By Absorbent Patents (Class 34/80)
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Patent number: 5640783Abstract: A dryer appliance for demoisturizing a moisture sensitive item such as an electronic hearing aid or the like, having a housing with a removable cap for providing a substantially sealed chamber and access thereto, a desiccant component mounted in the housing and substantially dividing the chamber into first and second regions, a support in the chamber for supporting at least one item within the first region, one or more passages interconnecting the first and second regions for providing a gas flow circulation path therethrough, the circulation path being (a) gas flow into contact with and through the desiccant component, (b) then into and thru the first region for contact with the item, (c) then thru the passage into the second region, and (d) then again into contact with the desiccant component to continue the circulation, and a gas moving mechanism in the chamber for forcing and maintaining the gas flow circulation path.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 1995Date of Patent: June 24, 1997Inventor: Daniel R. Schumaier
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Patent number: 5625960Abstract: Disclosed is a unit, for removing rainwater from umbrellas, that can easily, effectively, and quickly remove rainwater from umbrellas. This unit comprises an umbrella insertion portion into which an umbrella that is wet with rain is inserted, a rainwater collecting portion where rainwater is held and from which it is discharged, and, with some configurations, a fan compartment from which warm air is driven into the umbrella insertion portion. With another configuration, the unit comprises a cylindrical external frame that has a handle and multiple brushes that are provided on the internal wall of the external frame. With these arrangements, the unit according to the present invention can easily, effectively, and quickly remove rainwater from wet umbrellas.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1994Date of Patent: May 6, 1997Inventor: Sanai Fujita
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Patent number: 5604991Abstract: A switching and purging mechanism is disclosed for controlling flow of gas within a twin tower gas drying system. The drying system filters unpurified gas to supply purified gas to a pneumatic system with a purge percentage for purging moisture previously retained. The mechanism includes a valve body, first and second pistons, and a control means. The body defines first and second bores, first and second supply passages, first and second output ports, and first and second purge ports. Through the control means, the first piston occupies a supply position while the second piston occupies a purge position and vice versa. When the first piston occupies the supply position, unpurified gas flows from the first passage through the first bore through the first output port and communication between the first output port and the first purge port ceases.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1996Date of Patent: February 25, 1997Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake CompanyInventors: T. Kevin Castle, Michael V. Kazakis
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Patent number: 5592754Abstract: An electronically controlled compressed air system (10) includes an air dryer (16) which dries compressed air before the compressed air is communicated to a reservoir (26). The air dryer (16) includes a desiccant (18) which is purged by using air stored in the reservoir (26). A pressure transducer (13) is installed on the reservoir (26) and transits an electrical signal, indicative of the pressure in the reservoir (26) to an electric controller (11). Electric controller (11) transmits signals at various selected pressure levels to solenoid value (28) to control loading and unloading of the compressor (12), to solenoid valve (36) to control purging of the air dryer (16), and to the warning light (40) to alert an operator of a low air pressure condition.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1996Date of Patent: January 14, 1997Assignee: AlliedSignal Truck Brake Systems Co.Inventors: Robert D. Krieder, Cheryl L. Greenly
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Patent number: 5572799Abstract: A ventilator/dryer device for drying wet air in a room, the device having a treatment chamber, a rotary drying device and a forced circulation mechanism housed in a case main body provided with an air inlet port and an air outlet port that communicate with the interior of the room. The treatment chamber is divided into a primary side section and a secondary side section with the rotary drying device disposed therebetween. The forced circulation mechanism draws air from the room via the air inlet port to the primary side section of the treatment chamber, passes it through the rotary drying device and sends it back into the room through the secondary side section of the treatment chamber and the air outlet port by means of a single blower. The rotary drying device is adapted to take a drying position, a regenerating position and a heat recovering position sequentially in the sense of its rotation.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 1995Date of Patent: November 12, 1996Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hashimoto Masuyuki, Nakayama Toshio, Namatame Tatuo, Kunio Kayama
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Patent number: 5566468Abstract: A process and an apparatus for processing an adsorption medium which, by means of a hot gas, is freed of an agent, particularly moisture, adsorbed in the adsorption medium and is then cooled by a stream of gas or air. In order to avoid undesired heating of the exiting gas stream and/or of the drying air, a stream of cooling gas emerging from the hot adsorption medium is conducted through a heat accumulator for receiving the heat from the hot adsorption medium and then is recirculated through the adsorption medium.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 1994Date of Patent: October 22, 1996Assignee: SOMOS GmbHInventor: Roderich W. Graeff
