Abstract: A method for measuring the humidity of a laundry mass contained in a laundry treatment chamber of a laundry appliance. The method includes: providing a capacitor in the laundry appliance, the capacitor having, as part of the capacitor dielectric, the laundry mass; measuring a capacitance of the capacitor by means of an electronic circuitry electrically supplied by a supply voltage and a reference voltage. Providing a capacitor comprises: providing in the laundry appliance at least one conductive plate which forms a plate of the capacitor, and exploiting, as a second plate of the capacitor, routing lines distributing inside the laundry drying appliance the reference voltage.

Abstract: A method for the determination of a laundry weight in a laundry treatment appliance. The method includes selecting a laundry program in the laundry treatment appliance; starting the selected laundry program; sensing a plurality of parameters indicating operating conditions of the laundry treatment appliance during the laundry program; and predicating a weight of the laundry present within the laundry treatment appliance based on said plurality of parameters by means of a data-driven soft sensor.

Abstract: A method for forming a unitary component with a moisture sensor is provided. The method includes establishing three-dimensional information of the unitary component, converting the three-dimensional information into a plurality of slices, and successively forming each slice of the unitary component with an additive process. The moisture sensor of the unitary component includes a first conductive lead and a second conductive lead. A related dryer appliance is also provided.

Abstract: An intelligent electronic system for previously sensing the dryness condition of a textile clothes load applicable to an automatic electronic clothes dryer machine is disclosed, which comprises: an electronic integrated circuit of the microcontroller type located in a dryer machine, wherein said microcontroller receives and processes signals coming from a plurality of temperature sensing means and from humidity sensing means in order to make decisions and to inform the dryer machine what action it must execute; as well as a method for previously sensing the dryness condition of a textile clothes load applicable to any automatic electronic clothes dryer machine for home use, wherein said method comprises the steps of: (a) collecting information about air temperature at the drum's outlet and inlet, as well as information on the humidity conditions of the textile clothes load; (b) with the information collected in step a) above determining whether the dryer machine is cold or warm; (c) letting a first period of

Abstract: A laundry treatment apparatus includes a receiving device into which a first functional component and a second functional component can be inserted. In one form, the receiving device includes a blocking element which is designed such that, when the first functional component is inserted, the second functional component can be moved into the receiving device up to a final position and, when the first functional component is not inserted, is designed such as to block movement to the final position.

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: A method for grounding an electrical component received in a body (2) capable of being assembled to a cover (3), the cover (3) being in electrical contact with the electrical component when it is assembled on the body, said method involving: positioning the cover (3) relative to the body (2) using a centering piece (8) arranged in the body (2) and in electrical contact with the body (2), and assembling the cover (3) positioned in this way on the body (2) in such a way that the cover (3) is in electrical contact with the centering piece (8) and in electrical contact with the electrical component.

Abstract: A method for drying clothes in a household dryer having a drying chamber, a temperature sensor for monitoring temperature an air exhaust temperature from the chamber, and a control system for maintaining a temperature in the drying chamber close to a set point temperature by selecting the set point temperature based on the air exhaust temperature.

Abstract: Surface dryers having uniform exit velocity profiles, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. Surface dryers in accordance with certain embodiments include a housing, a gas driver positioned in the housing, an inlet aperture formed in the housing and positioned upstream of the gas driver, and a nozzle carried by the housing and positioned downstream of the gas driver. The nozzle can have an indentation forming a convergent portion positioned to accelerate the flow of air and a divergent portion positioned to decelerate the flow of air.

Abstract: A washing and/or drying appliance includes a heating circuit (140) for heating a washing liquid and/or a drying air flow, connected to voltage distribution lines (105a,105b) distributing power inside the appliance. The heating circuit 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 a first and a second switch (210a,210b) in series to the heating resistor, the heating resistor being interposed between the first and second switches. A monitoring circuit arrangement is provided, which includes a first resistor (R1) in shunt to the heating resistor and having a resistance substantially higher than that of the heating resistor, and a pull-up network connected between a first terminal (215b;215a) of the heating resistor and one of the voltage distribution lines.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting a measurement variable that is detected by a measuring unit and transmitted via a data transmission channel to a main control unit of a domestic appliance that is isolated from the measuring unit is disclosed. The measurement control unit is coupled to the main control unit via a data transmission channel through which a measurement variable detectable by the measuring unit can be transmitted to the main control unit. The data transmission channel is a line having a protective impedance.

