Air Flow Bypass Controlling Mechanism For No Compromise Combo

Abstract

A combination washer/dryer machine has a rotatable drum inside a cabinet. The drum has an exterior surface. A tub is positioned inside the cabinet. The drum is rotatable in the tub. The tub has an inner surface. An electromagnetic seal extends between the exterior surface of the drum and the inner surface of the tub during drying operations to minimize the bypass of drying air around the drum.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A combination washer/dryer machine comprising:
 a rotatable drum inside of a cabinet, the drum has an external surface;   a tub positioned inside of the cabinet, the drum is rotatable in the tub, the tub has an inner surface; and   an electromagnetic seal extends between the external surface of the drum and the inner surface of the tub during a drying operation to minimize bypass of drying air.   
     
     
         2 . The combination washer/dryer machine of  claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic seal includes a bellows seal with a magnet in the bellows seal and an electromagnetic setup. 
     
     
         3 . The combination washer/dryer machine of  claim 2 , wherein the rotatable drum has a cylindrical shape with a cylindrical sidewall and an end wall. 
     
     
         4 . The combination washer/dryer machine of  claim 3 , where the seal is positioned in contact with the exterior surface of the cylindrical sidewall. 
     
     
         5 . The combination washer/dryer machine of  claim 4 , wherein the electromagnetic setup is positioned in contact with a wall of the tub. 
     
     
         6 . The combination washer/dryer machine of  claim 2 , wherein the bellows seal and the electromagnetic setup are positioned in contact with the endwall of the tub. 
     
     
         7 . A combination washer/dryer machine comprising:
 a cabinet;   a door enabling access into the cabinet;   controls for operating the washer/dryer machine;   a washer system;   a drying system;   a rotatable drum positioned inside the cabinet, the drum has an external surface;   a tub is positioned inside the cabinet, the drum rotatable inside the tub, the tub has an inner surface; and   an electromagnetic seal extending between the external surface of the drum and the inner surface of the tub during a drying operation to minimize bypass of drying air around the drum.   
     
     
         8 . The combination washer/dryer machine of  claim 7  wherein the electromagnetic seal includes a bellows seal with a magnet in the bellows seal and an electromagnetic setup. 
     
     
         9 . The combination washer/dryer machine of  claim 8 , wherein the rotatable drum has a cylindrical shape with a cylindrical sidewall and an end wall. 
     
     
         10 . The combination washer/dryer machine of  claim 9 , where the seal is positioned in contact with the exterior surface of the cylindrical sidewall. 
     
     
         11 . The combination washer/dryer machine of  claim 10 , wherein the electromagnetic setup is positioned in contact with a wall of the tub. 
     
     
         12 . The combination washer/dryer machine of  claim 8 , wherein the bellows seal and the electromagnet setup are positioned in contact with the endwall of the drum and tub. 
     
     
         13 . A drum and tub combination for a washer/dryer machine comprising:
 a drum;   a tub; and   the drum positioned inside the tub and an electromagnetic seal extending between an exterior surface of the drum and an inner surface of tub during a drying operation to minimize bypass of drying air.   
     
     
         14 . The drum and tub combination of  claim 13 , wherein the electromagnetic seal includes a bellows seal with a magnet in the bellows seal in an electromagnetic setup. 
     
     
         15 . The drum and tub combination of  claim 14 , wherein the rotatable drum has a cylindrical shape with a cylindrical sidewall and an end wall. 
     
     
         16 . The drum and tub combination of  claim 15 , where the seal is positioned in contact with the exterior surface of the cylindrical sidewall. 
     
     
         17 . The drum and tub combination of  claim 16 , wherein the electromagnetic setup is positioned in contact with a wall of the tub. 
     
     
         18 . The drum and tub combination of  claim 14 , wherein the bellows seal and the electromagnetic setup are positioned in contact with the endwall of the tub.