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US 7,055,262 B2Granted
Heat pump clothes dryer
AssigneeSelf Propelled Research and Development Specialists, LLC
InventorsMichael Goldberg, James C. Truman, Alexander B. Kniffin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A drying apparatus for drying articles such as clothing is provided. The drying apparatus includes a chamber for containing articles to be dried and a system for supplying heated dry air at a first temperature to the chamber. The air supplying system comprises an air flow pathway having an evaporator for removing moisture from air exiting the chamber and for decreasing the temperature of the air to below dew point temperature. The air supply system further has a condenser for increasing the temperature of the air exiting the evaporator to the first temperature. The drying apparatus further has a heat pump system having a refrigerant loop which includes a compressor, the condenser, a TEV valve, and the evaporator.
Claims53
A drying apparatus comprising:
- a chamber for containing articles to be dried;
- means for supplying heated dry air at a first temperature to said chamber;
- said air supplying means comprising an air flow pathway having means for removing moisture from air exiting said chamber and for decreasing the temperature of said air to below dew point temperature;
- said air flow pathway further having means for increasing the temperature of said air exiting said moisture removing means to said first temperature;
- a heat pump system comprising means for passing a refrigerant in a liquid state through said temperature increasing means, means for controlling refrigerant mass flow and for converting said refrigerant from said liquid state to a liquid/vapor state, and means for passing said refrigerant in said liquid/vapor state through said moisture removing means to convert said refrigerant into a vapor state;
- and
- further comprising said air flow pathway having a warmup heater positioned between said temperature increasing means and an inlet to said chamber.
4 more elements
A drying apparatus comprising:
- a chamber for containing articles to be dried;
- means for supplying heated dry air at a first temperature to said chamber;
- said air supplying means comprising an air flow pathway having means for removing moisture from air exiting said chamber and for decreasing the temperature of said air to below dew point temperature;
- said air flow pathway further having means for increasing the temperature of said air exiting said moisture removing means to said first temperature;
- a heat pump system comprising means for passing a refrigerant in a liquid state through said temperature increasing means, means for controlling refrigerant mass flow and for converting said refrigerant from said liquid state to a liquid/vapor state, and means for passing said refrigerant in said liquid/vapor state through said moisture removing means to convert said refrigerant into a vapor state;
- and
- further comprising an external warmup evaporator attached to said heat pump system.
4 more elements
A drying apparatus comprising:
- a chamber for containing articles to be dried;
- means for supplying heated dry air at a first temperature to said chamber;
- said air supplying means comprising an air flow pathway having means for removing moisture from air exiting said chamber and for decreasing the temperature of said air to below dew point temperature;
- said air flow pathway further having means for increasing the temperature of said air exiting said moisture removing means to said first temperature;
- a heat pump system comprising means for passing a refrigerant in a liquid state through said temperature increasing means, means for controlling refrigerant mass flow and for converting said refrigerant from said liquid state to a liquid/vapor state, and means for passing said refrigerant in said liquid/vapor state through said moisture removing means to convert said refrigerant into a vapor state;
- and
- wherein said air flow pathway has an air economizer positioned between said moisture removing means and said temperature increasing means.
4 more elements
A drying apparatus comprising:
- a chamber for containing articles to be dried;
- means for supplying heated dry air at a first temperature to said chamber;
- said air supplying means comprising an air flow pathway having means for removing moisture from air exiting said chamber and for decreasing the temperature of said air to below dew point temperature;
- said air flow pathway further having means for increasing the temperature of said air exiting said moisture removing means to said first temperature;
- a heat pump system comprising means for passing a refrigerant in a liquid state through said temperature increasing means, means for controlling refrigerant mass flow and for converting said refrigerant from said liquid state to a liquid/vapor state, and means for passing said refrigerant in said liquid/vapor state through said moisture removing means to convert said refrigerant into a vapor state;
- and
- wherein said heat pump system includes a refrigerant economizer.
