Recirculation Of Treating Gas Or Vapor Patents (Class 34/131)
  • Patent number: 11976409
    Abstract: A disclosed dryer includes a receptacle configured to contain material to be dried, an air duct configured to route recirculating air and/or fresh air to the receptacle, a heating device configured to heat the recirculating air, and at least one sensor. The sensor is configured to determine a relative humidity and/or temperature, and the air duct includes at least one adjusting element configured to modify a portion of recirculating air routed to the receptacle. The dryer further includes a control or regulating device configured to control or regulate the portion of recirculating air routed to the receptacle and/or a heating capacity of the heating device during a drying process. A disclosed method includes controlling a portion of recirculating air routed to the receptacle and/or a heating capacity of the heating device. Further, a mixture of recirculating air and fresh air are varied during heat-up, drying, and cool-down phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: LAVATEC LAUNDRY TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Wolf-Peter Graeser, Joachim Krause
  • Patent number: 11821135
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance comprising a combination washer/dryer having a cabinet defining an interior, a tub located within the interior with a first access opening, a rotatable drum located within the tub and having a rear wall defining a fan, a closure moveably mounted to the cabinet and selectively movable between open/closed positions to open/close at least one of the first and second access openings; an air recirculation conduit having an inlet fluidly coupled to a first portion of the treating chamber and an outlet fluidly coupled to a second portion of the treating chamber, which is different than the first portion, and a condenser fluidly coupled to the recirculation conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Roy E. Masters
  • Patent number: 11802367
    Abstract: An air filtration system for a laundry apparatus includes an air-lint inlet forming an interior volume configured to fluidically couple to a tumbler of the laundry apparatus and extending to an end portion. The system further includes a lint-collection reservoir coupled to the air-lint inlet configured to hold a liquid at a level, wherein the air-lint inlet extends into the lint-collection reservoir. The system further includes an outlet conduit in fluid connection with the air-lint collection reservoir. The outlet conduit is configured to expel filter air from the air-lint collection reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Victor A. Moniz, Daniel Eugene Quinn, Justin William Sampson, Bruce R. Villella
  • Patent number: 10718082
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a rotating drum for processing laundry. A heat pump system has a heat exchanger that is positioned within an air conditioning chamber. A blower directs process air through an air path that includes the rotating drum and the air conditioning chamber. An insulating member positioned between a top portion of the heat exchanger and an underside of a cover member for the air conditioning chamber. The insulating member directs the process air through the heat exchanger and away from the underside of the cover member and absorbs sound and vibration generated by movement of process air through the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mark J. Christensen, John G. Kantz
  • Patent number: 10407818
    Abstract: A washer-dryer is provided with at least one condenser for condensing moisture-laden air exiting the laundry during a drying cycle. The washer-dryer includes a washing tub (10) comprising a cylindrical lateral wall (12) and a rear wall (14) and a rotatable laundry drum (24) arranged or arrangeable inside the washing tub (10). An inlet (20) of the condenser is arranged at or connected to the rear wall of the washing tub (10). An outlet of the condenser is connected to the washing tub (10). The rear wall (14) of the washing tub (10) comprises a duct (18) fluidly connected to the inlet (20) of the condenser, so that the air stream from the laundry drum (24) to the inlet (20) of the condenser passes the duct (18). At least one sensor (22) is arranged inside the duct (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventor: Daniele Striato
  • Patent number: 10362798
    Abstract: A bean roasting system includes a roasting chamber, a blower, a variable diverter and a controller. The roasting chamber, the blower and the variable diverter each is disposed at least partially within a recirculating gas flow path. The blower is configured to provide a flow stream of gas through the recirculating gas flow path. The variable diverter is configured to split the gas flow path into at least two flow paths including a treated flow path and a bypass flow path. The treated flow path includes a series arrangement of a gas heater and a catalytic converter. The variable diverter is configured to control a percentage of a flow stream of gas that is diverted into the bypass flow path. The controller is configured to activate different predetermined operating modes for the bean roasting system by controlling a state of the variable diverter and a state of the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Bellwether Coffee Co.
