Abstract: In a sloped tower type airborne drying and heating apparatus, a bulge or a neck is provided at at least one location in the inner wall of a sloped pipe for the purpose of reducing in a range of 3 to 50% the cross-section of a flow path in the pipe. Coal charged into the pipe is smoothly conveyed through the sloped pipe without dwelling in the lower portion of the pipe cross-section and thus effectively dried and heated.

Abstract: An automated air filtration and drying system diffusor is disclosed which includes at least one pair of parallel overlapping panels to balance a flow of air in a filtration and drying system. Aperatures are located in each of the panels. The aperatures of a second panel block the aperatures of the first panel. In a preferred embodiment, air flow generated by a rotary blower includes aperatures positioned in a rotary center of the panels with openings having a greater surface area than aperatures positioned on an exterior of the panels. A greater velocity is generated by air passing through aperatures having a smaller relative opening, thus balancing or equalizing the air flow.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for cleaning a workpiece such as a semiconductor element in which the element is placed on a chuck mounted on a rotation mechanism in which the rotation mechanism rotates around a first axis, and the element to be cleaned rotates around a second axis spaced from the first axis in a planetary manner. The cleaning process is programmed such that the element may be sprayed, immersed for a soak or pre-soak step, immersed while spinning, sprayed while spinning, and dried by heated gas, or any combination of these. The cleaning program is performed in a single chamber, which may be heated to a desired temperature.

Abstract: Humidity control apparatus for articles being stored, comprising: a) a chamber within which the articles are to be contained, b) a conveyor passing by a portion of, and exposed to, the contents of the chamber, c) a drive mechanism for driving the conveyor past the portion of the chamber, d) a desiccant on the conveyor, e) a humidistat positioned to measure the water vapor content within the chamber, and f) a control mechanism operatively connecting the humidistat and the drive mechanism for advancing fresh desiccant past the chamber when the water vapor content of the chamber is too high.

Abstract: Apparatus for distributing a heating medium, such as steam or hot air, to a paper web or calendar roll in sheet making machinery includes a removable profile screen to permit easy cleaning and maintenance. The apparatus comprises an elongated chamber to receive steam or hot air from a supply source with a front wall adapted to receive a removable screen. The removable screen is flexible and defines at least a portion of the front wall conforming generally to the shape of the adjacent surface to be heated. The screen member has a plurality of apertures through which the heating medium is forced to heat the surface. The screen is removably mounted to the apparatus by clip members.

Abstract: This invention comprises a radiant heater for use in thermally processing granular polymers and powders. The heater comprises an enclosed air-tight case for housing the reflector, the electrical and structural elements, and the lamps and lamp chamber. These comonents are all enclosed behind a quartz window, and the components and lamp chamber are forced air cooled. A plurality of air passages are provided for the case at the junctures of the window edges and surrounding wall portions of the case. These passages form air venting openings or nozzles which serve to discharge the gaseous coolant in the form of high velocity jet streams which are directed along the outside surface of the window.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuous drying of moist materials in superheated steam comprises a drying enclosure 10, open-ended inlet and outlet ducts 11, 12 communicating with the enclosure, and conveyors 13, 14, 15 for conveying the material to be dried along the inlet duct, through the enclosure and along the outlet duct. Superheated steam is generated in the enclosure from the moisture in the material 19 being dried by circulating the initial gas within the enclosure between a heat source 23 and the material, and/or by the injection into the enclosure of superheated steam from an external source. The inlet duct 11 and outlet duct 12 both extend downwardly from the enclosure 10 and a vent duct 22 from the enclosure has an outlet 26 normally at a level midway along the two ducts. In use, superheated steam tending to pass downwardly along the ducts meets external air tending to pass upwardly along the ducts and forms within each duct a temperature and density differential stratification layer 21.

Abstract: An automated air filtration and drying system including an energy and environmental management system for controlling, monitoring and supervising the operation and performance of the air filtration and drying system, a capture apparatus for capturing and controlling overspray, and a drying/curing control module for rapidly drying a painted article using a continuously filtered and dehumidified flow of recycled air.

Abstract: A device for recovering heat during the drying of a load in a clothes dryer of the once-through external air type, said machine comprising a tub for containing a load to be dried, a conduit for feeding external fresh air into said tub, and a conduit for expelling hot moist air from this latter and for feeding it into the environment in which the machine is located. A container is provided containing a phase change material or PCM in which heat transfer surfaces or channels are present, along or within one of these latter there passing at least part of the hot moist air from the exit of the tub so as to transfer thermal energy to said PCM, which changes its physical state or phase, within another of said channels or along another of said surfaces there passing at least part of the fresh air entering the machine and to which said energy is transferred by the return of said PCM to its original physical state or phase.