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Patent number: 5546673Abstract: A dryer control system for controlling the drying of polymer plastic pellets within a dryer hopper is provided. A series of temperature snap switches and pressure switches are strategically located within the dryer control system to cause a variety of passive fault lights to be activated to signal faults while the system continues to operate or to cause an alarm light to be activated which stops the drying cycle. The passive fault lights indicate a situation within the drying cycle which should be corrected but which is not sufficiently serious to stop the drying cycle. An alarm being activated, on the other hand, indicates a situation which requires shut-down of the drying system until the problems which caused the alarm are corrected. A programmable logic controller and a temperature controller control the operation of the system by receiving signals from the snap switches and pressure switches throughout the system.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 1995Date of Patent: August 20, 1996Assignee: The Conair Group, Inc.Inventors: Jon J. Weagraff, Kaihan Tavakoli
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Patent number: 5542191Abstract: A footwear drying insert includes an elongated foot-shaped body defining opposing toe and heel ends and including tubular inner and outer layers of material that are secured together to define an intermediate space between the layers and an interior space within the inner tubular layer. A plurality of baffles are formed between and connect the inner and outer layers of the body together. The baffles extend in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis between the toe and heel ends of the body to divide the intermediate space into compartments. A desiccant composition is enveloped within at least one of the compartments, and structure is provided for exerting outward support on the body during use. The support structure is compressible to allow the insert to be deformed for insertion into and removal from the footwear.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1995Date of Patent: August 6, 1996Assignee: Shouse Financial CorporationInventors: Elizabeth J. Shouse, Ronald W. Shouse
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Patent number: 5542259Abstract: A process and apparatus for open cycle desiccant cooling wherein the process stream and regeneration stream are divided into a plurality of radial stream segments by non-parallel partitions forming unequal face segments in the desiccant wheel and the heat wheel for the same stream segment. The unequal face segments in the desiccant wheel and the heat wheel provide differing temperature profiles at the face of each wheel and allow obtaining desired temperature profiles for heat exchange and moisture adsorption. The process of this invention results in reduction of the radial speed of the heat wheel to less than 4 providing high effectiveness of the heat wheel increasing the capacity and the COP of the system.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 1995Date of Patent: August 6, 1996Assignee: Gas Research InstituteInventors: William M. Worek, Weixiang Zheng
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Patent number: 5535526Abstract: A process for handling and storing surface-mount, encapsulated flip-chip carrier modules to prevent the formation of amoeba-like solder bridges between the flip-chip C4 connections along the boundary between the encapsulant and the chip surface and/or between the encapsulant and the chip carrier substrate surface. The concentration of free moisture in the encapsulant is maintained below a predetermined safe limit during reflow heating used to mount the modules on a circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 1995Date of Patent: July 16, 1996Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Lawrence H. White
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Patent number: 5526651Abstract: A process and apparatus for open cycle desiccant cooling wherein the process stream and regeneration stream are divided into a plurality of radial stream segments by non-parallel partitions forming unequal face segments in the desiccant wheel and the heat wheel for the same stream segment. The unequal face segments in the desiccant wheel and the heat wheel provide differing temperature profiles at the face of each wheel and allow obtaining desired temperature profiles for heat exchange and moisture adsorption. The process of this invention results in reduction of the radial speed of the heat wheel to less than 4 providing high effectiveness of the heat wheel increasing the capacity and the COP of the system.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1994Date of Patent: June 18, 1996Assignee: Gas Research InstituteInventors: William M. Worek, Weixiang Zheng
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Patent number: 5522150Abstract: Air dryer mechanism for a compressed air system includes a cover member, a desiccant housing, and an adapter member securing the desiccant housing to the cover member. In one embodiment, the adapter member is a integral purge volume which is releasably attached to both the cover member and to the desiccant housing and which defines a purge volume which stores purge air for later regeneration of the desiccant. In another embodiment, the adaptive member is a plate which is attached to both the cover member and the desiccant housing and provides flow paths communicating the supply port to the desiccant and the desiccant to the delivery port. The second embodiment, the cover member is provided with a purge volume port for connection to a remote purge volume.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 1994Date of Patent: June 4, 1996Assignee: Allied Signal Truck Brake SystemsInventor: Paul A. Schultz
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Patent number: 5497561Abstract: A dryer for removing moisture from natural gas includes a hollow pressure vessel with a bottom separator section, an intermediate drying section and an upper drying section. A perforated plate separates the intermediate and upper sections and supports a bed of a dry desiccant material. An annular passage is formed between an inverted down tube which is located within the intermediate section and the cylindrical wall of the vessel. A liquid drain tray separates the intermediate section and the lower separator section. An inlet tube provides communication between the intermediate section and the separator section and is located within the down tube. A sparger plate is spaced above the drain tray and is formed with a plurality of spaced openings providing a total open area of between 35% and 85% of the total area of the plate.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 1994Date of Patent: March 12, 1996Assignee: Pride of the Hills Mfg., Inc.Inventors: Curtis W. Murray, Sr., Curtis W. Murray, Jr.