    Inventors: Ricardo Lopez, John Sandhu, Arno Holschuh, Victor Escobedo, Benjamin Jones, Brandon McLaughlin, Neil Vesco, Henry D'Souza, David Kortbawi
  • Patent number: 10365040
    Abstract: A method for drying high moisture, low calorific value lignite for a generating set and recovering water contained therein and an apparatus thereof mainly consist of a rotary steam tube dryer, a washing cooling tower, a coal mill, a first bag filter, a condenser, a weighing surge bunker, a water ring vacuum pump and so on. A drying system is integrated with a milling system, every dryer and the corresponding coal mill are disposed and are directly connected via a surge bunker, thereby not only saving the heat lost during the transportation of pulverized coal, but also omitting a long-distance transportation from a conventional drying system to a conventional milling system, effectively avoiding such phenomena as dust pollution, waste and spontaneous combustion during transportation and transshipment, simplifying the coal preparation system employed in the front-end process of drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: TIANHUA INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL MACHINERY AND AUTOMATION CO., LTD
    Inventors: Xu Zhao, Yan Dou, Zhongfu Zhan, Yongpeng Tan, Jinwen Shi, Tao Shen, Yonggong Ling, Wei Yang, Yan Zhang
  • Patent number: 10196772
    Abstract: A condensing type clothes dryer having a heat pump cycle and a method for controlling a condensing type clothes dryer having a heat pump cycle are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Yongju Lee, Daeyun Park, Byeongjo Ryoo
  • Patent number: 9758921
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a laundry dryer including a fan motor (26) for driving a drying air stream fan (18) with a variable speed (vf) and a drum motor (28) for driving a laundry drum (12). The method comprises the steps of setting a predetermined course for the speed (vd) of the drum motor (28), maintaining the speed (vd) of the drum motor (28) according to the predetermined course for the speed (vd) of said drum motor (28), detecting a power (Pd) or a current absorbed by the drum motor (28), and controlling the speed (vf) of the fan motor (26) on the basis of the absorbed power (Pd) or current of the drum motor (28). The speed (vf) of the fan motor (26) increases with a decreasing absorbed power (Pd) or current of the drum motor (28) and/or the speed (vf) of the fan motor (26) decreases with an increasing absorbed power (Pd) or current of the drum motor (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Alberto Bison, Francesco Cavarretta, Maurizio Ugel, Massimiliano Vignocchi
  • Patent number: 9510605
    Abstract: A crisp food product is prepared in a first phase from thin food pieces of raw fruit, vegetable or gelatinizable proteins, by blanching them (if necessary) and drying them. A second phase takes place in a vacuum chamber, where the dried thin food pieces are exposed to heat to expand them, are quickly removed from the heat source and are cooled, before being removed from the vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Inventor: Tania Maria Melnyczuk
  • Patent number: 9243844
    Abstract: A dryer appliance includes an impeller assembly. The impeller assembly is rotatable about an axis of rotation in order to urge a flow of air through a drum of the dryer appliance. The impeller assembly includes a base plate, a plurality of blades and a plurality of extensions. The size and position of the plurality of extensions can assist with urging the flow of air through the drum of the dryer appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Zhiquan Yu
  • Patent number: 8978267
    Abstract: A dryer is provided that includes a drying chamber for items to be dried; a supply air duct; a process air duct; an exhaust air duct; and a heat pump having a heat sink and a heat source, wherein the supply air duct and the exhaust air duct can be connected to each other through a recirculating air duct by means of a mechanism in order to adjust a proportion of recirculating and exhaust air in the dryer, and wherein the dryer has a first sensor for determining a process air temperature. A method for operating the dryer and a method for controlling the temperature and/or the humidity of the air of a room using the dryer are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe-Jens Krausch, Andreas Stolze
  • Patent number: 8449724
    Abstract: Systems and methods for producing torrefied lignocellulosic material in a commercially suitable process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Andritz Technology and Asset Management GmbH
    Inventors: Bertil Stromberg, Joseph Monroe Rawls
  • Publication number: 20120324756
