Of Specific Operational Sequence Patents (Class 34/527)
  • Patent number: 11680348
    Abstract: The clothes washing and drying machine comprises a washing machine, a drying machine, a chute structure, and a control circuit. The washing machine, the drying machine, and the chute structure are interconnected to form a composite prism structure. The control circuit controls the operation of the clothes washing, the drying machine, and the chute structure. The washing machine is in a superior position relative to the chute structure and the drying machine. The drying machine is in an inferior position relative to the chute structure and the washing machine. The chute structure is in an intermediate position relative to the washing machine and the drying machine. The chute structure forms a channel that allows clothes to fall from the washing machine to the drying machine when: a) the washing machine has completed its operating cycle; while simultaneously, b) the drying machine does not contain clothing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Inventor: Ricardo Grandt
  • Patent number: 11566366
    Abstract: A washing machine comprises a first housing having a first laundry loading port, a first tub disposed in the first housing, a second housing having a second laundry loading port formed at a top portion and disposed on the first housing, a second tub disposed in the second housing, a water supply device connected to an external water source to supply wash water to the first tub and the second tub and installed at the second housing. The water supply device comprises a water supply connector having a plurality of chambers, a first water supply hose connecting the water supply connector with the first tub, a second water supply hose connecting the water supply connector with the second tub, and a backflow prevention structure formed in one of the plurality of the chambers to operate by a pressure of wash water supplied to the plurality of chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Hee Jo, Moon Jong Kim, Baek Gyu Kwon, Jong-Hun Sung, Seung-Mok Lee, Yong-Joon Jang
  • Patent number: 11530509
    Abstract: Disclosed are an object treating apparatus, and more particularly, an object treating apparatus for heating a drum using an induction heater and a control method thereof. The object treating apparatus includes a tub; a drum rotatably disposed within the tub and accommodating an object therein; an induction heater disposed on the tub and configured to heat an outer circumferential face of the drum contacting the heater; a motor to rotate the drum; and a processor configured to control an operation of the induction heater to dry the object, wherein the processor is configured to control revolution per minute (RPM) of the drum to perform at least three drum motions having at least three different target RPMs respectively when drying the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Woore Kim, Sangwook Hong
  • Patent number: 11193228
    Abstract: A laundry appliance having a laundry drying chamber and a sensor for measuring the humidity of laundry items contained in the laundry drying chamber. The sensor includes an operating support having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The sensor also has at least one first pad provided on the first surface of the operating support and at least one second pad provided on the second surface of the operating support, both the first pad and the second pad being made of an electrically conductive material and being adapted to operate as a plate of a capacitor. Methods for detecting humidity of laundry items are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Inventor: Fabio Vitali
  • Patent number: 11072877
    Abstract: An automatic transferring washer and dryer combination appliance includes a washing unit and drying unit that are coupled to a housing and are positioned in an upper portion and a lower portion of the housing, respectively. A chute extends between the washing unit and the drying unit. A first orifice and a second orifice are positioned in a tub of the washing unit and a drum of the drying unit, respectively. A plurality of first doors and a plurality of second doors, which are coupled to the tub and to the drum, respectively, are positioned to selectively close the first orifice the second orifice, respectively. The first doors and the second doors are positioned to be selectively opened so that the first orifice and the second orifice align with the chute so that the chute is configured for gravitational transfer of washed articles from the tub to the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Inventors: Donald Jones, Sharon Jones
  • Patent number: 11028528
    Abstract: A clothes dryer apparatus and system that reduces the buildup of electric charges within a dryer drum by introducing ions. The system monitors the voltage within the drum by taking measurements on voltage sensor assembly. The sensor assembly obtains a voltage when two areas of a fabric, or two separate items of the clothing, contact the sensor. If a threshold voltage is obtained, an ion generator introduces cations and anions into the drum of the dryer to neutralize the static charge of the clothing. The reduction of static electricity increases efficiency as the clothing items do not stick together which permits better heat flow and increases safety by reducing the amount of electrical charge within the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Inventors: Mark Goodson, David J. Icove
  • Patent number: 10914030
