Thermal event suppression system for laundry machines

Abstract

A laundry system includes a cabinet for processing laundry and a thermal event suppression system. The thermal event suppression system including a suppressant source fluidly coupled to the outer cylinder of the cabinet and configured to initiate a gas suppression cycle to inject suppressant from the suppressant source into the cabinet when the thermal event suppression system detects a thermal event in the cabinet.

Description

Thermal Event Suppression System for Laundry MachinesCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 63 / 667,429, filed on July 3, 2024. The disclosure of this prior application is considered part of the disclosure of this application and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates to a thermal event suppression system integrated with laundry machines.BACKGROUND

[0003] This section provides background information related to the present disclosure and is not necessarily prior art.

[0004] Laundry systems, and particularly dryers, conventionally include a cabinet within which a cylindrical basket is disposed for processing laundry. Through operation of a motor driven fan, hot air is drawn from a heater (e.g., gas or electric) into the cabinet, where the hot air comes into contact with clothes tumbling in a cylinder basket. While the hot air is circulated in the cylindrical basket, hot spots may develop. For instance, dried laundry frequently retains traces of oil, grease, or even cleaning products that can be flammable. If there is no cool-down cycle to reduce the temperature of the laundry within the machine, the hot fabric can combust.

[0005] While existing laundry systems that are equipped with water lines are particularly adept at suppressing thermal events (e.g., hot spots, combustions, fires) that form within dryers, not all laundry systems have access to water lines, or are equipped to connect to water lines. For example, where water lines are not practical due to existing utilities or spacing in which the laundry system is located. In the cases of electric dryers, incorporating water lines may require additional safety protocols to limit the risk of electric shock in the event heating elements are exposed to water. Accordingly, there exists a needin the art for a thermal event suppression system capable of quickly extinguishing a variety of thermal event types in laundry machines that are not connected to a water source.SUMMARY

[0006] One aspect of the disclosure provides a laundry system including a cabinet for processing laundry and a thermal event suppression system. The thermal event suppression system includes a suppressant source fluidly coupled to the cabinet of the cabinet and configured to initiate a gas suppression cycle to inject suppressant from the suppressant source into the cabinet when the thermal event suppression system detects a thermal event in the cabinet.

[0007] Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some implementations, the thermal event suppression system is further configured to initiate a suppression tumble cycle when the thermal event suppression system detects the thermal event in the cabinet. In these implementations, the thermal event suppression system may initiate the suppression tumble cycle before initiating the gas suppression cycle. In some examples, the cabinet includes a heat shroud. Here, at least a portion of the thermal event suppression system is disposed within the heat shroud.

[0008] In some implementations, the suppressant is carbon dioxide (CO2). In some examples, the suppressant is configured to displace oxygen (O2) in the cabinet. In some implementations, the thermal event suppression system further includes a thermal event sensor that detects the thermal event in the cabinet. In these implementations, the thermal event sensor may include one or more of a thermistor and a carbon monoxide sensor. Here, the thermal event suppression system may further include a dispensing controller in communication with the suppressant source and the thermal event sensor. The dispensing controller may identify the thermal event in the cabinet when the dispensing controller determines a safety threshold has been satisfied based on sensor data received from the thermal event sensor.

[0009] Another aspect of the disclosure provides a computer-implemented method for thermal event suppression in a laundry system that when executed on data processing hardware causes the data processing hardware to perform operations that include detectinga thermal event in a laundry cabinet, initiating a suppression tumble cycle, and during the suppression tumble cycle, initiating a gas suppression cycle by injecting a suppressant from a suppressant source into the laundry cabinet.

[0010] This aspect may include one or more of the following optional features. In some implementations, the suppression tumble cycle includes a no-heat, no-airflow tumble. In some examples, the suppressant is carbon dioxide (CO2). In these examples, the CO2 may be configured to displace oxygen (O2) in the laundry cabinet.

[0011] In some implementations, the operations further include ending the gas suppression cycle while continuing the suppression tumble cycle. In some examples, detecting the thermal event in the inner cylinder of the laundry cabinet includes receiving sensor data from a thermal event sensor, and, determining that the sensor data exceeds a safety threshold. In these examples, the thermal event sensor may include one or more of a thermistor and a carbon monoxide sensor.

