Patents by Inventor Rodger E. Whipple

Rodger E. Whipple 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).

  • Patent number: 6655040
    Abstract: A combination ultraviolet curing and infrared dryer system which allows both an ultraviolet curing unit to be used at the same time an infrared dryer is used. The infrared dryer and ultraviolet curing unit are placed in an enclosure having a cooling system which cools both the ultraviolet curing unit and the infrared dryer. The cooling system may comprise an air supply system, or may comprise an air supply system and a water cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: The Diagnostics Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Rodger E. Whipple
  • Publication number: 20030126758
    Abstract: A combination ultraviolet curing and infrared dryer system which allows both an ultraviolet curing unit to be used at the same time an infrared dryer is used. The infrared dryer and ultraviolet curing unit are placed in an enclosure having a cooling system which cools both the ultraviolet curing unit and the infrared dryer. The cooling system may comprise an air supply system, or may comprise an air supply system and a water cooling system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventor: Rodger E. Whipple
  • Patent number: 4718178
    Abstract: A gas nozzle for a dryer apparatus for use with moving webs includes a planar pressure plate with an upstream end portion and a downstream terminus portion and a gas discharge nozzle disposed at the upstream portion of the pressure plate to define a slot for gas flow parallel to the pressure plate. The nozzle includes a first jet forming plate which engages the upstream end portion of the pressure plate and at obtuse angle and which includes a vortex forming step. The nozzle also includes a second jet forming plate located a distance from the first jet forming plate. The two jet forming plates and the step define a passageway for gas flow parallel to the pressure plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Inventor: Rodger E. Whipple
  • Patent number: 4606137
    Abstract: A unique nozzle assembly (11, 12) is provided for placement within the chamber (4) of a web dryer (1) and closely adjacent a housing web slot (5, 6). The nozzle assembly generally comprises a Coanda-type nozzle (27) and a supplemental nozzle (33) disposed on the assembly so that it is positioned between the Coanda nozzle and the housing wall (3). Both the Coanda and supplemental nozzles are supplied with air from a common manifold (13) connected to an external air source. An air flow control device (34, 35) is provided for the individual air flow paths in the assembly to suitably balance the velocities of the two discharging air jets. To prevent any transient air currents inside the dryer chamber from causing web or air flow instability, a seal (43) is provided between the improved nozzle and the dryer housing wall. The seal is disposed along the head end of the nozzle; that is, closely adjacent the nozzle jet discharge ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Assignee: Thermo Electron Web Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Rodger E. Whipple
  • Patent number: 4591517
    Abstract: A web dryer for use in the graphic arts industry or the like includes a dryer housing through which a printed web travels and which contains a plurality of nozzles, an air inlet, an air exhaust and a source of heat. The desired ventilation rate for purposes of maintaining the interior dryer environment at a required low percentage of the Lower Flammable Limit is designed to be dependent on the measured or calculated rate of ink application to the web. The ink application rate and information regarding the actual exhaust flow or ventilation rate is fed to a ventilation rate control and the exhaust flow or ventilation rate is then varied in response thereto, as by controlling a variable speed exhaust blower. At the same time, make-up air is provided to the dryer interior, preferably at a point remote from the exhaust discharge duct so that it thoroughly mixes with recirculating air within the dryer to reduce condensation problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1986
    Assignee: Overly, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodger E. Whipple, Richard H. Curtis
  • Patent number: 4414757
    Abstract: A web dryer has a plurality of nozzle assemblies. Each nozzle assembly is provided with a flat pressure plate adapted to form a gas flow zone with a moving web. A primary nozzle of the airfoil Coanda type is disposed at the upstream end of the pressure plate and continuously directs gas downstream along the face of the plate. A single secondary nozzle of the impingement type is disposed at the generally right angled downstream terminus of the pressure plate to continuously direct gas initially substantially perpendicularly to the web and to gas flowing downstream along the gas flow zone. The position of the secondary nozzle assures that the full width of the pressure plate is utilized. The gas flow volume through the secondary nozzle is less than half that of the primary nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1983
    Assignee: Overly, Incorporated
    Inventor: Rodger E. Whipple