Patent Publication Number: US-11655582-B2

Title: Laundry appliance having an ultrasonic drying mechanism

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/885,599 filed on May 28, 2020, entitled LAUNDRY APPLIANCE HAVING AN ULTRASONIC DRYING MECHANISM, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,203,834, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/059,671 filed on Aug. 9, 2018, entitled LAUNDRY APPLIANCE HAVING AN ULTRASONIC DRYING MECHANISM, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,704,189, which claims priority to and the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/550,087 filed on Aug. 25, 2017, entitled LAUNDRY APPLIANCE HAVING AN ULTRASONIC DRYING MECHANISM, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present device generally relates to laundry appliances, and more specifically, to laundry appliances that use an ultrasonic resonance or vibration to remove moisture from fabric. 
     SUMMARY 
     In at least one aspect, a laundry appliance includes a cabinet having a rotating drum operably positioned therein for processing fabric. At least one transducer is positioned proximate the drum that provides an ultrasonic resonance that is directed into an interior chamber of the drum. The ultrasonic resonance is adapted to be directed into damp fabric being treated within the interior chamber. The ultrasonic resonance serves to modify water trapped within the damp fabric into a substantially gaseous form. 
     In at least another aspect, a laundry appliance includes a cabinet having a fabric treating chamber operably positioned therein for processing fabric. Transducers are positioned proximate the fabric treating chamber that provide an ultrasonic resonance that is directed into the fabric treating chamber. An air handling system operates cooperatively with the transducers to remove at least humidified air from the fabric treating chamber. The ultrasonic resonance is selectively adjustable between a plurality of operational frequencies that are directed into damp fabric being treated within the fabric treating chamber. The ultrasonic resonance serves to modify water trapped within the damp fabric into the humidified air. 
     In at least another aspect, a laundry appliance includes a cabinet having a drum operably positioned therein for processing fabric. The drum has a rotational portion and a stationary portion. A plurality of transducers is disposed proximate at least the stationary portion and provides an ultrasonic resonance that is directed into a fabric treating chamber of the drum. An air handling system operates cooperatively with the plurality of transducers and the rotating portion of the drum to remove at least humidified air from the fabric treating chamber. The ultrasonic resonance is adapted to be directed into damp fabric being treated within the fabric treating chamber. The ultrasonic resonance serves to modify water trapped within the damp fabric into the humidified air. 
     These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present device will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a drum for a laundry appliance incorporating an ultrasonic drying device; 
         FIG.  2    is a cross-sectional view of a drum that incorporates an ultrasonic drying device; 
         FIG.  3    is a cross-sectional view of the drum having an ultrasonic drying device and illustrating an aspect of the powered delivery system for the ultrasonic drying device; 
         FIG.  4    is a cross-sectional view of a section of a drum incorporating the ultrasonic drying device within a lifter of the drum; 
         FIG.  5    is a cross-sectional view of the drum showing engagement of a contact switch for activating the ultrasonic drying device; 
         FIG.  6    is a schematic perspective view of a laundry drum having a plurality of ultrasonic transducers positioned therein; 
         FIG.  7    is a cross-sectional view of a laundry drum having multiple stationary portions with ultrasonic transducers positioned thereon; 
         FIG.  8    is a schematic diagram illustrating an aspect of the power system for operating the ultrasonic transducers; 
         FIGS.  9 ( a ) through  9 ( c )  are schematic diagrams illustrating a plurality of rotation phases of the drum having the ultrasonic transducers; 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective view of a laundry drum having a central stationary portion and outer rotating ends; 
         FIGS.  11  and  12    are schematic diagrams illustrating the delivery of electrical current and grounding to the ultrasonic transducers; 
         FIGS.  13 - 15    are schematic diagrams illustrating a satellizing operation of the laundry drum; 
         FIG.  16    is a cross-sectional view of the laundry drum illustrating a home position of the drum; 
         FIGS.  17  and  18    are schematic cross-sectional views of a laundry drum having ultrasonic transducers that are operable between retracted and extended positions; 
         FIGS.  19  and  20    are schematic diagrams illustrating alternative forms of ultrasonic transducers for generating the ultrasonic resonance within the drum; 
         FIGS.  21 - 23    are schematic diagrams illustrating alternative forms of ultrasonic transducers for generating the ultrasonic resonance within the drum; 
         FIG.  24    is a schematic diagram illustrating a moisture delivery system for removing the fine mist from the drum; 
         FIGS.  25  and  26    are perspective views of a French-press laundry appliance incorporating ultrasonic transducers; 
         FIG.  27    is a cross-sectional view of a table-top laundry appliance that incorporates ultrasonic transducers; and 
         FIG.  28    is a schematic diagram illustrating a moisture handling system for an ultrasonic drying appliance. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     For purposes of description herein the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the device as oriented in  FIG.  1   . However, it is to be understood that the device may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 6   , reference numeral  10  generally refers to an ultrasonic transducer  10 , or similar ultrasonic device, that is incorporated within a drum  12  for a drying appliance  14  for removing entrapped water  16  from various fabrics and other materials that are treated within the interior chamber  18  of the drum  12 . The laundry appliance  14  includes a cabinet  20  (shown in dashed line at  FIG.  5   ) having a rotating drum  12  that is operably positioned within the cabinet  20  for processing damp fabric such as clothing, linens, and other fabric-type materials. At least one ultrasonic transducer  10  is positioned within the area of the drum  12 . The ultrasonic transducer  10  makes up at least a portion of the ultrasonic device and provides an ultrasonic resonance  22 , typically in the form of a vibration, harmonic, sound wave, or other similar resonating disturbance that is directed into a load  24  of damp fabric being processed within the interior chamber  18  of the drum  12 . The ultrasonic resonance  22  is adapted to be transmitted or directed into the interior chamber  18  of the drum  12  so that the ultrasonic resonance  22  serves to modify, disturb, or otherwise manipulate entrapped water  16  that is held within the damp fabric items of the load  24 . The ultrasonic resonance  22  disrupts the entrapped water  16  and modifies the water into a substantially gaseous form, such as fine mist  40  made up of minute droplets of water. The substantially gaseous form of the water can be easily moved via an air handling system  42  from the interior chamber  18  of the drum  12  into a separate portion of the appliance  14  outside of the drum  12 , and, eventually, outside of the cabinet  20  for the appliance  14 . 
     The ultrasonic resonance  22  is generated by the ultrasonic transducer  10  and typically by a plurality of ultrasonic transducers  10  disposed within the drum  12 . The ultrasonic resonance  22  can typically be in the form of an ultrasonic vibration that disrupts the entrapped water  16  into ultrafine droplets of water that can be dispersed to the air within the interior chamber  18  of the drum  12 . These ultrafine droplets of air can take the form of a fine mist  40  or a collection of visible humidity within the interior chamber  18  of the drum  12 . 
     Additionally, various aspects of the device can utilize Radio-Frequency (RF) drying technology in the form of radio waves or microwaves  692  (shown in  FIG.  28   ) such as microwave electromagnetic radiation to evaporate the entrapped water  16  and create the fine mist  40 , humidified air or water vapor that can be removed from the drum. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  1 - 6   , the ultrasonic transducers  10  are electrically operated such that an electrical current  60  provided to the transducers  10  generates a physical movement  62  within the transducers  10  that is in the form of the ultrasonic vibration or ultrasonic resonance  22 . The delivery of the electrical power to the various transducers  10  can be through various wired connections or can be in the form of an inductive delivery of electrical current  60  that can be transferred through portions of the appliance  14  and eventually to the various ultrasonic transducers  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  3   , the drum  12  can be rotationally operated through a direct drive motor  80 . The direct drive motor  80  includes a stator  82  and rotor  84  that are electromagnetically operated to produce rotational force within a drive shaft  86  for operating the drum  12  in various rotational positions. The direct drive motor  80  can include a secondary stator  88  and secondary rotor  90  combination that are used to produce and/or transmit an electrical current  60  from a power source  92  for the appliance  14  and through the drum  12  so that electrical power can be delivered to the ultrasonic transducers  10  as needed. The use of a direct drive motor  80  and an inductive electrical system allows for rotation of the drum  12  without the need for a hydraulic connection extending between the cabinet  20  and the drum  12 . The secondary stator  88  and secondary rotor  90  combination can be used to deliver an electrical current  60  to various portions of the drum  12  where the ultrasonic transducers  10  are located. Accordingly, the electrical current  60  can be delivered from the secondary stator  88  and secondary rotor  90  combination to an outer surface  94  of the drum  12 , an inner surface  96  of the drum  12 , lifters  98 , to a stationary portion  100  of the drum  12 , and other various portions of the drum  12  depending upon the configuration of the laundry appliance  14  and the specific mode of operation for rotating the drum  12  within the cabinet  20 . Various operational methods for operating the drum  12  will be described more fully herein. 
     Referring again to  FIGS.  1 - 6   , an inductive mechanism  120  for delivering electrical current  60  into the drum  12  from the power source  92  for the appliance  14  can also be disposed proximate a portion of the drum  12 . Various electrical contacts  122  can be cooperatively formed between an outer surface  94  of a rotating drum  12  and an interior surface  124  of a substantially stationary tub  126  within which the drum  12  rotates. As the drum  12  rotates within the tub  126 , the inductive mechanism  120  can provide for a flow of electrical current  60  into the drum  12 . In this manner, the outer tub  126  can act as a form of stator  82  while the drum  12  can act as a type of inner rotor  84  that rotates within the stator  82  of the tub  126  for delivering electrical current  60  into the drum  12  via the tub  126 . Various other inductive-type electrical connections can be formed between the rotational drum  12  and various portions of the appliance  14 . The use of an inductive mechanism  120  for delivering electrical current  60  to the drum  12  is useful for limiting the use of wires and other “hardwired” physical connections between stationary portions  100  of the appliance  14 , such as the cabinet  20  or cabinet structure and the rotational portions of the appliance  14  such as the motor  80  and/or the drum  12  of the appliance  14 . The various electrical delivery mechanisms can also be utilized for delivering electrical power for other drying systems, such as RF drying technology that utilizes microwaves  692  (shown in  FIG.  28   ). 
     Capacitive coupling could also be used to deliver power to the drum  12  as it does not require physical contact with the rotating drum  12 . Such capacitive coupling is known in the art and is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,826,561, 8,943,705, and 9,447,537. 
       FIG.  11    shows a block diagram generally illustrating an example of the circuitry used to drive the outputs of the transducers  10 . As described herein, the transducers  10  are driven using a drive signal having a frequency that may correspond to the resonance of the transducer  10 . Different frequencies may be used and different transducers  10  may be used with each having a different resonant frequency to produce a plurality of operational frequencies. In addition, different groups of transducers  10  may be driven independent of other groups of transducers  10  to selectively adjust the ultrasonic resonance  22 . To allow different groups of transducers to be driven independent of each other, a slave controller  372  may be provided for each group of transducers  10  that may be selectively activated and independently driven. The slave controllers  372  may be provided on the drum  12  with the transducers  10  so as to rotate with the drum  12 . In this configuration, each slave controller  372  may be hardwired to the transducers  10  that it controls and may thus provide the drive signal to the connected transducers  10 . The drive signal may be generated by the slave controllers  372  or may be generated by the master controller  370  and provided through the slave controllers  372 . One benefit of generating the drive signal in the slave controllers  372  is that one would only need to provide power and a ground connection to the rotating drum  12  and slave controllers  372 . Another alternative would be to provide a single oscillator disposed on the drum that supplies the oscillating signal to the slave controllers  372  and/or transducers  10 . The use of a single oscillator may be practical if the transducers  10  are driven at a common frequency or multiple thereof (the slave controllers  372  could have a frequency divider circuit). 
     The master controller  370  may control the slave controllers  372  so as to enable or disable select slave controllers  372  from supplying the drive signal to the transducers  10 . The communication link between the slave controllers  372  and the transducers  10  may be provided wirelessly, such as by an infrared communication link that allows communication from a stationary location to a location on the moving drum  12 . Alternatively, a communication link can be established by modulating the power provided to the slave controllers  372  via the inductive mechanism  120 . The slave controllers  372  may be independently addressable or addressable in groups. The master controller  370  may be disposed in a stationary location of the appliance  14  or may be located on the rotating drum  12 . The master controller  370  may also be split into separate portions as shown in  FIG.  12    such that one portion is disposed in a stationary location and the other portion is located on the rotating drum  12 . 
