Temperature Or Moisture Control Of Material Treated Or Treating Gas Or Vapor Patents (Class 34/446)
  • Patent number: 6860033
    Abstract: Tension variations in the paper web on a paper machine are caused by successive draws and moisture fluctuations. Good strength properties require optimization of the draws. In addition, the tension variation induced by moisture must be minimized. The analysis of local modulus and the strain components can be used for determining optimal locations for profiling actuators in order to achieve good tension profile. Longitudinal strain components of the web, i.e. reversible elastic strain, permanent plastic strain and frozen-in strain relievable with water are continuously measured and determined and the variation of said longitudinal components is minimized by correcting the moisture content of the paper web in a dryer section of the paper machine and/or by optimizing the draws between dryer groups in the dryer section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Hannu Lätti, Antti Heikkinen, Heikki Kettunen
  • Patent number: 6842998
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for supplying a gas-liquid vapor to a process tank for performing semiconductor manufacturing. In one aspect, the invention is a method of supplying a gas-liquid vapor to a process tank comprising: supplying a gas stream through at least one hydrophobic tube; exposing the outside surface of the hydrophobic tube to a liquid so that the liquid permeates the hydrophobic tube and enters the gas stream, forming a gas-liquid vapor inside the tube; and transporting the gas-liquid vapor to the process tank. In another aspect, the invention is an apparatus for supplying a gas-liquid vapor to a process tank comprising: at least one hydrophobic tube adapted to carry a gas; and a housing forming a chamber that surrounds the tube, the chamber adapted to receive a liquid that can permeate the tube, forming a gas-liquid vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Akrion LLC
    Inventors: Ismail Kashkoush, Richard Novak, Larry Myland
  • Patent number: 6824829
    Abstract: A method of forming a thin film strip. The method comprises coating a liner substrate with a wet slurry of film forming ingredients and drying the wet slurry in a drying oven to form a film. A moisture content of the film is measured as the film exits the drying oven and the film is rewound on itself. The rewound film is then stored in a minimal moisture loss environment during a curing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Acupac Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig J. Berry, Walter Klauser
  • Patent number: 6799382
    Abstract: A process for drying/heat-treating nonwoven webs in which the web is partially dried under tension in a first drying zone and further heat treated under low tension or in a substantially tensionless state a second drying zone. The process significantly reduces the occurrence of stretch-type defects in the nonwoven webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: John C. Cleary, Michael C. Davis, Todd A. McCoy, Edgar N. Rudisill
  • Patent number: 6792694
    Abstract: A control system for a clothes dryer has an inlet thermister located in the air flow system prior to the dryer drum to monitor the inlet temperature. This inlet temperature signal is provided to a microprocessor which samples this temperature over time and when this temperature exceeds a predetermined rate of increase with respect to time, the microprocessor generates an air flow restriction or blockage signal representing an air flow restriction or blockage in the dryer vent ducting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Camco Inc.
    Inventor: Jacques Michel Lapierre
  • Patent number: 6773551
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining characteristics of a running material web, the apparatus including at least one measuring device. The at least one measuring device is movable and has at least two degrees of freedom of movement. Each of the at least two degrees of freedom of movement is at least one of a rotary movement and a linear movement. The at least one measuring device is adapted to detect, at a plurality of measurement locations, data relating to at least one measured parameter. The at least one measuring device detects data about at least one of the following measured parameters: measured parameters which relate to a characteristic value of air in a region of the material web; measured parameters which relate to the material web; and other measured parameters. The method includes detecting, at a plurality of measurement locations and using the at least one measuring device, data relating to at least one measured parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Oechsle, Frank Wegehaupt
  • Publication number: 20040143992
    Abstract: A laundry drier control method reads a temperature variation rate per unit time, to enable drying according to the amount and type of an object being dried. The method includes steps of initiating a drying procedure; measuring a temperature variation rate per unit time over the drying procedure; calculating an overall drying time based on the measured temperature variation rate per unit time; and performing the drying procedure for the calculated overall drying time. The drying time determining step is repeated if a substantial increase in the temperature variation rate is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventor: Gi Hyeong Do
