U.S. patent application number 14/509463 was filed with the patent office on 2016-04-14 for laundry dryer with heat shield.
The applicant listed for this patent is General Electric Company. Invention is credited to Gabriel-Neculai Prajescu, Ionelia Silvia Prajescu.
Application Number | 20160102426 14/509463 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55655061 |
Filed Date | 2016-04-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160102426 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Prajescu; Gabriel-Neculai ;
et al. |
April 14, 2016 |
LAUNDRY DRYER WITH HEAT SHIELD
Abstract
A laundry dryer is provided including a dryer casing with a drum
for receipt of articles for drying positioned therein. The laundry
dryer also includes a heating system positioned in the dryer
casing, the heating system including an evaporator configured to
cool and dehumidify air from the drum and a heating element
configured to heat air provided to the drum. The laundry dryer also
includes features for hindering a transfer of an extreme
temperature condition from the drum to the heating system.
Inventors: |
Prajescu; Gabriel-Neculai;
(Louisville, KY) ; Prajescu; Ionelia Silvia;
(Louisville, KY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
General Electric Company |
Schenectady |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55655061 |
Appl. No.: |
14/509463 |
Filed: |
October 8, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
34/86 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 58/206 20130101;
D06F 58/20 20130101 |
International
Class: |
D06F 58/26 20060101
D06F058/26 |
Claims
1. A laundry dryer comprising: a dryer casing; a drum positioned in
the dryer casing for receipt of articles for drying; a refrigerant
based heating system positioned in the dryer casing and including a
compressor, an evaporator configured to cool and dehumidify air
from the drum, and a condenser configured to heat air provided to
the drum; and a shield positioned within the dryer casing between
the compressor, the evaporator, and the condenser of the
refrigerant based heating system and the drum comprised of a
flame-resistant material.
2. The laundry dryer of claim 1, wherein the shield comprises a
flexible material.
3. The laundry dryer of claim 2, wherein the flexible material is a
fiberglass fabric.
4. The laundry dryer of claim 1, wherein the shield includes a
frame extending at least partially around a perimeter of the
shield.
5. The laundry dryer of claim 4, wherein the frame is attached to
the dryer casing.
6. The laundry dryer of claim 1, wherein the laundry dryer defines
a vertical direction, and wherein the drum is positioned above the
shield along the vertical direction.
7. The laundry dryer of claim 1, further comprising a heater
casing, wherein the compressor, the evaporator, and the condenser
of the refrigerant based heating system are positioned within the
heater casing, and wherein the shield is positioned adjacent to the
heater casing.
8. The laundry dryer of claim 7, wherein the heater casing is
comprised of a flame resistant plastic material.
9. The laundry dryer of claim 1, further comprising an electric
motor mechanically engaged with the refrigerant based heating
system, wherein the shield extends around the electric motor.
10. The laundry dryer of claim 1, wherein the shield comprises a
rigid layer attached to a flexible layer.
11. The laundry dryer of claim 10, wherein the rigid layer is a
metal layer and wherein the flexible layer is a fiberglass fabric
layer.
12. The laundry dryer of claim 10, further comprising a gap defined
between the rigid layer and the drum.
13. The laundry dryer of claim 1, further comprising a temperature
sensor positioned on or within the dryer casing, the laundry dryer
configured to cease operation when the temperature sensor senses a
temperature above a predetermined threshold.
14. The laundry dryer of claim 13, wherein the temperature sensor
is positioned above the shield along a vertical direction of the
laundry dryer.
15. A flame shield for a laundry dryer comprising: a first side
configured to be positioned adjacent to a refrigerant based heating
system of the laundry dryer, the refrigerant based heating system
including a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator; a second
and opposite side configured to be positioned adjacent to a drum of
the laundry dryer; and a perimeter defining a shape that
corresponds to a perimeter of the refrigerant based heating system,
such that the flame shield is configured to prevent a transfer of
an extreme temperature condition from the drum to the refrigerant
based heating system.
16. The flame shield of claim 15, further comprising a rigid frame
attached to the perimeter of the flame shield.
17. The flame shield of claim 15, wherein the first side is a
flexible layer, and wherein the second side is a rigid layer.
