Method and apparatus for drying articles

摘要

A method and apparatus for drying textile material with a radio frequency (RF) applicator and a controller, the method includes energizing the RF applicator to generate a field of electromagnetic radiation (e-field), measuring a parameter related to the energization of the RF applicator, determining a drying cycle of operation in the controller based on the measured parameter, and controlling the energization of the RF applicator according to the determination of the drying cycle of operation, wherein the textile material is dried.

主权项

1. A textile material treating applicator for drying textile material according to a drying cycle of operation, comprising:
a textile material support element; an anode element and a cathode element supported by the textile material support element; a capacitive couple between the anode element and the cathode element; a radio frequency (RF) generator coupled to the anode element and the cathode element and selectively energizable to generate electromagnetic radiation in the radio frequency spectrum wherein the energization of the RF generator sends electromagnetic radiation through the applicator via the capacitive couple to form a field of electromagnetic radiation (e-field) in the radio frequency spectrum to dielectrically heat liquid within the textile material resting on the support element, and configured to output at least one signal indicative of the RF generator energization; and a controller coupled with the RF generator to receive the at least one RF generator energization signal and further configured to control the drying cycle of operation in response to the at least one RF generator energization signal.