry drum (3) which is designed to rotate about an longitudinal axis (6). An air recirculating conduit (10) is connected to the laundry drum (3). A heater device (10) is located along air recirculating conduit (10) to heat the airflow. A rotatable fan (11) is located along air recirculating conduit (10) to produce an airflow flowing through drum (3). The fan (11) is designed to be rotated in a main and secondary direction of rotation for providing different air flow rates. An electric motor (14) is mechanically connected with the fan (11) and the drum (3) for rotating the fan (11) and drum (3), simultaneously.

Abstract: A method of controlling a rotatable-drum laundry drier to dry delicate laundry in a drum of the rotatable-drum laundry drier. The method includes the steps of feeding drying air into the drum; rotating the drum at a variable rotation speed about an axis of rotation; rotating the drum at a first rotation speed higher than, or equal to a rotation speed, at which centrifugal acceleration of the inner surface of the drum equals gravitational acceleration; making interruptions in rotation of the drum at the first rotation speed; and performing, at each interruption, one or more rotation cycles at a second rotation speed, so that, at each cycle, at least part of the laundry slides/tumbles slowly inside the drum while remaining in contact with the inner surface of the drum and/or another part of the laundry contacting the drum.

Abstract: A method for determining an imbalance in a drum washing machine includes increasing a rotational speed of a motor of the drum washing machine to a target RPM, and then measuring an RPM for each rotation section; comparing the RPM for each rotation section to an RPM limit to obtain a comparison result; and determining whether an imbalance occurs according to the comparison result.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a clothes dryer and a control method thereof in which a drying time is adjusted according to wool content during a drying cycle of a wool course. Wool content of woolen textiles is judged by sensing a dryness of the woolen textiles during a drying cycle of a wool course, and a drying time is adjusted according to the wool content, thereby minimizing contraction or deformation of the woolen textiles while satisfying the range of a target dryness set by wool mark standards. Further, only a high-capacity heater is driven during the drying cycle of the wool course, thereby allowing an internal temperature of a rotary drum to keep the optimum temperature without contraction or deformation of the woolen textiles.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a rotatable-drum laundry drier (1) for drying laundry. The rotatable-drum laundry drier (1) has a rotatable drum (3) for laundry (5) and moisture sensors (22) generating an electrical signal (SM) indicative: of the loaded laundry moisture/quantity.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the drying of a wet substrate, the method comprising treating the substrate with a solid particulate material at ambient or elevated temperature, the treatment being carried out in an apparatus comprising a drum comprising perforated side walls, wherein the drum comprising perforated side walls is rotated so as to facilitate increased mechanical action between the substrate and the particulate material. Preferably, the drum comprising perforated side walls has a capacity of between 5 and 50 litres for each kg of fabric in the load and is rotated at a speed which generates G forces in the range of from 0.05 to 0.99 G, and the method is carried out at a temperature of between 5° and 120° C. Preferably, the solid particulate material comprises a multiplicity of particles at a particle to fabric addition level of 0.1:1-10:1 by mass, wherein the particles comprise polymeric particles, non-polymeric particles, or mixtures of polymeric and non-polymeric particles.

Abstract: Dryers are intended to operate in a manner in which energy is saved and laundry is treated gently. To this end, it is necessary to regulate the drying process in an optimum manner on the basis of the drying parameters and to find the time point for terminating the drying process which is most favourable for the laundry in question. The invention makes provision for at least one factor to be formed from a plurality of drying parameters and for the drying process to be terminated and/or for the drying process to be regulated on the basis of this factor. The factor can be formed by computer from a few drying parameters which are easy to detect, and regulation can be carried out in a simple manner with little expenditure on the basis of the factor by way of simple comparison with a setpoint value.

