Radial Gas Or Vapor Flow Patents (Class 34/610)
  • Patent number: 11452964
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a tub having a rear wall. A drum is rotationally operable within the tub. An air flow path extends through an air flow port defined within the rear wall. A lint filter is positioned within the air flow port. A fluid spray system extends through the rear wall and directs a flow of fluid over the air flow port and the lint filter in a direction generally parallel with an inside surface of the rear wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Roy E. Masters, Arun Rajendran
  • Patent number: 9121128
    Abstract: A dryer is provided. The dryer (1) includes a cabinet (10), a drum (11), a rear supporter (30), and a dry duct (42). The cabinet (10) defines an external appearance. The drum (21) is rotatably provided in the cabinet an housing articles to be dried. The rear supporter (30) supports a rear end of the drum (21). The dry duct (42) supplies dry air. Here, the dry duct (42) is connected to a circumference of the rear supporter (30) to supply the dry air into the drum through the circumference of the rear supporter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sog Kie Hong, Jong Seok Kim, Sung Min Kim, Dae Yun Park
  • Patent number: 8997377
    Abstract: A clothes treatment apparatus and a method for controlling a clothes treatment apparatus are provided. The clothes treatment apparatus may include a drying duct, a first blower fan located in the drying duct that circulates interior air within the drying duct, and a filter located in the drying duct. The method may include sensing clogging of the filter, and switching a flow of air passing through the filter from a first direction to an opposite second direction if clogging of the filter is sensed. The method may further include a washing cycle for washing clothes, and a drying cycle for drying the clothes. An implementation time of the washing cycle may be less than an implementation time of the drying cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Youngsuk Kim, Hyojun Kim, Sangwook Hong, Naeun Kim
  • Patent number: 8984767
    Abstract: A laundry drying unit includes a process air circuit and a component arranged in the process air circuit. Provided above the component is a washing tank for dispensing a cleaning fluid, with a flow of cleaning fluid dispensed from the washing tank to the component being controlled by a controllable valve. The valve can be controlled on the basis of an amount of cleaning fluid in the washing tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Grunert, Guido Sattler
  • Patent number: 8973286
    Abstract: Dryers and methods of using dryers are described herein. The dryer includes a housing, a drying chamber disposed within the housing, and a heating element. The dryer further includes an intake configured to supply intake air to the drying chamber. The dryer includes an exhaust configured to vent exhaust air out of the drying chamber. The dryer includes a pump coupled to the housing. The dryer further includes an energy recovery system coupled to the housing. The pump is configured to reduce the air pressure within the drying chamber. The energy recovery system includes a heat transfer fluid and is configured to use the heat transfer fluid to transfer thermal energy from the exhaust air to the drying chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Thomas A. Weaver, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8937625
    Abstract: Provided are a fabric dryer and a method of controlling the fabric dryer. The fabric dryer includes a drum, a driving unit, a steam supply unit, a radical supply unit, a contamination removal function selector, and a controller. The drum is rotatably disposed and receives laundry. The driver rotates the drum. The steam supply unit supplies steam into the drum. The radical supply unit supplies radical into the drum. The contamination removal function selector selects a water-soluble contaminant or a fat-soluble contaminant. The controller controls the steam supply unit to supply steam in response to selection of the water-soluble-contaminant by the contamination removal function selector, and controls the radical supply unit to supply radical in response to selection of fat-soluble contaminant by the contamination removal function selector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Deughee Lee
  • Patent number: 8875416
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance treats a laundry load according to at least one cycle of operation. A rotatable drum defines a treating chamber and includes an open face through which access is provided to the treating chamber. An air system supplies air to and exhausts air from the treating chamber and includes an airflow portal adjacent the open face and in fluid communication with the treating chamber. A door includes a panel with a flat surface, the door selectively movable to prevent access through the open face, and the flat surface facing the treating chamber when the door closes the open face. A deflector extends away from the flat surface and at least partially overlies the airflow portal when the door closes the open face. The deflector deflects items in the laundry load away from the airflow portal when the door is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Colin T. Anderson, Michael K. Lindquist, Robert J. Messersmith
  • Patent number: 8793899
