method and apparatus to prevent deflagration in dryers

Abstract

An apparatus and method for detecting a fire in a household dryer and responding thereto.

1 . A method for preventing deflagration in a household dryer comprising a cabinet having a drying chamber, comprising:
 determining the presence of carbon monoxide in the dryer that is indicative of at least one of a fire and a potential for a fire; and   initiating a deflagration prevention cycle for the dryer in response to the determination.   
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein determining the presence of carbon monoxide comprises determining the presence of carbon monoxide in the cabinet. 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 2  wherein the determining the presence of carbon monoxide comprises sensing the presence of carbon monoxide in the drum. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 2  wherein the sensing comprises monitoring the output signal of a carbon monoxide sensor. 
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the dryer further comprises a door that provides access to the drying chamber, and wherein the initiating of the deflagration prevention cycle comprises locking the door. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 5  wherein the initiating of the deflagration prevention cycle further comprises terminating operation of a heater in the dryer. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 6  wherein the initiating of the deflagration prevention cycle further comprises terminating operation of a drying fan. 
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 5  wherein the initiating of the deflagration prevention cycle further comprises terminating operation of the dryer. 
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the initiating of the deflagration prevention cycle comprises terminating operation of a heater in the dryer. 
   
   
       10 . A method for preventing deflagration in a household dryer comprising a rotatable drum located within a cabinet having a drying chamber accessed by a door, comprising:
 determining the presence of carbon monoxide in the dryer that is indicative of at least one of a fire and a potential for a fire; and   locking the door of the dryer in a closed position.   
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein the determining the presence of carbon monoxide comprises sensing the presence of carbon monoxide in the cabinet. 
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein the sensing the presence of carbon monoxide in the cabinet comprises sensing the presence of carbon monoxide in the drum. 
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein the determining comprises monitoring the output signal of a carbon monoxide sensor. 
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising terminating operation of a heater in the dryer. 
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising termination operation of a fan in the dryer. 
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising terminating operation of the dryer. 
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising terminating operation of a heater in the dryer. 
   
   
       18 . A household dryer comprising:
 a cabinet defining an interior and having a drying chamber therein;   a door mounted to the cabinet and selectively moveable between an opened and closed position for closing access to the drying chamber;   a rotatable drum located within the cabinet;   a fire detector located within the cabinet;   a door lock coupled with the door and selectively operable between a locked and unlocked position; and   a controller operably coupled with the fire detector and the door lock to effect movement of the door lock from the unlocked to the locked position in response to a detection of at least one of a fire and a potential for a fire by the fire detector.   
   
   
       19 . The household dryer according to  claim 18  wherein the fire detector comprises a carbon monoxide sensor. 
   
   
       20 . The household dryer according to  claim 18  wherein the fire detector comprises a smoke detector. 
   
   
       21 . The household dryer according to  claim 20  wherein the smoke detector comprises a photoelectric detector. 
   
   
       22 . The household dryer according to  claim 18  wherein the fire detector is located exteriorly of the drum. 
   
   
       23 . The household dryer according to  claim 18 , further comprising a heating element operably coupled with the controller, wherein the controller terminates power to the heating element in response to a detection of at least one of a fire and a potential for a fire by the fire detector.