4 more elements
A drying apparatus comprising:
- a chamber for containing articles to be dried;
- means for supplying heated dry air at a first temperature to said chamber;
- said air supplying means comprising an air flow pathway having means for removing moisture from air exiting said chamber and for decreasing the temperature of said air to below dew point temperature;
- said air flow pathway further having means for increasing the temperature of said air exiting said moisture removing means to said first temperature;
- a heat pump system comprising means for passing a refrigerant in a liquid state through said temperature increasing means, means for controlling refrigerant mass flow and for converting said refrigerant from said liquid state to a liquid/vapor state, and means for passing said refrigerant in said liquid/vapor state through said moisture removing means to convert said refrigerant into a vapor state;
- and
- wherein said heat pump system further includes a compressor desuperheater for increasing refrigerant mass flow.
4 more elements
A drying apparatus comprising:
- a chamber for containing articles to be dried;
- means for supplying heated dry air at a first temperature to said chamber;
- said air supplying means comprising an air flow pathway having means for removing moisture from air exiting said chamber and for decreasing the temperature of said air to below dew point temperature;
- said air flow pathway further having means for increasing the temperature of said air exiting said moisture removing means to said first temperature;
- a heat pump system comprising means for passing a refrigerant in a liquid state through said temperature increasing means, means for controlling refrigerant mass flow and for converting said refrigerant from said liquid state to a liquid/vapor state, and means for passing said refrigerant in said liquid/vapor state through said moisture removing means to convert said refrigerant into a vapor state;
- means for creating an updraft airflow in said chamber;
- and
- wherein said updraft airflow creating means includes means for allowing air to enter said chamber near a bottom of a rear bulkhead and to exit above a door.
5 more elements
A drying apparatus comprising:
- a chamber for containing articles to be dried;
- means for supplying heated dry air at a first temperature to said chamber;
- said air supplying means comprising an air flow pathway having means for removing moisture from air exiting said chamber and for decreasing the temperature of said air to below dew point temperature;
- said air flow pathway further having means for increasing the temperature of said air exiting said moisture removing means to said first temperature;
- a heat pump system comprising means for passing a refrigerant in a liquid state through said temperature increasing means, means for controlling refrigerant mass flow and for converting said refrigerant from said liquid state to a liquid/vapor state, and means for passing said refrigerant in said liquid/vapor state through said moisture removing means to convert said refrigerant into a vapor state;
- and
- wherein said chamber comprises a stationary drum and a plurality of rotating vanes for tumbling said articles to be dried.
4 more elements
A drying apparatus comprising:
- a chamber for containing articles to be dried;
- means for supplying heated dry air at a first temperature to said chamber;
- said air supplying means comprising an air flow pathway having means for removing moisture from air exiting said chamber and for decreasing the temperature of said air to below dew point temperature;
- said air flow pathway further having means for increasing the temperature of said air exiting said moisture removing means to said first temperature;
- a heat pump system comprising means for passing a refrigerant in a liquid state through said temperature increasing means, means for controlling refrigerant mass flow and for converting said refrigerant from said liquid state to a liquid/vapor state, and means for passing said refrigerant in said liquid/vapor state through said moisture removing means to convert said refrigerant into a vapor state;
- a controller for starting the apparatus and for stopping said apparatus after a preselected running time;
- and
- wherein said air supplying means further comprises a blower, said heat pump system includes a compressor, and said controller starts said blower and said compressor sequentially.
5 more elements
A drying apparatus comprising:
- a chamber for containing articles to be dried;
- means for supplying heated dry air at a first temperature to said chamber;
- said air supplying means comprising an air flow pathway having means for removing moisture from air exiting said chamber and for decreasing the temperature of said air to below dew point temperature;
- said air flow pathway further having means for increasing the temperature of said air exiting said moisture removing means to said first temperature;
- a heat pump system comprising means for passing a refrigerant in a liquid state through said temperature increasing means, means for controlling refrigerant mass flow and for converting said refrigerant from said liquid state to a liquid/vapor state, and means for passing said refrigerant in said liquid/vapor state through said moisture removing means to convert said refrigerant into a vapor state;
- a controller for starting the apparatus and for stopping said apparatus after a preselected running time;
- and
- wherein said controller starts said blower first, then starts rotation of said chamber, and then starts said compressor.