    Abstract: A closed cycle dryer comprises a drum, an air blowing unit wherein the air is conveyed to the drum, a heating unit used to heat the air that is blown into the drum, and a condensing unit upstream the heating unit for removing moisture. The dryer further comprises a by-pass between a first portion of the air circuit downstream the condensing unit and a second portion downstream the drum in order to increase the energy efficiency of the drying process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Willy Kroeger, Ralf Haselmeier
  • Patent number: 8776394
    Abstract: A blower for supplying and exiting the air to and from a treating chamber of a clothes dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Catauro, Mark J. Christensen, Steven P. Lentz, Roy E. Masters
  • Patent number: 8769840
    Abstract: The recirculating dryer includes a housing having an operator control panel and a locking door mounted to a side of the housing. A rotating tumbler for holding the laundry to be dried is mounted inside the housing. Heated air is introduced through an inlet of the tumbler, and the outlet is kept closed by a flap. The heated air is recirculated and recycled through the tumbler. The air is reheated back to a predetermined temperature if the temperature falls below a level suitable for drying. A layer of moisture-absorbent material surrounds the tumbler to absorb the moisture gathered in the air from the drying process. At drying completion, the flap is opened to vent the used air. A control system controls various features with data from a thermostat and a moisture detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Memhet Dondurur, Ahmet Z. Sahin
  • Patent number: 8707579
    Abstract: In a method for operating an adsorption dryer, a process air flow, generated by at least one blower, is routed at least at times through an adsorption apparatus and over a textile goods in care during a textile care process in a “dry” operating mode to thereby charge a reversibly dehydratable adsorbent of the adsorption apparatus with moisture. A charge state of the adsorbent with water is detected and is displayed at least after the end of the “drying” textile care process. The absorbent is desorbed at least in part during a subsequent, selected and started textile care process in a “refresh” operating mode, and the desorbed moisture is routed as a moist process air flow into a receptacle for refreshing textile goods which are stored or hung in a stationary manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Kohlrusch, Ulf Müller, Andreas Stolze
  • Patent number: 8707581
    Abstract: A laundry treating machine includes a casing (1) accommodating therein a laundry container (6) and a basement portion (14). The basement portion (14) has seats (18A-18F) adapted to receive machine operational devices (5) and further provides at least one air path. The at least one air path extends over two levels of the basement (14) at different height, and a conveyor (21, 40) is provided for reversing the air path from one of the levels to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Alessandro Vian, Deborah Palazzin, Fabio Pasut
  • Patent number: 8701309
    Abstract: A dryer and a control method thereof, in which load of an object to be dried is detected using a sensor which has less risk of contamination and an anticipated drying time based on the detected load is accurately determined and displayed. The dryer includes a rotatable drum to accommodate the object, a front support installed at an entrance of the drum to support the drum, a rear support installed at an opposite side of the entrance of the drum to support the drum, an exhaust hole formed in the front support, through which interior air of the drum is discharged, and a humidity sensor installed to the front support at a position adjacent to the exhaust hole, the humidity sensor being located upstream of the exhaust hole in a rotating direction of the drum to detect humidity of the air to be introduced into the exhaust hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hee Beom Park, Phil Soo Chang, Hyung Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 8695228
    Abstract: A composite washing system is disclosed which is capable of continuously circulating laundry-drying air through dryers while obtaining a more efficient drying effect, so that the composite washing system has a suitable built-in structure having minimal influence on the indoor environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Deug Hee Lee, Hung Myong Cho, Byung Hwan Ahn, Soung Bong Choi, Young Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 8683713
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a dryer and a drying method of the same. The dryer includes a condensing unit to change water vapor evaporated from a drying object into condensate water by cooling, a condensate water storage container in which the condensate water is stored, a water level sensing device to detect a level of the stored condensate water, and a microcomputer to calculate a change rate of condensation or of the condensate water level based on the detected water level and to determine a value of dryness of the drying object. The dryer effectively performs a drying operation based on the accurately detected value of dryness of the drying object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ji Hoon Ha, Jeong Su Han, Jun hoe Choi, Sang Yeon Pyo, Tae Gyoon Noh
  • Patent number: 8650770
