Centrifugal Extractor And Gaseous Drier Patents (Class 68/19.2)
  • Patent number: 11959218
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a laundry machine. More particularly, a laundry machine for generating steam by an induction heater and a control method thereof are disclosed. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, provided is a method of controlling a laundry machine including a tub, a drum rotatably arranged in the tub to accommodate an object and provided with a through hole on an outer circumferential surface thereof, and an induction heater provided to the tub, and configured to perform a steam operation. The steam operation may include heating a heating surface of the drum facing the induction heater by driving the induction heater, spraying, through a spray nozzle, water toward the heating surface heated in the heating operation, and rotating the drum such that the steam is introduced into the drum through the through hole in a space between the tub and the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sangwook Hong, Woore Kim, Beomjun Kim, Hyunwoo Noh
  • Patent number: 11846059
    Abstract: A combination washer/dryer machine has a rotatable drum inside a cabinet. The drum has an external surface. A tub is positioned inside the cabinet. The drum is rotatable in the tub. The tub has an inner surface. A seal extends between the exterior surface of the drum and the inner surface of the tub forming a desired gap during both washing and drying operations and minimizing bypass of drying air during the drying operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Arun Rajendran, Roy E. Masters
  • Patent number: 11795601
    Abstract: A combination washer/dryer machine includes a rotatable drum inside a cabinet. The drum has an external surface. A tub is positioned inside the cabinet. The drum is rotatable in the tub. The tub has an inner surface. A seal contacts the exterior surface of the drum and the inner surface of the tub during drying operation to minimize the bypass of drying air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Roy Edward Masters, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11795596
    Abstract: A combination washer/dryer machine has a cabinet with a tub and drum positioned in the cabinet. The drum is rotatably positioned in the tub. A heater is secured to the tub. The heater includes a duct to provide heated air from the heater. The duct is coupled with the tub to supply heated air to the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Roy E. Masters
  • Patent number: 11639575
    Abstract: Disclosed is a detergent supply device having an improved locking structure and a washing machine including the same. The washing machine includes a main body, a tub disposed inside the main body to accommodate water, a detergent case configured to supply a detergent to the tub, and a locking device configured to detachably connect the detergent case to the main body, wherein the locking device includes a first locking member disposed in the main body, and a second locking member disposed in the detergent case to unlock or lock the first locking member by being pressed or released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Geonhui Jo, Wonseok Choi, Yongchan Kwon
  • Patent number: 11629444
    Abstract: A clothing treating device comprises first and second clothing treating drums which are arranged in longitudinal order. A frame comprises a lower frame configured to place the second clothing treating drum. An upper frame is mounted on a top of the lower frame, and is configured to mount the first clothing treating drum. By setting the upper frame and lower frame independent from each other, an objective of replacing and repairing parts of the frame may be achieved. The first clothing treating drum and the second clothing treating drum are respectively mounted in corresponding parts of the frame in order to realize a modular management of the device, and a device with only the second clothing treating drum and a device with both the first and second clothing treating drums may be produced on the same production line, thereby improving modularity of the device and reducing production cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignees: QINGDAO HAIER LAUNDRY ELECTRIC APPLIANCES CO., LTD., HAIER SMART HOME CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xinhua Zhang, Wenwei Li, Benfu Xing, Shaolei Yi, Zhiwei Zhao
  • Patent number: 11603618
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling a laundry treating apparatus comprising a tub configured to hold wash water, a drum mounted in the tub, a pulsator mounted in the drum, a sub-drum coupled to the drum, the sub-drum being configured to hold wash water, and a drive unit configured to rotate the drum and the pulsator. The method comprises a water current forming step comprising performing a basket motion and a pulsate motion and a cooling step comprising lowering the temperature of the drive unit. The basket motion is configured to form water current in the wash water held in the tub and in the sub-drum simultaneously. The pulsate motion is configured to form water current in wash water held in the drum while the pulsator is driven. A performance timing of the cooling step is preset in at least one of the wash cycle or the rinse cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Oshin Kwon, Keunjoo Kim, Byunghyun Moon, Dongsoo Lee, Jaeyong Jeong, Aekyung Chae
