Controlling refrigerant and air mass flow rate based on moisture extraction rate in a dryer appliance
US11142863B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 22, 2019 |
| Grant date | Oct 12, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 24, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02B40/00
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A dryer appliance and a method of operating the same are provided. In one aspect, the dryer appliance includes a drum rotatably mounted within a cabinet. The drum defines a chamber that is in fluid communication with a conditioning system of the dryer appliance. The conditioning system heats air circulating therethrough and removes water from the process air. A collection tank collects the water and a drain pump removes water from the collection tank intermittently when the water reaches a predetermined level. The frequency at which the drain pump removes water from the collection tank is utilized to determine the moisture extraction rate indicative of the rate at which moisture is removed from the clothes. The moisture extraction rate is utilized to control the mass flow rate of refrigerant in a heat pump sealed system or the process air flow rate through the closed loop air circuit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.