Dryer with air flow management

Abstract

A drying apparatus having an airflow management system for recycling heated air and providing two forced air streams within a drum to effectively and efficiently dry one or more articles are contained.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dryer comprising:
 a housing;   a drum rotatably mounted within the housing;   a blower for producing a first forced air stream;   a heating element for heating air in the first forced air stream;   a forced air element for producing a second forced air stream; and   the second forced air stream being routed to be mixed with the first forced air stream.   
     
     
         2 . The dryer of  claim 1 , wherein a first fluid conduit is provided between the blower and the drum, and wherein the heating element is positioned along the first fluid conduit between the blower and the drum. 
     
     
         3 . The dryer of  claim 2 , wherein the blower provides the first forced air stream through the first fluid conduit, across the heating element, and within the drum for inputting heated air within the drum. 
     
     
         4 . The dryer of  claim 3 , further comprising a second fluid conduit extending from the drum to the heating element, the second fluid conduit receiving warm air exhausted from the drum, which is directed across the heating element, and back within the drum. 
     
     
         5 . The dryer of  claim 4 , further comprising a third fluid conduit extending from the second fluid conduit to an external portion of the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The dryer of  claim 5 , further comprising a control valve positioned at a junction between the second fluid conduit and the third fluid conduit. 
     
     
         7 . The dryer of  claim 6 , wherein the control valve is movable within the junction to selectively direct the second forced air stream of the second fluid conduit to either the second fluid conduit, the third fluid conduit, or a combination of both the second and third fluid conduits. 
     
     
         8 . The dryer of  claim 7 , further comprising a heat exchange unit positioned within the second fluid conduit for removing moisture contained in the air exhausted from the drum. 
     
     
         9 . The dryer of  claim 8 , wherein the forced air element is generally provided by compressed air or a high velocity blower, and wherein the direction of the flow of the second forced air stream is generally different than the direction of the flow of the first forced air stream. 
     
     
         10 . A drying apparatus comprising:
 a main body;   a drum rotatably mounted within the main body and configured for receiving at least one garment;   a hot air generation apparatus for providing a first forced air stream of hot air into the drum; and   a forced air element for producing a second forced air stream, the first and second forced air streams being generally configured for mixing with each other and amongst the at least one garment.   
     
     
         11 . The drying apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the apparatus comprises a reclaim mechanism for recycling hot air from the hot air generating apparatus. 
     
     
         12 . The drying apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a heat exchange apparatus for removing moisture contained in the air exhausted from the drum. 
     
     
         13 . The drying apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the heat exchange apparatus comprises a condenser. 
     
     
         14 . The drying apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the heat exchange apparatus comprises a water reservoir with a recycling pump. 
     
     
         15 . The drying apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the heat exchange apparatus comprises a heat sink. 
     
     
         16 . The drying apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the hot air generating apparatus comprises a blower and a heating element. 
     
     
         17 . The drying apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the forced air element is generally positioned near the drum for outputting high velocity air within at least a portion of the drum, thereby mixing the second forced air stream with the first forced air stream. 
     
     
         18 . The drying apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the drum is rotatably mounted about an axis offset at an angle relative to a horizontal axis. 
     
     
         19 . A drying apparatus for drying articles comprising:
 a main body;   a drum rotatably mounted within the main body;   a hot air generating apparatus for providing hot air into the drum;   a reclaim mechanism for recycling hot air exhausted from the drum; and   a high velocity air generating apparatus, the apparatus comprising an output nozzle generally positioned near the drum for outputting high velocity air within at least a portion of the drum,   wherein rotation of the drum in combination with the hot air generating apparatus and the high velocity air generating apparatus actively and aggressively causes tumbling of the articles within the drum.   
     
     
         20 . The drying apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising a temperature sensing unit, the temperature sensing unit determining the temperature of the air being output from the reclaim mechanism, the temperature sensing unit further in communication with the hot air generating apparatus to adjust the same based on the temperature of the air being output from the reclaim mechanism. 
     
     
         21 . The drying apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the drum is generally rotatably mounted to rotate about a horizontal axis. 
     
     
         22 . The drying apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the drum is generally rotatably mounted to rotate about an axis that is generally angled relative to a horizontal axis.