Treatment Of Gas Or Vapor Patents (Class 34/467)
  • Patent number: 11772115
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for treating a substrate. The apparatus includes a substrate support unit that supports the substrate, a nozzle unit that dispenses a treatment liquid onto the substrate supported on the substrate support unit, and a liquid supply unit that supplies the treatment liquid to the nozzle unit. The liquid supply unit includes a main supply line that is connected to the nozzle unit and that supplies the treatment liquid to the nozzle unit, wherein the treatment liquid is prepared by mixing a chemical with DIW at a first temperature and DIW at a second temperature higher than the first temperature, and temperature of the treatment liquid is adjusted by regulating a flow rate of the DIW at the first temperature and a flow rate of the DIW at the second temperature without a separate heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: SEMES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kang Suk Lee, Joo Sung Lee, Soon Kab Kwon
  • Patent number: 11764081
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for wafer cleaning. The apparatus includes an enclosure made of a noncombustible material, a wafer holder, a cleaning nozzle, at least one sensor, and an exhaust unit. The wafer holder can hold and heat a wafer. The cleaning nozzle can supply a flow of a cleaning fluid onto a surface of the wafer. The at least one sensor can detect attributes of the wafer. The exhaust unit can expel a vapor generated by the cleaning fluid in the enclosure. The exhaust unit can include a rinse nozzle to rinse the vapor passing through the exhaust unit with a mist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jieh-Chau Huang, Bi-Ming Yen, Hung-Lung Hu, Ying Ting Hsia, Ping-Jung Huang, Pei Yen Hsia
  • Patent number: 10724169
    Abstract: A laundry treatment apparatus, in particular a dryer or a washing machine having a dryer function, and a method for operating the apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus includes a laundry treatment chamber (18) for treating laundry using process air (A), a blower (8) for circulating the process air (A) within the laundry treatment chamber (18); and at least one temperature sensor (27, 28, 29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: ELECTROLUX APPLIANCES AKTIEBOLAG
    Inventors: Alessandro Vian, Paolo Ros, Agnieszka Kustra
  • Patent number: 10691090
    Abstract: A method of processing a device wafer includes the steps of applying a water-soluble protective film agent to a face side of the device wafer to form protective films thereon for protecting devices and leaving projected dicing lines exposed, dry-etching the device wafer through the protective films with a dry etching apparatus, recording a time when the water-soluble protective film agent is applied to the device wafer, confirming that the device wafer with the protective films formed thereon has been introduced into the dry etching apparatus, and issuing a warning if the introduction of the device wafer into the dry etching apparatus is not confirmed upon elapse of a predetermined time from the recorded time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: DISCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Meiyu Piao, Masahisa Tokuyama
  • Patent number: 10683764
    Abstract: A ceramic matrix composite component for use in a gas turbine engine and method for making the same are described herein. The component includes a body and an outer region. The body includes a silicon containing ceramic composite. The outer region is on an outer surface of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce High Temperature Composites, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen I. Harris, Robert J. Shinavski, Richard W. Kidd, Sungbo Shim, Kang N. Lee
  • Patent number: 10410888
    Abstract: A device for removing liquid from a surface of a disc-like article comprises a spin chuck for holding and rotating a single disc-like article about an axis of rotation and a liquid dispenser for dispensing liquid onto the disc-like article. A first gas dispenser comprises at least one nozzle with at least one orifice for blowing gas onto the disc-like article, and a second gas dispenser comprises at least one nozzle with at least one orifice for blowing gas onto the disc-like article. A rotary arm moves the liquid dispenser and the second gas dispenser across the disc-like article so that the second gas dispenser and the liquid dispenser move to a point in a peripheral region of the spin chuck. The at least one nozzle of the second gas dispenser is elongated along a first horizontal line that defines an angle ? of 5-20° relative to a second horizontal line connecting the center of the second gas dispenser and the rotation axis of the rotary arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH AG
    Inventors: Christoph Semmelrock, Dietmar Hammer
  • Patent number: 10184206