18. A laundry dryer comprising: a dryer casing; a drum positioned
in the dryer casing for receipt of articles for drying; a heating
system positioned in the dryer casing and including an evaporator
configured to cool and dehumidify air from the drum and an
electrical resistance heater configured to heat air provided to the
drum; and a shield positioned within the dryer casing between the
evaporator and the electrical resistance heater of the heating
system and the drum comprised of a flame-resistant material.
19. The laundry dryer of claim 18, wherein the heating system is
positioned within a heater casing, the heater casing positioned in
the dryer casing, and wherein the shield comprises a flexible
material.
20. The laundry dryer of claim 18, wherein the laundry dryer
further comprises an electric motor positioned approximately in the
same plane as the heating system, and wherein the shield defines a
cutout configured to extend around the electric motor.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to a laundry
dryer, or more particularly to a laundry dryer utilizing a heat
shield.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A conventional appliance for drying articles, such as a
laundry dryer (or clothes dryer), typically includes a cabinet
including a rotating drum for tumbling clothes and laundry articles
therein. One or more heating elements heats air prior to air
entering the drum, and the warm air is circulated through the drum
as the clothes are tumbled to remove moisture from laundry articles
in the drum. A gas or electric heater may be used to heat air that
is circulated through the drum.
[0003] In a known operation, ambient air from outside is drawn into
the cabinet and passed through the heater before being fed to the
drum. Moisture from the clothing is transferred to the air passing
through the drum. Typically, this moisture laden air is then
transported away from the dryer by, e.g., a duct leading outside of
the structure or room where the dryer is placed. The exhausted air
removes moisture from the dryer and the clothes are dried as the
process is continued by drawing in more ambient air.
[0004] Unfortunately, for the conventional dryer described above,
the exhausted air is still relatively warm while the ambient air
drawn into the dryer must be heated. This process is relatively
inefficient because heat energy in the exhausted air is lost and
additional energy must be provided to heat more ambient air. More
specifically, the ambient air drawn into the dryer is heated to
promote the liberation of the moisture out of the laundry. This
air, containing moisture from the laundry, is then exhausted into
the environment along with much of the heat energy that was used to
raise its temperature from ambient conditions.
[0005] One alternative to a conventional dryer as described above
is a heat pump dryer. More specifically, a heat pump dryer uses a
refrigeration cycle to both provide hot air to the dryer and to
condense water vapor in air coming from the dryer. Because the
moisture content in the air from the dryer is reduced by the
condensation over the evaporator, this same air can be reheated
again and passed through the dryer to remove more moisture. Because
the air is recycled through the dryer in a closed loop rather than
being ejected to the environment, the heat pump dryer can be more
efficient to operate than the traditional dryer described
above.
[0006] However, certain components of the heat pump dryer can be
susceptible to damage in extreme temperature conditions that may
form in the drum of the laundry dryer. Accordingly, a heat pump
clothes dryer capable of protecting certain components from extreme
temperature conditions in the drum of the laundry dryer would be
useful.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Aspects and advantages of the invention are set forth below
in the following description, or may be obvious from the
description, or may be learned through practice of the
invention.
[0008] In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a
laundry dryer is provided including a dryer casing, a drum
positioned in the dryer casing for receipt of articles for drying,
and a refrigerant based heating system positioned in the dryer
casing. The refrigerant based heating system includes a compressor,
an evaporator configured to cool and dehumidify air from the drum,
and a condenser configured to heat air provided to the drum. The
laundry dryer additionally includes a shield positioned within the
dryer casing between the compressor, the evaporator, and the
condenser of the refrigerant based heating system and the drum
comprised of a flame-resistant material.
[0009] In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a
flame shield for a laundry dryer is provided, the flame shield
including a first side configured to be positioned adjacent to a
refrigerant based heating system of the laundry dryer. The
refrigerant based heating system includes a compressor, a
condenser, and an evaporator. The flame shield additionally
includes a second and opposite side configured to be positioned
adjacent to a drum of the laundry dryer, and a perimeter defining a
shape that corresponds to a perimeter of the refrigerant based
heating system, such that the flame shield is configured to protect
the refrigerant based heating system during extreme temperature
conditions.
