Patent ID: 8615897
Filing Date: 2013-12-31
Classification: D06F

Abstract:
1. A drying device for tumble drying articles, the drying device comprising: a drum coupled to a support frame to enable rotation of the drum, the drum having an interior space; a blower coupled to the support frame, the blower being configured to generate an air flow within the interior space of the drum in response to being driven by an electric motor; a blower sensor configured to generate a signal indicative the blower is generating air flow; a non-line frequency electric motor coupled to the support frame, the electric motor having an output shaft with a first and a second end, the first end of the output shaft being connected directly to the blower to drive the blower and the second end is coupled to the drum to rotate the drum; a load sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a load on the non-line frequency electric motor; a frequency generator that is electrically connected to a voltage source to receive a voltage having a line frequency and is electrically connected to the non-line frequency electric motor, the frequency generator being configured to generate a non-line frequency voltage; and a controller operatively connected to the frequency generator, the blower sensor, and the load sensor, the controller being configured to operate the frequency generator to control an angular velocity of the output shaft of the electric motor with reference to the signal generated by the load sensor and to energize an enunciator in response to the signal from the blower sensor indicating the blower is not generating air flow.