  • Patent number: 11053633
    Abstract: Disclosed is a laundry treatment apparatus configured to condense moisture by supplying cooling water to the interior of a tub containing laundry therein. The laundry treatment apparatus includes a tub, a drum rotatably provided in the tub, a cooling water port provided at the inner rear surface of the tub so as to be adjacent to the inner side surface of the tub in order to supply cooling water along the inner side surface of the tub, and a guide rib formed so as to protrude from the inner side surface of the tub in a radially inward direction of the tub and to extend from the cooling water port toward the front side of the tub in order to disperse the cooling water supplied from the cooling water port on the inner surface of the tub. The apparatus is capable of reducing energy consumption and improving drying performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyunwoo Noh, Changoh Kim, Sangwook Hong
  • Patent number: 9249537
    Abstract: The combination washer/dryer with flow drum is an apparatus that directs the movement of fluids through the drum to improve the laundering of clothing. The apparatus comprises a tub, a drum, an air barrier, an actuator, a hot air duct, and an exhaust duct. The tub comprises a drain, a spout, and an inner space. The air barrier comprises a drum mount and a flow opening. The drum comprises a lateral wall, a first side, and a second side, each of which comprise a plurality of fluid directing blades and fluid openings. Additionally, the drum comprises a cavity. The configuration of these components and sub-components allows the apparatus to use the rotation of the fluid directing blades to direct the flow of fluids through the cavity of the drum during the washing cycle and drying cycle to providing more efficient laundering of the articles of clothing present within the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Inventor: Sergey Nadtoka
  • Patent number: 8984692
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance having a treating chamber for receiving laundry and configured to perform one or more cycles of operation and method for actively dehumidifying the treating chamber of a laundry treating appliance to retard or eliminate the adverse effects of moisture-laden laundry remaining in the treating chamber or moisture remaining in the treating chamber or other areas of the laundry treating appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Barbara A. Balinski, Karl D. McAllister
  • Patent number: 8950084
    Abstract: A semi-drying method of a washing machine, and a ventilating structure and a control apparatus for the same. In the semi-drying method, the dehydration and disentanglement of cloth are repeated plural times, and a washing tub is rotated at a designated dehydration speed for a time longer than that of the conventional dehydrating operation so as to minimize the jamming of the cloth into water pores of the washing tub, thereby increasing the dehydration degree of the cloth compared to the conventional dehydrating operation, removing offensive odors from the cloth, preventing damage to the cloth, allowing a user to select the duration of a semi-drying operation and to see the state of the semi-drying operation, and ventilating the washing tub during the semi-drying operation to improve the dehydration degree of the cloth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seok Kyu Park, Ki Ho Kang, Yong Kyu Cho
  • Patent number: 8881556
    Abstract: A washing and dehydrating machine includes a circulating passage communicating between interior and exterior of a water tub, warm air generating unit rendering air in the passage warm, an overflow outlet located in the water tub surface, so that water flows through the overflow outlet when a water level in the water tub is increased to or above a level, a drain conduit introduced outside the machine via a drain valve, through which water in the water tub is discharged, an overflow conduit having a lower end connected to the drain valve and communicating with the overflow outlet, and air stopping unit located in the overflow conduit and including a trap cutting off air flow and a water supply unit supplying water to the trap, allowing water to pass through and stopping air flow. The overflow conduit is introduced outside the machine via the air stopping unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Ha Products Co., Ltd., Toshiba Consumer Marketing Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichiro Kawabata, Satoru Nishiwaki, Hisao Tatsumi
  • Publication number: 20140290313