     As described herein, power may be supplied to the drum  12  intermittently through spaced electrical contacts  122  on the outside of the drum  12 . Each such electrical contact  122  may be associated with one or more of the slave controllers  372  so as to energize only those slave controllers  372  connected to the particular electrical contact  122  that is currently connected to the power source  92  and/or master controller  370 . For example, if the spaced electrical contacts  122  on the outside of the drum  12  only are connected to the power supply or power source  92  and/or master controller  370  when they are at the bottom of the rotation cycle, only those slave controllers  372  whose associated transducers  10  are strategically located relative to the clothing load  24  are activated while the transducers  10  located at the top of the drum  12  relative to the clothes may not be activated. Also, a pair of contacts  122  may be provided on the drum  12  with one of the contacts  122  corresponding to slave controllers  372  that drive transducers  10  at a first frequency and the other contact  122  corresponding to slave controllers  372  that drive transducers  10  at a second frequency. Electrical contact with each contact  122  of the pair of contacts  122  may be selectively made to enable the transducers  10  at the selected frequency or at both frequencies. 
     Although slave controllers  372  are shown, it is possible that the slave controllers  372  are not used, and the master controller  370  is more directly responsible for causing the transducers  10  to be driven. 
     Referring again to  FIGS.  1 - 5   , electrical current  60  can also be delivered to the drum  12  via a hardwired connection that can extend from a power source  92  of the appliance  14  and into the drum  12 . These hardwired connections can typically include a slidable or otherwise operable electrical connection that exists between the drum  12  and a guide  144  or frame within which the drum  12  rotates. These operable electrical connections can be in the form of a slip ring, bearing ring, or other similar interface where the drum  12  slidably operates relative to an outer stationary component of the electrical connection. The slidable electrical connection serves to maintain electrical contact  122  between the guide  144  and the drum  12  so that electricity can be continuously delivered into the drum  12  from the power source  92  for the appliance  14 . Where a slip ring is used, one or more brushes, being flexible in nature, are biased against an outer surface  94  of the drum  12  as an electrode  148  for the drum  12 . As the drum  12  rotates, the brushes of the slip ring maintain engagement with the electrode  148  of the drum  12  with the continuous delivery of electricity therethrough. In a bearing ring, a pair of electrodes  148  within the guide  144  and the drum  12 , respectively, slidably rotate relative to one another and include one or more conductive bearings disposed therein. The conductive bearing allows for the delivery of electricity therethrough so that electrical current  60  can be delivered from the power source  92  for the appliance  14 , through the bearing ring, and into the drum  12  for delivery of electricity to the ultrasonic transducers  10 . These techniques for electrical connection to the drum  12  may also be used in other appliances  14 , such as within an RF dryer. 
     Referring again to  FIGS.  1 - 5 ,  9   ( a )- 9 ( c ),  13 - 18  and  24 , the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be activated in specific operational modes of the appliance  14 . In this specific operational mode, the drum  12  may be rotated according to an oscillating partial rotation phase  170  (exemplified in  FIG.  9 ( b )  within a specific rotational limit, such that the drum  12  oscillates in clockwise and counterclockwise directions and within a specific rotational distance  172 . By way of example, and not limitation, the rotational distances  172  within which the drum  12  rotates in this operational mode can be approximately 720°—or one full rotation in the clockwise direction and one full rotation in the counterclockwise direction. This configuration can result in two full rotations of the drum  12  in a counterclockwise direction followed by two full rotations of the drum  12  in the clockwise direction. This partial rotation phase  170  of the drum  12  can be used as a mechanism for redistributing the load  24  or otherwise changing the orientation of the clothing or other fabric within the drum  12  as a type of mixing operation to change the respective locations of the fabric within the drum  12 . Accordingly, the drum  12  is rotated to change which portions of the load  24  engage the ultrasonic transducers  10  during the partial rotation phase  170  of the drum  12 . 
     The partial rotation phase  170  of the drum  12  can also be in the form of an oscillation of less than 360° in opposing directions (exemplified in  FIG.  9 ( a ) ). In the various forms of the partial rotation phase  170  of the drum  12 , the connection between the drum  12  and the guide  144  for defining the rotation of the drum  12  can be selectively engaged and disengaged during the performance of the partial rotational phase of the drum  12 . In such an embodiment, the laundry appliance  14  can include a standard or conventional mode where the drum  12  continuously rotates fully during a particular drying operation  174 . This conventional drying mode typically uses a stream of process air  176  that is moved through the drum  12  where the process air  176  can be heated to collect moisture from the laundry. When the mode of the laundry appliance  14  is changed to perform the partial rotational phase of the appliance  14 , the hardwired connection can be selectively engaged and the rotation of the drum  12  can be limited to the partial rotation described above. During this partial rotation phase  170 , the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be activated to perform the various drying operations  174  for manipulating the entrapped water  16  within the load  24  of laundry to form a fine mist  40  that can be conveniently removed from the drum  12 . During the partial rotation phase  170  of the laundry appliance  14 , the hardwired connection can be in the form of a flexible wire harness  178  that can be bent and otherwise manipulated to accommodate the partial rotation of the drum  12  for approximately two full rotations of the drum  12 . Smaller rotations of the drum  12  can also be accommodated such as a one-third rotation of the drum  12  in either direction, a one-half rotation of the drum  12  in either direction, and other similar rotations of rotational distances  172  defined therebetween. Continuous rotational modes of operation are also utilized within the appliance  14 . 
     In embodiments of the device where the electrical connection is selectively engaged and disengaged during operation of the partial rotation phase  170 , an electrode  148  can be selectively attached to the drum  12  and can include a flexible member that follows the rotation of the drum  12  through the partial rotation phase  170 . When the partial rotation phase  170  is complete, the electrical connection can disengage, such that a conventional operational mode of the appliance  14  can be once again performed. 
     Referring again to  FIGS.  1 - 5   , where the slip ring or bearing ring is used as the hardwired connection between the drum  12  and drum guide  144 , the slip ring or bearing ring can include, as an example, a four-wire interface between the drum  12  and the guide  144  or other portion of the dryer structure. These four-wire interfaces can consist of a powerline of between 0-120 volts, a return line, a low voltage digital transmission line, and a digital reference line that is transmitted around the exterior of the drum  12 . Additional wire interfaces may also be included in the electrical connection. In such an embodiment, the powerline can be segmented into various arc segments  190  that extend around the drum  12  and define the drum  12  into various partial rotation segments. The arc segment  190  can be as little as two arc segments  190  that are separated into separate hemispheres of the drum  12  and can be up to six separate arc segments  190  that define six separate rotationally operable portions  510  of the drum  12 . By segmenting the powerline, each arc segment  190  can be separated such that connection between an electrode  148  or electrical contact  122  within the guide  144  can transfer electrical power to only a portion of the arc segments  190  during rotation of the drum  12 . This may be useful where only a portion of the ultrasonic transducers  10  are needed to be activated at any one time. Accordingly, where six separate arc segments  190  are used within the powerline, only one of the six portions of the power line may be electrically active at any one time. The other five can remain idle such that the transducers within the other five arc segments  190  may not be activated. In various aspects of the device, the electrical contact  122  can span or straddle two separate arc segments  190  at various intervals so that up to two or more arc segments  190  can be electrically active as the drum  12  rotates within the guide  144  for the drum  12 . Where two or more arc segments  190  are electrically active at one time, the electrode  148  for delivering the electrical current  60  to the drum  12  has a perimetrical width that can activate two or possibly three arc segments  190  at any one time as the drum  12  rotates within the drum guide  144 . The electrical contact  122  can be in the form of brushes or bearings that are positioned a certain arcuate distance from one another within the drum guide  144 . The electrical contact  122  may also be inductive or some other form of wireless electrical contact. Accordingly, as the drum  12  rotates relative to the sets of electrical contacts  122 , the electrical contact  122  may engage a single arc segment  190 . As that arc segment  190  rotates, a junction between two adjacent arc segments  190  may straddle between the sets of electrical contacts  122 , such that electricity is delivered to two separate arc segments  190  at a time. The use of such arc segments  190  may also be used to serve as an electrode  148  in an RF dryer. 
     Referring again to  FIGS.  1 - 5   , the electrical contacts  122  for the appliance  14  can be included within lifters  98  that are attached to the drum  12 . As will be described more fully below, the lifters  98  can include a self-contained ultrasonic drying module  210  that can be attached to the drum  12 . The ultrasonic drying module  210  within the lifters  98  can contain various electrical contacts  122 , ultrasonic transducers  10 , electrodes  148 , data delivery systems, control panels, and other hardware and software for operating the ultrasonic transducers  10  during operation of the appliance  14 . These ultrasonic modules within the lifters  98  can be attached to the drum  12  and can define various electrical contacts  122  within the backside of the lifter  98  that may at least partially protrude through the drum  12  for engaging electrical contact  122  within the drum guide  144  or other portion of the dryer structure. 
     Referring again to  FIGS.  1 - 5   , in addition to transferring of electrical power from the power source  92  for the appliance  14  into the drum  12 , the various electrical connections, inductive, hardwire, or other similar electrical connection, can be used for data transfer from the drum  12  and to the various control systems of the appliance  14 . In an inductive system of power transfer between the power source  92  for the appliance  14  and the drum  12 , data transfer can also be performed inductively. In such an embodiment, pairs of inductive rings  220  can be positioned between the drum  12  and an area around the drum  12 . A first set of the inductive rings  220  are suspended around the drum  12 , and are typically engaged to the drum guide  144  or other portion of the appliance structure. A second portion of the inductive rings  220  are placed concentrically on the surface of the drum  12  itself. A portion of the inductive rings  220  can be devoted to transferring electrical power through the engagement of the pairs of inductive rings  220  for delivering electrical current  60  to the ultrasonic transducers  10  within the drum  12 . The inductive rings  220  can also include a data transfer mechanism wherein data communications can be transferred from the drum  12  to the control for the appliance  14  and vice versa. This data transfer can be through the engagement between at least one set of inductive rings  220 . In the various hardware connections described above, these connections may be encased in plastic or at least surrounded in plastic to avoid short circuit from moisture infiltration. The use of a plastic covering can also include a low friction guide surface within which the drum  12  can rotate relative to the appliance structure. The inductive rings  220  can also be used to provide electrical connection to one or more electrodes on an RF dryer. 
     Referring again to  FIGS.  1 - 5   , where a hard-wired connection is used, at least one of the wires in the hard-wired connection can be devoted to data transfer from the drum  12  to the control of the appliance  14  and vice versa. 
     In various aspects of the device, data can be transferred optically via an infrared, light emitting diode (LED) or other optical signaling device. In such an embodiment, data can be transferred from a portion of the drum  12  to a receiver positioned adjacent to the drum  12 , such as on the dryer structure. This wireless communication can also be accomplished via radio frequency identification (RFID), lasers, near-field communication, or other similar wireless mechanism that can deliver data from one area of the appliance  14  to another, without impeding rotation of the drum  12  relative to the structure of the appliance  14 . 
     According to various aspects of the device, the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be positioned within at least one stationary portion  100  of the drum  12 . These stationary portions  100  can be in the form of a front end or rear end of the drum  12  where a central area of the drum  12  rotates relative to the front and rear ends for manipulating the load  24  of laundry therein. A stationary portion  100  of the drum  12  can also be in the form of a single stationary cylindrical section of the drum  12  where one or more cylindrical sections of the drum  12  rotate relative to the stationary cylindrical section. The transducers  10  can be disposed within a stationary portion  100  of the drum  12  and a stationary wired connection can be attached thereto for delivering electrical power to the ultrasonic transducers  10  and also providing for two-way communication between the ultrasonic transducers  10  and a control for the appliance  14 . 
     In an inductive mechanism  120  for transferring electrical power, as exemplified in  FIGS.  1 - 5 ,  11  and  12   , various magnetic fields defined around the drum  12  can be used in cooperation with various ferromagnetic surfaces positioned around the outer surface  94  of the drum  12  to generate electrical currents  60  within the drum  12  for transferring electrical power to the ultrasonic transducers  10 . The ferromagnetic portions  230  of the drum  12  can be rotated relative to the inductive generators  232  positioned around the drum  12 . In this manner, various arced segments of the drum  12  can be activated and deactivated selectively during operation of the drum  12 . As the ferromagnetic portion  230  of the drum  12  moves past the inductive generator  232 , that portion of the drum  12  may be deactivated until such time as it moves within the electromagnetic field generated by the electromagnetic inductive generator  232 , positioned around the drum  12 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS.  1 - 5 ,  11 , and  12   , various ground connections can be incorporated within the drum  12  and the appliance structure for grounding the electrical system for the appliance  14 . In various aspects of the device, a ground path  240  can be adapted to rotate with the drum  12  such that regardless of the rotation or orientation of the drum  12 , a ground connection is consistently obtained within the electrical system of the appliance  14  for preventing short circuit occurrences during operation of the appliance  14 . The ground path  240  for the drum  12  can also extend into or through a drive shaft  86  for the appliance  14  to ultimately gauge the electrical ground system for the appliance  14 . 
