Office Action 1: Non-Final Rejection (2025-06-02)
Rejection types: 103 - Obviousness

CLAIMS:
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1\. A dryer appliance defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction, the dryer appliance comprising:
a cabinet;
a drum rotatably mounted within the cabinet, the drum defining a chamber for receipt of clothes for drying and a chamber inlet;
an inlet duct fluidly coupled to the chamber inlet;
an air handler in fluid communication with the inlet duct for urging a flow of air through the inlet duct and into the chamber; and
an induction heating assembly in thermal communication with the inlet duct, the induction heating assembly comprising:
an induction coil for generating an electromagnetic field;
a heating plate for generating heat when energized by the electromagnetic field; and
a heat exchanger in conductive thermal communication with the heating plate.

2\. The dryer appliance of claim 1, wherein the heating plate comprises a first material and the heat exchanger comprises a second material different from the first material.

3\. The dryer appliance of claim 2, wherein the first material is a ferritic material.

4\. The dryer appliance of claim 2, wherein the second material comprises aluminum.

5\. The dryer appliance of claim 1, wherein the heating plate is positioned outside the inlet duct and the heat exchanger is positioned within the inlet duct.

6\. The dryer appliance of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a plurality of fins oriented generally along the direction of the flow of air urged through the inlet duct by the air handler.

7\. The dryer appliance of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger defines an impeller rotatably mounted within the inlet duct and wherein the induction heating further comprises a stator fixedly mounted within the inlet duct.

8\. The dryer appliance of claim 7, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a flow conditioner plate comprising a ferritic material.

9\. The dryer appliance of claim 1, wherein the induction coil is wound around an outside of the inlet duct.

10\. An induction heating assembly for heating a flow of air in a dryer appliance, the dryer appliance comprising an inlet duct in fluid communication with a chamber;
the induction heating assembly comprising: SVG {EMBED HERE} 0.16 3.78
a heating plate for generating heat when energized by the electromagnetic field; and
a heat exchanger in conductive thermal communication with the heating plate.

11\. The induction heating assembly of claim 10, wherein the heating plate comprises a first material and the heat exchanger comprises a second material different from the first material.

12\. The induction heating assembly of claim 11, wherein the first material is a ferritic material.

13\. The induction heating assembly of claim 11, wherein the second material comprises aluminum.

14\. The induction heating assembly of claim 10, wherein the heating plate is configured to be positioned outside the inlet duct of the dryer appliance and the heat exchanger is configured to be positioned within the inlet duct of the dryer appliance.

15\. The induction heating assembly of claim 10, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a plurality of fins configured to be oriented generally along a direction of the flow of air in the inlet duct of the dryer appliance.

16\. The induction heating assembly of claim 10, wherein the heat exchanger defines an impeller configured for rotatably mounting within the inlet duct of the dryer appliance, further comprising a stator configured for fixedly mounting within the inlet duct of the dryer appliance.

17\. The induction heating assembly of claim 16, wherein the heating plate comprises a flow conditioner plate comprising a ferritic material.

18\. The induction heating assembly of claim 10, wherein the induction coil is configured to be wound around an outside of the inlet duct of the dryer appliance. 13 14 15

