EP3117166B1 - Sèche-linge à condensation à cycle fermé avec régénération thermique - Google Patents

Sèche-linge à condensation à cycle fermé avec régénération thermique Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP3117166B1
EP3117166B1 EP15760660.9A EP15760660A EP3117166B1 EP 3117166 B1 EP3117166 B1 EP 3117166B1 EP 15760660 A EP15760660 A EP 15760660A EP 3117166 B1 EP3117166 B1 EP 3117166B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
air
heat exchanger
heat
closed
dryer
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP15760660.9A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP3117166A4 (fr
EP3117166A1 (fr
Inventor
Arye Kohavi
Sharon DULBERG
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Watergen Ltd
Original Assignee
Watergen Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from PCT/IB2014/059620 external-priority patent/WO2014141059A1/fr
Application filed by Watergen Ltd filed Critical Watergen Ltd
Publication of EP3117166A1 publication Critical patent/EP3117166A1/fr
Publication of EP3117166A4 publication Critical patent/EP3117166A4/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3117166B1 publication Critical patent/EP3117166B1/fr
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
    • D06F58/20—General details of domestic laundry dryers 
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
    • D06F58/20—General details of domestic laundry dryers 
    • D06F58/24—Condensing arrangements

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to laundry dryers and other drying apparatuses, and particularly to closed-cycle condenser dryers.
  • Example techniques include exhaust pipe techniques, condenser-based techniques, heat-exchanger-based techniques and techniques based on heat pumps. Such techniques are implemented, for example, in laundry dryers.
  • the various drying techniques differ from one another in parameters such as cost and energy efficiency.
  • U.S. Patent 8,438,751 describes a dryer having a drying chamber for items to be dried and a process air duct in which are located a heater for heating the process air, a blower for driving the process air from the heater through the drying chamber, and a heat exchanger arrangement. Via the heat exchanger arrangement, heat can be withdrawn from the process air flowing away from the drying chamber, and the process air flowing toward the heater can be fed to the heat exchanger.
  • U.S. Patent 8,240,064 describes a dryer that includes a drying chamber for articles to be dried, a supply air duct, a process air duct, a heater in the process air duct for heating process air, a blower that guides the heated process air over the articles to be dried, an exhaust air duct that directs exhaust air to an exhaust air outlet, and an internally and/or externally cleanable lint filter in a recirculated air duct that splits at a branching-off point from the process air duct to the heater and the exhaust air duct which leads to the exhaust air outlet.
  • the recirculated air duct joins the supply air duct upstream of the heater.
  • U.S. Patent 8,353,115 describes an exhaust air dryer that includes a process airflow entering from outside as supply air, which removes moisture from laundry introduced in a treatment compartment and which emerges to the outside as exhaust air through an air outlet, a heat exchanger between the treatment compartment and the air outlet, and an active heat pump seen in the airflow direction, which removes heat from the process airflow, while forming condensate, and at the same time heats the incoming air.
  • U.S. Patent Application Publication 2012/0030959 describes a rotary drum dryer with heat recycling and water collecting function.
  • the dryer dries rolling clothes by electric heating thermal energy.
  • a heat exchanging unit with heat recycling function is further installed between the room temperature air flow and the discharged hot air, for preheating the intake air flow by the thermal energy of the discharged hot air through the heat exchanging unit.
  • Moisture is converted into a liquid state via a cooling effect generated through heat exchanging between water-contained hot air and colder air and is collected.
  • U.S. Patent 8,572,862 describes a drying apparatus that includes a drum and an open-loop airflow pathway originating at an ambient air inlet, passing through the drum, and terminating at an exhaust outlet.
  • a passive heat exchanger is included for passively transferring heat from air flowing from the drum toward the exhaust outlet to air flowing from the ambient air inlet toward the drum.
  • a heat pump is also included for actively transferring heat from air flowing from the passive heat exchanger toward the exhaust outlet to air flowing from the passive heat exchanger toward the drum.
  • a heating element is also included for further heating air flowing from the heat pump toward the drum.
  • U.S. Patent Application Publication 2012/0233876 describes a home laundry dryer in which both the fresh air entering a laundry drum and the air exhausted from the drum pass through thermal recovery ducting.
  • the dryer heat recovery system has concentric ducting including a high temperature passage through which the exhaust air flows and a separate low temperature passage through which the entering air flows. Heat from the exhausted air is transferred from the high temperature passage to the entering air in the low temperature passage. This heat transfer lowers the energy required to raise the entering air to a desired drying temperature.
  • the dryer ducting is designed to have an outer diameter equivalent to standard size ducting on home dryers.
  • thermoelectric heat pump laundry dryers U.S. Patent 7,526,879 describes a drum washing machine and a clothes dryer equipped with a thermoelectric module.
  • the thermoelectric module includes a heat absorption side and a heat dissipation side.
  • the heat absorption side is disposed at a hot air flowing passage.
  • U.S. Patent 4,154,003 describes a combination washer-dryer comprised of an inner and outer container that are spaced apart so as to form a condensation chamber therebetween.
  • a cooling medium and moist air withdrawn from the inner drying container are simultaneously forced through that chamber which cools the air and causes moisture contained therein to be condensed and thus separatable from the air.
  • Additional condensation and water separators can be employed to further treat the circulating air prior to that air being reheated and returned to the inner drying container.
  • GB570541 discloses a laundry and textile drying machine comprising three sections, one comprising a chamber divided into two compartments.
  • At least one of the regeneration heat exchanger and the cooling element is fabricated at least partially from a material having low thermal-conductivity.
  • at least one of the regeneration heat exchanger and the cooling element is fabricated at least partially from plastic.
  • the regeneration heat exchanger and the cooling element are fabricated jointly in a single mechanical assembly.
  • the regeneration heat exchanger is configured to cool and optionally condensate the air extracted from the compartment, and to heat the air exiting the cooling element.
  • the cooling element includes a cooling heat exchanger that is configured to cool the extracted air by heat exchange with the external fluid flow.