  • Publication number: 20040118009
    Abstract: An apparatus for drying a travelling wet fibrous web is provided which comprises a rotating air-permeable drum. The drum is at least partially surrounded by a hood which has an interior space for receiving a flow of air and directing the flow of air through a permeable inner wall towards the outer surface of the drum. At least a portion of the hood is divided into individual sections in a cross-machine direction. Apparatus is provided for supplying a flow of drying air at a first temperature to the hood, and for supplying profiling air at a selected different temperature different from the first temperature to at least one of the individual sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: Metso Paper USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Laurent R. Parent
  • Patent number: 6735883
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method for enhancing the effectiveness of a water spray (30) to cool and/or remoisten a web (12) of material. The apparatus includes a web dryer, preferably a flotation dryer (100), an electrostatic charge generating device (31) or devices, a water spray (30), an integrated power supply (20) to supply high voltage power to the charge device, and a drainage system (35) for handling excess liquid generated during the cooling and/or remoistening of the web. The cooling apparatus is capable of a modular arrangement to optimize spacing and facilitate the addition of cooling capacity where needed, such as with faster web speeds or heavier web weights. One or more temperature sensors can be used to optimize the amount of and rate of fluid fed to the spray nozzles. The spray nozzles and charge bars can be retractable with respect to the web to facilitate web-up procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignees: Megtec Systems, Inc., Hurletron, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Bria, Ed Salmon, David J. Welter, David M. Klein, Steven J. Siler
  • Patent number: 6732452
    Abstract: A paper web drying apparatus and process is provided in which the heated air drying medium is replaced with between 10 percent to 100 percent of live steam. The addition of a steam component to the drying medium provides for a higher drying temperature to be supplied to the wet moving web. The introduction of live pressurized steam contributes to the load of force of the drying medium, thereby decreasing the energy requirements of blower motors. The introduction of pressurized live steam also lowers the free atmospheric oxygen content of the drying medium which reduces the burning or scorch hazard associated with high temperature drying of a cellulose web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip S. Lin, Ronald F. Gropp, Kevin B. Sartain
  • Publication number: 20040068889
    Abstract: A clothes dryer and a method for controlling its operation are disclosed, in which the clothes dryer includes a second motor being separately driven from a drum or a circulation fan to control a cooling fan for cooling a condenser. As for the second motor, a variable speed motor is used and amount of heating of a heater of the clothes dryer is variable. In the method for controlling an operation of a clothes dryer, the cooling fan is operated when a predetermined period of time passes after the cooling fan being stopped during an initial operation, or the cooling fan is operated at a regular speed when a temperature of air circulating reaches a predetermined degree after the cooling fan being operated at a low speed during the initial operation of the clothes dryer. Also, the speed of the cooling fan is varied according to amount of heating of the heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Young-Hwan Park, Choon Myun Chung, Mu Yong Choi, Dae Yun Park, Kyung Seop Hong
  • Patent number: 6712937
    Abstract: System and method of operating a machine for manufacturing and/or refining a material web wherein the machine includes at least one machine section. The method includes arranging a plurality of measurement zones in series along a process direction and detecting data in a region of the at least one machine section via at least one measurement zone of the plurality of measurement zones. The data concerns at least one measured parameter relating to the manufacture or refinement of the material web. The system includes a plurality of measurement zones arranged in series along a process direction of the machine. At least one of the plurality of measurement zones is located in the at least one machine section. At least one measurement device for detecting data is located in at least one of the plurality of measurement zones. An evaluation unit is provided for evaluating the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Oechsle, Frank Wegehaupt
  • Patent number: 6662466
    Abstract: A process for drying a polymeric material present on a substrate is provided. Temperatures of the polymeric material is measured and the ambient temperature in the vicinity of the substrate. A temperature of the substrate is also measured. A variation in the measured ambient temperature is detected. The substrate temperature, polymeric temperature, ambient temperature or a substrate drying spin speed is adjusted in response to the detected variation in the measured ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: ASML Holdings, N.V.
