Collecting Of Condensed Gas Or Vapor Patents (Class 34/469)
  • Patent number: 11885243
    Abstract: At least one aspect of the technology provides a self-contained processing facility configured to convert organic, high water-content waste, such as fecal sludge and garbage, into electricity while also generating and collecting potable water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
    Inventor: Peter Janicki
  • Patent number: 11291944
    Abstract: A method for removing solvent from a solvent containing sweep gas stream obtained from a fertilizer coating process is disclosed. The method can include directly contacting the solvent containing sweep gas stream with an aqueous composition comprising 50% wt/wt to 100% wt/wt of water, condensing at least a portion of the solvent out of the solvent containing sweep gas stream into the aqueous composition to produce a solvent-enriched aqueous composition and a recovered sweep gas stream, and removing the recovered sweep gas stream from the solvent-enriched aqueous composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: SABIC GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
    Inventors: Farooq Uraizee, Danil Tirtowidjojo, Ramesh Rameswaran, Jayachandran Chandrasekaran
  • Patent number: 10792908
    Abstract: In a method of producing a 3D part using an electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system, a plurality of layers of a powder-based material are developed using at least one electrophotography (EP) engine. The developed layers are transferred to a transfer medium. The layers on the transfer medium are dried by heating the layers without fully fusing the powder-based material to itself using a dryer. This reduces a water content of the layers. The dried layers are heated on the transfer medium to at least a fusion temperature, at which the power-based material fuses together, using a pre-transfusion heater. The dried layers are then transfused together on a build platform using a transfusion assembly to build the part in a layer-by-layer manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Evolve Additive Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Samuel Batchelder, Arun Chowdry, Steven A. Chillscyzn
  • Patent number: 8961652
    Abstract: A method for removal and condensation of vapors from within an enclosed space (120) is disclosed. An enclosed space (120) containing material (110) is surrounded by an insulative permeable layer (130) having a lowering temperature gradient (230) between the inner surface (220) and the outer surfaces (240). The insulative layer (130) may also be covered by an impermeable layer (140). Heating the material (110) in the enclosed space (120) causes the formation of vapors at a positive pressure within the enclosed space (120). Vapors pass through the inner surface (220) of the insulative permeable layer (130) and contact the permeable materials and are condensed by the lowering temperature within the insulative layer (130). The condensate liquid passes downwardly through the insulative layer (130) for collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Red Leaf Resources, Inc.
    Inventor: James W. Patten
  • Publication number: 20150040422
    Abstract: A system, method and configuration for recovering turpentine during the manufacturing of wood chips, wood pellets or other substances that may include turpentine. In general, a turpentine recovery system is used to capture turpentine from exhaust of a dryer as wood chips are being dried. Advantageously, application of the various techniques disclosed herein can result in the recovery of turpentine that can then be sold to generate revenue and, may contribute to a reduction in the capital and operation costs for emission controls for the dryer exhaust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Robert J. Foxen
  • Publication number: 20140298674
    Abstract: An external air-cooled heat exchanger includes two air channels going towards different directions and not connecting with each other, a condensing wind channel and an external air channel. Each air channel has a plurality of air chambers that are alternately arranged so that between each two neighboring air chambers of the same air channel is an air chamber of the other air channel change to a period; A clothes dryer includes an air outlet connected to the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is connected to a water collection box, the water collection box is connected to an air inlet, a filter is arranged between the air outlet and the heat exchanger, and a drying fan and the heating unit are arranged between the water collection box and the air inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicants: HAIER GROUP CORPORATION, QINGDAO HAIER DRUM WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Haishan Liang, Peishi Lv, Sheng Xu, Huacheng Song, Yonghong Xu, Bin Song
  • Patent number: 8789290
    Abstract: A domestic appliance for the care of items of washing includes a process air supply through which a stream of air is able to be directed through a drum for holding the items of washing, a mesh filter for separating the lint out of the air stream, a facility for removing lint from the mesh filter, the facility being embodied for removal of lint which is collected outside the process air supply on the mesh filter, and a rinsing device with which the lint is able to be rinsed out of the mesh filter with rinsing fluid. A method for removal of lint from a mesh filter of the domestic appliance also is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Grunert
  • Patent number: 8661704
