Abstract: An indexing or ratcheting conveyor configured to advance a load includes a frame defining the inlet end and the outlet end of the conveyor, a first device with a gravity rocking pushers and a powered member configured to advance the load in a direction from the inlet end to the outlet end of the conveyor. The conveyor can also include a second device configured to move the load, disposed at the outlet end only, in a direction from the outlet end to the inlet end prior to discharge of the load outwardly from the outlet end. The conveyor can be used as a component of an oven configured to cook or bake dough in containers with electrical resistance.

Abstract: A method for electrically predrying a moist blank of a ceramic raw mixture is provided, the blank being connected into a circuit and an alternating current being passed through the blank. In this case, the alternating current is passed through the blank at an increased frequency in comparison with the mains frequency. Significantly less electrical energy is required to achieve an identical drying result.

Abstract: Gas treatment systems and methods are provided. A system includes at least one device defining a space and having a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The device also includes an electrode assembly, where the electrode assembly includes a dielectric plate, at least one first electrode, at least one second electrode, and a conductive layer. The electrodes are elongate electrodes disposed on a first major surface of the dielectric plate and arranged substantially in parallel. Further, the conductive layer extends over a second major surface of the dielectric plate, is electrically coupled to the one of the electrodes, and is electrically isolated from the other electrode. The system includes a circuit configured for generating a pulsed electric field between the electrodes.

Abstract: A siloxane-adsorbent media regeneration device, system and method comprising a rectangular cylinder with first and second dielectric elements forming opposing first and second sides, and first and second electrodes forming opposing third and fourth sides thereof, and end caps disposed at opposing ends thereof. A capacitive device is coupled with the dielectric elements and configured to detect a capacitance of an adsorbent media, and a switchable heat source coupled with each of the first and second dielectric elements. A pressure vessel is configured to receive the rectangular cylinder therein, and includes apertures to permit inflow and outflow of a gas. A vibration-generating device may be coupled with one of the electrodes, as well as with a control system. Regeneration generally includes passing an electrical current through an adsorbent medium, detecting a capacitance indicating that regeneration is warranted, and heating the adsorbent medium while conveying an inert gas therethrough.

Abstract: A device comprising an improved electrical hot-air gun for fast ignition of the charcoal-bed of a barbeque charcoal grill for home use having a very short distance between the front of the hot-air gun and the electrical heating wire of the heating assembly and a very high outlet temperature. The hot-air gun also has a scraper mounted on the igniter/heater front to be able to aid in cleaning the grating of a BBQ grill.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the determination of the stresses occurring in wood when drying or being dried. With the method in accordance with the invention, electrodes are used to generate an electric field in drying wood in order to measure the electric complex spectrum using the impedance spectroscopy method while at the same time employing sensors k to measure acoustic emissions from drying wood and using the results for calculating the parameters required for determining the stress state existing in the wood and for monitoring and/or controlling the drying process.

Abstract: A liquid crystal polarization rotator device is able to rotate polarization fast enough to compensate polarization mode dispersion. The amount or degree of rotation is rapidly reconfigurable. The device includes a cavity filled with a nematic liquid crystal material. The cavity has electrodes on a first face, e.g., a first substrate, and electrodes on a second face, e.g., a second substrate, opposite the first face. The electrodes are shaped and positioned to produce an electric field across the cavity capable of rotating the alignment direction of the molecules of the liquid crystal material in the cavity. The electrodes are patterned on the ends of optical fibers. Aligning and positioning of the electrodes on the ends of the optical fibers with a predetermined spacing forms the cavity that is filled with the nematic liquid crystal material. The filled cavity is a so-called liquid crystal microcell wave plate.

Abstract: The method serves for drying an active part containing at least one winding and solid insulations. The active part is arranged in a vacuum-tight housing and is heated there to a final temperature value (Tfin) by means of warmed oil and by means of a current (I) carried in the winding. The warmed oil is sprayed in the housing at reduced pressure (p) and with the current (I) switched on. At the same time, water is extracted from the active part. The sprayed oil is collected on the housing bottom, after discharging heat to the active part, and, after rewarming, is sprayed once again in the housing at reduced pressure and with the current switched on. The active part is thus dried particularly quickly and carefully.

Abstract: A process for the drying of woven glass fabric to be used in a reinforcing laminate in sensitive electronic equipment is disclosed. The process implements a drying technique utilizing microwave energy for drying.

Abstract: In a process for thermally utilizing wet spent grains (1), the wet spent grains (1) are mechanically predried in a first drying stage (2), thermally dried in a further drying stage (4) and finally thermally utilized by burning or gasification. In order to be able to realize a process of this kind economically, the mechanically dehydrated spent grains (15) in the further drying stage (4) are heated by the aid of a smoke gas occurring within the energy system of a brewery.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for producing dried sized glass fibers wherein a drying device is used to produce current flow along sized fibers to thereby partially or fully dry the size on the fibers. The apparatus may include an applicator for applying a size to the fibers and a drying device which comprises a high voltage electrode connected to a high voltage source and at least one grounded electrode. Drying is performed by passing the sized fibers by the electrodes such that a current flows along the sized fibers from the high voltage electrode to the at least one grounded electrode. The grounded electrodes may comprise grounded gathering shoes.

Abstract: A process for upgrading low-quality wood to high-quality wood comprising the following stages:a) softening the wood by directly heating it electrically in the presence of a softening agent at a pressure of at least the equilibrium vapor pressure of the softening agent at the operating temperature;b) drying the softened wood;c) curing the dried wood; andd) cooling the cured wood.

Abstract: A process of drying moist or wet carbon particles in a series of tubular drying sections by electrical resistance heating where the current is introduced into the uppermost column of carbon particles through a graphite block positioned at the center of the top of the said column by attachment to a steel plate that includes a flat or a V-shaped shelf and that is provided with openings to allow the moisture to escape in the form of steam and wherein the dried or partially dried carbon may be fed into a second or into a sequential plurality of similar sections provided with similar graphite blocks similarly positioned.

Abstract: Roller grate method and apparatus for simultaneously transporting, agitating and exchanging heat with a bed of solid mineral particles has elongated cylindrical horizontal rollers with gas passage apertures therethrough, a hopper for feeding mineral particles onto the rollers and forming a bed having a depth several times greater than the average diameter of the particles; a drive source to rotate the rollers and frictionally engage the cylindrical surfaces with the particles in the lowermost layer of the bed and urge the bed along a path of travel transverse to the axes of the rollers; elongated filler members disposed in the nip between adjacent rollers to prevent the particles from jamming the rollers and to provide resistance to the flow of the bed along said path of travel; and a heat chamber spanning the rollers and a fan for forcing a heat transfer gas stream through the gas passage apertures in the rollers and through the bed as it is being transported, the rollers and the filler members being adapted