Demand-side management suspension sequence for a dryer appliance

Abstract

A method of operating a dryer appliance includes a step of initiating a dryer cycle. The method also includes a step of receiving a demand-side management signal defining a current state of an associated energy supplying utility. The current state of the associated energy supplying utility being indicative of a peak demand period or an off-peak demand period. The method also includes a step of analyzing operating conditions of the dryer appliance following receiving the demand-side management signal. The method further includes a step of directing a suspension sequence following analyzing operating conditions of the dryer appliance.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of operating a dryer appliance, the method comprising:
 initiating a dryer cycle;   receiving a demand-side management signal defining a current state of an associated energy supplying utility, the current state of the associated energy supplying utility being indicative of a peak demand period or an off-peak demand period;   analyzing operating conditions of the dryer appliance following receiving the demand-side management signal; and   directing a suspension sequence following analyzing operating conditions of the dryer appliance.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 operating the dryer appliance in a low-energy mode during the peak demand period.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein in the low-energy mode, analyzing operating conditions of the dryer appliance comprises:
 comparing a measured outlet temperature to a threshold outlet temperature, wherein the measured outlet temperature is indicative of a temperature of articles held within the dryer appliance.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the measured outlet temperature is greater than or equal to the threshold outlet temperature, and wherein directing the suspension sequence comprises:
 performing a cool down operation; and   performing a standby operation following the cool down operation.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein performing the cool down operation includes triggering a cool down timer, and wherein the standby operation is performed in response to the cool down timer reaching a predetermined cool down time. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the measured outlet temperature is less than the threshold outlet temperature, and wherein directing the suspension sequence comprises:
 performing a standby operation in response to the measured outlet temperature being less than the threshold outlet temperature.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 operating the dryer appliance in a high-energy mode during the off-peak demand period.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein in the high-energy mode, analyzing operating conditions of the dryer appliance comprises:
 determining a dryness level threshold is reached; and   comparing a measured outlet temperature to a threshold outlet temperature in response to determining the dryness level threshold is reached,   wherein the measured outlet temperature is indicative of an air temperature at an outlet of the dryer appliance.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the measured outlet temperature is greater than or equal to the threshold outlet temperature, and wherein directing the suspension sequence comprises:
 performing a cool down operation; and   performing a shutdown operation following the cool down operation.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the measured outlet temperature is less than the threshold outlet temperature, and wherein directing the suspension sequence comprises:
 performing a shutdown operation in response to the measured outlet temperature being less than the threshold outlet temperature.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein initiating the dryer cycle further comprises:
 receiving a cycle selection input defining cycle settings for the dryer cycle;   receiving a cycle start input; and   activating one or more power consuming components of the dryer appliance in response to receiving the cycle start input.   
     
     
         12 . A dryer appliance comprising:
 one or more power consuming components including at least one of a cabinet for receiving articles to be dried, a fan for drawing air into the cabinet and circulating air, and a heater for heating air drawn into the cabinet; and   a controller configured to direct a drying operation, the drying operation comprising:
 initiating a dryer cycle; 
 receiving a demand-side management signal defining a current state of an associated energy supplying utility, wherein the current state of the associated energy supplying utility is indicative of a peak demand period or an off-peak demand period; 
 analyzing operating conditions of the dryer appliance following receiving the demand-side management signal; and 
 directing a suspension sequence following analyzing operating conditions of the dryer appliance. 
   
     
     
         13 . The dryer appliance of  claim 12 , wherein the controller is further operable for:
 operating the dryer appliance in a low-energy mode during the peak demand period.   
     
     
         14 . The dryer appliance of  claim 13 , wherein in the low-energy mode, analyzing operating conditions of the dryer appliance comprises:
 comparing a measured outlet temperature to a threshold outlet temperature, wherein the measured outlet temperature is indicative of a temperature of articles held within the dryer appliance.   
     
     
         15 . The dryer appliance of  claim 14 , wherein the measured outlet temperature is greater than or equal to the threshold outlet temperature, directing the suspension sequence comprises:
 performing a cool down operation; and   performing a standby operation following the cool down operation.   
     
     
         16 . The dryer appliance of  claim 14 , wherein the measured outlet temperature is less than the threshold outlet temperature, directing the suspension sequence comprises:
 performing a standby operation in response to the measured outlet temperature being less than the threshold outlet temperature.   
     
     
         17 . The dryer appliance of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 operating the dryer appliance in a high-energy mode during the off-peak demand period.   
     
     
         18 . The dryer appliance of  claim 17 , wherein in the high-energy mode, analyzing operating conditions of the dryer appliance comprises:
 determining a dryness level threshold is reached; and   comparing a measured outlet temperature to a threshold outlet temperature in response to determining the dryness level threshold is reached,   wherein the measured outlet temperature is indicative of an air temperature at an outlet of the dryer appliance.   
     
     
         19 . The dryer appliance of  claim 18 , wherein the measured outlet temperature is greater than or equal to the threshold outlet temperature, directing the suspension sequence comprises:
 performing a cool down operation; and   performing a shutdown operation following the cool down operation.   
     
     
         20 . The dryer appliance of  claim 18 , wherein the measured outlet temperature is less than the threshold outlet temperature, and wherein directing the suspension sequence comprises:
 performing a shutdown operation in response to the measured outlet temperature being less than the threshold outlet temperature.