Method for drying articles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microwave drying technologies for laundry articles can result in runaway thermal effects and arcing due to random energy distribution, making them unsuitable for drying textiles, whereas radio frequency (RF) drying is more controlled but lacks efficient methods for generating a deterministic electromagnetic field for effective drying.
Innovation Solution
A laundry drying system utilizing a radio frequency (RF) applicator with a configuration of partial anode and cathode rings, capacitively coupled to generate a controlled electromagnetic field within a radio frequency spectrum, dielectrically heating liquid in articles to facilitate efficient drying, avoiding the issues of microwave technologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If microwave frequencies are applied for drying laundry articles, then heating efficiency is improved, but thermal runaway and arcing occur due to random energy distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electromagnetic field generation into multiple RF applicators with separate anode and cathode elements arranged in segments around the drum. This segmentation allows controlled distribution of electromagnetic energy throughout the drying chamber, avoiding the random energy distribution problems of microwave systems while maintaining efficient heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the frequency parameter from microwave range to radio frequency range, and modifies the electromagnetic field generation mechanism by using capacitively coupled anode-cathode element pairs. This parameter change enables deterministic field generation that provides controlled heating without thermal runaway, while still achieving effective drying efficiency.
2Reliability
If radio frequency drying is used, then thermal control is improved, but deterministic electromagnetic field generation is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-positioning multiple anode and cathode elements in specific geometric arrangements around the drum before operation. The capacitively coupled element pairs are pre-configured to generate deterministic electromagnetic fields at radio frequency, ensuring both thermal control and drying efficiency from the start of the drying cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces RF applicators with capacitively coupled anode-cathode element pairs as intermediaries between the power source and the laundry articles. These intermediaries generate controlled electromagnetic fields that provide both deterministic field generation and effective thermal control, bridging the gap between reliability and productivity requirements.
3Speed
If conventional microwave drying is applied, then heating speed is improved, but arcing and thermal runaway occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by using multiple independently controllable RF applicator segments that can be activated sequentially or simultaneously. The capacitively coupled anode-cathode elements create dynamic electromagnetic fields that adapt to the load distribution, maintaining high heating speed while preventing arcing and thermal runaway through controlled field distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of high-power electromagnetic heating into a benefit by using radio frequency instead of microwave frequencies, and by implementing capacitively coupled element pairs that provide controlled energy delivery. This approach maintains fast heating speed while eliminating the arcing and thermal runaway problems associated with conventional microwave drying.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The RF drying system effectively and deterministically dries laundry articles by dielectrically heating liquids within the electromagnetic field, reducing the risk of thermal runaway and arcing, while maintaining energy efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
When applying an RF electronic field (e-field) to a wet article, such as a clothing material, the e-field may cause the water molecules within the e-field to dielectrically heat, generating thermal energy which effects the rapid drying of the articles.
Implementation Method 2
energizing the RF applicator at an RF frequency to energize the first partial anode ring and the first partial cathode ring, thereby inducing energization between the first partial anode ring and the second anode, and between the first partial cathode ring and the second cathode respectively to generate a field of electromagnetic radiation (e-field) within a radio frequency spectrum
Implementation Method 3
capacitively coupling the first partial anode ring to the second anode element, and the first partial cathode ring to the second cathode element
Data Source
AI summary
A method for drying an article with a radio frequency (RF) applicator having anode elements and cathode elements includes capacitively coupling the anode elements, capacitively coupling the cathode elements, capactively coupling an anode element to a cathode element, and energizing the RF applicator to generate an RF field between anode and cathode elements wherein liquid residing within the field will be dielectrically heated.