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Patent number: 5488784Abstract: A ventilated tray for holding adsorbent material during microwave desorption of the material. The tray facilitates the flow of desorption gases through a bed of adsorbent without agitation of the adsorbent. The ventilated tray includes a housing having four walls and a bottom piece and a gas-permeable adsorbent support structure disposed in the housing. The adsorbent support structure is positioned above the bottom piece so that the adsorbent support structure, the bottom piece and the four walls define a plenum. A gas passage aperture is located in one of the housing walls to providing fluid communication between the plenum and the exterior of the housing. The adsorbent support structure is a porous plate having pores which are smaller than the grain size of the adsorbent material. Alternatively, the adsorbent support structure can be a two-tiered structure which relies on the adsorbent's angle of repose to support the adsorbent.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 1993Date of Patent: February 6, 1996Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Donald E. Woodmansee, Andrew P. Shapiro
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Patent number: 5485686Abstract: The invention resides in a process air dryer system for plastics processing machines and method for drying process air comprising two desiccant towers repeatedly alternating between process and regeneration cycles. In addition to conventional bottom heaters, each tower has an additional generally central heater so as to reduce the time required to regenerate saturated desiccant. When a tower is undergoing regeneration of its desiccant, generally centrally heaters aid conventional bottom heaters in drying saturated desiccant so as to reduce conventional regeneration cycle time by as much as 25% to 30%.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 1994Date of Patent: January 23, 1996Assignee: Dri-Air Industries, Inc.Inventor: Charles F. Sears, Jr.
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Patent number: 5457897Abstract: A process for drying a gas stream having a periodically fluctuating moisture content which assures that a predetermined dew point temperature is not exceeded at any time by conducting the gas stream through a moisture adsorbing medium having a reversible moisture adsorption capacity is greater than the average moisture content of the gas stream, and an apparatus for carrying out this process comprising a source of a flowing gas, such as air, which has a fluctuating moisture content, connected to a gas utilizing device via a chamber filled with an adsorbing medium which adsorbs moisture in a reversible manner and which has a moisture adsorption capacity which is greater than the average moisture content of the gas stream.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1994Date of Patent: October 17, 1995Assignee: Somos GmbHInventor: Achim Becker
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Patent number: 5446973Abstract: A process and an apparatus for desorption, e.g. desorbing a solvent, from a bedding (4) of adsorbent material (14), e.g. activated carbon, by means of a hot gas flow, e.g. air, so that a wave of concentration induces, which goes through the bedding by means of the hot gas flow. The invention is characterized in that the concentration wave is controlled to reach the gas flow outlet of the bedding surface successively.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 1993Date of Patent: September 5, 1995Inventors: Jan Andersson, Lars Nilsson
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Patent number: 5446974Abstract: A novel filter assembly (8) for fluid bed granulator, dryer or coater machines (1) which utilize a rigid filter frame (10) consisting of a solid bottom plate (4), a donut shaped top plate (3) with said top and bottom plates being connected by side rods (5) to form a cage like frame work. Said rigid filter frame (10) is reusable, around which a pleated (13) reusable flexible filter bag (9) is fitted and clamped (7), top support plate (2) and mounting plate (12) are connected by a threaded rod (6) with a sealing gasket (11) between them.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 1993Date of Patent: September 5, 1995Inventor: Scott A. Gubler
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Patent number: 5440898Abstract: This refrigerant filter-drier core is molded from a permeable matrix which includes desiccant particles, a binder and reinforcing fibers, the fibers being fixed in place by the binder and being effective to impart strength and permeability to the filter-drier core.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1994Date of Patent: August 15, 1995Assignee: Sporlan Valve CompanyInventor: Thomas L. Starr
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Patent number: 5423129Abstract: A desiccant cartridge for use in a compressed air system comprising, a perforated stainless steel casing, a polyester felt support liner disposed against the inner surfaces of the perforated stainless steel casing, a pelletized moisture-absorbing material situated within the polyester felt support liner, and a pair of rubber cup-shaped end caps molded to the ends of perforated stainless steel case so that moisture vapor is extracted from compressed air passing radially the desiccant cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1992Date of Patent: June 13, 1995Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake CompanyInventors: T. Kevin Castle, Michael V. Kazakis