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a washing machine having a plurality of washing spaces. A washing machine includes a first housing having a first laundry loading port formed at a front portion, a first tub disposed in the first housing, a second housing having a second laundry loading port formed at a top portion of the second housing, the second housing being disposed on the first housing, a second tub disposed in the second housing, a water supply device connectable to an external water source to supply water to the first tub and the second tub, the water supply device being installable to the second housing. The water supply device includes a water supply connector having a plurality of chambers formed therein, a first water supply hose connecting the water supply connector with the first tub and a second water supply hose connecting the water supply connector with the second tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Hee Jo, Moon Jong Kim, Baek Gyu Kwon, Jong-Hun Sung, Seung-Mok Lee, Yong-Joon Jang
  • Patent number: 10907298
    Abstract: A method of controlling the clothes dryer includes offering one or more preset dryness levels that may be selected using a programmable dryness level selector to establish a drying cycle. Each of the preset dryness levels may correspond to a stored remaining moisture content. The method additionally includes sensing a remaining moisture content of a load of fabric in the clothes dryer and displaying the remaining moisture content of the load of fabric to a user. The method further includes automatically stopping the clothes dryer using a controller configured to determine when the remaining moisture content of the load of fabric reaches the selected preset dryness level. The one or more preset dryness levels may be customizable by saving a target remaining moisture content for each preset dryness level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Adkins, Alexander Halbleib
  • Patent number: 10723119
    Abstract: A dryer for drying a drying object includes a hot air generator to generate hot air to be blown onto the drying object, a contact heater to contact and heat the drying object, and a controller to control a heating temperature of the contact heater and a temperature of the hot air. The controller controls the heating temperature of the contact heater to be above a first predetermined temperature from a start of generation of the hot air by the hot air generator until the temperature of the hot air reaches a second predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Hoshino, Ken Onodera, Toshihiro Yoshinuma
  • Patent number: 10697104
    Abstract: The souring of wet laundry in a laundry treating appliance may be retarded by sending an alert signal indicative of an ending of a cycle of operation from the laundry treating appliance to a remote electronic device. The appliance may receive an authorization signal from the electronic device indicative of an instruction to execute an anti-sour cycle. An anti-sour cycle comprising the energizing of a fan to flow air through a laundry treating chamber may be automatically initiated for the laundry treating appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Steven D. Ficke, Gregory T. Heine, Gregory S. Lieto
  • Patent number: 10465331
    Abstract: A laundry treatment appliance (2) has a user interface (62). The user interface (62) has an assembly (66) having at least one fixed element (68, 72, 80), at least one rotary element (76, 88), and a display (68). The at least one the rotary element (76, 88) is a built as user interface element (44), the display (68) is arranged inside the user interface element (44), and at least one rotary element (76, 88) is axially constrained by at least one fixed element (68, 72, 80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Andrea De Pellegrin, Alberto Bas
  • Patent number: 10443182
    Abstract: A method of controlling the clothes dryer includes offering one or more preset dryness levels that may be selected using a programmable dryness level selector to establish a drying cycle. Each of the preset dryness levels may correspond to a stored remaining moisture content. The method additionally includes sensing a remaining moisture content of a load of fabric in the clothes dryer and displaying the remaining moisture content of the load of fabric to a user. The method further includes automatically stopping the clothes dryer using a controller configured to determine when the remaining moisture content of the load of fabric reaches the selected preset dryness level. The one or more preset dryness levels may be customizable by saving a target remaining moisture content for each preset dryness level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Adkins, Alexander Halbleib
  • Patent number: 10351989
    Abstract: A laundry drying appliance having a cabinet, a treatment chamber inside the cabinet, a drying air recirculation path for conveying air into/out from the treatment chamber, a drying air propeller driven by a drying air propeller motor for causing the drying air to recirculate along the recirculation path, a drying air moisture condensing and heating system the drying air recirculation path for dehydrating the moisture-laden drying air leaving the treatment chamber and heating the dehydrated drying air before it re-enters into the treatment chamber, a laundry drying cycle selector for selecting one out of a number of default laundry drying cycles, a control unit to control the machine operation by operating the drying propeller at a default average speed corresponding to the selected drying cycle, and a command input operable by the user to change an average working speed of the drying air propeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Alberto Bison, Francesco Cavarretta, Maurizio Ugel, Massimiliano Vignocchi
