US4348818A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for recovering the exhaust heat of a clothes dryer
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-07-24
•
Granted: 1982-09-14
•
Expires: 2000-07-24
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides a device for recovering heat from an appliance which provides an exhaust of warm moist air, comprising an appliance exhaust duct connectable between the exhaust outlet of the appliance and a condensing chamber which is adapted to be supported on an exterior wall of a building, the chamber having means for draining condensate therefrom, and a return duct adapted to allow recovered warm dry air to flow from the condensing chamber into the building.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert C. Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 22:45
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06F; D06F58/00; D06F58/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A device for recovering heat from an appliance located in a building which provides an exhaust of warm moist air, comprising an appliance exhaust duct connectable between the exhaust outlets of the appliance and a condensing chamber placed outside of the building, the chamber being cooled by direct contact with the ambient air external to the building and being capable of condensing moisture from the exhaust when the ambient air external to the building is sufficiently cool, means for draining condensate from the condensing chamber, and a return duct having an outlet to allow warm dry air to flow from the condensing chamber into the building.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
106 words
A device for recovering heat from an appliance located in a building which provides an exhaust of warm moist air, comprising an appliance exhaust duct connectable between the exhaust outlets of the appliance and a condensing chamber placed outside of the building, the chamber being cooled by direct contact with the ambient air external to the building and being capable of condensing moisture from the exhaust when the ambient air external to the building is sufficiently cool, means for draining condensate from the condensing chamber, and a return duct having an outlet to allow warm dry air to flow from the condensing chamber into the building.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the appliance exhaust duct is provided lengthwise within the return duct.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outlet of the return duct is located so that the air flowing through the duct is placed in a heat exchange relationship with the appliance exhaust duct.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the outlet of the return duct is located so that the air flow through the duct is placed in heat exchange relationship with the air flow through the appliance exhaust duct.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, including a thermal break made from an insulating material for thermally insulating the material of the condensing chamber from the portion of the device intended to extend within the building.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the condensing chamber includes adjustable means which may be opened to permit the exhaust to flow directly to the outside atmosphere.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the adjustable means comprise a door which may be opened to vent the exhaust.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device as claimed in claim 7, including remote control means for opening and closing the door on the condensing chamber, the means adapted to be operable from the interior of the building.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
A device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the remote control means comprise a rod connected to the door and extending therefrom through the device, spring means acting on the rod biasing the door closed, and restraining means employable to over-ride the spring means thereby propping the door open.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for draining condensate comprises a plurality of small holes through the bottom surface of the condensing chamber, the holes comprising a total area small enough so as not to substantially divert the flow of dry air back through the return duct.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
163 words
A device for recovering heat exhausted from a clothes dryer, comprising a dryer exhaust duct, a condensing chamber, and a return duct, wherein the device is adapted to extend through an exterior wall of a building, the dryer exhaust duct being contained within the return duct, and being connectable between the exhaust outlet of the dryer and the condensing chamber; the condensing chamber being supported on the exterior wall and protruding outside of the building, the chamber being capable of condensing moisture from the exhaust when the exterior ambient air is sufficiently cool, the chamber having an outwardly opening remotely controllable hinged door on its forward surface, and a plurality of small drain holes through its bottom surface; and the return duct having means for supporting the exhaust duct therein, and having an outlet situated to allow warm dry air flowing from the condensing chamber to flow initially in heat exchange contact with the exhaust duct and then to flow from the device.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
163 words
A device for recovering heat exhausted from a clothes dryer, comprising a dryer exhaust duct, a condensing chamber, and a return duct, wherein the device is adapted to extend through an exterior wall of a building, the dryer exhaust duct being contained within the return duct, and being connectable between the exhaust outlet of the dryer and the condensing chamber; the condensing chamber being supported on the exterior wall and protruding outside of the building, the chamber being capable of condensing moisture from the exhaust when the exterior ambient air is sufficiently cool, the chamber having an outwardly opening remotely controllable hinged door on its forward surface, and a plurality of small drain holes through its bottom surface; and the return duct having means for supporting the exhaust duct therein, and having an outlet situated to allow warm dry air flowing from the condensing chamber to flow initially in heat exchange contact with the exhaust duct and then to flow from the device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3242584A
Cited
US4068709A
Cited
US4034482A
Cited
US3999304A
Cited
US4011662A
Cited
US4095349A
Cited
US4137647A
Cited
US4156973A
Cited
US4227315A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-09-13 | 1986-03-15 | 1986-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-09-13 | 1990-03-15 | 1990-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-09-13 | 1994-03-15 | 1994-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |