Axial Treated Material Feed Type Patents (Class 34/135)
  • Patent number: 5312599
    Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for the manufacture of activated carbon wherein a carbonaceous raw material impregnated with a chemical activating agent is treated by controlling the rate of heat transfer to the particles via indirect heating of the activation furnace and simultaneously introducing a flow of independently controlled sweep gas at spaced intervals along the path of travel of the particles through the furnace to more precisely control the activation reaction and the level of densification of the particles during certain stages of treatment. In a more preferred embodiment, the particles are processed in a plurality of treatment stages related to the rate of evolution of water and/or the evolution of water and the chemical activating agent and the rates of heat transfer and the volume flow rate of sweep gas are closely controlled relative to achieving predetermined levels of densification of the particles during each treatment stage and selected levels of activation properties in the end product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Westvaco Corporation
    Inventor: Frank R. Schwartz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5287633
    Abstract: A coffee roaster in the form of a rotating drum having internal baffles forming oppositely-pitched helical paths that drive tumbling coffee beans toward the center of the drum in one direction of rotation of the drum and toward the ends of the drum in the other direction of rotation of the drum, the rotating drum being contained within a vessel and providing with a source of gas in the space between drum, the gas being hot enough to effect roasting of coffee beans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Inventor: Kerry Sachs
  • Patent number: 5285581
    Abstract: A dryer assembly dries waste materials to a predetermined moisture level. The dryer includes a drum having an inlet where waste materials and hot gasses are simultaneously introduced, and an outlet where dried materials and hot vapors are transferred out of the dryer. The drum presents a plurality of preheat baffles in which the material is heated by but does not contact the gasses, thereby avoiding premature combustion of the material. Baffle sections located downstream of preheat baffles uniformly distribute material downstream into a primary drying section of the drum, where the material is mixed with the gasses to uniformly dry the material to the predetermined moisture level. The primary drying section includes alternating baffle sections which dry the material and which recycle material that is not yet dried back into the preceding baffle sections, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Combustion Design Corporation
    Inventor: David R. Walker
  • Patent number: 5270017
    Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for the manufacture of activated carbon wherein a carbonaceous raw material impregnated with a chemical activating agent is treated by controlling the rate of heat transfer to the particles via indirect heating of the activation furnace and simultaneously introducing a flow of independently controlled sweep gas at spaced intervals along the path of travel of the particles through the furnace to more precisely control the activation reaction and the level of densification of the particles during certain stages of treatment. In a more preferred embodiment, the particles are processed in a plurality of treatment stages related to the rate of evolution of water and/or the evolution of water and the chemical activating agent and the rates of heat transfer and the volume flow rate of sweep gas are closely controlled relative to achieving predetermined levels of densification of the particles during each treatment stage and selected levels of activation properties in the end product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Westvaco Corporation
    Inventor: Frank R. Schwartz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5244274
    Abstract: A garbage processing vehicle includes a rotational fermentation drum device which is disposed on a loading platform of a vehicle, for mixing garbage with aerobic microorganisms and air in a rotational drum and providing conditions favorable to fermentation. By processing the garbage in a vehicle, device installation space can be saved and the garbage can be processed during transportation. Exhaust heat of the vehicle's engine is conducted to a peripheral space of the drum and air sucked from the periphery of the engine is supplied to the inside of the drum to promote fermentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: O.K. Laboratories Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuo Onodera
  • Patent number: 5207009
    Abstract: A dryer consists of a horizontal drum rotated about its horizontal axis, containing flighting around its periphery, and coupled with a heat source, all of which is well known in the prior art. The dryer is open at only one end and provides an inner tubular member, centrally mounted coaxially in the drum which member presents a preheating chamber. Material to be dried is first fed into the inner tubular member at one end of the drum and is moved through the tubular member by a plurality of curved flights thus preheating the material in preparation for drying. The material is moved through the preheating chamber to the opposite closed end of the drum where it is deposited into the primary drying chamber of the drum. Flighting in the drum moves the material back toward the inlet end of the drum as it continues to be heated and dried and is then passed into a hopper where it is moved by a conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Inventors: Stanley P. Thompson, Kenneth J. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 5199354