  • Patent number: 10301764
    Abstract: A vent duct for a dryer appliance includes a grill, the grill including an outer sidewall and an inner edge. The inner edge defines a first opening. The outer sidewall defines a second opening and a plurality of grating apertures. Each of the plurality of grating apertures has a surface area that is smaller than a surface area of the first opening and the second opening. The vent duct further includes a screen filter removably insertable in the first opening. The screen filter includes a cover and a filter. The vent duct further includes a cover panel, the cover panel removably positionable on the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Gary Woodham, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10136473
    Abstract: A washing and/or drying appliance includes a heating circuit (140) for heating a washing liquid and/or a drying air flow. The heating circuit is connected to voltage distribution lines (105a,105b) distributing power inside the appliance and includes at least one heating resistor (205) in series to switch means (210a,210b) controlled by an appliance control unit (125) for selectively energizing the heating resistor when required. The switch means of the heating circuit includes first and second switches (210a,210b) in series to the heating resistor, the heating resistor being interposed between the first and second switch. A monitoring circuit arrangement is associated with the heating circuit. The monitoring circuit arrangement includes a resistive network including a first resistor (R1) connected to the heating circuit so as to be bypassed when the first switch is closed, the heating resistor, and a second resistor (R2) connected to the heating circuit so as to be bypassed when the second switch is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Paolo Driussi, Marco Lorenzi
  • Patent number: 9915442
    Abstract: A household appliance has a heating circuit (140) for heating a fluid including a heating element (150) that can be selectively energized (155) to determine the heating of the fluid, and a monitoring unit (125) for monitoring the operation of the heating circuit. The monitoring unit (125) is configured to monitor at least one electrical potential internal to the heating circuit (140). The at least one electric potential internal to the heating circuit (140) is at least one among: an internal electric potential detected at a first terminal (160b) of the heating element (150) connected to an on/off switch (155) of the heating circuit (140); an internal electric potential detected at a second terminal (160a) of the heating element (150) connected to a main switch (135) of the appliance or to a safety switch provided for switching the heating circuit off in case of malfunction of the on/off switch (155).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Paolo Driussi, Marco Lorenzi
  • Patent number: 9856596
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a clothes treating apparatus having a hot air supply device and an operating method thereof, and according to an aspect of the present disclosure, a clothes treating apparatus may include a drum configured to accommodate an object to be dried; a linear valve configured to linearly adjust the amount of supplied gas; a burner configured to burn gas supplied by the linear valve; a hot air supply device configured to supply hot air heated by the burner into the drum; a temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of air exhausted from the drum; and a control means configured to adjust the amount of gas supplied to the burner based on a temperature measured by the temperature sensor, wherein the control means partitions a drying process into a plurality of sections based on a temperature change of the exhaust air, and varies a gas supply amount for each section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jongryul Kim, Sungjun Kim, Youngsoo Kim, Geunhyung Lee, Jeonggeol Roh
  • Patent number: 9709326
    Abstract: An opening and/or closing mechanism associated with a lid, door or cover of machinery are disclosed herein. According to various embodiments, the system described comprises a lid, and a lid locking mechanism. A counterbalance, a timer, and a controller may also be utilized by the system. The system may allow for automatic starting of device operation in response to s timer expiring. The system may further allow for automatic opening of the lid in response to the timer expiring without the utilization of manual assistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Inventor: Jesus R. Oropeza
  • Patent number: 9644310
    Abstract: Clothes drying machine comprising a drum holding the clothes to be dried, a first fan adapted to blow a first flow of drying air through said drum, and possibly a condenser adapted to condense the moisture out of the drying air exiting said drum. The machine is provided with a drying program that includes a step involving an increase in the temperature of the air introduced in said drum, in which said temperature is increased to a value of at least 130° C. and held there for a pre-set period of time, and said temperature increase step is provided in the initial portion of the drying program, when the moisture content of the clothes is not less than 20%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N. V.