  • the heating element is configured to heat the air before re-introduction into the compartment at least partially by transferring heat from another fluid flow.
  • the other fluid flow may include the air in the closed-loop pathway prior to the cooling element.
  • the other fluid flow may include an external fluid flow exiting the cooling element.
  • the cooling element is configured to cool the air at least partially by transferring heat to another fluid flow.
  • the cooling element includes a cooled core that is mounted inside the regeneration heat exchanger, the core is configured to cool the air flowing through the regeneration heat exchanger, and the regeneration heat exchanger is configured to cool the extracted air upstream of the core by transferring heat to the cooled air downstream of the core, and to heat the extracted air downstream of the core using heat of the extracted air upstream of the core.
  • the drying apparatus includes a restrictor for allowing volumetric expansion or contraction of the closed-loop air pathway.
  • one side of the restrictor is connected to a location of driest and coolest air in the closed-loop pathway.
  • one side of the restrictor is connected to the external fluid flow heated by the cooling element.
  • an enclosure packages the drying apparatus and is arranged to emit and absorb external air, and one side of the restrictor is configured to exchange air with the inner side of the enclosure.
  • the cooling element is configured to convert at least some of the heat energy evacuated from the air of the closed-loop pathway into electricity.
  • the drying apparatus includes an external fluid pathway, which is configured to exploit at least some of the heat energy added in the drying apparatus to the external fluid, by circulating the external fluid via an external system.
  • the drying apparatus includes a fluid pathway, which is configured to exploit at least some of the heat energy emitted from the closed-loop air pathway by storing the heat energy in one or more heat reservoirs.
  • the heat reservoirs may include at least one of a fluid, a Phase Changing Material (PCM) and a material that stores the heat energy by reacting chemically.
  • PCM Phase Changing Material
  • the present invention provides, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a drying apparatus including at least first and second compartments for containing objects to be dried, characterized by a closed-loop air pathway.
  • the closed-loop air pathway is configured to cycle air in cascade through at least the first and second compartments, to extract air from the first compartment, to dry and reheat the air extracted from the first compartment, and to introduce the dried and reheated air into the second compartment; and a regeneration heat exchanger, which is inserted in the closed-loop air pathway.
  • the drying apparatus wherein the regeneration heat exchanger is configured to dry and reheat the air extracted from the first compartment using heat of the air extracted from the second compartment.
  • the drying apparatus includes a second regeneration heat exchanger that is inserted in the closed-loop air pathway and is configured to dry and reheat the air entering the first compartment using heat of the air cooled in the regeneration heat exchanger.
  • the drying apparatus wherein the regeneration heat exchanger is configured to dry and reheat the air entering the first compartment using heat of the air extracted from the second compartment.
  • the drying apparatus includes a heating element, which is inserted in the closed-loop air pathway and is configured to heat the air prior to entry to the second compartment.
  • the drying apparatus includes a cooling element, which is inserted in the closed-loop air pathway and is configured to remove moisture from the air of the closed-loop air pathway by evacuating heat from the air after extraction from the second compartment and before entering the first compartment.
  • Embodiments of the present invention that are described herein provide improved methods and systems for drying.
  • the embodiments described herein refer mainly to laundry dryers, but the disclosed techniques can be used in various other suitable applications that involve drying.
  • a dryer comprises a compartment containing objects to be dried, e.g., a drum for holding laundry to be dried.
  • a closed-loop pathway extracts from the compartment air that includes moisture in the form of vapor.
  • the closed-loop pathway cools the extracted air using a cooling element.
  • the cooling operation causes at least part of the moisture to condensate, and thus dries the extracted air.
  • the closed-loop pathway then reheats the cool and dry air using a heating element, and re-introduces the reheated air into the compartment.
  • a regeneration heat exchanger is inserted in the closed-loop air pathway.
  • the regeneration heat exchanger exchanges heat between the air extracted from the compartment and the air cooled by the cooling element prior to reheating:
  • the air extracted from the compartment cools and condensates by the air that exits the cooling element, and the air that exits the cooling element is heated by the air extracted from the compartment.
  • the disclosed solution can be viewed as a closed-loop scheme having two heat exchange operations - One as a cooling element and one as a regeneration heat exchanger.
  • regeneration heat exchanger inserted in the closed-loop pathway means that the heat exchanger performs regeneration heat exchanging between the air at two different locations along the closed-loop pathway having different thermodynamic states - The air extracted from the compartment, and the air cooled by the cooling element.
  • the cooling element comprises an additional heat exchanger that exchanges heat with external air.
  • the cooling element and the heating element are part of a heat pump.
  • the cooling element comprises a cooled core that is mounted inside the heat exchanger. Dehumidification aspects of using a heat exchanger having a cooled core are addressed in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2014/0261764 and PCT International Publication WO 2014/141059 .
  • the regeneration heat exchanger and/or the cooling element are fabricated from a material having low thermal conductivity, such as plastic.
  • the regeneration heat exchanger and the cooling element are fabricated in a single mechanical assembly, e.g., using one or more duplication of similar plastic leaves.
  • the air re-entering the compartment is heated by a Thermo-Electric Cooler (TEC).
  • TEC Thermo-Electric Cooler
  • the cold side of the TEC is in contact with the humid air prior to entering the cooling element.
  • the cold side of the TEC is in contact with the external air prior to exiting the dryer.
  • a heat pump may replace the TEC functionality, and vice versa.
  • a dryer comprises multiple compartments, e.g., for drying multiple different types of laundry.
  • the closed-loop pathway traverses the multiple compartments in cascade.
  • Each compartment is coupled to a respective heat exchanger, which exchanges heat between the air entering the compartment and the air removed from the last compartment in the cascade.
