GB2228308A

GB2228308A - Drying machine with water spray condenser

Info

Publication number: GB2228308A
Application number: GB8903688A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Phillip Raymond Testill
Original assignee: SERVIS GROUP Ltd
Current assignee: SERVIS GROUP Ltd
Priority date: 1989-02-17
Filing date: 1989-02-17
Publication date: 1990-08-22
Also published as: GB8903688D0

Abstract

A drying machine e.g. for laundry has a condenser (19), the condenser (19) comprising an inlet through which moist air flows from a drying chamber (11) of the machine (10) and an outlet by which the air is returned to the drying chamber (11), means for delivering water to a nozzle from which the water is sprayed, the spray being positioned such that at least a portion of the air passes through the spray as the air flows from the inlet (17) to the outlet. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Drying Machine Description of Invention This invention relates to a condenser for a drying machine and a method of removing lint from such a condenser when the drying machine is used to dry laundry.

More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a condenser for a drying machine for laundry and to a machine for washing and drying laundry.

Condensors are known which comprise a duct through which relatively cold liquid is passed whilst relatively warm moist air is passed over a wall of the duct so that heat is given up to the liquid flowing in the duct and moisture condenses on the duct wall.

Condensors are also known in which water trickles over a surface and a warm moist air is directed onto the surface so that heat is given up to the trickling water and moisture condenses into the water.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a new or improved condenser for a drying machine.

According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a drying machine having a condenser, the condenser comprising an inlet through which moist air flows from a drying chamber of the machine and an outlet by which the air is returned to the drying chamber, means for delivering water to a nozzle from which the water is sprayed, the spray being positioned such that at least a portion of the air passes through the spray as the air flows from the inlet to the outlet.

It has been found that such an arrangement provides for efficient condensing of moisture in the air flowing through the condenser. In fact, condensing is so efficient that it is preferred for not all of the moist air to pass through the spray because it has been found that so much heat is given up to the spray of water that the air re-entering the drying chamber is too cool, the drying chamber thus requiring too large a heater to warm air in the drying chamber.

The condenser may comprise a generally box-like structure, the air in use flowing from one end of the box towards the other. The spray may be positioned and the nozzle constructed so that the spray covers not more than 50% of the cross sectional area of the width of the box in the air flow and also, if desired, may be directed on to a wall of the box-like structure.

Means may be provided to circulate the air between the drying chamber and the condenser, such as for example a fan provided between the condenser outlet and the drying chamber.

The air may be heated in a heating chamber to which the air is directed by the fan before returning to the drying chamber.

The condenser may comprise an outlet for the water from the spray and the condensate, which outlet may be connected to a sump of the drying machine.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that in a drying machine particularly for laundry and the like, lint tends to be removed from the laundry with moisture and can become entrained in the air which passes to the condenser. Such lint tends to be deposited from the air in the condenser and hence conventionally, the condenser is provided with a filter to remove the lint from the air, which filter frequently requires cleaning to ensure that it does not become clogged and provide too great a resistance to air flow.

The condenser of the present invention preferably has means to provide a spray of water into the condenser preferably when not in use for condensing, to wash the condenser and remove lint deposited in the condenser so that the lint is removed from the condenser via the outlet thereof.

The problem of lint deposit is particularly pronounced where the air undergoes a change of direction e.g. as it flows through the inlet into the condenser. Preferably therefore the wash spray is directed primarily to a region of the condenser where lint most easily collects.

The wash spray is preferably separate from the spray which provides water for condensation.

According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a method of removing lint from a condenser of a drying machine, the method cornprisinq providing a spray of water into the condenser and permitting water and lint to flow from the condenser.

Preferably the wash spray for removing the lint is provided when the condenser is not in use for condensing.

Preferably the wash spray is directed onto an inner wall of the condenser which may be generally box-shaped.

The method of the second aspect of the invention may be performed in a drying machine of the first aspect of the invention. However, the method is particularly suited to a machine for washing and drying laundry as such machines are conventionally connected to a water supply.

The machine may thus comprise a chamber in which laundry is both washed and dried.

Conventionally washing/drying machines have a dispenser to enable washing powder, fabric conditioner or other additives to be introduced into the washing/drying chamber during a washing cycle, by washing the additives from the dispenser with water from the water supply.

It will be appreciated that throughout this specification by "washing cycle" we mean the cycle during which the laundry is washed and rinsed.