    Inventors: Emir Gurer, Tom Zhong, John W. Lewellen, Eddie Lee
  • Patent number: 6655046
    Abstract: A device and a process for drying thin layers or films which are manufactured by applying a coating mass, which is produced on an aqueous basis, to a support, the said layer or film being transported through a drying device having at least one drying zone, is characterized in that in at least one drying zone, designated as moisture-compensation zone, air is supplied which has a moisture content corresponding to the constant moisture content of the film to be prepared or the layer to be prepared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: LTS Lohmann Therapie-Systeme AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schäfer, Peter Schwarz, Rudi Brathuhn, Michael Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 6631566
    Abstract: A method of drying a paper web is provided. The method utilizes a dryer, such as a through-dryer, having a first dryer section and a second dryer section. Within the first dryer section, a relatively wet paper web is dried at an elevated temperature, such as between about 400° F. to about 500° F. After being dried by the first dryer section, the web is relatively dry and is further dried by the second dryer section at a reduced temperature, such as between about 300° F. to about 400° F. A variety of control techniques can also be utilized to control the temperature of each dryer section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell F. Ross, Jack C. Lau
  • Patent number: 6619216
    Abstract: An incinerator includes a furnace, a heat-insulating shield, an air conduit, an air blower, and a dryer. The heat-insulating shield has a top wall, a vertically extending peripheral wall that extends downwardly from the top wall and that surrounds and that is spaced apart from the furnace by a gap, and an open bottom end. The peripheral wall of the heat-insulating shield has an air outlet that is disposed adjacent to the top wall and that is in fluid communication with the gap. Atmospheric air is introduced via the open bottom end through the gap and the air conduit and into the dryer. A feed motor is used to deliver solid waste into the furnace. A control unit controls rotating speed of the feed motor based on temperature in the dryer so as to adjust the temperature in the dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Dai-You Lin
  • Patent number: 6619215
    Abstract: An incinerator includes a furnace, a heat-insulating shield, an air conduit, an air blower, and a dryer. The heat-insulating shield has a top wall, a vertically extending peripheral wall that extends downwardly from the top wall and that surrounds and that is spaced apart from the furnace by a gap, and an open bottom end. The peripheral wall of the heat-insulating shield has an air outlet that is disposed adjacent to the top wall and that is in fluid communication with the gap. Atmospheric air is introduced via the open bottom end through the gap and the air conduit and into the dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Dai-You Lin
  • Patent number: 6609310
    Abstract: The method for safety control of the drying cycle in hydrocarbon-solvent dry-cleaning machines, comprising, in the first step of the drying cycle, when the temperature of the mixture of hot air and solvent at the outlet of the drying drum reaches values which are higher than a preset safety value passing, the drying air, before being returned to the drum, through an additional separator-heat exchanger having a high thermal capacity. The apparatus is constituted in particular by the additional separator-heat exchanger connected through at least one valve driven by a detection to the drying circuit of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Donini International S.p.A.
    Inventor: Salvatore Carnovale
  • Patent number: 6605185
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manipulating dryer steam pressure in a paper machine during grade change, wherein change in moisture percentage is determined from a change in production amount during grade change, dryer stream pressure is manipulated so as to cancel the change in the moisture percentage, and production amount during grade change is calculated from basis weight and machine speed before and after grade change, whereby moisture percentage is kept constant during grade chagne so that sheet breaks are avoided and downtime is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Sasaki, Takao Maruyama, Kenichiro Yahiro
  • Patent number: 6584703
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method by means of which the machine-direction moisture of a web being calendered or coated and calendered can be controlled in an optimal manner that takes into account moisture content changes along the entire path of the coating and drying process. Advantageously, all the dryers and the calender of the coater section are controlled in an integrated manner in order to obtain a controlledly processed product which is optimized in regard to energy consumption and product quality. Each process section and unit contributing to the drying of the web is identified by means of a mathematical submodel describing the specific evaporation rate in the respective process section/unit and, by chaining these submodels, a composite model is compiled for the entire process, whereby the composite model makes it possible to manage the drying operation in the process so that the individual units are controlled as a portion of the overall process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Tapio Mäenp{umlaut over (aa)}, Vesa Ijäs
  • Publication number: 20030115773
    Abstract: A paper web drying apparatus and process is provided in which the heated air drying medium is replaced with between 10 percent to 100 percent of live steam. The addition of a steam component to the drying medium provides for a higher drying temperature to be supplied to the wet moving web. The introduction of live pressurized steam contributes to the load of force of the drying medium, thereby decreasing the energy requirements of blower motors. The introduction of pressurized live steam also lowers the free atmospheric oxygen content of the drying medium which reduces the burning or scorch hazard associated with high temperature drying of a cellulose web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip S. Lin, Ronald F. Gropp, Kevin B. Sartain
  • Publication number: 20030093917
