Laundry Appliance and Ventilation Assembly for the Same

The present subject matter relates generally to laundry appliances, such dryer or combined washer/dryer appliances, and ventilation assemblies for circulating air through the same.

Laundry appliance, such as dryers or drying appliances, generally include a cabinet with a drum mounted therein. For dryers, a heater or heater assembly is also often provided to pass heated air through the chamber of the drum in order to dry moisture-laden articles disposed within the chamber. This may be provided in the context of a dedicated drying appliance or a combination washing and drying appliance, which may greatly increase the ease and convenience for cleaning clothing articles.

In order to circulate heated air, certain dryer appliances include an impeller to rotate about a drive rod within a housing. During operation of the dryer appliance, the impeller urges a flow of heated air into the chamber of the drum. Such heated air absorbs moisture from articles disposed within the chamber. The impeller also urges moisture laden air out of the chamber through a vent. The vent can be connected to household ductwork that directs the moisture laden air outdoors.

In typical appliances, the impeller is provided as a “squirrel cage” impeller design having multiple relatively short straight or forward-swept fan blades disposed thereon. When assembled, the squirrel-cage impeller may be placed within a larger housing having flat front and rear plates bounding the impeller. Such impeller designs may be inexpensive or easy to produce. However, they may suffer from a number of drawbacks.

In particular, existing designs may be especially susceptible to the detrimental airflow effects of use over time. As an example, a relatively large load of articles or clothes within the drum may generate a pressure drop that significantly changes the volumetric airflow produced by the impeller during, for instance, a drying cycle. As an additional or alternative example, lint may accumulated along the ventilation assembly or within the laundry appliance generally may generate a pressure drop that significantly changes the volumetric airflow produced by the impeller during, for instance, a drying cycle.

Accordingly, a laundry appliance with features for improving air flow through the laundry appliance would be useful.

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a laundry appliance is provided. The laundry appliance may include a cabinet, a tub, a laundry basket, a motor, an impeller. The tub may be positioned within the cabinet. The tub may define a tub outlet and a tub inlet. The laundry basket may be rotatably mounted within the tub. The laundry basket may define a chamber for receipt of articles for washing or drying. The motor may be mounted within the cabinet. The impeller may be in mechanical communication with the motor to motivate rotation of the impeller about an axial direction. The impeller may be rotatable along a rotational direction about the axial direction to urge a flow of air from the chamber of the laundry basket. The impeller may include a baseplate, and a plurality of radially accurate vanes supported on the baseplate. The plurality of radially arcuate vanes may each extend rearward relative to the rotational direction from an inner end proximal to the axial direction to an outer end distal to the axial direction.

In another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a ventilation assembly for a laundry appliance is provided. The ventilation assembly may include a motor and an impeller. The impeller may be in mechanical communication with the motor to motivate rotation of the impeller about an axial direction. The impeller may be rotatable along a rotational direction about the axial direction to urge a flow of air. The impeller may include a baseplate and a plurality of radially accurate vanes supported on the baseplate. The plurality of radially arcuate vanes may each extend rearward relative to the rotational direction from an inner end proximal to the axial direction to an outer end distal to the axial direction.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention.

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” In addition, references to “an embodiment” or “one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “an embodiment” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations.

As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Similarly, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). In addition, here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined or interchanged. Such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise. For example, all ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “generally,” “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially,” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value, or the precision of the methods or machines for constructing or manufacturing the components or systems. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a 10 percent margin (i.e., including values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value). In this regard, for example, when used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction (e.g., “generally vertical” includes forming an angle of up to ten degrees in any direction, such as, clockwise or counterclockwise, with the vertical direction V).

The terms “upstream” and “downstream” refer to the relative flow direction with respect to fluid flow in a fluid pathway. For example, “upstream” refers to the flow direction from which the fluid flows, and “downstream” refers to the flow direction to which the fluid flows.