OFFICE ACTION:
Notice of Pre-AIA  or AIA  Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA  35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA  35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA  to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary.  Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claims 1, 5, 6, 8, 10  are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over US Patent 10,626,523 to Lim in view of US Patent 9,544,945 to Hadoulias.
In Reference to Claim 1
Lim discloses a dryer appliance defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction, the dryer appliance comprising: a cabinet (Fig. 6, 26); a drum (Fig. 6, 28) rotatably mounted within the cabinet, the drum defining a chamber for receipt of clothes for drying and a chamber inlet; an inlet duct (Fig. 6, 52) fluidly coupled to the chamber inlet; an air handler (Fig. 6, 32) in fluid communication with the inlet duct for urging a flow of air through the inlet duct and into the chamber; and an induction heating assembly in thermal communication with the inlet duct, the induction heating assembly comprising: an induction coil (Fig. 6, 110) for generating an electromagnetic field; a heating plate (Fig. 6, 112) for generating heat when energized by the electromagnetic field;
Lim does not teach a heat exchanger.
Hadoulias teaches a heat exchanger (Fig. 1, 105) in conductive thermal communication with the heating plate.
It would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention, to incorporate teachings from Hadoulias into the design of Lim.  Doing so, would result in a heat exchanger being implemented into the inlet duct of Lim.  Both inventions of Lim and Hadoulias having conductive heating system for an air dryer, Hadoulias teaches  a high efficiency process to supply heat to heated air (Col. 1, Line 45-50)
In Reference to Claims 5 and 6
Lim teaches the heating plate (Fig. 6, 112) is positioned outside of the inlet duct.
Lim does not teach the heat exchanger.
the heat exchanger comprises a plurality of fins (As showed in Fig. 6) oriented generally along the direction of the flow of air urged through the inlet duct by the air handler.
Hadoulias teaches the heat exchangers is positioned within the inlet duct (As showed in Fig. 1)
It would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention, to incorporate teachings from Hadoulias into the design of Lim.  Doing so, would result in a heat exchanger being implemented into the inlet duct of Lim.  Both inventions of Lim and Hadoulias having conductive heating system for an air dryer, Hadoulias teaches  a high efficiency process to supply heat to heated air (Col. 1, Line 45-50)
In Reference to Claim 8
Lim discloses the heating plate  (Fig. 6, 112)
Lim does not teach a heat exchanger in the air duct.
Hadoulias teaches the heat exchanger comprises a flow conditioner plate ( heat exchanger can use both a combination of induction heated substrates that are ferrous or magnetic in various configurations) a ferritic material
It would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention, to incorporate teachings from Hadoulias into the design of Lim.  Doing so, would result in a heat exchanger being implemented into the inlet duct of Lim.  Both inventions of Lim and Hadoulias having conductive heating system for an air dryer, Hadoulias teaches  a high efficiency process to supply heat to heated air (Col. 1, Line 45-50)
In Reference to Claim 10
Lim discloses an induction heating assembly for heating a flow of air in a dryer appliance, the dryer appliance comprising an inlet duct (Fig. 6, 52) in fluid communication with a chamber (Fig. 6, 28); the induction heating assembly comprising: a heating plate (Fig. 6, 112) for generating heat when energized by the electromagnetic field;
Lim does not teach a heat exchanger.
Hadoulias teaches the heat exchanger comprises a flow conditioner plate ( heat exchanger can use both a combination of induction heated substrates that are ferrous or magnetic in various configurations) a ferritic material
It would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention, to incorporate teachings from Hadoulias into the design of Lim.  Doing so, would result in a heat exchanger being implemented into the inlet duct of Lim.  Both inventions of Lim and Hadoulias having conductive heating system for an air dryer, Hadoulias teaches  a high efficiency process to supply heat to heated air (Col. 1, Line 45-50)
Claims 2-4, 7 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over the combination of Lim and Hadoulias as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of US Patent Publication 2017/0247831 to Hayes.
In Reference to Claims 2-4
Lim discloses the heating plate  (Fig. 6, 112) comprises a first material which is a ferritic material (Col. 6, Line 10-15)
The combination of Lim and Hadoulia as applied to Claim 1 does not teach the material of heat exchanger.
Hayes teaches the heat exchanger having aluminum fins (Paragraph 65)
It would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention, to incorporate teachings from Hayes into the combination of Lim and Hadoulia as applied to Claim 1.  Doing so, would result in the heat exchanger including aluminum fins.  Both inventions of Lim and Hayes are for cloth dryer with heated air, Hayes teaches an heat exchanger design with an increased surface of exchanger (Paragraph 65)