    Abstract: Provided is a clothes treating apparatus which may include a cabinet defining an outer appearance of the apparatus and having an introduction opening, a clothes receiving device provided in the cabinet and receiving therein clothes through the introduction opening, a circulation passage through which internal air of the clothes receiving device circulates, a heat-exchanging passage connected to the circulation passage to guide external air outside the circulation passage into the circulation passage for heat exchange with the internal air of the circulation passage, and a fan provided at the heat-exchanging passage to generate airflow in the heat-exchanging passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Youngsuk Kim, Injae Han, Sangwook Hong
  • Patent number: 9953847
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a molding compound, a conductive plug, and a cover. The conductive plug is in the molding compound. The cover is over a top meeting joint between the conductive plug and the molding compound. The semiconductor structure further has a dielectric. The dielectric is on the cover and the molding compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Ping-Yin Liu, Xin-Hua Huang, Lan-Lin Chao
  • Patent number: 9786488
    Abstract: A liquid processing method for liquid-processing a substrate includes setting a substrate on a substrate holding device which rotates the substrate such that the substrate is held in horizontal position, supplying processing liquid to center portion of the substrate such that the center portion positioned center side with respect to peripheral portion of the substrate is liquid-processed, positioning a discharge port of a processing liquid nozzle toward downstream side in rotation direction such that the liquid is discharged to the peripheral portion obliquely to surface of the substrate and along tangential direction of the substrate while the substrate is rotated, and discharging gas from a gas nozzle perpendicularly to the surface of the substrate toward position that is adjacent to liquid landing position of the liquid on the surface of the substrate and is on the center side of the substrate, while the liquid is discharged to the peripheral portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Akiko Kai, Takafumi Niwa, Shogo Takahashi, Hiroshi Nishihata, Yuichi Terashita, Teruhiko Kodama
  • Patent number: 9510585
    Abstract: A method for fumigating an enclosed space (12) comprises the steps of containing a gaseous fumigant at a discrete location within the enclosed space (12) so as to displace a volume of gas from the enclosed space, and releasing the contained fumigant from the discrete location and into the enclosed space. The method can employ an apparatus (10) that comprises a flexible enclosure (12) that is inflatable and deflatable with a gas between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. The enclosure (12) can be positioned within the enclosed space (12) prior to fumigant introduction. The apparatus (10) can also comprise an inlet (16) arranged at the enclosure to receive gaseous fumigant therethrough for inflation of the enclosure (12), as well as an outlet (20) and a valve (24) arranged at the enclosure (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Asiaworld Shipping Services PTY Ltd
    Inventor: Serguei Ivanine
  • Patent number: 9163352
    Abstract: A laundry treatment apparatus may include a cabinet defining an external appearance of the apparatus, the cabinet having a laundry opening, a laundry accommodation module provided within the cabinet to receive laundry introduced through the laundry opening, a suction duct into which interior air from the laundry accommodation module may be introduced, a discharge duct from which the air is discharged into the laundry accommodation module, a connection duct connecting the suction duct and the discharge duct to each other, a heat exchanger provided in the connection duct, and a blower provided between the heat exchanger and the discharge duct to circulate the interior air of the laundry accommodation module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Injae Han, Hyojun Kim, Sangwook Hong, Youngsuk Kim
  • Patent number: 9004079
    Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate processing apparatus capable of drying a substrate to be processed while suppressing the pattern collapse or the occurrence of contamination. A substrate is held in a liquid bath while being immersed in a liquid, and the liquid bath is disposed in a processing space of a processing vessel. A processing of drying the substrate is performed by replacing the liquid in the liquid bath with a supercritical-state fluid. A predetermined mechanism moves liquid bath between a processing location in the processing case and a stand-by location outside the processing case. A heater installed in the processing case changes the fluid to a supercritical state or maintains the supercritical state while cooling mechanisms cool down the liquid bath moved to the stand-by location outside the processing vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Yuji Kamikawa
  • Patent number: 8978269