Preferably the method of the second aspect of the invention includes the step of connecting the water of the water supply to the additive dispenser to the condenser during a washing cycle, to provide the wash spray to remove lint collected in the condenser during a previous drying cycle.

For example, the water to wash the condenser mav be obtained from the water supply before and/or during filling of the chamber of the machine with water for a washing cycle.

The dispenser may comprise a first compartment for washing powder or liquid and a second compartment for a fabric conditioner.

The water for washing down the condenser may be obtained from the water supply which would otherwise be used to wash fabric conditioner from the dispenser into the washing/drying chamber.

According to a third aspect of the invention we provide a machine for washing and drying laundry, the machine comprising means to dispense additives into a washing/drying chamber of the machine during a washing cycle, a condenser to dry recirculating air during a drying cycle characterised in that the condenser includes a spray means to wash lint from the condenser, said means including a water supply derived from the additive dispensinq means.

The condenser of the machine may have an outlet which is connected to a sump of the machine during the washing cycle so that lint removed by the wash down spray can pass into the sump during the washing cycle and can be removed from the machine along with the washing/rinsing water.

The invention of the third aspect of the invention may have any of the features mentioned in the method steps of the second aspect of the invention, and any of the features of the drying machine of the first aspect of the invention.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE I is an illustrative plan view of a washer/drier machine in accordance with the invention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view through part of the machine of Figure I taken on the lines Il-Il and, FIGURE 3 is an illustrative view of a further part of the machine of Figure 1.

Referring to figure I of the drawings, a machine 10 for washing and drying laundry comprises a drum housing 11 which provides a washing/drying chamber for the laundry, and an inner drum 12 which is rotatable in the outer drum I I about a rotational axis 13, the laundry in use being placed in the drum 12 via a door opening 14 as is well known in the art.

To achieve drying of the laundry in the drum II, an air recirculation system is provided which comprises an outlet 15 from the chamber 11 which is connected via a hose ló to an inlet 17 of a condenser 18 through which the air passes to an outlet 19 of the condenser 18 where the air is ducted via a further hose 20 to a heating chamber 22 in which the air is heated, the heated air then passing to an inlet 41 of the drum II.

At the outlet 19 of the condenser 18, a fan unit 21 is provided to drive the air into the inlet 41 of the drum II and draw air through the condenser 18 as will be described hereinafter in more detail.

To achieve washing of laundry in the drum II, the machine has a filling point 23 which is connected to a water supply and a three-way valve 24 (only drawn diagrammatically) which may direct water in three different ways. A first hose 25 is connected to the valve 24 and can feed water to a first compartment 26 of an additive dispenser mechanism 27 which is used to dispense washing powder into the drum II of the machine as the machine 10 is filled with water.

The dispenser mechanism 27 includes a tray 28 which is adapted to be withdrawn through an opening in a front 29 of the machine 10 to enable the compartment 26, and a second compartment 30, to be filled with suitable additives. The second compartment 30 is for fabric conditioner.

A second hose 31 is connected to the water valve 24 and is operable to direct water to two different locations by means of a T piece 32 connected to the hose 31. A first oultet from the T piece 32 is connected to a further hose 33 which extends to the second compartment 30 of the dispenser mechanism 27, there being a restrictor R (see figure 3) at the T piece 32 so that the preferred direction of water flow is through the other outlet of the T piece 32 along a yet further hose 34 into the condenser 18.

A still yet further hose 35 is connected to the third outlet of the water valve 24 and also extends into the condenser 18 for a use hereinafter described.

The machine 10 has a sump with an outlet opening 38 from which sump water may be pumped from the machine 10 via an outlet conduit 39 which may again comprise a hose, to a suitable drain point.

Referring now also to figures 2 and 3, the condenser 18 comprises a generally elongate box-like structure with the air inlet 17 adjacent one end of the box 18, and the outlet 19 and fan assembly 21 adjacent another end of the box.

The lowest wall 36 of the condenser 18 slopes from the inlet 17 to the outlet 19 so that water which is sprayed into the box as hereinafter described, can drain from the box to a drain outlet 40 which is connected to the sump of the machine 10.

The water valve 24 is shown in more detail in figure 3, from which it can be seen that the hose 35 extends into the condenser 18 to a first outlet nozzle 42. The valve 24 is arranged and nozzle 42 constructed so that a gentle spray of water issues from the outlet 42.

