Energy efficient dryer systems

摘要

A dryer including a housing, a drying chamber disposed within the housing, and a heating element coupled to the housing. The dryer further includes an intake configured to supply intake air to the drying chamber and an exhaust vent configured to vent exhaust air out of the drying chamber. The intake, the drying chamber, and the exhaust vent define an air flow path from the intake through the drying chamber and out the exhaust vent. The dryer includes a heat exchanger and a heat pump having a condenser. The heat exchanger and the heat pump are each configured to absorb thermal energy from the exhaust air and transfer the thermal energy to the intake air. The air flow path is configured such that the intake air is heated directly or indirectly by the heat exchanger prior to the intake air being further heated directly or indirectly by the condenser. The air flow path is configured such that the intake air is further heated directly or indirectly by the condenser prior to the intake air entering the drying chamber.

主权项

1. A dryer comprising:
a housing; a tumbler; a heating element coupled to the housing; an intake configured to supply intake air to the tumbler; an exhaust vent configured to vent exhaust air out of the tumbler; and a heat pump having a condenser coupled to the tumbler; wherein the intake, the tumbler and the exhaust vent define an air flow path from the intake through the tumbler and out the exhaust vent; wherein air enters the dryer at the intake, and exits the dryer from the exhaust vent; wherein the heat pump is configured to absorb thermal energy from the exhaust air; wherein the condenser is configured to heat the intake air using the absorbed thermal energy; and wherein the heating element is configured to heat the intake air.