Abstract: A method for drying a moist organic material which is continuously supplied in a stream includes passing hot air through the moist organic material in a part of the stream to absorb an amount of moisture, whereby the moist organic material cools the hot air into warm air. The warm air is reheated after it exits the moist organic material to form reheated air with increased capability of absorbing moisture, and the reheated air is passed through the moist organic material further upstream, which has a greater moisture content. The drying can preferably be performed in five minutes or less. A method for drying moist organic material using hot air includes providing the moist organic material in a continuous material stream, and providing the hot air in a continuous air stream. The air stream flows in a direction generally opposite to that of the material stream.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 7, 2000
Date of Patent:
May 1, 2001
Assignee:
Heartland Forage, Inc.
Inventors:
Conrad F. Fingerson, Donald W. Eickhoff
Abstract: A method for drying a moist organic material which is continuously supplied in a stream includes passing hot air through the moist organic material in a part of the stream to absorb an amount of moisture, whereby the moist organic material cools the hot air into warm air. The warm air is reheated after it exits the moist organic material to form reheated air with increased capability of absorbing moisture, and the reheated air is passed through the moist organic material further upstream, which has a greater moisture content. The drying can preferably be performed in five minutes or less. A method for drying moist organic material using hot air includes providing the moist organic material in a continuous material stream, and providing the hot air in a continuous air stream. The air stream flows in a direction generally opposite to that of the material stream.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 26, 1998
Date of Patent:
March 7, 2000
Assignee:
Heartland Forage, Inc.
Inventors:
Conrad F. Fingerson, Donald W. Eickhoff
Abstract: A harvester apparatus is provided for drying and baling forage crops in the field. The harvester apparatus includes an inlet for conveying forage crops to a dryer arrangement of the harvester where the forage crops are substantially evenly dried as they are conveyed through the dryer arrangement. The harvester apparatus includes compacting structure for compacting the forage crops before the drying process in completed. The harvester apparatus produces a layer of dried and compacted forage crops which are exited from the harvester apparatus at an exit which is adjacent a baling mechanism for securing the forage crops into bales. The layer of forage crops is converted by the baling mechanism into a column of stacked blocks secured together to form a bale.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 10, 1990
Date of Patent:
April 21, 1992
Assignee:
Heartland Forage, Inc.
Inventors:
Conrad F. Fingerson, Donald W. Eickhoff