[0010] In still another exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, a laundry dryer is provided, the laundry dryer
including a dryer casing, a drum positioned in the dryer casing for
receipt of articles for drying, and a heating system positioned in
the dryer casing. The heating system includes an evaporator
configured to cool and dehumidify air from the drum and an
electrical resistance heater configured to heat air provided to the
drum. The laundry dryer additionally includes a shield positioned
within the dryer casing between the evaporator and the electrical
resistance heater of the heating system and the drum comprised of a
flame-resistant material.
[0011] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present disclosure will become better understood with reference to
the following description and appended claims. The accompanying
drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this
specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and,
together with the description, serve to explain the principles of
the disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention,
including the best mode thereof to one skilled in the art, is set
forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification,
including reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 provides a front view of a laundry dryer appliance
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject
matter.
[0014] FIG. 2 provides a front cutaway view of the exemplary
laundry dryer appliance of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 3 provides a schematic view of certain components of a
refrigerant based heating system according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0016] FIG. 4 provides a front perspective view of a bottom portion
of the exemplary laundry dryer appliance of FIG. 1 with a front
panel, a drum, and a shield removed.
[0017] FIG. 5 provides a front perspective view of a bottom portion
of the exemplary laundry dryer appliance of FIG. 1 with the front
panel and drum removed, and including a shield according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0018] FIG. 6 provides a side schematic view of certain components
of the exemplary laundry dryer depicted in FIG. 5.
[0019] FIG. 7 provides a side schematic view of certain components
of an end of a shield according to another exemplary embodiment of
the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the
invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the
drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the
invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and
variations can be made in the present invention without departing
from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features
illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with
another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is
intended that the present invention covers such modifications and
variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and
their equivalents.
[0021] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a heat
pump laundry dryer appliance 10 of the present invention. More
particularly, FIG. 1 provides a front view of the dryer 10, and
FIG. 2 provides a cutaway view of the dryer 10 of FIG. 1, showing
various internal components. While described in the context of a
specific embodiment of a laundry dryer 10, using the teachings
disclosed herein it will be understood that dryer 10 is provided by
way of example only. Other heat pump dryers having different
appearances and different features may also be utilized with the
present invention as well.
[0022] The dryer 10 includes a dryer casing or main housing 12 and
defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a
transverse direction T, each orthogonal to one another. The dryer
casing 12 includes a front panel 14, a rear panel 16, a pair of
side panels 18 and 20 spaced apart from each other by front and
rear panels 14 and 16, a bottom panel 22 (see FIGS. 4 and 5), and a
top cover 24. Within the dryer casing 12 is a drum or container 26
mounted for rotation around a substantially horizontal axis. A
motor (not shown) rotates the drum 26 about the horizontal axis
through a pulley and a belt (also not shown). The drum 26 depicted
is generally cylindrical in shape, having an imperforate outer
cylindrical wall 28, a perforated inner cylindrical wall 29, and a
front flange or wall 30. More particularly, the inner wall 29
defines a plurality of perforations 36, and the front flange 30
defines an opening 32 for loading and unloading, e.g., clothing
articles and other laundry articles. In other embodiments of the
invention, however, the outer cylindrical wall 28 may also be
perforated.
[0023] A plurality of tumbling ribs 27 are provided within the drum
26 to lift clothing articles therein and then allow them to tumble
back to the bottom of the drum 26 as the drum 26 rotates. The drum
26 additionally includes a rear wall 34 rotatably supported within
the dryer casing 12 by a suitable fixed bearing. The rear wall 34
can be fixed or can be rotatable. Moreover, the rear wall 34
includes a plurality of holes or perforations 37 that receive hot
air. The hot air is heated by a heat pump heating system, also
known as a refrigerant based heating system 40 (discussed in
greater detail below). Accordingly, the laundry dryer 10 may be
referred to as a heat pump laundry dryer, or a refrigerant based
heating system laundry dryer. Moisture laden, heated air is drawn
from drum 26 through a collection duct 42 after passing through a
screen filter 46 which traps lint particles. As will be discussed
in greater detail below, moisture is removed from the air drawn
from the drum 26 through filter screen 46 by the refrigerant based
heating system 40, and returned to the drum 26 via a supply duct 44
as heated air (with a lower moisture content than was previously
received from drum 26) through the holes 37 in the rear wall 34. A
door 33 provides for closing or accessing drum 26 through opening
32.