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hybrid drying system where a cold-air drier and a desiccant drier are combined to increase drying efficiency (extent of dehumidification/power consumption), thereby shortening drying time and significantly reducing operation costs. The hybrid drying system includes a desiccant drier installed between an evaporator and a condenser and having an absorbing part configured to produce dry air from the cold-air dried air which has passed through the evaporator and a detaching part configured to supply recycled air heated by the condensation heat of the condenser as a recycling heat source; a heat exchanger configured to heat-exchange exterior air with recycled exhaust air with the recycled air to retrieve exhaust heat; and a control unit configured to simultaneously control a cold-air drying operation and a desiccant drying operation according to the humidity and temperature of the drying chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Air-Tech Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung Tae Park, Hue Jae Kim, Hyun Woong Choi, Kyung Rok Yoo, Dong Hyuk Kim
  • Patent number: 8832965
    Abstract: One of the controlling methods disclosed relates to control of a laundry machine including a tub and a drum, the method includes the steps of: sensing selection of a tub drying step and performing the tub drying step. The other controlling method of a laundry machine comprises the steps of: selecting a tub drying step; sensing door operation of the laundry machine; and performing the tub drying step based on the result of the door operation. Further, a laundry machine is disclosed that comprises a tub drying step selecting part configured to dry a tub (2); and a control part configured to control the tub (2) dried in case the tub drying step selecting part is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Young Bok Son, Myoung Suk You, Sung Min Ye, Tae Hee Lee, Deug Hee Lee, Ae Kyung Chae, Yoon Seob Eom
  • Patent number: 8769842
    Abstract: A substrate drying apparatus includes a drying gas nozzle configured so that, assuming that a surface WA of the substrate W is a projection plane, regarding the drying gas flow Gf in the nozzle moving direction Dr, a collision position Gfw with the substrate W is located downstream of a projected discharge position Gfv?, the projected discharge position Gfv? being a discharge position from the drying gas nozzle projected on the projection plane. In a three-dimensional space, the drying gas flow Gf is inclined, such that an angle ? formed by an axis Ga of the drying gas flow Gf and a vertical line Wp of the substrate W is in a range from a half contact angle ?/2 to an angle determined by deducting the half contact angle ?/2 from 90°, the half contact angle ?/2 being a half of the contact angle ?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoatsu Ishibashi, Takahiro Ogawa, Kenichi Sugita, Shinji Kajita, Koichi Fukaya, Akira Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20140165419
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for reducing silica recession of silicon-containing ceramics or silicon-containing ceramic composites, particularly those exposed to a combustion gas or to combustion gas environments, including those exposed to high temperature combustion gas environments. The methods and systems involve silicon-doping of compressed air and/or removal of moisture from compressed air prior to co-mingling the treated compressed air with the combustion gas to which the silicon-containing ceramics or silicon-containing ceramic composites are exposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Krishan Lal LUTHRA
  • Patent number: 8601718
    Abstract: A method which allows items, contained in a processing chamber, to be effectively and efficiently dried from an economical point of view and the energy consumption to be thus maintained as low as possible, despite a very high drying power. The method includes subjecting a medium in a container to at least one of an evaporation step and a sublimation step, whereby the medium is cooled, and absorbing via a reversibly dehydratable material in a sorber vapor produced by the medium in the container, whereby the reversibly dehydratable material is thereby heated. Air supplied from a processing chamber to the cooled medium is cooled and dehumidified. This air is then heated via contact with the reversibly dehydratable material and fed back into the processing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Egbert Classen, Bernd Müller
  • Patent number: 8567089
    Abstract: Disclosed are an evaporator, an evaporation method, and a substrate processing apparatus, which can increase the concentration of generated vapor of an organic solvent and efficiently heat the organic solvent. The evaporator includes a fluid tube, a liquid organic solvent supply device for supplying the organic solvent liquid to one end of the fluid tube, and heating units for heating the fluid tube. The fluid tube has a cross section that increases from the one end to the other end. When the organic solvent liquid supplied to one end of the fluid tube is heated, the organic solvent vapor is discharged from the other end of the fluid tube. The substrate processing apparatus includes the above-described evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Mikio Nakashima, Yuji Kamikawa