    Inventors: Silvano Cimetta, Flavio Noviello
  • Patent number: 9285167
    Abstract: A clothes dryer capable of providing a dry course suitable for functional clothes, and a control method thereof, the control method including selecting functional clothes as a substance accommodated in a dry tub to be dried; performing a first dry process to dry the functional clothes at a first dry temperature; and performing a second dry process to dry the functional clothes at a second dry temperature higher than the first dry temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bo Ram Lee, Hyun Sook Kim, So Jung Yu
  • Patent number: 9255358
    Abstract: A drying device for a washing machine includes a rotatable drum configured to house laundry items; a tub having the drum therein; a driving unit on the tub and connected to the drum, configured to drive the drum; a drying unit configured to store liquid water and circulate air in the drum to remove moisture from the laundry; and a control unit configured to control operations of the drying unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: DONGBU DAEWOO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: In Dong Kim
  • Patent number: 9206543
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Victor N. Morin, Beth V. Boehne, Julio R. Panama
  • Patent number: 9186037
    Abstract: A dishwasher comprising at least one partial program step “drying” in which air from a washing container of the dishwasher and/or ambient air is directed through a sorption column with reversibly dehydratable material into the washing container by a fan, and humidity is removed from the air when the same is directed therethrough. The fan is operated at different rotational speeds in accordance with a main controller of the dishwasher in order to influence the adsorption process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Jerg, Kai Paintner
  • Patent number: 9139951
    Abstract: A method of operating a household appliance to vary the thermal output of the electric heater by selectively coupling heating elements between power supply mains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan R. Bellinger, Brian A. Black
  • Patent number: 8955957
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a dryer unit of a printer. In one embodiment, a dryer unit includes a light source having a plurality of lamps. The dryer unit further includes a controller that associates a target output power with each of the lamps of the light source. When in operation, the controller determines a speed of a printable medium that passes through the dryer unit. The controller is able to vary an intensity of light generated by the light source based on the speed of the printable medium by varying which of the lamps of the light source are energized to their target output power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Production Print Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Stuart J. Boland, Scott Johnson, Constantino J. Tadiello, Casey E. Walker
  • Patent number: 8948922
    Abstract: In a method for identifying operating conditions of a domestic appliance, a temperature of an operating agent of the domestic appliance and/or of a component of the domestic appliance is detected by a temperature sensor. The ambient temperature is detected by the temperature sensor before the programming mode, in an initialization phase. At least one reference temperature value is defined that represents a critical value for the programming mode of the domestic appliance in respect of reliable and/or efficient operation. The programming mode is prevented from beginning as a function of the comparison of the measured ambient temperature with at least one reference temperature value. The programming mode is prevented from beginning until the ambient temperature has reached a value that is in an acceptable range in comparison with the reference temperature value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Schleuthner
  • Patent number: 8904670
    Abstract: A laundry machine, particularly, a dryer using steam is disclosed. The laundry machine such as a washing machine, a dryer, a drying and washing machine is an apparatus which washes or dries articles such as clothes. The dryer includes a drum adapted to accommodate articles to be dried, a control panel adapted to provide an interface with a user, and a controller, wherein the control panel includes a course selection part which allows a user to select a specific course as an operation course during a steam course, which includes a steam process for supplying steam into a drum, such that the dried articles have a moisture content equal to or larger than 6%, and the controller controls an operation of the dryer to perform the selected operation course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Chang Woo Son, Sang Hun Bae, Seon Il Heo, Yeon Sik Choi, Sang Jin Kim, Ju Han Yoon
  • Patent number: 8720082
