Abstract: Vehicle exterior lighting systems for vehicles equipped with tailgate assemblies may be configured to provide redundant backup lighting functionality for all tailgate positions (e.g., closed, open, and removed). Exemplary systems may include both vehicle static body structure mounted backup lamps and tailgate structure mounted backup lamps for providing the backup lighting redundancy.

Abstract: An dual path kiln is provided that includes a kiln having one or more chambers and at least two lumber charge paths adapted to convey lumber through the kiln in opposite directions.

Abstract: The present invention harvests and utilizes fluidized bed drying technology and waste heat streams augmented by other available heat sources to dry feedstock or fuel. This method is useful in many industries, including coal-fired power plants. Coal is dried using the present invention before it goes to coal pulverizers and on to the furnace/boiler arrangement to improve boiler efficiency and reduce emissions. This is all completed in a low-temperature, open-air system. Also included is an apparatus for segregating particulate by density and/or size including a fluidizing bed having a particulate receiving inlet for receiving particulate to be fluidized. This is useful for segregating contaminants like sulfur and mercury from the product stream.

Abstract: Instead of desiccating articles of clothing by spinning the articles, the method and apparatus according to the invention removes moisture from these articles by pressing or drying them with the aid of hot air. Desiccation of the clothing articles occurs gently and with a low expenditure of energy by subjecting the articles to the action of at least one gas jet and, in particular, of a compressed air jet, which is not aligned parallel to the surface of the article of clothing to exert a force upon the article. Advantageously, the article of clothing is subjected to the action of gas jets on both sides.

Abstract: An air knife or air nozzle manifold for drying or blowing off passing articles moved by a conveyor system is provided with a coupling that permits rotation of the air knife or air nozzle manifold relative to the air inlet duct leading from a blower. The air knife or air nozzle manifold has opposing ends located equidistant from a longitudinal axis of rotation relative to a stationary element of the coupling. Thrust nozzles are provided at each of the opposing ends of the air knife or air nozzle manifold to deflect a certain portion of the air from the plenum chamber to provide thrusting jets of air that rotate the air knife or air nozzle manifold about the longitudinal axis. The flow of air emitted from the air knife or air nozzle manifold is thereby directed onto the passing articles from different directions as the articles move by. The efficiency of drying and blowing off the articles to be processed is thereby significantly improved.

Abstract: A continuous gravity flow apparatus for heating and/or drying of particulate material is vertically disposed and is provided with an inlet at the top and an outlet at the bottom. The apparatus includes a flow passage for the particulate material which is defined between an outer housing and an inner housing. Each of the outer and inner housing defines perforated wall sections allowing for the flow of hot gas through the wall of one housing, into contact with the particulate material, and then out through the wall of the other housing. Manifolds are associated with the outer and inner housings to provide for uniform flow of the gas through the material. The perforated wall sections are positioned and designed to enhance particle-to-particle movement of the material to thereby avoid particle sticking and bridging problems.

Abstract: A method for drying washed objects which is capable of drying the objects in a reduced period of time, effectively preventing contamination of the objects, and preventing energy loss. The apparatus for carrying on the method of drying washed objects includes a drying tank having an opening on the upper portion thereof so that the washed objects can be placed or taken out from above, and a rinsing tank formed integrally with the drying tank, and is capable of being sealed hermetically by closing an openable and closable lid. The drying tank includes a mist-straightening vane for supplying organic solvent mist at normal temperatures to the washed objects, so that the washed objects are dried by organic solvent mist emitted from the mist-straightening vane.

Abstract: The grain dryer of the present invention has upper and lower heat plenums, with first and second grain conduits, with each conduit having an upper section and a lower section, and a central crossover section between the upper and lower sections. The upper section of each conduit is on one side of the upper heat plenum, while the lower section of each conduit is on the opposite side of the lower heat plenum. The crossover sections of each conduit extend the respective conduits from one side of the upper heat plenum to the opposite side of the lower heat plenum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating and drying coated substrates without introducing significant surface imperfections while running at higher web speeds than known drying methods. The substrate is preferably coated within the drying enclosure or the coating bead may form a closure at the entrance of the drying enclosure. The substrate is moved through a first drying enclosure along a first axis. The first drying enclosure is substantially isolated from an external environment. A first low velocity, substantially laminar flow field of a drying gas is directed across the front surface of the substrate. The first flow field is generally parallel to the front surface and generally perpendicular to the first axis to minimize the formation of surface imperfections during the evaporation of the coating solvent. The substrate may then be moved to subsequent drying enclosures through transition enclosures that minimize surface imperfections due to high velocity interaction between the adjacent drying enclosures.

Abstract: A pellet conditioning device (10) for the cooling and/or drying of preformed discrete pellets (148) is provided which includes an upright pellet-receiving bin (12) with a dual grate assembly (18) therein. The assembly (18) includes a stationary first grate comprising a plurality of upright, apertured grate wall members (86), and a shiftable second grate including a plurality of elongated, obliquely oriented plates (106) located between and in spanning relationship to adjacent pairs of the wall members (86). Shifting structure (20) is provided for selective and sequential translational, rectilinear shifting movement of the lower margins (110) of the plates (106) so as to successively open and close a pellet passageway (117) adjacent each lower margin (110). A duct and fan arrangement (38) is also provided with the bin (12) so as to draw cooling air currents through the grate assembly (18) and pellets (148) therein.