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance is provided having one or more features to improve the airflow in the washing machine appliance during a spin cycle and/or an overnight drying cycle. The appliance uses one or more one way valves in an inlet duct and/or an exhaust duct to direct the airflow through the washing machine appliance during spin cycles. Additionally, or alternatively, the appliance provides ambient air through an inlet port positioned proximate to an opening in a wash drum and exhausts the air to the ambient through an exhaust port positioned at a rear end of a wash tub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ashutosh Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 8813287
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is directed to an automated laundry system. The system includes a number of perforated clothes drums, each of which holds a single load of laundry, and a washer/dryer unit. The washer/dryer unit includes a loading rack for queuing the drums for subsequent washing, a clothes washing component adapted to sequentially receive the drums from the loading rack and wash the respective loads of laundry therein, a clothes drying component adapted to sequentially receive the drums from the clothes washing component and dry the loads of laundry therein, and a holding rack for sequentially receiving the drums from the clothes drying component and holding the drums for a period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Sears Brands, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Michael Saubert
  • Patent number: 8739577
    Abstract: A washing machine is disclosed. A washing machine includes a cabinet configured to define an exterior appearance thereof; a tub installed in the cabinet to hold wash water therein; a drum rotatably installed in the tub to accommodate laundry therein; at least one venting portion provided in an upper portion of the tub to communicate with an outside of the tub; and a ventilation part (300) provided in a lower portion of the tub to communicate with an inside of the tub. The above configuration enables convection current of internal air of the tub generated via the venting portion and the ventilation part (300).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Dae Wook Kwak, Jong Min Kim, Cheol Kang Heo, Han Ki Cho, Gyung Hun Nho, Soon Jo Lee, Kyu Chul Lee
  • Publication number: 20140047869
    Abstract: A drum washing machine and a control method thereof. The drum washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub including a first tub part and a second tub part, a drum, an inlet provided at one side of the second tub part and supplying condensed water, and at least one flow path provided on one surface from among the inner surfaces of the second tub part opposite the drum and guiding flow of the condensed water to increase a contact area between the condensed water supplied from the inlet and the second tub part. The drum washing machine improves the structure of the tub to effectively inject condensed water, and may thus increase condensing efficiency. Further, the drum washing machine improves the structures of the tub and the drying duct, and may thus prevent accumulation of lint and lowering of performance of the drum washing machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jin Doo Kim, Jung Hyuk Lee, Kyung Up Lim, Nam Kyu Jun, Yong Sok Lee, Hyung Sub Lim, Min Hee Kang
  • Patent number: 8516860
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a washing machine with a drying function, capable of performing a washing program and a drying program. The machine comprises a cabinet (1), a tub (9) in the cabinet and a door (3), through which access to the tub interior can be achieved, and further an air evacuation chamber (37) which comprises an upper section (59) and a lower section (57), wherein the upper section is connected to the tub in order to allow an air flow from the tub to the upper section, and the upper section is connected to the lower section at a connection point which is higher than the maximum water level during the washing program, such that air can flow to the lower section during the drying program while water is prevented from flowing from the tub to the lower section during the washing program. This allows the lower part to contain parts of the drying system that are to be kept dry, which allows a more compact machine to be built.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventors: Leif Persson, Anders Brun, Jorgen Martinsson, Jonny Persson, Johnny Olsson
  • Patent number: 8156660
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying clothes by adjusting the heat input into a drying chamber of a clothes dryer based on the airflow rate through the drying chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: James Phillips Carow
  • Patent number: 8020316
    Abstract: The invention relates to a washing household device, in particular to a clothes dryer, that includes an air-supply device which is arranged on a rear side area thereof and is provided with a closed self-contained cross-section flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Nawrot, Hans-Werner Stahn, Andreas Stolze, Andreas Ziemann