  • Publication number: 20130239431
    Abstract: A cellulose pulp drying box for drying a web of cellulose pulp having blow boxes that are operative for blowing gas towards the web of cellulose pulp for drying the pulp. At least 10% of the total number of blow boxes of the drying box are provided, in their respective face, with openings having a characteristic measure of 1.8 to 3. mm and constituting at least 20% of the total degree of perforation of the face of the respective blow box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: ANDRITZ TECHNOLOGY AND ASSET MANAGEMENT GMBH
    Inventors: Ola Larsson, Roland Kampris, Tinh Sjokvist
  • Patent number: 8438751
    Abstract: A dryer is provided having a drying chamber for items to be dried and a process air duct in which are located a heater for heating the process air, a blower for driving the process air from the heater through the drying chamber, and a heat exchanger arrangement. Via the heat exchanger arrangement, heat can be withdrawn from the process air flowing away from the drying chamber, and the process air flowing toward the heater can be fed to the heat exchanger. The process air duct is divided into a main duct and a secondary duct, the secondary duct having an evaporator in which condensate that was separated from the process air in the heat exchanger arrangement can be evaporated into the process air flowing therethrough and is connected to the exhaust opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Stolze
  • Patent number: 8424220
    Abstract: A dryer and a method for controlling the same are provided. The method for controlling a dryer includes supplying steam generated in a steam generator to a drum, and supplying hot air generated in a hot air heater to the drum. The method has an advantageous effect of removing wrinkles efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang Hun Bae, Chang Woo Son, Chul Jin Choi, Dong Hyun Kim, Young Bok Son, Heung Jae Kim
  • Publication number: 20130047459
    Abstract: A method for determining status of a drying cycle comprises receiving, at a first time, a first signal from a bladder pressure sensor configured to be responsive to changes in a weight of a container of the dryer, the container retaining materials to be dried. At a second time, the controller receives a second signal from the bladder pressure sensor. A change in the bladder pressure signals is calculated based on difference between the second signal and the first signal, and the change in the bladder pressure signals is interpreted as a change in the weight of the container. Based on the change in the weight of the container and the length of time, a rate of change in the weight of the container is calculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: David John Geer, Jason John Detsch, Bradley McKay Johnson
  • Patent number: 8365436
    Abstract: Method and device for drying a water-containing substance using an air stream by: heating the air stream in a first heat exchanger (1) by direct contact between the air stream and a first portion of the water-containing substance; separating the heated air stream into a first and a second air stream; heating the second air stream in a heating unit (3); drying a second portion of the water-containing substance in a drying unit (5) by direct contact between the heated second air stream and the second portion of the water-containing substance; cooling the second air stream to the temperature level of the first cooling liquid in a second heat exchanger (201a) using a first cooling liquid; mixing the cooled second air stream and the first air stream in a mixing unit; cooling the mixed air stream by means of a second cooling liquid in a third heat exchanger (201b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Leudal Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Gijsbert Docters van Leeuwen
  • Publication number: 20120227279
    Abstract: A drying system includes a desiccant wheel that dries incoming air. The dried air is heated using a heating element to promote drying of an article within the drying system. A portion of the heated air is diverted to a secondary air path that leads away from the drum holding the article. The diverted portion is used to regenerate an area of the desiccant wheel. A secondary heating element is used to promote regeneration and located in the secondary air path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: PROTEGE ENTERPRISES
    Inventors: Charles Robert DEWALD, III, Thomas L. CRISTELLO
  • Patent number: 8151483
    Abstract: A method for progressively dewatering a pipe or pipeline includes the use of a loose-fitting spherical- or quasi-spherical shaped pig body which rolls forward through the interior space of the pipe and temporarily captures and redistributes a portion of the volume of liquids available for capture and redistribution as the pig body rolls on past. Preferably, the portion captured is less than the volume available for capture. A part of the captured liquid may be redistributed to an upper quadrant of the pipe. Capture and redistribution are accomplished by way of a first bypass pathway and a second bypass pathway. One of the pathways may be a through-body pathway. The pig body may be a hollow pig body with a plurality of spaced-apart ports, a solid pig body with a plurality of paddle-like structures, or a cube-sphere type pig body with recessed external wall surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: TDW Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Culver Gidden Cooper, Mark Russell Henault, Robert F. Strong, Eric N. Freeman