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Patent number: 5374337Abstract: A halohydrocarbon solvent recovery process. The process in one embodiment includes heating a gross mixture including solvent, fatty-acid impurities and water in a bath to vaporize at least a portion of the solvent and the impurities. A portion of the vapor is then condensed in a reflux condenser to form a condensate mixture. After drying and impurity absorption, a solvent product of at least 99% purity may be recovered. In one embodiment, the gross mixture is obtained from steam stripping dry-cleaner filter cartridges.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 1993Date of Patent: December 20, 1994Assignee: Technichem Engineering, Ltd.Inventors: Mark J. Ng, Bruce T. Maeda
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Patent number: 5346674Abstract: A process and apparatus is disclosed for removing impurities from gases such as flue gases. A liquified gas such as nitrogen is introduced into direct contact with the gases to be cleaned of impurities concurrent with the introduction of a sorbent powder for cooling the gas to a temperature in the range of 60.degree. C. to -20.degree. C. and with nucleation precipitation and condensation of heavy metals, salts, acids and hydrocarbons onto the sorbent. A porous and permeable bed of said sorbent is formed through which the gases are drawn for absorption and adsorption of said precipitated and condensed material thereon. The pH of the sorbent is adjusted and maintained in the pH range of 9 to 11.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 1992Date of Patent: September 13, 1994Assignee: Agglo RecoveryInventors: Peter Weinwurm, Paul S. Weinwurm
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Patent number: 5335426Abstract: Water contamination is purged from molecular sieve material used in oxygen concentrators by heating the molecular sieve material to a temperature in the range of approximately 450.degree. to 950.degree. F., and subjecting the molecular sieve material to a stream of dry sweep gas having a dew point in the range of approximately -80.degree. to -100.degree. F. In the preferred embodiment, the molecular sieve material is contained in a vessel and heated by means of a number of heating elements. In addition, a flow of dry sweep gas is produced by at least two drying chambers containing a desiccating material. A first valve assembly alternately cycles the sweep gas through the first drying chamber and then through said second drying chamber.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 1992Date of Patent: August 9, 1994Assignee: Foothills Medical Equipment, Inc.Inventors: Bernard W. Settlemyer, William A. Johnson, Robert L. Johnson
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Patent number: 5303482Abstract: A wafer keeping apparatus includes a closed wafer keeping space, and an arrangement for circulating an inert gas through a filter and then through the wafer keeping space. In one embodiment, several wafer keeping shelves are each provided within the space, and the inert gas is supplied through a respective filter to flow across each shelf. In another embodiment, a plurality of wafer keeping spaces are each accessible through a respective door which forms an airtight seal when it is closed, and respective filters are provided on opposite sides of the space, the inert gas being supplied to the space through one filter and exiting the space through the other filter. In a further embodiment, several of the wafer keeping spaces are provided at angularly and vertically spaced locations in a rotatable stocker body provided within a casing, and several vertically spaced doors are provided on the casing to provide access to respective wafer keeping spaces in the stocker body.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 1992Date of Patent: April 19, 1994Assignee: Shinko Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Teppei Yamashita, Masanao Murata, Tsuyoshi Tanaka, Teruya Morita, Hitoshi Kawano, Atsushi Okuno, Masanori Tsuda, Mitsuhiro Hayashi, Hiromi Morita
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Patent number: 5304436Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying a non-aqueous liquid electrolyte through the non-contact use of a desiccant includes a closed system having separate containers for the electrolyte and the desiccant. The closed system is charged with an inert gas, and a means is provided to circulate the gas between the containers. A stirring means is provided to stir the electrolyte to facilitate the release of water from the electrolyte.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 1992Date of Patent: April 19, 1994Assignee: Valence Technology Inc.Inventor: On-Kok Chang
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Patent number: 5301439Abstract: A desiccant rotor including three or more barrels rotatably disposed in a housing, each of the barrels having a passage formed in a center portion and made of screen material and having one end for receiving air, and a stop disposed in a middle portion of the passage for preventing the air from directly flowing out of the barrel. A rotating mechanism is disposed below the housing for rotating the barrels relative to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1992Date of Patent: April 12, 1994Inventor: Bang-Chih Wang