  • Patent number: 8020412
    Abstract: A washing machine with an odor removal function includes a cabinet, a tub received in the cabinet and including an intake port and an exhaust port so as to receive and discharge air, and a washing tub rotatably provided in the tub. Here, ambient air flows into the tub through the intake port by a suction force generated when the washing tub rotates and air inside the washing tub flows to the outside, such that odor of laundry is removed. Therefore, a washing machine with an odor removal function capable of easily and quickly removing laundry odor is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kyeong Hwan Kim, Soo Young Oh, Myong-Hun Im, Kyung-Chul Woo
  • Patent number: 7992322
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dryer having a heater-integrated intake duct capable of reducing thermal loss and preventing overheating of the dryer. The dryer includes a support panel having a through-hole, an intake duct communicating with the through-hole, a drum into which air flows via the through-hole, a heater disposed inside the intake duct to heat the air flowing into the drum, and a heat exchanging part transferring heat of the heated air into the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Chang Hoo Kim
  • Patent number: 7946054
    Abstract: An assembly which is a composite including an end shield and a front wall. The size and shape of the end shield are adapted to the inner face of the front wall. Both parts are dimensioned and formed in such a way that they can be interconnected in a fixed manner to form a stable composite resembling a sandwich assembly. The joint surfaces between the front wall and the end shield lie on perpendicular planes and extend for some distance. The construction and connection of the individual parts and of the composite give the front region of the tumble dryer a high degree of rigidity, which obviates the need for additional reinforcement measures. The assembly thus saves material and mounting costs and resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Lothar Dittmer, Holger Löffler
  • Patent number: 7908766
    Abstract: A clothes dryer is provided. In the dryer, air flowing into a drying container is provided with heat from heat pump. The clothes dryer comprises a cabinet, a drying container rotationally mounted in the cabinet, a motor providing the container with rotational force, a first air path connected to a side of the container, a second air path connected to another side of the container and to the outside of the cabinet, and a first heat exchanging member and a second heat exchanging member in the first air path. A damper may be additionally included in the second air path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seung-Phyo Ahn, Seung-Myun Baek, Jung-Wook Moon, Dae-Woong Kim, Byeong-Jo Ryoo
  • Patent number: 7694539
    Abstract: A suction apparatus for a water beam that directs a liquid jet at a passing a fabric web workpiece has a suction chamber extending transversely adjacent the jet and having a perforated lower wall sloping downward away from an upper region close to the water beam and a lower region remote therefrom. Air is withdrawn from inside the chamber to aspirate spray from adjacent the jet through the perforated lower wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Fleissner GmbH
    Inventor: Ullrich Muenstermann
  • Patent number: 7481083
    Abstract: A drum type washing and drying machine includes a rotary drum provided with drum perforations on the cylindrical surface thereof, a water tub elastically supported in a main body of the machine, for accommodating the rotary drum, a blower unit for circulating air into the rotary drum, a heating unit for heating the air to be circulated into the rotary drum, an air flow passage for directing air, which has been exhausted from the rotary drum into a space between the water tub and the rotary drum through the drum perforations, to the blower unit, a heat exchanging member installed in the air flow passage, and a cooling water supply unit for supplying cooling water to the heat-exchanging member. The heat-exchanging member is slantingly disposed in the air flow passage and has an upper and a lower surface and to form an approximately U-shaped heat exchanging path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Habu, Koji Nakai, Takahiro Inoue
  • Patent number: 7404303
    Abstract: An automatic drop washer/dryer is disclosed. The automatic drop washer/dryer includes a dryer unit, a washer unit provided above the dryer unit and at least one gate provided between the dryer unit and the washer unit for closing the dryer unit from the washer unit during a washing cycle and allowing clothing to drop from the washer unit and into the dryer unit after the washing cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Inventors: Domingos D. Barbosa, Maria F. Barbosa
  • Patent number: 7263861
