Utilizing air moisture sensor data within a laundry appliance to detect refrigerant leaks
AssigneeHaier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
InventorsCharles Derek Hibdon, Jivko Ognianov Djerekarov
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of detecting refrigerant charge within a laundry appliance is provided. The method includes executing, by the laundry appliance, a drying cycle. The method also includes measuring, following the drying cycle, a humidity value by an air moisture sensor. The method further includes comparing the measured humidity value to a predetermined humidity threshold value. The method also includes determining, based on the comparison of the measured humidity value to the predetermined humidity threshold value, a status of the refrigerant charge. The method still further includes directing, based on the status of the refrigerant charge, the laundry appliance.
Claims18
A method of detecting refrigerant charge within a laundry appliance, the method comprising:
- executing, by the laundry appliance, a drying cycle;
- measuring, following the drying cycle, a humidity value by an air moisture sensor;
- comparing the measured humidity value to a predetermined humidity threshold value;
- determining, based on the comparison of the measured humidity value to the predetermined humidity threshold value, a status of the refrigerant charge;
- and
- directing, based on the status of the refrigerant charge, the laundry appliance.
A laundry appliance comprising:
- a cabinet;
- a tub positioned within the cabinet, the tub defining a tub inlet and a tub outlet;
- a laundry basket rotatably mounted within the tub, the laundry basket defining a chamber for receipt of articles for washing or drying;
- a heater configured to heat and remove moisture from air within the chamber;
- an air moisture sensor positioned within the laundry basket;
- and
- a controller operably coupled to the heater, the controller configured to direct a laundry operation comprising:
- executing, by the laundry appliance, a drying cycle;
- measuring, following the drying cycle, a humidity value by the air moisture sensor;
- comparing the measured humidity value to a predetermined humidity threshold value;
- determining, based on the comparison of the measured humidity value to the predetermined humidity threshold value, a status of a refrigerant charge;
- and
- directing, based on the status of the refrigerant charge, the laundry appliance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.