Abstract: A household appliance for washing and/or drying clothes comprises an outer casing provided with a worktop and a front panel carrying operational input controls, an opening for loading and unloading clothes, a door for closing the opening, a rotational drum supported inside the casing. The worktop comprises a heating unit to dry garments disposed on the worktop.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dryer (1) comprising a drum (2) which is rotated around its own horizontal axis, a bulkhead (3) which has an opening (4) that enables the laundry to be loaded into the drum (2) and to be unloaded therefrom, a fixing surface (6) which is fixed to the bulkhead (3) and which has at least two apertures (9), and at least two electrodes (5) which are disposed into the apertures (9) and which provide dryness sensing to be performed.

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 device and method are provided for detecting a root moisture content of clothing in a clothes dryer. The dryer has two conducting bars situated in the dryer bin. A pulse generator circuit is coupled to the conducting bars. A microcontroller is coupled to an output of the pulse generator circuit. The pulse generator circuit generates a pulse when wet clothing contacts the conducting bars in the dryer bin. The microcontroller receives the pulses and counts the pulses that are longer than a threshold length. The microcontroller issues a termination signal based on the number of counted pulses.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of drying laundry in a treating chamber with a partially dry laundry load determination.

Abstract: Household appliance for washing and/or drying clothes comprising an outer casing (2) provided with a worktop (3), and heating means (7) for drying garments laid upon the worktop (3), wherein the worktop (3) or the heating means (7) comprise sensor means (8) adapted to detect the moisture content of said garments, control means being provided for operating said heating means (7) in response to the moisture content being detected by said sensor means (8).

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance and a method for operating the appliance to supply air into a treating chamber through an air inlet and controlling the supplied air by varying the effective area of the air inlet.

Abstract: A device for determining the conductance of laundry in a drier. The device comprises at least two electrodes and means for dissipating heat from at least one part of at least one of said electrodes. The invention further relates to a drier comprising at least one area for receiving laundry and at least two electrodes for measuring the conductance of the laundry, at least one of the electrodes at least partly bordering said receiving area. Means for cooling at least one part of at least one of the electrodes are also provided inside the drier. Also disclosed is a method for preventing the formation of layers on electrodes used for measuring conductance in a drier.

Abstract: A fabric treating machine is provided which supplies steam and hot air to fabric articles received in a receiving room to remove odors, wrinkles, moisture and the like remaining in the fabric articles. The fabric treating machine can control a drying process based on a level of dryness of the fabric articles determined by electrode parts provided with a hanging means and/or a rack system that supports the fabric articles in the receiving room.

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 drying system is provided. The drying system is configured to dry a person after the person exits a water feature. The drying system has a blower system configured to blow a gas proximate the person. The drying system has a controller system for operating the blower. The gas used in the drying system is configured to dry to the person after getting at least partially wet in the water feature.

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 device for determining the conductance of laundry in a drier. The device comprises at least two electrodes (2) and means for dissipating heat from at least one part of at least one of said electrodes (2). The invention further relates to a drier comprising at least one area (5) for receiving laundry and at least two electrodes (2) for measuring the conductance of the laundry, at least one of the electrodes (2) at least partly bordering said receiving area (5). Means for cooling at least one part of at least one of the electrodes (2) are also provided inside the drier. Also disclosed is a method for preventing the formation of layers on electrodes (2) used for measuring conductance in a drier.