    Abstract: Provided is substrate processing apparatus including processing chamber that dries substrate W using high temperature and high pressure fluid, raw material accommodating unit that accommodates raw material in liquid state, and supplying unit that supplies the high temperature and high pressure fluid to the processing chamber. The supplying unit includes sealable outer vessel connected to the processing chamber and the raw material accommodating unit, and inner vessel provided within the outer vessel and configured to receive the raw material. The inner vessel is provided with opened holes portions configured to drop down the raw material toward a portion of the outer vessel to be heated. After the raw material is accommodated in the inner vessel, the raw material is contacted with the portion to be heated and then heated. A high temperature and high pressure fluid is then obtained and supplied to the processing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Mikio Nakashima
  • Publication number: 20130133221
    Abstract: Process for controlling a dryer, suitable of dehumidifying air entering oil expansion vessels used in electrical appliances, in which a protective casing of the dryer surrounds at least two dehumidifying tanks or vessels containing an absorption device suitable to absorb air humidity coming from the outside and which can be thermally regenerated by resistors. The resistors are connected with a load cell, suitable to determine the state of saturation of the absorption device, so that detecting by the load cell of a measured mass value greater than a predefined threshold value (MFS) operates the resistors in order to regenerate the absorption device to the original state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Carlo Carollo, Andrea Tonnin
  • Publication number: 20130031798
    Abstract: A drying apparatus having a structure capable of improving condensation efficiency, and a washing machine having the same. The washing machine including a cabinet, a tub installed inside the cabinet, a drum rotatably installed inside the tub, a condenser duct configured to condense moisture in air introduced from the inside the drum, a drying duct configured to heat the air introduced from the condenser duct and supply the heated air to the inside the drum, and a condensation water storage unit formed at a circumference of the condenser duct to store condensation water that is used to condense the moisture in the air moving inside the condenser duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seok Keun Bae, Seong Min Oak, Phil Soo Chang, Min Hee Kang, Hye Joon Seok
  • Publication number: 20130008049
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a heat pump based dryer or a combination washer and dryer device comprising a housing receiving a drum for containing associated articles to be dried by air that flows along a pathway between an outlet and an inlet of the housing. A fluid is provided in the pathway to at least partially remove moisture from the air. A heat pump includes a heat source located at least partially within the pathway and a heat sink being operatively adapted to the heat source to circulate a refrigerant therein. An enclosure at least partially containing the heat sink is arranged to accept the fluid from the pathway to exchange heat with the heat sink and return the fluid to the pathway. Fluid may be provided to the pathway by a spray nozzle adjacent the outlet or by an evaporative media downstream of a lint separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventor: Mahendra Madhukar Patil
  • Patent number: 8230613
    Abstract: A clothes treating apparatus is disclosed. The clothes treating apparatus includes a cabinet in which an accommodating space for receiving clothes is defined, a steam generator for generating steam to be supplied into the accommodating space, and a supply unit for supplying the steam, generated in the steam generator, into the receiving space and collecting water condensed from the steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jung Wook Moon, Dae Yun Park, Sog Kie Hong, Jong Seok Kim, Seung Gyu Ryu, Hye Yong Park, Chang Gyu Choi, Dong Won Kim
  • 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: 20100088920
    Abstract: A multi-stage harvest dryer (10) is provided for drying an agricultural harvest product (12), such as, for example, corn, sunflowers, beans, seeds, etc. The dryer (10) includes multiple drying stages (14a-14d) connected in sequence to dry a volume of harvest product (12) passed from one drying stage (14) to the next. Heat exchangers (16a, 16b, 18a, 18b, 18c) are located in the stages (14a-14c) to transfer heat to the harvest product (12) in each of the corresponding stages (14a-14d). The heat exchangers (16a and 16b) are radiant heat exchangers that efficiently heat the harvest product (12) via radiant heat transfer, with heaters (19a, 19b) being provided to maintain the heat exchangers (16a, 16b) within a desired temperature range. The heat exchangers (18a-18c) are condensers that efficiently recycle the heat within the dryer (10) by transferring heat back to the harvest product (12) by condensing water that has been evaporated from the harvest product (12) elsewhere in the dryer (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventor: Albert M. LaRou
  • Patent number: 7461466
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for drying wet bio-solids by utilizing waste heat from a clinker cooler in a cement making process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Lehigh Cement Company
    Inventors: Edward L. Morton, Laszlo Szabo, Rainer Nobis, Shane Alesi
  • Patent number: 7434332
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for drying wet bio-solids by utilizing waste heat from a clinker cooler in a cement making process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Lehigh Cement Company
    Inventors: Edward L. Morton, Laszlo Szabo, Rainer Nobis, Shane Alesi
  • Patent number: 7162812
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a clothes drying machine, or combined clothes washing and drying machine, comprising a drum (1) holding the clothes to be dried, a conduit (2, 10) adapted to convey a flow of drying air into said drum and out thereof, a fan (5) adapted to blow a first flow of drying air through said said conduit, a heatin element (4) adapted to heat up the air in said conduit at a location upstream of said drum, a motor (7) adapted to selectively drive said drum rotatably. In the machine there is provided a means (9) for producing atomised moisture, said means being adapted to release a flow of said atomised moisture into said conduit according to selected times and modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Silvano Cimetta, Fabio Noviello