  • heat that is removed by the cooling element is reused for heating an external system, for example a washing machine or some central heating system.
  • the removed heat may alternatively be stored and used later internally, e.g., in a subsequent drying cycle.
  • the cooling element comprises a thermo-electric generator (TEG) or other heat generator, which converts some of the removed heat into electricity.
  • TOG thermo-electric generator
  • the harvested electricity can be used internally in the dryer to further improve its efficiency, or exported to an external system.
  • Fig. 1 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates a condenser-based laundry dryer 20, in accordance with an examples of the present invention.
  • Dryer 20 comprises a compartment for holding objects to be dried, in the present example a drum 24 for holding laundry 28 to be dried.
  • Drum 24 may be spinning, e.g., using an electrical motor.
  • any other suitable type of compartment can be used.
  • Dryer 20 dries laundry 28 using a closed-loop air cycle, referred to herein as a closed-loop pathway.
  • closed-loop means that air is extracted from drum 24, dehumidified and then re-introduced into the drum.
  • a closed-loop drying cycle generally does not introduce air from outside the dryer into the drum and does not extract air from the drum to the outside of the dryer.
  • a small quantity of air may be released from the closed loop or added to the closed loop, e.g., through a suitable restrictor or nozzle, whose function will be explained below. This mechanism is not regarded as violating the closed loop cycle.
  • air leakage to or from the closed-cycle elements which is common in any practical closed-cycle implementation, is also not considered violating the closed loop cycle.
  • a blower 36 extracts hot and humid air 40 from drum 24 via a fiber filter 32.
  • Air 40 passes through a regeneration heat exchanger 44, whose role is described in detail below.
  • Air 48 exiting heat exchanger 44 is cooler and typically has higher relative humidity than air 40 entering the heat exchanger.
  • condensation will occur in heat exchanger 44, as air 40 cools, saturates, and continues to be cooled, thus producing condensate water 92.
  • Air 48 exits heat exchanger 44, and may pass through the cold side of a Thermo-Electric Cooler (TEC) device 52. Typically, condensation will also occur at the cold side of the TEC device, as air 44 continues to be cooled, thus producing more condensate water 92. Air 48 exits the cold side of the TEC device as air 56 and continues toward a cooling element.
  • TEC Thermo-Electric Cooler
  • the cooling element comprises a heat exchanger 60 (also referred to as a cooling heat exchanger) that cools air 48 by exchanging heat with external air 80.
  • a heat exchanger 60 also referred to as a cooling heat exchanger
  • External air 80 passes through a dust filter 82 to become filtered air 84, and enters heat exchanger 60 as the cooling media.
  • Air 56 cools and condensates in heat exchanger 60, thus producing more condensate water 92, while external air 84 is being heated.
  • Water 92 is typically being disposed of using a pump 94 and a drainage pipe 96.
  • Air 64 that exits heat exchanger 60 is typically slightly hotter than room temperature, saturated with humidity, but has low absolute humidity. Air 64 enters regeneration heat exchanger 44, and flows against the hot and humid air 40 that was extracted from drum 24.
  • the heat exchange in regeneration heat exchanger 44 has two effects: Air 68 exits heat exchanger 44 is hotter and drier than air 64 enters the heat exchanger; and air 48 exits heat exchanger 44 is cooler and has higher relative humidity than air 40 enters the heat exchanger.
  • air 68 is further heated by a heating element, so as to produce hot and dry air 76, and air 76 is re-introduced into drum 24.
  • the heating element comprises an electrical heater 72. Additionally or alternatively, the heating element may comprise the hot side of TEC device 52.
  • a blower 88 removes air 86 from heat exchanger 60 to the external environment.
  • the removed air 86 should be hotter than the ambient environment in order to dispose of the added energy. Note that humidity is not added to the removed air, and therefore the process will eventually condensate almost all of the water that was extracted from drum 24.
  • a restrictor 100 bridges between the location where the air is driest and coolest in the closed-loop pathway and between the hottest location in the external process.
  • the restrictor enables small volumetric changes of air in the closed-loop cycle. For example, when the closed-loop air volume expands (e.g., due to heating and/or water evaporation), the excess cold and dry air can be released from the closed cycle via the restrictor toward the external process air. As another example, when the closed-loop air volume contracts (e.g., due to cooling and/or water condensation), hot air from the external process can be added to the closed loop via the restrictor, to compensate for the contracted volume.
  • one side of the restrictor may be placed at any other suitable location in the closed-loop pathway, and the other side of the restrictor may be placed at any other suitable location in the external air process.
  • TEC 52 can be replaced by a heat pump.
  • a heat pump typically uses a refrigerant cycle, which cycles a refrigerant via a refrigerant evaporator, a compressor, a refrigerant condenser and an expansion valve.
  • the refrigerant evaporator functions as the cold side of TEC 52
  • the refrigerant condenser functions as the hot side of TEC 52.
  • a TEC device may be replaced by a heat pump, and vice versa.
  • a controller 104 e.g., a suitable microprocessor, controls and manages the operation of the dryer.
  • heat exchanger 44 and/or heat exchanger 60 are fabricated from a material having low thermal conductivity, for example plastic or other non-metallic material.
  • the two heat exchangers in dryer 20 are fabricated in a single mechanical assembly.
  • heat exchangers 44 and 60 may have similar leaf structures, and may be fabricated in plastic using a single mold (with or without small variations).
  • heat exchanger 44 can be included in TEC device 52, and the two elements may be united and implemented in a single conponent.
  • Fig. 2 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates a condenser-based laundry dryer 22, in accordance with another examples of the present invention.
  • the general flow cycles and functionality of dryer 22 are the same as those of dryer 20 in Fig. 1 .
  • a unified heat exchanger assembly 170 comprises both a regeneration heat exchanger 144 and a cooling element 160 in a unified mechanical structure.
  • Heat exchanger 144 carries out the functionality of heat exchanger 44 in Fig. 1 .
  • Heat exchanger 160 carries out the functionality of heat exchanger 60 in Fig. 1 .
  • Fig. 3 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates a refrigerant-based heat-pump laundry dryer 200, in accordance with yet another example of the present invention.
  • Dryer 200 comprises a heat pump having a refrigerant cycle, which cycles a refrigerant via a refrigerant evaporator 204, a compressor 208, a refrigerant condenser 212 and an expansion valve 206.
