With Heater Patents (Class 34/543)
  • Patent number: 11553773
    Abstract: Heat blower system includes: hair dryer that has housing, fan, and heater; and program that controls hair dryer. Program has a step of obtaining at least one outdoor environment information among an outdoor temperature, an outdoor humidity, an outdoor wind speed, a day length, and an ultraviolet ray intensity. Program further has a step of calculating at least one operational condition of an air volume or an air temperature of hair dryer, based on the obtained outdoor environment information. According to the present aspect, outdoor environment information such as the outdoor temperature, the outdoor humidity, the outdoor wind speed, the day length, and the ultraviolet ray intensity can comprehensively be obtained to adjust operational conditions of hair dryer, appropriately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasunori Matsui, Hayato Kikuchi, Mayuka Kambayashi
  • Publication number: 20150096190
    Abstract: A controlling method for a dryer is applied to a dryer, in which at least one of a heat pump system and a heater is selected as a heat source for heating air supplied in to a drum and a heat supply capacity of the heat pump system is more than that of the heater. The controlling method includes, when both the heat pump system and the heater are selected as the heat sources, turning the heat pump system on, turning the heater on after the heat pump system is normally turned on, turning the heater off to cool the drum and terminate drying after the drying is performed, and turning the heat pump system off after the heater is turned off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Kiwook JUNG, Junseok LEE
  • Publication number: 20150096191
    Abstract: A controlling method for a dryer is applied to a dryer, in which at least one of a heat pump system and a heater is selected as a heat source for heating air supplied in to a drum and a heat supply capacity of the heat pump system is more than that of the heater. The controlling method includes, when both the heat pump system and the heater are selected as the heat sources, turning the heat pump system on, turning the heater on after the heat pump system is normally turned on, turning the heater off to cool the drum and terminate drying after the drying is performed, and turning the heat pump system off after the heater is turned off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Kiwook JUNG, Junseok Lee
  • Publication number: 20140250716
    Abstract: A dryer appliance and a method for operating the same are provided. The method includes establishing a first temperature set point and a second temperature set point for the dryer appliance. The method also includes determining an operating condition of the dryer appliance and selecting an operating temperature of the dryer appliance from the first and second temperature set points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ionelia Silvia Prajescu, Richard Dustin Henderson
  • Patent number: 8826564
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for quickly drying porous materials. A sealable chamber is connected to a cold trap which is connected to a vacuum pump. A sample is placed inside the sealable chamber. The vacuum pump is turned on and air is evacuated through the cold trap to the vacuum pump. An infrared lamp may be used to heat the chamber and sample therein directly or heated air may be allowed to enter the sealable chamber. Air may be drawn directly from the sealable chamber to the vacuum pump bypassing the cold trap. Various parameters may be used to determine if the drying process is complete, including the degree of vacuum achieved in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: InstroTek, Inc.
    Inventors: Tianqing He, Ali Regimand, Lawrence H. James, Peter D. Muse
  • Patent number: 8549770
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of drying laundry in a treating chamber with a partially dry laundry load determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan R. Bellinger, Andrew E. Spangler, Christopher J. Woerdehoff
  • Patent number: 8528227
    Abstract: A method of operating a heat pump clothes dryer operating on a mechanical refrigeration cycle is disclosed. The method includes partitioning all energy available in the heat pump clothes dryer into a first amount of energy and a second amount of energy; using the first amount of energy to attain a standard parameter performance for the heat pump clothes dryer; and using the second amount of energy to accelerate a dry cycle of the heat pump clothes dryer, wherein using the second amount of energy to accelerate a dry cycle of the heat pump clothes dryer comprises using the second amount of energy to energize an auxiliary heater during a start transient phase of the dry cycle to decrease the start transient phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David G. Beers, Brent Alden Junge, Nicholas Okruch, Jr., Amelia Lear Hensley
  • Publication number: 20130209638