    Abstract: An improved heat evaporation soil remediation system has feeder bin, rotary dryer and baghouse elements integrated as a single compact unit onto a readily transportable trailer platform. Contaminated soil is fed by means of an auger and slinger belt into an oil burner fired rotary drum for heating by flight induced veiling action and evaporation of volatile contaminants from the soil. Dust-laden exhaust air is cleaned by air expansion and bag filters in a baghouse located over and straddling the dryer. The bags are maintained in position by springs to prevent excessive movement during travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: TPS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Wood
  • Patent number: 5197204
    Abstract: A rotary dryer (1) for the drying of, for example, biological sludge, comprises a rotatable drum having rake elements (6) with openings for the passage of sludge disposed on the inner side of the drum casing.A drying plant with such a dryer further comprises a hot-gas plant (3) and one or more co-rotating drying zones (4,5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Atlas Industries A/S
    Inventor: Jorgen Christensen
  • Patent number: 5197205
    Abstract: The continuous dryer of the invention is essentially characterized in that in addition to blades, said rotor is provided with at least one centrifuging element extending along the entire axis of the rotor advantageously in a helical pattern in the product discharge direction, said centrifuging element being shaped in the form of a rib with a height less than the height of said blades and so calculated as to act as a device for limiting the product layer present on the heated surface of said cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: VRV S.P.A.
    Inventors: Massimiliano Spada, Giberto Garbagnati
  • Patent number: 5193291
    Abstract: The portable soil remediation unit includes, on a wheeled flatbed truck, a rotary drum having a burner at one end and an inlet at its opposite end for flowing contaminated soil in counterflow relation to the hot gases of combustion for volatilizing the contaminants. Also mounted on the vehicle is a baghouse. The hot remediated soil is discharged into the baghouse for screw conveyance along the bottom of the baghouse to a baghouse discharge. The particulate-laden gases from the drum enter the baghouse at the opposite end and are separated into particles and clean exhaust gas. The hot remediated soil is in heat transfer contact with the particles and the particles release residual contaminants. The particles flow to the bottom of the baghouse for combination with the remediated soil in the screw conveyor. The hot remediated soil is additionally screened in the baghouse for large and small gradations, the large gradations being discharged from the baghouse for reprocessing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Gencor Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: David F. Brashears
  • Patent number: 5165432
    Abstract: Scrap metal chips, which may be oily, wet and dirty and which may be of varying lengths and widths, twisted, curled and cracked, resulting from machining metal articles, are cleaned and dried by passing them sequentially through a washer cylinder, a rinse cylinder and a dryer cylinder. A thread formed of a plate-like metal strip is secured within the interior surface of each cylinder to provide a deep, spiral trough within each cylinder. Each cylinder is rotated so that the chips are moved, in a tumbling motion, along the troughs due to the auger-like thread, from one end to the opposite end. A hot, aqueous washing solution is flowed through the washer cylinder in a direction opposite to the movement of the chips. Similarly, a hot rinse water is flowed through the rinse cylinder in a direction opposite to the movement of the chips therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: CMI International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth D. McKibben
  • Patent number: 5157849
    Abstract: A high density, single pass heat exchanger (26) is provided which is designed for drying products such as bakery wastes, alfalfa, peat moss, wood or similar fibrous products. The exchanger (26) has a series of circumferentially spaced, inwardly directed heat transfer sheet metal flights (48) presenting a central flight-free zone (74), together with a series of baffles (282-288) in axially spaced relationship along the length of the exchanger (26). A number of annular deflectors (294-298) are mounted within the exchanger (26) between adjacent baffles (282-288), such that the baffles (282-288) and associated deflectors (294-298) cooperate to cause the material being dried to follow an essentially serpentine, generally helical path (300). The exchanger (26) is capable of efficiently removing moisture from wet products by virtue of the fact that the diameter (R) of the exchanger (26) to the diameter (r) of the internal flight-free central zone (74) is from about 1.4-2.4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Ronning Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard L. Ronning
  • Patent number: 5083382
    Abstract: The rotary drum dryer includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced flights in each of a plurality of axially spaced flight sections. A radially inwardly directed dam is interposed between each flight section and serves as a pivotal mount for the flights of each section. The dams are provided with arcuate slots having a plurality of detent positions arranged about mounting holes for pins secured to the flights and forming the pivot axis therefor. The angular position of the flights is adjustable by locating bolts on the flights in selected detented positions in the arcuate tracks. The combination of pivotally mounted flights and dams affords more uniform veiling across the drum interior and provides efficient heat transfer to the aggregate from the hot gases of combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: Gencor Industries Inc.