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for drying bulk goods, in particular solids, such as granular materials, powders, grains, films, shreds, or the like, preferably plastic granular material. In order to dry the exhaust air flow (5) exiting the drying silo (9), the drying silo (9), through which an air flow flows, is connected by means of a process fan (11) to a wheel drier (1) that contains a drying or adsorbing agent and that has a rotatable drum (2) having radial cells (21). The individual cells (21) of the drum (2) of the wheel drier (1) are formed by plates, wherein clamping plates (24) of a cell (21) lying against the radial outer (22) and inner (23) jackets of the drum (2) have a U-shaped cross-section and are arranged axially on the inner wall. The legs (25) of the U-shaped clamping plates (24) are tilted outwardly. Separating plates (26) are provided as partitions of the individual cells (21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: WITTMANN KUNSTSTOFFGERAETE GMBH
    Inventor: Erhard Fux
  • Patent number: 8231382
    Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for thermally de-coating and/or drying coated and/or contaminated materials. The apparatus comprises at least one support, an oven (10) mounted to each support and adapted for receiving material to be treated: each oven (10) being moveable between a first position in which a first portion (4) is generally higher than a second portion (6) and a second position in which the second portion (6) is generally higher than the first portion (4) and in use, the or each oven (10) is repeatedly moved between first and second positions to move material within the oven. The apparatus including at least one afterburner (22) for generating a stream of hot gasses and conduit means for directing the stream of hot gasses into a treatment zone of the oven and exhaust means for returning the gasses to the at least one afterburner whereby the or each oven does not include an integral afterburner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Inventors: Ophneill Henry Perry, Rifat Alchalabi
  • Publication number: 20120090190
    Abstract: The present invention aims at the drum dryer drying the rolling clothes by the electric heating thermal energy, and a thermal flow recycling structure is further installed at an air intake flowpath of the room temperature air flow for introducing the discharged hot air, for mixing and preheating the intake air flow by the thermal energy of the introduced discharged hot air, so as to reduce the thermal energy loss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventor: Tai-Her YANG
  • Publication number: 20120017464
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a mechanical refrigeration cycle arrangement in turn including an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, and an expansion device, cooperatively interconnected. A drum is provided to receive clothes to be dried. An auxiliary heater is included, as is a duct and fan arrangement configured to pass air over the condenser and the heater, and through the drum. A sensor is located to sense high side temperature and/or high side pressure of the mechanical refrigeration cycle arrangement. A controller is coupled to the sensor and the auxiliary heater, and is operative to: activate the auxiliary heater during a startup transient of the mechanical refrigeration cycle arrangement; monitor the high side temperature and/or high side pressure, during the startup transient; and de-activate the auxiliary heater in response to the high side temperature and/or high side pressure reaching a first predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: David G. BEERS, Brent Alden JUNGE, Nicholas OKRUCH, JR., Amelia Lear HENSLEY
  • Patent number: 8096063
    Abstract: An apparatus for thermally de-coating and/or drying coated and/or contaminated materials comprises a support and an oven pivotally mounted to the support. The oven has charging portion for receiving material to be treated and a changeover portion. Incorporated within the changeover portion is a heat treatment chamber through which a stream of hot gases can be passed. The oven is pivotally moveable between a first position in which the changeover portion is higher than the charging portion and a second position in which the charging portion is higher than the changeover portion. The arrangement is such that the oven can be repeatedly moved between the first and second positions so that material within the oven falls from one portion to the other portion, passing through the stream of hot gasses in the heat treatment chamber. A method of using the apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Inventors: Ophneil Henry Perry, Rifat Alchalabi
  • Publication number: 20100307020
    Abstract: A heat exchanger (1) for a dryer, especially for a domestic dryer, has a plurality of fins (2), wherein a flow channel (3) is established between two fins (2), and wherein air is guided along a flow direction (F) through the flow channel (3) from an inlet edge (4) to an outlet edge (5). To improve the behaviour of the heat exchanger as regards the collection of lint, at least the inlet edges (4) of the fins (2) have an at least partially rounded shape (6, 6?, 6?) seen in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction (F) and parallel to the surfaces (7) of the fins (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS CORPORATION N. V.