[0012] In some implementations, detecting the thermal event in the laundry cabinet includes detecting the thermal event while the laundry system is in an idle state. In some examples, the operations further include transmitting a fire alert to a user device in communication with the data processing hardware. In some implementations, initiating the gas suppression cycle includes detecting that the thermal event in the laundry cabinet is not extinguished.

[0013] The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. l is a front perspective view of a laundry system including a thermal event suppression system according to the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the laundry system of FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 3 is an exploded fragmentary perspective view of a cabinet and a thermal event suppression system of the laundry system of FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a front perspective, cross-sectional view of the laundry system of FIG.1, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the laundry system of FIG. 1 .

[0019] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of another laundry system including a thermal event suppression system according to the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a flowchart arrangement of operations for a method of suppressing a thermal event in a laundry system.

[0021] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Example configurations will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Specific details are set forth, such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of configurations of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example configurations may be embodied in many different forms, and that the specific details and the example configurations should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a laundry system 10 is illustrated and includes a cabinet 100 including an integrated thermal event suppression system 200. Briefly, and as described in more detail below, the integrated thermal event suppression system 200 detects (e.g., via a thermal event sensor 234; FIG. 3) a thermal event 14 in the cabinet 100, and begins a suppression protocol, thereby reducing the heat and oxygen in the cabinet to minimize the fuel for the thermal event 14. Thereafter, while executing the suppression protocol, the thermal event suppression system 200 initiates a gas suppression cycle to inject suppressant 12 from a suppressant source 204 into the cabinet 100 to suppress and / or extinguish the thermal event 14. Here, the suppressant 12 may extinguish the thermal event 14 by displacing the oxygen in the cabinet 100 and cooling (e.g., via expansion of the suppressant 12). Advantageously, because the thermal event suppression system 200 uses the suppressant 12 to suppress and / or extinguish the thermal event 14, the thermal event suppression system 200 may be integrated within a wide variation of laundry systems suchas, without limitation, electric heat tumble dryers, gas tumble dryers, commercial dryer systems, as well as stack tumble dryers.

[0024] As shown, the laundry system 10 includes one (1) cabinet 100 (i.e., single dryer cabinet). However, the laundry system 10 may include any number of cabinets 100 enclosing one or more dryer pockets (e.g., tumblers). For example, the laundry system 10 may include vertically stacked tumbler dryers or a single cabinet enclosing a stacked pair of tumblers. In other examples, the thermal event suppression system 200 of the laundry system 10 may be implemented in conjunction with a cabinet or plurality of cabinets that include a single combined washer / dryer, stacked combined washer / dryers, a washer stacked with a dryer, or a row of commercial dryers (e.g., electric or gas powered dryers). In view of the substantial similarity in structure and function of the components associated with each of the cabinets 100 of the laundry system 10, like reference numerals are used hereinafter and in the drawings to identify like components.

[0025] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the cabinet 100 includes one or more side panels 102a-102d, a top panel 104, a bottom panel 106, an upper panel 108, a lower panel 110, and a divider panel 112. As shown, the cabinet 100 includes a first, front side panel 102a, a second, rear side panel 102b disposed on an opposite side (i.e., a back side) of the cabinet 100 than the front side panel 102a. A third side panel 102c and a fourth side panel 102d each extend between the front side panel 102a and the rear side panel 102b. Additionally, the top panel 104 extends across a top end of the cabinet 100 and between the side panels 102a-102d, while the bottom panel 106 extends parallel to the top panel 104, across a bottom end (i.e., opposite the top panel 104) of the cabinet 100, and between the side panels 102a-102d such that the side panels 102a-102d, the top panel 104, and the bottom panel 106 collectively define a cavity 101.

