DRYING APPARATUS

• US 20090113748A1
• Filed: 06/15/2006
• Published: 05/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited (Beeswax Holdings UK Limited)
• Original Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited (Beeswax Holdings UK Limited)
• Inventors: Dyson, James, Gammack, Peter David
• Application Number:
  US11/997,302
• Publication Number:
  US 20090113748A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 34/232
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/48 Drying by means of hot air hair-drying devices A45D20/00; curative hot-air baths A61H33/06; electric heating elements H05B

Abstract

A drying apparatus has a casing, a cavity formed in the casing for receiving an object, a fan located in the casing and creating an airflow, and a motor arranged to drive the fan. At least one opening communicates with the fan and is arranged in the casing to direct an airflow transversely across the cavity. The motor has a rotor which, in use, rotates at a speed of at least 80,000 rpm. This produces a high velocity, high pressure airflow which dries an object efficiently and quickly and is suitable for use in a hand dryer.

Claims

1. A drying apparatus, comprising a casing, a cavity formed in the casing for receiving an object, a fan located in the casing and creating an airflow, a motor arranged to drive the fan, at least one opening communicating with the fan and arranged in the casing so as to direct an airflow transversely across the cavity, the opening comprising a pair of opposed slot-like openings, wherein the motor has a rotor which, in use, rotates at a speed of at least 80,000 rpm.

2. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotor rotates at a speed of at least 100,000 rpm.

3. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the motor is a switched-reluctance motor.

4. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the width of each slot-like opening is no more than 0.5 mm.

5. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein, in use, the velocity of the airflow emitted through the slot-like opening is at least 100 m/s.

6. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein, in use, the pressure of the airflow emitted through the slot-like opening is at least 15 kPa.

7. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein, in use, the pressure of the airflow emitted through the slot-like opening is at least 20 kPa.

8. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the drying apparatus is a hand dryer.

10. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein, in use, the pressure of the airflow emitted through the slot-like opening is at least 15 kPa.

11. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein, in use, the pressure of the airflow emitted through the slot-like opening is at least 20 kPa.

12. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the drying apparatus is a hand dryer.

13. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein, in use, the pressure of the airflow emitted through the slot-like opening is at least 15 kPa.

14. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein, in use, the pressure of the airflow emitted through the slot-like opening is at least 20 kPa.

15. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the drying apparatus is a hand dryer.

9. (canceled)