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Patent number: 5277716Abstract: The solvent vapor concentration which is mixed with air and is obtained in the treatment of articles in an apparatus is controlled in the apparatus by a method comprising the following steps:a) passing gaseous solvent vapor/air mixture from the apparatus through at least one adsorber containing an adsorbent for the organic solvent and recycling the outlet gas stream from the adsorber to the apparatus;b) after completion of the adsorption, opening the apparatus to enable removal of treated articles from the apparatus and closing the apparatus;c) heating the adsorbent and passing a gas stream from the apparatus through the adsorber and recycling the outlet stream from the adsorber directly to the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1991Date of Patent: January 11, 1994Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Stephan W. Boppart, Marius A. M. Kumin
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Patent number: 5236580Abstract: A device and a related method are provided for reclaiming or recovering dry cleaning solvent from otherwise disposable fluid contained within a separator or other suitable receptacle of a dry cleaning machine. The device includes an evaporator and a fluid transfer mechanism for transporting fluid evaporated by the evaporator through a filter that removes substantially all of the solvent present within the evaporated fluid. Alternatively, a filter can be interposed between the separator or other suitable receptacle and the evaporator so that solvent is filtered before reaching the evaporator. Consequently, the device substantially reclaims or recovers dry cleaning solvent that may still be present within the fluid that is to be otherwise disposed of from the separator or other suitable receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 1992Date of Patent: August 17, 1993Assignee: Kelleher Equipment Co., Inc.Inventor: John H. Kelleher
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Patent number: 5215718Abstract: A laboratory dryer especially for drying potentially infectious or toxic samples has a housing with an air inlet and an air outlet, the housing defining an air flow path. The samples are received at a station between the inlet and the outlet along the air flow path, and subjected to a powered air flow via a fan. A hydrophilic filter element intersects the air flow downstream along the air flow path from the samples and upstream of the outlet, and captures particulate matter and water droplets which would otherwise be carried by the air flow from the housing into the room where the dryer is located. An electric heater is disposed in the housing adjacent the inlet and downstream of the fan. The housing can have an internal cross section of decreasing area proceeding towards the samples along the air flow path, whereby a velocity of the air over the samples is increased.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1992Date of Patent: June 1, 1993Inventors: Rodney A. Katzer, Charles F. McBrairty, Edward J. McBrairty
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Patent number: 5213769Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for forming a mixture containing a regulated, low concentration of a target component within a carrier fluid. In accordance with the present invention, the carrier fluid is passed through the bed including a compound having two phases with one of the two phases containing the target component. A vapor phase of the target component exists within the bed in equilibrium with the target component contained within at least one of the two phases. The vapor phase has a partial pressure dependent upon bed temperature. The carrier fluid is then passed through the bed so that it contains the target component upon leaving the bed at essentially the partial pressure of the vapor phase. The target component concentration is dependent upon a quotient of the partial pressure of the vapor phase and carrier fluid total pressure. Regulation of the bed temperature and carrier fluid total pressure will in turn regulate the concentration of the target component within the carrier fluid.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1991Date of Patent: May 25, 1993Inventor: Walter H. Whitlock
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Patent number: 5199354Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 21, 1992Date of Patent: April 6, 1993Assignee: TPS Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Kenneth L. Wood
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Patent number: 5199185Abstract: A process for removing moisture from coal comprises transforming the coal to coal fines, polarizing the coal fines to produce an electrical charge differential between the relatively non-conductive water and the relatively conductive coal particles, and removing the water by admixing the coal fines in a drying chamber with a dry gaseous mixture having a different electrical state from the moisture, such that the moisture is selectively attracted to the gaseous media, and then separating the moisture laden gaseous media from the coal fines and collecting the fines. The admixture is accomplished with a vertically oriented cylindrical drying chamber wherein the fines are introduced at the top of the chamber and settle downwardly and the dry, gaseous media is directed upwardly through the chamber in a swirling helical path.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 1991Date of Patent: April 6, 1993Assignee: Western Dry, Inc.Inventor: James G. Davidson