[0026] Further, the upper panel 108, the lower panel 110, and the divider panel 112 each cooperate to separate the cavity 101 into a tumbler cavity 114, an upper heat shroud 116, a rear heat shroud 118, and an air exhaust duct 120. In particular, the upper panel 108 is disposed between and parallel to the top panel 104 and the bottom panel 106 and extends between the side panels 102a-102d such that the side panels 102a-102d, the top panel 104 and the upper panel 108 collectively define an upper heat shroud 116. The lower panel 110 is disposed between and parallel to the bottom panel 106 and the upper panel 108 andextends between the side panels 102a-l 02d such that the side panels 102a-l 02d, the bottom panel 106, and the lower panel 110 cooperate to form an air exhaust duct 120 through which air in the cabinet 100 is removed (e.g., through an air handling system (not shown)). The divider panel 112 is disposed parallel to and between the front side panel 102a and the rear side panel 102b and extends between the third side panel 102c and the fourth side panel 102d such that the divider panel 112 and the side panels 102a, 102c, 102d collectively form the tumbler cavity 114, while the divider panel 112 and the side panels 102b-102d collectively form the rear heat shroud 118. As described in further detail below, the upper heat shroud 116 and the rear heat shroud 118 each provide a fire barrier and thermal insulation for respective components disposed therein.

[0027] With continued reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the cabinet 100 includes a stationary hollow housing 126 (e.g., an outer shell) and a rotatable hollow inner cylinder 128, each disposed within the tumbler cavity 114 and configured to process laundry. The housing 126 includes an outer rear panel 136 and an outer cylindrical wall 134 extending axially from the outer rear panel 136. The outer cylindrical wall 134 includes an inner surface 130 and an opposite outer surface 132 that cooperate to form the outer cylindrical wall 134. The inner cylinder 128 includes an inner rear panel 144 and an inner cylindrical wall 142 extending axially from the inner rear panel 144. The inner cylindrical wall 142 includes an inner surface 138 and an outer surface 140 that cooperate to form the inner cylindrical wall 142. As shown, the inner cylindrical wall 142 of the inner cylinder 128 is concentric with and disposed within the outer cylindrical wall 134 of the housing 126, where the inner cylinder 128 is configured to rotate about a central axis Aiu of the tumbler cavity 114 during a tumble cycle of the system 10. The inner cylinder 128 may include a plurality of holes (not shown) each extending through a thickness of the inner cylindrical wall 142 (e.g., from the inner surface 138 to the outer surface 140) or the inner rear panel 144 of the inner cylinder 128 such that the housing 126 and the inner cylinder 128 are in fluid communication with one another. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the outer cylindrical wall 134 of the housing 126 may connect to the air exhaust duct 120 for air and / or other gases to exit the cabinet 100 (e.g., by an air handling system connected to louvered openings 124 formed through the rear side panel 102b).

[0028] The cabinet 100 additionally includes a door 122 mounted adjacent to an opening in the front side panel 102a that allows a user to access the interior of the inner cylinder 128, and a controller 146 including a user interface 148. The controller 146 additionally includes data processing hardware 150 and memory hardware 1 2. The data processing hardware 150 can process instructions for execution within the controller 146, including instructions stored in the memory hardware 152 to display information in the user interface 148. In some implementations, the user interface 148 is rendered for display on a screen 154 of the controller 146 and responds to any form of sensory feedback, e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback, and input from the user can be received in any form including acoustic, speech, or tactile input. Additionally or alternatively, the user interface 148 includes one or more mechanical buttons and / or status lights 156.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1-6, the laundry system 10 includes the thermal event suppression system 200 that is configured to detect a thermal event 14 in the laundry system (i.e., in the inner cylinder 128 of the cabinet 100), and mitigate or suppress the thermal event 14 using at suppression protocol including at least one of a suppression tumble cycle and a gas suppression cycle. The thermal event suppression system 200 includes one or more thermal event sensors 234 that detect the thermal event 14, and a dispensing system 202 fluidly connected by a suppressant supply line 220 to a suppressant source 204 that contains a suppressant 12. The dispensing system 202 includes a dispensing controller 206 having data processing hardware 208 and memory hardware 210. The data processing hardware 208 can process instructions for execution within the dispensing controller 206, including instructions stored in the memory hardware 210 to dispense the suppressant 12. Notably, the data processing hardware 208 is communicatively coupled (e.g., wirelessly or wired) with the data processing hardware 150 of the cabinet 100 such that the dispensing system 200 is directly integrated into the operations of the cabinet 100. In some implementations, the dispensing controller 206 is in communication (e.g., via a network) with a remote system having remote data processing hardware and remote memory hardware storing instructions that when executed on the remote data processing hardware causes the remote data processing hardware to perform operations. In some examples, execution of the thermal event suppression system 200 is shared across the dispensing controller 206 and the remote system. In other examples, rather than executing the thermalevent suppression system 200 locally (e.g., by the device controller 206), execution of the thermal event suppression system 200 is performed entirely by the remote system.

