Patents by Inventor Michael Crondahl
Michael Crondahl has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11821684Abstract: A method for drying materials is disclosed. The method comprises introducing a material into a dryer chamber, creating steam from vaporizing moisture in the material by maintaining the chamber at a temperature, conditioning the material using the steam created from vaporing moisture in the material by conveying the material along a length of the chamber from an inlet end to an outlet end, exhausting steam near the inlet end of the chamber, exhausting steam near a dry-end exit end of the chamber, controlling a migration of moisture between the inlet and outlet ends by adjusting an exhaust flow rate near the inlet end of the chamber and/or an exhaust flow rate near the dry-end exit end of the chamber, and withdrawing the material from the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2022Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Westmill Industries Ltd.Inventor: Michael Crondahl
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Publication number: 20230092366Abstract: A method for drying materials is disclosed. The method comprises introducing a material into a dryer chamber, creating steam from vaporizing moisture in the material by maintaining the chamber at a temperature, conditioning the material using the steam created from vaporing moisture in the material by conveying the material along a length of the chamber from an inlet end to an outlet end, exhausting steam near the inlet end of the chamber, exhausting steam near a dry-end exit end of the chamber, controlling a migration of moisture between the inlet and outlet ends by adjusting an exhaust flow rate near the inlet end of the chamber and/or an exhaust flow rate near the dry-end exit end of the chamber, and withdrawing the material from the chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2022Publication date: March 23, 2023Inventor: Michael CRONDAHL
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Patent number: 11536513Abstract: An apparatus for drying materials is disclosed. The apparatus has a chamber which is heated to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the water in the material into steam. The dryer is configured to utilize the steam produced from the material to condition the material. The dryer has two exhaust stacks positioned at opposing ends of the dryer. The removal of exhaust steam at the two opposing ends of the dryer facilitates the migration of moisture within the chamber along a length of the dryer between the two ends. The exhaust stacks can be controlled and adjusted based on feedback from a plurality of pressure differential transmitters installed within the chamber. Methods for drying materials are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2020Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: Westmill Industries Ltd.Inventor: Michael Crondahl
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Publication number: 20220281131Abstract: Systems and methods for treating wood products are provided. The methods comprise preconditioning the wood product by irradiating one or more surfaces of the wood product with infrared (IR) and/or ultraviolet (UV) radiation and subsequently treating the wood product. The systems comprise one or more fixtures positioned to irradiate one or more surfaces of the wood product with IR and/or UV radiation, wherein each fixture comprises a reflector and a radiation source.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2022Publication date: September 8, 2022Inventors: Michael CRONDAHL, Christian GOLLMANN
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Patent number: 11370145Abstract: Systems and methods for treating wood products are provided. The methods comprise preconditioning the wood product by irradiating one or more surfaces of the wood product with infrared (IR) and/or ultraviolet (UV) radiation and subsequently treating the wood product. The systems comprise one or more fixtures positioned to irradiate one or more surfaces of the wood product with IR and/or UV radiation, wherein each fixture comprises a reflector and a radiation source.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2020Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: Westmill Industries Ltd.Inventors: Michael Crondahl, Christian Gollmann
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Patent number: 11193211Abstract: A cathodic protection system for use with a wood veneer dryer is provided. The system includes a DC power supply and an anode mounted inside the dryer in a position to be electrolytically coupled to metallic structures or surfaces inside the dryer when an electrolytic medium is present inside the dryer. The electrolytic medium comprises a high-humidity atmosphere. A method for reducing the corrosion of metallic structures or surfaces inside the dryer is further provided. The method comprises mounting an anode inside the dryer in a position to be electrolytically coupled to the metallic structures or surfaces inside the dryer when an electrolytic medium is present. Wood veneer is conveyed through the dryer and heated to a temperature sufficient to produce a high-humidity atmosphere inside the dryer. A controlled amount of current is supplied by the DC power supply to electrolytically couple the anode to the metallic structures or surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2019Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: Westmill Industries Ltd.Inventors: Michael Crondahl, Christian Gollmann
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Publication number: 20210123674Abstract: An apparatus for drying materials is disclosed. The apparatus has a chamber which is heated to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the water in the material into steam. The dryer is configured to utilize the steam produced from the material to condition the material. The dryer has two exhaust stacks positioned at opposing ends of the dryer. The removal of exhaust steam at the two opposing ends of the dryer facilitates the migration of moisture within the chamber along a length of the dryer between the two ends. The exhaust stacks can be controlled and adjusted based on feedback from a plurality of pressure differential transmitters installed within the chamber. Methods for drying materials are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2020Publication date: April 29, 2021Inventor: Michael CRONDAHL
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Publication number: 20210078199Abstract: Systems and methods for treating wood products are provided. The methods comprise preconditioning the wood product by irradiating one or more surfaces of the wood product with infrared (IR) and/or ultraviolet (UV) radiation and subsequently treating the wood product. The systems comprise one or more fixtures positioned to irradiate one or more surfaces of the wood product with IR and/or UV radiation, wherein each fixture comprises a reflector and a radiation source.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2020Publication date: March 18, 2021Inventors: Michael CRONDAHL, Christian GOLLMANN
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Publication number: 20190211459Abstract: A cathodic protection system for use with a wood veneer dryer is provided. The system includes a DC power supply and an anode mounted inside the dryer in a position to be electrolytically coupled to metallic structures or surfaces inside the dryer when an electrolytic medium is present inside the dryer. The electrolytic medium comprises a high-humidity atmosphere. A method for reducing the corrosion of metallic structures or surfaces inside the dryer is further provided. The method comprises mounting an anode inside the dryer in a position to be electrolytically coupled to the metallic structures or surfaces inside the dryer when an electrolytic medium is present. Wood veneer is conveyed through the dryer and heated to a temperature sufficient to produce a high-humidity atmosphere inside the dryer. A controlled amount of current is supplied by the DC power supply to electrolytically couple the anode to the metallic structures or surfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2019Publication date: July 11, 2019Inventors: Michael CRONDAHL, Christian GOLLMANN