[0024] Referring still to FIGS. 1 and 2, a cycle selector knob 70
is mounted on a cabinet backsplash 71 and is in communication with
a processing device or controller 72. Signals generated in
controller 72 operate a drum drive system and heating system in
response to the position of selector knobs 70. Additionally, or
alternatively, a touch screen type interface may be provided.
[0025] The controller 72 may include a memory and microprocessor,
such as a general or special purpose microprocessor operable to
execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated
with a drying cycle. The memory may represent random access memory
such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one
embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored
in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the
processor or may be included onboard within the processor.
Alternatively, controller 72 may be constructed without using a
microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and/or
digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators,
comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform
control functionality instead of relying upon software. The cycle
selector knob 70 and other components of dryer 10 may be in
communication with controller 72 via one or more signal lines or
shared communication busses.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 3, is a schematic representation of an
exemplary embodiment of the refrigerant based heating system 40 as
may be used with clothes dryer 10 is provided. During steady state
operating conditions, moisture laden air (arrow E) received from
drum 26 is caused to flow across an evaporator 116, where the
temperature of the air is reduced through heat exchange with
evaporator 116, or more particularly with the refrigerant that is
vaporized within, e.g., coils or tubing of the evaporator 116. This
vaporization process absorbs both the sensible and the latent heat
from the moisture laden air--thereby reducing its temperature. As a
result, moisture in the air is condensed and is drained out using a
drain line (not shown).
[0027] Air passing over the evaporator 116 becomes drier and cooler
than when it was received from drum 26 of dryer 10. As shown by
arrow C, the air from evaporator 116 is subsequently caused to flow
across a condenser 104 (e.g., across coils or tubing of the
condenser 104). As used herein, it should be understood that the
term "condenser" also includes one or more gas coolers and other
heat exchangers for cooling and/or condensing the refrigerant. The
refrigerant in the condenser 104 may be in a gaseous state at a
relatively high temperature compared to the air from evaporator
116. As a result, heat energy is transferred to the air, thereby
elevating its temperature and providing warm air for resupply to
the drum 26 of dryer 10. Because the same air is recycled through
drum 26 and heating system 40, dryer 10 can have a much greater
efficiency than traditional clothes dryers where warm, moisture
laden air is exhausted to the environment.
[0028] Continuing with FIG. 3, the heat pump 40 additionally
includes a compressor 100 that pressurizes refrigerant, i.e.,
increases the pressure of the refrigerant supplied by a suction
line 120. Compressor 100 may be designed to pressurize a gas phase
refrigerant. Accordingly, refrigerant in suction line 120 may be
supplied in a gas phase. The pressurization of the refrigerant with
compressor 100 increases the temperature of the refrigerant.
Accordingly, by a line 102, the compressed refrigerant may be fed
to the condenser 104. As relatively cooler air having already
passed over the evaporator 116 (arrow C) is passed over the
condenser 104, the air is heated and the refrigerant is cooled.
More particularly, the temperature of the refrigerant is lowered as
heat is transferred to the air for supply to drum 26.
[0029] Upon exiting condenser 104, the refrigerant is fed by a line
110 to an expansion device 113. Although only one expansion device
113 is shown, such is by way of example only, it being understood
that multiple such devices may additionally be used. The expansion
device 113 lowers the pressure of the refrigerant and controls the
amount of refrigerant that is allowed to enter the evaporator 116
by a line 114. Notably, the flow of liquid refrigerant into the
evaporator 116 may be limited by the expansion device 113 in order
to keep the pressure low and allow expansion of the refrigerant
back into a gas phase in the evaporator 116. The evaporation of the
refrigerant in the evaporator 116 converts the refrigerant from its
liquid-dominated phase to a gas phase while cooling the air (arrow
E) from drum 26. The process is repeated as air is circulated
through drum 26 and between evaporator 116 and gas cooler 104 while
the refrigerant is cycled as just described.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 4, a portion of the dryer 10 of FIGS.
