US2589284A - Drier - Google Patents

Description

c. s. O'NElL arch 18, 1952 DRIER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 20, 1946 w l I l I l l l IIIII H l I l l l l I I l lllJlllllIIIIIIIHHHHIIIII!EIH J l l 1 I l l 1 I L I N V EN TOR. CZ zczrlea 5 Oil 62% C. S. O'NEIL March 18, 1952 DRIER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 20, 1946 QQOQOQOOO .QQQOQQ INVENTOR. Charles 5 W twenty 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 C. S, O'NEIL DRIER 1 arch 18, 1952 Filed Sept. 20, 1946 l INVENTOR. UMZTZ655 Patented Mar. 18, 1952 UNITED STATES OFFICE DRIER;

Charles S. ONeil, Two Rivers, Wis., assignor to Hamilton Manufacturing Company, Two Rive'rs, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application September 20, 1946-, Serial No. 698,240

The invention relates generally to laundry dryers and more particularly to a laundry dryer of the type in which the laundry'is tumbled in the presence of heat to remove moisture therefrom.

The general object of the invention is to provide a novel dryer of the foregoing type, which is capable of drying the laundry quickly and at a relatively low operating cost, and which is relatively inexpensive to produce on a quantity basis.

Another important object is to provide a novel dryer of'the foregoing type, comprising a casing with means therein providing a drying chamber through which heated air is circulated, such air after passing through the drying chamber being discharged into the space between the casing and said means, where a major portion of the moisture in the air is condensed and the air is then returned for reheating and recirculation through the drying chamber.

A further object is to provide a novel dryer in which the means providing the drying chamber is in the form of a rotating drum and is provided with elements on its periphery for stirring the air within the casingso that it will thoroughly contact the casing walls to cause a maximum condensation.

Still another object is to provide a novel dryer in which the air discharged from the drying chamber is passed through a meanslocated within the casing for substantially reducing the temperature' of the air to cause condensation of a major portion o'fthe moisture content of the air.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which? Figure 1 is afront e evational view of a dryer embodying the features of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentaryfront elevationaLview similar to Fig. 1 but showing a modified form of dryer.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectionalview taken on the line 4--4 of Fig.3.

Asheretofore mentioned, the present invention relates to a laundry dryer in which the laundry is tumbled in the presence of heat to remove moisture therefrom. To this end, the laundry isplaced in the drying chamber and air is circulated therethrough to carry away the moisture asit evaporates from the laundry. In order to prevent dust from being carried into the laundry whileit is being dried. by air taken from the outside of the machine, it is. preferable I to recircu- 7 Claims. (CI. 34-77) late the air within the machine so that the only dirt that can be carried into the laundry will be that suspended in the air within the machine at the time the drying operation is started. However, to effectively dry the laundry, the air discharged from the drying chamber of the machine must have itsmoisture content reduced before the air is recirculated through the drying chamber.

The present machine provides for operation in the manner set forth above and, to this end, comprises generally a casing structure within which, in spacedrelation thereto, is mounted a rotatable drum constituting the drying chamber andin which the laundry is placed.- The drumis substantially closed to the outside air but is provided with an intake and an outlet communicating with the space-between the' drum and the casing. The dryer also includes means for drawing air through the intake from said space into the drum and for discharging such air, after it becomes moisture laden, into said space, the air as it enters the drum being heated to increase its moisture absorbing capacity and thus facilitate the drying operation. The air, in circulating throughthe space between the drum and the casing.- comes in contact with the relatively cool outerwalls of the casing (such walls being cooled either naturally or by forced cooling) and is reduced in temperature by such contact to an extent suflicient to cause condensation of a portion of the moisture content of the air. Thus, when the air is re-introduced into the drum andheated, it-will have sufiicient'moisture absorbing capacity to effect further dryin ofthe laundry The drumis adapted to be rotatably driven to tumble the laundry during the drying operation and thus expose all portions thereof to the air, and the drum is provided with means on its exterior to stir the air discharged from the drum intothe space between the drum and the casing so that the contact of such air with the casing is thereby increased and a maximum condensation takes place.