5 more elements
A drying apparatus comprising:
- a chamber for containing articles to be dried;
- means for supplying heated dry air at a first temperature to said chamber;
- said air supplying means comprising an air flow pathway having means for removing moisture from air exiting said chamber and for decreasing the temperature of said air to below dew point temperature;
- said air flow pathway further having means for increasing the temperature of said air exiting said moisture removing means to said first temperature;
- a heat pump system comprising means for passing a refrigerant in a liquid state through said temperature increasing means, means for controlling refrigerant mass flow and for converting said refrigerant from said liquid state to a liquid/vapor state, and means for passing said refrigerant in said liquid/vapor state through said moisture removing means to convert said refrigerant into a vapor state;
- and
- wherein said heat pump system has a heat removing means and said heat removing means has outlet means for supplying heated water to at least one other object.
4 more elements
A drying apparatus comprising:
- a chamber for containing articles to be dried;
- means for supplying heated dry air at a first temperature to said chamber;
- said air supplying means comprising an air flow pathway having means for removing moisture from air exiting said chamber and for decreasing the temperature of said air to below dew point temperature;
- said air flow pathway further having means for increasing the temperature of said air exiting said moisture removing means to said first temperature;
- a heat pump system comprising means for passing a refrigerant in a liquid state through said temperature increasing means, means for controlling refrigerant mass flow and for converting said refrigerant from said liquid state to a liquid/vapor state, and means for passing said refrigerant in said liquid/vapor state through said moisture removing means to convert said refrigerant into a vapor state;
- and
- further comprising said heat pump system having an air cooled heat removing means;
- means for providing cooling air to said air cooled heat removing means;
- a temperature sensor positioned adjacent an inlet of said chamber for generating a temperature signal, and means responsive to said temperature signal for generating a signal for operating said means for providing cooling air.
6 more elements
A drying apparatus comprising:
- a chamber for containing articles to be dried;
- means for supplying heated dry air at a first temperature to said chamber;
- said air supplying means comprising an air flow pathway having means for removing moisture from air exiting said chamber and for decreasing the temperature of said air to below dew point temperature;
- said air flow pathway further having means for increasing the temperature of said air exiting said moisture removing means to said first temperature;
- a heat pump system comprising means for passing a refrigerant in a liquid state through said temperature increasing means, means for controlling refrigerant mass flow and for converting said refrigerant from said liquid state to a liquid/vapor state, and means for passing said refrigerant in said liquid/vapor state through said moisture removing means to convert said refrigerant into a vapor state;
- and
- further comprising said heat pump system having a water cooled heat removing means;
- means for supplying cooling water to said water cooled heat removing means;
- a temperature sensor positioned adjacent an inlet of said chamber for generating a temperature signal;
- and means responsive to said temperature signal for generating a signal for operating said means for supplying cooling water to said water cooled heat removing means.
7 more elements
A drying apparatus comprising:
- a chamber for containing articles to be dried;
- means for supplying heated dry air at a first temperature to said chamber;
- said air supplying means comprising an air flow pathway having means for removing moisture from air exiting said chamber and for decreasing the temperature of said air to below dew point temperature;
- said air flow pathway further having means for increasing the temperature of said air exiting said moisture removing means to said first temperature;
- a heat pump system comprising means for passing a refrigerant in a liquid state through said temperature increasing means, means for controlling refrigerant mass flow and for converting said refrigerant from said liquid state to a liquid/vapor state, and means for passing said refrigerant in said liquid/vapor state through said moisture removing means to convert said refrigerant into a vapor state;
- said means for removing moisture comprises a self cleaning lint trapping evaporator;
- means for supplying lint flush water to said evaporator;
- and
- wherein said lint flush water supplying means comprises a lint flush control and a lint flush pump.