    Abstract: A fluidized bed coffee roaster provides a two stage quenching cycle for rapidly cooling roasted coffee beans to ambient temperature. In a first stage of the quenching cycle unheated air is passed through the roasted beans while they are still in the roasting chamber of the fluidized bed roaster. In a second stage of the quenching cycle which is carried out outside of the roasting chamber, in a fluidized bed quenching station, unheated air is flowed through, and fluidizes, the roasted coffee beans cooling the to ambient temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: Gourmet Coffee Roasters Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Sewell, James N. Suddath
  • Publication number: 20120216418
    Abstract: A configuration and an associated method dry a hearing device. The configuration includes a heating unit for generating warm air, at least one hearing device, a first humidity sensor of the hearing device for determining first ambient humidity measured values, a signal output unit of the hearing device for outputting the first ambient humidity measured values, a signal recording unit for recording the first ambient humidity measured values, and a control unit for controlling the heating unit in dependence on the first ambient humidity measured values. Accordingly the drying process can be controlled precisely by the heating device in respect of duration and temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: MAJA SERMAN, MEIKE STEINBUSS
  • Patent number: 8197907
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for coating a metal strip with a coating containing a solvent and for drying and/or cross-linking said coating. Accordingly, the metal strip is provided with the coating in an inner chamber of a coating device. The coated metal strip is conducted through a drying unit and in an inner chamber of the latter is exposed to a form of energy by at least one radiation source that is cooled by a cooling gas, said form of energy being converted to heat in the coating and/or the metal strip. The cooling gas that is supplied to the radiation source flows through the latter, absorbs the waste heat from said source and is then conducted into the inner chamber of the drying unit, thus saving energy and gas. The invention also relates to an installation that is suitable for carrying out said method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Value & Intellectual Properties Management GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Dibon, Kai Baer
  • Publication number: 20120069110
    Abstract: An ink drying apparatus (10) according to the present invention is provided with a gas passage (46) through which a printed material (14) to which ink is attached passes. Further, flow applying unit (48) configured to flow a gas in the gas passage (46) in a predetermined direction, heating unit (60) configured to heat the gas in the gas passage (46), and solvent removing unit (71) configured to remove a solvent in the ink from the gas passage (46) are provided. In the ink drying apparatus (10), the heating unit (60) and the solvent removing unit (71) are associated with each other such that heat can transfer from the solvent removing unit (71) to the heating unit (60) by a heat transmission unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Nakazawa, Yoshimasa Araki
  • Publication number: 20120036734
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a dryer used to reduce the moisture content of sheet material. A drying chamber is provided and includes a plurality of drying sections and a single point exhaust system. A seal section located at the input end of the dryer includes an exhaust passage through which a gas sample is drawn by a sampling fan. Gases within the seal section are a combination of ambient air drawn through restricted passages at the entry to the seal section and exhaust gas that bleeds into the seal section from the drying chamber. A controller monitors the temperature of the sampled gases and ambient air and adjusts the rate of exhaust flow from the main exhaust system as a function of the temperature differential. A heating system is also provided for heating the seal exhaust gases above the pitch condensation temperature for the flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: USNR/Kockums Cancar Company
    Inventor: Bryan Wolowiecki
  • Publication number: 20120017465
    Abstract: A method of operating a heat pump clothes dryer operating on a mechanical refrigeration cycle is disclosed. The method includes partitioning all energy available in the heat pump clothes dryer into a first amount of energy and a second amount of energy; using the first amount of energy to attain a standard parameter performance for the heat pump clothes dryer; and using the second amount of energy to accelerate a dry cycle of the heat pump clothes dryer, wherein using the second amount of energy to accelerate a dry cycle of the heat pump clothes dryer comprises using the second amount of energy to energize an auxiliary heater during a start transient phase of the dry cycle to decrease the start transient phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: David G. Beers, Brent Alden Junge, Nicholas Okruch, JR., Amelia Lear Hensley
  • Publication number: 20120000088
    Abstract: A clothes dryer may rely on a hybrid heat source for drying clothes. In some embodiments, the clothes dryer may rely on a combination of electrical energy to power the clothes dryer and hydronic heat to dry clothes. The hydronic heat may, for example, use hot water from an outdoor wood boiler circulated into a hydronic coil. Air passing over the hydronic coil may be warmed and delivered to the clothes dryer. The hybrid heat clothes dryer may reduce energy consumption from about 27 amperes to about 3 amperes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventor: Kurt T. Schaben