    Abstract: This invention is a method and apparatus for drying wet objects, comprising passing air through the wet objects thereby having air absorb moisture from said wet objects; compressing the air adiabatically, thereby heating it; extracting heat from the air by passing it through the hot side of a heat exchanger thereby cooling it; expanding the air adiabatically, thereby cooling it further, below its dew point; separating the condensate from the air; restoring to the air all or part of the heat by passing it through the second side of the heat exchanger; and redirecting all or part of the air back to the wet objects thereby forming a loop in the flow of the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: George Samuel Levy
  • Patent number: 8627580
    Abstract: A dryer is provided. The dryer may include a main body having an inner space formed therein, a fixed drum provided in the inner space of the main body, and a tumbling device coupled to the drum. The fixed drum may have a non-circular cross-section as it is rotated. The tumbling device may tumble laundry items received in the fixed drum as it slides along an inner circumferential surface of the fixed drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sungmin Kim, Jongseok Kim, Daeyun Park, Sogkie Hong
  • Patent number: 8615898
    Abstract: A dryer is provided. The dryer may include a main body having an inner space formed therein, a support body arranged in the main body so as to form a frame of the main body, a flexible drum rotatably installed on the support body so as to have a non-circular cross-section as it is rotated, and rotation guides arranged between the support body and the flexible drum so as to guide rotation of the flexible drum. A distance from a center of rotation of an inscribed circle contacting the inner circumferential surface of the flexible drum to one random point on the inner circumferential surface of the flexible drum is greater than a distance from the center of rotation of the inscribed circle to another point on the inscribed circle such that the drum maintains a non-circular cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sungmin Kim, Jongseok Kim, Daeyun Park, Sogkie Hong
  • Patent number: 8615895
    Abstract: A device and method for cleaning a lint filter in a clothes dryer. The clothes dryer includes an air channel connected to a drum to supply air into the drum and to guide air discharged from the drum, a dehumidification unit disposed in the air channel to condense moisture contained in the air discharged from the drum, a waterspout to collect condensed water created by the dehumidification unit, a filter to filter lint from the air discharged from the drum, a cleaning nozzle to spray water to the filter to remove the lint from the filter, a recovery water tank to receive water from the waterspout, and a cleaning water tank connected to the recovery water tank to receive water from the recovery water tank and to supply the water to the cleaning nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang Bong Shin, Jin Wook Yoon, Sin Ae Kim, Byeong Cheol Yoon, Seok Mo Chang
  • Patent number: 8607473
    Abstract: Disclosed are a door for a dryer and a dryer having the same, the door for the dryer having a concave portion or an inclined portion formed at an end surface of a door glass, such that an inner volume of the dryer can be enlarged without increasing the size of the dryer, under consideration of the dryer having the same capacity, resulting in allowing a large quantity of clothes to be dried at once.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yeon-Sik Choi, Ju-Han Yoon
  • Patent number: 8601717
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a mechanical refrigeration cycle arrangement having a working fluid and an evaporator, a condenser of adjustable surface area, a compressor, and an expansion device, cooperatively interconnected and containing the working fluid. The apparatus also includes a drum to receive clothes to be dried, a duct and fan arrangement configured to pass air over the condenser and through the drum, a sensor located to sense at least one parameter, and a controller coupled to the sensor, condenser and/or the compressor. The controller is operative to adjust the condenser to increase surface area during a steady state drying rate period of the cycle, and adjust the condenser to decrease surface area during a start transient period of the cycle, wherein adjusting the condenser to decrease surface area during a start transient period of the cycle accelerates the start transient period of the cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David G. Beers, Nicholas Okruch, Jr., Brent Alden Junge, Amelia Lear Hensley
  • Patent number: 8595953
    Abstract: A clothes treating apparatus includes a drum configured to accommodate therein an object to be dried, an air suction device configured to form a flow path of air introduced into the drum, an air exhaustion device configured to form a flow path of air exhausted from the drum, a condenser disposed to heat air sucked into the drum through the air suction device, an evaporator disposed to cool air exhausted from the drum the air exhaustion device, and a compressor and an expander configured to constitute a heat pump together with the condenser and the evaporator. The method includes a temperature detection step of detecting a temperature change of air passing through the condenser or the air suction device, and a determination step of determining that refrigerant leakage has occurred when a temperature decrease amount measured in the temperature detection step is more than a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyuksoo Lee, Sungho Song, Sungmin Ye, Seonghwan Kim, Byeongjo Ryoo
