With Diverter Means To Alternate Flow Paths Patents (Class 34/566)
  • Patent number: 8720080
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying a room within a building by sealing the room from outside ambient air ingress, heating the room internally, sensing humidity levels within the room, exhausting the air from within the room and drawing in outside ambient air, sensing water content within the room, and repeating the sequence until a dry status indication is received that the water content within the room has been reduced a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: DBK Technitherm Limited
    Inventors: Jonathan Robert Jayne, Mark Lee Robinson, Philip Harris, Daniel Court, Andrew Charles Habbershaw
  • Patent number: 8215133
    Abstract: A fabric treating machine is provided which supplies steam and hot air to fabric articles received in a receiving room to remove odors, wrinkles, moisture and the like remaining in the fabric articles. The fabric treating machine can control a drying process based on a level of dryness of the fabric articles determined by electrode parts provided with a hanging means and/or a rack system that supports the fabric articles in the receiving room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Seok Kim, Dae Yun Park, Dong Won Kim, Sog Kie Hong
  • Publication number: 20110154683
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method of drying the interior of solar modules. The apparatus and the method are particularly suitable for use with concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) modules. The drying apparatus comprises an absorber for drying and a heating device for heating a gas flowing therethrough and is connected to a solar cell via a connection, so that the dried gas is conducted into the solar cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Achim Vogt, Karl Frieldrick Haarburger, Alecander Hakenjos, Tomas Nunez
  • Patent number: 7526877
    Abstract: An operation method for a drying device is disclosed. More particularly, the present invention relates to a new type of a drying device which enables air in a drying drum and a cabinet for drying the laundry to circulate continuously, as well as capable of getting a suitable output of power based on each drying cycle due to a various structure of a drying heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Young Soo Kim, Soung Bong Choi, Byung Hwan Ahn, Deug Hee Lee, Hung Myong Cho
  • Patent number: 7426791
    Abstract: An energy savings apparatus configured for use with a clothes dryer comprising an air duct and a damper assembly. The air duct has a first end and a second end. The damper assembly includes an air duct portion and a damper device mounting on the duct portion. The air duct portion of the damper assembly is attached at a first end thereof to the first end of the air duct. The second end of the air duct portion of the damper assembly is configured for being attached to an air inlet of a heater assembly of a clothes dryer. The damper assembly is configured for selectively enabling air to be routed to the air inlet of the heater assembly from the second end of the air duct and from an air inlet intermediate the ends of the air duct portion of the damper assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Inventor: Mack V. Martin
  • Patent number: 7260901
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for controlling the temperature of objects, especially for drying or cooling objects, said device comprising a housing containing at least two tempering units which are arranged in a functionally parallel manner. Each tempering unit comprises a tunnel-type usable space in which tempered air is applied to the objects. Said objects can be displaced through the usable spaces by means of a respective transport system. According to the invention, the at least two tempering units are superimposed in the housing essentially above the same base surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Eisenmann Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Martin Doll
  • Patent number: 7194822
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for controllably drying moisture-containing work pieces. The system comprises a drying compartment defining an internal workspace for housing and drying the moisture-containing work pieces by introducing heat into the internal workspace and heating the moisture-containing work pieces located in the internal workspace by removing heated moisture from the work pieces and absorbing the heated moisture into the air in the workspace to produce heated humidified air. A multi-directional air flow heat exchanger is employed for receiving heated humidified air and atmospheric air and for recycling waste heat from exhaust air from the drying compartment, and for heating the atmospheric air in the heat exchanger using recovered heat extracted from the heated humidified air to a temperature higher than ambient temperature thereby reducing energy costs and drying time and preventing the loss of circulation air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: American Wood Dryers, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary L. Kolari
  • Patent number: 7188434
    Abstract: A dehumidification apparatus including an outer tubular container (2) closed at its ends, a first (5) and a second (9) transverse grids located inside the tubular container (2), one grid element being spaced from the other and from a respective adjacent end of the tubular container (2) and delimiting a receiving space therewith, a mass of molecular sieves (MS) located in the receiving space, heating elements (19) in the tubular container (2), and first and second openings (4, 16) for communication of the interior of the container with the outside, characterised in that it comprises an inner tubular jacket (6) extending from at least the first grid (5) for a distance greater than that between the first (5) and the second (9) grid, thereby shaping the receiving space for the sieves (8) as an annular gap and providing a projecting section (6a) extending from the second grid (9); and an annular partition (17) between the outer container (2) and the inner jacket (6) at the projecting section (6a) of the inner jack
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Moretto S.P.A.