  • refrigerant evaporator 204 serves as the cooling element
  • refrigerant condenser 212 serves as a heating element.
  • refrigerant evaporator 204 Excess heat is removed from refrigerant evaporator 204 using external and filtered air 84, driven by blower 88. The air exits the system hotter than it enters, marked as 86.
  • refrigerant evaporator 204 can be split into two different refrigerant evaporators (not shown in the figure), one to be used as the cooling element of the closed cycle and one to be cooled by the external air stream.
  • Air 48 flows via cooling element 204, cools and condensates thereby producing more condensation water 92, and then exits the cooling element as air 264.
  • Air 264 is cold, has high relative humidity but has low absolute humidity.
  • Air 264 is heated by regeneration heat exchanger 44, and exits as air 268 that is hotter and dryer. Air 268 continues to flow through heating element 212, and may also be heated by electrical heater 72 to produce hot and dry air 276. To conclude the closed-loop process, air 276 is re-introduced into drum 24.
  • Fig. 4 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates a condenser-based laundry dryer 300, in accordance with yet example of the present invention.
  • the heating element comprises the hot side of a TEC device 70 that uses the external-flow heat to heat the closed-cycle dry air flow entering the drum.
  • the heating element may be also comprise a heater 74.
  • a blower 88 removes air 90 from dryer 300 to the external environment.
  • Figs. 5-7 describe several possible variations of dryer 300 according to some examples of the present invention.
  • the example of Fig. 5 includes a unified heat exchanger 370 that comprises heat exchangers 344 and 360 in a single mechanical assembly.
  • Heat exchanger 344 functions as heat exchanger 44 in Fig. 4
  • heat exchanger 360 functions as heat exchanger 60 in Fig. 4 .
  • Fig. 6 includes a heat pump (comprising a refrigerant evaporator 224, a compressor 232, a refrigerant condenser 236 and an expansion valve 228) that replaces TEC 70 mentioned in Fig. 4 .
  • Fig. 7 is a combination of the variations described in both Figs. 5 and 6 : The heat pump replaces the TEC device and the heat exchangers are unified.
  • the cooling element comprises a cooled core that is mounted inside the heat exchanger.
  • Dehumidification using a heat exchanger having a cooled core is addressed in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2014/0261764 and PCT International Publication WO 2014/141059 , cited above. These references also provide example mechanical configurations of such heat exchangers. Any of the configurations described in these references can be used in the closed-loop cycle of the dryers described herein.
  • Fig. 8 and 9 are block diagrams that schematically illustrate a laundry dryer 350 using a heat exchanger having a cooled core, and details of this heat exchanger, in accordance with an example of the present invention.
  • the dryer comprises an integrated cooling & heat exchange assembly 390.
  • Assembly 390 uses external air 80 to cool a core 360 that is placed inside a heat exchanger 344.
  • the air exiting the core is denoted 86.
  • core 360 may be cooled using liquid, gas, refrigerant or any other suitable external fluid.
  • Cooled core 360 serves as the cooling element of the dryer.
  • Air 40 which was extracted from drum 24, is split into two flows denoted 40A and 40B.
  • the two flows are applied to two respective inlets of heat exchanger 344, and flow across one another in alternating counter-flow pathways of the heat exchanger.
  • Flow 40A is first cooled in heat exchanger 344A (before reaching core 360) by heat exchange with flow 62B that leaves the core.
  • flow 40B is first cooled in heat exchanger 344B (before reaching core 360) by heat exchange with flow 62A that leaves the core.
  • the two flows are then cooled by flowing over core 360 against external air 84 that that absorbs the heat during this process.
  • External air 80 driven by blower 88 enters the dryer and being filtered by air filter 82 to remove dust and dirt.
  • Filtered air 84 enters cooled core 360 as the cooling media. While flow 84 cools down flows 48A and 48B in the heat exchanger 360, flows 84A and 84B becomes hotter and exits heat exchanger 360 as flow 86, which is hotter than the environment and dry.
  • each of flows 40A and 40B undergoes three successive processes in assembly 390: Cooling in a first side of heat exchanger 344 by transferring the heat to the other flow that was already cooled by core 360; further cooling by flowing over core 360; and finally heating in the other side of heat exchanger 344 using the heat of the other flow that is entering the heat exchanger.
  • a junction 352 is connected to restrictor 100 (outside assembly 390).
  • the restrictor 100 e.g., a nozzle
  • Restrictor 100 performs a similar function to restrictor 100 of Figs. 1-7 above.
  • air 86 is heated and then re-introduced into drum 24.
  • air 86 is heated by a heat pump (refrigerant evaporator 224, compressor 232, refrigerant condenser 236 and expansion valve 228) using the heat of the heated external air that is about to exit the dryer.
  • heating can be performed by TEC 72, as explained above.
  • air 86 can be heated by electrical heater 74 before re-entering drum 24.
  • core 360 is cooled by external air 84, thereby producing warm air 86.
  • the core may alternatively be cooled using any suitable liquid, gas, refrigerant or other suitable fluid.
  • Fig. 10 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates laundry dryer 350, in accordance with an example of the present invention described in Figs. 8 and 9 .
  • This figure shows an illustrative implementation example of assembly 390. Implementations of this sort are described, for example, in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2014/0261764 , cited above.
  • air flows 40A and 40B enter assembly 390 via suitable pathways at the top of the assembly, and air flows 66A and 66B exit assembly 390 via suitable pathways at the bottom of the assembly.
  • External air 84, for cooling core 360 enters from behind the assembly and air 86 exits the core at the front.
  • Figs. 11-14 are block diagrams that schematically illustrate laundry dryers having multiple compartments, in accordance with examples of the present invention.
  • a closed-loop air pathway traverses the multiple compartments (e.g., drums) in cascade.
  • Each compartment is coupled to a respective regeneration heat exchanger, which exchanges heat between the air removed from the last compartment and the air entering the other compartments in the cascade.
  • the closed-loop pathway typically comprises a single cooling element.
  • Fig. 11 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates a multi-drum laundry dryer 400, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Dryer 400 has three drums 24A...24C for drying laundry 28A...28C, respectively.
  • a closed-loop air pathway traverses the three drums in cascade: The air removed from a given drum is dried and heated, and then introduced into the next drum in the cascade.
  • the last drum in the cascade, in the present example drum 24A, is the hottest of the three.