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing an electronic component precursor comprising the steps of contacting a carrier gas with a process chemical stream to entrain the process chemical in the carrier gas thereby forming a fluid stream and injecting at least a portion of additional process chemical into the fluid stream to form a localized region of increased concentration of process fluid is provided. The methods and apparatus also provide injecting a portion of additional carrier gas into the fluid stream to form a diluted region of decreased concentration of process fluid is also provided. The methods and apparatus further provide controlling the concentration of process chemical in the localized region as well as in the fluid stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventor: Gerald N. DiBello
  • Patent number: 6551454
    Abstract: Several paper grades are finished in a supercalender (1) or similar calender types in order to increase the smoothness, gloss and other properties of the paper. According to the invention, the method for producing coated and calendered paper or paper board, comprises steps of coating a sheet of paper or paper board and bringing the sheet containing water to a calender (1), leading the sheet in at least one nip formed by two rolls (18, 19) of the calender (1) and imposing simultaneously heat and pressure on the sheet in the nip in order to treat the surface of the web, whereby also water is removed from the sheet, removing water from the sheet before winding in such an extent that the moisture content of the sheet is adjusted to a value of 4.0% or less, leading the treated sheet to a winder (21), and winding the sheet on a roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Blandin Paper Company
    Inventors: Steven Simpson Ewens, Timothy Joseph Dumm, Stephen Robert Holmes
  • Patent number: 6490813
    Abstract: A process and a device for drying and smoothing a web. The process uses an apparatus including at least one dryer section having a plurality of heated cylinders and a calender having a plurality of smoothing nips, and includes guiding the web over the plurality of heated cylinders in the at least one dryer section, drying the web in the at least one dryer section to a maximum dry content of approximately 93%, adjusting a moisture cross-profile of the web in the dryer section, and guiding the web to the calender. The device includes a dryer section comprising beginning, middle, and end sections, a calender, and at least one adjusting device located in the end section for moistening the web, wherein the web is guided through the dryer section prior to being guided to the calender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiertechnik Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Oechsle
  • Patent number: 6484417
    Abstract: An improved dryer (10) and drying methods are provided which increase overall dryer efficiency by maintaining substantially constant output air stream adiabatic saturation ratio and temperature values during the course of drying, notwithstanding the occurrence of upset conditions. The dryer (10) includes a dryer body (12), an input air heater assembly (14) including an air heater (32), and a control assembly (18). The dryer body (12) has a drying zone (30), with product inputs and outputs (20, 22) as well as an input (26) for a heated air stream and an output (28) for the cooled, moisture-laden output air stream. The dryer control assembly (18) includes temperature and humidity sensors (48, 50) coupled to controllers (54, 60) and a PLC (66). The controller (54) is coupled with an exhaust fan/damper unit (46) while controller (60) is connected with a fuel valve (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Wenger Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Tedman, Douglas Clark
  • Patent number: 6446356
    Abstract: A method for controlling the drying process taking place in the dryer section of a paper machine. The dryer section comprises at least one drying cylinder unit and at least one air impingement unit. Optimal evaporation is first compiled in a manner known, for example, on the basis of a recipe or by utilising a machine-direction quality model or quality profile, when the geometry of the dryer section, the process parametersrequired, such as machine speed, paper grade and total evaporation required are known. Limit values are calculated for at least two controlled variables of the dryer section, such as the steam pressure and the temperature of blowing air, making use of drying quality models, such as models representing the adhesion and brightness of paper. After this the dryer section is divided an the basis of the distribution formed by the limit values of the controlled variables into drying segments, so that in two adjacent segments, the limit value of at least one controlled variable is different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristian Hamström, Jorma Kari, Hans Sundqvist
  • Patent number: 6423184
    Abstract: A method and an equipment for regulation of the initial part of the dryer section in a paper machine. Moisture is removed from the paper web in the press section (10) and the paper web is dried in the dryer section (R). The paper web is dried against heated faces of drying cylinders (20). The surface temperatures of the first drying cylinders (20) in the dryer section (R) are measured. The dry solids content/moisture content of the paper web (W) and the temperature of the paper web (W) before said first drying cylinders (20) are measured. In view of producing the desired running situation, based on the measurement results obtained, the surface temperatures of said first drying cylinders (20) and/or the dry solids content/moisture content and/or the temperature of the paper web (W) before said first drying cylinders (20) is/are regulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Harri Vähätalo, Juha Kaihovirta, Juha Lipponen, Taisto Huhtelin
  • Patent number: 6418638
    Abstract: A control system and method for a dryer used to dry a line of gypsum boards. The control system automates control of the dryer by measuring the amount of water used at the mixer to produce board segments and determining a desired amount of water to be evaporated for each board segment based on the measured value. The desired amount of water to be evaporated for each board segment is tracked through the production line and the total evaporation load of each dryer zone is continuously calculated based on the board segments located in the dryer zone at a given time. The dryer zone differential temperature is adjusted according to the calculated evaporation load. When a board is rejected from the board line, the desired amounts of water to be evaporated of its corresponding board segments are set to zero, thus signifying a gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Westroc, Inc.