    Inventor: Renato Moretto
  • Patent number: 7176415
    Abstract: A heating method and apparatus for a band-shaped body transported in a constant conveying direction in a heating zone so as to heat the band-shaped body is provided. The method includes detecting whether a portion of the band-shaped body at which width and/or thickness changes is passing through the heating zone setting a first supplied heat quantity, and supplying heat with the first supplied quantity to the band-shaped body in the heating zone; and setting a second supplied heat quantity, and supplying heat with the second supplied quantity to the band-shaped body in the heating zone. The method also includes increasing or decreasing at least one of air flow rate or temperature of the heated air stream. The apparatus includes an air flow ratio changing unit which maintains a constant sum of introduced air stream flow rate and bypass air stream flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Kamitani, Kenji Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7168183
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating particulate material has an elongated, tunnel-like process chamber, along which the material to be treated can be moved from an inlet to an outlet. A bottom of said process chamber is designed in that two flows of introduced process air are oriented transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction and impinge on each other along a breaking-up zone. Arranged in the bottom are air guide elements which can be adjusted by an adjustment device in that the process air can have superimposed on it a variable movement component in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Inventor: Herbert Hüttlin
  • Patent number: 7003899
    Abstract: A method of forming a dynamic liquid meniscus includes forming a meniscus at a first size, the meniscus being formed between a proximity head and a first surface and changing the meniscus to a second size by modulating a flow through at least one of a set of ports on the proximity head. A system for modulating flow through the ports in a proximity head is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Garcia, Fred C. Redeker, John de Larios
  • Patent number: 6779534
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for drying washed objects being capable of drying the objects in a reduced period of time, effectively preventing contamination of the objects, and preventing energy loss are provided. The apparatus for 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 the 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Kaijo Corporation
    Inventors: Kensuke Yamaguchi, Yoshinori Ishikawa, Ki Han
  • Patent number: 6651357
    Abstract: Integrated web dryer and regenerative heat exchanger, as well as a method of drying a web of material using the same. The apparatus and method of the present invention provides for the heating of air and the converting of VOCs to harmless gases in a fully integrated manner via the inclusion of a regenerative combustion device as an integral element of the drying apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Megtec Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Bria, Alan D. Fiers, Andreas C. H. Rühl
  • Patent number: 6564473
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for impingement of fluid onto a moving surface. The apparatus includes an asymmetric slot nozzle having an opening formed between an upstream wall and a downstream wall. The nozzle is disposed generally adjacent the surface onto which the fluid is to be impinged forming an impingement distance between each of the walls of the nozzle and the surface. The impingement distance of the upstream wall is greater than the impingement distance of the downstream wall such that at least a portion of the fluid is delivered through the nozzle in a direction that is counter to the machine direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Savas Aydore
  • Patent number: 6442864
    Abstract: A thermal equalizer for use in a paper web drying machine and process is disclosed. The equalizer is located at the junction of a crescent header and the associated nozzle box and its use results in a more uniform temperature and nozzle velocity in the cross-machine direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventors: Volker J. Ringer, Mohammad R. Golriz, Christine Tourigny, Sidney Gary Jones
  • Patent number: 6427360
    Abstract: A method for preheating a permeable, thermoformable material having first and second sides includes supplying heated fluid to a fluid distribution system; regulating flow of the fluid such that fluid having a first temperature flows at a first velocity, and fluid having a second temperature less than the first temperature flows at a second velocity greater than the first velocity; introducing the fluid onto the first side of the material; and developing a suction on the second side of the material sufficient to draw the fluid through the material thereby convectively heating the material; wherein the flow of the fluid is regulated so as to transfer substantially uniform energy flux to the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Sunil K. Gupté