  • Patent number: 8572865
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a mechanical refrigeration cycle arrangement having a working fluid and an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, and an expansion device, cooperatively interconnected and containing the working fluid. The apparatus also includes a sensor located to sense at least one parameter, a controller coupled to said sensor and said compressor, a drum to receive clothes to be dried, wherein a rear portion of the drum is equipped with multiple perforations, and a perimeter portion of the drum is equipped with multiple perforations, and a duct and fan arrangement configured to pass air over said condenser and through said drum, wherein the duct and fan arrangement is configured to facilitate airflow through the perforations on the rear portion of the drum into the drum, and out of the drum through the perforations on the perimeter portion of the drum to enable an increased airflow without an increased power input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Beers, Nicholas Okruch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8544188
    Abstract: A dryer is provided. The dryer may include a main body having an inner space formed therein, a support body arranged in the main body so as to form a frame of the main body, a flexible drum rotatably installed on the support body so as to have a non-circular cross-section as it is rotated, and rotation guides arranged between the support body and the flexible drum so as to guide rotation of the flexible drum. A distance from a center of rotation of an inscribed circle contacting the inner circumferential surface of the flexible drum to one random point on the inner circumferential surface of the flexible drum is greater than a distance from the center of rotation of the inscribed circle to another point on the inscribed circle such that the drum maintains a non-circular cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sungmin Kim, Jongseok Kim, Daeyun Park, Sogkie Hong
  • Patent number: 8539694
    Abstract: A clothes treatment apparatus is disclosed. The clothes treatment apparatus includes a cabinet comprising an accommodating space formed therein to accommodate clothes, an air supply device configured to supply air or heated air to the accommodating space, a duct configured to guide the air or the heated air supplied by the air supply device toward the accommodating space, the duct comprising a communication part configured to draw external air into the accommodating space and a circulation fan configured to flow air along the duct, wherein the communication part is located in a rear portion of the circulation fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jung Wook Moon, Sog Kie Hong, Dong Won Kim, Seung Gyu Ryu, Hye Yong Park, Chang Gyu Choi, Dae Yun Park, Jong Seok Kim
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8528231
    Abstract: A dryer is provided. The dryer may include a main body having an inner space formed therein, a support body arranged in the main body so as to form a frame of the main body, a flexible drum rotatably installed on the support body so as to have a non-circular cross-section as it is rotated, and rotation guides arranged between the support body and the flexible drum so as to guide rotation of the flexible drum. A distance from a center of rotation of an inscribed circle contacting the inner circumferential surface of the flexible drum to one random point on the inner circumferential surface of the flexible drum is greater than a distance from the center of rotation of the inscribed circle to another point on the inscribed circle such that the drum maintains a non-circular cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sungmin Kim, Jongseok Kim, Daeyun Park, Sogkie Hong
  • Patent number: 8528226
    Abstract: A vented dryer having a drum to dry damp laundry by warm process air; a first process air duct upstream of the drum; a heater to heat the process air in the first process air duct; a supply air duct leading into the first process air duct; an exhaust air duct; a second process air duct downstream of the drum and transitioning into the exhaust air duct; a blower; a first temperature sensor in the first process air duct; and a heat-buildup generator to generate a heat buildup at the first temperature sensor if a counter-flowing air current occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Kai-Uwe Bache, Philipp Steusloff, Andy Wischer
  • Patent number: 8499473
    Abstract: An upper cabinet of a rotary-drum laundry dryer outer casing can include a rear wall. The rear wall can include a sink-shaped bulge or recess. The bulge or recess can project outwards of the upper cabinet, be roughly centered to a rear rim of a dryer drum, and include a through opening. The upper cabinet can also include a substantially circular, basin-shaped lid or cover fixed to the inner face of the cabinet rear wall substantially coaxial to the drum. The lid or cover can be shaped so as to completely cover and close the outwards-projecting bulge or recess on the cabinet rear wall. This can form, on that rear wall, a cavity which communicates with the inside of drum and also with a hot-air generator via the through opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation, N.V.
