Restriction detecting systems for clothes dryer exhaust systems
AssigneeIn-O-Vate Technologies
InventorRichard John Harpenau
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A restriction sensor system for identifying the existence of blockages in exhaust conduits of clothes dryers. The restriction sensor system may include a pressure sensing device having a body configured to be coupled to an exhaust conduit of a clothes dryer. The pressure sensing device may be capable of determining changes in air pressure in the exhaust conduit. Once the air pressure present in the exhaust conduit exceeds a threshold air pressure, the pressure sensing device may send a signal to an indicator to generate an alarm, which may be a visual alarm or audible alarm, or both.
Claims22
An air pressure sensing system for a clothes dryer, comprising:
- a pressure sensing device, comprising:
- a body coupled to an exhaust conduit of a clothes dryer downstream of a lint screen and having at least one cavity for containing a diaphragm;
- a diaphragm positioned in the body for reacting to changes in air pressure in the exhaust conduit;
- a sensor coupled to the diaphragm for sensing reactions of the diaphragm;
- and
- an orifice in the body for admitting air;
- and
- an indicator coupled to the sensor of the pressure sensing device for indicating that the pressure sensing device has sensed air pressure exceeding a threshold air pressure in the exhaust conduit.
A clothes dryer, comprising:
- a tumbler capable of containing at least one piece of clothing;
- an exhaust conduit in communication with the tumbler for removing air from the tumbler;
- a pressure sensing device, comprising:
- a body coupled to the exhaust conduit of the clothes dryer downstream of a lint screen and having at least one cavity for containing a diaphragm;
- a diaphragm positioned in the body for reacting to changes in air pressure in the exhaust conduit;
- a sensor coupled to the diaphragm for sensing reactions of the diaphragm;
- and
- an orifice in the body for admitting air;
- and
- an indicator coupled to the sensor of the pressure sensing device for indicating that the pressure sensing device has sensed an air pressure exceeding a threshold air pressure in the exhaust conduit.
An air pressure sensing system for a clothes dryer, comprising:
- a pressure sensing device for sensing changes in air pressure in an exhaust conduit;
- at least one conduit coupled to the pressure sensing device and coupled to an exhaust conduit of the clothes dryer downstream of a lint screen;
- a sensor coupled to the pressure sensing device for sensing reactions of the pressure sensing device;
- and
- an indicator coupled to the sensor for indicating that the pressure sensing device has sensed air pressure exceeding a threshold air pressure in the exhaust conduit and for identifying the existence of a blockage in the exhaust conduit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.