Patent ID: 7005618
Filing Date: 2006-02-28
Classification: D06F

Abstract:
1. A method of limiting current, said method comprising: providing an AC sine wave to at least one heater element of an electric clothes dryer; stopping said providing at a zero crossing of the AC sine wave; monitoring the AC sine wave for a subsequent zero crossing; reproviding the AC sine wave to the at least one heater element at the subsequent zero crossing, wherein said reproviding comprises reproviding the AC sine wave to the at least one heater element at a zero crossing more than two half cycles subsequent the zero crossing at which the AC sine wave was stopped; and monitoring a dryer inlet air temperature, a dryer outlet air temperature, a dryer outlet humidity, and a moisture level within the dryer drum to control said stopping and said reproviding to maintain one of a predetermined dryer inlet air temperature to dryer outlet humidity relationship, a predetermined dryer outlet air temperature to dryer outlet humidity relationship, a predetermined dryer inlet air temperature to drum moisture relationship, and a predetermined dryer outlet air temperature to drum moisture relationship.