Abstract: The invention relates to processing apparatus and methods and in particular, but not exclusively, to an apparatus that may be used to process a wide variety of feed materials by one or more of milling or grinding, mixing, blending, separation, drying and sterilisation. In a preferred embodiment there is provided a feed material processing apparatus (1) comprising: a chamber (2); at least one inlet (4) in flow communication to an upper region of the chamber (2); a rotor (3) located within the chamber (2) that is rotatable about a substantially vertical axis by a rotation drive (11), wherein the rotor (3) promotes a circulatory flow of feed material and/or gas within the chamber (2); at least one outlet (5) in flow communication from a lower region of the chamber (2). Preferably the apparatus (1) comprises at least one feature located laterally on the rotor (3) to promote the circulatory flow.

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: An apparatus for loading items to be washed with an air flow, comprising a substantially closed first channel system for guiding an air flow which loads the items to be washed. A treatment chamber for receiving the items to be washed, a blower for driving the air flow, a heater for heating the air flow before the items to be washed are loaded, and a cooler for cooling the air flow after the items to be washed have been loaded are arranged in the first channel system. Here, the first channel system has outside the treatment chamber and the blower, two branches and which are connected to one another in parallel and can be flowed through in parallel by corresponding parts of the air flow. Here, the heater is arranged in a first branch and the cooler is arranged in a second branch of said branches. The invention likewise relates to a corresponding method.

Abstract: A laundry machine having a steam generator is disclosed. A heater is controlled, such that steam generation coincides with a predetermined time period, whereby the steam supply time is enabled to be controlled with relative accuracy. If an error occurs when water is being supplied to the steam generator, then an error message is displayed such that a user may be informed of the error. If a predetermined time period has elapsed, then a pump is stopped to prevent an excessive amount of water from being supplied to the steam generator.

Abstract: A steam dryer control method controls the amount of water supplied to a heater to adjust an amount of steam. The steam dryer control method includes turning on a steam heater, turning on a water supply valve and counting the number of lapses of unit water supply duration at any time when the unit water supply duration elapses, and rotating a drum when the number of lapses of the unit water supply duration reaches a preset number.

Abstract: A mixing laundry dryer vane has a general profile which is scooped or “saddle” shaped. The mixing dryer vane has two relatively tall end portions and a reduced height central portion. The mixing dryer vane may have an upper surface that extends arcuately from one taller end portion to the other taller end portion. The arcuate shape may define along the length of the vane a relatively deep concavity which defines the reduced height central portion. The mixing dryer vane's taller end portions may be configured and positioned to cause “wiping” of clothes off and away from an exhaust duct grill within the dryer. The taller end portions of the vane may have a generally propeller-like twist that directs clothes towards the scooped central portion of the vane. The scooped mixing vane in combination with other non-scooped dryer vanes can reduce or eliminate the tendency of harmonic tumbling of a load.

Abstract: A mixing laundry dryer vane has a general profile which is scooped or “saddle” shaped. The mixing dryer vane has two relatively tall end portions and a reduced height central portion. The mixing dryer vane may have an upper surface that extends arcuately from one taller end portion to the other taller end portion. The arcuate shape may define along the length of the vane a relatively deep concavity which defines the reduced height central portion. The mixing dryer vane's taller end portions may be configured and positioned to cause “wiping” of clothes off and away from an exhaust duct grill within the dryer. The taller end portions of the vane may have a generally propeller-like twist that directs clothes towards the scooped central portion of the vane. The scooped mixing vane in combination with other non-scooped dryer vanes can reduce or eliminate the tendency of harmonic tumbling of a load.

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: An apparatus includes a mechanical refrigeration cycle arrangement having a working fluid and an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, and an expansion device, cooperatively interconnected and containing the working fluid. The apparatus also includes a sensor located to sense at least one parameter, a controller coupled to said sensor and said compressor, a drum to receive clothes to be dried, wherein a rear portion of the drum is equipped with multiple perforations, and a perimeter portion of the drum is equipped with multiple perforations, and a duct and fan arrangement configured to pass air over said condenser and through said drum, wherein the duct and fan arrangement is configured to facilitate airflow through the perforations on the rear portion of the drum into the drum, and out of the drum through the perforations on the perimeter portion of the drum to enable an increased airflow without an increased power input.

