Heat exchanger filter for self lint cleaning system in dryer appliance
AssigneeWhirlpool Corporation
InventorsGianluca Bocchino, Arun Rajendran
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A laundry appliance includes a rotating drum for processing laundry. A blower directs process air through an airflow path that includes the rotating drum. A heat exchanger is positioned within the airflow path that dehumidifies the process air. A fixedly-secured lint filter captures lint from the process air at a position upstream of the heat exchanger. A fluid spray system has spray nozzles that deliver fluid to a surface of the fixedly-secured lint filter. Each spray nozzle of the plurality of spray nozzles directs captured lint away from the fixedly-secured lint filter.
Claims20
A method for operating a fluid flow system for an appliance, the method comprising steps of:
- performing a drying operation;
- delivering sump fluid to a sump, the sump fluid including condensate from a heat exchanger and lint particles from a fluid spray system;
- detecting a level of the sump fluid in the sump, wherein a sump pump remains idle during the drying operation when the level of the sump fluid is below a minimum capacity;
- performing a spray sequence after the level of the sump fluid reaches the minimum capacity, wherein the spray sequence directs the sump fluid to remove the lint particles from a surface and direct the lint particles and the sump fluid to the sump;
- recirculating the sump fluid containing the lint particles during the spray sequence, wherein the sump fluid is directed from the sump, to a spray nozzle via a fluid diverter valve, and back to the sump;
- completing the spray sequence;
- completing the drying operation;
- and
- operating a drain phase of the sump pump to deliver the sump fluid to a removable water bottle after completion of the drying operation.
A method for operating a fluid flow system for an appliance, the method comprising steps of:
- performing a drying operation;
- delivering sump fluid to a sump, the sump fluid including condensate from a heat exchanger and lint particles from a fluid spray system;
- detecting a level of the sump fluid in the sump, wherein a sump pump remains idle during the drying operation when the level of the sump fluid is below a minimum capacity;
- performing a spray sequence after the level of the sump fluid reaches the minimum capacity, wherein the spray sequence directs the sump fluid to remove the lint particles from a surface and direct the lint particles and the sump fluid to the sump;
- recirculating the sump fluid containing the lint particles during the spray sequence, wherein the sump fluid is directed from the sump, to a spray nozzle via a fluid diverter valve, and back to the sump;
- completing the spray sequence;
- completing the drying operation;
- and
- operating a drain phase of the sump pump to deliver the sump fluid to one of a fluid outlet and a removable water bottle after completion of the drying operation.
A laundry appliance comprising:
- a blower that directs process air along an airflow path;
- an evaporator that dehumidifies the process air and removes condensate from the process air;
- a heat exchange plate that is disposed within the airflow path and that supports the evaporator from below and within the airflow path, wherein the heat exchange plate receives the condensate from the process air;
- and
- a sloped area of the heat exchange plate that directs the condensate downward and along the heat exchange plate to a condensate drain, wherein the sloped area includes a directing surface that blocks the process air from pushing the condensate upward and away from the condensate drain.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.