6 more elements
A drying apparatus comprising:
- a chamber for containing articles to be dried;
- means for supplying heated dry air at a first temperature to said chamber;
- said air supplying means comprising an air flow pathway having means for removing moisture from air exiting said chamber and for decreasing the temperature of said air to below dew point temperature;
- said air flow pathway further having means for increasing the temperature of said air exiting said moisture removing means to said first temperature;
- a heat pump system comprising means for passing a refrigerant in a liquid state through said temperature increasing means, means for controlling refrigerant mass flow and for converting said refrigerant from said liquid state to a liquid/vapor state, and means for passing said refrigerant in said liquid/vapor state through said moisture removing means to convert said refrigerant into a vapor state;
- said means for removing moisture comprises a self cleaning lint trapping evaporator;
- and
- wherein said evaporator has a plurality of J fins.
5 more elements
A drying apparatus comprising:
- a chamber for containing articles to be dried;
- means for supplying heated dry air at a first temperature to said chamber;
- said air supplying means comprising an air flow pathway having means for removing moisture from air exiting said chamber and for decreasing the temperature of said air to below dew point temperature;
- said air flow pathway further having means for increasing the temperature of said air exiting said moisture removing means to said first temperature;
- a heat pump system comprising means for passing a refrigerant in a liquid state through said temperature increasing means, means for controlling refrigerant mass flow and for converting said refrigerant from said liquid state to a liquid/vapor state, and means for passing said refrigerant in said liquid/vapor state through said moisture removing means to convert said refrigerant into a vapor state;
- and
- said air flow pathway including a self cleaning lint trap positioned between said chamber and said moisture removing means;
- means for supplying lint flush water to said lint trap;
- and
- wherein said lint flush water supplying means comprises a lint flush control and a lint flush pump.
7 more elements
A drying apparatus comprising:
- a chamber for containing articles to be dried;
- means for supplying heated dry air at a first temperature to said chamber;
- said air supplying means comprising an air flow pathway having means for removing moisture from air exiting said chamber and for decreasing the temperature of said air to below dew point temperature;
- said air flow pathway further having means for increasing the temperature of said air exiting said moisture removing means to said first temperature;
- a heat pump system comprising means for passing a refrigerant in a liquid state through said temperature increasing means, means for controlling refrigerant mass flow and for converting said refrigerant from said liquid state to a liquid/vapor state, and means for passing said refrigerant in said liquid/vapor state through said moisture removing means to convert said refrigerant into a vapor state;
- and
- further comprising means for purging drying air in said air flow pathway between runs.
4 more elements
A drying apparatus comprising:
- a chamber for containing articles to be dried;
- means for supplying heated dry air at a first temperature to said chamber;
- said air supplying means comprising an air flow pathway having means for removing moisture from air exiting said chamber and for decreasing the temperature of said air to below dew point temperature;
- said air flow pathway further having means for increasing the temperature of said air exiting said moisture removing means to said first temperature;
- a heat pump system comprising means for passing a refrigerant in a liquid state through said temperature increasing means, means for controlling refrigerant mass flow and for converting said refrigerant from said liquid state to a liquid/vapor state, and means for passing said refrigerant in said liquid/vapor state through said moisture removing means to convert said refrigerant into a vapor state;
- and
- further comprising at least one humidity sensitive semiporous membrane incorporated into said air flow pathway.
4 more elements
A drying chamber for use in a drying system comprising a stationary drum, and a plurality of rotating vanes for tumbling said articles to be dried;
- said rotating vanes being supported by a plurality of annular rings;
- and wherein said plurality of annular rings comprises a front ring supported by rollers and a rear ring formed as a perforated disk.
A drying apparatus comprising:
- a chamber for containing articles to be dried;
- means for supplying heated dry air at a first temperature to said chamber;
- said air supplying means comprising an air flow pathway having means for removing moisture from air exiting said chamber and for decreasing the temperature of said air to below dew point temperature;
- said air flow pathway further having means for increasing the temperature of said air exiting said moisture removing means to said first temperature;
- and
- a heat pump system comprising means for passing a water refrigerant in a liquid state through said temperature increasing means, means for controlling refrigerant mass flow and for converting said water refrigerant from said liquid state to a liquid/vapor state, and means for passing said water refrigerant in said liquid/vapor state through said moisture removing means to convert said water refrigerant into a vapor state,
- wherein said heat pump system operates at a pressure less than about 1 psia on a low side and less than about 10 psia on a high side.