    Abstract: A washing and drying machine of the present invention includes a water tub elastically supported in a housing; a rotary drum being rotatably mounted in the water tub; a heat pump having a compressor, a heat radiator, a throttle valve, a heat absorber, a pipework, and an air guide duct for guiding air to the heat absorber and the heat radiator; an air passageway provided to the water tub for allowing the air to flow into the rotary drum; a blower for forcing the air heated by the heat radiator to flow through the air passageway into the rotary drum; and a flexible connection member. The flexible connection member connects the air passageway to the air guide duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetaka Yabuuchi, Shigeharu Nakamoto, Mikio Tahara
  • Patent number: 7254967
    Abstract: A drum-type washing machine is equipped with a drying device, which increases condensing efficiency by increasing the contact of air flowing along a condensing duct with cooling water, and prevents water formed in a condensing duct from flowing into a fixed drum. The washing machine is equipped with a drying device, which includes a discharging duct to connect an outlet of a blowing fan with an air inlet of a fixed drum and provided with a heater therein, and a condensing duct to connect an air inlet of the fixed drum with an inlet of the blowing fan and provided with a condensing unit to remove moisture. The condensing unit includes a cooling water dispersion member disposed in the lower portion of the inside of the condensing duct and a cooling water supply pipe configured to supply cooling water to the cooling water dispersion member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Myong Kim, Kwang-Su Kim
  • Patent number: 7228647
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a drying machine or a drying machine with washing function. The drying machine or the drying machine with washing function comprises a heater for heating air introduced into an inlet channel of a drum, an outlet channel for allowing air in the drum to be discharged out of the drying machine or the drying machine with washing function therethrough, and a circulating channel connected between the outlet channel of the drum and the heater. When the exhaust resistance of air at the outlet channel is large, some of air, passing through the outlet channel, is guided to the heater through the circulating channel. Consequently, the drying machine or the drying machine with washing function according to the present invention has an effect in that air flow rate sufficient to dry the laundry is obtained and time necessary to dry the laundry is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Sang Wook Hong
  • Patent number: 7082793
    Abstract: A cylinder washing machine includes a front-loading cylinder, the shell of which is provided with holes and is surrounded by a container. The cylinder washing machine includes a cycle for spin-drying the laundry contained in the cylinder. To prevent water that has already been spun out of the laundry from being transported back to the interior space of the cylinder during spin-drying, precautions are taken to prevent substantially any air from flowing from the container through the interior space of the cylinder and back to the container during spin-drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Eckehard Reinwald, Ingo Schulze, Stephan Sommer
  • Patent number: 7010942
    Abstract: A drum type washing machine includes a cabinet which defines an outer appearance of the washing machine, a water tub set inside the cabinet to contain wash water therein, a rotary tub having spin drying perforations and rotatably set in the water tub, and a water turbine which is mounted at an open front of the rotary tub and rotates along with the rotary tub to spray the wash water contained in the water tub into the rotary tub. The water turbine includes an external member having an annular shape, and an internal member having an annular shape corresponding to the external member. The internal member is arranged apart from the external member by a predetermined interval. A vane unit is set between the external and the internal members, and raises the wash water contained in the water tub and sprays the wash water into the rotary tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Doo-Young Ryu, Koan-Seog Namkung
  • Patent number: 6889399
    Abstract: Processes and apparatuses for commercial and home-use cleaning of textile. Home-use embodiments replace the home laundry clothes dryer, except for embodiments using a novel manual kit. Home-use embodiments have an integrated spotting station. Soiled/stained textile is spray dampened with solvent, preferably automatically in the apparatus' rotatable drum; but the textile is not soaked nor immersed in solvent. Highly absorbent, untreated pad material is placed into the drum, for rubbing against the tumbling textile, to remove the soil, stains and solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Steiner-Atlantic Corp.