Abstract: This invention discloses systems, apparatuses and methods for drying or dehydrating high moisture content feedstock to dry or low moisture products. The equipment systems comprise a gas turbine generator unit (preferred heat source), a dryer vessel and a processing unit, wherein the connection between the gas turbine and the dryer vessel directs substantially all the gas turbine exhaust into the dryer vessel and substantially precludes the introduction of air into the dryer vessel and wherein the processing unit forms the dried material from the dryer vessel into granules, pellets, flakes or other desired form for the final product. The systems, apparatuses and methods of this invention also provide for prevention of release of HAP, including VOC, emissions from manufacturing facilities in conjunction with or independent of the above treatment of high water content feedstock.

Abstract: A method includes determining how to adjust one or more manipulated variables using at least one model. The one or more manipulated variables are associated with a sugar dryer. The method also includes generating one or more control signals to control one or more controlled variables associated with the sugar dryer. The one or more controlled variables include an outfall temperature associated with the sugar dryer, and the one or more manipulated variables include a rate at which wet material is provided to the sugar dryer. The sugar dryer could include multiple sugar dryers. At least two of the sugar dryers could operate using different fuels. The one or more control signals could be generated to control the rates at which the wet material is provided to the multiple sugar dryers based on costs associated with the different fuels.

Abstract: A method for operating a condenser tumble dryer is provided and includes a drying chamber for containing objects to be dried, a process air circuit having a heating element, a fan for conducting heated process air over the objects, a heat pump circuit having an evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser, and sensors for determining the humidity in the objects to be dried. According to the method, the humidity is determined and the process air is heated by the condenser until the humidity ranges between about 0% and about 12%. In the event that the humidity drops below the predetermined value, the heating element is activated and operated for at least five minutes so that the air temperature in the drying chamber reaches at least 70° C.

Abstract: A textile articles dryer provides a chassis or housing supporting a rotating drum. A main air inlet enables air to enter the rotating drum. A main air outlet enables air to exit the rotating drum. A vacuum blower pulls a main airflow stream in between the main air inlet and the main air outlet. A heater is in communication with the main airflow stream for heating the air in the main flow stream. A controller maintains a generally constant vacuum in the rotating drum by lowering blower speed responsive to a blockage or near blockage of the main air outlet by one or more textile articles that are being dried.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method for optimizing value of current wood products dried in one or more current drying processes and associated computer software. The method comprises the steps of obtaining prior wood product data for prior wood products dried in one or more prior drying processes and generating a value function based on the prior wood product data. The method further includes identifying one or more sources of variability in the prior wood product data and quantifying a contribution to overall variability from each of the sources. The value function and the contributions to overall variability may be used to quantify one or more value opportunities associated with each the one or more sources, each value opportunity being associated with one or more executable steps for improving the one or more current drying processes.

Abstract: A method for controlling a clothes dryer based on a characteristic of the load determined by temperatures provided by an infrared sensor.

Abstract: A laundry drier control method reads a temperature variation rate per unit time, to enable drying according to the amount and type of an object being dried. The method includes steps of initiating a drying procedure; measuring a temperature variation rate per unit time over the drying procedure; calculating an overall drying time based on the measured temperature variation rate per unit time; and performing the drying procedure for the calculated overall drying time. The drying time determining step is repeated if a substantial increase in the temperature variation rate is detected.

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 wood material drying plant including a heater for generating a hot drying gas, a rotary dryer for bringing the hot drying gas into contact with the wood material to be dried, a wood particle separating unit being operative for separating entrained wood particles from the spent drying gas, and a gas cleaning system for removing pollutants from the spent drying gas. The wood material drying plant is provided with a heating gas duct which is operative for forwarding a gas portion to a mixing position located between the rotating drum of the rotary dryer and the wood particle separating unit, said gas portion having a higher temperature than the spent drying gas, and for mixing said gas portion with said spent drying gas, such that the temperature of the spent drying gas is increased.