    Inventors: Diego Dal Ben, Alessandro Vian
  • Patent number: 8438750
    Abstract: A dryer has a drying chamber to receive damp items and a process air duct to feed process air into and extract process air out of the drying chamber. The process air duct has a heat source and a heat sink to heat the process air before the process air enters the drying chamber and to cool the process air after the process air leaves the drying chamber, respectively. A cleaning device has an accumulator for a liquid; a rinsing line connected to the accumulator; a control organ in the rinsing line; a distributor connected to the rinsing line to distribute the liquid conveyed through the rinsing line on a lint filter and to receive the lint caught by the lint filter; and a drain line to drain the liquid with the received lint away from the lint filter and towards the accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Lothar Dittmer, Klaus Grunert, Thomas Nawrot, Andreas Ziemann
  • Patent number: 8418377
    Abstract: A dryer with a drying chamber that includes a process air duct for guiding process air through the drying chamber, a heat pump with a heat sink in the process air duct and through which air can flow in an outlet air direction for cooling down the process air, and a heat source arranged in the process air duct and through which air can flow in an inlet air direction for heating up the process air. The outlet air direction and the inlet air direction are substantially parallel to one another. The heat sink and the heat source are in a plane substantially perpendicular to the outlet air direction and to the inlet air direction alongside one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Grunert, Günter Steffens, Andreas Stolze
  • Patent number: 8418376
    Abstract: A laundry drying device, including a front wall; a seal connected to the front wall; a rear wall; a tub located between the front wall and the rear wall; a rotatable laundry drum arranged in the tub, the rotatable laundry drum being accessible by way of the seal; and a heat pump. The heat pump includes an evaporator that is arranged at least partially between the laundry drum and the rear wall; and a condenser that is arranged at least partially above the laundry drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Günter Steffens, Andreas Stolze
  • Patent number: 8387274
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Farhad Ashrafzadeh, Michael T. Dalton, Layne E. Heilman
  • Patent number: 8387272
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a clogging detecting system for a dryer which can display a clogging degree or state of an air passage to the user through a remote controlling device. The clogging detecting system for the dryer includes the dryer for judging the clogging degree of the air passage, and sending the clogging degree to a remote controlling device, and the remote controlling device for receiving the clogging degree from the dryer, and displaying the clogging degree through a display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yang-hwan Kim, Kyung-hun Kim, Ja-in Koo, Ju-hyun Kim, Sun-cheol Bae, Ju-young Min, Jin-seok Hu
  • Patent number: 8375599
    Abstract: A household appliance for drying a laundry item, the household appliance having a treatment chamber and a closed process air circuit to feed process air through the treatment chamber. The process air circuit includes a blower to move the process air; a condenser to condense out moisture in the process air; a heater to heat the process air; a measurement device to determine a temperature of the process air; and a controller to control the blower and the heater as a function of the measurement signal. An analyzer determines an energy requirement to dry the laundry item prior to initiating a drying process for the laundry item. An integrator determines an energy input to the process air via the heater up to a respective measurement time. A comparator compares the energy input with the energy requirement and ends the drying process when the energy input matches the energy requirement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Dey, Harald Moschütz, Henrik Volkers
  • Patent number: 8365435
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for pressing fluid from laundry articles employs a receiving vessel that holds a batch of articles that are wetted with fluid. Fabric articles are compressed with a press to discharge fluid from the articles. The press includes a diaphragm that can be pressured with fluid. The diaphragm flexibly conforms to an upper surface portion of the batch of fabric articles. After the fabric articles are pressed of fluid, the diaphragm elevates with the press and is rotated. A specially configured linkage rotates the diaphragm and the press as the diaphragm moves from a lower position to an upper position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Pellerin Milnor Corporation
    Inventors: Russell H. Poy, Santhi Antarikananda
  • Patent number: 8356423