  • Patent number: 8142727
    Abstract: A System for reducing organic contaminates from the condensate discharge of a closed loop industrial drying process. The system includes a dryer, a regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO) in flow communication with the dryer, and an energy recovery unit in flow communication with the RTO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Eisenmann Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Schmidt, Bradley Ginger
  • Publication number: 20110296707
    Abstract: A substrate processing method which can reduce the number of particles to be left on each substrate is provided. In the substrate processing method, substrates W to be processed are dried, by using a fluid heated by a heating apparatus having one or more heating mechanisms. The substrate processing method comprises a first step of supplying a mixed fluid containing a gas and a processing liquid and heated by the heating apparatus, into a processing chamber in which the substrates to be processed are placed, and a second step of supplying the heated gas into the processing chamber. The output of at least one of the heating mechanisms is kept at a preset constant value for a period of time during which a predetermined time passes after the start of the first step. In the second step, the output of the heating mechanism is determined under a feed back control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Hideki NISHIMURA, Mikio Nakashima
  • Publication number: 20110289795
    Abstract: A substrate drying apparatus includes a drying gas nozzle configured so that, assuming that a surface WA of the substrate W is a projection plane, regarding the drying gas flow Gf in the nozzle moving direction Dr, a collision position Gfw with the substrate W is located downstream of a projected discharge position Gfv?, the projected discharge position Gfv? being a discharge position from the drying gas nozzle projected on the projection plane. In a three-dimensional space, the drying gas flow Gf is inclined, such that an angle ? formed by an axis Ga of the drying gas flow Gf and a vertical line Wp of the substrate W is in a range from a half contact angle ?/2 to an angle determined by deducting the half contact angle ?/2 from 90°, the half contact angle ?/2 being a half of the contact angle ?.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Tomoatsu ISHIBASHI, Takahiro OGAWA, Kenichi SUGITA, Shinji KAJITA, Koichi FUKAYA, Akira NAKAMURA
  • Patent number: 7971370
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating a moving substrate of indefinite length. The apparatus has a control surface positioned in close proximity to a surface of the substrate to define a control gap between the substrate and the control surface. A first chamber is positioned near the control surface, with the first chamber having a gas introduction device. A second chamber is positioned near the control surface, the second chamber having a gas withdrawal device. The control surface and the chambers together define a region wherein the adjacent gas phases possess an amount of mass. Upon inducement of at least a portion of the mass within the region, the mass flow is controlled to significantly reduce dilution of the gas phase component in the adjacent gas phase. This is accomplished through the introduction of a controlled gas stream thereby reducing the flow of an uncontrolled ambient gas stream due to pressure gradients in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Craig A. Miller, Nirmal K. Jain, William Blake Kolb
  • Publication number: 20110154686
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a commodity includes providing a sealed enclosure. A commodity is arranged in a plurality of layers spaced apart to provide ventilation areas between the layers. The commodity is further arranged in a plurality of rows having a space formed therebetween. A cover is positioned on a top surface and an exposed end surface of the rows or an exposed surface of an air handler to provide a seal. The air handler is positioned in communication with the space between the rows so as to move air along the space and through the ventilation areas, such that an even flow of air is achieved over the commodity. A catalytic heater/converter is provided for burning unburnt fuel and for depleting oxygen from the sealed enclosure during the heating of the commodity. A controller controls the air flowing through the ventilation areas and over the commodity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: SUREWOOD LUMBER, LLC
    Inventor: Vincent P. TIPPMANN
  • Patent number: 7918039