1 and 2 is depicted. More particularly, FIG. 4 provides a
perspective view of a bottom portion of the clothes dryer 10, with
the front panel 14, the drum 26, and a shield 136 (see FIG. 5)
removed. The heat pump 40 is depicted defining an air inlet 124 for
receiving moisture laden air from the drum 26 via the collection
duct 42 and an air outlet 126 for providing the heated and
dehumidified air from the heat pump 40 back to the drum 26 via the
supply duct 44. The airflow through the refrigerant based heating
system 40 is provided by a first blower 128 and a second blower
130. An electric motor 132 is also included, the electric motor
mechanically engaged with the heating system 40. More particularly,
the first blower 128 and second blower 130 are each powered by the
electric motor 132. The first blower 128 pulls airflow from the
drum 26 through the duct 42, into the refrigerant based heating
system 40 and over the evaporator 116. Additionally, the second
blower 130 pulls airflow across the condenser 104 and provides such
airflow back to the drum 26 through the supply duct 44.
[0031] The electrical motor 132 may also supply mechanical energy
to other components of the refrigerant based heating system 40. For
example, the electric motor 132 may also provide mechanical energy
to the compressor 100 of the refrigerant based heating system 40.
It should be appreciated, however, that in other exemplary
embodiments, any other suitable mechanism(s) may be provided for
creating an airflow through the refrigerant based heating system 40
and/or for powering the first blower 128 and/or the second blower
130. For example, in other exemplary embodiments, the motor that
rotates the drum 26 of the laundry dryer 10 may provide the
requisite mechanical energy.
[0032] The refrigerant based heating system 40 is depicted with
certain components positioned in a heater casing 134. More
particularly, the exemplary dryer 10 of FIG. 4 includes the
compressor 100, the evaporator 116, and the condenser 104 of the
refrigerant based heating system 40 in the heater casing 134. The
heater casing 134 provides the requisite ductwork to allow the
cooling and dehumidification of air from the drum 26, as well as
the reheating of air provided back to the drum 26. Additionally,
the heater casing 134 may be comprised of any suitable material,
such as a flame resistant plastic material having a "V-0" rating or
better based on the UL 94 Standard for Safety of Flammability of
Plastic Materials for Parts in Devices and Appliances testing, as
released by the Underwriters Laboratories of the USA. Although, in
other embodiments, any other suitable material may be used.
[0033] The electric motor 132 and FIG. 4 is positioned in
approximately the same plane (perpendicular to the vertical
direction V) as certain components of the refrigerant based heating
system 40 and the heater casing 134. However, in other exemplary
embodiments, the electric motor 132 may instead be positioned at
any other suitable location within the dryer casing 12, such as
below the refrigerant based heating system 40 and heater casing
134. By being positioned in the approximately the same plane as the
heating system 40, the dryer 10 may define a more compact
design.
[0034] It should be appreciated, however, that the refrigerant
based heating system 40 is provided by way of example only. In
other exemplary embodiments, for example, the dryer may instead
include any other suitable means for cooling and dehumidifying the
air from the drum 26, and any other suitable means for reheating
the air to be provided to the drum 26. For example, in certain
exemplary embodiments, the dryer may not include the refrigerant
based heating system 40, and instead may include any suitable
evaporator/heat exchanger for cooling and dehumidifying the air
from the drum 26, and an electrical resistance heater, such as an
electric coil, for reheating air to be provided to the drum 26.
Operation of such a evaporator/heat exchanger may be similar to the
evaporator 116 described above, except instead of cool refrigerant
passing through condenser coils, relatively cool ambient air may be
passed through the condenser coils. In such an exemplary
embodiment, the heat exchanger and electrical resistance heater may
be positioned in the heater casing 134 described above.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 5, the dryer 10 is depicted further
including a means for hindering a transfer of an extreme
temperature condition from the drum 26 to the refrigerant based
heating system 40. More particularly, FIG. 5 depicts the dryer 10
including a means for hindering a transfer of an extreme
temperature condition from the drum 26 to the compressor 100, the
evaporator 116, and the condenser 104 of the refrigerant based
heating system 40. For the exemplary embodiment shown, the means
for hindering the transfer of an extreme temperature condition is a
shield 136 including a flame resistant material. The shield 136 is
positioned within the dryer casing 12 between the compressor 100,
the evaporator 116, the condenser 104, and the expansion device 113
of the refrigerant based heating system 40 and the drum 26 of the
laundry dryer 10. More particularly, the drum 26 is positioned
above the shield 136 along the vertical direction V of the laundry
dryer 10, while the various components of the refrigerant based
heating system 40 are positioned below the shield 134 along the
vertical direction V of the laundry dryer 10. In such an exemplary
embodiment the shield 136 may be positioned directly adjacent to,
i.e., in contact with, the heater casing 134 enclosing the various
components of the refrigerant based heating system 40. By contrast,
however, the laundry dryer 10 may include a gap along the vertical
direction V between the shield 136 and the drum 26.
