Methods and systems for the thermo-vacuum drying and processing of objects such as clothes. A vacuum ejector driven by high-pressure steam is employed to evacuate evaporated moisture mixed with air from a dryer vessel producing an intensification of the drying process such as can significantly reduce the energy and time requirements for the drying process and increase water utilization.

A domestic clothes dryer comprises a rotating drum defining a drying chamber, an air inlet upstream the drum and at least a hollow lifter mounted in the drum, wherein said hollow lifter is in communication with the air inlet for distributing air inside the drum through a plurality of openings. The air inlet comprises a shaped air plenum chamber facing a lower portion of a rear perforated wall of the drum and capable of delivering air to said lifter and/or directly to the drum through said rear perforated wall.

The present invention discloses a sterilizable drying machine using ultraviolet radiation, and a sterilizable drying method in the same. The sterilizable drying machine using ultraviolet radiation includes a casing having an inlet at its front surface, so that the user can put the washed laundry into the drying machine through the inlet, a drum supported by a front supporter inside the inlet of the casing, and rotatably installed inside the casing, to perform drying, an ultraviolet light source installed at the front supporter, for sterilizing the inside of the drum by radiating ultraviolet rays, and a control means connected to the ultraviolet light source, for controlling the ultraviolet light source to generate the ultraviolet rays.

A clothes care apparatus according to a disclosed embodiment includes: a chamber; an upper fan provided on an upper side of the chamber and configured to move air in a lower side direction of the chamber; a lower fan provided on a lower side of the chamber and configured to move air in an upper side direction of the chamber; a first motor configured to rotate the lower fan; a steam generating device configured to generate steam by heating water; and a controller configured to control on/off of the steam generating device and the first motor and turn on the steam generating device in a first section for supplying the generated steam into the chamber and turn on the first motor in a second section for dispersing the steam by the air moving into the chamber.

A clothes care apparatus according to a disclosed embodiment includes: a chamber; an upper fan provided on an upper side of the chamber and configured to move air in a lower side direction of the chamber; a lower fan provided on a lower side of the chamber and configured to move air in an upper side direction of the chamber; a first motor configured to rotate the lower fan; a steam generating device configured to generate steam by heating water; and a controller configured to control on/off of the steam generating device and the first motor and turn on the steam generating device in a first section for supplying the generated steam into the chamber and turn on the first motor in a second section for dispersing the steam by the air moving into the chamber.

A heater assembly or dryer appliance, as provided herein, may include a housing, a heating element, and a thermostat. The housing may have an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface may define a chamber, an inlet, and an outlet. The housing may further include an embossing mount extending radially outward along the outer surface. The heating element may be disposed within the chamber to selectively heat air in a flow of heated air from the inlet to the outlet. The thermostat may be mounted on the outer surface of the housing. The thermostat may include a probe, a first mounting tab, and a second mounting tab. The probe may be positioned in thermal communication with the chamber. The first mounting tab may be secured to the embossing mount. The second mounting tab may be held against the outer surface.

A heater assembly or dryer appliance, as provided herein, may include a housing, a heating element, and a thermostat. The housing may have an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface may define a chamber, an inlet, and an outlet. The housing may further include an embossing mount extending radially outward along the outer surface. The heating element may be disposed within the chamber to selectively heat air in a flow of heated air from the inlet to the outlet. The thermostat may be mounted on the outer surface of the housing. The thermostat may include a probe, a first mounting tab, and a second mounting tab. The probe may be positioned in thermal communication with the chamber. The first mounting tab may be secured to the embossing mount. The second mounting tab may be held against the outer surface.

A drying machine for drying clothing includes: a housing; a drum configured to receive clothing; a guide apparatus for guiding air in a path through the drum; an air moving apparatus to pull air through the guide apparatus and drum; a heating apparatus for heating air and having on and off conditions; a heat capacitor for storing and releasing heat to air when the heating element is in its off condition and the drum is rotating; power means for components of the drying machine; including at least the drying compartment assembly, rotation means, guide apparatus, air moving apparatus, heating apparatus, and control apparatus; a control apparatus for controlling at least one of the drying compartment assembly, the rotation means, guide apparatus, the air moving apparatus, the heating apparatus, and the power means; and restrictor means for restricting the air flow whereby the drum pressure is lower than ambient air pressure.

A dryer appliance that includes a fire extinguishing system is provided. In one aspect, the dryer appliance includes a drum rotatably mounted within a cabinet. The drum defines a chamber for receipt of articles for drying. The dryer appliance includes a water inlet valve in fluid communication with a steam nozzle operable to deliver water into the chamber to form mist or steam. The dryer appliance also includes an extinguisher nozzle in fluid communication with the chamber of the drum and with the water inlet valve. Upon detection of a fire, water is provided to the extinguisher nozzle and the extinguisher nozzle directs a stream of water into the chamber to extinguish the detected fire.

A dryer appliance that includes a fire extinguishing system is provided. In one aspect, the dryer appliance includes a drum rotatably mounted within a cabinet. The drum defines a chamber for receipt of articles for drying. The dryer appliance includes a water inlet valve in fluid communication with a steam nozzle operable to deliver water into the chamber to form mist or steam. The dryer appliance also includes an extinguisher nozzle in fluid communication with the chamber of the drum and with the water inlet valve. Upon detection of a fire, water is provided to the extinguisher nozzle and the extinguisher nozzle directs a stream of water into the chamber to extinguish the detected fire.