Abstract: A vented dryer having a drum to dry damp laundry by warm process air; a first process air channel upstream of the drum; a heater to heat the process air in the first process air channel; a supply air channel opening into the first process air channel; a second process air channel downstream of the drum; an outlet air channel originating from the second process air channel; a first blower in the first process air channel; and an auxiliary air channel through which auxiliary air is supplied from the environment of the vented dryer. The auxiliary air channel opens into the outlet air channel.

Abstract: A clothes dryer has a rotatably mounted drying drum for accommodating clothes to be dried and a drive motor for rotary driving of the drying drum. Accordingly, the drive motor for the drying drum is a single-phase or polyphase electric motor, and a frequency converter is provided for activating the electric motor.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a process for drying solid organic substances in aqueous phase including the steps of: feeding a continuous flow of such organic substances having a water content=50% by weight into a turbodrier having a cylindrical tubular body with horizontal axis, equipped with inlet and outlet openings, a heating jacket for bring the inner wall of the tubular body to a predetermined temperature, a bladed rotor extending inside the cylindrical tubular body (1) where it is made to rotate at speeds between 15 and 40 m/s, so as to disperse the continuous flow of organic substances into a flow of particles of organic substances; centrifuging the particles of organic substances against the inner wall of the turbodrier heated to a temperature above 130° C.

Abstract: A laundry treatment appliance having a drum; a motor to drive the drum; a control device, in which an acoustic reference signal is stored; an acoustic sensor to measure an acoustic signal; and a comparator to compare the acoustic signal recorded by the acoustic sensor with the acoustic reference signal stored in the control device; wherein each of the acoustic signal and the acoustic reference signal is a sonogram.

Abstract: A method and method for processing grit used for abrasive blasting may include receiving grit blasted onto a surface, where the grit includes moisture content. Air in which the grit being recycled is being processed may be heated. The moisture content may be evaporated from the grit using the heated air to produce dry recycled grit. The dried recycled grit may be stored.

Abstract: A burner for burning substances, in particular uncondensed offgas from a condenser of a drying installation, is intended to be fed with fuel, oxidizer and substances to be burned. The burner includes an axial feed inlet for feeding the burner with offgas and a set of fuel injection nozzles distributed around the axial feed inlet.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention discloses a process for reducing water content in wood material. The process includes the steps of: feeding the wood material into an overheated vapour filled, oxygen free drying apparatus; indirectly overheating the vapour in the drying apparatus by heating devices, whereby water and other chemical substances vaporise from the wood material into the atmosphere within the drying apparatus; releasing surplus drying apparatus vapour into separation devices which are connected to the drying apparatus; and discharging the dried wood material from the drying apparatus when the moisture content in the wood material has reached a level of less than 10% by weight. One embodiment of the present invention also discloses wood material drying devices to be used in the process.

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance having a rotatable drum defining a laundry treating chamber, where the laundry in the laundry treating chamber may be imaged and a motion condition of the laundry determined based on the imaging of the laundry. The operation of the laundry treating appliance may be based on the determined motion condition.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of drying clothing. A user inserts clothes into a clothes dryer and initiates a normal drying cycle. To initiate a normal drying cycle, the user purchases time for a normal cycle and an optional reverse cycle using a payment interface. The dryer subsequently operates in a normal drying cycle. Next, a reverse drying cycle is initiated, if selected and purchased by the user, to help avoid roping and balling up of their clothes. After the amount of predetermined time purchased for the normal and reverse drying cycles has elapsed, the dryer is turned off. Because a reverse cycle is used, this method of drying clothes prevents roping and balling up of clothes to achieve better drying results in pay operated drying machines.