US 11,655,583 B2
Method for drying articles
Mark L. Herman, Saint Joseph, MI (US); and Garry L. Peterman, Stevensville, MI (US)
Assigned to Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI (US)
Filed by WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, Benton Harbor, MI (US)
Filed on Sep. 29, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/36,455.
Application 17/036,455 is a continuation of application No. 16/225,581, filed on Dec. 19, 2018, granted, now 10,816,265.
Application 16/225,581 is a continuation of application No. 15/369,967, filed on Dec. 6, 2016, granted, now 10,184,718, issued on Jan. 22, 2019.
Application 15/369,967 is a continuation of application No. 13/943,918, filed on Jul. 17, 2013, granted, now 9,541,330, issued on Jan. 10, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2021/0025652 A1, Jan. 28, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. D06F 58/26 (2006.01); F26B 3/347 (2006.01); H05B 6/54 (2006.01); H05B 6/62 (2006.01); F26B 3/34 (2006.01); F26B 3/28 (2006.01); D06F 58/04 (2006.01)
CPC D06F 58/266 (2013.01) [F26B 3/28 (2013.01); F26B 3/34 (2013.01); F26B 3/347 (2013.01); H05B 6/54 (2013.01); H05B 6/62 (2013.01); D06F 58/04 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method to dry an article in a dryer drum with a radio frequency (RF) applicator having a first partial anode ring disposed adjacent to the lowest gravitational point of the drum, a second anode element, a first partial cathode ring disposed adjacent to the lowest gravitational point of the drum opposite the first partial anode ring, and a second cathode element, the method comprising:
electrically coupling an electrode of the RF applicator to the first partial anode ring and another electrode of the RF applicator to the first partial cathode ring;
capacitively coupling the first partial anode ring to the second anode element, and the first partial cathode ring to the second cathode element;
capacitively coupling the second anode element to the second cathode element; and
energizing the RF applicator to energize the first partial anode ring and the first partial cathode ring, thereby inducing energization between the first partial anode ring and the second anode, and between the first partial cathode ring and the second cathode respectively to generate a field of electromagnetic radiation (e-field) between the second anode and second cathode elements;
wherein liquid in the article residing within the e-field is dielectrically heated by the e-field to effect a drying of the article.