The direction of the spray can be seen in figure 2 and the width of the spray can be appreciated from figure In use, warm moist air enters the condenser 18 through the inlet 17 and as it passes to the outlet 19 from the condenser, at least a portion of the air passes through the spray issuing from the outlet 42. Thus a proportion of the moisture and heat in the air flow will be condensed and combine with the water of the spray issuing from outlet 42, and then pass to the drain outlet 40 from the condenser 18.

As will be appreciated from figure 1, the spray from outlet 42 does not extend across the entire width of the condenser 18 so that at least a portion of the warm moist air is recirculated without passing through the spray from the outlet 42.

The hose 34 which also extends into the condenser 18 extends to a second outlet 43 nozzle from which, in use, a second spray can issue.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that as the warm moist air from the chamber II enters the condenser during the drying cycle, a proportion of lint which is commonly entrained in the air flow, will be deposited in the condenser 18, particularly in the region adjacent the inlet 17, at 37.

The spray issuing from nozzle 43 is arranged to be directed onto those parts of the inner wall of the condenser box 18 at which lint is most likely to be deposited, so that the lint is washed from the box through the drain outlet 40.

The operating cycle of the machine will now be described.

Commencing with a drying cycle of laundry which may have been previously washed in the drum 11, the heated, moist air from the chamber II is circulated through the condenser 18 as hereinbefore described with the aid of fan unit 21. The water valve 24 is arranged to supply water only to the outlet 42 so that a spray of water is provided for condensing moisture in at least a portion of the recirculating air.

At the end of a drying cycle, some lint will most likely have been deposited in the condenser 18.

During a subsequent washing cycle, the water valve 24 stems the flow of water from the outlet 42 within the condenser 18 but permits water to flow along hose 25 to fill the drum II of the machine and to wash any additives in the compartment 26 from the dispenser mechanism 27.

The water valve 24, during the washing cycle of the machine, also permits water to flow along hose 31 and hence to hose 33, to provide water to the compartment 30 of the dispensing mechanism 27 and to the hose 34 to provide water to the nozzle 43 within the condenser 18. The restrictor R in the T piece 32 will however ensure that the major proportion of the water from hose 31 will pass into the hose 34 so as to provide a strong spray from the nozzle 43 to wash lint deposited within the condenser 18 as hereinbefore described.

It is preferred for the washing cycle to be as follows.

First, in order to fill the sump of the machine, the water valve 24 is arranged to allow water to flow only along hose 25 to the dispenser mechanism 27.

After a first period, for example of about 10 seconds, the water valve 24 closes the water feed to hose 25 and allows water to flow into hose 31 only. When the water valve directs the entire inlet water supply at 23, into the hose 31, the strongest possible jet of water is provided within the condenser 18 from the nozzle outlet 43. Simultaneously of course, a portion of the water from hose 31 will flow to the compartment 30 of the dispenser 27 which is normally that used for fabric conditioner.

After a second period, for example 30 seconds, when the condenser 18 should be well washed out by the water from the nozzle outlet 43, the three way valve 24 also permits water to flow along hose 25 again so that additives from both compartments 26 and 30 of the dispenser 27 are washed simultaneously into the drum 11 and a wash spray continues to issue from the nozzle outlet 43 in the condenser.

This continues until the machine has a desired quantity of water and the washing cycle can then continue as is conventional, by rotating the inner drum 12 about the axis 13.

During the drying cvcle, the water valve 24 permits water to flow into hose 35 only so as to provide the water spray from the nozzle outlet 42, but during the washing cycle, the valve 24 preferably stems the flow of fluid to hose 35.

'larious modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, if desired, the machine 10 may have a third compartment in the dispensing mechanism to which a hot water feed may be directed. A heating element 44 may be provided to heat water in the drum 11 during the washing cycle where no hot water feed is so provided.

In the example described, the water for the spray to issue from nozzle outlet 43 within the condenser 18 to wash out lint previously deposited in the condenser 18 is derived from the water feed which would otherwise all be fed to the fabric conditioner compartment 30 of the dispenser mechanism 27. If desired, the water for the spray 43 could be derived from an alternative source.