[0036] Referring still to FIG. 5, the shield 136 includes a
flexible material 138 positioned adjacent to the heater casing 134.
In certain exemplary embodiments, the flexible material 138 of the
shield 136 may be a fiberglass fabric material. However, in other
exemplary embodiments, any other suitable flexible and flame
resistant material 138 may be used. The flexible material 138 of
the shield 136 may allow the shield 136 to conform to a shape of
the refrigerant based heating system 40, or more particularly, to a
shape of the heater casing 134 (as is depicted in FIG. 5).
[0037] The shield 136 also defines a perimeter 140, which in turn
defines a shape that corresponds approximately to a perimeter of
the refrigerant based heating system 40. For example, the perimeter
140 of the shield 136 is configured to extend around an outside of
the electric motor 132 in a plane perpendicular to the vertical
direction V, and accordingly the shield 136 defines a cutout
portion 142 through which the electric motor 132 extends. Such a
configuration may allow the electric motor 132 to receive a flow of
ambient air to maintain a desired operating temperature. It should
be appreciated that, as used herein, terms of approximation, such
as "approximately" or "substantially," refer to being within a 10%
margin of error.
[0038] Moreover, the shield 136 depicted includes a frame 144
extending around at least a portion of the perimeter 140 of the
shield 136. The frame 144 may be made of a rigid material, such as
a metal or hard plastic. Alternatively, the frame may be made of a
semi-rigid material, allowing for some flexibility or an increased
elastic deformation, while still providing structure for the shield
136. For the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5, the frame 144 extends
around the entirety of the perimeter 140 of the shield 136.
However, in other exemplary embodiments, the frame 144 may instead
only extend around a portion of the perimeter 140 of the shield
136, such as along one side of the perimeter 140 of the shield 136
or along two opposing sides of the perimeter 140 of the shield 136.
Inclusion of a frame 144 may assist in assembling the dryer 10, by
keeping the shield 136 in a desired shape such that a user may
simply place the shield 136 in position over the refrigerant based
heating system 40 within the dryer casing 12.
[0039] Referring now also to FIG. 6, wherein a side schematic view
of certain components of a portion of the dryer appliance 10 is
depicted, the frame 144 of the shield 136 is attached to the dryer
casing 12. The dryer casing 12 is depicted including a first
bracket 146 extending along an inside surface 148 of side panel 18
in the transverse direction T, and a second bracket 150 (FIG. 5)
extending along an inside surface 152 of the side panel 20, also in
the transverse direction T. More particularly, for the embodiment
shown, the first bracket 146 and second bracket 150 are each
L-shaped brackets. The frame 144 is positioned on the first and
second brackets 146, 150 to maintain the shield 136 in position.
Moreover, in certain embodiments, the frame 144 may be attached to
the first and/or second bracket 146, 150 using any suitable
attachment means, such as, for example, by using bolts, screws,
rivets, or any suitable epoxy.
[0040] The exemplary laundry dryer 10 of the present disclosure
additionally includes a temperature sensor 154 positioned on or
within the dryer casing 12. For the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5,
the temperature sensor 154 is positioned above the shield 136 along
the vertical direction V of the laundry dryer 10 on an inside
surface 156 of the back panel 16. However, in other exemplary
embodiments, one or more temperature sensors may additionally or
alternatively be positioned below the shield 136 along the vertical
direction V of the laundry dryer 10. The temperature sensor 154 may
be any suitable temperature sensor, such as, for example, a
thermocouple, a thermistor, a resistance thermometer, a bimetallic
sensor, or any other suitable temperature sensor.
[0041] In certain exemplary embodiments, the temperature sensor 154
may be operatively connected to, e.g., the controller 72 of the
laundry dryer 10. Accordingly, the laundry dryer 10 may be
configured to cease operation when the temperature sensor 154
senses a temperature above a predetermined threshold. Ceasing
operation of the laundry dryer 10 may stop an airflow through the
drum 26 and through the refrigerant based heating system 40.