y In the modified form shown inFigs. 3- and-4 of the drawings, instead of relying solely on the condensing action of bringing. the air discharged from the drum into contact with the outside casing, a condensing means is mounted within the space between the drum and the outside casing. With this construction, air as it is discharged from the drum first passes through the condensing means where the air is positively cooled by spraying a cooling. fluid therein and a. major annular guide ribs 42 thereon. flange I! thus serves as a pulley constituting part of the drive for the drum l5.

portion of the moisture content of the air is thus condensed. The air then passes from the condensing means into the space between the drum and outside casing to contact with the outer casing for further cooling and condensing action before it is recirculated through the drum.

The preferred embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises an outer casing indicated generally at H). Preferably, the casing I is rectilinear in form and has a flat top wall a front wall I 2, a rear wall l3, as well as side and bottom walls. Extending parallel to the rear wall l3 but spaced therefrom is a transverse partition l4, and mounted in the space between the front wall l2 and the partition I4 is means providing a drying chamber which, in the present instance, constitutes a drum indicated generally at 5. The drum I5 is preferably cylindrical in form with its axis horizontal, and is of such size as to provide a substantial space between the drum and the surrounding walls of the casing In.

The drum I5 is insulated on its peripheral and end walls to prevent radiation of heat therefrom into the space within the casing l0, and is provided at its ends with axially extending annular flanges 6 and IT. The flange l6 at the front end of the drum registers with an annular opening in the front wall l2 of the casing H] to provide for access to the interior of the drum whereby the laundry may be inserted in and withdrawn from the drum. The opening through the annular flange I6 is adapted to be closed by a door 2| hingedly mounted on the front wall I 2 of the casing, the door 2| when closed providing a substantially airtight seal so that no substantial circulation of air can take place 'therethrou h when the machine is in operation.

A removable lint catcher in the form of a screen 22 may be placed within the opening of the flange IS. The rear annular flange l1 extends through an opening 23 provided in the transverse partition The drum is rotatably supported in the abovedescribed position by any suitable means, but preferably by a unitary supporting structure comprising a base 24 having uprights 25 and 26 at its front and rear ends. The uprights 25 and 26 preferably are provided with rollers 21 on which the annular flanges l6 and 11 are rotatably mounted, thus supporting the drum H5 at its opposite ends.

Air is adapted to be circulated within the drum, preferably by means of a fan 30 mounted coaxially therewith adjacent the rear end thereof. To prevent the laundry from becoming entangled with the fan 30, a perforated dome-shaped guard 3| may be provided to enclose the blades of the fan 30. The fan 30 is preferably mounted directly on the front end of the shaft 32 of a 'drive motor 33 supported within the annular flange I1 by a bracket 34 rigidly secured tovthe is provided with a pulley 35 on the rear end of the motor shaft, connected by a belt 36 to a pulley 31 carried on a shaft supported in a springmounted bracket 38 carried on the rear upright 26. Mounted on the same shaft with the pulley 31 is a second pulley 40 driving a belt 4| extending over the annular flange I! and held between The annular As heretofore mentioned, the air circulated through the drying chamber by the fan 30 is adapted to be discharged from the drum into the space between the drum and the outer casing I0 Where the moisture content thereof is to a reat extent condensed, and the air is then recirculated through the drum. The interior of the drum is preferably provided with a plurality of inwardly extending ribs 43 by which the laundry is adapted to be tumbled during the drying operation to expose all portions thereof uniformly to the drying action of the air circulated within the drum. To provide for the recirculation of the air, the annular flanges l6 and I! are provided with radial openings 44 located so as to communicate with the space between the drum and the casing I 0. Thus, during the operation of the machine, the fan 30 will cause circulation of air within the drying chamber and will force some of such air forwardly through the annular flange l6 where any lint in the air will be caught by the lint catcher 22. The air will then be discharged radially through the openings 44 in the flange Hi. The air so discharged into this space will contact the outer walls of the casing and, since they are substantially at the temperature of the outside air, the air within the casing will thereby be cooled and a portion of the moisture content thereof will be condensed. The condensation will settle on the walls of the casing l0 and will drain downwardly to the base thereof where it may be discharged through a drain pipe 45. To insure having such air come in thorough contact with the casing walls, the outer periphery of the drum may be provided with a plurality of radially extendingblades 46 to stir the air within the space between the drum and the casing and thus force the air into contact with the casing walls.