     The drum  12  may be predominantly electrically conductive so as to serve as a common ground for the transducers  10  and slave controllers  372  on the drum  12 . In this case, the path for the driver signals to be supplied to the transducers  10  would need to be isolated from the electrically conductive portions of the drum  12 . Alternatively, the drum  12  may be predominately made of an electrically insulating material so that electrically conductive circuit tracings may be provided on the drum  12  for electrical connection of the transducers  10  and slave controllers  372 . The manner of connecting the ground path  240  on the drum  12  to the stationary portion  100  of the appliance may be similar to the manner in which the power and/or drive signal are connected. If the drum  12  is predominantly electrically conductive, the ground path  48  may be through the drive shaft  86  as mentioned above, or through bearings. 
     According to various aspects of the device, the operation of the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be used during a hybrid drying operation  174  that includes both conventional aspects and partial rotation phases  170 . As discussed above, the ultrasonic transducers  10  may typically be activated during this partial rotation phase  170 . In such an embodiment, a conventional operation of the laundry appliance  14  can be performed when the drum  12  is rotated in single or multiple directions and process air  176  is moved through the drum  12 . Interspersed with these conventional phases, a partial rotation phase  170  can be incorporated where the ultrasonic transducers  10  are activated during a partial rotation of the drum  12  where a particular load  24  of laundry is maintained in substantially continuous contact with the ultrasonic transducers  10 . After the partial rotation phase  170 , another conventional drying phase can be activated to tumble, redistribute, mix, or otherwise intersperse the load  24  of laundry so that a different portion of the laundry may be positioned against or near the ultrasonic transducers  10  during performance of a subsequent partial rotation phase  170  of the drying operation  174 . These interspersed full-rotation and partial rotation phases  170  can be alternated throughout the performance of the drying operations  174  until the load  24  of laundry is sufficiently dried. The use of ultrasonic drying is typically free of heat such that little if any shrinkage of clothing occurs during these portions of the drying operation  174  where the ultrasonic transducers  10  are in use. 
     In various aspects of the hybrid drying operation  174 , as exemplified in  FIGS.  1 - 16   , the ultrasonic transducers  10  may be operated during a high-speed phase  260  of the drum  12 . In such an embodiment, clothes can be rotated within the drum  12  at a relatively high speed, such that the clothes satellize against the inner surface  96  of the drum  12 . While the clothes are satellized against the inner surface  96  of the drum  12 , the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be activated while the clothes are biased outward by application of centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the drum  12 . This satellizing of the fabric within the load  24  of laundry can be intermittent. Accordingly, once the clothes load  24  is satellized against the inner surface  96  of the drum  12 , the entrapped moisture within portions of the load  24  near the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be removed by operation of the ultrasonic transducers  10 . The drum speed can then be reduced to allow the load  24  of laundry to fall away from the inner surface  96  of the drum  12 . In this manner, the load  24  of laundry can be redistributed during a tumbling operation  262 . This redistribution can be accomplished, in part, by a partial rotation phase  170  of the drum  12 . The rotational distance  172  that the drum  12  is partially rotated may be similar to those distances described above. Slower full rotations may also be used for tumbling the load  24 . Once the load  24  of laundry is redistributed, the speed of the drum  12  can again be increased so that the load  24  of laundry is satellized against the inner surface  96  of the drum  12  during a high-speed phase  260 . 
     During this satellizing process  264  (shown in  FIG.  14   ), moisture is also acted upon by the centrifugal force and is pushed outward so that entrapped moisture within the load  24  of laundry is moved outward and toward the ultrasonic transducers  10 . Additionally, during operation of the ultrasonic transducers  10 , entrapped moisture is typically turned into a fine mist  40  that can be suspended in air. This fine mist  40  can be conveniently removed from the load  24  of fabric. These areas of the load  24  of laundry near the ultrasonic transducers  10  eventually become drier. Entrapped moisture within the load  24  of laundry will tend to spread through the laundry and infiltrate these dryer portions such that additional fluid can be moved outward and toward the ultrasonic transducers  10  and eventually removed from the laundry through operation of the ultrasonic transducers  10 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS.  9 ( a )- 9 ( c )  and  13 - 15 , this alternation of the high-speed phase  260  and either a low-speed rotation or partial rotation for performing the satellizing process  264  and a tumbling operation  262  for redistribution of the load  24  of laundry within the drum  12  can be sequentially performed until the load  24  of laundry is dried to a desired dryness level based upon the selected drying operation  174 . 
     During operation of the increasing and decreasing drum speeds, the alternating levels of drum rotation can be conducted according to a specific pattern. By way of example, and not limitation, the drum  12 , in a partial rotation phase  170 , can move in an oscillating pattern of a specific angular rotation. For example, the drum  12  may rotate 180° to enable re-distribution of the load  24  of laundry. This redistribution may expose more fabric surface area to the ultrasonic transducers  10  as compared to regular tumbling. Regular tumbling may result in certain clothing continually being rotated within an outer region of the load  24  of laundry while other clothing within the middle of the load  24  of laundry may remain within the middle of the load  24  of laundry. By oscillating the drum  12  within a predefined rotational distance, clothing within the center of the load  24  of laundry can be redistributed to outer portions of the laundry and vice versa. Greater degrees of rotation may result in differing degrees of agitation or redistribution of the load  24  of laundry within the drum  12 . Certain movements of the drum  12  may also result in a “figure eight” condition. This can be achieved when rotation of the drum  12  in one direction results in the clothing being positioned beyond an angle of repose for the laundry, such that the laundry tumbles downward. Once this angle of repose is surpassed and the laundry starts to tumble, the drum  12  can be moved in the opposing direction to achieve a position beyond the angle of repose for the laundry in the opposing direction. Accordingly, laundry can be moved to tumble in opposing directions during an oscillating rotation of the drum  12 . Again, these partial rotations or slower rotations can be interspersed between sattellized high-speed phases  260  of the drum  12  to alternate drying and tumbling operations  262  of the drying operation  174 . During the redistribution phases of the drying operation  174 , ultrasonic transducers  10  within upper portions  280  of the drum  12  that may not engage the laundry can be deactivated or partially de-energized during its redistribution phase of the drying operation  174 . 
     According to various aspects of the device, the drum  12  can be moved during a redistribution phase of a drying operation  174  in movements other than an axial rotation. Such movements can be in the form of eccentric movements where the rotational axis  290  of the drum  12  in the form of a drive shaft  86  for the drum  12  is moved laterally in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis  290  of the drum  12 . This can result in an eccentric movement of the drum  12  during the tumbling operation  262  that can manipulate the laundry as necessary to evenly redistribute the laundry during each redistribution phase of the drying operation  174 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS.  1 - 7   , the ultrasonic transducers  10  typically operate in such a high frequency that the transducers may be damaged where they are not acting upon a medium, such as entrapped water  16  within a load  24  of laundry. Accordingly, the ultrasonic transducers  10  can include various sensing mechanisms that provide for activation of the ultrasonic transducers  10  only in appropriate conditions. Such appropriate conditions are typically where the ultrasonic transducers  10  are in direct contact with laundry and/or moisture within the drum  12  of the appliance  14 . This direct contact can be achieved through manipulation of the load  24  of laundry and/or through manipulation of the positioning of the ultrasonic transducers  10  within the drum  12 . Additionally, the use of sensors  310  placed either within or near one or more ultrasonic transducers  10  can cooperate with the ultrasonic transducers  10  to sense when the appropriate condition is present for activation of the ultrasonic transducers  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  5   , an optical coder, cam or switching-type arrangement  330  can be positioned within a portion of the drum  12 . The switching-type arrangement  330  can include a pair of electrodes  148  or positioning sensors  310  that are placed on the drum  12  in a stationary portion  100  near the drum  12  to be used as a positioning mechanism. This positioning mechanism can be activated when a particular set of ultrasonic transducers  10  are positioned at or near a lowest portion of the drum  12 . During a drying operation  174 , laundry typically gravitates to the lowest portion of the drum  12  during rotation of the drum  12 . The switch-type arrangement  330  can be activated as the drum  12  operates to maintain activation of at least a portion of the ultrasonic transducers  10  positioned at a lowest portion of the drum  12 . As the drum  12  operates, laundry is continually redistributed within the drum  12 . Similarly, ultrasonic transducers  10  that are rotated about the rotational axis  290  are continually activated and deactivated as they travel around this rotational axis  290 . The lower portion of the drum  12  can define a home position  332 , where the ultrasonic transducers  10  in the drum position are typically activated as they pass through this home position  332 . Once the ultrasonic transducers  10  move through this home position  332 , they can be deactivated or de-energized for the reason that they are not typically engaged with any portion of a load  24  of laundry in these areas outside of the home position  332 . 
     The switch-type arrangement  330  can be in the form of an optical encoder that is engaged as a portion of the drum  12  nears a sensing mechanism. The optical encoder activates as it approaches the home position  332  and deactivates as it leaves this home position  332 . The switch-type arrangement  330  can also be in the form of a cam, where the drum  12  includes an undulating surface that passes over an encoder. As various cam portions of the drum pass by the encoder, the cam portions of the drum  12  activate the encoder and, in turn, activate the various ultrasonic transducers  10  within the home position  332  of the drum  12 . Other similar switch-type arrangements  330  can be included for activating and deactivating the ultrasonic transducers  10 . Such switching-type arrangements  330  can include, but are not limited to, magnets, induction mechanisms, rotational switches, proximity sensors, RFID mechanisms, near-field communications and other similar switching-type arrangements  330 . The switching-type arrangement  330  can result in the deactivation of the ultrasonic transducers  10  that are not in the home position  332 . The switching-type arrangement  330  may also result in a reduced amount of power or reduced operational frequency of the ultrasonic transducers  10  that are away from the home position  332  of the drum  12 . The switching-type arrangement  330  also may be used in an RF dryer. 
     Referring again to  FIGS.  1 - 10   , the ultrasonic transducers  10  can also be operated through operation of various sensors  310 , such as moisture sensors and/or contact sensors that can be incorporated within or around ultrasonic transducers  10 . In such an embodiment, each transducer  10  or array of transducers  10  can include a moisture sensor or contact sensor that senses when the ultrasonic transducers  10  are in direct contact with moisture. Typically, this moisture will be entrapped water  16  that is contained within the load  24  of laundry. A weight sensor can be incorporated and can serve to activate the ultrasonic transducers  10  when a portion of the load  24  of laundry is placed against the weight sensor. The weight of the laundry can act upon a portion of the ultrasonic transducers  10  to provide an indication that the ultrasonic transducers  10  are directly engaged with a portion of the load  24  of laundry. This direct contact is indicative of a preferred operational condition where activation of the ultrasonic sensors  310  is preferred for manipulating the entrapped water  16  contained within the load  24  of laundry. The moisture sensors and contact sensors can also work in conjunction. In such an embodiment, the contact sensors can indicate when a portion of the load  24  of laundry is engaged with the ultrasonic transducer  10 . The moisture sensor, in turn, can provide information about whether entrapped water  16  is contained within the relevant portion of a load  24  of laundry in contact with the ultrasonic transducers  10 . The contact sensors and/or moisture sensors can also be used to measure the amount of entrapped water  16  contained within the load  24  of laundry. These measurements can be taken instantaneously or can be accumulated over time to determine an amount of moisture that has been removed and efficiency of the ultrasonic transducers  10 , the amount of time remaining in a particular drying operation  174 , the type of laundry or fabric being dried, and other similar information that can be conveyed to the user relating to the performance of the drying operation  174 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS.  1 - 10   , various ultrasonic transducers  10  can be arranged within the drum  12  to provide varying frequencies of operation  350  during a particular drying operation  174 . In such an embodiment, the various ultrasonic transducers  10  within the drum  12  can be modified to produce various ranges of vibration frequencies throughout a particular drying operation  174 . These different frequencies may be used to maximize the efficiency of the drying operation  174 . It has been discovered that different amounts of moisture within the load  24  of laundry, different types of fabric within the load  24  of laundry, different amounts of laundry within a particular load  24  of laundry, and other load  24  characteristics, can each have an optimal frequency of operation  350  for the ultrasonic transducers  10 . Accordingly, the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be modified to produce these various frequencies throughout operation of the drying operation  174  to maximize the removal of moisture from the fabric throughout the course of the drying operation  174 . Accordingly, where particularly high-water content load  24  of laundry is included within the drum  12 , the ultrasonic transducers  10  may initiate activation of a particular frequency. As the amount of entrapped water  16  is removed from the load  24  of laundry, the frequency of operation  350  for the ultrasonic transducers  10  may change or modulate throughout the course of the drying operation  174  to maximize the removal of moisture during operation of the appliance  14 . The modification of operational ranges from each of the ultrasonic transducers  10  can ensure that optimal separation occurs between the entrapped water  16  and the laundry over the widest range of conditions experienced over the life of the appliance  14 . 
