US 12,252,835 B2
Fluid infusing system driven by dryer drum
Alexander B. Leibman, Prospect, KY (US); Venkata Chakradhar Rangu, Hyderabad (IN); Paul Owen Davis, Prospect, KY (US); and Jay Pareshbhai Shinde, Hyderabad (IN)
Assigned to Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc., Wilmington, DE (US)
Filed by Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc., Wilmington, DE (US)
Filed on Jul. 1, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/365,320.
Prior Publication US 2023/0002954 A1, Jan. 5, 2023
Int. Cl. D06F 58/00 (2020.01); D06F 58/04 (2006.01); D06F 58/20 (2006.01); D06F 58/44 (2020.01); D06F 105/38 (2020.01)
CPC D06F 58/203 (2013.01) [D06F 58/04 (2013.01); D06F 58/44 (2020.02); D06F 2105/38 (2020.02)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A dryer appliance comprising:
a cabinet;
a rotatable drum within the cabinet, the rotatable drum defining a chamber for the receipt of articles for drying;
a rotatable roller in contact with the drum and oriented such that rotation of the drum causes rotation of the roller;
an impeller assembly comprising
an impeller;
a housing substantially enclosing the impeller, the housing having an inlet and an outlet, wherein rotation of the impeller generates negative pressure at the inlet and positive pressure at the outlet;
a spindle having a first end and a second end, the first end of the spindle in contact with the roller such that rotation of the roller causes rotation of the spindle, at least a portion of the second end of the spindle extending into the housing and attached to the impeller such that rotation of the spindle causes rotation of the impeller;
a reservoir assembly in fluid communication with the inlet of the housing of the impeller assembly wherein the reservoir assembly is connected to the inlet of the housing of the impeller assembly by a first fluid communication path and a valve is disposed within the first fluid communication path to control the flow of fluid through the first fluid communication path, the valve biased in a closed position, and the reservoir assembly further includes
a bottom surface;
one or more side surfaces extending vertically upward around a perimeter of the bottom surface to retain a liquid;
an opening in the bottom surface;
a hollow siphon attached to the bottom surface, at least a portion of the siphon extending vertically upward from the bottom surface, the siphon covering the opening such that fluids can flow from the reservoir, through the hollow siphon, and through the opening in the bottom surface of the reservoir assembly;
a siphon cap, the siphon cap having a top surface disposed above the siphon; and
one or more side surfaces extending downward from a perimeter of the top surface such that the one or more side surfaces extend around a portion of the siphon;
a fluid distribution element for dispensing fluid into the chamber, wherein the fluid distribution element is in fluid communication with the outlet of the housing of the impeller assembly; and
a pressure relief line having a first end and a second end, the first end in fluid communication with the first fluid communication path and connected between the valve and the inlet of the housing of the impeller assembly, the second end having an opening for the intake of ambient air.