    Inventors: Sergio PILLOT, Flavio NOVIELLO
  • Publication number: 20100132217
    Abstract: A dryer includes a drying chamber, a supply air duct, a process air duct, a heater in the process air duct, a fan, an exhaust air duct, a recirculation duct, and a two-part closure mechanism that includes a fluff separator with a first surface and a second surface, and a damper. The fluff separator and the damper are rotatable against each other such that in a first position of the closure mechanism the damper disconnects the recirculation duct from the process air duct and the fluff separator disconnects the exhaust air duct from the process air duct, and in a second position of the closure mechanism the fluff separator disconnects the recirculation duct from the process air duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: BSH BOSCH UND SIEMENS HAUSGERATE GMBH
    Inventor: Günter Steffens
  • Publication number: 20090320323
    Abstract: This device comprises a drum having a lateral surface through which fluid can pass, and two flexible belts (2) which pass over the lateral surface of the drum (1) at a distance from one another, each of them on an idle guide roller (3) of its own. Each roller (3) is mounted so as to pivot about a vertical axis (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: RIETER PERFOJET
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Dubus
  • Publication number: 20090300941
    Abstract: A household appliance and a method for drying a damp item via an air current are provided. An air current is conducted in a substantially enclosed dry air channel and is driven by a fan. The air current can flow through a treatment chamber with the item, a cooling arrangement for cooling the air current and removing moisture from the air current by condensation after it has flown through the treatment chamber, and a heating arrangement for heating the air current before it flows through the treatment chamber. The cooling arrangement has a first heat exchanger, via which heat from the air current is fed to a process gas that is conducted in a regenerative gas circulation process, and the heating arrangement has a second heat exchanger, via which heat from the process gas is fed to the air current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: BSH BOSCH UND SIEMENS HAUSGERÄTE GMBH
    Inventor: Andreas Stolze
  • Publication number: 20090211111
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dryer. The dryer in which a drying object is dried with air from a rotating drum, the air having moisture removed therefrom, heated at a heating unit, and supplied to the rotating drum again, wherein a gas burner is used as the heating unit, and the air is heated by heat exchange with exhaust gas heated by the gas burner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: LG Electronic Inc.