Except as explicitly indicated otherwise, recitation of a singular processing element (e.g., “a controller,” “a processor,” “a microprocessor,” etc.) is understood to include more than one processing element. In other words, “a processing element” is generally understood as “one or more processing element.” Furthermore, barring a specific statement to the contrary, any steps or functions recited as being performed by “the processing element” or “said processing element” are generally understood to be capable of being performed by “any one of the one or more processing elements.” Thus, a first step or function performed by “the processing element” may be performed by “any one of the one or more processing elements,” and a second step or function performed by “the processing element” may be performed by “any one of the one or more processing elements and not necessarily by the same one of the one or more processing elements by which the first step or function is performed.” Moreover, it is understood that recitation of “the processing element” or “said processing element” performing a plurality of steps or functions does not require that at least one discrete processing element be capable of performing each one of the plurality of steps or functions.

Referring now to the figures, an exemplary laundry appliance that may be used to implement aspects of the present subject matter will be described. Specifically,is a perspective view of an exemplary horizontal axis washer/dryer appliance(e.g., washer and condenser dryer combination appliance), referred to herein for simplicity as laundry appliance.is a side sectional view of laundry appliance. As illustrated, laundry appliancegenerally defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T, each of which is mutually perpendicular, such that an orthogonal coordinate system is generally defined. Laundry applianceincludes a cabinetthat extends between a topand a bottomalong the vertical direction V, between a left sideand a right sidealong the lateral direction, and between a frontand a rearalong the transverse direction T.

Referring to, a laundry basketis rotatably mounted within cabinetsuch that it is rotatable about an axis of rotation A. According to the illustrated embodiment, axis of rotation A is substantially parallel to a horizontal direction (e.g., the transverse direction T), as this exemplary appliance is a front load appliance. A motor, such as a pancake motor, is in mechanical communication with laundry basketto selectively rotate laundry basket(e.g., during an agitation or a rinse phase of laundry appliance). Motormay be mechanically coupled to laundry basketdirectly or indirectly (e.g., via a pulley and a belt—not pictured). Laundry basketis received within a tubthat defines a (e.g., laundry or drying) chamberthat is configured for receipt of articles for washing or drying.

As used herein, the terms “clothing” or “articles” includes but need not be limited to fabrics, textiles, garments, linens, papers, or other items from which the extraction of moisture is desirable. Furthermore, the term “load” or “laundry load” refers to the combination of clothing that may be washed together or dried together in laundry appliance(e.g., the combination washer and dryer) and may include a mixture of different or similar articles of clothing of different or similar types and kinds of fabrics, textiles, garments and linens within a particular laundering process.

The tubholds wash and rinse fluids for agitation in laundry basketwithin tub. As used herein, “wash fluid” may refer to water, detergent, fabric softener, bleach, or any other suitable wash additive or combination thereof. Indeed, for simplicity of discussion, these terms may all be used interchangeably herein without limiting the present subject matter to any particular “wash fluid.”

Laundry basketmay define one or more agitator features that extend into chamberto assist in agitation, cleaning, and drying of articles disposed within chamberduring operation of laundry appliance. For example, as illustrated in, a plurality of baffles or ribsextend from basketinto chamber. In this manner, for example, ribsmay lift articles disposed in laundry basketand then allow such articles to tumble back to a bottom of drum laundry basketas it rotates. Ribsmay be mounted to laundry basketsuch that ribsrotate with laundry basketduring operation of laundry appliance.

Referring generally to, cabinetmay include a front panelwhich defines an openingthat permits user access to laundry basketand tub. More specifically, laundry applianceincludes a doorthat is positioned over openingand is rotatably mounted to front panel. In this manner, doorpermits selective access to openingby being movable between an open position (not shown) facilitating access to a tuband a closed position () prohibiting access to tub. Laundry appliancemay further a latch assembly(see) that is mounted to cabinetor doorfor selectively locking doorin the closed position or detecting the doorin the closed position. Latch assemblymay be desirable, for example, to ensure only secured access to chamberor to otherwise ensure and verify that dooris closed during certain operating cycles or events.