After the air is circulated Within such space and has had a portion of its moisture content condensed therefrom, the air is then drawn inwardly through the openings 44 in the flange IT for recirculation within the drying chamber by the fan 30. On passing through the openings 44 in the annular flange H, the air passes through an electrical heating element 41 to substantially raise its temperature and thus increase its moisture carrying capacity and to provide the heat required for the latent heat of evaporation of the moisture, before circulation within the drying chamber. Preferably, a plate 50 is mounted within the annular flange between the motor 33 and the heating element 41 to prevent radiation of heat from the element onto the motor and to substantially cut off inflow of air through the outer end of the annular flange I1. The small opening provided through the plate' 50, through which the motor shaft 32 and the leads for the heating element 41 extend, is rendered substantially ineffective to permit flow of air since the door 2| seals the only other opening into the outer casing and drying chamber and thus prevents egress of air to the outside and consequent ingress of air through the plate 50.

In the modified form of structure shown in Figs. 3 and 4, further means is provided for effecting condensation of the moisture content of the air discharged from the front end of the drum through the radial openings 44 in the annular flange I6. Such means preferably comprises a duct 5| formed of sheet metal and extending upwardly about the flange IE to enclose the openings 44. Thus, air discharged through the openings 44 is carried through the duct 5| and may be discharged therefrom into thespace between-the drum and the casing Hi through vents 52 provided in the lowerportionof the duct 5 l. Preferably; inthis-embodiment of the invention, the front upright 25' isprovided with a cut-out area 53: within which area the vents 52 are located so that air may be freely discharged from the duct into the space between the drum and the casing. To cool the air as it passes through the duct5 lg'aspraying means 54 is provided within the duct 5 I for spraying cooling fluid downwardly through the air as it passes through the duct. Thus, the cooling fluid will substantially lower the. temperature of the air discharged from the drying chamber to condense a major portion of the moisture content thereof, and the cooling fluid as well as the condensate may be drawn off through a discharge pipe 55 located at the lower end of the duct 5|. The air, after being thus cooled and having a portion of its moisture content removed, is discharged into the space between the drum and the casing It, where it will further contact with the outer wall surfaces of the casing ID to effect further cooling of the air and condensation of its moisture content if the cooling effect of the spray within the duct 5! has not been sufficient to lower the air to the temperature of the walls of the outside casing w. The air, after passing through the space between the drum and the casing H3, is then drawn inwardly through the openings 44 of the flange 11, as in the case of the previously described embodiment of the invention, for reheating and then recirculation through the drying chamber.

I claim:

1. A laundry dryer comprising a non-insulating casing, a rotatable drum mounted within said casing in spaced relation thereto, said drum having intake and outlet openings both communicating with the space between said casing and said drum, and said space providing communication from said outlet to said inlet outside of said drum but within said casing, a fan located in said drum for drawing air into said drum through said intake from said space and for discharging air from said drum through said outlet to said space, and a heater mounted in said intake to heat the air drawn therethrough, the air discharged through said outlet being reduced in temperature in passing through said space to condense a portion of the moisture therein before recirculation through and reheating in said drum.

2. A laundry dryer comprising a closed noninsulating casing, a generally cylindrical drum positioned within said casing in spaced relation thereto and with the axis of the drum horizontal, means for rotatably supporting and driving said drum, said drum having annular flanges projecting from its opposite ends and both flanges having radial perforations to provide communica tion at both ends of the drum with the space between said drum and said casing, means for drawing air into said drum from said space through the radial perforations of one of said flanges and for discharging air from said drum to said space through the radial perforations of the other of said flanges, and means located in said one flange for heating the air as it is drawn into said drum.