  • the heat of hot and humid air 40A, removed from the hottest drum is transferred using the respective regeneration heat exchangers into the air entering each drum.
  • the air flow cascades from the outlet of one drum to the inlet of the next, i.e., from drum 24C toward drum 24B, and from drum 24B toward drum 24A.
  • the energy required to dry the objects in all drums equals almost to the energy required to dry objects in a single drum.
  • the heat energy is evacuated to the environment using cooling element 60 by exchanging heat to the external air flow.
  • a blower 36 extracts hot and humid air 40A from drum 24A via a fiber filter 32A.
  • Air 40A passes through a regeneration heat exchanger 44A.
  • Air 40A exits heat exchanger 44A as air 40B, which is cooler and typically has higher relative humidity than air 40A entering the heat exchanger.
  • condensation will occur in regeneration heat exchanger 44A, as air 40A cools, saturates, and continues to be cooled, thus producing condensate water 92.
  • Air 40B flows toward heat exchanger 44B for further cooling by heat exchanging. As air 40B continues to be cooled, thus producing more condensate water 92, it exits regeneration heat exchanger 44B as air 40C. Air 40C flows toward regeneration heat exchanger 44C for further cooling by heat exchanging. As air 40C continues to be cooled, thus producing more condensate water 92, it exits heat exchanger 44C as air 48.
  • air 48 flows toward the cold side of a TEC device 52 for further cooling, and in order to reuse some of the condensation heat for the heating element. Air 48 exits the cold side of the TEC device as air 56.
  • air 48 continues and becomes air 56 to be cooled using cooling element 60 by heat exchanging, thus producing more condensate water 92.
  • the air exits the cooling element as air 64C and enters regeneration heat exchanger 44C.
  • air 64C is heated by heat exchanging and exits hotter and dryer as air 68C.
  • Air 68C enters drum 24C to dry the objects within that drum.
  • air 64B exits drum 24C thru fiber filter 32C as air 64B, and enters regeneration heat exchanger 44B.
  • air 64B is heated by heat exchanging and exits hotter and dryer as air 68B.
  • Air 68B enters drum 24B to dry the objects within that drum.
  • air 64A exits drum 24B thru fiber filter 32B as air 64A, and enters regeneration heat exchanger 44A.
  • air 64A is heated by heat exchanging and exits hotter and dryer as air 68A.
  • Air 68A might be heated by the hot side of a TEC device 52 or/and other heating element, such as electrical heater 72.
  • the air proceeds hotter and dryer as air 76 and enters drum 24A to dry the objects within that drum, to conclude the closed cycle operation.
  • the air in the closed cycle is driven by blower 36, which can be located in any practical location in the closed cycle.
  • Blower 88 drives external air process to cool down the cooling element 60 by heat exchanging.
  • External air 80 enters the dryer via a dust and dirt filter 82, proceeds as clean and relatively cold air 84 toward the cooling element 60, heats up in the cooling element by heat exchanging and exits hotter toward the environment.
  • Fig. 12 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates a multi-drum laundry dryer 450, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
  • the functionality of dryer 450 is similar to the functionality of dryer 400 of Fig. 11 , with several differences:
  • Fig. 13 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates a multi-drum laundry dryer 500, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.
  • a blower 36 extracts hot and humid air 40A from drum 24A via a fiber filter 32A.
  • Air 40A passes through a regeneration heat exchanger 44A.
  • Air 40A exits heat exchanger 44A as air 40B, which is cooler and typically has higher relative humidity than air 40A entering the heat exchanger.
  • condensation will occur in regeneration heat exchanger 44A, as air 40A cools, saturates, and continues to be cooled, thus producing condensate water 92.
  • Air 40B flows toward heat exchanger 44B for further cooling by heat exchanging. As air 40B continues to be cooled, thus producing more condensate water 92, it exits regeneration heat exchanger 44B as air 40C. Air 40C flows toward regeneration heat exchanger 44C for further cooling by heat exchanging. As air 40C continues to be cooled, thus producing more condensate water 92, it exits heat exchanger 44C as air 48.
  • Air 62B exits drum 24C (after passing through filter 32C) enters regeneration heat exchanger 44B, is heated by heat transfer from air 40B, exits as air 66B, and enters drum 24B.
  • Air 62A exits drum 24B (after passing through filter 32B) enters regeneration heat exchanger 44A, is heated by heat transfer from air 40A, and exits as air 66A.
  • the hot side of TEC device 70 heats air 66A using some of the heat of external air 86 that was previously heated in heat exchanger 60.
  • the heating element may be also comprise a heater 74.
  • air 78 enters drum 24A. After passing some heat to the cold side of TEC 70, a blower 88 removes air 90 from dryer 500 to the external environment.
  • Fig. 14 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates a multi-drum laundry dryer 550, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
  • the functionality of dryer 550 is similar to the functionality of dryer 500, with several differences:
  • Figs. 11-14 are depicted purely by way of example. In alternative embodiments, any other suitable dryer configuration, in which a closed-loop pathway cycles air in cascade through multiple drying compartments, can be used.
  • Figs. 15 and 16 are block diagrams that schematically illustrate condenser-based laundry dryers 600 and 601 that reuse the heat emitted in the external process, in accordance with examples of the present invention.
  • the emitted heat can be used, for example, for heating a water reservoir, a central air conditioning system, a sub-floor heating system, or for any other suitable purpose.
  • FIGs. 15 and 16 demonstrate the disclosed technique using the closed cycle of dryer 20, described in Fig. 1 above.
  • the disclosed heat-reuse technique can be used with any of the other closed cycles shows in the figures above.
  • an additional pump 688 (replacing blower 88) is added to the dryer in order to circulate liquid, to cool down the cooling element 60 by heat exchanging.
  • a reservoir 690 contains fluid, e.g., water, or other material. The fluid is cold in the beginning of the drying operation.
  • the fluid entering the dryer (marked 680) passes through a dirt filter 682 and proceeds as flow 684 toward cooling element 60.
  • the flow is heated by heat exchanging in cooling element 60 and emitted as flow 686, hotter than it was in the reservoir. It then enters the reservoir to rise up its temperature. During the drying process the emitted heat is kept within the reservoir.
  • the reservoir may comprise any other suitable material, such as Phase Change Material (PCM) or a material that stores heat using a chemical reaction.
  • PCM Phase Change Material
  • An opening 610 in Dryer 600 enables exchanging a small amount of air between the environment and the inner side of the dryer enclosure.
  • the inner side of the dryer enclosure is typically hotter than the environment due to heat losses from the drum, the heat exchangers and other elements.