In some embodiments, a windowin doorpermits viewing of laundry basketwhen dooris in the closed position (e.g., during operation of laundry appliance). Doormay include a handle (not shown) that, for example, a user may pull when opening and closing door. Further, although dooris illustrated as mounted to front panel, it should be appreciated that doormay be mounted to another side of cabinetor any other suitable support according to alternative embodiments.

Referring again to, laundry basketmay also define a plurality of perforationsin order to facilitate fluid communication between an interior of basketand tub. A sumpis defined by tubat a bottom of tubalong the vertical direction V. Thus, sumpis configured for receipt of and generally collects wash fluid during operation of laundry appliance. For example, during operation of laundry appliance, wash fluid may be urged by gravity from basketto sumpthrough plurality of perforations.

In some embodiments, a drain pump assemblyis located beneath tuband is in fluid communication with sumpfor periodically discharging soiled wash fluid from laundry appliance. Drain pump assemblymay generally include a drain pumpwhich is in fluid communication with sumpand with an external drainthrough a drain hose. During a drain cycle or phase (e.g., as a portion of a wash cycle), drain pumpurges a flow of wash fluid from sump, through drain hose, and to external drain. More specifically, drain pumpincludes a motor (not shown) which is energized during a drain cycle such that drain pumpdraws wash fluid from sumpand urges it through drain hoseto external drain.

A spoutis configured for directing a flow of fluid into tub. For example, spoutmay be in fluid communication with a water supply() in order to direct fluid (e.g., clean water or wash fluid) into tub. Spoutmay also be in fluid communication with the sump. For example, pump assemblymay direct wash fluid disposed in sumpto spoutin order to circulate wash fluid in tub.

As illustrated in, a detergent drawermay be slidably mounted within front panel. Detergent drawerreceives a wash additive (e.g., detergent, fabric softener, bleach, or any other suitable liquid or powder) and directs the fluid additive to wash chamberduring operation of laundry appliance. According to the illustrated embodiment, detergent drawermay also be fluidly coupled to spoutto facilitate the complete and accurate dispensing of wash additive.

In optional embodiments, a bulk reservoiris disposed within cabinetand is configured for receipt of fluid additive or detergent for use during operation of laundry appliance. Moreover, bulk reservoirmay be sized such that a volume of fluid additive sufficient for a plurality or multitude of wash cycles of laundry appliance(e.g., five, ten, twenty, fifty, or any other suitable number of wash cycles) may fill bulk reservoir. Thus, for example, a user can fill bulk reservoirwith fluid additive and operate laundry appliancefor a plurality of wash cycles without refilling bulk reservoirwith fluid additive. A reservoir pump (not shown) may be configured for selective delivery of the fluid additive from bulk reservoirto tub.

A water supply valve or control valvemay provide a flow of water from a water supply source (such as a municipal water supply) into detergent dispenseror into tub. In this manner, control valvemay generally be operable to supply water into detergent dispenserto generate a wash fluid (e.g., for use in a wash cycle) or a flow of fresh water (e.g., for a rinse phase). It should be appreciated that control valvemay be positioned at any other suitable location within cabinet.

A control panelincluding a plurality of input selectors(e.g., buttons, knobs, toggles, touch screens, etc.) is coupled to front panel. Control paneland input selectorscollectively form a user interface input for operator selection of machine cycles and features. For example, in one embodiment, a displayindicates selected features, a countdown timer, or other items of interest to machine users.

Operation of laundry applianceis controlled by a controller or processing device() that is operatively coupled to control panelfor user manipulation to select laundry cycles and features. In response to user manipulation of control panel, controlleroperates the various components of laundry applianceto execute selected machine cycles and features.

Controllermay include a memory and microprocessor, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with a cleaning cycle. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, controllermay be constructed without using a microprocessor (e.g., using a combination of discrete analog or digital logic circuitry-such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software. Control paneland other components of laundry appliancemay be in communication with controllervia one or more signal lines or shared communication busses.