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Patent number: 5191721Abstract: A microwave-regenerable desiccant cartridge including a casing of transparent plastic, indicating desiccant within the casing, a bottom wall and a top wall in the casing, apertures in the bottom and top walls of the casing of a smaller size than the desiccant within the casing, and outwardly extending legs on both the top wall and the bottom wall to space the apertures in the bottom and top walls from a supporting surface of a microwave oven on which they are placed in facing relationship.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1991Date of Patent: March 9, 1993Assignee: Multiform Desiccants, Inc.Inventors: Samuel A. Incorvia, Joseph L. Iwaniszek
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Patent number: 5188645Abstract: A method and apparatus for dew point adjustment using dry dehumidifiers wherein fixed dew point adjustment of drying air can be ensured from the time immediately after the start of coating until the establishment of a steady operating state, even if dry dehumidifiers of low control response are used. As a result, air having a fixed dew point can be always sent to a drying apparatus at a low drying cost. Air received from the drying apparatus is dehumidified to a dew point below the desired steady-state dew point, and then humidified to the desired dew point. After steady-state operation is reached, the humidification is discontinued.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1991Date of Patent: February 23, 1993Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinji Fukuhori, Naoyuki Iwasaki
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Patent number: 5172489Abstract: Apparatus for drying plastic resin particles comprises a container, such as a hopper, for holding the resin particles to be dried and a first closed airflow loop communicating with the container for passing a heated airstream through the container to heat the particles and remove moisture therefrom. The heated airstream becomes moist and is returned to a plenum. A second closed airflow loop communicates with the plenum for receiving a portion of the moist return air under the control of an adjustable by-pass valve in the plenum. The second airflow loop includes a desiccant dryer communicating with the first airflow loop so that air dried by the desiccant dryer is mixed with moist air from the plenum for heating and return to the container.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1991Date of Patent: December 22, 1992Assignee: Hydreclaim CorporationInventor: Richard W. Moller
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Patent number: 5123277Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for using logic to analyze the performance of a gas dryer system having dual dryer towers charged with desiccant. The apparatus and method utilizes sensors to sense the moisture content of gas entering into, discharging from, and recirculating within the dryer and also utilizes a flow meter to sense the flow rate of moisture remove from the desiccant during the regeneration mode. The apparatus and method determine when the dryer towers should be switched between their adsorption and regeneration modes and detects sensor malfunctions, desiccant problems, and water leaks.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1990Date of Patent: June 23, 1992Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventors: Robert F. Gray, Maurice A. Jenkins, Ali Moradian, Edward D. Thompson, Peter L. Wilheim
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Patent number: 5103576Abstract: A compressed air system includes an electronic control which controls enabling and disabling of the compressor in response to pressure level variations in the system storage reservoir. A humidity sensor is installed in the system reservoir and generates a signal which varies as a function of the humidity of the compressed air in the reservoir. The control unit includes a comparator which compares the signal generated by the humidity sensor with a reference signal and generates a humidity control signal when the humidity of the air in the reservoir exceeds the reference level. The control unit responds to compressor disabling by causing the system air dryer to regenerate or purge for a predetermined time period, even if the compressor is unloaded for time periods greater than the predetermined time period.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 1990Date of Patent: April 14, 1992Assignee: Allied Signal Inc.Inventors: Kenneth L. Cramer, Robert D. Krieder
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Patent number: 5094011Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for drying plastic granulates in which the drying process is intermittently interrupted and dried plastic granulates are conveyed by a conveying medium during preset time periods which are short with respect to the periods of drying the plastic granulates within a drying container.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 1990Date of Patent: March 10, 1992Inventors: Roderich W. Graff, Achim H. Becker