    Abstract: A web coating process and apparatus employing a coating applicator, dryer or curing station and web-handling equipment for conveying the web past the coating applicator and through the dryer. The web is enclosed from at least the coating applicator to the dryer or curing station in a close-coupled enclosure or series of close-coupled enclosures supplied with one or more streams of conditioned gas flowing at a rate sufficient to reduce materially the particle count or change materially a physical property of interest in a close-coupled enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: William Blake Kolb
  • Publication number: 20110067262
    Abstract: This drying system dries material with circulating gas or steam of any type. Air is used as the name for the gas. A drying cycle consists of the following basic phases: •Charging of drying material •Heating with circulating air without discharge of air until the air before the air heater has reached desired relative humidity and temperature •Discharge of warm humid air with continued heating of circulating air and intake of outside air or returned dehumidified air. The discharged flow is so controlled that the in the dryer circulating air keeps its desired relative humidity and temperature. •Discharge of the dried material and at the same time cleaning of all the components whose function can be disturbed by dust. •Charging of new material to be dried.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventor: Erma Eero
  • Publication number: 20110041357
    Abstract: Method and device for drying a water-containing substance using an air stream by: heating the air stream in a first heat exchanger (1) by direct contact between the air stream and a first portion of the water-containing substance; separating the heated air stream into a first and a second air stream; heating the second air stream in a heating unit (3); drying a second portion of the water-containing substance in a drying unit (5) by direct contact between the heated second air stream and the second portion of the water-containing substance; cooling the second air stream to the temperature level of the first cooling liquid in a second heat exchanger (201a) using a first cooling liquid; mixing the cooled second air stream and the first air stream in a mixing unit; cooling the mixed air stream by means of a second cooling liquid in a third heat exchanger (201b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: LEUDAL HOLDING B.V.
    Inventor: Gijsbert Docters Van Leeuwen
  • Publication number: 20110030236
    Abstract: The invention is related to a procedure for the heat treatment of semiconductor elements, which are fed through a process chamber in the continuous-flow procedure. With it, ceramic transport aids used for the transport of the semiconductor elements demonstrate a clearly better long-term mechanical stability compared with known procedures; it is proposed that at least, by way of example, one specific humid atmosphere be adjusted in the process chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: SCHOTT SOLAR AG
    Inventors: Joerg HORZEL, Gabriele BLENDIN
  • Publication number: 20110030431
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for converting sludges, wastes or a combination thereof to biosolids, including a) at least one heated air system, b) at least one trough arrangement, c) at least one auger system, wherein the at least one auger system is situated in the at least one trough arrangement to form a conveyor system, and d) at least one heat box enclosing at least part of the conveyor system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Morris Peltier, Foye Sparks
  • Patent number: 7878112
    Abstract: Apparatus is described for storing sensitive materials in containers (32) which are sealed and in which the internal atmosphere may be purged by flushing with an inert gas fed in from a purger unit (30) via a suitable feed lead (35). The gas exhausted from inside the container (32) is fed back into the purge unit (30) and then checked against a desired parameter, for example oxygen concentration, until the value of that parameter reaches a desired level. Purging may then be stopped and the container left sealed, preferably at a slight over pressure relative to the ambient atmosphere. The use of a separate purge unit enables many containers to be sequentially and effectively processed. The containers are particularly useful for storing sensitive chemical and biological samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Roylan Developments Limited
    Inventor: Stuart Naylor
  • Publication number: 20100313441
    Abstract: The removal of moisture from an object to be sterilized is provided through at least the steps of placing the load in the chamber, reducing the pressure within the chamber to increase the rate of evaporation of moisture from the load, monitoring over a predetermined period of time the increase in the quantity of vapor within the chamber resulting from evaporation of moisture from the load, admitting gas into the chamber and repeating the steps following placing the load into the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: Sterilucent, Inc.