     The change in frequencies described herein can be achieved through a blind duty cycle that can be repeated during each drying operation  174 . During the course of the drying operation  174 , the frequency of the ultrasonic transducers  10  modulates according to a predetermined pattern. Accordingly, regardless of the type of fabric being dried, the amount of moisture included within the laundry and the size of the load  24  of laundry, the optimal frequencies will be achieved intermittently for each condition throughout the course of the drying operation  174 . 
     The range of frequencies can also be determined through various sensors  310 , such as humidity sensors, that can sense the amount of mist that is generated through operation of the ultrasonic transducers  10  upon the entrapped moisture within the laundry. Where greater amounts of humidity are detected, that particular frequency of operation  350  corresponding to higher efficiency of the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be continued for a certain amount of time. Where the amount of humidity or moisture within the drum  12  decreases, the ultrasonic transducers  10  can operate through a range of varied frequency modulations to seek out another optimal range or frequency of operation  350  for maximizing operation of the ultrasonic transducers  10 . Where no additional optimal range is found, this may be indicative of the end or nearing the end of the drying operation  174  where the ultrasonic transducers  10  may be deactivated or their power diminished during the end phases of the drying operation  174 . 
     The various frequencies of operation  350  for the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be achieved through placement of transducers  10  that operate under a single frequency throughout portions of the drum  12 . While each ultrasonic transducer  10  operates under a single frequency, numerous transducers  10  can be included in the drum  12  where each transducer  10  operates at a frequency of operation  350 . Accordingly, a range of frequencies of operation  350  of the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be achieved by placement of ultrasonic transducers  10  of a varying but constant frequency that are located throughout the drum  12 . During performance of the drying operation  174 , various types of ultrasonic transducers  10  that operate at a particular frequency of operation  350  may provide an optimal drying performance. As the drying operation  174  continues, different sets of ultrasonic transducers  10  that operate at a different frequency of operation  350  may, at various times, become the optimal transducers during the drying operation  174 . 
     Through the use of differing frequency of operation  350  within each ultrasonic transducer  10  or differing frequencies of operation  350  amongst the varying ultrasonic transducers  10  and throughout the course of the performance of the drying operation  174 , an optimal drying “sweet spot” can be achieved throughout the course of the drying operation  174 . This variance of frequencies of operation  350  can serve to maximize the use of the ultrasonic transducers  10  to shorten the length of time that is takes to dry a particular load  24  of laundry. 
     According to various aspects of the device, the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be placed upon a rotational or operable portion  510  of the drum  12 . In such an embodiment, the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be activated and deactivated as needed, such that only the ultrasonic transducers  10  that are in direct contact with the load  24  and/or entrapped water  16  are activated while those that are not in contact with water and/or laundry are deactivated to save energy and also to prevent wear upon the ultrasonic transducers  10 . The various ultrasonic transducers  10  can also be located within the lifters  98  of the drum  12 . During operation of the drying appliance  14 , the lifters  98  serve to push the laundry upward and may provide longer occurrences of direct engagement between the drum  12  and portions of the load  24  of laundry during performance of a particular drying operation  174 . 
     Additionally, the lifters  98  can define an ultrasonic transducer module that can be designed as a substantially complete unit and installed within a drum  12  for the drying appliance  14  in place of a conventional lifter  98 . The ultrasonic transducer module, as discussed above, can contain a control unit. This control unit can serve to define the various frequencies of operation  350  of the ultrasonic transducers  10  within a particular lifter  98 . Each of the lifters  98  may operate according to a different set of controls that are independently defined within each ultrasonic transducer module. Each ultrasonic transducer module can also contain a set of ultrasonic transducers  10  that each define a consistent but differing frequency among the ultrasonic transducers  10  within that particular ultrasonic transducer module. Accordingly, the ultrasonic transducer module can be included to provide the varying frequencies of operation  350  of the various ultrasonic transducers  10  for the drying appliance  14 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS.  1 - 7   , the drying appliance  14  can include a separate transducer control module that is positioned outside of the drum  12  that serves to control operation of the various ultrasonic transducers  10  disposed within the drum  12 . The control module can be split into separate control modules for independent operation of various sections of the drum  12  so that various sections of the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be operated to maximize operation for that particular location of the drum  12 . In such an embodiment, various ultrasonic submodules can be coupled with one primary control module for operating the ultrasonic transducers  10  as a cohesive unit during performance of a drying operation  174 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS.  1 - 15   , in aspects of the device that include a partial rotation phase  170  for the drying operation  174 , electrical power can be provided to the drum  12  and data communications can be provided to and from the drum  12  via a length of braided wire or other flexible conductor that can be positioned to absorb limited rotation. The use of the flexible conductor can eliminate the need for a slip ring or bearing ring as the primary electrical interface  396  between the rotational drum  12  and the surrounding structure of the appliance  14 . Additionally, a cam or other similar actuator, such as a solenoid, can define intimate contact with an electrode  148  as the drum  12  rotates about the rotational axis  290 . Additionally, contact between the cooperating electrodes  148  of the rotating drum  12  and the surrounding structure can define engagement when the drum  12  is stationed. Accordingly, the ultrasonic transducers  10  can define an actuated state when the drum  12  is stationary or substantially stationary with minimal to no rotational operation. In such an embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer  10  can act upon a specific portion of the load  24  of laundry that rests on or near the interior surface  124  of the drum  12 . Additionally, in such an embodiment, the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be operable to an extended position  390  inside the drum  12  and into engagement with the load  24  of laundry proximate the home position  332  of the drum  12 . When the operation of the ultrasonic transducers  10  becomes less efficient, such that the moisture around the ultrasonic transducers  10  has been largely or completely removed, the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be operable to a retracted position  392  outside of the drum  12 . When in the recessed position, the drum  12  can be activated for operation about the rotational axis  290  to continue a conventional tumbling operation  262 . 
     According to various aspects of the device, as exemplified in  FIGS.  17  and  18   , a drive mechanism that includes a torsion spring  394  can be used as the rotating interface when the drum  12  is driven. Such a drive mechanism can include a helical drive, such that when torque is applied, resistance to rotation from the drum  12  can cause a driver to move the helical drive in a clutching operation to move the transducers  10  out of contact before the drum  12  begins its rotational operation about the axis. Other types of cams or solenoids can also be used to move the ultrasonic transducers  10  between the extended and recessed positions to define the various operation phases of the drum  12  during the performance of the drying operation  174 . The transducers  10  can be placed in a fixed position within the interior of the drum  12  or proximate the interior of the drum  12 . When the drum  12  comes to a stop, instead of the transducers  10  moving between the extended and retracted position  390 ,  392 , an electrical interface  396  can move between the extended and retracted position  390 ,  392  to activate those ultrasonic transducers  10  that are in the home position  332  and in engagement with the load  24  of laundry having the entrapped water  16 . In such an embodiment, the transducers  10  can also be incorporated within the electrical interface  396  that can detect the presence and the amount of entrapped water  16  within a load  24  of laundry at least within the areas within the ultrasonic transducers  10 . Where the electrical interface  396  is the operable member that moves between the extended and retracted positions  390 ,  392 , the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be located throughout the interior surface  124  of the drum  12 . That portion of the drum  12  that stops in the home position  332  can receive the electrical interface  396  in the extended position  390 . Accordingly, only those ultrasonic transducers  10  that are within the home position  332  will typically be activated upon engagement of the electrical interface  396  with the ultrasonic transducers  10  in the home position  332 . 
     During operation of the helical drive for moving the ultrasonic transducers  10  and/or the electrical interface  396  between the extended position  390  and to the retracted position  392 , the helical drive can be rotated until it achieves a stopped position. When the helical drive reaches this stopped position, the retracted position  392  of the electrical interface  396  and/or the ultrasonic transducers  10  is achieved and torque is removed from the motor  80 . When torque is removed from the driving device via a pulley, direct drive, sprocket or other similar driving device, the torsion spring  394  can drive the helical cam back to apply a force upon the electrical interface  396  and/or the ultrasonic transducers  10  to be moved back into the extended position  390  into the drum  12 . This process can be continually repeated as the drum  12  moves through the various phases of the drying operation  174 . In each stopping phase  398 , where the ultrasonic transducers  10  within the home position  332  are activated is typically followed by a redistributing tumbling operation  262  or a conventional tumbling phase. After the laundry load  24  is redistributed during the appropriate tumbling operation  262 , the drum  12  can then come to a stop such that the clutch-type mechanism can then serve to extend the electrical interface  396  and/or the ultrasonic transducers  10  to the extended position  390  into the drum  12  and into engagement with the laundry having entrapped water  16 . 
     The various clutch-type mechanisms can include, but are not limited to, a helical drive, solenoid, wax motor, fluid piston, combinations thereof, or other similar device that can be used to actuate the ultrasonic transducers  10  and/or the electrical interface  396  into engagement for applying the ultrasonic resonance  22  into the load  24  of laundry and the trapped water therein. The clutch-type mechanism can act as a safety device that requires the movement of the electrical interface  396  and/or the ultrasonic transducers  10  to the retracted position  392  before the drum  12  is allowed to operate in a rotational manner about the rotational axis  290 . 
     According to various aspects of the device, as exemplified in  FIG.  19   , the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be activated through the use of a gap  410  between the drum  12  and the surrounding structure of the drum  12 , such as tub  126 , that is bridged by viscous fluids  412 , oil, grease, gas, combinations thereof, or other similar frequency or vibration conducting material. As the drum  12  rotates, the ultrasonic transducers  10  may remain stationary with the fluid shears to allow relative motion with respect to the drum  12 . When the drum  12  is stationary or slow moving, the viscous fluid  412  and/or gas can be used to conduct vibration or the ultrasonic resonance  22  into the drum  12  or conduct vibration into devices that are disposed on the drum  12 . The use of such a device may require a sufficiently large surface or transfer area on the drum  12  or within portions of the drum  12 . Additionally, separate components can be attached to the drum  12  for receiving the ultrasonic resonance  22  via the viscous fluid  412  and/or vibration transferring in gas. In this particular embodiment, the drum  12  may be surrounded by a separate tub  126  that surrounds the drum  12  and maintains placement of the viscous fluid  412  and/or gas within an interstitial space defined between the outer surface  94  of the drum  12  and interior surface  124  of the tub  126 . The viscous fluid  412  and/or gas can also be disposed within the channels that extend around the drum  12  and are contained therein to prevent loss or leakage of this fluid and/or gas during operation of the appliance  14 . Where the fluid and/or gas is incorporated in the appliance  14 , the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be disposed proximate a structure of the appliance  14 . Operation of the ultrasonic transducers  10  can transmit the ultrasonic resonance  22  through the viscous fluid  412  and/or gas that is then transmitted into the interior of the drum  12  for treatment of the laundry and entrapped water  16  contained therein. By transmitting vibration through the bridging media that takes the form of the viscous fluid  412  or gas, the electrical wiring can be provided to a fixed position of the ultrasonic transducers  10  and may not need to be delivered to the drum  12  for operation of the ultrasonic transducers  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  20   , operation of the ultrasonic transducers  10  can also be performed through the use of a rigid roller  430  or other sufficiently rigid bearing system that can be placed in contact with the drum  12 . The ultrasonic transducers  10  can be placed in contact with the rigid bearing system, such that the rigid bearing system receives the ultrasonic resonance  22  emitted by the ultrasonic transducers  10 . This ultrasonic resonance  22  is then transferred through the rigid bearing system and into the drum  12 . The rigid bearing system can include one or more rollers  430  or bearing-type mechanisms that can deliver the ultrasonic resonance  22  to an area, such as the home position  332  of the drum  12  during operation of the particular drying phase. In this embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer  10  can be maintained in a substantially fixed position relative to the rigid bearing system and also relative to the drum  12 . Accordingly, electrical wiring and data communications can be delivered to the fixed position of the ultrasonic transducer  10  for activation and deactivation during performance of the various drying phases. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  21  and  22   , the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be in the form of various arrays and/or patterns of permanent high-intensity magnets  450  that are set around the outside of the drum  12 . These high-intensity magnets  450  can be set around the outside of the drum  12 , in the drum  12 , within flexible portions of the drum  12 , within lifters  98 , combinations thereof, and other various portions of the drum  12 . In this embodiment, thin membranes  452  can be located around the circumference of the drum  12  where the membranes  452  interact with the plurality of high-intensity magnets  450  to produce deflection when disposed in the proximity of one or more of the high-intensity magnets  450 . The high-intensity magnets  450  can be disposed in a tight array that surrounds the drum  12 . When the drum  12  is rotated at a high speed, the flexible membranes  452  of the drum  12  quickly interact with the high-intensity magnets  450  to produce a series of high-speed deflections  454  that result in vibrations that can produce the ultrasonic resonance  22  desired to manipulate the entrapped water  16  into the fine mist  40  that can be removed from the drum  12 . The high-intensity magnets  450  can be disposed where lines of opposing polarities are placed next to each other to produce a vibrating inner surface of the rotating drum  12 . 