During operation of laundry appliance, laundry items are loaded into laundry basketthrough opening, and a washing or wash/dry operation (e.g., having discrete wash and dry cycles) is initiated through operator manipulation of input selectors. Tubis filled with water, detergent, or other fluid additives (e.g., via spoutand or detergent drawer). One or more valves (e.g., control valve) can be controlled by laundry applianceto provide for filling laundry basketto the appropriate level for the amount of articles being washed or rinsed. By way of example for a wash cycle, once laundry basketis properly filled with fluid, the contents of laundry basketcan be agitated (e.g., with ribs) for washing of articles in laundry basket.

After an agitation phase of the wash cycle is completed, tubcan be drained. Laundry articles can then be rinsed by again adding fluid to tub, depending on the particulars of the cleaning cycle selected by a user. Ribsmay again provide agitation within laundry basket. One or more spin cycles or phases may also be used. In particular, a spin phase may be applied after the wash cycle or after the rinse phase in order to wring wash fluid from the articles being washed. During a final spin cycle, basketis rotated at relatively high speeds and drain pump assemblymay discharge wash fluid from sump. Following the wash cycle, a dry cycle may be executed, as will be described in greater detail below.

While described in the context of a specific embodiment of horizontal axis laundry appliance, using the teachings disclosed herein it will be understood that horizontal axis laundry applianceis provided by way of example only. Other laundry appliances having different configurations, different appearances, or different features may also be utilized with the present subject matter as well (e.g., vertical axis laundry appliances). For instance, aspects of the present subject matter may be applicable to dedicated dryers or drying appliances, as would be understood. Indeed, it should be appreciated that aspects of the present subject matter may further apply to other laundry appliances. In this regard, the same methods as systems and methods as described herein may be used to implement dry cycles for other appliances, as described in more detail below.

Referring again to, a conditioning systemis provided to facilitate heating or moisture removal for tub. In turn, conditioning systemgenerally includes one or more heaters or heating assembliesand air handlers (e.g., provided as part of a ventilation assembly, described in greater detail below) in an open or closed loop assembly.

As shown in, conditioning systemmay be provided as part of a closed loop assembly. Conditioning systemmay include a return ductthat is mounted to tubfor circulating air within chamberto facilitate a dry cycle. For example, according to the illustrated exemplary embodiments, return ductis fluid coupled to tubproximate a top of tub. Return ductreceives heated air that has been heated or dehumidified by a conditioning systemand provides the heated air to laundry basketvia one or more holes defined by rear wallor cylindrical wallof laundry basket(e.g., such as perforations).

During a dry cycle, moisture laden, heated air is drawn from laundry basketby an air handler, such as a blower fan, which may generate a negative air pressure within laundry basket. As the air passes from blower fan, it enters an intake ductand then is passed into conditioning system. In some embodiments, the conditioning systemmay have a heaterthat includes or is provided as an electric heating element (e.g., a resistive heating element) or a gas-powered heating element (e.g., a gas burner), as would be understood. According to the illustrated exemplary embodiment, laundry applianceis a heat pump dryer appliance and thus conditioning systemmay be or include a heater including a heat pump having a sealed refrigerant circuit, as described in more detail below with reference to. Heated air (with a lower moisture content than was received from laundry basket), exits conditioning systemand returns to laundry basketby a return duct. As air is heated and circulated through the chamber, the basketmay be rotated (e.g., as motivated by the motor), such as at a set tumble speed, to permit agitation (e.g., at non-plastering or sub-plaster speeds), as is understood. After the clothing articles have been dried (e.g., following completion of the dry cycle), the articles may be removed from the laundry basketvia opening.

As shown, laundry appliancemay further include one or more lint filters() to collect lint during drying operations. The moisture laden heated air passes through intake ductenclosing screen filter, which traps lint particles. More specifically, filtermay be placed into an air flow pathdefined by laundry basket, conditioning system, intake duct, and return duct. Filtermay be positioned in the process air flow pathand may include a screen, mesh, other material to capture lint in the air flow. The location of lint filters in laundry applianceas shown inis provided by way of example only, and other locations may be used as well. According to exemplary embodiments, lint filteris readily accessible by a user of the appliance. As such, lint filtershould be manually cleaned by removal of the filter, pulling or wiping away accumulated lint, and then replacing the filterfor subsequent drying or dry cycles.