    Abstract: An improved desolventizer toaster and methods are provided wherein a solvent vapor recycle system may be employed to recycle solvent vapor throughout a portion of the desolventizer portion of the apparatus housing. In other embodiments of the invention, a water vapor recycle system may be employed to recycle water vapor throughout a portion of the toaster portion of the apparatus housing. The solvent vapor recycle system may comprise an appropriate meal dust separator, blower and superheater. The water vapor recycle system may comprise an appropriate ejector or blower and superheater. Water vapor recovered in the solvent extraction process may be used as a water vapor feed to the heated water vapor recycling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Desmet Ballestra North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy G. Kemper, Marc Kellens, Philippe Van Doosselaere
  • Patent number: 8707580
    Abstract: A dryer having an improved automatic dryness detection circuit is provided. Wet clothing in the dryer bin contacts a sensor and causes a pulse to be sent to a microcontroller if the resistance of the clothes is low enough. The microcontroller disregards pulses which are shorter than a threshold time and counts pulses which are longer than a threshold time. The microcontroller issues a termination signal if the rate of pulses is lower than a threshold rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas L. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 8256136
    Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus, particularly, a laundry treating apparatus using steam is disclosed. The laundry treating apparatus such as a washing machine, a dryer, a drying and washing machine is an apparatus which washes or dries articles such as clothes. The laundry treating apparatus includes an operation course including a drying process in which hot air is supplied into a drum adapted to accommodate articles to dry the articles and a cooling process in which cool air is supplied into the drum to cool the articles, wherein the operation course further includes a steam process in which steam is supplied into the drum, and the laundry treating apparatus includes a controller which controls a heater adapted to generate the steam such that an operation time point of the heater varies according to an amount of the articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang Hun Bae, Dong Geun Lee, Yeon Sik Choi, Ju Han Yoon
  • Patent number: 8234796
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Dreossi, Maurizio Ugel
  • Patent number: 8191282
    Abstract: A device for obtaining energy carriers from moist biomass includes a dehydration device for mechanically pre-dehydrating the biomass, and a drying step for post-dehydrating the pre-dehydrated biomass via the addition of heat. The dehydration device includes a first dehydration step and a second dehydration step, which is combined with the drying step to form a single assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Horst Weigelt
  • Patent number: 8015726
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Carow, Mark E. Glotzbach
  • Patent number: 7997006
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a laundry machine and a control method thereof. The control method includes supplying steam, generated by a steam generator, into a drum, and supplying hot air into the drum to dry clothes wetted by the steam. According to the present invention, it is possible to effectively removing wrinkles on clothes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Chang Woo Son, Sang Hun Bae, Chul Jin Choi, Dong Hyun Kim, Young Bok Son, Heung Jae Kim
  • Publication number: 20110023321
    Abstract: A dryer control method includes: a hot wind supply step in which hot wind is supplied to the dry items accommodated within the drum; an intermediate dry step in which the dry items are cooled and a hot wind supply to the cooled dry items is resumed; and a cooling step in which the hot wind supply is stopped and the dry items are cooled. Because the dry step is repeatedly performed on a dry item made of polyester fiber at short time intervals according to a proposed algorithm, a shrinkage of the dry item made of polyester fiber that may be otherwise generated in a general dry step can be prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventor: Ki-Wook Jung
  • Patent number: 7676953
    Abstract: A moisture metering calibration method and system for, e.g., determining the moisture lumber within a lumber drying kiln is disclosed. Calibration of moisture indicative electrical signals obtained from, e.g., moisture sensing capacitive plates spaced apart within a stack of drying lumber is performed, wherein long lengths (e.g., up to 1000 linear feet or more) of coaxial cable can be used for transmitting the signals, and effectively removing signal anomalies induced in such cabling so that accurate lumber moisture measurements result. Such extended cable lengths provides flexibility with respect to placement of electronic moisture metering equipment. This flexibility allows such equipment to be placed in an environmentally-controlled enclosure, rather than on the weather exposed exterior of a kiln whose lumber is being monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Signature Control Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Magill
