Whirlpool Corporation

Garry L Peterman

Mark L Herman

Daniel M Putnam

Arun Rajendran

A method for drying laundry with a radio frequency (RF) generator connected to an applicator and a rotatable cylindrical drum having a pair of non-anode baffles and a third baffle comprising an anode element positioned between the pair of non-anode baffles and a first cathode element disposed between the third baffle and one of the pair of non-anode baffles and a second cathode disposed between the third baffle and the other of the pair of non-anode baffles. The method comprises rotationally positioning the drum such that laundry is positioned between the anode element within the third baffle and the pair of non-anode baffles, energizing the RF applicator for a time period to generate a field of electromagnetic radiation (e-field) within the radio frequency spectrum between the anode element and the at least one of the first and second cathode elements such that liquid in laundry residing within the e-field will be dielectrically heated to effect a drying of the laundry during the time period, rotating the drum to redistribute laundry, and repeating the positioning the drum and energizing the RF applicator.

Method of drying articles

A method for drying an article with a radio frequency (RF) applicator having anode elements and cathode elements includes capacitively coupling the anode elements, capacitively coupling the cathode elements, capacitively coupling an anode element to a cathode element, and energizing the RF applicator to generate an RF field between anode and cathode elements wherein liquid residing within the field will be dielectrically heated.

Method for drying articles

A method for indicating a cycle of operation in a laundry treating appliance having a space that includes at least one electrically conductive element disposed in the space and coupled with a controller, the method includes producing in the at least one electrically conductive element the voltage or the current in reaction to the energized e-field apart from the article. Receiving in the controller a signal from the at least one electrically conductive element indicative of a value of a parameter associated with the voltage or the current of the at least one electrically conductive element. And, generating an indication, by the controller, indicative of a cycle of operation and wherein the indication increases or decreases in intensity proportional to the value of the parameter associated with the voltage or the current.

Method and apparatus for detecting an energized e-field

A radio frequency (RF) dryer includes a cuboid structure defining an interior, an RF applicator having an anode and a cathode, the anode having multiple digits extending from an anode trunk and the cathode having multiple digits extending from a cathode trunk and, the cathode encompassing the multiple digits of the anode, and a drying surface on which textiles are supported for drying, located relative to the RF applicator such that the drying surface lies within an e-field generated by the RF applicator.

Appliance for drying articles

A treating apparatus for drying articles according to a predetermined cycle of operation. The treating apparatus includes a cylindrical drum having a circumferential wall, a pair of non-anode baffles spaced on the circumferential wall, and a third baffle positioned between the pair of non-anode baffles on the circumferential wall comprising an anode element having an anode contact point at the circumferential wall. The treating apparatus also has a first cathode element disposed between the third baffle and one of the pair of non-anode baffles along the circumference of the circumferential wall and a second cathode disposed between the third baffle and the other of the pair of non-anode baffles along the circumference of the circumferential wall. The treating apparatus also has a radio frequency (RF) generator coupled to the anode element and to the first and second cathode elements. The RF generator is selectively energizable to generate electromagnetic radiation between the first and second cathode elements such that articles positioned between the pair of non-anode baffles are in the electromagnetic radiation.

Apparatus for drying articles

A radio frequency (RF) laundry dryer includes, amongst other things, an RF generator and a drying surface. The drying surface on which textiles are supported further includes an RF applicator having an anode and cathode coupled to the RF generator. At least a portion of the cathode substantially encompasses the anode to electrically shield the anode ensuring the formation of an e-field between the anode and cathode instead of the anode and the Faraday cage upon energizing the RF generator.

An RF laundry dryer includes, amongst other things, an RF generator, an RF applicator having a perforated body and anode and cathode elements, a fan arranged relative to the perforated body to flow or draw air through the perforated body and an electromagnetic shield protecting the fan from the e-field. Both anode and cathode elements are operably coupled to the RF generator to generate an e-field between the anode and cathode upon the energizing of the RF generator.

A method for detecting the presence of an energized e-field in a space, wherein the space includes at least one electrically conductive element disposed in the space and coupled with a controller, the method including receiving in the controller a signal from the at least one electrically conductive element, determining that an energized e-field occupies the space, and generating an indication, by the controller, indicative of the presence of the energized e-field in the space.

A method for drying an article with a radio frequency (RF) applicator having anode elements and cathode elements includes capacitively coupling the anode elements, capacitively coupling the cathode elements, capactively coupling an anode element to a cathode element, and energizing the RF applicator to generate an RF field between anode and cathode elements wherein liquid residing within the field will be dielectrically heated.

A laundry treating applicator for drying laundry with a radio frequency (RF) applicator having a baffle on a drum rotatable on a non-vertical axis, an anode element in the baffle and a cathode element spaced from the anode element, wherein energization of the RF generator sends electromagnetic radiation through the applicator via the anode element and cathode element to form a field of electromagnetic radiation (e-field) in the radio frequency spectrum to dielectrically heat liquid within laundry disposed within the e-field.

An RF laundry dryer includes, amongst other things, an RF generator, an RF applicator having a perforated body supporting anode and cathode elements, a fan arranged relative to the perforated body to flow or draw air through the perforated body and an electromagnetic shield protecting the fan from the e-field. Both anode and cathode elements are operably coupled to the RF generator to generate an e-field between the anode and cathode upon the energizing of the RF generator.

A method for detecting the presence of an energized e-field in a space, wherein the space includes at least one electrically conductive element disposed in the space and coupled with a controller, the method including receiving in the controller a signal from the at least one electrically conductive element, determining that an energized e-field occupies the space, and sending a signal from the controller indicative of the presence of the energized e-field in the space.

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Stevensville, MI, United States of America

Garry L Peterman