According to optional embodiments, laundry appliancemay facilitate a steam dry process. In this regard, laundry appliancemay offer a steam dry cycle, during which steam is injected into chamber(e.g., to function similar to a traditional garment steamer to help remove wrinkles, static, etc.). Accordingly, as shown for example in, laundry appliancemay include a misting nozzlethat is in fluid communication with a water supply(e.g., such as water supply) in order to direct mist into chamber. Laundry appliancemay further include a water supply valve or control valvefor selecting discharging the flow of mist into chamber. It should be appreciated that control valvemay be positioned at any other suitable location within cabinet.

provides a schematic view of laundry applianceand depicts conditioning systemin more detail. In the illustrated exemplary embodiments, laundry applianceis a heat pump dryer appliance and thus conditioning systemincludes a sealed system. Sealed systemincludes various operational components, which can be encased or located within a machinery compartment of laundry appliance. In some embodiments, the operational components are operable to execute a vapor compression cycle for heating process air passing through conditioning system. The operational components of sealed systeminclude an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, and one or more expansion devicesconnected in series along a refrigerant circuit or line. Refrigerant lineis charged with a working fluid, which in this example is a refrigerant. Sealed systemdepicted inis provided by way of example only. Thus, it is within the scope of the present subject matter for other configurations of the sealed system to be used as well. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, sealed systemmay include additional components (e.g., at least one additional evaporator, compressor, expansion device, or condenser). For instance, sealed systemmay include two evaporators.

In performing a dry cycle, one or more laundry articles LA may be placed within the chamberof laundry basket. For instance, following a wash cycle, articles may remain within the chamber. Hot dry air HDA may be supplied to chambervia return duct. The hot dry air HDA enters chamberof laundry basketvia a tub inletdefined by laundry basket(e.g., the plurality of holes defined in rear wallor cylindrical wallof laundry basketas shown in). The hot dry air HDA provided to chambercauses moisture within laundry articles LA to evaporate. Accordingly, the air within chamberincreases in water content and exits chamberas warm moisture laden air MLA. The warm moisture laden air MLA exits chamber, such as through a tub outletdefined by laundry basketand flows into intake duct.

After exiting chamberof laundry basket, the warm moisture laden air MLA may flow downstream to conditioning system. Blower fanmoves the warm moisture laden air MLA, as well as the air more generally, through a process air flow pathdefined by laundry basket, conditioning system, intake duct, and return duct. Thus, generally, blower fanis operable to move air through or along the process air flow path. The duct system includes all ducts that provide fluid communication (e.g., airflow communication) between tub outletand conditioning systemand between conditioning systemand tub inlet. Although blower fanis shown positioned between laundry basketand conditioning systemalong intake duct, it will be appreciated that blower fancan be positioned in other suitable positions or locations along the duct system.

As further depicted in, the warm moisture laden air MLA flows into or across evaporatorof the conditioning system. As the moisture-laden air MLA passes across evaporator, the temperature of the air is reduced through heat exchange with refrigerant that is vaporized within, for example, coils or tubing of evaporator. This vaporization process absorbs both the sensible and the latent heat from the moisture-laden air MLA-thereby reducing its temperature. As a result, moisture in the air is condensed and such condensate water may be drained from conditioning system(e.g., using a drain line, which is also depicted in).