  • a restrictor 100 bridges between the location where the air is driest and coolest, in the closed-loop pathway and between the inner volume of dryer enclosure, which is typically hotter than the environment.
  • the restrictor enables small air volumetric changes in the closed loop cycle under various conditions. For example, when the closed-loop air volume expands (e.g., due to heating and/or water evaporation), the excess cold and dry air can be released from the closed cycle via the restrictor toward the inner enclosure volume, and from there via opening 610 toward the environment. As another example, when the closed-loop air volume contracts (e.g., due to cooling and/or water condensation), hot air from the inner enclosure volume can compensate for the contracted volume in the closed cycle.
  • the inner enclosure volume is filled-up from the environment by the external air via opening 610.
  • pump 688 and/or filter 682 can be located outside dryer 600 as an add-on feature (not shown in the figure).
  • a combination of water circulation process as shown in Fig. 15 and external air process as shown in Fig. 1 can be used in order to cool down the cooling element (not shown in the figure).
  • a temperature sensor may be used as an input to controller 104, for example in order to choose the cooling media, to control the overheating of the reservoir, or for any other suitable purpose.
  • One or more flow-control sensors may be used as input to controller 104, for example in order to monitor the flow rate and/or water level, or for any other suitable purpose.
  • Fig. 16 shows a dryer 601, which also exploits the emitted heat similarly to Fig. 15 .
  • the circulated liquid heat is being evacuated instead of being accumulated in a reservoir.
  • an external heat exchanger 692 is used to drive the heat from flow 686 toward flow 696.
  • Flow 696 is driven by blower 694.
  • Air 696 can be taken from the house and/or from the environment, heated by heat exchanging in heat exchanger 692 and evacuated to the house and/or to the environment hotter than it entered.
  • heat evacuation from heat exchanger 692 is not performed by active flow of air 696, by blower 694.
  • the heat might be transferred to sub-floor heating, radiator, or other suitable system.
  • fluid passes via the cooling element, in which it heats up by heat exchanging and proceeds hotter than it gets.
  • the liquid can be kept within a reservoir or other means, and can originate from a reservoir or other source (not shown in the figure).
  • pump 688 is not mandatory.
  • filter 682 may be omitted.
  • the emitted heat can be reused internally in the dryer.
  • the emitted heat in flow 686 can be stored in some reservoir (e.g., using a suitable Phase-Change Material (PCM)), and later reused for heating the laundry in a subsequent drying cycle.
  • PCM Phase-Change Material
  • Fig. 17 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates a condenser-based laundry dryer 700, in accordance with another example of the present invention.
  • the cooling element of the closed-loop cycle is implemented using a heat generator, e.g., a Thermo Electric Generator (TEG) 710.
  • TOG Thermo Electric Generator
  • TEG 710 comprises a cascade of multiple (e.g., three) TEG devices 710A...710C. Multiple TEG devices typically achieve better performance than a single TEG device, although a single-TEG implementation is also feasible.
  • TEG 710 uses the temperature differential between flows 48 and 84 to produce electricity. During this process, flow 48 cools down and typically produces more condensate water 92, and air 48 leaves the hot side of the TEG devices hotter, as air 714. Air 84 becomes warmer due to the heat transferred by the TEG devices, and exits hotter as air 86. Air 714 enters heat exchanger 44, and flows against the hot and humid air 40 that was extracted from drum 24.
  • Fig. 17 demonstrates the disclosed technique using a simplified closed cycle, for the sake of clarity.
  • a TEG-based cooling element can be used in any of the dryer configurations described above.
  • the electrical energy harvested by TEG 710 can be fed back to some of the dryer devices, such as the heater or the blower.
  • the TEG device may be replaced by any other suitable type of heat harvesting device that converts heat into electricity.
  • Figs. 1-17 are example configurations that are chosen purely for the sake of conceptual clarity. In alternative embodiments, any other suitable configuration that uses a closed-loop cycle having a regeneration heat exchanger and a cooling element can be used.
  • any of the heat exchangers described in Figs. 1-17 may be implemented as a crossflow heat exchanger, counter-flow heat exchanger, parallel-flow heat exchanger, or any other suitable heat exchanger type.
  • the functionality of the heat exchanger may be replaced by a TEC or a heat-pump.
  • re-heating of air can be performed by a heater (e.g., heaters 72, 72A-72C, 74, 74A-74C), by the hot side of a TEC (e.g., TEC 52, 52A-52C, 70 and 70A-70C) or by the refrigerant condenser of a heat pump (e.g., refrigerant condenser 236 and refrigerant condenser 212).
  • a heater e.g., heaters 72, 72A-72C, 74, 74A-74C
  • TEC e.g., TEC 52, 52A-52C, 70 and 70A-70C
  • refrigerant condenser of a heat pump e.g., refrigerant condenser 236 and refrigerant condenser 212).
  • the cooling element may comprise a heat exchanger that uses external fluid (e.g., heat exchanger 60, 360), by the cold side of a TEC (e.g., TEC 52, 52A-52C, 70 and 70A-70C), by the refrigerant evaporator of a heat pump (e.g., refrigerant condenser 204, 224), by the hot side of TEG (e.g. TEG 710,710A,710B,710C) or by the hot side of a heat harvesting device (e.g., Stirling engine, etc.).
  • a TEC e.g., TEC 52, 52A-52C, 70 and 70A-70C
  • refrigerant evaporator of a heat pump e.g., refrigerant condenser 204, 224
  • TEG e.g. TEG 710,710A,710B,710C
  • a heat harvesting device e.g., Stirling engine
  • blowers e.g., blowers 36, 36A-36C, 88 and 88A-88C
  • blowers 36, 36A-36C, 88 and 88A-88C are placed at specific locations in their respective pathways. These blower positions, however, are depicted only by way of example, and the blowers can alternatively be omitted or placed at any other suitable location along the air pathways.
  • the embodiments described herein mainly address laundry dryers
  • the methods and systems described herein can also be used in other applications that involve drying of various objects or materials, such as food, wood, paper and pulp drying, desiccant regenerating, alcohol distillation, paint drying, oil extraction and more.
  • the embodiments described herein refer mainly to drying of water
  • the disclosed techniques can be used for drying of alcohol, solvent, or other suitable materials.
  • the embodiments described herein refer mainly to air that is circulated in the closed-loop pathway, the disclosed techniques can be used with other suitable gases being circulated.
  • elements of the dryer may be thermally insulated to reduce energy loss.
  • the disclosed techniques can be implemented by heat exchange with any other suitable external fluid, whether gas or liquid.
  • the external fluid may comprise tap water, in which case blower 88 may be replaced by a restrictor or controlled tap.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)

