Clothes Dryer Fire Reduction System
OwnerMark Goodson, David J. Icoveinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A clothes dryer apparatus and system that reduces the buildup of electric charges within a dryer drum by introducing ions. The system monitors the voltage within the drum by taking measurements on voltage sensor assembly. The sensor assembly obtains a voltage when two areas of a fabric, or two separate items of the clothing, contact the sensor. If a threshold voltage is obtained, an ion generator introduces cations and anions into the drum of the dryer to neutralize the static charge of the clothing. The reduction of static electricity increases efficiency as the clothing items do not stick together which permits better heat flow and increases safety by reducing the amount of electrical charge within the drum.
Claims16
A static electricity reduction system for a clothes dryer comprising:
- a drum for receiving clothing;
- a voltage sensor positioned to measure the voltage of at least a portion of the clothing within the drum;
- an ion source in fluid communication the interior of the drum;
- and
- a controller in electrical communication with the voltage sensor and the ion source.
A method of reducing the static electricity within a drum of a clothes dryer comprising the steps of:
- measuring the voltage within the drum;
- activating an ion source to supply ions to the interior of the drum if the measured voltage equals or exceeds a predetermined activation threshold voltage;
- deactivating the ion source after a preset of time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.