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Patent number: 10317138Abstract: Baffle systems for conveyor-type dryers and methods of replacing baffle seal strips for improving dryer safety and/or efficiency are provided. The systems include one or more baffles removeably mounted to the dryer. Each baffle has at least one seal strip for contacting a roller of the dryer to prevent gases from entering and/or exiting the dryer. The baffles are removable from the dryer so that the seal strips can be replaced and/or adjusted when the seal between a given seal strip and a contacting roller become compromised. To replace and/or adjust a seal strip, the baffle is removed from the dryer and a new baffle is installed in its place. The one or more seal strips of the removed baffle may be replaced and/or adjusted outside the dryer at the leisure of the operator.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2016Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: Westmill Industries Ltd.Inventors: Michael Crondahl, Christian Gollmann
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Patent number: 10273585Abstract: A cathodic protection system for use with a wood veneer dryer is provided. The system includes a DC power supply and an anode mounted inside the dryer in a position to be electrolytically coupled to metallic structures or surfaces inside the dryer when an electrolytic medium is present inside the dryer. The electrolytic medium comprises a high-humidity atmosphere. A method for reducing the corrosion of metallic structures or surfaces inside the dryer is further provided. The method comprises mounting an anode inside the dryer in a position to be electrolytically coupled to the metallic structures or surfaces inside the dryer when an electrolytic medium is present. Wood veneer is conveyed through the dryer and heated to a temperature sufficient to produce a high-humidity atmosphere inside the dryer. A controlled amount of current is supplied by the DC power supply to electrolytically couple the anode to the metallic structures or surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2015Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: Westmill Industries Ltd.Inventors: Michael Crondahl, Christian Gollmann
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Patent number: 10006712Abstract: A recirculating system for use with a green wood veneer dryer is provided. The recirculating system includes a duct connecting an input end seal chamber at an input end of a drying chamber to at least one fan disposed within the drying chamber. The at least one fan generates a negative pressure differential within the duct to redirect gases from the input end seal chamber to the drying chamber to maintain the pressure within the input end seal chamber within an accurate range of pressure external the veneer dryer. A method of drying green wood veneer is provided including recirculating gases from the input end seal chamber to the drying chamber and maintaining the pressure within the input end seal chamber within an accurate range of the pressure external the dryer.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2014Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: Westmill Industries Ltd.Inventors: Michael Crondahl, Burnell Wimer
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Publication number: 20160363370Abstract: Baffle systems for conveyor-type dryers and methods of replacing baffle seal strips for improving dryer safety and/or efficiency are provided. The systems include one or more baffles removeably mounted to the dryer. Each baffle has at least one seal strip for contacting a roller of the dryer to prevent gases from entering and/or exiting the dryer. The baffles are removable from the dryer so that the seal strips can be replaced and/or adjusted when the seal between a given seal strip and a contacting roller become compromised. To replace and/or adjust a seal strip, the baffle is removed from the dryer and a new baffle is installed in its place. The one or more seal strips of the removed baffle may be replaced and/or adjusted outside the dryer at the leisure of the operator.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2016Publication date: December 15, 2016Inventors: Michael Crondahl, Christian Gollmann
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Publication number: 20160362797Abstract: A cathodic protection system for use with a wood veneer dryer is provided. The system includes a DC power supply and an anode mounted inside the dryer in a position to be electrolytically coupled to metallic structures or surfaces inside the dryer when an electrolytic medium is present inside the dryer. The electrolytic medium comprises a high-humidity atmosphere. A method for reducing the corrosion of metallic structures or surfaces inside the dryer is further provided. The method comprises mounting an anode inside the dryer in a position to be electrolytically coupled to the metallic structures or surfaces inside the dryer when an electrolytic medium is present. Wood veneer is conveyed through the dryer and heated to a temperature sufficient to produce a high-humidity atmosphere inside the dryer. A controlled amount of current is supplied by the DC power supply to electrolytically couple the anode to the metallic structures or surfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2015Publication date: December 15, 2016Inventors: Michael Crondahl, Christian Gollmann
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Publication number: 20160097592Abstract: A recirculating system for use with a green wood veneer dryer is provided. The recirculating system includes a duct connecting an input end seal chamber at an input end of a drying chamber to at least one fan disposed within the drying chamber. The at least one fan generates a negative pressure differential within the duct to redirect gases from the input end seal chamber to the drying chamber to maintain the pressure within the input end seal chamber within an accurate range of pressure external the veneer dryer. A method of drying green wood veneer is provided including recirculating gases from the input end seal chamber to the drying chamber and maintaining the pressure within the input end seal chamber within an accurate range of the pressure external the dryer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2014Publication date: April 7, 2016Applicant: Westmill Industries Ltd.Inventors: Michael Crondahl, Burnell Wimer
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Patent number: 6477807Abstract: A door hinge system and door assembly allow a door in a wood veneer dryer to be pulled directly away from its associated door frame before being allowed to swing open in the normal fashion, thus reducing wear on the seal between the door and the door frame. The door assembly allows the tightness of the door to be easily adjusted without the need for shims, and allows the tightness to be adjusted even when the dryer is in operation.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2000Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: Westmill Industries LimitedInventors: Michael A. Crondahl, David M. Chard, James W. Chard, Jr., Ryan E. Johnson