    Inventors: John Forster, Stephen Dennis, Jean-Louis Mongrolle
  • Patent number: 6401358
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for drying a substance that is being rapidly conveyed in a conveyor apparatus, in particular for drying layers of printing ink on rapidly transported paper, wherein in a drying zone by means of incident electromagnetic radiation a moisture component, in particular a solvent, is separated from the substance to be dried. The separated moisture component is transported away from the drying zone by means of a transport gas current. Efficient and rapid drying of in particular printed newsprint or thermal printing paper is attained at high conveyor velocities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Advanced Photonics Technologies AG
    Inventors: Kai K. O. Bär, Rainer Gaus
  • Patent number: 6393729
    Abstract: A method and device for controlling a process gas (10) during drying of a product in a drying chamber, in which the process gas is brought into contact with the product so that a substance, for instance water, is taken up by the process gas and transported out from the drying chamber and makes use of a control paradigm for controlling process variables of the process gas (10). In the process, and by the device, a first group of process variables including the process gas content (x) of the substance removed from the product and the pressure conditions (z) inside the dryer hood are monitored and controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventors: Krister Forsman, Roger Sigvant
  • Patent number: 6381871
    Abstract: A method of drying wood comprises the step of drying wood in a drying chamber at a controlled temperature and a controlled humidity. The temperature and the moisture content inside the wood while being dried are monitored continuously or intermittently, and the temperature and the humidity in the drying chamber are controlled based on the resulting data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Wood Drying Research Association
    Inventor: Taira Uehara
  • Patent number: 6378228
    Abstract: To monitor the linen drying in a clothes drier, the residual moisture level of the linen inside the drier is measured and compared to a maximum permissible threshold, which is adjustable and authorization to open the door (14) of the drier is not allowed until the moisture level measured is below said threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Electrolux Systemes de Blanchisserie
    Inventor: André Maziere
  • Patent number: 6332279
    Abstract: A drying device in which temperature and humidity of a gas flow fed into each of plural helical dryers in the form of a cylinder (i.e., temperature and humidity of an exhausted gas flow) can be each controlled independent of the other dryers. The drying device, is equipped with a casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Fukuhori, Hidetomo Ito
  • Patent number: 6327793
    Abstract: A process for drying a polymeric material present on a substrate is provided. Temperatures of the polymeric material is measured and the ambient temperature in the vicinity of the substrate. A temperature of the substrate is also measured. A variation in the measured ambient temperature is detected. The substrate temperature, polymeric temperature, ambient temperature or a substrate drying spin speed is adjusted in response to the detected variation in the measured ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Silicon Valley Group
    Inventors: Emir Gurer, Tom Zhong, John W. Lewellen, Eddie Lee
  • Patent number: 6318000
    Abstract: The circulating type grain drying machine is provided in which, at the grain filling operation, a controller causes a first heated air generator to operate and a second heated air generator to stop operating, and also causes, according to the detected values of the outside air humidity from an outside air humidity detector, an airflow control section to operate so as to change the quantity of the airflow by an air exhaust section. Also, at the drying operation, the controller controls the first heated air generator and controls the temperature of the heated air supplied into each heating pipe according to the detected values of the grain water content value, and controls the second heated air generator and controls the temperature of the temperature of the heated air supplied into the drying section according to the detected values of the grain water content values and the grain filling amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Satake Corporation
    Inventors: Satoru Satake, Hideaki Matsushima, Toshinori Matsumoto, Hidenori Mizuno
  • Patent number: 6311410
    Abstract: A method and device for drying a coated web. The coated web is first conveyed through a web heating unit (10, 32, 40), in which the temperature of the coated web is raised, typically to drying temperature, by directing jets of heating air at the coated web, the humidity a1 of the said heating air jets being higher than the humidity a2 of the drying air jets. After this the coated web is conveyed through at least one air dryer (34, 36, 38; 42, 44, 46), in which drying air jets are directed at the coated web for drying the coated web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Pertti Heikkila, Kari Juppi, Pasi Rajala