     As the membranes  452  pass over the high-intensity magnets  450 , the membranes  452  are moved in one direction, typically into or away from the drum interior, by positive polarity high-intensity magnets  450 . The membranes  452  are subsequently repelled in the opposite direction by an opposing polarity high-intensity magnet  450 . The alternation of the polarities of the high-intensity magnets  450  results in the high-speed deflection  454  of the membranes  452 . Fast rotation of the drum  12  results in a high-speed deflection  454  of the membranes  452  as the membranes  452  pass by the opposing polarities of the high-intensity magnets  450  that are set around the drum  12 . To increase the vibration of the membranes  452 , the array of high-intensity magnets  450  can be rotated in an opposing direction to the rotation of the drum  12 . Accordingly, the speed of the vibration of the membranes  452  can be increased, where the arrays of high-intensity magnets  450  rotate in one direction and the membranes  452  that are deflected by the high-intensity magnets  450  are rotated in the opposing direction. 
     The high-intensity magnets  450  can be disposed in linear arrays that extend around one or more portions of the drum  12 . Accordingly, the high-intensity magnets  450  can be defined by a single band or multiple bands that can be rotated about the drum  12  or can remain stationary about the drum  12 . The frequency of the ultrasonic resonance  22  can be modified through operation of the drum  12  and/or the high-speed magnets at faster or lower speeds to increase or decrease the frequency of deflection of the membranes  452  within the drum  12 . In various aspects of the device, the high-intensity magnets  450  can be moved closer to the drum  12  or moved away from the drum  12  to increase or decrease the amount of deflection experienced by the membrane  452  during operation of the drum  12 . Additionally, the high-intensity magnets  450  are rotated about the drum  12  or placed about the drum  12 , such that the high-intensity magnets  450  are typically closest to the outer surface  94  of the drum  12  in the home position  332  of the drum  12 . Accordingly, the greatest deflection experienced by the membranes  452  can be adapted to be within this home position  332  of the drum  12  (exemplified in  FIG.  22   ). The high-intensity magnets  450  may also be positioned only within the home position  332  of the drum  12  where the high-intensity magnets  450  are positioned in a fixed location with respect to the structure of the appliance  14 . 
     According to various aspects of the device, as exemplified in  FIG.  23   , the ultrasonic transducer  10  can be disposed within a motor  180  driving the drum  12  about the rotational axis  290 . In such an embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer  10  applies rotation to the motor  80  and/or the drive shaft  86 , and this ultrasonic resonance  22  is then transmitted into the drum  12  for application of the ultrasonic resonance  22  into the entrapped water  16  within the laundry. According to various aspects of the device, the ultrasonic transducer  10  can be the motor  80 . In such an embodiment, the drum  12  can be lined with resonating plates  470  that are tuned to resonate at a modulation frequency. This material will typically have a modulation frequency that is ultrasonic. The various resonating plates  470  that are disposed around the drum  12  may resonate at frequencies that are sub-modulation, at the resonant frequency or are a harmonic of the resonant frequency. 
     By way of example, and not limitation, if a resonating plate  470  is tuned or manufactured to resonate at a frequency of 1000 Hz, it can be excited at 500 Hz (a sub-frequency), 1000 Hz (the resonant frequency), or 2000 Hz (the harmonic resonant frequency). Additional multiples of this progression would also define harmonics of this resonant frequency. Accordingly, various frequencies can be used to provide a series of sub-modulation, resonant frequencies and harmonics that can be used to transmit the ultrasonic resonance  22  from the tuned resonating plates  470  and into the drum  12  for manipulating the entrapped water  16 . 
     As the laundry bears against the resonating plates  470 , the resonating plates  470  vibrate according to the appropriate sub-modulation, resonant frequency or harmonics and the entrapped water  16  is acted upon by the ultrasonic resonance  22  and is turned to the micro-droplets in the form of fine droplets of fluid, typically water, that can be suspended in air and easily removed from the drum  12 . As will be discussed more fully below, process air  176  can be directed from the drum  12  so that these fine droplets or mist can be moved to the exterior of the drum  12 . For movement of the entrapped water  16  that has been turned into the fine droplets by the ultrasonic resonance  22 , the resonating plates  470  may include a series of pores, openings, or other apertures  532  that allow the fine droplets to pass therethrough for removal from the drum  12  and from the appliance  14 . 
     In embodiments using the tuned resonating plates  470 , the excitation energy can come from a direct drive motor  80 . The direct drive motor  80  drives the drum  12  at a desired rotational speed. This rotational speed may be in the form of a satellizing velocity that uses centrifugal and centripetal forces to satellize the laundry against the inner surface  96  of the drum  12 . An ultrasonic frequency  480  can be directed or injected into the main driving frequency. This ultrasonic frequency  480  can be in the form of a sine wave or square wave. The ultrasonic frequency  480  can be of a magnitude that is high enough to cause the plates to resonate and shake the entrapped water  16  into the micro-droplets and define the mist that can be removed from the drum  12 . Within the direct drive motor  80 , the stator  82  can be rigidly mounted to the structure of the appliance  14 . The rotor  84  will rotate relative to the stator  82  to pass energy into the drum  12  via the shaft. The drum  12  can then pass the energy to the resonating plates  470  where the resonating plates  470  can be excited to produce the sub-modulation, resonant frequency or harmonic frequency as desired to produce the misting effect of the entrapped water  16  within the laundry. In such an embodiment, the motor  80  itself can define the ultrasonic transducer  10 . As discussed above, a separate ultrasonic transducer  10  can be disposed within the motor  80  for producing the ultrasonic frequency  480  that is transferred through the drive shaft  86 , the drum  12  and into the tuned resonating plates  470 . This ultrasonic frequency  480  is then delivered into the drum  12  as the ultrasonic resonance  22  that can act upon the entrapped water  16  within the laundry. Where the tuned resonating plates  470  are used, each tuned resonating plate  470  can be attached to a dedicated ultrasonic transducer  10  that acts directly upon the tuned resonating plate  470 . Various transducers can be attached to the resonating plate  470  so that various portions of each tuned resonating plate  470  can be set to resonate at a particular frequency. In such an embodiment, the resonating plate  470  can be divided into sub-plates that are each in communication with a dedicated ultrasonic transducer  10 . The tuned resonating plates  470  are tuned to an appropriate frequency or various frequencies to transmit and/or amplify the ultrasonic resonance  22  produced by the ultrasonic transducer  10 . Accordingly, the tuned resonating plates  470  transfer the ultrasonic resonance  22  from the ultrasonic transducer  10  and relay this ultrasonic resonance  22  into the drum  12  to treat the entrapped water  16  within the laundry. 
     According to various aspects of the device, the ultrasonic transducers  10  produce an ultrasonic resonance  22  in the form of a high acceleration vibration that includes little displacement within the transducer  10  itself. According to at least one aspect of the device, a magneto-strictive transducer can be used to create this ultrasonic resonance  22  or ultrasonic vibration. A magneto-strictive transducer can be mounted to a stationary plate or a plurality of stationary plates that are allowed to vibrate relative to the drum  12 . In a least one example, the metal plate can be in the form of a bulkhead  490  or back wall of the dryer or a door  492  of the dryer, where the bulkhead  490  and the door  492  at least partially enclose and each define a portion of the interior chamber  18  of the drum  12 . As discussed previously, various plates used within the drum  12  can be perforated or can include various apertures  532  to allow the fine droplets of entrapped water  16  to escape for removal from the laundry and also from the appliance  14 . The magneto-strictive transducers can be in the form of Terfenol-D that is attached to the plate to create the ultrasonic vibration. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  23  and  24   , the various plates in the drum  12  can be used in conjunction with airflow structures and a baffle design that can move clothing and air through the drum  12 . The baffle design, such as in the form of lifters  98  within the drum  12 , can move or tumble clothing to allow for turnover of loads  24  so that all of the load  24  engages the ultrasonic transducers  10  and/or the resonating plates  470  attached thereto. Through the course of the performance of the drying operation  174 , the entrapped water  16  can be converted into the mist for removal from the laundry. During the course of the drying operation  174 , the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be turned on and off by using torque information of the motor  80  to determine when the load  24  is contacting an area affected by the transducers  10 . As discussed above, this area can be defined by the home position  332  of the drum  12  that is typically the area of the lowest portion of the drum  12  when the area is stationary or as the drum  12  rotates about the rotational axis  290 . 
     Various sensors  310  such as infrared or piezoelectric devices can also be used to determine the location of the load  24  with respect to the ultrasonic transducers  10  and/or the plates attached thereto. An airflow can be produced through the drum  12  for moving the fine droplets of water from the load  24  and either through an exhaust duct within the drum  12  or through perforations or other apertures  532  defined within a wall of the drum  12 . The magneto-strictive transducer can use various ferromagnetic materials that tend to change their shape during a process of magnetization. When the magnetic field is applied to the ferromagnetic material, boundaries between various domains within the ferromagnetic material shift and the domains rotate. Each of these effects cause a change in the material&#39;s dimension. This change in the materials&#39; dimension can be used to produce the ultrasonic vibration or ultrasonic resonance  22  that can be applied to entrapped water  16  within the laundry. Various shapes of magnetic fields can be applied to the ferromagnetic material to produce a different result and effects and, in turn, different types and directions of deflection within the material that can be used to produce selectively adjustable and varying frequencies and orientations of the ultrasonic resonance  22  that is applied to the entrapped water  16  within the laundry. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  6   , the drum  12  can include ultrasonic transducers  10  that are placed in various locations within and about the drum  12 . For transducers  10  that are placed on the rotational portion of the drum  12 , these transducers  10  rotate with a drum  12  during performance of the drying operation  174 . As discussed above, delivering electrical power and also providing for data communications between these operable transducers  10  that are placed on rotational portions of the drum  12  may use movable electrical connections or wireless electrical connections for delivering electrical power and/or various forms of energy to operate the ultrasonic transducers  10 . The ultrasonic transducers  10  can also be placed on stationary portions  100  of the drum  12  such as within a rear bulkhead  490  or within the door  492  of the appliance  14  to define at least a portion of the interior chamber  18  of the drum  12 . In these portions, the transducers  10  can be stationary with respect to the appliance structure during operation of the drum  12 . Transducers  10  in this area can be hardwired to a power source  92  for the appliance  14  as well as a communications or control portion of the appliance  14 . Since these portions do not move during operation of the appliance  14 , hardwired connections may be readily available for use. In various aspects of the device, the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be placed on both stationary portions  100  and operable portions  510  of the drum  12 . 
     In such an embodiment, the transducers  10  are selectively operable depending upon those ultrasonic transducers  10  that are directly engaged with the laundry and/or the entrapped water  16  within the laundry. Where the ultrasonic transducers  10  are disposed on stationary portions  100  of the drum  12 , the drum  12  can include various lifters  98  or internal deflecting features that can direct the clothing to the bulkhead  490  and/or the door  492  so that the laundry can directly engage the ultrasonic transducers  10  within the stationary portions  100  of the drum  12 . 
     As exemplified in  FIGS.  6 ,  7  and  10   , the drum  12  can be made of one or more operable portions  510  that are positioned around or near one or more stationary portions  100 . The operable portions  510  rotate about the stationary portions  100  so that laundry can be delivered into direct engagement with the stationary portions  100  where the ultrasonic transducers  10  are positioned. In at least one aspect of the device, a center portion  512  of the drum  12  can be stationary and the ultrasonic transducer  10  is disposed at a bottom portion  516  of this stationary component. Typically, this bottom portion  516  of the stationary component can be comparable to the home position  332  of a fully operable drum  12 . The center portion  512  can be fully cylindrical or can have wider and narrower portions at the top and/or bottom of the stationary portion  100 . 
     Adjacent to the stationary portion  100  of the drum  12  are one or more operable end pieces  514  that can be rotationally operated relative to the stationary portion  100 . These operable end pieces  514  can be sloped or otherwise adapted to direct the laundry toward the stationary component, and in particular, toward the bottom portion  516  of the stationary component where the ultrasonic transducers  10  are located. The rotationally operable portions  510  of the drum  12  can each include lifters  98  or other deflecting features that can direct the laundry toward the ultrasonic transducers  10 . Because the ultrasonic transducers  10  are stationary, electrical wiring can be moved through a conduit for delivering electricity thereto and also for providing data communications to and from the ultrasonic transducers  10 . It should be understood that other configurations of operable and stationary portions  510  of the drum  12  can be used where the operable portions  510  of the drum  12  manipulate the laundry to be directed to a stationary portion  100  having one more ultrasonic transducers  10  disposed therein. Where a combination of stationary and operable portions  100 ,  510  of the drum  12  are included, the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be disposed on both the stationary and operable portions  100 ,  510  to maximize the conversion of the entrapped water  16  within the laundry into the fine droplets of mist. 