    Inventors: Jami McLaren, Steven J. Olson, Kent Larson
  • Patent number: 7765714
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for reducing the VOC and CO content of dryer offgas that is discharged into the atmosphere from a moist organic product drying process using thermal oxidizing apparatus that includes a furnace, mixing chamber, thermal oxidizer, tempering chamber, and an indirect gas-to-gas heat exchanger. The dryer offgas is separated into two portions, with a larger portion being preheated by indirect heat exchange with the hot gaseous output from the thermal oxidizer. The non-preheated portion is directed to a rotary waste heat evaporator in which moisture is removed therefrom. The preheated portion is recycled to the hot gas inlet of the dryer and serves the function of dryer heat transfer media. By removing moisture from the non-preheated portion of the offgas that is directed to the thermal oxidizing apparatus, simultaneous achievement of thermal oxidizer temperatures of 1600° F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Aeroglide Corporation
    Inventor: Richard L. Ronning
  • Publication number: 20100180465
    Abstract: A home laundry drier (1) having a revolving drum (5) for housing the laundry to be dried, a hot-air generator (7) for circulating a stream of hot air inside the drum (5), and a steam generator (17) for feeding steam into the drum (5); the steam generator (17) having an electric boiler (18) designed to receive a given quantity of water and immediately convert it into a stream of low-pressure steam to be fed into the drum (5), a demineralized-water reservoir (20) located over and communicating with the electric boiler (18), and a lint filter (23) located upstream from the water reservoir (20); the water reservoir (20) receiving distilled water from the water canister (12) of the heat exchanger (10) of the hot-air generator (7) via a water drain circuit (13); and the laundry drier (1) also having a liquid level sensor (26) for determining when the water in the water reservoir (20) is below a given minimum level, and a central control unit (24) for determining whether the water reservoir (20) is in a given low-wa
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS CORPORATION N.V.
    Inventors: Flavio Noviello, Gennaro Napolitano, Mirko Cenedese, Roberto Ragogna
  • Patent number: 7758828
    Abstract: Problems associated with deposition of contaminants from air streams in transport ducts in the wood products industry and other sources of such contaminants are at least minimized by close coupling a cyclone separator/scrubber to the source of the air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Turbosonic Inc.
    Inventors: Edward F. Spink, Robert A. Allan
  • Publication number: 20100139115
    Abstract: A system for reducing organic contaminates from the condensate discharge of a closed loop industrial drying process. The system includes a dryer, a regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO) in flow communication with the dryer, and an energy recovery unit in flow communication with the RTO.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: EISENMANN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Schmidt, Bradley Ginger
  • Publication number: 20100107438
    Abstract: Humid waste air is produced in heated laundry machines. This humid waste air has a still relatively high temperature. In order for the energy contained in the humid waste air to be recovered, at least in part, the humid waste air is directed through a heat exchanger (12). Condensate is produced in the heat exchanger (12), and it has proven difficult, in the case of known heat exchangers (12), for this condensate to be directed away. Moreover, the humid waste air contains accompanying substances, for example fluff from the treated laundry. These accompanying substances are deposited in known heat exchangers (12), which adversely affect the efficiency of the heat exchanger (12) over time. The invention makes provision for the heat exchanger (12) to be equipped with upright heat-exchanger plates (13), from which the condensate can run off. The condensate can then be discharged in a specific manner out of the heat exchanger (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Wilhelm Bringewatt, Engelbert Heinz
  • Patent number: 7707741
    Abstract: A system and method for drying cavities loaded with high level waste (“HLW”) is devised. The invention utilizes a non-intrusive procedure that is based on monitoring the dew point temperature of a non-reactive gas that is circulated through the cavity. In one aspect, the invention is a method comprising: a) flowing a non-reactive gas through the cavity; b) repetitively measuring the dew point temperature of the non-reactive gas exiting the cavity; and c) upon the dew point temperature of the non-reactive gas exiting the cavity reaching and remaining below a predetermined dew point temperature for a predetermined time, discontinuing the flow of the non-reactive gas and sealing the cavity. In another aspect, the invention is a system designed to carry out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Krishna Singh
  • Patent number: 7654011