    Inventors: Yang Ho Kim, Dae Rae Lee, Jung Wan Ryu, Young Soo Kim
  • Publication number: 20090205220
    Abstract: An adapter to a dryer, or a new configuration to a dryer, allows articles, such as clothes, towels, sheets and the like to dry with reduced energy consumption. The adapted configuration draws air from outside the room or structure housing the dryer. The outside air is then used to dry the articles. The outside air can be heated within the dryer using the existing heater prior to entering the drum holding the articles. After the heated air removes moisture from the articles, the moist, hot air is expelled outside the room or structure through an outlet air duct. Thus, air within the room or structure is not used for the drying process and conditions such as temperature and pressure are not changed when the dryer is on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventors: Charles Robert Dewald, III, Thomas L. Cristello
  • Publication number: 20090193679
    Abstract: A method for roasting a load of plant biomass, includes the following stages: generation of a treatment gas stream by a thermal generating apparatus, the treatment gas stream being an inert gas consisting essentially of CO2; generation of a bed of material at high temperature, called the thermal base; treatment of the load of biomass with the treatment gas stream, the treatment gas stream being laden with gaseous components including a water steam and volatile organic compounds originating from the load of biomass during the treatment; and recycling of at least a portion of the water steam by passing at least a portion of the laden gas stream through the thermal base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventor: Raymond Guyomarc'h
  • Publication number: 20090094854
    Abstract: Clothes drying machine comprising a drum holding the clothes to be dried, a first fan adapted to blow a first flow of drying air through said drum, and possibly a condenser adapted to condense the moisture out of the drying air exiting said drum. The machine is provided with a drying programme that includes a step involving an increase in the temperature of the air introduced in said drum, in which said temperature is increased to a value of at least 130° C. and held there for a pre-set period of time, and said temperature increase step is provided in the initial portion of the drying programme, when the moisture content of the clothes is not less than 20%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Silvano Cimetta, Flavio Noviello
  • Publication number: 20080301969
    Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for de-coating and/or drying coated and/or contaminated materials. The apparatus comprising a support: and an oven (10) mounted to the support for receiving material to be treated. The oven (10) maybe moved between a first position in which a first portion is higher than a second portion, and a second position in which the converse is true. In use, the oven can be repeatedly moved between the first and second positions so material falls from one portion to the other portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Ophneill Henry Perry, Rifat Alchalabi
  • Patent number: 7425688
    Abstract: A heating assembly for heating a hot air stream flowing in a flow passage of a tumble dryer. The heating assembly is configured for installation in the flow passage and comprises at least one heating element and at least one temperature sensor. The heating element is arranged such that the hot air stream can flow around it in a passing direction (D). The at least one temperature sensor can detect the temperature of the hot air stream and is arranged such that it projects into a core area of the hot air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: DBK David + Baader GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Loesch, Ralf Frohn, Jerome Grunewald, Jens Koehne
  • Patent number: 7331119
    Abstract: An apparatus for thermally de-coating and/or drying coated and/or contaminated materials comprises a support and an oven pivotally mounted to the support. The oven has charging portion for receiving material to be treated and a changeover portion. Incorporated within the changeover portion is a heat treatment chamber through which a stream of hot gasses can be passed. The oven is pivotally moveable between a first position in which the changeover portion is higher than the charging portion and a second position in which the charging portion is higher than the changeover portion. The arrangement is such that the oven can be repeatedly moved between the first and second positions so that material within the oven falls from one portion to the other portion, passing through the stream of hot gasses in the heat treatment chamber. A method of using the apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Inventors: Ophneil Henry Perry, Rifat Alchalabi
  • Patent number: 7143686
    Abstract: A coffee roaster that includes a combustion chamber and a connected roasting oven in which the heating gases for roasting the coffee beans are recirculated to the combustion chamber wherein the coffee bean chaff is separated from the recirculating heating gases prior to venting to atmosphere, and an associated cooling chamber wherein the roasted coffee beans are cooled in a two-stage-heating cycle wherein the cooling air is recirculated to the combustion chamber to be reheated to roasting temperatures and vented to atmosphere during the second stage of cooling. The coffee beans being de-stoned as the cooled coffee beans are conveyed from the cooling chamber to the discharge hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Inventor: Raffael Sandolo
  • Patent number: 6966124
    Abstract: A drum washing machine, which has a clothes-drying unit with a plurality of heat pipes. The heat pipes recover, during a drying-mode operation of the drum washing machine, heat from high temperature humid air flowing from a water tub, and combine the recovered heat with low temperature dry air flowing from an area around a condensing nozzle, thus saving time and electricity during the drying-mode operation. In the clothes-drying unit, an air duct includes first and second duct parts, having a condensing nozzle installed in the first duct part, and a blower fan and a heater installed in the second duct part. A lower end of the heat pipe is arranged in a lower end of the first duct part, and an upper end of the heat pipe is arranged in an upper end of the first duct part. The heat pipe thus recovers the heat from the air, which flows in the lower end of the first duct part, and combines the recovered heat with the air, which flows in the upper end of the first duct part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Doo-Young Ryu
  • Patent number: 6883249
    Abstract: An insulating flight for a dryer incorporates inner and outer plates with insulation between them. The concave surfaces of the inner and outer plates provide a space for the insulation and allow for thermal expansion without stressing the welds between the inner and outer plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Internetek, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Catlett
  • Publication number: 20040035019
    Abstract: A condenser of a condensing-type clothes dryer is disclosed, which includes a plurality of condensing ducts provided in a middle portion of a circulation duct, the condensing ducts condensing air being circulated there-through after being discharged from a drum; and a plurality of cooling fins provided to be in contact with an outer surface of the condensing ducts, wherein an interval or a pitch of the cooling fins is different partially according to flow rate of air blown from a cooling fan for a heat-exchange with air flowing through the condensing duct. At this time, the pitch or interval of the cooling fins is narrow at a portion where air blown from the cooling fan flows fast, and the pitch or internal of the cooling fins is wide at a portion where air blown from the cooling fan flows slowly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Young Hwan Park, Choon Myun Chung, Mu Yong Choi, Dae Yun Park, Kyung Seop Hong
  • Patent number: 6551461
    Abstract: The energy efficiency of a throughdrying papermaking process is improved by recycling exhaust air from one or more throughdryers to further heat the web at various places in the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Alan Hermans, Charlcie Christie Kay Leitner, Frank Stephen Hada, Ronald Frederick Gropp, Marek Parszewski
  • Publication number: 20030019601
    Abstract: The energy efficiency of a throughdrying papermaking process is improved by recycling exhaust air from one or more throughdryers to further heat the web at various places in the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Michael Alan Hermans, Charlcie Christie Kay Leitner, Frank Stephen Hada, Ronald Frederick Gropp, Marek Parszewski
  • Patent number: 6487790
    Abstract: An apparatus for continuously drying unpackaged food products, in particular vegetables, comprises conveyor means for conveying the products to be dried and circulating means for feeding dry air on the product to be dried and for collecting wet air coming from the products, and being characterized in that the apparatus further comprises means for dehumidifying the wet air, said means comprising an adsorption dehumidifier device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Inventor: Pasquale Damiani
  • Patent number: 6484417
    Abstract: An improved dryer (10) and drying methods are provided which increase overall dryer efficiency by maintaining substantially constant output air stream adiabatic saturation ratio and temperature values during the course of drying, notwithstanding the occurrence of upset conditions. The dryer (10) includes a dryer body (12), an input air heater assembly (14) including an air heater (32), and a control assembly (18). The dryer body (12) has a drying zone (30), with product inputs and outputs (20, 22) as well as an input (26) for a heated air stream and an output (28) for the cooled, moisture-laden output air stream. The dryer control assembly (18) includes temperature and humidity sensors (48, 50) coupled to controllers (54, 60) and a PLC (66). The controller (54) is coupled with an exhaust fan/damper unit (46) while controller (60) is connected with a fuel valve (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Wenger Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Tedman, Douglas Clark
  • Patent number: 6196710