  • Patent number: 7159334
    Abstract: A web coating machine for coating a web of material having first and second faces and a web travel path, the web coating machine including a tension zone in a portion of the web travel path, a fixed port structure over which the web travels, and a web positioning device including at least one gas flow port in the port structure capable of generating a vacuum that brings the first face of the web of material into contact with a portion of the port structure immediately surrounding one of more of the gas flow ports and reduces, retards or arrests longitudinal travel of the web of material through the web coating machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William Blake Kolb, Don W. Hendrickson, Gary L. Huelsman
  • Patent number: 6904702
    Abstract: The substrate drying apparatus has a substrate processing vessel 1, a substrate supporting section for supporting plural substrates 2 in a standing condition and lined up condition in the interior of the substrate processing vessel 1, fluid reservoir section 3 for drying provided at an upward predetermined position of the substrate processing vessel 1, a first inert gas supplying section 4 for blowing inert gas against the drying fluid 6 pooled in the fluid reservoir section 3 for drying so as to generate droplet of the drying fluid, and for guiding the droplet towards the center of the substrate processing vessel 1, and a second inert gas supplying section 5 for supplying inert gas vertically and downwardly so as to supply the generated droplet of the drying fluid towards the substrates 2, consequently safety is improved without providing special safety device, and sufficient amount of drying fluid is supplied to the dipping boundary face of the substrate and the cleaning liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignees: Toho Kasei, Ltd, Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takazo Sotojima, Norio Maeda
  • Patent number: 6886273
    Abstract: A system for separating hydrocarbons from a material which includes a process chamber, a process pan operatively connected to the process chamber and removable therefrom, a blower operatively connected to the process chamber and to a heat source, the blower adapted to force heated air into the process chamber through the material disposed on the process pan, the forced heated air adapted to vaporize hydrocarbons and other contaminants disposed on the material, and at least one condenser operatively connected to the process chamber and adapted to condense the vaporized hydrocarbons and other contaminants is disclosed. Further, a method for separating hydrocarbons from a material which includes passing a stream of heated air over the material to volatilize the hydrocarbons, passing the stream of heated air containing the hydrocarbons through at least one condenser to form liquid hydrocarbons, collecting the liquid hydrocarbons, and recirculating the heated air is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Gary E. Fout, Jerry T. Connaughton
  • Patent number: 6658764
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for preventing solvent droplets from falling on wafers during a solvent drying process of a semiconductor wafer. The apparatus is constructed by a body having a cavity therein for holding a wafer, means for introducing a solvent vapor in the cavity, a plurality of condenser coils on an inside wall of the cavity, and a plurality of condensing plates attached to the plurality of condenser coils on a surface facing the wafer for condensing solvent vapor and flowing condensed solvent into a reservoir thus preventing solvent droplets from falling on the wafer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Feng Chia Hsu
  • Patent number: 6655042
    Abstract: A drying system for drying a semiconductor substrate is provided. The drying system includes: a chamber for housing a vapor distributor and a fluid bath, said fluid bath being disposed in a lower portion of the chamber and said distributor being disposed in an upper portion of the chamber for distributing vapor for drying the substrate; and a fluid flow system for supplying fluid flow into said fluid bath for cleaning and drying the substrate and for draining said fluid from the fluid bath, wherein the chamber includes a plurality of exhaust vents disposed at the upper portion for venting the vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hun-jung Yi, Ki-seok Lee, Bo-yong Lee, Sang-oh Park, Pil-kwon Jun, Sang-mun Chon, Kyung-dae Kim
  • Patent number: 6511525
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for extracting liquid water from moist air using minimal energy input. The method can be considered as four phases: (1) adsorbing water from air into a desiccant, (2) isolating the water-laden desiccant from the air source, (3) desorbing water as vapor from the desiccant into a chamber, and (4) isolating the desiccant from the chamber, and compressing the vapor in the chamber to form liquid condensate. The liquid condensate can be removed for use. Careful design of the dead volumes and pressure balances can minimize the energy required. The dried air can be exchanged for fresh moist air and the process repeated. An apparatus comprises a first chamber in fluid communication with a desiccant, and having ports to intake moist air and exhaust dried air. The apparatus also comprises a second chamber in fluid communication with the desiccant. The second chamber allows variable internal pressure, and has a port for removal of liquid condensate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Barry L. Spletzer, Diane Schafer Callow
  • Patent number: 6425191