    Abstract: A household appliance includes a drying chamber, a process air loop and a heat pump. The heat pump includes a heat transfer loop containing a heat transfer fluid, an evaporator heat exchanger, a liquefier heat exchanger, a compressor, and a nozzle. The heat transfer fluid has a critical temperature above 60° C., a nominal heat of vaporization at boiling point of at least 220 kJ/kg, a GWP index of less than 150 and a lower flammability level of at least 0.1 kg/m3. Preferably, the household appliance is a dryer for drying wet laundry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Haugeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Jose Miguel Corberan Salvador, Jose Gonzalvez Macia, Roberto San Martin Sancho
  • Patent number: 8336227
    Abstract: A drum rotatably disposed within a cabinet, a door coupled to a front of the cabinet, a front supporter to support a side of the drum, and a fragrance storage and supply assembly disposed on the front supporter and comprising a receiving part that is rotatably installed within the cabinet. A cabinet defining an outer appearance of the laundry dryer, a drum rotatably installed in the cabinet, a door to open and close a laundry passage formed by an opening in the cabinet that is configured for passage of laundry into and out of the drum, a fragrance storage and supply assembly comprising a receiving assembly to receive liquid fragrance, a storage chamber, remote from the receiving part, to store the liquid fragrance, a mount fixed to the cabinet, a hinge, rotatably joining the mount and the receiving part, wherein the receiving part rotates about the hinge from a space within an interior of the laundry dryer to a space exterior to the laundry dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang-Hun Bae, Min-Ji Kim, Ye-Ji Um, Myung-Shik Kim, Young-Soo Ha
  • Patent number: 8312639
    Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid storage container and a clothes dryer having the same. The liquid storage container comprises: a reservoir installed at the clothes dryer, and configured to store liquid therein; a light transmitting window disposed above the reservoir; and a level indicator configured to be partially or wholly immersed into the liquid stored in the reservoir according to a level of the liquid. According to the amount of the liquid stored in the reservoir, an immersed degree of the level indicator into the liquid may become different. Accordingly, a user may easily and rapidly check a remaining amount of the liquid with his or her naked eyes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Sang-Hun Bae, Min-Ji Kim, Ye-Ji Um, Myung-Shik Kim, Young-Soo Ha
  • Patent number: 8276293
    Abstract: A laundry dryer includes a rotatable drum and an air delivery system. The air delivery system can include a reversible blower that provides air at a first flow rate when operated in a first direction and provides air at a second lower flow rate when operated in an opposite second direction. The drum can be a reversibly rotatable drum that is rotatable in a first and an opposite second direction, and the dryer can include a drive motor that both rotates the drum and operates the blower. Drum and blower reversal may be controlled to optimize drying efficiency and also reduce stress on the drive system. A moisture delivery system can provide moisture (e.g., water mist or steam) into the drum while air is being provided at the lower second flow rate, and during drum rotation (tumbling).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Paul Ricklefs, Brian Douglas Ripley, Brian James Kierzek, Ian Tomas Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 8266824
    Abstract: A condensation dryer is provided that includes a drying chamber for items to be dried, a process air circuit via which fan driven process air can be conducted across the items to be dried, and a heat pump circuit for alternately heating and cooling the process air. A secondary fluid circuit is provided between the process air circuit and the heat pump circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventor: Dietmar Steiner
  • Patent number: 8266816
    Abstract: Disclosed are a clothes dryer and a door thereof. The door includes a glass assembly provided with a door glass; and a door cover connected to the glass assembly. The door cover has a vertically symmetrical structure, and is rotated against the glass assembly and then connected to the glass assembly, when the opening and closing direction of the door is changed. Thereby, when the opening and closing direction of the door is changed, only the door cover is rotated, and thus the opening and closing direction of the door is easily changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyung Sub Lim
  • Patent number: 8261467
    Abstract: Disclosed are a liquid storage container and a clothes dryer having the same. The clothes dryer comprises: a body; a front supporter which forms a part of a front surface of the body, and configured to fix the drum; a door installed at the front supporter; a liquid storage container comprising a reservoir configured to store liquid therein, and an inlet unit through which liquid is introduced into the reservoir; and a remaining amount indicator configured to indicate a remaining amount of the liquid stored in the reservoir, wherein the remaining amount indicator is installed on a rear surface of the front supporter, and is exposed to the front surface of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Sang-Hun Bae, Min-Ji Kim, Ye-Ji Um, Myung-Shik Kim, Young-Soo Ha
  • Patent number: 8250778