    Abstract: An apparatus for making asphalt paving material includes a dust collection and distribution system by which aggregate dust that is collected during the heating and drying of aggregate may be introduced into the mixing chamber and distributed over a substantial portion of the area of the mixing chamber. By distributing the aggregate dust over a broader area of the mixing chamber than has been previously known, the mixing effort required to achieve a thorough blending of the dust into the mixture is reduced, and the quality of the asphalt paving composition is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Astec Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm L. Swanson, Gary R. Keylon
  • Patent number: 6138378
    Abstract: This invention is related to a wet gas process which would not require a spray pump, and which would allow the absorption liquid to be recovered smoothly even if the flow velocity of the gases entrained to the liquid should decrease. A wet gas processing apparatus in which the absorption liquid collected in the first liquid storage tank is sprayed in a specified direction (which may be upward, horizontal or downward) by a discharge unit consisting of spray nozzles (14) or the like in the absorption tower. The sprayed liquid is brought into contact with the exhaust gases which are conducted into the tower, and the targeted components of the gases are absorbed and removed. This processing apparatus is distinguished by the following. The first liquid storage tank for the absorption liquid comprises a pressure tank (11) which generates a pressurized gas in the space above the surface of the collected liquid (11a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Takashina, Naoyuki Kamiyama, Takeo Shinoda, Hiromitsu Nagayasu, Susumu Okino, Masakazu Onizuka, Koichiro Iwashita, Satoshi Nakamura, Kenji Inoue
  • Patent number: 5997288
    Abstract: A flighted, horizontally inclined rotary retort, heated externally by flame, hot gases, steam or other sources of heat. The retort shall have sufficient flight area to transport the coal through the retort in the predetermined time. The coal being processed in this retort is prevented from becoming exothermic by provision for a countercurrent flow of blanket gas, heated to a predetermined temperature below exotherm, to prevent coal surface temperatures from rising above the ignition temperature. The retort accommodates oversize pieces of raw coal by having alternating long and short flights, thus allowing greater space between long flights and allowing the larger pieces to be carried over the center pipe by the wiping action of the long flights. The retort will also be provided with an internal pipe, mounted on the center line of the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Robert J. Adams
    Inventor: Robert J. Adams
  • Patent number: 5908291
    Abstract: A direct heat rotary calciner and method for providing improved thermal treatment of particulate material comprises a rotary tube having a plurality of screened apertures along the length thereof. Material to be treated is passed through the rotating tube and contacted during passage with a cross-flow of heated gases entering and leaving through the screened apertures. At least a portion of the internal wall of the tube may be provided with spiral flights to aid in the conveyance of the particulate material through the rotating tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Harper International Corp.
    Inventors: Bruce J. Dover, Edward V. McCormick
  • Patent number: 5882381
    Abstract: A thermal desorption system for the treatment of contaminated solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Modern Equipment Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Gunther Hauck, Lynwood L. Socks, Rodney H. Schueller, Robert Youmans, John W. Noland, Wayne L. Read
  • Patent number: 5689848
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of dry cleaning textiles which are washed with solvent and dried by hot air, the solvent being recovered after condensation, the invention being characterised in that the solvent concentration is measured at the point where it is highest and temperature is measured, both being measured continuously throughout the whole of the drying process and the values are processed in a computer, and the concentration in the supply of hot air is controlled as a function of the relationship of concentration, acting as the pilot value, to temperature along a characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: SATEC GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Udo Saal, Ralf Mathias Saal
  • Patent number: 5551166
    Abstract: A dryer drum coater reduces blue smoke emissions by evacuating the blue smoke from the dryer drum coater independently of the exhaust of combustion products. The blue smoke, produced when heated and dried aggregate is mixed with other asphaltic products such as RAP or liquid asphalt, is preferably evacuated from a vapor outlet formed remote from the exhaust products outlet of the coater and adjacent the heated and dried aggregate inlet of the mixing chamber. Evacuating the blue smoke at this location obviates the need to separate the blue smoke from the combustion products and also prevents the introduction of excess oxygen into the combustion zone of the dryer drum coater. In a particularly preferred arrangement, the evacuated blue smoke is fed directly to the combustion air inlet of the coater's burner blower and is thereby incinerated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Astec Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John Milstead