[0030] The dispensing system 202 additionally includes a nozzle 212 configured to dispense the suppressant 12, a valve 214, and an actuator 216 configured to control a flow rate of the suppressant 12 from the suppressant source 204 to the nozzle 212. The valve 214 and the actuator 216 may be electromechanical, thermally operated, and / or include a material seal that breaks above a threshold temperature. In some implementations, the dispensing controller 206 is communicatively coupled to the actuator 216 and is configured to send instructions (e.g., via the data processing hardware 208) to the actuator 216 to control the flow of the suppressant 12 via the valve 214. As shown, the dispensing controller 206 communicates with the actuator 216 via the wiring 222, however in some implementations the dispensing controller 206 is in wireless communication with the actuator 216. In some implementations, the dispensing system 202 includes a power source 236 (FIGS. 5 and 6), however in other implementations the dispensing system 202 shares the power source of the cabinet 100.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the dispensing system 202 is disposed in one or more of the top heat shroud 116 and the rear heat shroud 118 to isolate and thermally insulate the components of the dispensing system 202 from the thermal event 14 and / or heat from processing the laundry. While FIGS. 1-3 show the dispensing controller 206 in the rear heat shroud 118 and the remaining portions (e.g. the valve 214 and the actuator 216) of the dispensing system 202 in the top heat shroud 116, it should be appreciated that components of the dispensing system 200 may be disposed inside any portion of the cabinet 100, outside the cabinet 100, or any combination thereof.

[0032] The suppressant 12 contained in the suppressant source 204 may include an inert gas, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), and may be stored in the suppressant source 204 in a pressurized gas form or in a liquid form (e.g., liquid CO2). It should be appreciated that any inert gas may be used as the suppressant 12 such as, without limitation, argon (Ar), nitrogen (N), or a blend thereof. In implementations where the suppressant source 204 stores the suppressant 12 in liquid form, the suppressant 12 may be injected into the cabinet 100 (i.e., the cavity 101 of the cabinet 100) in its liquid state. The suppressant supply line 220 may include high-pressure tubing for injecting the suppressant 12 at a high pressure.Conversely, the suppressant supply line 220 may include low-pressure tubing when injecting the suppressant 12 at a regulated low pressure. As shown, the suppressant source 204 includes a cylinder that may be easily filled and / or replaced, however in other implementations the suppressant source 204 may include a larger tank and / or a utility that provides (via the suppressant supply line 220) a continuous flow of the suppressant 12. While FIGS. 2, 5, and 6 show the suppressant source 204 separate from the cabinet 100, the suppressant source 204 may alternatively be installed in the cabinet 100 as a single-use bottle. Optionally the suppressant source 204 is installed externally as a centralized source and connected to multiple cabinets 100 (FIG. 6).

[0033] With particular reference to FIG. 3, the suppressant source 204 is fluidly connected to the dispensing system 202 via the suppressant supply line 220. Here, the suppressant source 204 is fitted with a regulator 218 to control the flow rate of the suppressant 12 as it flows into the suppressant supply line 220 from the suppressant source 204. For example, the regulator 218 may maintain the pressure at 50 pounds per square inch (psi). However it should be appreciated that the regulator 218 may maintain the pressure at anywhere between 1 and 800 psi. The suppressant supply line 220 may enter the top heat shroud 116 via an opening (not shown) in the rear panel 102b. As shown, the opening may be fitted with a grommet or snap bushing 224 through which the suppressant supply line 220 extends. The suppressant supply line 220 may be fluidly connected to a conduit 230 and the dispensing nozzle 212 via the valve 214, where the valve 214 controls (e.g., via the actuator 216) the flow rate of the suppressant 12 in the suppressant supply line 220.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the conduit 230 may extend through the upper panel 108 and into the tumbler cavity 114 to the nozzle 212 disposed at the housing 126. For example, the nozzle 212 may be mounted to the outer surface 132 of the housing 126 via a bracket 232 secured with fasteners 228 (e.g., screws or bolts). In some implementations, the nozzle 212 extends through an aperture formed through a thickness (e.g., from the outer surface 132 to the inner surface 130) of the housing 126. Here, the nozzle 212 fluidly connects the suppressant source 204 to the housing 126 such that the suppressant 12 may be injected into the housing 126 and the inner cylinder 128. However, it should be appreciated that the nozzle 212 may be mounted in any area of the cabinet 100 that allowsthe thermal event suppression system 200 to introduce the suppressant 12 into the cavity 101 of cabinet 100.