Abstract: A clothes dryer has a degree of dryness control system that is responsive to moisture level of clothing articles tumbling in a drum and a target moisture value to control the drying cycle of the clothes dryer. The clothes dryer has a load size parameter producing module and an air flow detection parameter module. These modules generate one of two parameter conditions used by the processor to modify or select an appropriate moisture target value. The load size producing parameter module generates one of a small load input parameter and a large load input parameter. The air flow detection module produces one of a first and second air flow parameter to be utilized by the degree of dryness processor. As a result, the processor selects one of four target moisture values from these conditions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a clothes dryer to provide a stationary drying cycle are disclosed. The systems may include a dryer having a drying compartment, a heating element configured to supply heat to the drying compartment and a controller for controlling operation of the dryer. The controller may be configured to cause the drum to remain stationary during the stationary drying cycle, and cause the heating element to supply heat to the drying compartment at a level appropriate for stationary drying. The methods may include receiving, at the controller, a stationary drying cycle setting and receiving, at the controller, an indication to start a drying cycle, wherein the drum remains stationary during the drying cycle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device (01) for dewatering and drying a mixture made of plastic granulate and water, having at least one mixture intake (02), through which the mixture is supplied to the device (01), having at least one water outlet (08), through which the precipitated water is removed from the device (01), having at least one granulate outlet (13), through which the dried granulate is removed from the device (01), the device (01) having a dewatering line (06), along which the mixture is dewatered, and the device (01) having a drying line (12), along which the dewatered granulate is dried.

Abstract: A dryer for the removal of moisture or solvents from fine specialty chemicals and pharmaceuticals after their production, comprises a rotating drying compartment (2) which consists of at least one window (3), in operable relationship with an NIR probe (4) for measuring the moisture content of the product such as a specialty chemical or biological pharmaceutical contained in the closed drying compartment. The NIR probe (4) is positioned outside the drying compartment and is oriented through the at least one window (3) toward the product.

Abstract: A clothes dryer providing clothes care has a main controller operable with an outlet temperature sensor for receiving the outlet temperature values. The controller is operable with a heater to controllably raise the outlet temperature of air flowing out of a dryer drum above an outlet clothes care target temperature value whereupon the controller operates the heater to raise the outlet temperature to an overshoot temperature value. The clothes care temperature value is determined by a heat setting selected by a user. The overshoot temperature value is sufficiently high to reduce drying time but sufficiently low as to prevent damage to damp clothing. Once the outlet temperature rises to the clothes care temperature, the controller reduces power to the heater, bringing the outlet temperature back down to the clothes care temperature. The controller de-energizing the heater for a cooldown cycle upon detection of a dry load.

Abstract: An automatic ground surface dryer, system and method for automatically, conveniently, quickly and effectively drying a ground surface without the need for manual labor and capable of quickly drying a large ground surface is described. The automatic ground surface dryer has a frame, a drying apparatus mounted to the frame, a support for the frame to facilitate movement of the frame over the ground surface, a motor coupled to the frame to move the frame over the ground surface, and a controller coupled to the motor and the drying apparatus to drive the motor and to operate the drying apparatus in response to a rainfall data signal from a rainfall data gathering system which gathers rainfall data.

Abstract: System and method for controlling an appliance for drying clothing articles is provided. The appliance has a container for receiving the clothing articles. A motor is provided for rotating the container about an axis. A heater is provided for supplying heated air to the container during a dry cycle. A sensor is provided for providing a signal indicative of moisture content of the articles. Memory is provided memory for storing historical stop time data of respective dry cycles. A noise-reduction filter is coupled to receive the signal from the moisture sensor to provide selectable filtering to that signal. A timer provides a signal indicative of elapsed time upon start of the dry cycle. A module is responsive to the historical data in the memory for determining an initial estimate of the stop time of the dry cycle to be executed. A processor allows for estimating the stop time of the dry cycle as the cycle is being executed.

Abstract: The current invention relates to a clothes dryer having a dryness sensing device and method of use comprising at least two electrically conductive sensor bars placed closely together but not touching one another so that articles in the dryer can contact two of the sensor bars at the same time. At least one sensor bar is electrically connected to an electrical current source and at least one sensor bar is electrically connected to an electrical ground. A microcontroller is electrically connected between the electrical current source and the electrical ground so as to be capable of measuring the voltage across the sensor bars when the sensor bars are contacted by the articles being dried. The microcontroller is configured so as to determine the dryness of the articles by calculating the electrical resistance of the articles by using the value of the voltage across the sensor bars and the value of the current through the sensor bars.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically drying a tennis court or other flat surface after rainfall is provided. A robotic vehicle cooperates with a sensing unit preferably mounted on a fence adjacent the court or other paved surface. A sensing unit detects the onset and cessation of rain and then waits a predetermined amount of time. After waiting, the sensing unit transmits a signal to the robotic vehicle which actuates the vehicle. The robotic vehicle includes an on-board controller which is internally programmed with a map of the court including obstructions. The robotic vehicle automatically sponge rolls the entire court. A thermal imaging camera connected to the sensing unit then scans the court to determine if any wet spots remain. The location of any remaining wet spots is recorded and transmitted to the on-board controller of the robotic vehicle. The robotic vehicle then returns to the location of the wet spots and automatically sponge rolls and fan dries those remaining wet spots.