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Patent number: 5048201Abstract: A system for drying microelectronic, optical and other parts that in the course of their processing are rendered wet with solvents or other liquids, which if not fully evaporated from the parts will contaminate and impair their quality. The system includes an open-ended drying chamber having a work zone intermediate its sides in which the parts to be dried are supported for exposure to a gas stream. One end of the chamber defines a gas inlet to admit the gas stream which sweeps the entire chamber. Coupled to the drying chamber is a pressure chamber in which a submicron particle filter unit of the Hepa type producing a relatively low pressure drop is disposed to cover the gas inlet.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 1990Date of Patent: September 17, 1991Assignee: Interlab, Inc.Inventor: Howard M. Layton
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Patent number: 5027529Abstract: A compressed air system includes an electronic control which controls enabling and disabling of the compressor in response to pressure level variations in the system storage reservoir. The control unit responds to compressor disabling by causing the system air dryer to regenerate or purge for a predetermined time period. The timing period of a charge timer is initiated when the compressor is enabled. When the charge timer has timed out, the compressor is disabled and the air dryer purged for the predetermined time period.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 1990Date of Patent: July 2, 1991Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.Inventors: Kenneth L. Cramer, Robert D. Krieder
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Patent number: 4989506Abstract: A charcoal filter system for a trash comparator includes a charcoal filter snap-fit to a first face of a mounting cover and a fan snap-fit to a second, opposite face of a mounting cover. The filter system is mounted in an opening formed on a front wall of a frame of the trash compactor without requiring the use of tools. A cabinet having a front wall with an opening aligned with the opening in the frame for the filter system includes a faceplate diverter snap-fit therein to direct air to the filter system from a trash receptacle mounted in openings in the frame and cabinet below the filter system.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1988Date of Patent: February 5, 1991Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Michael J. McCormick
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Patent number: 4982512Abstract: A solvent recovery system comprises a flotation-type coating oven for evaporating solvent from a coating on a film, the oven including a bed of nitrogen vapor for supporting the film and discharging a vapor stream including the nitrogen vapor and the solvent vapor. A vapor phase molecular sieve means dries the vapor stream from the oven and discharges a dried vapor stream. Condensation-type solvent recovery heat exchangers condense the solvent vapor in the dried vapor stream from the sieve and discharge nitrogen vapor and liquid solvent separately. A cryogenic vaporizer converts liquid nitrogen to nitrogen vapor with heat from a heat exchange fluid in heat exchange relationship with the liquid nitrogen. The heat exchange fluid from the vaporizer passes through the solvent recovery heat exchangers in heat exchange relationship with the dried vapor stream therein to cool the same.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 1989Date of Patent: January 8, 1991Assignee: JVC Magnetics America Co.Inventor: Ronnie G. McClenny
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Patent number: 4974337Abstract: An apparatus and process for heating and dehumidifying plastic materials in a container, such as a hopper, using a current of warm dry air. The apparatus having a desiccant for removing the moisture picked up from the material, and having a heater and cooler downstream from the desiccant. The dryer control operates in three modes to control the cooler only, to control the heater and cooler, and to control the heater only. Measured temperatures and operating conditions control the selection of specific modes.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1989Date of Patent: December 4, 1990Assignee: The Conair Group, Inc.Inventors: Kaihan Tavakoli, Harold E. Weckerly
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Patent number: 4955145Abstract: Disclosed herein is an attachment for a blow dryer which allows a person to dry hair from the roots towards the ends with a single hand. The attachment includes a means for connnection to the output side of the blow dryer and an air sheet forming means. Extending from the forming means is an air deflector which deflects the air sheet downward and extending from the remote end of the deflector is a plurality of picks each of which includes a hair lifter at the end thereof. The picks are offset from the surface of the deflector so that the deflected air sheet is deflected into the picks. The picks are spaced apart so as to act as an air diffuser to prevent too great an amount of air from being directed to the pick area. The attachment may be held onto the conventional blow dryer through the use of an elastic strap. In using the attachment it is moved into the area of the hair to be dried and thereafter lifted out.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 1986Date of Patent: September 11, 1990Assignee: Lisa Maria ScivolettoInventor: Joseph C. Scivoletto