  • Publication number: 20100000112
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: JAMES P. CAROW, RYAN R. BELLINGER, FRANCESCO JATTA
  • Patent number: 7594343
    Abstract: A method of drying clothes in a clothes dryer comprising a clothes chamber for receiving clothes, an air supply system for directing air through the clothes chamber, and a heater for heating the air supplied by the air supply system. The method comprises cycling the heater between an ON state by energizing the heater until a heater trip condition is met and an OFF state by deenergizing the heater until a heater reset condition is met, determining a heater off time by determining the time between the heater trip condition and the heater reset condition, and determining a drying time based on the heater off time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher John Woerdehoff, Andrew Charles Reck, David John Kmet, James Frederick Swanson
  • Publication number: 20090151192
    Abstract: The household appliance has an exhaust air outlet to which an exhaust air guide duct can be connected, with the household appliance having an air condition sensor in the area of the exhaust air outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Nawrot
  • Publication number: 20090126222
    Abstract: A laundry machine, in particular, a dryer using steam, is disclosed. The dryer includes an object container for containing an object, a control panel provided as a user interface, and a controller. In the dryer, the control panel comprises a course selector for enabling a user to select one of a steam-enable course, in which a steam cycle for supply steam to the object container is enabled, a steam course, in which the steam cycle is provided, and a steam-off course, from which the steam cycle is excluded, as operation courses. The controller controls an operation of the dryer to execute the selected operation course.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sang Hun Bae, Chang Woo Son, Yeon Sik Choi, Ju Han Yoon, Dong Geun Lee
  • Patent number: 7448145
    Abstract: A dryer and a dryer control method using a sensing unit and a timer to vary drying operations depending on the state of drying laundry are disclosed. The method for controlling an automatic dryer having a drying part including a heater, a fan, and a drum includes the steps of operating the drying part while monitoring an internal temperature and an internal humidity of the drum, continuously operating the heater, the fan, and the drum until the internal temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, and operating the fan intermittently when the internal temperature reaches the predetermined temperature. The method further includes operating the heater intermittently when the internal humidity reaches a predetermined humidity, discontinuing heater operation upon lapse of a first predetermined time, discontinuing fan operation upon lapse of a second predetermined time, and discontinuing drum operation upon lapse of a third predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Sang Doo Kim
  • Patent number: 7386944
    Abstract: A method an apparatus for drying a wafer, and an apparatus for cleaning and drying a wafer are provided. In the apparatus for cleaning and drying a wafer, the wafer is dipped into a cleaning solution in a cleaning tank. The wafer is then dried using a drying gas in a drying chamber disposed over the cleaning tank. A shutter separates the cleaning tank from the drying tank. A wafer boat moves the wafer vertically between the cleaning tank and the drying tank. Nozzles for providing the cleaning solution onto the wafer are disposed at both inner sides of the drying tank. The nozzles are connected to a drying gas supply unit to alternately and periodically provide the drying gas onto the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hun-Jung Yi, Won-Young Chung, Sang-Oh Park, Ye-Ro Lee
  • Patent number: 7310893
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher John Woerdehoff, Joshua Paul Carroll, Andrew Charles Reck, David John Kmet
  • Patent number: 7272896
    Abstract: A method of monitoring electrical component moisture exposure includes calculating a remaining floor life value for a group of electrical component containers and a first container, based on an associated first moisture sensor's exposure to moisture; removing the first container from the group; creating an association between the removed first container and a second moisture sensor; and transferring the calculated remaining floor life value from the first moisture sensor for use with the second moisture sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Accu-Assembly Incorporated
    Inventor: Yuen-Foo Michael Kou
  • Patent number: 7171763