In Reference to Claim 7
The combination of Lim and Hadoulia as applied to Claim 1 does not teach the heat exchanger.
Hayes teaches the heat exchanger defines an impeller (Fig. 1, 25) rotatably mounted within the inlet duct and wherein the induction heating further comprises a stator (Fig. 1, 104) fixedly mounted within the inlet duct.
It would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention, to incorporate teachings from Hayes into the combination of Lim and Hadoulia as applied to Claim 1.  Doing so, would result in the heat exchanger including aluminum fins.  Both inventions of Lim and Hayes are for cloth dryer with heated air, Hayes teaches an heat exchanger design with an increased surface of exchanger (Paragraph 65)
Claim 9 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over the combination of Lim and Hadonlias as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of DE102021106783 to Espin (The art rejection is made based on the respective English translation by PE2E).
In Reference to Claim 9
Lim teach the coil.
The combination of Lim and Hadonlias as applied to Claim 1 does not teach the coil wound around the inlet duct.
Espin teaches the induction coil is wound around an outside of the inlet duct (As showed in Fig. 1)
It would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention, to incorporate teachings from Espin into the combination of Lim and Hadonlias as applied to Claim1.  Doing so, would result in the coil being wound around the air induct pipe.  Both inventions of Lim and Espin have a pipe for delivering working media, and the working media being heated by external heater.  Espin teaches a method of enabling the material to be heated more efficiently, since the contact area has been increased.
Claims 11-17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over the combination of Lim and Hadoulias as applied to claim 10 above, and further in view of Hayes.
In Reference to Claims 11-14
Lim discloses the heating plate  (Fig. 6, 112) posited outside of the duct comprises a first material which is a ferritic material (Col. 6, Line 10-15)
The combination of Lim and Hadoulia as applied to Claim 10 does not teach the material of heat exchanger.
Hayes teaches the heat exchanger positioned in the duct having aluminum fins (Paragraph 65)
It would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention, to incorporate teachings from Hayes into the combination of Lim and Hadoulia as applied to Claim 1.  Doing so, would result in the heat exchanger including aluminum fins.  Both inventions of Lim and Hayes are for cloth dryer with heated air, Hayes teaches an heat exchanger design with an increased surface of exchanger (Paragraph 65)
In Reference to Claim 15 and 16
The combination of Lim and Hadoulia as applied to Claim 10 does not teach the heat exchanger.
Hayes teaches the heat exchanger having aluminum fins (Paragraph 65)
the heat exchanger defines an impeller (Fig. 1, 25) rotatably mounted within the inlet duct and wherein the induction heating further comprises a stator (Fig. 1, 104) fixedly mounted within the inlet duct.
It would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention, to incorporate teachings from Hayes into the combination of Lim and Hadoulia as applied to Claim 10.  Doing so, would result in the heat exchanger including aluminum fins.  Both inventions of Lim and Hayes are for cloth dryer with heated air, Hayes teaches an heat exchanger design with an increased surface of exchanger (Paragraph 65)
In Reference to Claim 17
Lim discloses the heating plate  (Fig. 6, 112)
Lim does not teach a heat exchanger in the air duct.
Hadoulias teaches the heat exchanger comprises a flow conditioner plate ( heat exchanger can use both a combination of induction heated substrates that are ferrous or magnetic in various configurations) a ferritic material
It would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention, to incorporate teachings from Hadoulias into the design of Lim.  Doing so, would result in a heat exchanger being implemented into the inlet duct of Lim.  Both inventions of Lim and Hadoulias having conductive heating system for an air dryer, Hadoulias teaches  a high efficiency process to supply heat to heated air (Col. 1, Line 45-50)
Claim 18 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over the combination of Lim and Hadonlias as applied to claim 10 above, and further in view of Espin.
In Reference to Claim 18
Lim teach the coil.
The combination of Lim and Hadonlias as applied to Claim 10 does not teach the coil wound around the inlet duct.
Espin teaches the induction coil is wound around an outside of the inlet duct (As showed in Fig. 1)
It would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention, to incorporate teachings from Espin into the combination of Lim and Hadonlias as applied to Claim1.  Doing so, would result in the coil being wound around the air induct pipe.  Both inventions of Lim and Espin have a pipe for delivering working media, and the working media being heated by external heater.  Espin teaches a method of enabling the material to be heated more efficiently, since the contact area has been increased.
Conclusion