    Inventors: William K. Steiner, Michael Scott Steiner
  • Patent number: 6865911
    Abstract: Usually disposed in the top region of a household laundry machine is a drawer that is intended for accommodating detergents or condensate and is connected to a three-dimensional grip plate at the front. During operation of the machine, the grip plate is inserted in a recess of an operating panel, which is disposed at least more or less flush with the surface of the front side of the machine. For childproof locking, a latching edge is provided on the frame of the recess, and a catch, which is retained in the latching position by a spring, is disposed in the rear cavity of the grip plate. By virtue of an arresting device, the catch can be retained outside the latching position if an arresting slide is located in an arresting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventors: Edwin Bolduan, Herbert Kleinlein, Horst Wiemer
  • Publication number: 20040255394
    Abstract: A method for drying articles is provided comprising, providing a wash basket within a wash drum inside a washing machine and an air stream which follows an air flow path through the wash basket and through the machine. Then engaging a heater located along the air flow path, engaging a cooling unit located along the air flow path, and spinning the wash basket with the heating unit and cooling units engaged. Also provided is an apparatus for drying articles comprising, an air stream which follows an air flow path through a washing machine comprising a wash basket, a heating unit located along the air stream, a cooling unit located along the air stream, and a supplemental heater located along the air stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Vanita Mani, Darren Hallman, Robert Sundell
  • Patent number: 6832441
    Abstract: Method for controlling a drying process of a washing and drying machine including a preheating step for tightly closing and heating an inner tub for preparing an environment favorable for vaporization of water by elevating a temperature of the inner tub within a short time period, and a drying step for supplying heated air to the inner tub, to make heat exchange between the heated air and laundry, for drying the laundry, whereby improving a drying performance and reducing occurrence of environmental problem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: In Chul Jeong, Kyung Chul Woo, Kyeong Hwan Kim, Choon Myun Chung, Mu Yong Choi
  • Publication number: 20040221474
    Abstract: The combination washer/dryer and method for operating a combination washer/dryer. The washer/dryer has a containment drum which receives wash water, and includes a perforated clothes drum which rotates within the containment drum. A heat plenum is provided in heat transfer relationship with the containment drum, and a source of heat coupled to the heat plenum supplies heat for water in the containment drum. During a drying cycle, hot air from the heat source supplied from the fire box to the containment drum for heating wash water during a washing cycle, and for supplying hot air during a drying cycle. A drying air plenum is connected to receive drying air from the source of heat, delivering the drying air to the top of the containment drum, where it enters the rotating basket. An exhaust plenum discharges hot air laden with moisture from the containment drum through a lint filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: Dennis Slutsky, Craig F. Bliss
  • Publication number: 20040163428
    Abstract: Drum type washing machine including a tub of plastic having a wall for holding washing water therein and mounting a driving part thereon, a drum rotatably arranged inside of the tub, a shaft passed through the tub and connected to the drum for transmission of a driving power from a motor to the drum, at least one bearing for supporting the shaft, a bearing housing having a sleeve form of bearing supporting part, and a stator fastening part extended in a radial direction from the bearing supporting part, wherein both of the bearing supporting part and the stator fastening part are inserted in a tub rear wall, while stator fastening holes in the stator fastening part are exposed, a rotor engaged to a rear end part of the shaft to form the motor together with the stator, and the stator mounted on the stator fastening part of the bearing housing with fastening members on an inner side of the rotor to form the motor together with the rotor, wherein the stator includes an annular helical type core having multiple l
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Gon Kim, Chi Wan Hur, Yu Beom Kang, Sang Man Je, Kang Mo Choi, Jae Kyum Kim, Ho Cheol Kwon
  • Publication number: 20040154352
    Abstract: Device and method for controlling drying of laundry in a drum type washing machine, the device including a motor for rotating a drum, a motor sensing part for detecting rotation speed of the motor, and a controlling part for controlling the motor sensing part to detect the rotation speed of the motor during a spinning time period, and setting a drying cycle time period according to the detected rotation speed, thereby drying laundry, effectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Ki Chul Cha