    Inventor: David F. Brashears
  • Patent number: 5067254
    Abstract: An improvement to a drum drying and mixing apparatus includes a baffle plate arrangement is supported externally of the drum adjacent one end thereof and is inserted longitudinally from that one end into the drum. Baffle plates of the arrangement are disposed in the veil of materials in a drying section of the apparatus. Pivoting the baffle plates about an axis substantially transverse to the direction of the falling material in the veil modifies the veil to create a channel substantially void of material through at least portions of the veil. Hot drying gases moving longitudinally through the veil encounter a reduced resistance to the flow in the channel and divert from movement through the falling materials in the veil to move through the channel within the region of the veil. As a result the heat transfer from the drying gases to the aggregate materials is reduced and the final temperature of the hot drying gases exiting from the drum increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: Cedarapids, Inc.
    Inventors: Don R. Linkletter, Joseph E. Musil
  • Patent number: 4973167
    Abstract: Apparatus for mixing cement, aggregate and water to form concrete includes a drum having an axis, an interior face and an exterior face; apparatus for rotating the drum; and a plurality of vanes for directing the associated cement, aggregate and water to provide thorough mixing, the vanes being disposed in a plurality of columns extending generally parallel to the axis of the drum, at least some of the vanes being disposed to direct flow of the associated cement, aggregate and water in first direction and at least some other of the vanes being directed to direct flow of the associated cement, aggregate and water in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction. The drum has first and second open ends and the ends are each substantially in the form of a truncated cone. The axis of the apparatus is substantially horizontal throughout all operations of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Inventor: Hieronim Zmarlicki
  • Patent number: 4916831
    Abstract: A rotary dryer for drying and mixing particulate material, includes a shell having a pair of conical portions and provided with a jacket to which a hot fluid may be fed, the shell defining a chamber for the material to be dried and mixed. An air-tight closure for the chamber is provided with a jacket to which hot fluid may be fed and through which the material is charged and discharged. A rotary tube shaft extends horizontally from one end of the shell and along the horizontal axis of the shell, the rotary tube shaft being sheathed by a rotary joint pipe equipped with a bearing rotatably supporting the rotary tube shaft. The rotary tube shaft is provided with a plurality of communication paths which communicate with charge/discharge ports located on the rotary joint pipe during rotation of the rotary tube shaft in the rotary joint pipe, the communication paths connecting the jackets of the shell and the closure for feeding the hot fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignees: Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tokuju Kosakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuru Yasumura, Atsuo Ohike, Takao Ueda, Masayoshi Aoki, Tomio Suzuki, Makoto Horiai
  • Patent number: 4811495
    Abstract: An improved laundry drier which includes an outer case as well as an inner case and a tub which is rotationally driven. There is provided a heating housing having heating elements contained therein. A blower is located beneath the heating elements in the heating housing. A first electromagnetic valve is located in a passage of a suction duct. A branch duct is formed into the passage and is in fluid communication with a suction end of the blower. A second electromagnetic valve is formed in the branch duct to control fluid communication between the passage of the suction duct and a spraying duct. There is provided a vacuum apparatus disposed therein. Hot air may be circulated through the spraying duct and finally through the blower and the heating elements in the heating housing during a drying process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Inventors: Mijuel E. J. Huang, Suyueh Chao, Chin-Ching Yu, Chi-Chu Hsu
  • Patent number: 4753019
    Abstract: An apparatus for drying and heating lime sludge in a rotary kiln by means of regenerative heat transfer. The apparatus is preferably formed of round or rounded rods which extend parallel to the longitudinal axis. The rods are disposed in the kiln in an annular region adjacent the housing wall so that lime sludge flows freely between the rods while the kiln is rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1988
    Assignee: A. Ahlstrom Corporation
    Inventor: Osmo Holopainen
  • Patent number: 4742622