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Patent number: 4936026Abstract: A compressed air system includes an electronic control which controls enabling and disabling of the compressor in response to pressure level variations in the system storage reservoir. The control unit responds to compressor disabling by causing the system air dryer to regenerate or purge for a predetermined time period, even if the compressor is unloaded for time periods greater than the predetermined time period. If the compressor comes back on load before expiration of the predetermined time periods, purging of the air dryer is immediately discontinued. Accordingly, the air dryer is never purged for long periods of time, thereby conserving the desiccant used in the air dryer, and also increasing the efficiency of the engine which operates the air compressor, since turbocharged engines normally communicate the output of the turbocharger to the air compressor, and venting a portion of the turbocharger for long periods of time can significantly decrease engine efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 1989Date of Patent: June 26, 1990Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.Inventors: Kenneth L. Cramer, Robert D. Krieder
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Patent number: 4922626Abstract: A pizza delivery container has a movable top and a bottom tray. A motor-driven fan is provided in the tray to circulate air through a dessicant cartridge. A food product which emits moisture, such as a pizza, is in a perforated box in the container and will have the emitted moisture removed.A method of transporting pizza comprises placing heated pizza in a box and limiting the moisture accessible to the pizza crust, as by removing moisture by a dessicant.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1988Date of Patent: May 8, 1990Assignee: Kolpak Manufacturing CompanyInventor: R. Charles Fiddler
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Patent number: 4918837Abstract: A device for producing a continuous stream of dried gas supplied to a dryer for drying-up a particulate plastics material comprises a number of blowers and a number of adsorbent means-containing containers connected to heating arrangements which are inserted in the conduits leading to the drier. Each blower is immediately connected to an assigned adsorbent means-container and is switchable to operate for conveying dried-up gas and for regenerating adsorbent means in the container.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 1985Date of Patent: April 24, 1990Inventor: Roderich W. Graff
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Patent number: 4870760Abstract: A method and an apparatus for drying bulk material, preferably of plastic granules, in a drying hopper by means of dry air, whereby the exhaust air escaping from the drying hopper is dried in a drier containing a humidity adsorption means and fed to the bulk material as dry air. In order to utilize more efficiently the adsorption capacity of the adsorption means and to save thus thermal energy, the invention provides that the exhaust air is cooled by the heat-adsorbing portion of a heat pump before it is fed to the adsorption means. Preferably, a heat-conveying portion of said heat pump is used for preheating the dried air before being fed to the drying hopper for drying the bulk material.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 1988Date of Patent: October 3, 1989Inventor: Roderich W. Graff
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Patent number: 4858335Abstract: A process for regenerating a moisture charged drying cartridge and apparatus for carrying out the process. Drying cartridges are used to prepare drying air for drying synthetic plastics in the form of granulates or powders. Used drying air, which has become charged with moisture, is passed through a drying cartridge which takes up the moisture from the drying air. The dried drying air can then be passed again through the material to be dried. In regenerating a spent, moisute laden drying cartridge, external air is collected, heated and exhausted after passage through the cartridge, which subsequently must be cooled. In order to achieve the lowest possible dew point after regeneration of a cartridge to be dried with a minimum consumption of energy, the regeneration air is passed in a closed regeneration circuit (11) through the cartridge (9').Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1987Date of Patent: August 22, 1989Assignee: Motan Gesellschaft mit beschraenkter HaftungInventor: Paul Roth
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Patent number: 4853148Abstract: A process for drying a gaseous hydrogen halide of the formula HX, wherein X is selected from the group consisting of bromine, chlorine, fluorine, and iodine, to remove water impurity therefrom, comprising:contacting the water impurity-containing gaseous hydrogen halide with a scavenger including a support having associated therewith one or more members of the group consisting of:(a) an active scavenging moiety selected from one or more members of the group consisting of:(i) metal halide compounds dispersed in the support, of the formula MX.sub.y ; and(ii) metal halide pendant functional groups of the formula -MX.sub.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 1987Date of Patent: August 1, 1989Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.Inventors: Glenn M. Tom, Duncan W. Brown