Dryer eco cycle control algorithm
AssigneeWhirlpool Corporation
InventorRoy E. Masters, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A duty cycle heating portion of a drying cycle is initiated, in which a heating element of the clothes dryer is cycled on and off. An average baseline value is established for one or more of peak exhaust temperature of exhaust temperature of the clothes dryer or peak evaporation rate of evaporation rate of the clothes dryer. The duty cycle heating portion is continued until a peak delta between current exhaust temperature or the evaporation rate and the average baseline value exceeds a predefined threshold difference. The dryer transitions from the duty cycle heating portion to a continuous heating portion of the drying cycle, in which the heating element of the clothes dryer is continuously powered. The heating element is disengaged responsive to one or more criteria indicating completion of the drying cycle.
Claims20
A method of operating a clothes dryer by a controller, comprising:
- initiating a duty cycle heating portion of a drying cycle, in which a heating element of the clothes dryer is cycled on and off;
- establishing an average baseline value for one or more of peak exhaust temperature of exhaust temperature of the clothes dryer or peak evaporation rate of evaporation rate of the clothes dryer;
- continuing the duty cycle heating portion until a peak delta between current exhaust temperature or the evaporation rate and the average baseline value exceeds a predefined threshold difference;
- transitioning from the duty cycle heating portion to a continuous heating portion of the drying cycle, in which the heating element of the clothes dryer is continuously powered;
- and
- disengaging the heating element responsive to one or more criteria indicating completion of the drying cycle.
A clothes dryer, comprising:
- a controller, in communication with inlet and outlet temperature sensors, inlet and outlet humidity sensors, and a heating element, configured to:
- initiate a duty cycle heating portion of a drying cycle, in which a heating element of the clothes dryer is cycled on and off;
- establish an average baseline value for one or more of peak exhaust temperature of exhaust temperature of the clothes dryer or peak evaporation rate of evaporation rate of the clothes dryer;
- continue the duty cycle heating portion until a peak delta between current exhaust temperature or the evaporation rate and the average baseline value exceeds a predefined threshold difference;
- transition from the duty cycle heating portion to a continuous heating portion of the drying cycle, in which the heating element of the clothes dryer is continuously powered;
- and
- disengage the heating element responsive to one or more criteria indicating completion of the drying cycle.
A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a controller of clothes dryer having a inlet and outlet temperature sensors, inlet and outlet humidity sensors, and a heating element, cause the controller to perform operations including to:
- initiate a duty cycle heating portion of a drying cycle, in which a heating element of the clothes dryer is cycled on and off;
- establish an average baseline value for one or more of peak exhaust temperature of exhaust temperature of the clothes dryer or peak evaporation rate of evaporation rate of the clothes dryer;
- continue the duty cycle heating portion until a peak delta between current exhaust temperature or the evaporation rate and the average baseline value exceeds a predefined threshold difference;
- transition from the duty cycle heating portion to a continuous heating portion of the drying cycle, in which the heating element of the clothes dryer is continuously powered;
- and
- disengage the heating element responsive to one or more criteria indicating completion of the drying cycle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.