Abstract: A moisture sensing circuit for a clothes dryer in which clothes tumble during drying has a pair of spaced apart electrode sensors for sensing the electrical resistance of the clothes when the clothes contact the electrodes. The circuit has an active filter for suppressing noise related to the operating line frequency of the clothes dryer to provide a filtered voltage signal representative of voltage drop across the electrode sensors with the line frequency noise suppressed.

Abstract: The method of drying of the present invention includes providing a dryer with a payment receiving means providing a heat source in thermal communication with the dryer. Clothes are then inserted into the dryer and a means of payment to the payment receiving means of the dryer is provided. A drying cycle is then initiated to operate the dryer. Moisture is sensed in the clothes as the dryer is being operated. The dryer is turned off when the moisture in the clothes exceeds a predetermined amount representing a dry load. Payment is received from the means of payment while the dryer is in operation. Payment is stopped from the means of payment when the dryer has ceased operation. As a result, the user has paid only for the time for the dryer to provide a dry load of laundry.

Abstract: A clothes dryer and a method of controlling the clothes dryer. The method detects conditions of clothes using a sensor, and performs at least one of: a complex drying function to perform a drying operation, a deodorizing operation, and a wrinkle removing operation; a wrinkle removing function to perform the wrinkle removing operation and the drying operation; and a drying function to perform the drying operation, according to the detected conditions of the clothes. Accordingly, the clothes dryer is capable of not only drying the clothes, but also deodorizing the clothes and removing wrinkles. Additionally, the clothes dryer is capable of detecting conditions of clothes accommodated in a chamber, and drying and deodorizing the clothes as occasion demands, thus maintaining the clothes for a long period.

Abstract: System and method for controlling an appliance for drying clothing articles is provided. The appliance has a container for receiving the clothing articles. A motor is provided for rotating the container about an axis. A heater is provided for supplying heated air to the container during a dry cycle. A sensor is provided for providing a signal indicative of moisture content of the articles. Memory is provided memory for storing historical stop time data of respective dry cycles. A noise-reduction filter is coupled to receive the signal from the moisture sensor to provide selectable filtering to that signal. A timer provides a signal indicative of elapsed time upon start of the dry cycle. A module is responsive to the historical data in the memory for determining an initial estimate of the stop time of the dry cycle to be executed. A processor allows for estimating the stop time of the dry cycle as the cycle is being executed.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying a travelling wet fibrous web is provided which comprises a rotating air-permeable drum. The drum is at least partially surrounded by a hood which has an interior space for receiving a flow of air and directing the flow of air through a permeable inner wall towards the outer surface of the drum. At least a portion of the hood is divided into individual sections in a cross-machine direction. Apparatus is provided for supplying a flow of drying air at a first temperature to the hood, and for supplying profiling air at a selected different temperature different from the first temperature to at least one of the individual sections.

Abstract: A sensor assembly is provided for an automatic drying machine having a rotatable drum containing a load of wet clothes to be dried wherein at least one sensing element is disposed on a surface of an elongated sensor body and is exposed to inside of the drum so as to make contact with the wet clothes. The sensor body is secured directly to a bulkhead having an air outlet opening and is provided at the air outlet opening for effective engagement with the wet clothes.

Abstract: A dryer control method provides for selection among a plurality of dryness levels so that the user may select a desired degree of dryness for any given type of laundry. The method includes steps of selecting one among a plurality of dryness levels; driving a drying unit holding laundry; sensing a value indicative of a water content of the laundry; comparing the sensed value with first and second predetermined values; measuring a time required for the sensed value to reach the second predetermined value from the first predetermined value; computing a drying time based on the measured time; and stopping the driving step upon expiration of the computed drying time, wherein the first and second predetermined values determine a reference value corresponding to the selected dryness level.