  • Patent number: 6748772
    Abstract: A washing and drying machine and a clothes dryer including an air circulating duct for circulating air into the inner tub for washing or drying inputted clothes. An inner portion of a drum and an evaporator of the refrigerating cycle, may be positioned in the air circulating duct to dehumidify the circulated air to improve the efficiency of the dehumidifcation process of the circulated air, to reduce the required time for drying clothes and to reduce energy consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Won Hee Lee, Yoon Jei Hwang
  • Publication number: 20040093912
    Abstract: An irrigation system (10) for conveying a fluid to a region (A) is provided. The irrigation system (10) comprises a main irrigation portion (16) having an end irrigator span (44). A corner irrigator span (42) extends radially from the end irrigator span (44). A control system (90) controls movement of the corner irrigator span (42). The control system (90) includes a linear movement control system (92) to control a corner drive unit (72) of the corner irrigator span (42) and a steering control system (94) controls a steering unit (74) of the corner irrigator span (42). The steering control system (94) includes a controller (100) that receives control signals from four electrical generators (102,104,106,108) to control the steering unit (74) such that the corner irrigator span (42) follows along an outer boundary (B) of the region (A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Neal Krieger, Doug Honsinger
  • Publication number: 20040093913
    Abstract: Usually disposed in the top region of a household laundry machine is a drawer that is intended for accommodating detergents or condensate and is connected to a three-dimensional grip plate at the front. During operation of the machine, the grip plate is inserted in a recess of an operating panel, which is disposed at least more or less flush with the surface of the front side of the machine. For childproof locking, a latching edge is provided on the frame of the recess, and a catch, which is retained in the latching position by a spring, is disposed in the rear cavity of the grip plate. By virtue of an arresting device, the catch can be retained outside the latching position if an arresting slide is located in an arresting position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Edwin Bolduan, Herbert Kleinlein, Horst Wiemer
  • Publication number: 20040083774
    Abstract: The invention provides a washing machine (10) operable even in the presence of a great eccentric load and exhibiting an outstanding vibration attenuating effect by suppressing eccentricity even if laundry in a drum (30) is in an unbalanced position. The washing machine (10) comprises an inner drum (30) having a rotatably supported axis and a closed wall at at least one end thereof, and a plurality of liquid holding boxes (35) provided on the closed wall of the inner drum (30) externally thereof and each having an opening facing toward the axis. The periphery of the inner drum (30) is provided with hollow liquid holding tubes (37) communicating with the respective liquid holding boxes (35).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Takao Kinouchi, Hiroshi Yamamoto, Yasuhiko Yokoi, Yasuaki Sonoda
  • Publication number: 20040083773
    Abstract: A washer/drier with a new pump arrangement. In the new arrangement a first pump is adapted to pump washing liquid to the treatment chamber, and a second pump is provided which is adapted to pump water through a venturi vacuum forming device for establishing below ambient pressure in the treatment chamber, typically during a spin-drying cycle. The second pump can be operated selectively to pump water to the treatment chamber for rinsing articles therein or to supply water to the venturi vacuum forming device. The treatment chamber comprises an elliptical drum having perforated wall regions at opposite internal ends thereof to the rear of which liquid is supplied or through which it is drawn out from during washing and rinsing, and through which air is drawn during the drying cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: John Herbert North
  • Publication number: 20040079121
    Abstract: A washing and drying machine of the present invention includes a water tub elastically supported in a housing; a rotary drum being rotatably mounted in the water tub; a heat pump having a compressor, a heat radiator, a throttle valve, a heat absorber, a pipework, and an air guide duct for guiding air to the heat absorber and the heat radiator; an air passageway provided to the water tub for allowing the air to flow into the rotary drum; a blower for forcing the air heated by the heat radiator to flow through the air passageway into the rotary drum; and a flexible connection member. The flexible connection member connects the air passageway to the air guide duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetaka Yabuuchi, Shigeharu Nakamoto, Mikio Tahara
  • Patent number: 6722165