In optional embodiments, a condenser tank or a condensate collection tankis in fluid communication with conditioning system(e.g., via drain line). Collection tankis operable to receive condensate water from the process air flowing through conditioning system, and more particularly, condensate water from evaporator. A sensormay be operable to detect when water within collection tankhas reached a predetermined level. Sensorcan be any suitable type of sensor, such as a float switch as shown in. Sensorcan be communicatively coupled with controller(e.g., via a suitable wired or wireless communication link). A drain pumpis in fluid communication with collection tank. Drain pumpis operable to remove a volume of water from collection tankand, for example, discharge the collected condensate to an external drain. In some embodiments, drain pumpcan remove a known or predetermined volume of water from collection tank. Drain pumpcan remove the condensate water from collection tankand can move or drain the condensate water downstream (e.g., to a gray water collection system). Particularly, in some embodiments, controlleris configured to receive, from sensor, an input indicating that water within the collection tank has reached the predetermined level. In response to the input indicating that water within collection tankhas reached the predetermined level, controllercan cause drain pumpto remove the predetermined volume of water from collection tank.

Air passing over evaporatorbecomes cooler than when it exited laundry basketat tub outlet. As shown in, cool air CA (cool relative to hot dry air HDA and moisture laden air MLA) flowing downstream of evaporatoris subsequently caused to flow across condenser(e.g., across coils or tubing thereof), which condenses refrigerant therein. The refrigerant enters condenserin a gaseous state at a relatively high temperature compared to the cool air CA from evaporator. As a result, heat energy is transferred to the cool air CA at the condenser, thereby elevating its temperature and providing warm dry air HDA for resupply to laundry basketof laundry appliance. The warm dry air HDA passes over and around laundry articles LA within the chamberof the laundry basket, such that warm moisture laden air MLA is generated, as mentioned above.

With respect to sealed system, compressorpressurizes refrigerant (i.e., increases the pressure of the refrigerant) passing therethrough and generally motivates refrigerant through the sealed refrigerant circuit or refrigerant lineof conditioning system. Compressormay be communicatively coupled with controller(communication lines not shown in). Refrigerant is supplied from the evaporatorto compressorin a low pressure gas phase. The pressurization of the refrigerant within compressorincreases the temperature of the refrigerant. The compressed refrigerant is fed from compressorto condenserthrough refrigerant line. As the relatively cool air CA from evaporatorflows across condenser, the refrigerant is cooled and its temperature is lowered as heat is transferred to the air for supply to chamberof laundry basket.

Upon exiting condenser, the refrigerant is fed through refrigerant lineto expansion device. Although only one expansion deviceis shown, such is by way of example only. It is understood that multiple such devices may be used. In the illustrated example, expansion deviceis an electronic expansion valve, although a thermal expansion valve or any other suitable expansion device can be used. In additional embodiments, any other suitable expansion device, such as a capillary tube, may be used as well. Expansion devicelowers the pressure of the refrigerant and controls the amount of refrigerant that is allowed to enter the evaporator. Importantly, the flow of liquid refrigerant into evaporatoris limited by expansion devicein order to keep the pressure low and allow expansion of the refrigerant back into the gas phase in evaporator. The evaporation of the refrigerant in evaporatorconverts the refrigerant from its liquid-dominated phase to a gas phase while cooling and drying the moisture laden air MLA received from chamberof laundry basket. The process is repeated as air is circulated along process air flow pathwhile the refrigerant is cycled through sealed system, as described above.

In the case of a tumble dry cycle, the heater (e.g., sealed system) remains inactive such that heat is not actively generated or, alternatively, the heater may be directed to a relatively low heat setting (i.e., a first heat setting that is lower in power, voltage, duty cycle, or temperature than a second heat setting of the dry cycle). For instance, the compressormay be directed to a reduced state. Optionally, compressormay be held inactive to restrict the flow of refrigerant through sealed system. Nonetheless, air may be cycled through chamberalong the same path as air circulated during a dry cycle (e.g., as described above).

Turning now to, various views are provided of an impeller assemblyof a ventilation assembly (e.g., provided as or as part of blower fan) according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Generally, impeller assemblyincludes an impellerand a housing. Impeller assemblymay be used in any suitable appliance. For example, impeller assemblymay be used in laundry appliance(e.g., as blower fan-). Thus, impeller assemblymay be positioned within cabinetsuch that impeller assemblydraws and receives moisture laden air from chamberof tub.