Drying apparatus

• US 6,922,912 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2002
• Issued: 08/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited (Beeswax Holdings UK Limited)
• Original Assignee: Dyson Limited (Beeswax Holdings UK Limited)
• Inventors: Phillips, Neil William
• Primary Examiner(s): Rinehart, Kenneth
• Application Number:
  US10/476,027
• Publication Number:
  US 20040143987A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,195 Days
• Field of Search: 343/61, 344/03, 344/06, 344/07, 344/08, 344/67, 344/68, 344/69, 344/70, 344/71
• US Class Current: 34/403
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4291 Recovery arrangements, e.g. for the recovery of energy or water
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/486 Blower arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/04 Details controlling or regulating devices D06F34/00
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/20 General details of domestic laundry dryers D06F59/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 11/181 the receptacle being a foraminous, perforated or open-structured drum or drum-like container, e.g. rotating around a substantially horizontal or vertical axis; the receptacle being multiple perforated drums, e.g. in superimposed arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 23/004 by compressing and condensing vapour in exhaust gases, i.e. using an open cycle heat pump system
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 5/04 by evaporation or sublimation of moisture under reduced pressure, e.g. in a vacuum F26B11/049 and F26B17/128 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/52 Heat recovery pumps, i.e. heat pump based systems or units able to transfer the thermal energy from one area of the premises or part of the facilities to a different one, improving the overall efficiency
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 40/00 Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/10 Greenhouse gas [GHG] capture, material saving, heat recovery or other energy efficient measures, e.g. motor control, characterised by manufacturing processes, e.g. for rolling metal or metal working

Abstract

The invention provides drying apparatus including a first chamber for receiving articles to be dried and having an outlet, a second chamber having an outlet, and a fan having a fan inlet and a fan outlet, the fan inlet communicating with the outlet of the first chamber and the fan outlet communicating with the second chamber. The apparatus further includes a vacuum pump communicating with the outlet of the second chamber so that transfer of thermal energy can take place between the first and second chambers. The invention also provides a method of drying including placing articles into a first chamber, evacuating a significant proportion of the air from the first chamber and from a second chamber, evacuating water vapor from the first chamber to the second chamber, allowing the water vapor to condense in the second chamber, and transferring thermal energy from the second chamber to the first chamber.

Claims

1. A drying apparatus comprising a first chamber for receiving articles to be dried and having a first outlet, a second chamber having a second outlet, a fan having a fan inlet and a fan outlet, the fan inlet communicating with the first outlet and the fan outlet communicating with the second chamber, a vacuum pump communicating with the second outlet, the first and second chambers, the fan and the vacuum pump being arranged such that transfer of thermal energy can take place between the first and second chambers, and a structure capable of causing forced circulation of water vapor contained within the first chamber.

2. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second chambers have at least one common wall, the common wall being thermally conductive.

3. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first chamber is located at least partially inside the second chamber.

4. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first chamber is located wholly within the second chamber.

5. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the fan is arranged to discharge gas directly into the second chamber.

6. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the second chamber comprises a water-collection region having an outlet for removing water from the second chamber.

7. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a pump provided in the outlet of the water-collection region.

8. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first chamber is mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis and further comprising a structure capable of causing the first chamber to rotate.

9. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the fan comprises an array of vanes located radially outwardly of the first chamber, and further comprising a structure capable of causing the array of vanes to rotate.

10. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first chamber has a wall which is perforated at least in a region adjacent the array of vanes.

11. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first chamber comprises an outer housing and an inner drum for receiving the articles to be dried, the outer housing being mounted so as to be stationary with respect to the second chamber and the inner drum being rotatable with respect to the outer housing.

12. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the inner drum comprises at least one vane or blade for causing circulation of air or water vapor within the first chamber when the drum is caused to rotate.

13. The drying apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the inner drum is perforated in a region adjacent the at least one vane or blade.