  • Patent number: 6370793
    Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the temperature of a wafer in a wafer pre-alignment stage has an air injection member for injecting cooling air towards a chucked wafer and an air guide for guiding a predetermined amount of the injected air towards a portion of the wafer adjacent the edge sensor to compensate for a relatively high temperature condition existing at the region of the edge sensor due to the operation thereof. The air injection member is connected with an air supplier and includes an air injection head having a bottom plate through which a plurality of injection holes extend. The air guide is a flow rate controlling plate which is disposed within the air injection head. The air introduced received by the air injection head is guided towards the region of the edge sensor by the flow rate controlling plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hee Sun Chae, Jae Il Kim, Yo Han Ahn
  • Patent number: 6085443
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for drying small lots of product, for example ear corn. The method includes simultaneously directing air flow through the product while weighing the product from time to time to derive moisture content to the product. Air temperature and flow can be adjusted to desired levels for controlling the drying process. The apparatus includes an air permeable product bin and a docking station for receiving the bin. A scale is associated with the docking station to obtain weight measurements during the drying process. An air plenum supplies controlled air flow to the docking station. The structure allows monitoring of moisture content during drying and control of air flow. The temperature can also be controlled through control of an air gate from a main hot and cold air plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Hunter, Charles G. McBee
  • Patent number: 6058626
    Abstract: A dryer for material webs for supplying heat to at least one side of a material web, the dryer having a dryer housing formed with an inlet opening and an outlet opening for material webs, and at least one ventilator and at least one heating device for producing heated gas, includes a burner unit shielded against the atmosphere in the dryer, and a supply system for supplying the burner unit with process gas formed of a large portion of exhaust gas of the dryer, the process gas being maintained for a dwell time and at a temperature level adequate for complete combustion of volatile solvents before it is supplied once again as heated gas to the interior of the dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Clemens De Vroome, Franciscus Ernst
  • Patent number: 5901464
    Abstract: A twin tower air drying system for cleaning and drying a stream of unpurified pressurized air including a centrifugal separator having a baffle horizontally disposed therein to generally separate the centrifugal chamber into an upper sub-chamber and a lower sub-chamber; a pair of cavities each containing desiccant media and a purge tube with a flapper valve thereover to close and restrict flow of air through the purge tube when air is flowing upwardly through the cavity, and to open and promote air flow through the purge tube when air is flowing downwardly through the cavity; a pair of two-way control valves to either deliver a stream of air from the centrifugal separator to a cavity or to open a cavity to atmosphere; a timer control for alternately and periodically altering the condition of the two-way control valves such that when one is delivering air to a cavity, the other is open to atmosphere; a shuttle valve for admitting an output percentage of air emerging from either of the cavities to a storage cha
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventors: Michael V. Kazakis, Scott M. Trapp, T. Kevin Castle
  • Patent number: 5749162
    Abstract: The dryer for a motor vehicle washing and drying system includes three downwardly-facing nozzles. The nozzles oscillate in a synchronized manner, with two side nozzles oscillating over a limited range only. A center nozzle, disposed between the two side nozzles, oscillates over a wider range to drive water on the upper surface of the vehicle towards the side nozzles. The side nozzles then drive the water along the contours of the vehicle surface down the sides of the vehicle using the Coanda effect. One of the side nozzles as well as the center nozzle is moved in an inward or outward direction depending upon the sensed width of the vehicle. The center nozzle is rotated in a forward or rearward direction as the vehicle moves underneath the dryer. Each nozzle contains a unique ovoid-shaped member disposed in the nozzle to accelerate and concentrate the output of the nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: PDQ Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Allen Jones