[0035] The thermal event suppression system 200 further includes the thermal event sensor 234 configured to generate sensor data 702 (FIG. 7) indicating the thermal event 14 and transmit the sensor data 702 to the dispensing controller 206 which detects the thermal event 14 in the sensor data 702. As shown, the thermal event sensor 234 is secured to the housing 126 via a plate 226 and a fastener 228, however the thermal event sensor 234 may be located in any position within the cabinet 100 that allows the thermal event sensor 234 to accurately measure the sensor data 702 indicating the thermal event 14 in the cabinet 100. Here, the thermal event sensor 234 provides the sensor data 702 to the dispensing controller 206, and the dispensing controller 206 detects that there is a thermal event 14 in the cabinet 100 when the sensor data 702 indicates that a safety threshold has been reached. In some implementations, the thermal event sensor 234 includes a thermistor that may detect the sensor data 702 (i.e., the temperature) within the cabinet 100 and communicate the sensor data 702 to the dispensing controller 206. Additionally or alternatively, the thermal event sensor 234 includes a carbon monoxide sensor that measures the sensor data (i.e., carbon monoxide / smoke levels) in the cabinet 100. In some implementations, the cabinet 100 may include an exhaust gate (not shown) in communication with the dispensing controller 206 that may be selectively closed to further prevent further oxygen from entering (e.g., flowing into) the cabinet 100.

[0036] In additional or alternative configurations, the thermal event sensor 234 could also include a particulate sensor to detect airborne particles generated during a thermal event 14. For instance, the particulate sensor could be a photoelectric sensor, which utilizes a light source and a light-sensitive detector. When smoke particles enter a chamber of the photoelectric thermal event sensor 234, they scatter the light beam, causing it to strike the detector and trigger an alarm. Alternatively, the sensor 234 could be another type of optical sensor that similarly detects the presence of smoke or other particulates indicative of a fire within the cabinet 100. This data would then be transmitted to the dispensing controller 206, which would identify the presence of these particulates as a thermal event 14.

[0037] With particular reference to FIG. 7, a flowchart arrangement of operations for a method 700 of suppressing thermal events in the laundry system 10 using a fire suppressionsystem 200 is shown. The method 700 may be described with reference to FIGS. 1-6. During operation of a drying cycle of the cabinet 100, at operation 710, the dispensing controller 206 receives (e.g., at the data processing hardware 208 of the dispensing controller 206) sensor data 702 measured by the thermal event sensor 234. At operation 720, and as discussed above, the dispensing controller 206 evaluates the sensor data 702 and determines whether the sensor data 702 reaches and / or exceeds a safety threshold indicating that a thermal event 14 is occurring in the cabinet 100.

[0038] As used herein, the safety threshold may include a configurable threshold that, when exceeded, indicates that a thermal event 14 is occurring. For instance, when the thermal event sensor 234 includes a thermistor, the safety threshold may be a temperature threshold. Alternatively, the safety threshold may include a change in temperature threshold after the drying cycle has ended, where a measured change in temperature (i.e., heat rise) of the cabinet that exceeds the change in temperature threshold indicates that a thermal event is happening. In implementations where the thermal event sensor 234 includes a carbon monoxide sensor, the safety threshold may be a carbon monoxide (i.e., smoke) threshold. Here, the dispensing controller detecting that the sensor data 702 meets and / or exceeds the carbon monoxide threshold indicates that the thermal event 14 is occurring. While the thermal event sensor 234 is described as a single sensor, it should be appreciated that the laundry system 10 may optionally include more than one thermal event sensor 234, and the dispensing controller 206 may use more than one of the safety thresholds to detect a thermal event 14 in the cabinet 100 using a combination of the temperature safety threshold, the change in temperature threshold, and the carbon monoxide threshold.