Claims (7)

  1. Appareil de séchage, comprenant : au moins un premier (24C) et un deuxième (24A) compartiments pour contenir des objets à sécher (28C, 28A) ;
    caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend en outre une voie d'air en circuit fermée, qui est configurée pour faire circuler l'air en cascade à travers au moins les premier (24C) et second (24A) compartiments, pour extraire l'air (64B) du premier compartiment (24C), pour sécher et réchauffer l'air (62B et/ou 64B) extrait du premier compartiment (24C), et introduire l'air séché et réchauffé (66A ou 68A) dans le deuxième compartiment (24A) ; et un échangeur de chaleur à régénération (44A, 44B et/ou 44C), qui est inséré dans la voie d'air en circuit fermé.
  2. Appareil de séchage selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'échangeur de chaleur de régénération (44B) est configuré pour sécher et réchauffer l'air (64B) extrait du premier compartiment (24C) en utilisant la chaleur de l'air (64B) extrait du second compartiment (24C).
  3. Appareil de séchage selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre un deuxième échangeur de chaleur à régénération (44C), qui est inséré dans la voie d'air en circuit fermé et est configuré pour sécher et réchauffer l'air (64C) entrant dans le premier compartiment (24C) en utilisant la chaleur de l'air (40C) refroidi dans l'échangeur de chaleur à régénération (44C).
  4. Appareil de séchage selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'échangeur de chaleur à régénération (44C) est configuré pour sécher et réchauffer l'air (64C) entrant dans le premier compartiment (24C) en utilisant la chaleur de l'air (40C) extrait du deuxième compartiment (24A).
  5. Appareil de séchage selon la revendication 1, et comprenant un élément chauffant (52 ou 72) qui est inséré dans le trajet d'air en circuit fermé et est configuré pour chauffer l'air avant son entrée dans le deuxième compartiment (24A).
  6. Appareil de séchage selon la revendication 1, et comprenant un élément de refroidissement (60), qui est inséré dans la voie d'air en circuit fermé et est configuré pour éliminer l'humidité de l'air de la voie d'air en circuit fermé en évacuant la chaleur de l'air après extraction du deuxième compartiment (24A) et avant d'entrer dans le premier compartiment (24C).
  7. Procédé de séchage, comprenant :
    d'utiliser une voie d'air en circuit fermé comprenant un échangeur de chaleur à régénération (44A, 44B et/ou 44C), faisant circuler l'air en cascade à travers au moins des premier et deuxième compartiments (24C et 24A) contenant des objets à sécher (28C et 28A) ;
    d'extraire l'air du premier compartiment (24C) ;
    de sécher et de réchauffer l'air extrait du premier compartiment (24C) ; et
    d'introduire l'air séché et réchauffé (66A ou 68A) dans le deuxième compartiment (28A).
EP15760660.9A 2014-03-11 2015-02-10 Sèche-linge à condensation à cycle fermé avec régénération thermique Active EP3117166B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/IB2014/059620 WO2014141059A1 (fr) 2013-03-15 2014-03-11 Appareil de déshumidification
US14/594,186 US10006721B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2015-01-12 Closed-cycle condenser dryer with heat regeneration
PCT/IB2015/050984 WO2015136393A1 (fr) 2014-03-11 2015-02-10 Sèche-linge à condensation à cycle fermé avec régénération thermique