     According to various aspects of the device, the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be incorporated within or connected to one or more printed circuit boards  530  (shown in  FIG.  4   ) that are mounted onto an outer surface  94  of the drum  12 . The printed circuit boards  530  can include integrally defined ultrasonic transducers  10  that can either protrude into the rotating drum  12  or can attach to vibrating members that are affected by the ultrasonic transducers  10  for producing the ultrasonic resonance  22  that acts upon the entrapped water  16  within the laundry. The printed circuit boards  530  are adapted to transform a 60 Hz 120-volt AC signal, or alternatively, a 12-volt DC signal, into an appropriate wave form for driving one or more components situated within the rotating drum  12 . These components are typically in the form of ultrasonic transducers  10  that emit the ultrasonic resonance  22 . 
     The printed circuit boards  530  can include various sensors  310  and electrodes  148  for receiving power from an electrical system of the appliance  14 . The printed circuit boards  530  can also provide for communication between the ultrasonic transducers  10  and a control module for operating the ultrasonic transducers  10  and the appliance  14  as a whole. The sensors  310  that are included within the printed circuit board  530  can include moisture sensors, heat sensors, timers, vibration and/or displacement sensors, combinations thereof and other similar sensors  310 . 
     The printed circuit boards  530  can also include apertures  532  through which the fine droplets of water can travel after the ultrasonic transducers  10  have acted upon the entrapped water  16  within the laundry. The printed circuit boards  530  can also be adapted to operate at least one fan  534  positioned at an outside of the drum  12  for drawing air and the micro-droplets of water from the drum  12  and away from the laundry. The printed circuit boards  530  can be integrally formed within an outer surface  94  of the drum  12  or can be attached thereto via various attachment mechanisms. Various circuit board receptacles  536  can be formed within an outer surface  94  of the rotating drum  12 . The printed circuit boards  530  can then be disposed within the circuit board receptacles  536 . The printed circuit boards  530  can also be disposed within a portion of the lifters  98  that are attached to an inside surface of the drum  12 . These printed circuit boards  530  can be separated from the internal chamber where the laundry is treated by the ultrasonic transducers  10 . The printed circuit boards  530  can be placed in communication with the various ultrasonic transducers  10  for activation and deactivation as provided for by the control module and the sensors  310 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS.  1 - 7 ,  9  and  13 - 15   , where the rotating drum  12  utilizes a high speed or high-G rotating system that serves to satellize at least a portion of the laundry against the inner surface  96  of the drum  12 , the control module can utilize a feedback loop to insure continual drying during this high-G rotation of the drum  12 . In such a feedback loop, the output generated by the ultrasonic transducer  10  is taken into consideration in determining the following input of the ultrasonic transducer  10 . This can be useful as the optimum frequency that the ultrasonic transducer  10  operates may change over the course of a particular drying operation  174 . As different types of fabric engage a particular ultrasonic transducer  10  or array of ultrasonic transducers  10 , the optimal frequency may change. Additionally, as the fabric dries during the course of the drying operation  174 , this optimal frequency may also change. Because the frequency changes throughout the drying operation  174 , the harmonics or the appropriate resonance of the various materials of the laundry and the drum  12  can be considered in the design to optimize the drying operation  174  using the ultrasonic transducers  10 . A particular circuit related to the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be adapted to analyze the power factor for each ultrasonic transducer  10  or array of ultrasonic transducers  10 . If the load  24  provided to the ultrasonic transducer  10  appears to be significantly inductive or significantly capacitive, the control module is adapted to shift or modulate the frequency of the powering signal delivered to the ultrasonic transducers  10  in order to compensate for this change in the harmonics of the drum  12  and/or the load  24 . This compensation would serve to tune the load  24  back to the purely resistive load  24  that is found during harmonic conditions. These harmonic conditions are typically present when the ultrasonic transducers  10  are operating at an optimal level and acting upon entrapped water  16  within the load  24  of laundry. Stated another way, where a harmonic condition is not present within the ultrasonic transducer  10  in the laundry, the frequency of the powering signal can be modified to achieve these harmonic conditions. In this manner, where inductive or capacitive conditions are present, the control module or other circuit within the system is adapted to recognize this condition and modify the frequency of the powering signal to achieve the desired harmonic conditions that are indicative of the ultrasonic transducer  10  acting to modify the entrapped water  16  into a fine mist  40  that can be suspended in air and removed from the drum  12 . 
     The system of the ultrasonic transducers  10  can operate through the application of multiple different wave forms among the various drying operations  174  and also within each phase of a drying operation  174  and throughout the course of any one or more of the drying operations  174 . Accordingly, the wave forms that are applied through the use of the ultrasonic transducer  10  can be modified continually through the course of the drying operation  174 . The wave forms used through the use of the ultrasonic transducers  10  can include, but are not limited to, square wave, sinusoid, triangle wave, saw tooth wave, impulse function, and other similar wave forms that can be used during operation of the ultrasonic transducer  10  for acting upon the entrapped water  16 . The various wave forms can be generated directly by the ultrasonic transducers  10 . These wave forms can also be generated as a result of the ultrasonic transducers  10  acting upon a separate carrier, such as the tuned resonating plates  470  described herein, where the tuned panels generate the ultrasonic resonance  22  that is used to modify the entrapped water  16  into the mist that can be removed from the drum  12 . 
     According to various aspects of the device, two or more ultrasonic transducers  10  can act simultaneously and in different frequencies or wave forms in order to create a super position of waves to magnify a particular frequency within a desired location. By way of example, and not limitation, two or more ultrasonic transducers  10  can operate in a particular direction and at predetermined frequencies. Where these frequencies intersect at a particular location within the drum  12 , these wave forms produced by these frequencies may be super positioned  580  relative to one another to produce the sum of the individual wave displacements that may result in a greater magnitude than the amplitude of the frequency output by the ultrasonic transducers  10 . 
     Similarly, the combination of wave forms produced by the ultrasonic transducers  10  can result in fine-tuning of the frequencies in the form of interference  582  and/or super positioned  580  of waves within the drum  12 . In such an embodiment, certain ultrasonic transducers  10  may be supporting transducers  10  that provide targeted frequencies that can be used to super position  580  or interfere with the frequencies of other ultrasonic transducers  10 . The super positioned  580  and interference  582  wave forms produced by the ultrasonic transducers  10  can result in fine tune outputs of the ultrasonic transducers  10  as a system that can achieve desired results within various types of fabric, various moisture levels, and various sizes of loads  24  of fabric. To produce the super positioned  580  and interference  582  wave forms, the various ultrasonic transducers  10  can be positioned to intentionally produce or prevent such phenomena from occurring within the drum  12  during a particular drying operation  174 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  25 - 27   , the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be used within drying appliances other than those containing a rotating drum  12 . Certain drying appliances, commonly referred to as a French press  610 , can include opposing plates  612  that are moved toward one another to form an adjustable interior volume. The plates  612  press down upon a certain item of clothing or items of clothing. Heat and/or air is moved through the opposing plates  612  so that entrapped moisture within the clothing is heated, evaporated and removed from between the opposing plates  612  of the laundry appliance  14 . The ultrasonic transducers  10  can be incorporated within such an appliance  14 , where the ultrasonic transducers  10  are attached to one or both of the opposing plates  612 . The opposing plates  612  can be connected by a collapsible frame  614  and can include a substantially flexible outer curtain  616  that can extend and collapse along with the movement of the collapsible frame  614 . Within the collapsible frame  614  and the outer curtain  616 , a door slit, panel, or other similar operable aperture  532  can be positioned so that clothing can be disposed between the opposing plates  612  when the collapsible frame  614  moves the opposing plates  612  to an extended state  618 . With the clothes disposed within a fabric treating chamber  620  of the French press  610 , and air pump  622  or similar suction device can be applied to the opposing plates  612  to extract air from within the fabric treating chamber  620  defined by the opposing plates  612  and the outer curtain  616 . As the air pump  622 , such as a vacuum, operates, air is removed from the fabric treating chamber  620  and the opposing plates  612  are compressed toward one another as a result of the generation of the partial vacuum within the fabric treating chamber  620 . As the opposing plates  612  near one another, ultrasonic transducers  10  within each of the opposing plates  612  are activated when the various ultrasonic transducers  10  engage the item of laundry within the fabric treating chamber  620 . The ultrasonic transducers  10  act upon the entrapped moisture within the laundry and create the fine mist  40  that can be removed along with the air that is being extracted as a result of the operation of the air pump  622 . Accordingly, as the ultrasonic transducers  10  operate, the fine mist  40  is created that can be extracted from the treatment chamber along with the rest of the air that is being suctioned out by the air pump  622 . 
     According to various aspects of the device, the collapsible frame  614  can include a locking mechanism that retains the collapsible frame  614  in the extended state  618 . After the clothes are loaded within the treatment chamber, the locking mechanism can be released. Upon release of the locking mechanism, the upper plate  630  can move, according to at least the force of gravity, toward the lower plate  632  and rest upon the clothing disposed within a treatment chamber and upon the lower plate  632 . At this point, the ultrasonic transducers  10  and the air pump  622  can each be activated at the same time, or sequentially. The ultrasonic transducers  10  act upon the entrapped water  16  within the laundry to create the fine mist  40 . The air pump  622  operates to suction at least the humidified air and the fine mist  40  out from the treatment chamber so that the moisture that was entrapped within the laundry can be removed from the treatment chamber and from the clothing. In various aspects of the device, the vacuum can be activated first, and then the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be subsequently activated. In the various embodiments discussed herein, it is the goal of the ultrasonic transducers  10  and the vacuum to work cooperatively to create and remove the fine mist  40  that can be easily and conveniently removed from the treatment chamber. Accordingly, this process can be used on certain articles of clothing to remove entrapped water  16  contained therein. As discussed previously, the use of the ultrasonic transducers  10  can generate the fine mist  40  without the use of heat. Because heat is not included within the drying operation  174 , shrinkage and other heat-related damage that may typically be seen in conventional laundry appliances can be kept to a minimum. 
     Referring again to  FIGS.  25 - 27   , various aspects of the French press  610  can include a semi-permeable outer curtain  616  that can allow process air  176  to be passed through the treatment chamber during operation of the ultrasonic transducers  10 . In such an embodiment, the opposing plates  612  can be mechanically moved toward one another by some form of pressing operation. Simultaneously, air can be transmitted through the permeable curtain and through the treatment chamber so that the fine mist  40  that is produced by the ultrasonic transducers  10  acting on the entrapped water  16  can be removed through the permeable outer curtain  616 . The air can also be moved through the opposing plates  612  so that air is moved in a generally perpendicular direction through the items of clothing for removing the fine mist  40  from the treatment chamber. Where the air is moved through the opposing plates  612 , the outer curtain  616  may be permeable or non-permeable, depending on the needs of the user. 
     The French press  610  style of laundry device is typically designed for treatment of minimal numbers of clothing that are dried and stored in a flat and substantially unfolded condition. Accordingly, the French press  610  can include various heating features that can be used in conjunction with the ultrasonic transducers  10  to provide a permanent press or wrinkle release phase of the drying operation  174 . In such an embodiment, the heating device can be used to increase the temperature of the fine mist  40  generated through operation of the ultrasonic transducers  10 . This heated mist or heated air  694  can be moved through the items of clothing contained in a treatment chamber. The movement of the heated mist in conjunction with the pressing operation of the opposing plates  612  can serve to act as a type of pressing iron for removing wrinkles from the various items of clothing contained in the treatment chamber. 
     According to various aspects of the device described herein, the use of the ultrasonic transducers  10  can act upon the entrapped water  16  within the laundry items to form the mist that can be removed from the treatment area of the particular appliance  14  being used. The operation of generating a fine mist  40  can be in the form of an ultrasonic nebulizer that transfers the entrapped water  16  into a fine mist  40  that can be suspended within air moving through a treatment chamber. This nebulized fine mist  40  can then be moved along with the movement of air for removal from the laundry and from a treatment area of the appliance  14 . 
     According to various aspects of the device, handheld-type appliances  14  can incorporate aspects of the ultrasonic transducers  10 . Such appliances  14  can include the handheld iron or wrinkle releasing wand. In such an embodiment, a portion of the handheld laundry appliance  14  can include an array of one or more ultrasonic transducers  10  that can become activated when engaged with laundry that has entrapped water  16  therein. When the ultrasonic transducers  10  engage the entrapped water  16 , the ultrasonic transducers  10  are adapted to activate. As discussed above, activation of the ultrasonic transducers  10  converts the entrapped water  16  to a fine mist  40  that is typically lighter than the surrounding air. This fine mist  40  can be removed through the movement of air along or through the item of clothing. The handheld laundry appliance  14  can be moved over the areas of clothing needing to be treated so that entrapped water  16  throughout the treatment areas can be removed during operation of the handheld laundry appliance  14 . 