Abstract: A hood-shaped foil covering an object is heat-shrunk around the object by displacing the object covered by the foil along a generally straight path in a transport direction past a stationary heater which is directed at an acute angle to the direction. The position of the object relative to the heater as it passes the heater in the direction is detected and heat is projected from the heater at the acute angle to the direction at the object as it passes at a rate varied in accordance with the detected position of the object relative to the heater.

Abstract: An apparatus for spin drying a semiconductor wafer includes a hollow core spindle and a chuck assembly having grippers for supporting a wafer at an edge thereof. A sleeve is disposed in the central opening of the spindle and a manifold is disposed in the upper end of the sleeve. A capacitance sensor is affixed to the manifold. In another apparatus, an arm having a capacitance sensor mounted thereon is positioned such that the capacitance sensor is disposed above a space to be occupied by a wafer that is supported by the grippers. An additional apparatus includes an arm having a light source and a detector mounted thereon. The light source directs light toward a surface of a wafer such that light that reflects off of the surface is substantially perpendicular to that surface. The detector is positioned to measure the intensity of the reflected light.

Abstract: A sensor assembly is provided for an automatic drying machine having a rotatable drum containing a load of wet clothes to be dried wherein at least one sensing element is disposed on a surface of an elongated sensor body and is exposed to inside of the drum so as to make contact with the wet clothes. The sensor body is secured directly to a bulkhead having an air outlet opening and is provided at the air outlet opening for effective engagement with the wet clothes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the removal of moisture from seed cotton in a cotton gin. The moisture level and rate of seed cotton entering a seed cotton dryer stage of a cotton gin are measured, and, based on those measurements and the desired moisture level of the seed cotton, the seed cotton dryer stage of the cotton gin is controlled to remove a precise amount of moisture from the seed cotton.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing moisture from air which includes a moist air inlet area, a dry air outlet area, a regeneration air inlet area, a regeneration air outlet area and a desiccant medium. A drying fan is provided for drawing the moist air through the moist air inlet area, through the desiccant, as to exit the unit through the dry air outlet area. A regeneration fan is provided for drawing regeneration air through the regeneration air inlet area, through the desiccant medium, so as to exit the unit through the regeneration air outlet area.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing moisture from air which includes a moist air inlet area, a dry air outlet area, a regeneration air inlet area, a regeneration air outlet area and a desiccant medium. A drying fan is provided for drawing the moist air through the moist air inlet area, through the desiccant, as to exit the unit through the dry air outlet area. A regeneration fan is provided for drawing regeneration air through the regeneration air inlet area, through the desiccant medium, so as to exit the unit through the regeneration air outlet area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for extracting the natural juice of ligneous plant material, a device for carrying out said method and the use of said method in the production of dried ligneous plant material. The method for extracting the natural juice of ligneous plant material comprises the following: a pressurization step in which a sealed enclosure containing the plant material is pressurized, whereby the pressure thereof is greater than that of the atmosphere; a stage in which saturating water vapor is created or injected; a stage in which the plant material is heated to the core by means of electromagnetic waves; a step in which the liquid exudates from said plant material are gravitationally recovered.

Abstract: A method of programming and controlling an automatic cycle of a clothes dryer provides that, after positioning of a selection dial, a motor associated with the selection dial is rapidly moved to a predetermined location at a constant speed, while the time to do so is measured. With the rotational velocity being known, the exact, initially setting position of the dial is determined in advance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to heating systems for drying wet coatings such as printing inks, paint, sealants, etc. applied to a substrate. In particular, the invention relates to a drying system in which a blower having an inlet directs a current of heated gas such as air towards a wet coating on a substrate to dry the coating and wherein the heated air is circulated back to the inlet of the blower once the air impinges the coating on the substrate. The present invention also relates to a drying system in which the substrate is supported about a thermally conductive roll having a plurality of energy emitters disposed within the conductive roll along a length of the conductive roll. The plurality of energy emitters are controlled to selectively emit energy along the length of the conductive roll.