3. A laundry dryer comprising a non-insulating casing, a generally cylindrical drum positioned within said casing in spaced relation thereto and with the axis of the drum horizontal, said drum having annular flanges of smaller diameter than the drum projecting from its opposite ends and perforated to provide communication at both ends of the drum with the space between said drum and said casing, means engaging said flanges for rotatably supporting said drum, a fan located in said drum for drawing air through the perforations of one of said flanges and for discharging air through the perforations of the other flange, means located in said one flange for heating the air as it is drawn into said drum, and means connected to one of said flanges for driving the drum.

4. A laundry dryer comprising a closed noninsulating casing, a rotatably driven drum mounted within said casing in spaced relation thereto, means for drawing air into said drum from the space between said drum and said casing and for discharging air from said drum into said space, means located at the point where the air is admitted to the drum for heating the air as it enters said drum, the air discharged from said drum being cooled by contact against said casing to condense moisture therefrom, and means on said drum for stirring the air in said space to increase contact thereof with said casing.

5. A laundry dryer comprising a closed noninsulating casing, a rotatably driven drum mounted within said casing in spaced relation thereto, means for drawing air into said drum from the space between said drum and said casing and for discharging air from said drum into said space, means located at the point where the air is admitted to the drum for heating the air as it enters said drum, the air discharged from said drum being cooled by contact against said casing to condense moisture therefrom, and a plurality of blades mounted on the periphery of said drum for stirring the air in said space to increase contact thereof with saidcasing.

6. A laundry dryer comprising a casing, a generally cylindrical drum mounted with its axis horizontal in said casing in spaced relation thereto and having a pair of annular flanges at its ends provided with radial perforations located in the space at the ends of the drum between the drum and the casing, heating means within one of said flanges, means for drawing air into the drum from said space through the perforations in said one flange and for discharging air from the drum through the perforations of the other flange, a duct extending around the last -mentioned flange to receive the air discharged through the perforations thereof and being apertured to discharge the air into said space, and means in said duct for condensing moisture from said air.

7. A laundry dryer comprising a casing, a generally cylindrical drum mounted with its axis horizontal in said casing in spaced relation thereto and having a pair of annular flanges at its ends provided with radial perforations located in the space at the ends of the drum between the drum and the casing, heating means within one of said flanges, means for drawing air into the drum from said space through the perforations in said one flange and for discharging air from the drum through the perforations of the other flange, a support of plate-like form having a pair of rollers rotatably supporting the last-mentioned flange and having a cut-out area in its lower portion, a box-like duct interposed between the casing Wall and said support and having its upper end extending about said last-mentioned flange to receive the air discharged through the perforations thereof, said duct having vents located in said cut-out area for discharge of the air into said 7 space, and means in said duet for condensing Number moisture from said air. 2,123,304 CHARLES S. ONEIL. 2,137,376 2,262,186 REFERENCES CITED 5 2,310, 30 The following references are of record in the 2,372, file of this patent: 3 3

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 10 2,451,692 467,953 Peregrine Feb. 2, 1892 2,453,359 469,067 Servoss Feb. 16, 1892 1,019,999 Tiemann Mar. 12, 1912 1,531,257 Brockett Mar. 24, 1925 Number 1,756,992 Quiggle May 6, 1930 15 511,612

8 Name Date Hetzer July 12, 1938 Altorfer Nov. 22, 1938 Lindberg Nov. 11, 1941 Dinley Feb. 9, 1943 Morgenstern Apr. 3, 1945 Jorgenson et a1. Jan. 22, 1946 Purpura Feb. 25, 1947 Wales Jan. 13,1948 Pugh Oct. 19, 1948 Pugh Nov. 16, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Aug. 22, 1939

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