  • Patent number: 6282811
    Abstract: In a method and a device for thermal treatment of a continuous product web by blowing of steam, a product web is transported through an inlet slot, an interior of the housing and an outlet slot and steam is blown onto the product web through nozzle openings of nozzle boxes, steam is blown onto the product web before the inlet slot of the housing in a sluice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Babcock Textilmaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Marc-Aurel Voth
  • Publication number: 20010015020
    Abstract: A method of drying wood comprises the step of drying wood in a drying chamber at a controlled temperature and a controlled humidity. The temperature and the moisture content inside the wood while being dried are monitored continuously or intermittently, and the temperature and the humidity in the drying chamber are controlled based on the resulting data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Applicant: Wood Drying Research
    Inventor: Taira Uehara
  • Patent number: 6253464
    Abstract: A system that employs thermophoresis to protect lithographic surfaces from particle deposition and operates in an environment where the pressure is substantially constant and can be sub-atmospheric. The system (thermophoretic pellicle) comprises an enclosure that surrounds a lithographic component whose surface is being protected from particle deposition. The enclosure is provided with means for introducing a flow of gas into the chamber and at least one aperture that provides for access to the lithographic surface for the entry and exit of a beam of radiation, for example, and further controls gas flow into a surrounding low pressure environment such that a higher pressure is maintained within the enclosure and over the surface being protected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Euv LLC
    Inventors: Leonard E. Klebanoff, Daniel J. Rader
  • Patent number: 6199300
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the heat input of a dryer where the initial heat input to a clothes load is set at full power until a first predetermined temperature or time condition occurs. The heat input of the dryer is then reduced to in order to reduce power consumption while effectively removing moisture from the clothes load. When the moisture content of the clothes load falls below a predetermined amount, full heat input is once again applied to remove remaining moisture in the clothes load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy E. Heater, Shawn Richard Oltz, Gregory J. Markert, Mark F. Kendall
  • Patent number: 6195909
    Abstract: A combination infrared/air convection dryer or oven for travelling webs. A shutter assembly is provided between the infrared radiation source and the moving web in order to selectively expose the web to infrared radiation, and to create a sealed air chamber when in the closed position. Enhanced drying of the web and/or a coating on the web at high speed is achieved without a concomitant increase in dryer length. When the drying atmosphere has a high concentration of solvent, exposure of that atmosphere to the heating elements, which can cause explosions, is eliminated by actuation of the shutters. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, air bars are used to floatingly support the moving web to avoid contact of the web with dryer elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Megtec Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan Wallace Rogne, Jeffrey Donald Quass
  • Patent number: 6138380
    Abstract: A method and device effect controlled uniform temperature drying of a wet web, such as a paper web substantially immediately after formation in a paper machine, without damaging the supporting fabric carrying the web. The web has a central region and first and second border regions. The wet web to be dried is conveyed on a conventional supporting fabric/wire in a first direction generally parallel to the web border regions, and in a hood drying air is blown against the web from the opposite side thereof as the supporting fabric so that the drying air picks up moisture and becomes moistened air. The moistened air is discharged from the volume adjacent the hood, for example is discharged from at least one hood positioned at and encompassing an impingement surface over which the web and supporting fabric pass. Air supplied for blowing against the web is heated to raise its ability to retain moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventors: Jarkko Veijola, Hans Sundqvist, Jarkko Nurmi, Petri Norri
  • Patent number: 6061927
    Abstract: A method in a dryer section of a paper or board machine for controlling curl of paper, in which steam treatment and/or moistening of the paper web is/are employed. The operations carried out in order to control the curl of the paper web are carried out in a number of stages when the web temperature is, during at least one stage, lower than 85.degree. C., preferably lower than 75.degree. C., and when the dry solids content of the web is in the range of K1-K2, wherein K1 is the ultimate dry solids content of the web -7% and K2 is the ultimate dry solids content +3%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventors: Vesa Ijas, Kari Juppi, Pasi Ahonen, Jaakko Kallioniemi
