Central Hair Drying System

Abstract

A central system for delivery of an airflow at a variety of temperatures and rates to individual dryers, replacing the individual motor, fan and heating elements in the dryer. The system may produce a heated airflow based on multiple user-input temperature and airflow level commands. Multiple dryer users can independently control their desired temperature and the airflow level. The system may utilize an HVAC air delivery system and comprises a central control system with preprogrammed algorithm to operate the HVAC to achieve the desired results. A number of sensors can provide inputs to the control system.

1 . A hair drying system comprising:
 a first duct configured to conduct a first airflow that is at a first temperature;   a second duct configured to conduct a second airflow that is at a second temperature lower than the first temperature;   first outlets that are spaced apart along the first duct ;   second outlets that are spaced apart along the second duct and equal in number to first outlets;   dryer handpieces equal in number to the first outlets;   Y-couplers, each Y-coupler including:
 a first conduit connected to a respective one of the first outlets, 
 a second conduit connected to a respective one of the second outlets, and 
 a third conduit connected to a respective one of the dryer handpieces, for the coupler to combine a portion of the first airflow with a portion of the second airflow to yield a third airflow exiting the respective handpiece; 
 first dampers, each first damper configured to control the first portion of the first airflow; 
 second dampers, each second damper configured to control the second portion of the second airflow; 
 and 
   a programmable central control system configured to:
 control pressure of the first airflow, 
 control pressure of the second airflow, 
 control the first temperature; and 
 for each handpiece, control the first damper and the second damper that are associated with the respective handpiece to control temperature of the third airflow exiting the handpiece. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each first damper is located in a respective one of the first outlets, and each second damper is located in a respective one of the second outlets. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first fan configured to generate the first airflow and controlled by the central control system;   a second fan configured to generate the second airflow and controlled by the central control system.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 temperature sensors, each temperature sensor configured to measure temperature at a respective one of the air supply units, and wherein the control system is configured to control temperature at the respective handpiece based on the temperature measured for the respective one of the air supply units,   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 pressure or airflow sensors, each pressure or airflow sensor configured to measure a pressure or an airflow rate at a respective one of the air supply units, and wherein the central control system is configured to control airflow or pressure at respective air supply units based on a feedback signal from the pressure or the airflow sensors by controlling fan motor speed.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a preheater located upstream from the first and second air supply units and configured preheat the first and second airflows to the second temperature; and   a first heater located downstream from the preheater and configured to heat the first airflow to the first temperature.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the central control system includes:
 a controller; and   for each dryer handpiece:
 a first motor, controlled by the controller and coupled to the corresponding first damper, to enable the controller to control the corresponding first damper;