    Abstract: An improved flighting for dryers is the subject of the present invention. An elongated drying drum is disposed for rotation about its longitudinal axis. The inner surface of the drum is provided with a plurality of material distributing vanes in circumferentially spaced relationship. The vanes are characterized by first surface extending generally transverse to a tangent to set body at the point of attachment and a second wedge-shaped surface intersecting the first surface. The wedge-shaped surface may also be provided with a lip extending circumferentially therefrom. A plurality of interference structures are disposed from a central longitudinal support and provide means for distributing material gravitating from the outer peripheral vanes. A plurality of return flighting members are disposed along the inner surface of the drum between the afore described material distributing vanes. These flighting members are disposed at an angle and conform generally to the curvature of the inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Inventor: Stanley P. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4730400
    Abstract: Drum reactor (10) for aerobic fermentation has a frame (12) with which a height adjusting device (14). The drum reactor is provided with a rotary drum (11) having air pipes (20) extending longitudinally along its outer shell. The air pipes (20) are subject to compressed air and humidity by the action of a distributor slide valve (25) so that the air pipe (37) which is free of fermenting material (26) is inactive. Associated with the air pipes (20) are a plurality of jets (21) which lead into the drum interior (27) where they are at least partially covered by baffles (22). By their plough-like disposition, the baffles ensure circulation and onwards conveyance of the material to be fermented. Provided on the drum bottom (38) is a discharge orifice (33) which can be closed by a plough flap (36). For delivery of fermented material, the plough flap can be spread open into the drum interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Inventor: Gunter Johannsen
  • Patent number: 4674198
    Abstract: The apparatus comprises a drum (10) adapted to be driven in rotation about a horizontal axis of rotation (A) and having an at least approximately cylindrical body (12) as well as two steep end walls (14), one at each side of the body (12). The two end walls (14) each include a radially outer crown of ring sectors (20) which are inclined in overlapping relationship such that their leading edges (22) in the operating direction of rotation (26) of the drum (10) are disposed axially further outside than their trailing edges (24). A gap-like passage (28) each is formed between adjacent ring sectors (20). The material (58) being treated may exit through these passages upon rotation of the drum (10) in reverse sense. The ring sectors (20) are followed radially inwardly by a central portion (18,42) of the respective end wall (14) which portion the material (58) cannot penetrate. This makes sure that the material (58) will revolve without disturbance within the forwardly rotating drum (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Inventor: Herbert Huttlin
  • Patent number: 4656759
    Abstract: A direct heat rotary dryer having a single-wall rotating cylinder (10), an axial duct (20) connected to a hot-air source to axially extend inside the cylinder, a plurality of radial ducts (21) branched from the axial duct, each radial duct extending slantingly downwardly near to the inner surface of the cylinder and being formed with a nozzle, whereby hot air flows through materials so that an efficient heat-transfer is made between the materials and the hot air. A plurality of pins (25) are provided on the inner surface of the cylinder (10) along a circle between two adjacent radial ducts (21) to prevent materials from forming lumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Assignee: Yamato Sanko Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukio Yamato
  • Patent number: 4649655
    Abstract: Apparatus for dehydrating slurries such as water based drilling fluids heavily laden with drill cuttings and other earth solids comprising a rotating drum which is heated by combustion of a fuel air mixture to generate relatively large quantities of combustion products for heating in an enclosed chamber defined by said drum. The slurry to be dehydrated is injected into the interior of the drum or against the outer sidewall thereof for rapid exposure and substantially flash evaporation of the slurry liquids. An outer housing may be constructed around the drum and in one embodiment the drum is arranged inclined to the horizontal with the slurry introduced into the interior of the drum and the combustion chamber formed between the outer housing and the drum. In another embodiment the combustion chamber is formed on the interior of the drum and the evaporation chamber is formed between the drum and the outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventor: Eric B. Witten
  • Patent number: 4640024