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a washing machine having a drying function, and more particularly, to a washing machine having a drying function, in which structures of a circulation duct and a fan/motor assembly are improved for improving a drying function and a productivity of the washing machine having a drying function. The present invention includes an outside case, an outer tub inside of the outside case for storage of washing water, an inner tub inside of the outer tub, a re-circulation duct connected between one side of a lower part of the outer tub and a top of the outer tub for providing a re-circulation passage of air in the inner tub, a fan/motor assembly fitted to the re-circulation duct with a motor shaft positioned horizontal, for blowing the air, and a heater fitted downstream of the fan/motor assembly on the re-circulation duct, for heating the circulating air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kyung Chul Woo, In Chul Jeong
  • Publication number: 20040045327
    Abstract: A drum-type washing machine is equipped with a drying device, which increases condensing efficiency by increasing the contact of air flowing along a condensing duct with cooling water, and prevents water formed in a condensing duct from flowing into a fixed drum. The washing machine is equipped with a drying device, which includes a discharging duct to connect an outlet of a blowing fan with an air inlet of a fixed drum and provided with a heater therein, and a condensing duct to connect an air inlet of the fixed drum with an inlet of the blowing fan and provided with a condensing unit to remove moisture. The condensing unit includes a cooling water dispersion member disposed in the lower portion of the inside of the condensing duct and a cooling water supply pipe configured to supply cooling water to the cooling water dispersion member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae-Myong Kim, Kwang-Su Kim
  • Publication number: 20040045097
    Abstract: A rinse control method for a washing machine including the steps of rinsing water supplying and infiltrating for supplying rinsing water rotating an inner tub at relatively low speed so that the rinsing water can be infiltrated into washing materials and rinsing water permeating and exhausting for draining the rinsing water rotating the inner tub at relatively high speed so that the rinsing water can be exhausted to the outside passing through the washing materials enable a swift rinsing operation with a smaller amount of rinsing water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Jong-Ho Kim, Chang-Won Ryu
  • Patent number: 6671978
    Abstract: A combined washer and dryer that automatically moves laundry from the washer to the dryer thereby allowing the operator to avoid manually moving wet laundry and eliminating a step requiring the operator's presence. The invention includes an automatic load-feeder that automatically loads laundry into the washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Inventors: Ian A. McGowan, Laura Tartaro-McGowan
  • Patent number: 6585781
    Abstract: A combined machine for washing and drying textiles comprises a wash liquor tub, which contains an inner drum rotatably provided and supporting the textiles during the washing and drying processes and having a volume adapted to requirements relating to the wash process, water supply means for supplying water into the tub, means for the supply of detergents, water draining means for draining washing and rinsing liquid from the tub, and means for driving a moisture absorbing gaseous medium in a closed loop past the textiles in the inner drum. The moisture absorbing gaseous medium, which consists of dry superheated steam, and compressor means are provided to compress part of the steam diverted from the closed loop and lead it to heat exchanger means provided to condense the compressed steam and return the heat released during the condensing process to the steam in the closed loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventor: Rutger Roseen
  • Publication number: 20030089138
    Abstract: To provide a user-friendly drum type washing/drying machine with which loading/unloading of laundry is easy, in which a large outer tub and a housing regulated in size are realized by using a space in the housing effectively. In the drum type washing/drying machine, a drum 23, which rotates about an axis C extending along the lateral direction, is enclosed in the outer tub 20 disposed in the housing. The housing has an opening formed on the top and leads to a throw-in opening for loading the laundry in the drum 23, the throw-in opening formed on the peripheral wall of the drum 23. A main shaft 24 positioned on the axis C is supported by a first bearing and driven by a direct drive type motor 30. A heat exchanger 42 to which a water pipe for supplying cooling water is connected and a drying air channel including a heater 48 are disposed on the side of the outer tub 20 opposite to the side on which the main shaft 24 and the motor are disposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tamotsu Kawamura, Yorihisa Funada, Harumi Takeuchi, Kenji Nakagawa, Satoshi Nakamura, Takashi Fukui