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3117166A1 EP3117166A1 (fr) 2017-01-18
EP3117166A4 EP3117166A4 (fr) 2017-12-20
EP3117166B1 true EP3117166B1 (fr) 2020-04-08

Family

ID=54071001

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP15760660.9A Active EP3117166B1 (fr) 2014-03-11 2015-02-10 Sèche-linge à condensation à cycle fermé avec régénération thermique

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3117166B1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2015136393A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9140396B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2015-09-22 Water-Gen Ltd. Dehumidification apparatus
US10151060B2 (en) 2015-11-24 2018-12-11 Water-Gen Ltd Steam compression dryer
CN111088645A (zh) * 2019-11-02 2020-05-01 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 一种家电组合结构
US20230063185A1 (en) * 2019-12-24 2023-03-02 Lg Electronics Inc. Dryer operating method

Family Cites Families (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB570541A (en) * 1943-10-11 1945-07-11 Lister Brothers Ltd Improvements relating to laundry and textile drying machines
DE1585560A1 (de) * 1967-04-10 1971-05-27 Arendt Hans F Trommeltrockner fuer Textilien
DE2529577C3 (de) 1975-07-02 1979-09-27 August Lepper Maschinen- U. Apparatebau Gmbh, 5340 Bad Honnef Trommelwasch- und Trockenmaschine
DE19913938A1 (de) * 1999-03-26 2000-09-28 Mewa Textil Service Ag & Co Man Ohg Trocknungseinrichtung für Wäsche
GB0108549D0 (en) * 2001-04-05 2001-05-23 D B K Technitherm Ltd Improvements relating to drier devices
JP3680149B2 (ja) * 2001-11-09 2005-08-10 ダイキン工業株式会社 空気調和装置
DE20202782U1 (de) * 2002-02-21 2002-04-25 Blum, Theodor, 79241 Ihringen Wäschetrockner
CA2495959A1 (fr) * 2005-01-31 2006-07-31 Michael M. Sprague Systeme de ventilation et de recuperation de la chaleur pour sechoirs
US7526879B2 (en) 2005-11-04 2009-05-05 Lg Electronics Inc. Drum washing machine and clothes dryer using peltier thermoelectric module
DE102007011809A1 (de) 2007-03-12 2008-09-18 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Trockner mit Wärmerückgewinnung sowie Verfahren zu seinem Betrieb
DE102008032801B4 (de) 2008-07-11 2020-08-06 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Abluftwäschetrockner
DE102008054548A1 (de) 2008-12-11 2010-06-17 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Trockner mit Umluftanteil sowie Verfahren zu seinem Betrieb
DE102009041063A1 (de) * 2009-06-24 2010-12-30 Herbert Kannegiesser Gmbh Verfahren zur Rückgewinnung von Energie aus der Abluft mindestens einer mit Warmluft arbeitenden Wäschereimaschine
WO2011151204A2 (fr) 2010-06-04 2011-12-08 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi Sèche-linge à pompe à chaleur thermoélectrique permettant d'économiser de l'énergie
WO2011154336A1 (fr) 2010-06-07 2011-12-15 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi Sèche-linge à pompe à chaleur thermoélectrique
US8650770B1 (en) * 2010-06-17 2014-02-18 George Samuel Levy Air cycle heat pump dryer
US20120030959A1 (en) 2010-08-09 2012-02-09 Tai-Her Yang Rotary drum dryer with heat recycling and water collecting function
US8572862B2 (en) 2010-10-25 2013-11-05 Battelle Memorial Institute Open-loop heat-recovery dryer
US20120233876A1 (en) 2011-03-14 2012-09-20 Kevin Weldon Dryer Heat Recovery system
US9140396B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2015-09-22 Water-Gen Ltd. Dehumidification apparatus

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3117166A4 (fr) 2017-12-20
WO2015136393A1 (fr) 2015-09-17
EP3117166A1 (fr) 2017-01-18

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US10907297B2 (en) Closed cycle condenser dryer with heat regeneration
US9834882B2 (en) Device and method for heat pump based clothes dryer
CN103774402B (zh) 洗衣机
EP3117166B1 (fr) Sèche-linge à condensation à cycle fermé avec régénération thermique
US20110005096A1 (en) Dryer with heat recovery and method of operation thereof
EA014949B1 (ru) Конденсационная сушилка с тепловым насосом и способ её работы
JP6605040B2 (ja) 衣類凝縮乾燥機及び衣類凝縮乾燥方法
CN106884297B (zh) 一种干衣设备及干衣方法
US9441322B2 (en) Dryer with a waste heat recovery means
CN108289589B (zh) 具有热泵的家用器具及用于运行家用器具的方法
EP2692940A1 (fr) Procédé de séchage du linge dans un sèche-linge et sèche-linge
US20180094379A1 (en) Laundry treatment apparatus
KR101897973B1 (ko) 에너지 절감효율이 향상된 농산물용 냉풍 건조장치
CN102477687A (zh) 衣物烘干设备
CN107208349B (zh) 干衣机及用于操作的干衣机方法
EP2594688B1 (fr) Sèche-linge avec système de pompe à chaleur
US20180209737A1 (en) Drying Machine and Control Method Thereof
ES2804327T3 (es) Secadora de condensador de ciclo cerrado con regeneración de calor
CN207391233U (zh) 用于污泥干化的废气的净化和热回收系统
CN106381658B (zh) 烘干系统
KR20180130218A (ko) 히트펌프를 구비한 의류처리장치 및 이의 제어방법
KR101241914B1 (ko) 건조기
CN206443173U (zh) 一种节能烤烟房
CN107034644B (zh) 烘干系统
CN105200744B (zh) 冷凝式干衣机

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE

PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20161011

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R079

Ref document number: 602015050336

Country of ref document: DE

Free format text: PREVIOUS MAIN CLASS: F26B0021020000

Ipc: D06F0058200000

A4 Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched

Effective date: 20171117

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: D06F 58/24 20060101ALN20171113BHEP

Ipc: D06F 58/20 20060101AFI20171113BHEP

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20181218

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20191009

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: WATER-GEN LTD.

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: WATERGEN LTD

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 1254519

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20200415

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602015050336

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20200408

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG4D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200408

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200408

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200817

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200408

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200709

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200708

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200408

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200808

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 1254519

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20200408

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200408

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200708

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200408

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200408

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200408

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602015050336

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200408

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200408

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200408

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200408

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200408

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200408

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200408

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2804327

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

Effective date: 20210205

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200408

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200408

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20210112

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200408

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200408

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20210228

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210228

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210228

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210210

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210210

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210228

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20230321

Year of fee payment: 9

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO

Effective date: 20150210

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Payment date: 20230130

Year of fee payment: 9

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200408

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200408

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200408

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20240830

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20240829

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20240828

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20240829

Year of fee payment: 10