    Abstract: There is disclosed a tumble dryer wherein the space between a housing and a drum mounted within the housing for rotation about a generally horizontal axis is separated intermediate the ends of the drum into one portion on one side and another portion on the other side of the portion, and heated air is circulated from an inlet to the one space portion into the drum and out the drum into an outlet from the other space portion. There are also disclosed alternate embodiments of means for separating the space including a plastic ring having an inner diameter closely surrounding the drum and an outer portion carried by a wall of the housing and received within an annular recess of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Assignee: Pellerin Milnor Corporation
    Inventors: William C. Files, Norvin L. Pellerin, Somsak S. Rodboon, Thomas M. Pearce
  • Patent number: 4633595
    Abstract: A rotary cylindrical drying drum comprising in axial direction a series of vaned sections, with air and material passages, and in which material to be dried can enter each section via an annular slot disposed along the drum wall and be transported by the vanes in radial direction, and material transporting vanes on either side of each section disposed against the drum wall for axially transporting the material to be dried. According to the invention, each section (7) includes two double-walled, frusto-conical portions whose apices are directed towards one another, the apices of the outer cones (1) being interconnected to form an air and material passage (4), with the edges of the base circles being connected to the drum wall (8) and the inner cones 2 being connected to the outer cones (1) by means of spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Assignee: VandenBroek International B.V.
    Inventor: Adriaan van den Broek
  • Patent number: 4628614
    Abstract: An improved flighting for dryers is the subject of the present invention. An elongated drying drum is disposed for rotation about its longitudinal axis. The inner surface of the drum is provided with a plurality of material distributing vanes in circumferentially spaced relationship. The vanes are characterized by first surface extending generally transverse to a tangent to set body at the point of attachment and a second wedge-shaped surface intersecting the first surface. The wedge-shaped surface may also be provided with a lip extending circumferentially therefrom. A plurality of interference structures are disposed from a central longitudinal support and provide means for distributing material gravitating from the outer peripheral vanes. A plurality of return flighting members are disposed along the inner surface of the drum between the afore described material distributing vanes. These flighting members are disposed at an angle and conform generally to the curvature of the inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Inventor: Stanley P. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4587745
    Abstract: An apparatus for drying fruits, berries, and the like, including a helical drum for supporting berries in its interior. Each turn of the helical drum is in parallel spaced-apart relation to the adjacent turns, and the spacing between turns is smaller than the diameter of the fruits or berries being dried. The drum is mounted on a frame for rotation about its longitudinal axis, and a fan is mounted inside the helical drum to provide a drying current of air outwardly between the turns of the drum. Berries which are introduced into the interior of the drum are supported between and on the turns of the helix, and as the drum rotates, the berries are moved down the drum and through the drying current of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1986
    Inventor: Lincoln L. Tanner
  • Patent number: 4559720
    Abstract: A roaster for grain or other particulate material. A chute is provided to feed particles adjacent the bottom of a rotating drum to reduce particle bouncing and unwanted agglomeration and to improve roasting uniformity. Vanes are provided longitudinally within the drum at an angle to lines parallel to the drum axis to improve roasting efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: Fabridyne, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard H. Marquardt
  • Patent number: 4535550
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing particulate material charged into a rotary cylindrical vessel (12) having its axis inclined to the horizontal so that one end thereof is raised relative to the other end, and having a respective annular cover plate (16,18) at each end defining a central opening at its end (17,19), the material being charged through the opening (17) at the one end thereof and caused to progress along the vessel (12) and discharge therefrom through the opening (19) at the other end by rotation of the vessel (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1985
    Assignee: Adelaide & Wallaroo Fertilizers Ltd.