    Abstract: A dryer and a dryer control method using a sensing unit and a timer to vary drying operations depending on the state of drying laundry are disclosed. The method for controlling an automatic dryer having a drying part including a heater, a fan, and a drum includes the steps of operating the drying part while monitoring an internal temperature and an internal humidity of the drum, continuously operating the heater, the fan, and the drum until the internal temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, and operating the fan intermittently when the internal temperature reaches the predetermined temperature. The method further includes operating the heater intermittently when the internal humidity reaches a predetermined humidity, discontinuing heater operation upon lapse of a first predetermined time, discontinuing fan operation upon lapse of a second predetermined time, and discontinuing drum operation upon lapse of a third predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Sang Doo Kim
  • Patent number: 7173538
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method provide drying procedure information through a user interface. A monitoring device transmits drying procedure data measured by sensors within a structure undergoing the drying procedure to a server. In response to requests received through a communication network from a user interface, the server transmits the drying procedure information that is presented through the user interface. A variety of information and services related to the drying procedure may be provided through the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: RM2, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Pedraza, Richard G. Lubeski, Mark A. O'Connell
  • Patent number: 7127832
    Abstract: Disclosed are a control method of a clothes drier capable of preventing a laundry damage due to an over-drying and capable of decreasing a power dissipation, and an apparatus thereof. The control method of a clothes drier comprises the steps of: dividing a section that clothes dryness degree values varied as the clothes are dried are generated into a plurality of dryness degree detection sections; detecting the dryness degree values in the plurality of dryness degree detection sections according to a preset sampling rate or the number of samples; detecting a representative value of the detected dryness degree values; and drying the clothes with a preset heating value corresponding to the detected dryness degree representative value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Dae-Yun Park, Kyung-Seop Hong
  • Patent number: 7065905
    Abstract: A laundry drying machine includes a cabinet and a laundry holding drum rotatably supported within said cabinet for rotation about a horizontal axis. The drum includes a cylindrical wall and a pair of ends. A drum hatch comprises a section of the cylindrical wall. A motor is connected to drive rotation of the drum via a drive belt. A hatch engaging member is actuable to grasp and hold the drum hatch relative to the cabinet. A controller operatively connected with the motor, is configured to operate the machine through each of: a) an opening operation in which the drum hatch is grabbed by the hatch engaging member and the drum is rotated to expose an opening, b) a closing operation, which follows a drum opening operation and in which the drum is rotated to re-close a the opening with the drum hatch, and c) a drying operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Appliances Limited
    Inventors: Allen James Guinibert, Russell Joseph Jackson, Hugh Griffith Johnson, Bradley Clive Abraham, Daniel Keith Raphael Pitt, Bruce Reginald Frank McGregor, Geoffrey Simon Frazerhurst, Andy Alexander Hilgers, Daryl Leonard Hirst
  • Patent number: 7032325
    Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed for controlling gas flow in a gas dryer such as a twin tower regenerative gas dryer. The device has a housing in which is mounted an electronic control circuit. At least two electrically operated valves (e.g. solenoid valves) for controlling functions of the dryer are provided with plugs or sockets and adapted to co-operate with corresponding sockets or plugs in a wall of the housing electrically connected to the electronic circuit. The valves are mounted on, externally of, the housing and are electrically connected to the control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Walker Filtration Ltd.
    Inventor: Brian Walker
  • Patent number: 7020982
    Abstract: A method for controlling a clothes dryer is disclosed to precisely dry clothes on the basis of a load amount according to moisture contained in clothes in the clothes dry and a temperature change according to proceeding drying of clothes. The method includes: detecting a load amount detect signal corresponding to an amount of moisture contained in clothes in a drum; setting a heater exit temperature range of the clothes dryer to pre-set first and second temperature ranges on the basis of the load amount detect signal, and first drying clothes in the drum within the pre-set first temperature range; second-drying clothes in the drum within the pre-set second temperature range; and cooling clothes in the drum when the first and second-drying processes are completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Dae-Yun Park, Kyung-Seop Hong, Young-Hwan Park, In-Cheol Jeong, Soo-Young Oh, Si-Moon Jeon