Accordingly, ceasing operation of the dryer 10 may include ceasing
operation of the first and second blowers 128, 130. Moreover, the
predetermined threshold may be, for example, a temperature at which
further operation of the laundry dryer 10 may cause damage to the
laundry dryer 10, such as a temperature indicative of an extreme
temperature condition, e.g., an ember, being present in the drum
26. For example, the predetermined threshold may be approximately
212.degree. F.
[0042] It should be appreciated, however, that the shield 136
described above with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 is provided by way
of example only. In other exemplary embodiments, the shield 136 may
additionally or alternatively include any other suitable rigid or
semi-rigid structure or configuration. For example, in other
exemplary embodiments the shield 136 may additionally or
alternatively include one or more crosswise brackets extending
between opposite sides of the perimeter 140 of the shield 136 and
attached to the frame 144 of the shield 136. Additionally, or
alternatively, in other exemplary embodiments, shield 136 may not
include a frame 144, and instead may simply be draped over the
refrigerant based heating system 40 and heater casing 134. The
shield 136 may additionally be configured to wrap-around one or
more edges of the refrigerant based heating system 40 and heater
casing 134 and, e.g., attach to the bottom panel 22. Moreover in
still other exemplary embodiments, heater casing 134 may be made of
two or more individual parts positioned in any suitable manner.
[0043] Referring now to FIG. 7, a cross-sectional side view of a
portion of a shield in accordance with another exemplary embodiment
of the present disclosure is provided. The exemplary shield 136 of
FIG. 7 includes a first side configured to be positioned adjacent
to the refrigerant based heating system 40 of the laundry dryer 10
and a second and opposite side configured to be positioned adjacent
to a drum 26 of the laundry dryer 10. More particularly, for the
exemplary embodiment depicted, the first side is the flexible layer
138 and the second side is a rigid layer 160. As discussed above,
the flexible layer 138 may be any suitable flexible and flame
resistant material, such as a fiberglass fabric material, while the
rigid layer 160 may be any suitable material for providing
structure and at least a minimal amount of rigidity for the shield
136. For example, the rigid layer 160 may be made of a thin sheet
metal, a plastic material, or any other suitable material. The
rigid layer 160 may define a shape substantially similar to the
shape of a top portion of the heater casing 134, and may be formed
by molding, machine pressing, stamping, or using any other suitable
method. Additionally, as with the embodiment described above with
reference to FIG. 6, the shield 136 may be positioned on and/or
attached to the first and/or second brackets 146, 150 of the dryer
10 (see FIG. 5). It should be appreciated, however, that in other
exemplary embodiments, the shield 136 may instead simply lay on the
heater casing 134, or alternatively may be attached to the dryer
casing 12 using any other suitable attachment means. Inclusion of a
rigid layer 160 may assist a user in installing the shield 136 by
allowing the user to place the shield 136 in position over the
refrigerant based heating system 40 and heater casing 134.
[0044] Referring still to FIG. 7, the first side (the flexible
layer 138) may be attached to the second side (the rigid layer 160)
in any suitable manner. For example, the first side and second side
may be attached using a glue or other epoxy, or one or more bolts,
rivets, staples, or other mechanical attachment means. The entirety
of the flexible layer 138 may be attached to the rigid layer 160.
Alternatively, however, discrete parts, lines, or areas of the
flexible layer 138 may be attached to the rigid layer 160.
[0045] A laundry dryer appliance 10 including the shield 136
described above with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 and/or with
reference to FIG. 7 may be better capable of handling an extreme
temperature condition in the drum 26 of the laundry dryer 10. More
particularly, a laundry dryer 10 in accordance with the present
disclosure including the shield 136 described above may be more
capable of preventing an extreme temperature condition from
traveling from the drum 26 to one or more of the evaporator 116,
the condenser 104, the compressor 100, and/or the expansion device
113 of the refrigerant based heating system 40, as well as to the
heater casing 134.
[0046] This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and
using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated
methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the
claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled
in the art. Such other and examples are intended to be within the
scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not
differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include
equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from
the literal language of the claims.
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