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for reducing the VOC, CO, and, alternatively, the NOx content of dryer offgas that is discharged into the atmosphere from a moist organic product drying process using thermal oxidizing apparatus that includes a burner, furnace, mixing chamber, thermal oxidizer, tempering chamber, and an indirect gas-to-gas heat exchanger. The dryer offgas is separated into two portions, with a larger portion being preheated by indirect heat exchange with the hot gaseous output from the thermal oxidizer. The non-preheated portion is directed to the burner in the function of flue gas recycle for NOx control. The preheated portion is separated into two portions, with one portion being directed to the furnace/mixing chamber of the thermal oxidizing apparatus. The other portion of the preheated offgas is recycled to the hot gas inlet of the dryer and serves the function of dryer heat transfer media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Ronning Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Ronning, Michael V. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20090320319
    Abstract: A domestic appliance for the care of laundry items is provided a housing, a container housed by the housing and operable to accommodate laundry items, a process air loop, a heat exchanger operable to dehumidify process air exiting the container, a heater operable to heat process air, and a cooling air loop for conveying cooling air from an ambient environment of the domestic appliance into contact with the heat exchanger to thereby cool the heat exchanger, the cooling air loop including an air channeling device that is operable to selectively: a) directly vent at least some of the cooling air fed to the heat exchanger from the domestic appliance to the ambient environment and b) channel at least some of the cooling air fed to the heat exchanger into the domestic appliance for passage thereafter out of openings in the domestic appliance to the ambient environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: BSH BOSCH UND SIEMENS HAUSGERATE GMBH
    Inventors: Klaus Grunert, Günter Steffens, Andreas Stolze
  • Publication number: 20090300938
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for drying a piece of textile which is impinged upon by an air flow having a varied partial steam pressure to evacuate moisture. The method and apparatus are particularly suitable for drying a piece of textile with a layered structure having a semi-permeable membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventor: Henrik Volkers
  • Publication number: 20090293302
    Abstract: An artwork drying cabinet includes a housing that defines an interior drying compartment. A plurality of removable shelves are provided in parallel spaced relation within the compartment. A hinged door provides access to the compartment for purposes of loading and removing shelves with artwork. The door includes a vent to exhaust moisture laden air from the compartment. A blower and heating element are provided to supply a heated current of air to the compartment. A shroud couples the blower and heating element to the cabinet and directs the flow of heated air into the cabinet. The blower sends the current of air over the heating element through a diffuser comprising a v-shaped baffle with a central elongated opening along the vertex. Controls are provided to regulate air speed and temperature. An optional timer controls the duration of a drying cycle. The diffuser evenly distributes parallel laminar streams of heated air above and below each shelf.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Helbert J. Jonaitis, Steven Wallis
  • Publication number: 20090293301
    Abstract: A device and a method for drying laundry includes an essentially closed channel system for conveying a stream of air that acts on the laundry are a treatment chamber for loading the laundry, a blower to drive the airflow, a heater to heat the airstream before it strikes the laundry, and a cooler to cool the airstream after it strikes the laundry. The airstream flows through a heat pump in the channel system, encompassing a pump unit, a cold branch, and a warm branch, that are joined to each other in parallel and through which the appropriate parts of the airstream can flow in parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: BSH BOSCH UND SIEMENS HAUSGERÄTE GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Koch, Ulrich Nehring, Kai Nitschmann, Günter Steffens, Andreas Stolze, Henrik Volkers
  • Publication number: 20090265953
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dryer and a method for controlling the same. The method for controlling a dryer includes a steam supply step for supplying steam generated in a steam generator to a dram, and a hot air supply step for supply hot air generated in a hot air heater to the drum. The method according to the present invention has an advantageous effect of removing wrinkles efficiently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sang Hun Bae, Chang Woo Son, Chul Jin Choi, Dong Hyun Kim, Young Bok Son, Heung Jae Kim
  • Publication number: 20090241366
    Abstract: A laundry treating machine and a control method of the same are disclosed. The present invention relates to a laundry treating machine capable of efficiently treating clothes received therein. The laundry treating machine includes an accommodating space receiving laundry therein, a circulation duct in communication with the accommodating space, a first condensing device provided along the circulation duct and supplying dried air to the accommodating space and a second condensing device provided along the circulation duct and increasing dryness of air supplied to the accommodating space, independent from the first condensing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Dae Yun Park, Dong Won Kim, Jong Seok Kim, Sog Kie Hong, Hea Kyung Yoo