Abstract: A method of controlling the drying operation of a washing machine which comprising proceeding with an initial drying operation by applying a power voltage to a motor for a predetermined period of time according to the volume of laundry being treated; proceeding with an interim drying operation by applying a power voltage to the motor at a predetermined phase angle according to the volume of the laundry; and following with a main drying operation by applying a power voltage to the motor for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A rotating drum clothes drier has an annular lint filter which rotates with the drier drum and which encircles the drier door. Heated air enters an inlet at one end of the drum, passes through the clothes in the drum (picking up lint from the clothes), through the annular lint filter and out of the drier. During operation, lint collects on the inner surface of the rotating filter, eventually building up to form a felted layer. A scraper blade fixed to the drier cabinet and aligned with (but displaced a fixed distance from) the surface of the filter peels the felted layer of lint from the filter once the thickness of the felt is such that the scraper blade contacts the lint felt. The layer of lint felt thus removed from the filter surface is then collected in a cavity within the drier door for storage and later disposal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and instrument for the preparation of pollen and the development of a pollen bank for breeding purposes. More specifically, the invention relates to a method and instrument that permits pollen to be cryogenically stored in a visable state. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method of employing a heat or water or pressure related measurement to determine the realness of the pollen for cryogenic storage.

Abstract: An unrestrained drying capability is added to an existing series of rotating drying cylinders in a cost- and space-efficient manner to enhance cross-directional (CD) stretch and tensile energy absorption (TEA) in a paper web such as for sack kraft grade paper. High-intensity air glide drying devices are adapted for use in a variety of configurations to provide different levels of unrestrained drying capacity for a pre-existing series of rotating drying rollers. The air glide drying devices carry the paper web on a cushion of air which is heated preferably to 500.degree.-850.degree. F. The sheet moisture content of the paper web during heating in the unrestrained drying section decreases by at least approximately 5%, with an evaporation rate of approximately 15-30 lbm/hr/ft.sup.2. A preferred temperature range of the paper web upon entry to the air glide drying device is 160.degree.-210.degree. F. A pre-heater such as a convection or infrared heater may optionally be employed.

Abstract: A container is provided for housing desiccant material therein and for facilitating fluid flow therethrough to a surrounding environment. The container comprises a cup member including a base or bottom wall member and a generally cylindrically shaped outer wall connected to the base or bottom wall member to thereby define a housing. A plurality of openings extend through the outer wall and provide communication between the housing and the surrounding environment. At least one recessed, relief portion is provided in communication with one of the openings. The recessed, relief portion has an outer diameter dimension less than the outer diameter dimension of the cup member. Accordingly, when the cup is snugly received in an associated canister or the like, a relief area is formed that defines a fluid flow channel along the interface of the cup member and canister.

Abstract: A new dryer section or an existing dryer section of the two tier double-felted type has air caps disposed over the upper dryer rolls to simultaneously dry both sides of the web to increase drying rates. The heated pressurized air is blown through multiple air impingement holes in the air cap nozzle plates to impinge the web at a temperature of 500-900 degrees Fahrenheit and air speeds of 20,000-40,000 feet per minute. The dryer fabric employed is foraminous with a permeability of between 400-1,200 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. The design of the air caps utilizes recirculation of the blowing air to control drying rates.

Abstract: Specifically configured gas compressors in a piping system will provide clean, gas heating and recirculation that will quickly and efficiently heat a connected process chamber or process piping section. Substantial heat is quickly generated through mechanical agitation of the gas molecules that pass through the inlet and outlet of a dual rotor-multiple lobe per rotor, rotary gas compressor. The application of a rotary gas compressor as a means of imparting heat to a gas stream provides an economical source of convective heat for closed and open loop piping applications.

Abstract: A method and drying apparatus for drying a quantity of sludge.

Abstract: A heat protector visor (10) comprising an arcuate panel (12) to fit against a forehead (13) on a head (14) of a person 16. A bill (18) projects forwardly and curves upwardly from the arcuate panel (12). A structure (20) on the arcuate panel (12) is for gripping sides of the head (14) of the person (16). When the person (16) sits under a portable electric hair dryer (22), the upwardly curved bill (18) will deflect heated air (24) away from a face (26) of the person (16), back up into an air chamber (28) of the portable electric hair dryer (22) and onto hair (30) on hair rollers (31) upon the head (14) of the person (16). The heated air (24) will be maximized to dry the hair (30) much faster, reduce operating time and electricity needed to operate the portable electric hair dryer (22).

Abstract: An air drying cartridge for use in an air drying system is disclosed. The air drying cartridge comprises a telescoping casing resiliently self adjustable in height which has an inner cylindrical apertured wall and an outer cylindrical apertured wall. The inner apertured wall has a facing surface, an upper end and a lower end. The outer apertured wall has a facing surface, an upper end and a lower end. The facing surface of the inner apertured wall is disposed to face the facing surface of the outer apertured wall thereby defining an opening therebetween. The air drying cartridge also includes a porous filter liner, a pair of sealing caps and a moisture absorbing material for extracting moisture from air flowing through the air drying cartridge. The porous filter liner is situated adjacent to each of the facing surfaces within the opening. One of the pair of sealing caps affixes to the upper ends of the apertured walls and another affixes to the lower ends of the apertured walls.

Abstract: A protective device for use in protecting hay bales and preventing spoilage thereof, the device comprising a cover designed to substantially cover an upper surface of the hay bale, the cover being spaced from the upper surface thereof and having a vent to permit the egress of air from the space between the upper surface and the cover and to prevent the increase ingress of moisture therethrough. The cover preferably has means of securing itself to the hay bale. The cover minimizes deterioration of the hay and is particularly adapted for use with so called round bales stored on their side.