     The ultrasonic transducers  10  produce the ultrasonic resonance  22 , typically a vibration that is of such a frequency that the entrapped moisture is nebulized, atomized, or otherwise converted into ultrafine droplets of water that are characteristic of a fine mist  40  or humidified air. As the ultrasonic transducers  10  operate, the entrapped water  16  is quickly nebulized or atomized so that the entrapped water  16  can be removed from the garment in the vicinity of the contact area where the ultrasonic transducers  10  operate. 
     The handheld laundry appliance  14  can also include an air handling system  42  such as one or more fans  534  that can move air past the treated area affected by the ultrasonic transducers  10 . In addition to moving air, a fragrancing mechanism can be added to the handheld or larger appliance  14  so that air moved through the treatment area can be used to deposit freshening agents, fragrancing materials, refreshing materials, or other similar material that can be moved via the air handling system  42  of the appliance  14 . Using the one or more fans  534  or air handling units, the induced airflow can aid the drying process by carrying away the atomized or nebulized water. The movement of air prevents this fine mist  40  from settling back on the garment. 
     The use of a handheld laundry appliance  14  can incorporate a minimal number of ultrasonic transducers  10 . Accordingly, such a handheld laundry appliance  14  can be operated through use of a household outlet and is connected by a power cord. The minimal number of ultrasonic transducers  10  can also be used in conjunction with rechargeable or replaceable batteries that can provide temporary power for operating the ultrasonic transducers  10 . Because the handheld appliance  650  is typically used for a small area, typically a few items of clothing or a single portion of one or more items of clothing, the use of a battery operating system or hybrid battery and corded system allows for use of the ultrasonic transducer  10  within the handheld laundry appliance  14  when a cord cannot be conveniently used. The ultrasonic transducer  10  can be used as a travel item that can be used in most any location. 
     The use of smaller scale appliances  14  that incorporate the ultrasonic transducer  10  can also be incorporated within the larger appliances  14 . In such an embodiment, an array of ultrasonic transducers  10  or a single ultrasonic transducer  10  can be included within a standalone appliance  670  that can be set upon or attached to a laundry appliance  14 . By way of example, and not limitation, a drying platform  672  can be set upon the top of a drying appliance  14  and connected with a power source  92  for the appliance  14  or a power source  92  near the appliance  14 . In this manner, the drying platform  672  can be docked, coupled, or otherwise integrated within the laundry appliance  14 . The drying platform  672  can include one or more ultrasonic transducers  10  that can be used to provide heatless or substantially heatless drying functionality to various items of clothing that may be particularly sensitive to heat. The drying platform  672  can also be in the form of a slidable drawer  674  that can be extended or retracted from a housing of the laundry appliance  14 . The garment can be placed in a treatment chamber of the drawer  674 . When the drawer  674  is closed, the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be activated for removing the entrapped water  16  from the various laundry items being treated therein. In various aspects of such a device, a drying platform  672  can include a porous surface that includes a place to rest and/or press a particular garment or other clothing item with an opposing platform of the device, or with a handheld appliance  650  that may include an ultrasonic transducer  10 . The porous surface of the drying platform  672  can allow for the movement of air through the clothing item being dried. Such an attachment or integrated feature can allow for the treatment of multiple items in several different drying operations  174  at the same time. Additionally, where certain items are being treated by an ultrasonic transducer  10 , the fine mist  40  generated therein can be used for performing various steam-related operations in adjacent portions of one or more appliances  14 . 
     According to various aspects of the device, the fine mist  40  generated by the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be carried to other portions of a residence for providing humidification functions throughout the household, where the climate may be particularly dry at certain times of the year. The fine mist  40  can also be used for other purposes within the house, such that the fine mist  40  can be captured and repurposed in the form of a fine mist  40  or other forms of moisture. 
     According to various aspects of the device, and as generally exemplified in  FIG.  28   , the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be used in conjunction with other forms of drying technology. These drying technologies can include, but are not limited to, low pressure drying, use of microwaves  692  or RF drying, conventional drying with heated air  694 , combinations thereof and other similar drying technologies. Each of these technologies may have one or more drawbacks. However, these drawbacks may be mitigated through the use of multiple technologies within a hybrid system that takes advantage of each of the features of these technologies for maximizing drying efficiency within a particular drying operation  174 . 
     Where ultrasonic transducers  10  are used as part of the drying operation  174 , such a system may be less efficient near the end of a particular drying cycle. It may be difficult to place entrapped water  16  that may be within a center of a load  24  of laundry in substantially continuous contact with one or more ultrasonic transducers  10 . Accordingly, the use of heated air drying can be used toward the end of a particular drying operation  174  as a finishing step for removing the last undesired portions of entrapped water  16  from the laundry. In such a hybrid system, hot air can be used as a wrinkle release function where the heated air  694  serves to mitigate the presence of wrinkles within the laundry that has been treated through the use of ultrasonic transducers  10 . In such a drying operation  174 , the first portion of the drying operation  174  can be a non-heat phase where the ultrasonic transducers  10  remove the entrapped water  16  without the addition of heat or without the additional substantial amounts of heat. The entrapped heat is removed in the form of a fine mist  40  that can be delivered from the treatment area through the use of an air handling system  42 . 
     A later phase of the particular drying operation  174  can be typically in the form of a heated air phase  694  where air is heated through the use of a resistive heater, through the use of a heat pump system, or other type of air heating mechanism. The air handling system  42  can then move the heated air  694  through the laundry for performing the wrinkle release function or finishing step of the drying operation  174 . The use of the heated air  694  only at the very end of the drying operation  174  can limit the wear on the laundry and also limit the lint generation that may be created through the use of heated air  694 . 
     Where low-pressure drying  690  is utilized, energy is necessary to be added back into the clothing as the entrapped moisture is evaporated under the low-pressure conditions. If energy is not added back into the clothing, the clothing and the remaining entrapped moisture may decrease in temperature to the point of frosting or freezing. Such a condition can stop the process of low pressure evaporation. Because the low pressure environment provides little air in and around the clothing, the addition of heated air  694  would frustrate the low-pressure environment. Additionally, there is little air within the low-pressure environment to heat. The use of microwaves  692  can added to the drying operation  174  for heating the clothing in the remaining trapped moisture. These microwaves  692  can be used to add energy back into the system to prevent the overcooling of the laundry and the entrapped water  16 . Certain portions of the removal of moisture could be conducted through the operation of the ultrasonic transducers  10 . Because the ultrasonic transducers  10  are typically most effective when larger amounts of entrapped water  16  are present, an initial phase of the drying operation  174  can be used by incorporating the ultrasonic transducers  10  to convert the entrapped water  16  into a fine mist  40  that can be easily removed by moving air through the treatment area. This step of using the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be performed without the use of heat. Where a certain amount of moisture has been removed, a low-pressure drying operation  690  can be instituted to remove additional portions of moisture from the laundry. A finishing phase similar to that described above can be conducted at the end of the drying operation  174  so that heated air  694  can be used to fluff the laundry and provide anti-wrinkling functionality to the drying operation  174 . 
     The ultrasonic transducers  10  and the low pressure drying can also work together to provide better drying functionality as a composite system. As discussed above, energy is preferably added to wet clothing as low pressure allows the evaporation of water from fabric. However, if the water is separated from the clothing first, then evaporated, the energy of evaporation would be extracted from the nebulized moisture more than the clothing. In this manner, a cool effluent of water vapor would tend to condense more quickly as it is pumped out of the treatment area. Therefore, less energy would need to be replaced in the clothing. Accordingly, using the ultrasonic transducers  10  to remove the entrapped water  16  from the laundry, a low-pressure environment can be used to evaporate this fine mist  40 . In such a system, the energy extracted from the system for evaporating fluid within the low-pressure environment would be extracted from the fine mist  40  and not from the water entrapped within the clothing. Accordingly, the clothing and the entrapped water  16  would experience cooling to a lesser degree, such that less energy would need to be introduced into the system in the form of microwaves  692  and/or heated air  694 . By evaporating the fine mist  40 , extraction of water using the ultrasonic transducers  10  may also be efficiently conducted. 
     It is contemplated that multiple drying technologies can be used within a single drying operation  174 . Such combinations of drying technologies can be used within a drying operation  174  so that different types of fabric, different amounts of clothing and different amounts of entrapped water  16 , different sizes of loads  24 , and other varying conditions within loads  24  of laundry can be treated to maximize the efficiency of the drying operation  174  and minimize drying time. Where the combinations of drying technology are used, technologies that use a higher energy consumption may be limited in use within a particular drying operation  174 . Additionally, those technologies that may tend to cause additional wear on the clothing may also be used minimally. Understanding that each of these technologies has its own characteristics and advantages can provide for use of combinations of these technologies to mitigate the drawbacks and maximize the advantages of the various technologies as a composite system for the various drying operations  174  of the laundry appliance  14 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS.  1 - 18  and  28   , the operation of the ultrasonic transducers  10  to form the fine mist  40  out of the entrapped water  16  within the laundry is to be removed from the drum  12  via a cooperating operation. Movement of the fine mist  40  can be accomplished through an air handling system  42 . Air that may or may not be treated can be moved through a treating area containing the laundry and the entrapped water  16 . As the ultrasonic transducers  10  atomize, nebulize, vibrate, or otherwise modify the entrapped water  16  into the fine mist  40 , the air handling system  42  moves process air  176  through the treatment area of the laundry appliance  14 . The fine mist  40  can be suspended within this process air  176  moved through the treatment area and can be carried with the process air  176  outside of the drum  12  and ultimately outside of the appliance  14 . 
     According to various aspects of the device, when the fine mist  40  is moved outside of the drum  12 , the fine mist  40  may be reconstituted into larger droplets and allowed to flow into a drain channel  708  situated near the drum  12 , and typically below the drum  12 . The captured water moved to the drain channel  708  can then be pumped or otherwise caused to flow out of the appliance  14 . This fluid within the drain channel  708  can also be repurposed for other moisture-related functions of the drying appliance  14 . Such functions may include, but are not limited to, washing functions, steam-related functions, wrinkle-release functions, fragrancing functions, refreshing functions, cleaning lint filters, cooling condensers, delivered for use as a thermal exchange media, wetting and capturing stray lint, washing various portions of the appliance  14 , combinations thereof, and other similar laundry-related operations. 
     To assist in the movement of the fine mist  40  generated by the ultrasonic transducers  10  through the drum  12 , at least a portion of the drum  12  and/or a portion of the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be made from a mesh-type material that includes a plurality of pores or other apertures  532  through which the fine mist  40  can move outside of the drum  12 . This mesh can define a surface of the ultrasonic transducer  10  or can be a surface of the drum  12  that surrounds or is placed in contact with one or more of the ultrasonic transducers  10 . The mesh can be in the form of a metallic mesh  710 , or a mesh made of some other substantially rigid material that can be used to transmit the ultrasonic resonance  22  of the ultrasonic transducer  10  into the load  24  of laundry being treated within the drum  12 . The mesh can be made of various materials that can include, but are not limited to, metal, composite, plastic, ceramic, various polymers, combinations thereof, and other similar materials that can be used to transmit an ultrasonic resonance  22  emitted by an ultrasonic transducer  10 . The mesh-type configuration of the material can allow for the movement of process air  176  that carries the fine mist  40  therein through the mesh and outside of the drum  12 . 
     The use of the process air  176  can be used in conjunction with a spinning operation of the rotating drum  12  for moving the fine mist  40  to areas outside of the drum  12 . As the drum  12  rotates, centrifugal force may act upon the fine mist  40 , as well as the entrapped water  16 , to push the fine mist  40  toward the inside surface of the rotating drum  12 . Because portions of the inside surface of the rotating drum  12  can include pores, apertures  532 , mesh-type materials or other openings, the fine mist  40  being acted upon by the centrifugal force of the drum  12  causes the mist to move out of the drum  12 . The mist can then be captured outside of the drum  12  and moved to a separate area of the appliance  14  or out from the appliance  14 . While the centripetal force of the drum  12  acting upon the laundry keeps the laundry within the drum  12 , the centrifugal force of the drum  12  rotating acts upon the fine mist  40  to push the fine mist  40  out from the drum  12  to be captured within a portion of the appliance  14  outside of the drum  12 . 
     In various aspects of the device, when the drum  12  rotates in a high-speed motion to be satellized, the laundry against the inside surface of the drum  12 , this action, by itself, may be sufficient to push the fine mist  40  outside of the drum  12  during operation of the ultrasonic transducers  10 . In various aspects of the device, the movement of process air  176  through the drum  12  can assist the ultrasonic transducers  10  to generate the fine mist  40  and also move the fine mist  40  outside of the drum  12 . 