  • Patent number: 6026592
    Abstract: A stationary drying rack of the present invention is used in a clothes dryer for drying articles of clothing which cannot be tumbled by the dryer. The stationary rack is capable of using the electronic control drying circuitry of the dryer by making electrical contact with the sensor bars of the dryer and providing additional sets of sensor bars disposed on the drying rack. As a result, the sensor bars on the drying rack are electrically connected to the sensor bars on the dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventor: Joel L. Herr
  • Patent number: 6006443
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a method of treating a material web in a paper or paperboard machine, in which method the moving web is treated with a gas, particularly with steam. At least one supplementary treatment agent is dosed into the stream of said gas and effected to travel along with said gas toward said material web. The invention also concerns an apparatus suited to implement the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Runtech Systems Oy
    Inventor: Juha Karvinen
  • Patent number: 6001421
    Abstract: A dry end of a paper machine and a method for drying paper in which a paper web to be dried is passed from a press section of the paper machine into a forward dryer section including only single-wire groups with normal single-wire draw. The web is dried from the side of its bottom face in the dryer groups in the forward dryer section. From the forward dryer section, the web is passed into a finishing section in which the web is coated/surface-sized by a coating/surface-sizing device and then dried in an after-dryer by passing through at least one dryer group that applies a normal single-wire draw. Thereafter, the web is calendered and passed to a reeling station. Curling of the web is controlled by the operation or construction of components and/or by assemblies and combinations formed out of these components provided in connection with the forward dryer section and/or the finishing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventors: Pasi Ahonen, Jaakko Kallioniemi, Juha Kaihovirta, Ville Korhonen, Matti Luontama
  • Patent number: 5933979
    Abstract: A drying section in a papermaking machine has a first section with a series of single-tiered drying cylinders having vacuum transfer rolls with external vacuum chambers therebetween for improving web runnability, and a second dryer section with a series of single-tiered drying cylinders having movable vacuum transfer rolls disposed therebetween for providing improved cross-directional web shrinkage restraint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Beloit Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory L. Wedel
  • Patent number: 5933980
    Abstract: The dryer section in a papermaking machine has a single tier of all top felted dryer rolls six to nine feet in diameter. Air caps are employed over the dryer rolls to simultaneously dry both sides of the web to prevent curl and to increase drying rates. The air caps employ blown air at a temperature of 250-900 degrees Fahrenheit and air speeds of 8,000-40,000 feet per minute. The dryer fabric employed is foraminous with a permeability of between 300-1,200 cubic feet per minute per square foot and is designed to withstand peak temperatures of up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit and average temperatures of between 500-600 degrees Fahrenheit. A single transfer roll, or more advantageously, two grooved vacuum rolls in a vacuum box are disposed between the dryer rolls to maximize the circumferential wrap of the web and, at the same time, support and transport the web between dryer rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Beloit Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajendra D. Deshpande, Jeffrey H. Pulkowski
  • Patent number: 5920740
    Abstract: A development processing apparatus in which a photosensitive material is processed in processing solutions, and thereafter, the photosensitive material which has been processed in the processing solutions is subjected to drying processing by a dry air from a drying machine built in the development processing apparatus, comprising: a re-drying section which delivers the dry air from the drying machine to the outer side of the development processing apparatus; and photosensitive material holding means in which, in order to dry again the photosensitive material which has been subjected to drying processing by the dry air from the re-drying section, the photosensitive material which has been subjected to drying processing is held such that the surface of the photosensitive material which has been subjected to drying processing is substantially parallel to the direction of the dry air delivered from the re-drying section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadashi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5915817
    Abstract: A process for drying flammable cellulosic materials such as wood strands t involves maintaining the temperature and humidity of the drying medium above predetermined values to obtain certain stated advantages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Wolverine (Massachusetts) Corporation Proctor & Schwartz Division
    Inventor: Peter E. Zagorzycki