    Inventor: Karl H. Walter
  • Patent number: 4530166
    Abstract: A process for preheating particulate material is disclosed. The process also may be used for drying the particulate. The invention uses a heat exchange method that preferably employs furnace exhaust gases. In one embodiment, glass batch is preheated before being fed to a melting furnace. The invention involves the use of glass-ceramic materials as the heat exchange media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1985
    Assignee: Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation
    Inventor: David M. Miller
  • Patent number: 4521379
    Abstract: A rotary cylinder calcining system for treating tacky materials with a propensity to adhere to the surfaces of handling apparatus. The system comprises a reciprocating means for freeing the cylinder calciner outlet from any blockages caused by adhering material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Bennie J. Beane
  • Patent number: 4507876
    Abstract: Apparatus for preventing the escape of volatile treating agents into ambient air from a rotary treating drum used in treatment of particulate solids such as tobacco is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a flange on each end of the drum against which a washer is urged while a gas, such as air, is introduced between each flange and its associated washer ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1985
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventor: Lucas J. Conrad
  • Patent number: 4383379
    Abstract: A machine for drying granular materials such as sand and gravel. The machine includes coaxial inner and outer cylinders. Moist sand is introduced into an inlet end of the inner cylinder and gravel is introduced into the inlet end of the outer cylinder. The sand is moved along the inner cylinder by impellers toward the outlet end of the inner cylinder in heat exchange relation with the inner cylinder while the sand is heated to evaporate water therefrom. The heated sand is directed from the outlet end of the inner cylinder into an inlet end portion of the outer cylinder to mix with the gravel. Impeller assemblies mounted on the interior of the outer cylinder raise the sand-gravel mixture as the cylinders rotate to cause the sand-gravel mixture to advance along the space between the cylinders toward the outlet end of the outer cylinder and to cascade against an outer wall of the inner cylinder. End portions of the inner cylinder are carried by support assemblies mounted on the outer cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1983
    Inventor: Arthur C. Avril
  • Patent number: 4338732
    Abstract: An asphalt plant apparatus is disclosed having a material lifter cage arranged in coaxial relationship within a mixing drum. The lifter cage includes a plurality of cage lifters having a trough-like configuration for collecting material in the drum and spilling the material in a veil over the cross section of the drum as the cage lifters pass through a rotational path of travel. The cage lifters are divided into two sets alternately arranged about the lifter cage. The two sets consist of a first set of cage lifters having a material retaining surface fixed at an angle with respect to a radial line extending from the axis of rotation and a second set of cage lifters fixed at an angle approximately 20.degree. different from that of the first set. As the cage lifters pass through the path of travel, the first set of lifters spills material over an arc of the path approximately 20.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1982
    Assignee: Allis-Chalmers Corporation
    Inventor: Major Coxhill
  • Patent number: 4334136
    Abstract: A housing rotatably supports a hollow drum on substantially a horizontal axis whereby articles to be treated tumble around the interior of the drum when the latter is rotated. A microwave power mechanism, such as a magnetron, is provided in a door for the housing and has an output portion thereof directed into the drum for heating and drying articles tumbling in the drum. An output portion of the microwave power mechanism has a dielectric dome-like shield mounted over it for deflecting tumbling articles away from such output. A forced air system is provided for ventilating the interior of the drum, and such system includes a passageway extending adjacent to the power mechanism so that such ventilating air also cools the power means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1982
    Assignee: Douglas P. Mahan
    Inventors: Douglas P. Mahan, Richard E. Skinner, Robert A. McClanathan
  • Patent number: 4307520
    Abstract: Bucket-type material lifters are adjustably mounted on the inner peripheral surface of a drier drum between pairs of spaced plates carried by the drum, so that the position at which each lifter starts to discharge material during rotation of the drum and the position at which it completes its discharge can be selectively changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1981
    Assignee: Kenco Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Lutz
  • Patent number: 4300837
    Abstract: The device includes in a rotary cylindrical drum (1) a zone for transfer and heating (11) where the inner surface of the drum (1) is fitted with sections of blades (17) wound in a spiral across the drum (1). These blades (17) arranged projecting with respect to the inner surface of the drum (1), by their edges remote from the drum support baffleplates (18) in a longitudinal direction. The drum (1) likewise exhibits an isolation and drying zone (12) where the inner surface of the drum (1) is fitted with lifter devices (20-21) having a high retention capacity for lifting materials (25) up to the upper portion of the drum (1) and the formation by falling back of these materials (25) of a continuous screen isolating the flame (5) of the burner (4) from the next zone of the drum (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1981