     In various aspects of the device, a tub  126  positioned outside the drum  12  can include a capturing surface  730  that receives the fine mist  40  as it is moved outside the drum  12 . This capturing surface  730  can receive the fine mist  40  which may tend to adhere to the capturing surface  730 . As the fine mist  40  is entrapped on the capturing surface  730 , the fine droplets of moisture may coalesce over time into larger and larger droplets. These larger droplets may ultimately become heavy enough such that they can move according to the force of gravity in a generally downward direction toward a drain channel  708 . Process air  176  can also be blown within the space between the outside surface of the drum  12  and the capturing surface  730  of the tub  126  for moving the captured moisture toward a drain channel  708  or other moisture capturing compartment. Additionally, a mist of larger droplets or spray of fluid can also be sprayed within the space to capture the fine mist  40  so that all of the moisture can be moved toward a drain channel  708  or other moisture capturing compartment. Heat can also be used to move the fine mist  40  to other portions of the appliance  14  by heating the fine mist  40  into an evaporated vapor that can be moved along with the process air  176  to another portion of the appliance  14  or evacuated from the appliance  14  as a gas. 
     Where embodiments of the device include a tub  126  or other structure surrounding the drum  12  for capturing the fine mist  40 , the tub  126  can be adapted to capture the moisture from the drum  12  during performance of any number of drying technologies that have been described herein. Where a heated air phase  694  is used for removing entrapped water  16  from the laundry, the surface of the tub  126  can be at least partially cooled such that moisture within the heated air  694  may be precipitated from the process air  176  and allowed to funnel down to a drain channel  708  or other fluid capturing container. The tub  126  may be similarly treated for acting upon moisture that is removed during operation of a low-pressure drying operation  690  and/or the use of microwaves  692  as part of a drying operation  174 . In addition to a tub  126  that surrounds the drum  12 , other surfaces can be positioned around the drum  12  for capturing the moisture extracted therefrom as the fine mist  40 . These mechanisms can include vacuums, heat exchangers, channels, grooves, combinations thereof, and other similar mechanical and structural features that are disposed proximate and typically outside of the drum  12 . Certain structural features can include capillary-type tubes that can retain the fine droplets of moisture and utilize a process of capillation to move the fluid to a particular location. The process of capillation can also provide for the movement of fluid in a direction contrary to the force of gravity if desired. 
     Referring again to  FIGS.  1 - 18   , various phases, sub-phases and drying routines can be incorporated within the drying appliance  14  for conducting various drying operations  174 . The drying operations  174  can be organized based upon fabric type, moisture content, load size, desired finishing moisture content (damp, almost dry, fully dry, etc.), desired energy usage, additional functions (steam, fragrance, refresh, wrinkle release, sanitize, etc.), combinations thereof, and other similar considerations. According to various aspects of the device, as discussed above, various technologies and drying techniques can be used sequentially, simultaneously, and in various combinations and permutations in order to perform any one or more of the drying operations  174 . By way of example, and not limitation, an exemplary drying cycle can include various types of drum rotation including high speed drum rotation, low speed drum rotation, partial rotation, full rotation, sequential two-way rotation, eccentric drum movements, and other similar drum movement operations. In at least one aspect of the device, the drum  12  can spin at a high rate so that the load  24  of laundry tends to satellize against the inner surface  96  of the drum  12 . As discussed previously, the satellizing of the laundry can cause a majority of fabric to be in contact with the inner surface  96  of the drum  12  where the ultrasonic transducers  10  may be located. In such an embodiment, the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be activated to operate upon a greater amount of entrapped water  16  within the laundry. 
     The satellizing process  264  can be intermittent with a low-speed operation so that the clothes that are satellized against the drum surface can be acted upon by the ultrasonic transducers  10  so that a majority of the entrapped moisture can be removed. The drum speed can then be reduced to perform a tumbling operation  262  so that the load  24  of fabric can be re-distributed within the drum  12 . The laundry can then be satellized again so that portions of the load  24  containing greater amounts of entrapped moisture may be disposed near one or more of the ultrasonic transducers  10 . The sequential operation of high speed satellizing and low speed tumbling can continue until a particular moisture content is achieved within the load  24  of laundry. The moisture content can be in the form of an amount of moisture within the laundry, an amount of moisture sensed within the air in and around the drum  12 , an amount of mist generated by activation of the ultrasonic transducers  10 , or other similar moisture sensing para meter. 
     Once a particular moisture content is achieved, a heated air  694  flow can work in conjunction with the ultrasonic transducers  10 . The flow of air, whether heated, cooled, or untreated, may help transport the moisture mass in the form of the fine mist  40  from the drum  12  to areas outside of the drum  12 . The heated air  694  can also reduce the viscosity of the fluid and allow for more moisture to be removed at any given time. By decreasing the viscosity of the moisture in the clothing, the satellizing operation of the dryer may result in greater amounts of moisture being moved by centrifugal force toward the inner surface  96  of the drum  12 . Once near the inner surface  96  of the drum  12 , the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be activated to operate on this entrapped moisture within the laundry. The lower viscosity of the fluid can also result in certain amounts of moisture being moved as droplets of water through apertures  532  within the drum  12  and into areas outside of the drum  12  for capture and movement away from the laundry. The use of heated air  694  in the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be used in combination. In such an embodiment, the ultrasonic transducers  10  and heating mechanism can be selectively activated and deactivated as needed to maximize the nebulization, atomization or other similar manipulation of the entrapped water  16  into the fine mist  40  for removal from the drum  12 . 
     According to various aspects of the device, the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be activated and deactivated as necessary. The ultrasonic transducers  10  may be activated when in contact with the entrapped water  16  and/or a portion of the load  24  of laundry. The ultrasonic transducers  10  that are not in direct contact with either the entrapped water  16  or the load  24  of laundry can be selectively deactivated until such time as direct contact is reestablished with the water and/or laundry. Where a tumbling operation  262  is being conducted, those transducers  10  that are in or near the home position  332  of the drum  12  can be activated. Those ultrasonic transducers  10  that are away from the home position  332  can be selectively deactivated until the rotation of the drum  12  returns these ultrasonic transducers  10  to the home position  332  for reactivation. 
     During the decreased drum speed that results in a tumbling or redistribution operation, the drum  12  can move various rotational distances  172  to maximize the amount of mixing of the laundry or redistribution of the laundry. This maximized redistribution can result in higher efficiencies of removal of the entrapped water  16  from the laundry during a subsequent satellizing operation. In addition to rotation of the drum  12  about a rotational axis  290 , certain eccentric movements of the drum  12  can also be used where the drive shaft  86  of the tub  126  is allowed to move in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis  290 . These eccentric movements may assist in tumbling of the laundry, such that a figure-eight movement of the drum  12  in the laundry can be achieved for greater load  24  redistribution. 
     Within the laundry appliance  14 , the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be located in various locations proximate the drum  12 . The ultrasonic transducers  10  can be placed along an inner surface  96  of the drum  12 , along various stationary surfaces proximate the drum  12  such as a bulkhead  490  or door  492  of the appliance  14 . Where the ultrasonic transducers  10  are placed in a stationary location, operation of the drum  12  serves to move the laundry in contact with these stationary ultrasonic transducers  10  to remove the entrapped water  16  from the load  24  of laundry. To assist in the redistribution of the laundry, reverse tumbling or tumbling of the laundry in clockwise and counterclockwise directions may be implemented for greater redistribution of the items of fabric within the load  24  of laundry. 
     To assist in the various sensing operations of the laundry appliance  14  to determine the efficiency of the ultrasonic transducers  10 , various sensors  310  can be connected to the ultrasonic transducers  10  for monitoring the amount of moisture being nebulized and/or atomized by the ultrasonic transducers  10 . The appliance  14  can also measure the amount of voltage being delivered to a particular ultrasonic transducer  10  or group of ultrasonic transducers  10 . In such an embodiment, as the load  24  of laundry is being dried by the ultrasonic transducers  10 , the load  24  inherently reduces in the mass of moisture entrapped therein. The ultrasonic transducers  10  can be used as a sensor  310  to detect this phenomena via voltage differences in the ultrasonic transducers  10 . These voltage differences can be measured according to the weight of the laundry that is placed upon each of the ultrasonic transducers  10 . Where the weight of the laundry decreases a sufficient amount, this signal may be indicative of a certain amount of moisture and a potentially desired amount of moisture being removed from the load  24  of laundry. The lesser weight of the laundry or lower voltage sensed by the ultrasonic transducer  10  as a result of the impact of the load  24  of laundry against the ultrasonic transducer  10  may also be indicative of the need for a redistribution phase of the laundry operation. Where this lower voltage is reached, this may commence a redistribution operation. Where the redistribution operation results in a greater voltage sensed by the ultrasonic transducer  10  resulting from the weight of the laundry, the laundry operation may continue. Where the redistribution phase does not result in a changed voltage, this may be indicative of the stopping of the laundry operation or, in various embodiments, activation of a finishing sequence where heated air  694  is used to refresh and conduct a wrinkle release phase upon the load  24  of laundry. 
     According to various aspects of the device, the ultrasonic transducers  10 , as a consequence of their mode of operation, can be used as a sensor  310  for load size detection as well as moisture level detection. Where the ultrasonic transducer  10  is a piezoelectric sensor  310 , the amount of deflection experienced by the piezoelectric transducer  10  may correspond to a certain amount of weight or mass that is placed upon the ultrasonic transducer  10 . As discussed previously, this amount of weight or mass can be indicative of a certain moisture content of the load  24  of laundry, a certain size of a load  24  of laundry, and other various mass-related indicators. 
     During performance of the drying operation  174 , the power to the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be increased or decreased to achieve a uniform and efficient drying rate. As discussed previously, certain fabrics, certain moisture contents, and other certain factors present within the laundry may react more efficiently to the ultrasonic transducers  10  at a particular operational frequency or ultrasonic resonance  22 . The various ultrasonic transducers  10  can be powered in different magnitudes in order to achieve a desired ultrasonic resonance  22  that results in an optimum or substantially optimum nebulization or atomization of the entrapped water  16  within the load  24  of laundry. 
     In addition to changing the frequencies of the various ultrasonic transducers  10 , single-frequency ultrasonic transducers  10  can be installed within the drum  12 . The various single-frequency ultrasonic transducers  10  can each include a different operational frequency. Accordingly, an array of ultrasonic transducers  10  may each operate at a particular frequency. However, the various ultrasonic transducers  10  may each operate at a different frequency such that at least one of the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be utilized for optimal drying within a load  24  of laundry. Where a particular ultrasonic transducer  10  is not being optimized, power to that ultrasonic transducer  10  may be diminished or shut off until such time as that frequency of ultrasonic transducer  10  may become more efficient. 
     The laundry appliance  14  can include a single ultrasonic transducer  10  that is adapted to vibrate the entire drum  12  at a particular ultrasonic resonance  22  or a variety of ultrasonic resonances  22 . In such an embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer  10  may operate within a certain portion of the drum  12  or within a motor  80  or drive shaft  86  of the drum  12  so that the ultrasonic transducer  10  can transmit the particular vibration frequency through the material of the drum  12  and into the interior chamber  18  of the drum  12  for treatment upon the entrapped water  16  within the laundry. 
     In various aspects of the device, the ultrasonic transducers  10  may tend to generate heat during operation. This is particularly true when the ultrasonic transducer  10  is not acting upon entrapped moisture within the laundry. When not in use, an ultrasonic transducer  10  may be modified to receive a diminished amount of power. The ultrasonic transducer  10  may also be maintained at the particular frequency of operation  350 . The heat generated during operation of the ultrasonic transducer  10  may be directed into the drum  12 . This heat generated can allow the drum  12  to be used as a heat sink. The heat entrapped within the drum  12  can be transferred into the load  24  of laundry and/or into the trapped fluid within the laundry for increased efficiency of atomization of the entrapped water  16 . This heat may also be used to heat process air  176  that is moved into and through the drum  12 . The heat emitted by operation of the ultrasonic transducers  10  may also be used to heat the drum  12 , where this heat may also be used for other operations outside of the drum  12  within other parts of the appliance  14 . 
     It is contemplated that the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be used in various appliances  14  and fixtures. Such appliances  14  and fixtures can include, but are not limited to, washers, dryers, combination washer/dryers, dishwashing appliances, refrigerators, humidors, coolers, air conditioners, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and other similar appliances  14 . By way of example, and not limitation, where an appliance  14  has the need for removal of moisture from a certain compartment or certain area of the appliance  14 , the ultrasonic transducers  10  can be utilized for atomizing, nebulizing, or otherwise transforming this moisture into fine droplets of mist for removal from that area of the appliance  14 . 
     It will also be appreciated that various aspects described above, particularly as to how power is supplied to a rotating drum, may be used with other drying technologies, such as radio frequency drying technologies. 
     It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described device and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the device disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated. 
     It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the device as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations. 
     It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present device. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting. 
     It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present device, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise. 
     The above description is considered that of the illustrated embodiments only. Modifications of the device will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the device. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above is merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the device, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the Doctrine of Equivalents.