As shown in the drawings, a filter F is provided in the condensor 18 to filter any remaining lint entrained in the air which has passed through the condenser 18 before the air pressure into the fan housing 21. The filter F is preferably of the removable drum type, or in some instances, may not be required.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a machine 10 for washing and drying laundry, to which the invention is particularly applicable because a washing/drying machine is conventionally provided with a water feed which can be used within the condenser 18, for condensing andíor washing out lint from within the condenser, the invention could be applied to a machine for drying only where suitably plumbed into a water supply.

The condenser 18 may be used in applications other than machines for drying laundry but could be used in any other drying machine where air is recirculated and it is desired to extract moisture from the air during recirculation.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

I. A drying machine having a condenser, the condenser comprising an inlet through which moist air flows from a drying chamber of the machine and an outlet by which the air is returned to the drying chamber, means for delivering water to a nozzle from which the water is sprayed, the spray being positioned such that at least a portion of the air passes through the spray as the air flows from the inlet to the outlet.
2. A machine according to Claim I wherein only a portion of the moist air is passed through the spray.
3. A spray according to Claim I or Claim 2 wherein the condensor comprises a generally box-like structure, the air in use flowing from one end of the box towards the other.
4. A machine according to Claim 3 wherein the spray is positioned and the nozzle constructed so that the spray covers not more than 50% of the cross sectional area of the width of the box in the air flow.
5. A machine according to Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein the spray is directed onto a wall of the box-like structure.
6. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims wherein means are provided to circulate the air between the drying chamber and the condensor.
7. A machine according to Claim 6 wherein the circulating means comprises a fan provided between the condensor outlet and the drying chamber.
8. A machine according to Claim 7 wherein the air is heated in a heatinq chamber to which the air is directed by the fan before returning to the drying chamber.
9. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the condensor comprises an outlet for the water from the spray and the condensor.
10. A machine according to Claim 9 wherein the water outlet is connected to a sump of the drying machine.
I I. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the condensor has means to provide a spray of water into the condenser to wash the condenser and remove lint deposited in the condenser so that the lint is removed from the condenser via a water outlet thereof.
12. A machine according to Claim II wherein the wash spray is directed primarily to a region of the condenser where lint most easily collects.
13. A machine according to Claim 11 or Claim 12 wherein the wash spray is separate from the spray which provides water for condensation.
14. A drying machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
15. A method of removing lint from a condenser of a drying machine, the method comprising providing a spray of water into the condenser and permitting water and lint to flow from the condenser.
16. A method according to Claim 15 wherein the wash spray for removinq the lint is provided when the condenser is not in use for condensing.
17. A method according to Claim 15 or Claim ló wherein the wash sprav is directed onto an inner wall of the condenser.
18. A method according to any one of Claims 15 to 17 wherein the dryinq machine is a drying machine according to any one of Claims I to 14.
19. A method according to any one of Claims 15 to 18 wherein the machine is a machine for washing and drying laundry.
20. A machine according to Claim 19 which comprises a chamber in which laundry is both washed and dried.
21. A method according to any one of Claims 15 to 20 which includes the step of connecting a water supply to the additive dispenser to the condenser during a washing cycle, to provide the wash spray to remove lint collected in the condenser during a previous drying cycle as water is supplied to the additive dispenser.
22. A method according to Claim 21 wherein dependant on Claim 20 in which the water to wash the condenser is obtained from the water supply to the additive dispenser before and/or during filling of the chamber of the machine with water during a washing cycle.
23. A method according to Claim 21 or Claim 22 wherein the dispenser comprises a first compartment for washing powder or liquid and a second compartment for a fabric conditioner, and the water for washing down the condenser is obtained from the water supply to the additive dispenser which would otherwise be used to wash fabric conditioner from the dispenser into the washing/drying chamber.
24. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
25. A machine for washing and drying laundry, the machine comprising means to dispense additives into a washing/drying chamber of the machine during a washing cycle, a condenser to dry recirculating air during a drying cycle characterised in that the condenser includes a spray means to wash lint from the condenser, said means including a water supply derived from the additive dispensing means.
26. A machine according to Claim 25 wherein the condenser of the machine has an outlet which is connected to a sump of the machine during the washing cycle so that lint removed by the wash down spray can pass into the sump during the washing cycle and can be removed from the machine along with washing/rinsing water.
27. A machine according to Claim 25 or Claim 26 wherein the machine has any of the features mentioned in the method steps of Claims 15 to 24 or any of the features of the drying machine of Claims I to 14.
28. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.