[0039] At operation 720, when the device controller 206 determines that the sensor data 702 does not exceed the safety threshold, it may continue to receive and monitor the incoming sensor data 702. Alternatively, when the device controller 206 determines that the sensor data 702 meets and / or exceeds the safety threshold, the device controller proceeds to operation 730 and initiates the suppression tumble cycle. Here, the dispensing controller 206 of the thermal event suppression system 200 is in communication with the cabinet controller 146 of the cabinet 100, and sends instructions to the cabinet controller 146 to initiate the suppression tumble cycle. The suppression tumble cycle may includeplacing the inner cylinder 128 into a no-heat, no airflow tumble, where the rotations of the inner cylinder 128 reduce the heat and oxygen (02) in the tumbler cavity 114 to suffocate the thermal event. For example, the suppression tumble cycle redistributes the laundry, thereby dissipating the heat in the laundry. Moreover, the availability of oxygen is reduced through the contact or smothering of burning laundry against the inner surface 138 of the inner cylinder 128.

[0040] At operation 740, while the suppression tumble cycle is operating, at operation 740, the device controller 206 receives additional sensor data 702 measured by the thermal event sensor 234. At operation 750, the device controller 206 determines whether the sensor data 702 is at or below a neutral threshold. Here, the neutral threshold may generally refer to a temperature level and / or carbon monoxide level indicating that the thermal event 14 is extinguished and / or neutralized. If, the received sensor data 702 falls below neutral threshold, at operation 760, the device controller 206 may generate instructions for the cabinet controller 146 to end the suppression tumble cycle.

[0041] Conversely, if, after initiating the suppression tumble cycle, the dispensing controller 206 detects in the sensor data 702 is not below the neutral threshold, the device controller 206 proceeds to operation 770 and initiates a gas suppression cycle. For example, the device controller 206 sends instructions to the cabinet controller 146 to initiate the gas suppression cycle by injecting the suppressant 12 from the suppressant source 204 into the inner cylinder 128. The gas suppression cycle may include the dispensing controller 206 of the dispensing system 202 instructing the actuator 216 to open the valve 214 such that the suppressant 12 flows into the cabinet 100. Here, the suppressant 12 may be injected into the inner cylinder 128 via the nozzle 212 extending through the housing 126. In particular, the holes (not shown) in the inner cylinder 128 may allow the suppressant 12 to fluidly flow from the housing 126 and into the inner cylinder 128. Due to its greater density, the suppressant 12 may displace the oxygen in the inner cylinder 128, thereby suffocating the thermal event 14 until it extinguishes. Moreover, the suppressant 12 may rapidly expand as it exits the high-pressure suppressant source 204 connected to the nozzle 212. As the suppressant expands, a temperature of the suppressant drops, thereby cooling the inner cylinder 128 and further suppressing the thermal event 14. The oxygen displaced by the suppressant 12 may rise while the suppressant 12 flows down, andreverse the air flow of the cabinet 100 such that the displaced air flows out through an inlet in the air handling system of the cabinet 100.

[0042] The thermal event suppression system 200 may include a closed-loop configuration that continues to inject the suppressant 12 into the inner cylinder 128 until the dispensing controller 206 determines that the thermal event 14 is suppressed / extinguished based on the sensor data (i.e., via detecting that the temperature and / or carbon monoxide levels in the cabinet 100 have fallen below a safe threshold). When the dispensing controller 206 detects that the thermal event 14 is suppressed / extinguished, the dispensing controller 206 may instruct the actuator 216 to close the gas valve 214, thereby ending the gas suppression cycle. In some implementations, the thermal event suppression system 200 instructs the cabinet 100 to continue the suppression tumble cycle after the gas suppression cycle ends to provide additional cooling to the cabinet 100 and reduce the risk of the thermal event 14 reigniting.