  • Patent number: 8046932
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a dryer used to reduce the moisture content of sheet material. A drying chamber is provided and includes a plurality of drying sections and a single point exhaust system. A seal section located at the input end of the dryer includes an exhaust passage through which a gas sample is drawn by a sampling fan. Gases within the seal section are a combination of ambient air drawn through restricted passages at the entry to the seal section and exhaust gas that bleeds into the seal section from the drying chamber. A controller monitors the temperature of the sampled gases and ambient air and adjusts the rate of exhaust flow from the main exhaust system as a function of the temperature differential. A heating system is also provided for heating the seal exhaust gases above the pitch condensation temperature for the flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: USNR/Kockums Cancar Company
    Inventor: Bryan Wolowiecki
  • Patent number: 7975400
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Lothar Dittmer, Harald Moschuetz, Thomas Nawrot, Andreas Ziemann
  • Publication number: 20110154686
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a commodity includes providing a sealed enclosure. A commodity is arranged in a plurality of layers spaced apart to provide ventilation areas between the layers. The commodity is further arranged in a plurality of rows having a space formed therebetween. A cover is positioned on a top surface and an exposed end surface of the rows or an exposed surface of an air handler to provide a seal. The air handler is positioned in communication with the space between the rows so as to move air along the space and through the ventilation areas, such that an even flow of air is achieved over the commodity. A catalytic heater/converter is provided for burning unburnt fuel and for depleting oxygen from the sealed enclosure during the heating of the commodity. A controller controls the air flowing through the ventilation areas and over the commodity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: SUREWOOD LUMBER, LLC
    Inventor: Vincent P. TIPPMANN
  • Patent number: 7947929
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a dryer is provided. The control apparatus provides a connection for a detecting circuit adapted to determine a clogging degree of the dryer. The control apparatus includes a power supply circuit including a heating coil arranged in a heater case, a temperature control member mounted to the heater case, the temperature control member being configured to receive power and supply the received power to the heating coil, a microcomputer that controls an operation of the dryer, and a connecting line that connects the power supply circuit to the microcomputer. The microcomputer can detect a state of the power supply circuit through the connecting line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Chang Hun Oh, Seon Il Heo, Yang Hwan Kim, Yeong Sik Choi, Seog Ho Ko, Ju Han Yoon
  • Publication number: 20100174668
    Abstract: A clothes dryer is provided comprising one or more power consuming functions and a controller in signal communication with an associated utility. The controller can receive and process a signal from the associated utility indicative of current cost of supplied energy. The controller operates the clothes dryer in one of a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode based on the received signal. The controller is configured to change the power consuming functions by adjusting one or more of an operation schedule, an operation delay, an operation adjustment, and a selective deactivation of at least one of the one or more power consuming functions to reduce power consumption of the clothes dryer in the energy savings mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: MICHAEL F. FINCH, John K. Besore, Jeff Donald Drake, Darin Franks, Chad Michael Helms, Jerrod Aaron Kappler, Steven Keith Root, Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Eric K. Watson, Joshua S. Wiseman
  • Publication number: 20100112368
    Abstract: A wood member for a musical instrument, which is capable of preventing occurrence of damage, such as cracking, to thereby ensure smooth and stable operation of the musical instrument and maintain excellent appearance of the same over a long time period. The wood member has compressive internal stress remaining at least in an outer peripheral portion thereof by being subjected to heating processing, cooling processing, and moisture conditioning processing, in advance. A wood workpiece as a workpiece for the wood member is heated at a predetermined temperature, and the heated wood workpiece is cooled. The cooled wood workpiece is subjected to moisture conditioning such that compressive internal stress is generated at least in an outer peripheral portion of the wood workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Muneo Ishida, Yutaka Hagiwara
  • Publication number: 20090260256
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: MABE CANADA INC.