NEXT OFFICE ACTION: Notice of Pre-AIA  or AIA  Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-4, 7-13, and 16-18 are allowed.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
Regarding Claim 1:  Claim 1 is allowed primarily because the prior art of record cannot anticipate Applicant’s claimed invention by a single reference nor render Applicant’s claimed invention obvious by the combination of more than one reference.
Furthermore, the prior art of record does not teach “a dryer appliance comprising an induction heating assembly comprising: an induction coil for generating an electromagnetic field;  a heating plate for generating heat when energized by the electromagnetic field; and a heat exchanger comprising an impeller rotatably mounted within the inlet duct and in conductive thermal communication with the heating plate via direct contact between the heat exchanger and the heating plate.    as within the context of the claimed invention as disclosed and within the context of the other limitations present in claim 1.
Regarding Claim 10:  Claim 10 is allowed primarily because the prior art of record cannot anticipate Applicant’s claimed invention by a single reference nor render Applicant’s claimed invention obvious by the combination of more than one reference.
Furthermore, the prior art of record does not teach “ An induction heating assembly for a dryer appliance the induction heating assembly comprising: an induction coil for generating an electromagnetic field; a heating plate for generating heat when energized by the electromagnetic field; and a heat exchanger comprising an impeller configured for rotatably mounted within the inlet duct and in conductive thermal communication with the heating plate via direct contact between the heat exchanger and the heating plate.    as within the context of the claimed invention as disclosed and within the context of the other limitations present in claim 10.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee.  Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. US Patent Publication 20190264375 and US Patent Publication 20190249355.

CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US9544945B2: [content unavailable]
Ref US10626543B2: Claims:
A dryer appliance defining a vertical, a lateral, and a transverse direction, the dryer appliance comprising: a cabinet; a drum rotatably mounted within the cabinet, the drum defining a chamber for receipt of clothes for drying and a chamber inlet; an inlet duct fluidly coupled to the chamber inlet, the inlet duct comprising an inlet plenum defined behind a rear wall of the chamber along the transverse direction; an air handler in fluid communication with the inlet duct for urging a flow of air through the inlet duct and into the chamber; and an induction heating assembly in thermal communication with the inlet duct, the induction heating assembly comprising: an induction coil for generating an electromagnetic field; and a heating plate positioned within the inlet plenum for generating heat when energized by the electromagnetic field.
a drum rotatably mounted within the cabinet, the drum defining a chamber for receipt of clothes for drying and a chamber inlet;
an inlet duct fluidly coupled to the chamber inlet, the inlet duct comprising an inlet plenum defined behind a rear wall of the chamber along the transverse direction;
an air handler in fluid communication with the inlet duct for urging a flow of air through the inlet duct and into the chamber; and
an induction heating assembly in thermal communication with the inlet duct, the induction heating assembly comprising: an induction coil for generating an electromagnetic field; and a heating plate positioned within the inlet plenum for generating heat when energized by the electromagnetic field.
an induction coil for generating an electromagnetic field; and
a heating plate positioned within the inlet plenum for generating heat when energized by the electromagnetic field.
The dryer appliance of claim 1 , wherein the chamber inlet comprises: a plurality of holes defined in the rear wall of the chamber.
a plurality of holes defined in the rear wall of the chamber.
The dryer appliance of claim 2 , wherein the rear wall of the chamber is defined at least in part by the heating plate, the plurality of holes being defined by the heating plate.
The dryer appliance of claim 2 , wherein the induction heating assembly is positioned within the inlet plenum.
The dryer appliance of claim 4 , wherein the heating plate defines a heating plate diameter, the heating plate diameter being greater than half of a drum diameter.
The dryer appliance of claim 1 , wherein the induction heating assembly is positioned within a heater box below the drum, the inlet duct providing fluid communication between the heater box and the chamber.
The dryer appliance of claim 1 , wherein the inlet duct and an exhaust duct define a recirculation loop, and wherein a condenser is operably coupled to the recirculation loop for cooling the flow of air and removing condensate.
The dryer appliance of claim 1 , wherein the air handler is operably coupled to the inlet duct for generating a positive pressure to urge the flow of air.
The dryer appliance of claim 1 , wherein the air handler is operably coupled to an exhaust duct for generating a negative pressure to urge the flow of air.
The dryer appliance of claim 1 , wherein the air handler is a blower fan positioned downstream of a trap duct.
The dryer appliance of claim 1 , wherein the heating plate comprises iron.
The dryer appliance of claim 1 , wherein the induction coil is positioned outside the inlet duct.
The dryer appliance of claim 1 , comprising: a controller operably coupled with the induction coil, the controller being configured for linearly adjusting the electromagnetic field generated by the induction coil.
a controller operably coupled with the induction coil, the controller being configured for linearly adjusting the electromagnetic field generated by the induction coil.
An induction heating assembly for heating a flow of air in a dryer appliance, the dryer appliance comprising an inlet duct in fluid communication with a chamber, the inlet duct comprising an inlet plenum defined behind a rear wall of the chamber along a transverse direction; the induction heating assembly comprising: an induction coil for generating an electromagnetic field; and a heating plate positioned within the inlet plenum for generating heat when energized by the electromagnetic field.
The induction heating assembly of claim 14 , wherein a drum defines a chamber inlet fluidly coupled to the inlet duct and comprising: a plurality of holes defined in the rear wall of the chamber.
The induction heating assembly of claim 15 , wherein a rear wall of the chamber is defined at least in part by the heating plate, the plurality of holes being defined by the heating plate.
The induction heating assembly of claim 15 , wherein the induction heating assembly is positioned within the inlet plenum.
The induction heating assembly of claim 14 , wherein the induction heating assembly is positioned within a heater box below the chamber, the inlet duct providing fluid communication between the heater box and the chamber.
The induction heating assembly of claim 14 , wherein the heating plate comprises iron.
The induction heating assembly of claim 14 , wherein the induction coil is positioned outside the inlet duct.
Ref DE102021106783A1: Claims:
Device for heating a substance, in particular a fluid, which has a hollow body (2) in which the substance is to be heated, characterized in that the device has a device (4) for generating an alternating magnetic field in the hollow body (2) and in the hollow body (2) particles (3) are arranged, which generate heat by interacting with the alternating magnetic field for heating the substance.
Device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the particles (3) have magnetic or magnetizable material.
Device according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the magnetic or magnetizable particles (3) are formed from a ferromagnetic material, in particular from iron, cobalt or nickel, a ferromagnetic alloy or are magnetic composite particles which comprise at least one magnetic or magnetizable object and a binder, the Composite particles preferably have a diameter between 0.1 and 50 mm.