    Assignee: Creusot-Loire
    Inventor: Pierre Malbrunot
  • Patent number: 4289579
    Abstract: PCT No. PCT/SE78/00092 Sec. 371 Date Aug. 10, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date Aug. 10, 1979 PCT Filed Dec. 11, 1978 PCT Pub. No. WO79/00375 PCT Pub. Date June 28, 1979A bulk material is treated in a drum rotating in a bulk of the bulk material to be treated. The drum (16, 68) is provided with feeding-in openings (28, 70) in the cylindrical face of the drum. The bulk material tumbles around in the drum and is conveyed towards a discharge part in one end of the drum by means of a worm conveyor in the drum rotating in opposite direction to the drum. A treatment fluid is introduced into the drum through apertures (11a, 85) in the shaft of the worm conveyor. After the fluid has treated the bulk material in the drum it is led away through the same openings (28, 70) as those through which the bulk material is continuously being fed into the drum. Further the fluid advances up into the bulk of bulk material which therethrough also is treated before the material is fed into the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1981
    Inventor: Georg L. K. Forsberg
  • Patent number: 4288216
    Abstract: A calciner includes a rotatable cylindrical retort which is indirectly heated and has material receiving and material discharging ends. A reverse pitch tapered spiral is affixed internal of the material discharging end with the spiral tapering toward the material discharging end whereby uniformity of material discharge over 300 degrees of rotation is achieved and whereby uniformity of agitation and increased residence time are achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1981
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventors: James N. Christini, Tai K. Kim, Robert P. McClintic
  • Patent number: 4288217
    Abstract: In a calciner having a rotatable cylindrical retort, an improved material feed spiral has a final turn and a 3/4 turn ending immediately adjacent the retort and a next to final turn connected to the final turn and extending outwardly therefrom away from the cylindrical retort. The final turn and 3/4 turn are of a height substantially equal to a given percentage of the inner diameter of the retort and the next to final turn tapers from a height substantially equal to the given height of the final turn to a height less than the given height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1981
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventors: James N. Christini, Tai K. Kim, Robert P. McClintic
  • Patent number: 4286946
    Abstract: A calciner has a rotatable indirectly-heated cylindrical retort with a material receiving end and a material discharge end and a reverse pitch spiral is affixed internal of the cylindrical retort at the material discharge end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1981
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventor: James N. Christini
  • Patent number: 4260373
    Abstract: A system for drying and preheating small metallic particles such as chips, turnings, borings and the like to remove volatiles therefrom which includes a dryer working in conjunction with a briquetting press. The dryer includes a drying and preliminary combustion chamber includng a revolving drum therein through which the chips pass. The drying and preliminary combustion is heated and is atmospherically sealed and operated with a reducing atmosphere. The volatiles driven from the metallic particles are passed to a combustion completion chamber which is maintained at a temperature sufficient to burn the combustibles and into which air is injected to complete the combustion. The hot metallic particles are thermally insulated and sealed from the atmosphere while being conveyed from the drying and preliminary combustion chamber to the briquetting press where they are compressed into briquettes for subsequent introduction into induction furnaces and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1981
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Fellnor, William J. Love, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4251925
    Abstract: Apparatus wherein tobacco is dried in several successive units each of which contacts a continuous stream of tobacco with hot air. The moisture content of tobacco is measured between a preceding unit and the next-following unit, and the temperature of hot air which is supplied by the next-following unit is respectively increased and reduced when the monitored moisture content of tobacco respectively rises and decreases. The temperature of air which is admitted by the preceding unit is maintained at a constant value. The temperature of air which is supplied by the next-following unit is further influenced, when necessary, in dependency on measurement of such temperature and in dependency on differences between the final moisture content of tobacco and a preselected optimum moisture content. The detector which monitors the moisture content between the preceding and next-following units is built directly into the conveyor which transports the tobacco stream through the drying units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1981
    Assignee: Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wilfried Muhsil, Gerhard Graalmann
  • Patent number: 4205458