    Inventor: Sebastien Beaulac
  • Publication number: 20090151190
    Abstract: A drying system (100) for use in drying out a water-damaged structure includes a blower (105) for providing outside air to the water damaged structure. An indirectly fired furnace (101) is used for heating the outside air prior to its introduction into the water-damaged structure. An exhaust blower (114) removes humid air from the water-damaged building, and one or more remote temperature and humidity sensors (117) are used for controlling the furnace air temperature and supply blower volume. An air intake filter box (111) is used for adding make-up air to recirculated building air and promoting cooling within accompanying trailer. A differential air pressure transmitter (118) controls the volume of moist air removed from the water damaged building to an optimal rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: RICHARD ANDERSON
  • Publication number: 20090133283
    Abstract: To control a temperature of a dryer system, particularly a laundry dryer, an ON/OFF relay control is employed to switch heater loads. A plurality of heating elements is used in order to more precisely regulate the temperature inside the dryer system. Further, a heating control system that includes a plurality of symmetric heating elements and a control circuit is used to maintain equal distribution of relay switching loads, resulting in an extended lifetime of each individual relay. Asymmetric heating elements may also be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Michael Paul Ricklefs, Brian Douglas Ripley, Sean Florian Myers, Scott David Tosten, Brian James Kierzek, Ian Tomas Fitzgerald
  • Publication number: 20090119945
    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).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Elisabetta Bari, Nicola Reid, Maurizio Ugel
  • Patent number: 7425688
    Abstract: A heating assembly for heating a hot air stream flowing in a flow passage of a tumble dryer. The heating assembly is configured for installation in the flow passage and comprises at least one heating element and at least one temperature sensor. The heating element is arranged such that the hot air stream can flow around it in a passing direction (D). The at least one temperature sensor can detect the temperature of the hot air stream and is arranged such that it projects into a core area of the hot air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: DBK David + Baader GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Loesch, Ralf Frohn, Jerome Grunewald, Jens Koehne
  • Publication number: 20080127508
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a chamber, and a cleaning-liquid supply unit that supplies a cleaning liquid containing hydrofluoro ether onto a substrate to be processed placed in the chamber. In the chamber, there is further disposed a gas supply unit that supplies into the chamber a gas for preventing moisture from being adhered to a substrate to be processed, when a cleaning liquid containing hydrofluoro ether is supplied onto the substrate to be processed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Hiroki Ohno, Kenji Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 6810602
    Abstract: A drier module, for use in a drier having a drier motor and one of two heat generation devices, namely gas or electric, is an interchange module of a drier of a gas or electric type and may be connected to a drier motor and to a gas control circuit of a gas drier or to an electric heater of an electric drier. During drier assembly, the module is adaptively modified, for example, by setting a switch position according to a desired mode, i.e., the intended drier type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang Doo Kim, Jae Suk Yang
  • Patent number: 6775924
    Abstract: A clothes dryer is provided with control elements which enable a user to set both a drying temperature and the amount of power sent to a main heating element of the dryer during a dryer cycle. In accordance with the most preferred form of the invention, an infinitely variable power supply controller is used to selectively establish the maximum power provided to the main heating element during the dryer cycle. The controller preferably is adjusted by a slider switch mounted on a control panel of the dryer. The switch is preferably provided with indicators to indicate the established power level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Jordan S. Bruntz, Joel L. Herr
  • Patent number: 6757988
    Abstract: A control system for a clothes dryer includes a control circuit adapted to set the amount of power sent to a main heater of the dryer during various cycles of operation. The control circuit automatically controls the maximum temperature reached in a particular dryer cycle through the use of a thermostat that switches the main heater from a full power setting to a low power setting when the temperature in the dryer reaches a certain maximum preset temperature. By providing low power, rather than no power as the thermostat trips at its preset high temperature, the total drying time required to dry articles of clothing within the dryer is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Jordan S. Bruntz, Joel L. Herr
  • Patent number: 6739069
    Abstract: An automatic clothes dryer has a drying cycle followed by a cool down cycle where the cool down cycle is terminated when the sensed output temperature of the dryer drum falls below a default temperature value preselected or altered by user. This permits the user to adjust the termination cool down cycle temperature to the user's preference and touch sensitivity to the warmth of clothing removed from the dryer. The user adjusts the setting of a user variable selection device on the dryer control panel to a preferred temperature signal representing the desired temperature of articles in the dryer when the cool down cycle is terminated. The dryer has a comparator that is connected to the outlet thermistor for receiving the sensed signal representing the temperature of the air leaving the drum and that is connected to the user variable selection device for receiving the user preferred temperature signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Camco Inc.
