Dryer machine air recycling module

Abstract

An apparatus and method involves recycling air output from a dryer machine by receiving the dryer machine air output, measuring its characteristics (such as temperature, humidity, etc.), determining if these characteristics meet specified requirements (such as temperature being above a threshold temperature value or humidity being below a threshold humidity value), and then routing the dryer machine air output back to the dryer machine air inlet if the requirements are met, or not routing the dryer machine air output back to the dryer machine air inlet if the requirements are not met. This air recycling process is controlled, in part, by adjusting a damper that controls the amount of dryer machine air output sent back to the dryer machine air inlet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An air recycling module, comprising:
 a housing, wherein the housing further comprises:
 a first air input opening; 
 a first air output opening; and 
 a second air output opening; 
   a first damper configured to control a flow of air passing through the first air output opening;   a first damper motor configured to control the position of the first damper;   a damper controller configured to operate the first damper motor;   a power port configured to connect to a power source;   a first sensor configured to measure a first characteristic of a flow of air passing through the first air input opening; and   a second sensor configured to measure a second characteristic of the flow of air passing through the first air input opening, wherein the first sensor is configured to generate a first sensor signal, wherein the second sensor is configured to generate a second sensor signal, wherein the damper controller is configured to receive and configured to process the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal, wherein the damper controller is further configured to control the operation of the damper by controlling the damper motor; and wherein the position of the damper is based, at least in part, on the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.   
     
     
         2 . The air recycling module of  claim 1 , wherein the first air input opening is configured to receive air output from a dryer machine exhaust outlet. 
     
     
         3 . The air recycling module of  claim 1 , wherein the first air output opening is configured to couple with a ducting, and wherein the ducting is configured to route a flow of air passing the first damper toward a dryer machine inlet. 
     
     
         4 . The air recycling module of  claim 1 , wherein the first sensor is a temperature sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The air recycling module of  claim 1 , wherein the second sensor is a humidity sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The air recycling module of  claim 1 , wherein the damper controller includes a processor configured to execute code stored in a memory, and wherein the code stored in the memory when executed by the processor causes the processor to output a motor control signal to the damper motor. 
     
     
         7 . The air recycling module of  claim 1 , wherein the damper controller includes a plurality of switches, wherein the plurality of switches is configured to perform a logic circuit, and wherein the logic circuit is configured to output a motor control signal. 
     
     
         8 . The air recycling module of  claim 1 , wherein the damper controller is configured to compare the first sensor signal with a first threshold value, and wherein the damper controller is configured to compare the second sensor signal with a second threshold value. 
     
     
         9 . The air recycling module of  claim 8 , wherein the damper is adjusted to a closed position when the first sensor signal is less than the first threshold value or when the second sensor signal is greater than the second threshold value. 
     
     
         10 . The air recycling module of  claim 8 , wherein the damper is adjusted to an open position when the first sensor signal is greater than the first threshold value and the second sensor signal is less than the second threshold value. 
     
     
         11 . The air recycling module of  claim 8 , wherein the first sensor signal represents a temperature, and wherein the second sensor signal represents a humidity. 
     
     
         12 . The air recycling module of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is constructed of stainless steel. 
     
     
         13 . The air recycling module of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is constructed of aluminum. 
     
     
         14 . The air recycling module of  claim 1 , wherein the power port is configured to attach to a power cord, and wherein the power cord is configured to couple with an alternating current power outlet. 
     
     
         15 . A method of air recycling, comprising:
 (a) receiving air output by a dryer machine;   (b) measuring a one or more characteristics of the dryer machine air output;   (c) determining if the one or more dryer machine air output characteristics meet a on or more requirements;   (d) causing the dryer machine air output to be routed back to a dryer machine air inlet if it is determined in (c) that the one or more dryer machine air output characteristics meet the one or more requirements; and   (e) causing the dryer machine air output to not be routed back to a dryer machine air inlet if it is determined in (c) that the one or more dryer machine air output characteristics do not meet the one or more requirements.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein measuring of one or more characteristics of the dryer machine air output is performed, at least in part, by a temperature sensor. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein measuring of one or more characteristics of the dryer machine air output is performed, at least in part, by a humidity sensor. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more requirements is a requirement that the received air output by the dryer machine has temperature greater than a threshold temperature value. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more requirements is a requirement that the received air output by the dryer machine has humidity less than a threshold humidity value. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the causing of (c) and (d) is performed, at least in part, by adjusting a damper configured to control the amount of air output by a dryer machine that is routed back to a dryer machine air inlet.