  • Patent number: 5522158
    Abstract: A dryer drum coater has an internal recirculation cylinder for promoting the recirculation of combustion products so as to entrain and incinerate blue smoke formed when heated and dried virgin aggregate is mixed with other asphaltic products such as RAP and/or liquid asphalt in the dryer drum coater. The recirculation cylinder acts to extend and strengthen natural eddy currents formed during operation of the coater such that combustion product recirculation which would normally extend only in the end area of the flame extends far enough toward the base of the flame to entrain the blue smoke and to draw the blue smoke into the base area of the flame. The cylinder may comprise a refractory lined stainless steel shell or may be formed from tee flights of the type used in the combustion zones of dryer drum coaters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Astec Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Malcolm L. Swanson
  • Patent number: 5228214
    Abstract: The apparatus--which is used for the continuous treatment of a linear manufacture, such as length of fabric to be dried, with a gaseous stream - comprises a hollow rotor device (3) capable of being set in angular motion about a substantially horizontal axis, in combination with means (16, 14) for feeding the manufacture (M) to an open end of said rotor and means (42) for drawing the manufacture from the other open end of said rotor; continuous conveyor belt means (65, 65A) extend through the rotor in order to slowly advance said manufacture inside the internal volume of the rotor along said rotor; and suitable means (22, 30, 9) pass conditioned air or some other treatment gas into and along said rotor in order to treat the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignees: Officina Meccanica Biancalani, C. di Fiorenzo Biancalani & C. S.n.c., Coramtex S.r.l.
    Inventors: Fiorenzo Biancalani, Luigi Marcora
  • Patent number: 5220732
    Abstract: A process of cooling sand and rocks enables large amounts of aggregate to be cooled to a desired temperature below ambient aggregate temperature. Such temperature reduction is particularly useful for preparing concrete. Aggregate is introduced into a rotating cylinder, in which the aggregate is slowly mixed and moved. Chilled gas is also introduced into the cylinder, to contact the aggregate particles and reduce the temperature of the aggregate. Chilled gas may be provided by blowing ambient air or gas into contact with a chilled gas or liquid supply, and then directing the chilled gas into the cylinder. The gas may be recirculated in a closed system, to conserve energy and prevent aggregate fines from being lost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Inventor: Michael Lee
  • Patent number: 4892411
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous drum dryer mixer apparatus and method for heating and drying virgin aggregates, as well as recycled asphaltic pavement materials and mixing such materials with liquid asphalt cement and other ingredients to formulate asphalt paving materials.A first cylindrical rotatable drum dryer has a first material input in one end thereof and a material output at the other end thereof. The output is directable at the option of the operator to either a hot elevator for carrying it to an asphalt batch plant or into a second concentric or offset rotating drum mixer. A burner is mounted either at the output end of the first cylindrical drum, or at the output end of the second drum and extends therethrough to the output end of the first cylindrical drum for directing a flame into the first cylindrical drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1990
    Inventors: E. J. Elliott, Fred W. Prill, Douglas R. Fisher
  • Patent number: 4868999
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacture of asphaltic pavement from recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) and virgin rock and asphaltic materials is shown and described. This method utilizes efficient and controlled heat from a recirculating air impingement air dryer for heating of the RAP to a first temperature prior to the RAP being mixed with high temperature rock which is supplied from a rotating drum heater. The mixture of rock and RAP may comprise as much as 80% RAP because the RAP is preheated piror to the RAP rock mixing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Assignee: C.D. High Technology
    Inventor: John Radomsky
  • Patent number: 4835882
    Abstract: A drying unit flow separator includes an inlet having a curvature, and an exhaust duct and recirculation duct connected to the inlet at a junction. A recirculation damper is provided adjacent to the junction and projects into the inlet to divide the air flow between the exhaust duct on the outside of the curvature and the recirculation duct. A method of recirculating air to a drying unit includes the steps of blowing air into a curved duct causing larger and heavier lint particles to gravitate to the outside wall of the duct, and conducting the air past a recirculation damper such that the flow is divided into a recirculation flow and an exhaust flow that includes the larger and heavier lint particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Challenge Cook Bros., Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony A. Dongelmans