    Inventors: Silvia Ionelia Prajescu, Hugh Howard Hunt
  • Patent number: 6684527
    Abstract: A wheel includes a peripheral outer wall onto which are sequentially loaded veneer panels. The panels are held in place by cable runs against a heated outer surface of the wheel outer wall. Drying of the veneer panels occurs during wheel rotation. A heated fluid medium such as hot oil flows through an annular chamber of the wheel. A series of inlet conduits supply the annular chamber with the heated medium while return conduits return same to a heat source. Multiple tensioned runs of cable confine each panel in place during wheel rotation. A modified form utilizes a continuous screen for panel retention. A drive system imparts rotation to the wheel by powered components in contact with the wheel periphery. A panel pre-heater and jet dryers are supplemental heat sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: Robert J. Wise
  • Publication number: 20030217480
    Abstract: A control system for a clothes dryer includes a control circuit adapted to set the amount of power sent to a main heater of the dryer during various cycles of operation. The control circuit automatically controls the maximum temperature reached in a particular dryer cycle through the use of a thermostat that switches the main heater from a full power setting to a low power setting when the temperature in the dryer reaches a certain maximum preset temperature. By providing low power, rather than no power as the thermostat trips at its preset high temperature, the total drying time required to dry articles of clothing within the dryer is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Jordan S. Bruntz, Joel L. Herr
  • Publication number: 20030101617
    Abstract: An automatic clothes dryer has a drying cycle followed by a cool down cycle where the cool down cycle is terminated when the sensed output temperature of the dryer drum falls below a default temperature value preselected or altered by user. This permits the user to adjust the termination cool down cycle temperature to the user's preference and touch sensitivity to the warmth of clothing removed from the dryer. The user adjusts the setting of a user variable selection device on the dryer control panel to a preferred temperature signal representing the desired temperature of articles in the dryer when the cool down cycle is terminated. The dryer has a comparator that is connected to the outlet thermistor for receiving the sensed signal representing the temperature of the air leaving the drum and that is connected to the user variable selection device for receiving the user preferred temperature signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Applicant: Camco Inc.
    Inventors: Silvia Lonelia Prajescu, Hugh Howard Hunt
  • Patent number: 6418638
    Abstract: A control system and method for a dryer used to dry a line of gypsum boards. The control system automates control of the dryer by measuring the amount of water used at the mixer to produce board segments and determining a desired amount of water to be evaporated for each board segment based on the measured value. The desired amount of water to be evaporated for each board segment is tracked through the production line and the total evaporation load of each dryer zone is continuously calculated based on the board segments located in the dryer zone at a given time. The dryer zone differential temperature is adjusted according to the calculated evaporation load. When a board is rejected from the board line, the desired amounts of water to be evaporated of its corresponding board segments are set to zero, thus signifying a gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Westroc, Inc.
    Inventors: John Forster, Stephen Dennis, Jean-Louis Mongrolle
  • Patent number: 6405453
    Abstract: An arrangement for drying material in a selected drying location by a heated and flowing drying stream wherein the temperature and relative humidity levels of the drying stream are sensed upstream and downstream of such selected drying location and are relatively and comparatively controlled to arrive at a selected treated material moisture with comparatively minimal energy input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Cissell Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Naom Salameh, Stanley T. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 6216362
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an apparatus for controlling the rate of heat transfer from as-cast railroad wheels after their removal from the mold utilizing a plurality of vertically adjustable caps with a cap positioned over each wheel to control the rate of heat transfer therefrom as it is transported to a successive operation, each cap having a generally symmetrical shape to inhibit or reduce deflection of radiant energy from the wheel, and the disclosure also provides a method for controlling the rate of heat transfer including a control system to provide the requisite displacement of each cap from the associated wheel to control cooling of the wheel prior to its subsequent operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: AMSTED Industries Incorporated
    Inventor: Louis Sandor
  • Patent number: 6154978
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for confirming the initial conditions of a clothes dryer prior to the start of the drying cycle is provided. The clothes dryer comprises a drying chamber with air inlet and outlet ports. A blower powered by a first motor is arranged in the outlet port to draw air into the drying chamber through the inlet port. A burner for heating the air before it enters the drying chamber is arranged in the inlet port. Also arranged at the inlet port is an air proving device for measuring the air flow through the drying chamber. A second motor is provided for the drive system which creates the tumbling action in the drying chamber. The air flow proving device must be enabled before the second motor is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: American Dryer Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis Slutsky
  • Patent number: 6047486
    Abstract: A hybrid control for a clothes dryer which combines an electromechanical timer and a microprocessor. The electromechanical timer has a plurality of switches connected to a plurality of input ports of the microprocessor. The timer switches are driven by a plurality of cams such that the plurality of switches open and close in response to the cams at predetermined angular positions of the timer. In this manner, the switches provide control input to the electronic circuit for initiating the dry cycle and further provide control input to the electronic circuit during the dry cycle such that the electromechanical timer and the electronic circuit operate together to control the dryer operation. In addition, a sensor supplies a signal to the microprocessor corresponding to the moisture level of the clothes within the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew C. Reck, Joseph Martin Szynal, Gerald C. Stenger, Michael E. Range
  • Patent number: 5782012
    Abstract: In a wrinkle release arrangement for a dryer, a heater heats articles to be wrinkle released, and a timer times the heating of the articles. The timer establishes a wrinkle out cycle. A temperature sensor senses a temperature related to a temperature of the articles. A control circuit substantially alternately energizes the heater and the timer in response to the temperature sensor in order to provide automatic wrinkle release responsive to load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Raytheon Applicances Inc.