[0043] While the illustrated example is provided as a closed-loop thermal event suppression system 200, in alternate examples the thermal event suppression system 200 is configured as an open-loop or passive system, whereby the thermal event suppression system 200 injects a predetermined amount of the suppressant based on volume or time. This open loop configuration simplifies the system 200 and reduces manufacturing costs, but requires that suppressant 12 be provided at a fixed volume to ensure that all thermal events 14 are extinguished. Accordingly, the open-loop configuration may inject more suppressant 12 than is necessary for some thermal events.

[0044] Regardless of whether the thermal event suppression system 200 is provided as an open-loop or closed-loop configuration, the valve 214 may include a burst valve configured to activate upon detection of a threshold temperature. Upon activation, the burst valve enables rapid release of the suppressant 12 from the suppressant source 204. This configuration offers multiple advantages. Initially, use of a first valve facilitates the swift injection and dispersion of the suppressant 12, which aids in the prompt dissipation of thermal energy and helps maintain the air quality in the surrounding environment, such as the area around the laundry system 10. Additionally, use of the burst valve provides a cooling effect due to the rapid decompression and injection of the suppressant 12, which contributes to the overall thermal mitigation performance of the system 10.

[0045] In addition to the methods previously described, the thermal event suppression system 200 may be configured to suffocate the thermal event 14 by sealing the cabinet 100 from external air sources. To achieve this, air inlets and outlets for the cabinet 100, such as the dryer exhaust vents or fresh air intakes, may be equipped with baffles, valves, or dampers. Upon detection of a thermal event 14 by the sensor 234, the dispensing controller 206 can actuate these components to close, thereby restricting the flow of fresh oxygen into the tumbler cavity 114. By cutting off the oxygen supply, the system 10 can actively suppress the thermal event 14. This suffocation method may be implemented as a standalone response or in conjunction with the fluid-dispensing operations 730 and tumbling operations 770 described previously to create a more robust fire suppression strategy.

[0046] In some implementations, the dispensing controller 206 of the thermal event suppression system 200 generates alerts that may be displayed in the user interface 148 of the cabinet 100 and / or on a screen of a user device (e.g., a mobile device; not shown) in communication with the respective data processing hardware 150, 208 of the dispensing controllers 146, 206. For example, when the thermal event suppression system 202 detects a thermal event 14 in the cabinet 100, the dispensing controller 206 may transmit a fire alert to a mobile device of the user to notify the user of the thermal event 14. Additional alerts may be generated and transmitted to the user interface 148 and / or the user device when the suppressant 12 is injected (i.e., when the gas suppression cycle starts), when the gas suppression cycle ends, when the suppression tumble starts and / or ends, and when the thermal event sensor 234 detects that the thermal event 14 is extinguished.

[0047] While the thermal event suppression system 200 is generally described as executing operations during an active drying cycle of the cabinet 100, it should be appreciated that the thermal event sensor 234 may detect a thermal event 14 in any state of the laundry system 10, such as when the laundry system 10 is in an idle state. Advantageously, the thermal event suppression system 200 follows existing fire and safety regulations for commercial laundry appliances such as ceasing tumbling operations when the door 122 opens and limiting the flow of the suppressant 12 to a safe parts per million (ppm). Additionally the thermal event suppression system 200 may use a low-pressure delivery of the suppressant 12 into the inner cylinder 128 to reduce any mechanical hazardsof the thermal event suppression system 200. In some implementations, the regulator 218 includes a health gauge or sensor to indicate potential leaks or low pressure in the suppressant source 204. In these implementations, the indication may be sent as a notification to the user interface 148 and / or the mobile device of the user.

[0048] With reference to FIG. 6, another example of a thermal event suppression system 200a is shown. Here, the suppressant source 204 is installed externally as a centralized tank connected to multiple dispensing systems 202a, 202b. In view of the substantial similarity in structure and function of the components associated with the thermal event suppression system 200a with respect to the thermal event suppression system 200, like reference numerals are used hereinafter and in the drawings to identify like components.