    Abstract: An apparatus for drying particulate material includes an elongate housing having a chamber therein. A drum is positioned in the housing and has opposite ends thereof extending through open ends of the housing. The drum is mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis. The exterior surface of the drum and the interior surface of the housing are spaced apart and form an annular space adapted for flow of heating medium therealong. An inlet opens into the annular space and is directed for introducing heating medium in a generally tangential direction relative to the annular space such that the heating medium flows in a generally vortex manner along the length of the annular space to the outlet. A tube is positioned in the drum and extends along a major portion of the length of the drum. The tube is in flow communication with the annular space for receiving heating medium therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1980
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Oliver K. Austin
  • Patent number: 4189300
    Abstract: A burner and associated rotating drum dryer for drying loose material, such as aggregates, is provided in which the burner directs a flame into the middle of the dryer drum, which has flights therein which lift the loose material in the rotating drum and drop it to either side of the center of the flame while preventing its falling through the center. A plurality of flights are mounted around the drum and each captures loose material as it passes through the loose material on the bottom of the drum and drops the material in a pattern in the drum for more rapid drying of the material. The material is spread through the open space of the drum except for that portion in the middle of the flame so as not to interfere with complete combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1980
    Assignee: Mechtron International Corporation
    Inventor: Theodore G. Butler
  • Patent number: 4185810
    Abstract: An improved apparatus for cooling heated metal items such as extrusion billets, and in particular billets of aluminum alloys is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a cooling chamber, means for transporting individual billets into and out of the cooling chamber, and inlet and outlet openings for the ingress and egress of a cooling medium from said chamber. A fan or the like is employed to produce a flow of air through the cooling chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1980
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventors: Walter Eichenberger, Bernhard Hilge
  • Patent number: 4181495
    Abstract: A long rotary kiln which slopes and wherein the particulate material travels downwardly from the inlet toward the outlet end and counter flowing gas travels upwardly therethrough, is provided with a preheater between the inlet end and the main operational zone. The preheater provides lifting devices at its end farthest from the inlet to deposit the particulate material in the gas stream, and an impingement separator zone at its end nearest the inlet to cause the particulate material to lose its momentum and fall from the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1980
    Inventor: Jorgen O. Bernt
  • Patent number: 4172701
    Abstract: A mounting device for kiln hardware comprises two standards connected to the kiln wall and projecting inwardly through the refractory. One standard is connectable to the hardware through a removable pin. The hardware and the other standard are provided with cooperating means which prevent rotation of the hardware about the pin when the pin is installed. The members are designed so that removal of the pin allows removal and replacement of the hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1979
    Inventor: Jorgen O. Bernt
  • Patent number: 4127388
    Abstract: Apparatus for contacting fused solid materials with solid, liquid or gaseous materials, comprising a rotary drum, longitudinal baffles along the inner drum wall inside the apparatus, coaxial consoles being joined in a liquid- and gas-tight manner to faceplates of the drum, for lodging feeding and removing mechanisms. It is a major feature of the invention that a diverter baffle system is mounted from the consoles throughout the interior length of the drum. Two preferred embodiments are described: one for formulating plant protecting agents, wherein the baffle system includes a row of diverting baffles that can be pivoted inside the drum. The other preferred embodiment is suitable for extracting vegetable materials, and here the baffle system is constituted by a stationary drum having a slanting lapping formed therein, similarly pivotable diverting baffles being arranged along the lapping. Various additional and some optional structural features are disclosed for both apparatus embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1978
    Assignee: Alkaloida Vegyeszeti Gyar
    Inventors: Gabor Maczko, Dezso Tobias, Laszlo Bozzay, Miklos Takacs, Rudolf Kovesdi
  • Patent number: 4071962
    Abstract: A rotary dryer in which the rate of the bed transport is adjustable. The dryer shell is provided with at least one set of flights and a dam ring with the dam ring being spaced downstream of the flights to provide a flight-free area. Adjustable means are provided to transport material from the flight-free area over the dam ring to the downstream side thereof upon rotation of the shell to vary the amount of material retained upstream from the dam ring. In addition, means are provided to convey material from the flight-free area to a point adjacent the upstream end of the flights. Further, a cooling section is also included comprising a plurality of flights. Means for supplying co-current drying gas may be provided at the feed end of the dryer and means for supplying counter-current cooling gas may be provided adjacent the discharge end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1978
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventor: Walter C. Saeman