    Inventors: Arlynn H. Sanders, Khader I. Meshinesh
  • Patent number: 5589321
    Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for controlling drying of a photographic material in which, by controlling respective temperatures of a contact-heating device and warm air, temperatures can be controlled to the minimum temperature necessary to provide the photographic material with optimal effects so that the relative contributions of drying the photographic material by the contact-heating device and the warm air are always constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinichi Matsuda
  • Patent number: 5551170
    Abstract: Refuse 21 in a refuse container 2 is heated by a heater 16, and the steam generated from the refuse 21 is condensed by a condenser 8. The ambient temperature near the refuse container 2 is detected by a first temperature detector 6, and the output of the heater 16 is controlled by the output of the first temperature detector 6 so that the temperature near the refuse container 2 may be a specific temperature, and the temperature of the steam flowing out from the refuse container 2 into the condenser 8 is detected by a second temperature detector 7 at the condenser 8. When the temperature change of the second temperature detector 7 exceeds a specific value, the drying process is terminated, so that the drying end time can be detected accurately without allowing to scorch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Sakatani, Hirofumi Nishida, Yoji Uetani, Yoichi Kuroki, Keiko Hata, Tatsuo Fujita, Tatsuo Kikawa, Seichi Ueno, Yukio Hayashida
  • Patent number: 5505009
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a food storage, display, and warming apparatus having a first storage compartment for holding bulk food at a predetermined temperature above ambient temperature and including one or more door members for accessing the bulk food therein, a second storage and display compartment for holding and displaying a plurality of individualized food portions and including one or more transparent door members for viewing and accessing the individualized food portions therein, a heater and blower arrangement for circulating heated air between the first and second storage compartments, a thermostat for sensing the temperature in the first storage compartment and for discontinuing operation of the heater when a maximum temperature is sensed to avoid overheating the bulk food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Six Corners Development Company
    Inventors: Andrew M. Stein, Andrew Jinks
  • Patent number: 5388348
    Abstract: A drying machine has a predrying operation. In the predrying operation before heated air is supplied to the drying chamber to dry clothes in the drying chamber, the drum repeats the rotation of the clockwise and counterclockwise alternately in a short cycle, so that entwined clothes are got loose. During the predrying operation, cool air is supplied to the drying chamber. Then the heated air is supplied to the drying chamber, so that clothes are dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Miho Tanaka, Kinya Hayashi
  • Patent number: 5315765
    Abstract: A fabric drying system has an exterior housing and a rotating chamber for containing fabric laden with moisture that is to be dried and uses a combination of microwave energy and an auxiliary convection air heater to heat and vaporize the moisture and expel it with exhaust air so as to dry the fabric. In addition, the fabric drying system employs energy efficiency devices that permit the system to dry the fabric using the least amount of energy. Heat energy from the exhaust air is transferred to the intake in a heat exchanger. Additionally, heat energy from the exhaust air is used by recirculating a portion of the exhaust air and mixing it with the intake air before the air is introduced into the fabric drying chamber. The system also provides for sensors that detect the temperature and/or humidity of the exhaust and the intake air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Melvin Holst
    Inventors: Melvin Holst, Paul S. Payne