[0049] As shown, the suppressant source 204 is connected to a first dispensing system 202a having a first valve 214a, a first actuator 216a, a first dispensing controller 206a, and the power source 236. Likewise, the suppressant source 204 is connected to a second dispensing system 202b having a second valve 214b, a second actuator 216b, and a second dispensing controller 206b. The thermal event suppression system 200a may further include a tee cross 238 in the suppressant supply line 220 to split the suppressant supply line into a first suppressant supply line 220a fluidly connecting the suppressant source 204 to the first dispensing system 202a and a second suppressant supply line 220b fluidly connecting the suppressant source 204 to the second dispensing system 202b. While two thermal event suppression systems 200a, 200b are shown, it should be appreciated that the laundry system 10 may include any number of thermal event suppression systems corresponding to the number of cabinets 10 in the laundry system 10.

[0050] The foregoing description has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular configuration are generally not limited to that particular configuration, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected configuration, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

[0051] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary configurations only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular articles“a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. Additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0052] When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” “attached to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, attached, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” “directly attached to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0053] The terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections. These elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example configurations.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A laundry system comprising: a cabinet for processing laundry; and a thermal event suppression system including a suppressant source fluidly coupled to the cabinet and configured to initiate a gas suppression cycle to inject suppressant from the suppressant source into the cabinet when the thermal event suppression system detects a thermal event in the cabinet.

2. The laundry system of Claim 1, wherein the thermal event suppression system is further configured to initiate a suppression tumble cycle when the thermal event suppression system detects the thermal event in the cabinet.

3. The laundry system of Claim 2, wherein the thermal event suppression system initiates the suppression tumble cycle before initiating the gas suppression cycle.

4. The laundry system of any of Claims 1-3, wherein the cabinet includes a heat shroud, at least a portion of the thermal event suppression system being disposed within the heat shroud.

5. The laundry system of any of Claims 1-4, wherein the suppressant is carbon dioxide (CO2).

6. The laundry system of any of Claims 1-5, wherein the suppressant is configured to displace oxygen (O2) in the cabinet.

7. The laundry system of any of Claims 1-6, wherein the thermal event suppression system further includes a thermal event sensor that detects the thermal event in the cabinet.

8. The laundry system of Claim 7, wherein the thermal event sensor includes one or more of a thermistor or a carbon monoxide sensor.9 The laundry system of Claim 8, wherein the thermal event suppression system further includes a dispensing controller in communication with the suppressant source and the thermal event sensor.

10. The laundry system of Claim 9, wherein the dispensing controller identifies the thermal event in the cabinet when the dispensing controller determines a safety threshold has been satisfied based on sensor data received from the thermal event sensor.

11. A computer-implemented method for thermal event suppression in a laundry system, that when executed on data processing hardware, causes the data processing hardware to perform operations comprising: detecting a thermal event in a laundry cabinet; initiating a suppression tumble cycle; and during the suppression tumble cycle, initiating a gas suppression cycle by injecting a suppressant from a suppressant source into the laundry cabinet.

12. The method of Claim 11, wherein the suppression tumble cycle includes a no-heat, no-airflow tumble.

13. The method of Claim 11 or 12, wherein the suppressant is carbon dioxide (CO2)14. The method of Claim 13, wherein the CO2 is configured to displace oxygen (O2) in the laundry cabinet.

15. The method of any of Claims 11-14, wherein the operations further comprise ending the gas suppression cycle while continuing the suppression tumble cycle.

16. The method of any of Claims 11-15, wherein detecting the thermal event in the inner cylinder of the laundry cabinet comprises: receiving sensor data from a thermal event sensor; anddetermining that the sensor data exceeds a safety threshold.

17. The method of Claim 16, wherein the thermal event sensor includes one or more of a thermistor or a carbon monoxide sensor.

18. The method of any of Claims 11-17, wherein detecting the thermal event in the laundry cabinet includes detecting the thermal event while the laundry system is in an idle state.

19. The method of any of Claims 11-18, wherein the operations further comprise transmitting a fire alert to a user device in communication with the data processing hardware.

20. The method of any of Claims 11-19, wherein initiating the gas suppression cycle comprises detecting that the thermal event in the laundry cabinet is not extinguished.

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