    Abstract: A clothes dryer air intake system including a conduit having an outlet opening for connection to a clothes dryer and being positioned remote from the attic of a building. The conduit also has an inlet opening positioned within the attic of a building. A heater is connected to the conduit between the outlet opening and the inlet opening for warming air passing through the conduit. A thermostat detects the temperature of the air flowing through the conduit and energizes the heater in the event that the detected temperature is lower than a preset minimum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Inventor: Timothy M. Hodges
  • Patent number: 8250777
    Abstract: A water supply device for a drying machine and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. The water supply device includes a common hose having one end connected to at least one water supply source, a drying machine water supply hose having one end connected to the common hose and the other end connected to a steam generator of the drying machine, and a washing machine water supply hose having one end connected to the common hose and the other end connected to a washing machine. With the provision of the water supply device, the drying machine has the effects of preventing wrinkles, creases, or the like from being generated in an object to be dried, such as clothes, and the like, or eliminating wrinkles, creases, or the like in clothes, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Young Soo Kim, Dae Bong Yang, Chul Jin Choi, Jung Yoo, Jae Hyuk Wi
  • Patent number: 8209881
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a condensation type dryer. The dryer includes a circulation tube communicating at both ends thereof with a tub to define a passage through which air inside the tub is circulated, a blowing fan disposed inside the circulation tube to circulate the air inside the tub, a heater disposed inside the circulation tube to heat air supplied into the tub, and a condensation tube connected to a water supply source to supply cooling water into the circulation tube, the condensation tube has a serpentine shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Ju Dong Lee
  • Patent number: 8181359
    Abstract: A laundry machine is disclosed. The disclosed laundry machine includes a drum rotatably provided in a cabinet; a substance supply device generating water based substance and supplying the water based substance to the drum; a water supply device that is movably provided in the cabinet and supplies water to the substance supply device; and a first stopper confining a position of the water supply device when the water supply device is pulled out from the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang Hun Bae, Dong Geun Lee, Yeon Sik Choi, Ju Han Yoon
  • Patent number: 8166669
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a laundry machine and a method for operating the same for removing wrinkles or the like from laundry by using high temperature and high humidity air instead of steam. The method for operating a laundry machine includes the steps of a course selecting step for selecting an operating course, and a high temperature and high humidity air supply step for supplying high temperature high humidity air to a drum from an air supply unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seog Kyu Park, Kwang Cheol Park
  • Patent number: 8132339
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cloth treating apparatus, which supplies hot air to a accommodating space receiving clothes to dry the clothes. The cloth treating apparatus includes a cabinet including a accommodating space to receive clothes, and an electric component chamber, in which a moisture supply device to spray steam to the accommodating space and a air supply device to supply hot air are installed; and a condensed water treating unit to treat condensed water, generated by condensing the steam sprayed to the accommodating space or the hot air supplied from the air supply device. Therefore, the cloth treating apparatus treats the condensed water generated in the accommodating space, and thus prevents the generation of substances harmful to the human body, such as mold, in the accommodating space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jung Wook Moon, Dae Yun Park, Sog Kie Hong, Jong Seok Kim, Seung Gyu Ryu, Hye Yong Park, Chang Gyu Choi, Dong Won Kim
  • Patent number: 8127464
    Abstract: A household appliance includes a housing having an opening for accessing an interior of the housing, a tub disposed inside the housing and having a rotating drum therein for receiving laundry through the opening, and a door assembly having a see-through portion for viewing into the tub and being pivotably coupled to the housing and movable between an open position and a closed position. The door assembly includes a door frame and a front ring coupled directly or indirectly to the door frame. The front ring includes a front face having an outside and inside edge, the inside edge defining an opening that substantially corresponds to the see-through portion, and a recessed rear face on an opposite side of the front ring from the front face, wherein the recessed rear face includes a handle portion extending around at least a portion of the front ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: BSH Home Appliances Corporation
    Inventor: Oliver Schöne