Device according to Claim 3 , characterized in that the magnetic object is formed from a ternary iron oxide from the class of soft ferrites, the magnetic object preferably comprising a ternary iron oxide of the formula MFe 2 O 4 , where M is selected from the group Cr, Ga, Cd, Mg , Mn, Li, Ca, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, Zr or Fe (II).
Device according to one of the Claims 1 until 4th , characterized in that the magnetic field generating device (4) has at least one electrical conductor (6), preferably a coil, and a means (7) for applying an alternating voltage to the conductor (6).
Device according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that the magnetic field generating device (14) has at least two conductors (15, 16), one of the conductors (15) surrounding the particles (3) and the other conductor (16) being arranged in such a way that it is separated from the particles ( 3) is surrounded.
Device according to one of the Claims 1 until 6th , characterized in that the hollow body (2), which preferably forms a tube, is formed by a composite body, an inner part of the composite body preferably being formed by a ceramic and an outer part of the composite body by a plastic.
Device according to one of the Claims 1 until 7th , characterized by a device (9) for regulating and / or controlling the temperature of the substance and / or the area of the device (1), preferably the hollow body (2) and / or the cavity, with the setting of the magnetic field generating device (4).
Device according to one of the Claims 1 until 8th that the hollow body (2) is connected to the line (11), preferably a pipeline, for the fluid to form a flow connection, the line (11) preferably forming a circuit.
Device according to one of the Claims 1 until 9 , characterized by a device (10) for cooling the magnetic field generating device (4), in particular the electrical conductor (6), wherein the cooling device (10) is preferably provided to transfer heat absorbed during cooling to the line (11) and / or the to transfer fluid flowing therein.
Device according to one of the Claims 1 until 10 , characterized in that the cooling device comprises a cooling fluid (10) as the cooling means (9) and that when the magnetic field generating device (4) is cooled, the cooling fluid (10) heated by the electrical conductor is fed to the fluid flowing in the line (11).
Device according to one of the Claims 1 until 11 , characterized in that the device (1) is part of a building heating system, in particular a central heating system or an individual heating system.
Device according to one of the Claims 1 until 12th , characterized in that the device (1) is part of a device that requires a heat source to heat a fluid, preferably a washing machine, in particular for textiles, or a dishwasher, in particular for dishes.
Device according to one of the Claims 1 until 13th , characterized in that the device (1) is part of a production plant for chemical or physical treatment and / and processing of substances.
Method for heating a substance, in particular a fluid, in which the substance is heated in a hollow body (2), characterized in that particles (3) are arranged in the hollow body (2) which generate heat by interacting with the alternating magnetic field and which Particles (3) are heated by means of an alternating magnetic field in order to heat the substance arranged in the hollow body.
Ref US10626523: Claims:
1. A method for manufacturing a highly oriented intermediate carbon fiber, comprising the following steps:
a. providing cellulose and/or a cellulose derivative,
b. providing lignin and/or a lignin derivative,
c. dissolution of the cellulose and/or cellulose derivative and the lignin and/or lignin derivative followed by subsequent mixing thus providing a dope,
d. performing a solution spinning of the dope to a precursor material,
e. performing a stabilization on the precursor material at a temperature from about 100 to about 450° C. at a residence time of from 10 to 180 minutes, thus providing a thermally stabilized, non-sticky and stretchable fiber, and
f. performing a stretch-pre-carbonization, including stretching and pre-carbonization, on the thermally stabilized, non-sticky and stretchable fiber at temperatures from about 200 to about 1300° C., thus providing a highly oriented intermediate carbon fiber,
wherein said stretching is carried out at elongations between 25% and 1000%.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the precursor material containing cellulose and/or cellulose derivative and lignin and/or lignin derivative, has a content of lignin and/or lignin derivative at a maximum amount of 99 wt %.
3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the precursor material contains from about 1% to 99% lignin or lignin derivative.
4. The method according to claim 1 wherein heating rates up to 200° C./min are applied in the stabilization step.
5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the molecular orientation in the fiber is realized by stretching the fiber during the stretch-pre-carbonization up to 10-fold at a temperature below 1300° C.
6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the stretch-pre-carbonization is performed during a residence time from 1 to 90 minutes.
7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the stabilization is performed at a temperature from about 200 to about 350° C.
8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the precursor material contains from 10% to 60% lignin or lignin derivative.
9. The method according to claim 1 wherein the molecular orientation in the fiber is realized by stretching the fiber during the stretch-pre-carbonization up to 10-fold at a temperature below 1100° C.
10. The method according to claim 1 wherein the stretch-pre-carbonization is carried out at temperatures from 250 to 1100° C.
11. The method according to claim 1 wherein the stretch-pre-carbonization is performed during a residence time from 3 to 60 minutes.
12. The method according to claim 1 wherein said stretching is carried out at elongations between 25% and 500%.
13. The method according to claim 1 wherein the stabilization is performed at a temperature from about 220 to about 300° C.
14. The method according to claim 1 wherein the stabilization is performed for a residence time of 20-80 minutes.
Ref US9544945: Claims:
1. A heat source apparatus, comprising:
an induction generator;