4 more elements
A drying apparatus comprising:
- a chamber for containing articles to be dried;
- means for supplying heated dry air at a first temperature to said chamber;
- said air supplying means comprising an air flow pathway having means for removing moisture from air exiting said chamber and for decreasing the temperature of said air to below dew point temperature;
- said air flow pathway further having means for increasing the temperature of said air exiting said moisture removing means to said first temperature;
- a heat pump system comprising means for passing a water refrigerant in a liquid state through said temperature increasing means, means for controlling refrigerant mass flow and for converting said water refrigerant from said liquid state to a liquid/vapor state, and means for passing said water refrigerant in said liquid/vapor state through said moisture removing means to convert said water refrigerant into a vapor state;
- and
- further comprising said heat pump system having a compressor of a rotary vane type capable of operating at a deep vacuum on a low side and at a high differential pressure.
4 more elements
A drying apparatus comprising:
- a chamber for containing articles to be dried;
- means for supplying heated dry air at a first temperature to said chamber;
- said air supplying means comprising an air flow pathway having means for removing moisture from air exiting said chamber and for decreasing the temperature of said air to below dew point temperature;
- said air flow pathway further having means for increasing the temperature of said air exiting said moisture removing means to said first temperature;
- a heat pump system comprising means for passing a water refrigerant in a liquid state through said temperature increasing means, means for controlling refrigerant mass flow and for converting said water refrigerant from said liquid state to a liquid/vapor state, and means for passing said water refrigerant in said liquid/vapor state through said moisture removing means to convert said water refrigerant into a vapor state, and
- further comprising said heat pump system having a compressor comprising regenerative blower stages.
3 more elements
A drying apparatus comprising:
- a chamber for containing articles to be dried;
- means for supplying heated dry air at a first temperature to said chamber;
- said air supplying means comprising an air flow pathway having means for removing moisture from air exiting said chamber and for decreasing the temperature of said air to below dew point temperature;
- said air flow pathway further having means for increasing the temperature of said air exiting said moisture removing means to said first temperature;
- a heat pump system comprising means for passing a water refrigerant in a liquid state through said temperature increasing means, means for controlling refrigerant mass flow and for converting said water refrigerant from said liquid state to a liquid/vapor state, and means for passing said water refrigerant in said liquid/vapor state through said moisture removing means to convert said water refrigerant into a vapor state;
- and
- further comprising said heat pump system having an oilless compressor requiring no lubricant.
4 more elements
A drying apparatus comprising:
- a chamber for containing articles to be dried;
- means for supplying heated dry air at a first temperature to said chamber;
- said air supplying means comprising an air flow pathway having means for removing moisture from air exiting said chamber and for decreasing the temperature of said air to below dew point temperature;
- said air flow pathway further having means for increasing the temperature of said air exiting said moisture removing means to said first temperature;
- a heat pump system comprising means for passing a water refrigerant in a liquid state through said temperature increasing means, means for controlling refrigerant mass flow and for converting said water refrigerant from said liquid state to a liquid/vapor state, and means for passing said water refrigerant in said liquid/vapor state through said moisture removing means to convert said water refrigerant into a vapor state;
- and
- wherein said heat pump system has a water soluble lubricant flowing through the refrigerant circuit.
4 more elements
A drying apparatus comprising:
- a chamber for containing articles to be dried;
- means for supplying heated dry air at a first temperature to said chamber;
- said air supplying means comprising an air flow pathway having means for removing moisture from air exiting said chamber and for decreasing the temperature of said air to below dew point temperature;
- said air flow pathway further having means for increasing the temperature of said air exiting said moisture removing means to said first temperature;
- a heat pump system comprising means for passing a water refrigerant in a liquid state through said temperature increasing means, means for controlling refrigerant mass flow and for converting said water refrigerant from said liquid state to a liquid/vapor state, and means for passing said water refrigerant in said liquid/vapor state through said moisture removing means to convert said water refrigerant into a vapor state;
- and
- further comprising said heat pump system having piping and oxygen getter means installed in said piping.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.