Condition sensor for a dryer

A condition sensing device for a dryer, comprising:

• a base;
• a condition sensor connected to the base, the condition sensor being operative to sense a condition within the dryer, the condition sensor comprising
• at least one support connected to the base, the at least one support having at least one extension attached thereto,
• a pair of capacitance sensor plates attached to the at least one extension, the pair of capacitance sensor plate arranged to build up charge through the condition sensor based on the condition;
• and
• a circuit arranged to receive, read and generate signals in response to the charge of the capacitance sensor plates.

A condition sensing device for sensing the moisture content of a load placed in a dryer, comprising:

• a base removably connected to the dryer;
• a condition sensor connected to the base, the condition sensor being operative to sense the moisture content of the load while the load is being dried by the dryer, the condition sensor comprising
• a pair of supports positioned on the base,
• a pair of capacitance sensor plates attached to each support wherein each pair of capacitance sensor plates are positioned to contact the load, the pairs of capacitance sensor plates being arranged to build up charge based an the permittivity of the load;
• and
• a circuit arranged to receive, read and generate signals in response to the charge of the capacitance sensor plates.

A method of sensing the moisture content of multi-layered load in a dryer, comprising:

• positioning the multi-layered load on a condition sensor having a capacitance that varies with a permittivity of the multi-layered load,
• initiating a drying operation;
• sensing the moisture content of the multi-layered load by
• measuring the permittivity of the multi-layered load during the drying operation,
• increasing the charge of the condition sensor in relation to the permittivity of the multi-layered load;
• communicating the charge of the condition sensor to a circuit;
• and
• evaluating the charge and generating operating signals based on the charge.

A fabric drying apparatus which senses the moisture content of a load placed in the treatment zone during the drying operation and adjusts the drying operation based on the moisture content, comprising:

• a dryer;
• a base connected to the dryer, the base being positioned to extend into the treatment zone of the dryer when the door is in a closed position,
• a condition sensor connected to the base, the condition sensor being operative to sense the moisture content of the load while the load is being processed by the dryer, the condition sensor comprising
• a pair of supports positioned on the base, each support having a pair of extensions attached thereto,
• a pair of capacitance sensor plates attached to each pair of the extensions wherein each pair of capacitance sensor plates are positioned to contact the load, the pair of capacitance sensor plates being arranged to build up charge based on the permittivity of the load;
• and
• a circuit arranged to receive, read and generate signals in response to the charge of the capacitance sensor plates.

A condition sensor for a dryer comprising:

• a housing enclosing a drying space;
• an air moving device operated by a dryer control for directing a scream of air through the space;
• and
• a capacitance sensor located in the space having a capacitance that varies with a permittivity of a load in the space,
• the capacitance sensor communicating with the dryer control to control operation of the air moving device based upon the measured permittivity.