an induction coil operatively coupled to the induction generator and configured to create an adjustable magnetic field within a space;
a substrate positioned within at least a portion of the space, the substrate configured to generate heat when a changing magnetic field is applied thereto and including a plurality of passages extending at least partially therethrough;
a plurality of heat pipes, each enclosing a heatable solution, wherein at least a portion of each of the plurality of heat pipes is positioned in a distinct passage of the plurality of passages such that an interior surface of a passage of the plurality of passages is in contact with an exterior surface of a heat pipe of the plurality of heat pipes;
a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the plurality of heat pipes, wherein the plurality of heat pipes transfer the generated heat from the substrate to the heat exchanger; and
a fan configured to move an airflow across the heat exchanger.
2. The heat source apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a duct for directing the airflow from the heat exchanger.
3. The heat source apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an electrical controller configured to dynamically adjust a temperature generated by the heat source apparatus.
4. The heat source apparatus of claim 3, wherein the electrical controller is configured to control at least one of a power, a current, or a frequency, supplied by the induction generator to the induction coil.
5. The heat source apparatus of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a mass of non-ferrous material and a ferrous metal sleeve in physical contact with an exterior surface of the mass of non-ferrous material, wherein the plurality of passages extend at least partially through the mass of non-ferrous material.
6. The heat source apparatus of claim 5, wherein the induction coil comprises a helically wound wire located around an exterior surface of the substrate.
7. The heat source apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of passages are a first plurality of passages and the at least a portion of each of the plurality of heat pipes is an at least a first portion of each of the plurality of heat pipes, and wherein the heat exchanger comprises a core including a second plurality of passages extending at least partially therethrough, wherein at least a second portion of each of the plurality of heat pipes is positioned in a distinct passage of the second plurality of passages.
8. The heat source apparatus of claim 7, wherein the heat exchanger further comprises fins extending radially outward from an exterior surface of the core.
9. The heat source apparatus of claim 8, wherein at least one fin of the fins splits to form two additional fins radially extending outward from an exterior end of the at least one fin.
10. The heat source apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of heat pipes are positioned generally parallel in the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger comprising a plurality of sheets positioned perpendicular to the plurality of heat pipes to define a plurality of heat transfer spaces.
11. The heat source apparatus of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a mass of ferrous material, wherein the plurality of passages extend at least partially through the mass of ferrous material.
12. The heat source apparatus of claim 1, wherein the substrate is cylindrical.
13. The heat source apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of heat pipes are positioned generally parallel in the substrate.
14. A heating apparatus, comprising:
a heat source, the heat source comprising:
an induction generator,
an induction coil operatively coupled to the induction generator and configured to create an adjustable magnetic field within a space,
a substrate positioned within at least a portion of the space, the substrate configured to generate heat when a changing magnetic field is applied thereto and including a plurality of passages extending at least partially therethrough,
a plurality of heat pipes, each enclosing a heatable solution, wherein at least a portion of each of the plurality of heat pipes is positioned in a distinct passage of the plurality of passages such that an interior surface of a passage of the plurality of passages is in contact with an exterior surface of a heat pipe of the plurality of heat pipes,
a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the plurality of heat pipes, wherein the plurality of heat pipes are configured to transfer the generated heat from the substrate to the heat exchanger, and
a fan configured to move an airflow across the heat exchanger; and

a housing enclosing at least a portion of the heat source.
15. The heating apparatus of claim 14, wherein the heating apparatus is an oven and further comprises a heating space, wherein the airflow is directed to the heating space.
16. The heating apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a duct to direct the airflow from the heat exchanger to the heating space.
17. The heating apparatus of claim 14, wherein the heating apparatus is a clothes dryer and further comprises a dryer drum, wherein the airflow is directed to a cavity defined by the dryer drum.
18. The heating apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a duct to direct the airflow from the heat exchanger to the dryer drum.
19. The heating apparatus of claim 14, wherein the heating apparatus is a space heater and the housing further comprises a vent.
20. The heating apparatus of claim 14, wherein the heating apparatus is a furnace and the housing further comprises a vent.
21. The heating apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least a portion of the heat source that is enclosed within the housing comprises the heat exchanger and the fan.
22. The heating apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least a portion of the heat source that is enclosed within the housing comprises the induction generator, the induction coil, the substrate, the plurality of heat pipes, the heat exchanger, and the fan.
23. The heating apparatus of claim 14, wherein the plurality of heat pipes are positioned generally parallel in the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger comprising a plurality of sheets positioned perpendicular to the plurality of heat pipes to define a plurality of heat transfer spaces.