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for reducing solvent residue in a solvent-type dryer for drying semiconductor wafers have been disclosed. The apparatus is constructed by a tank body, a wafer carrier, an elevator means, a tank cover, a solvent vapor conduit and an exhaust means. The exhaust means is provided for fluid communication with a compartment in the tank cover such that any residual solvent vapor or any organic residue in the compartment left from the wafer drying cycle can be evacuated to a factory exhaust system. The present invention novel method for reducing solvent or organic residue in the dryer can be carried out, after the removal of the dried wafers from the dryer, by evacuating the compartment in the tank cover for a time period of between about 30 sec. and about 300 sec. until all residual solvent vapor or organic residue is evacuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Rong-Hui Kao, Ming-Dar Guo, Jih-Churng Twu, Tsung-Chieh Tsai, Chia-Chun Cheng
  • Patent number: 6412501
    Abstract: A drying apparatus comprises a drying vessel, a treatment liquid feeder-discharger for feeding pure water into the drying vessel, a vapor supplier for supplying an organic solvent vapor to the space over the pure water, inert gas suppliers for supplying an inert gas with which the organic solvent vapor is diluted, and a heated organic solvent supplier for forming a film of the organic solvent on a liquid level of the pure water. After the wafer is immersed in the pure water, the pure water is gradually discharged from the drying vessel by means of the treatment liquid feeder-discharger. Since the wafer passes through the organic solvent film as it is exposed above the liquid level, the organic solvent of the film adheres to the surface of the wafer, and the organic solvent vapor is condensed on the surface of the wafer that is exposed above the liquid level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Kimmon Quartz Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Onoda, Kazutoshi Watanabe, Hiroki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6398875
    Abstract: A process of drying a semiconductor wafer which includes at least one microelectric structure disposed thereon which includes contacting a water-containing thin film-covered semiconductor wafer with a composition which includes liquid or supercritical carbon dioxide and a surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John Michael Cotte, Dario L. Goldfarb, Kenneth John McCullough, Wayne Martin Moreau, Keith R. Pope, John P. Simons, Charles J. Taft
  • Patent number: 6148538
    Abstract: Condensation device and suction element including a condensation device for machines for manufacturing and refining a fibrous material web. The condensation device includes at least one condensation element positioned in a region of at least one of steam formation and accumulation and a condensate receptacle. The suction element includes a hollow body coupled to a vacuum source. The hollow body is adapted to guide a transport belt carrying a moist and heated web. The suction element also includes at least one opening positioned to face the transport belt, at least one condensation element, and at least one condensate receptacle. The at least one condensation element and the at least one condensate receptacle are positioned within the hollow body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Steiner, Markus Oechsle
  • Patent number: 6134808
    Abstract: A gap drying system moves a substrate having a coated side and a non-coated side between a heated platen disposed on the non-coated side of the substrate and a condensing platen disposed on the coated side of the substrate. An insulation layer is disposed between the heated platen and the non-coated side of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Yapel, Gary Lee Huelsman, Tom M. Milbourn, William Blake Kolb
  • Patent number: 6125554
    Abstract: There are disclosed a method and an apparatus for drying a flat object. At least one flat object, whose surface is covered entirely with adhering water, is placed substantially vertically in at least one groove portion formed in a rack. The rack has a cavity portion formed therein, and the cavity portion communicates with the groove portion through at least one opening. The cavity portion of the rack is depressurized in order to suck water adhering to the surface of the flat object through the opening, thereby drying the flat object. It becomes possible to dry the flat object without causing problems which have been occurred in conventional drying methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Handotai Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideki Munakata
  • Patent number: 6101737
    Abstract: A drying apparatus and method of drying is provided for drying a semiconductor member mounted in a carrier that is placed in a processing tank through contact with isopropyl alcohol. An isopropyl alcohol liquid is vaporized in a bottom portion of the processing tank, and the resulting vapor is condensed in its top portion. A heater is disposed so as to heat the inside of the processing tank to keep the inside at a predetermined temperature range in a middle-layer portion, i.e., a drying portion, of the processing tank. The heater is covered with a heat insulating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha, Ryoden Semiconductor System Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Takatoshi Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 6094840
    Abstract: A method for the heat treatment of textiles, particularly advantageous for textiles wound on cops or bobbins, comprises applying a vacuum to a steamer chamber in which the textiles have been placed. When a sufficient vacuum has been reached a treatment liquid is introduced and the vacuum source shut off maintains the vacuums. The treatment liquid is then heated to generate a saturated steam treatment for the textiles. The liquid and steam are then pumped out of the chamber and a vacuum re-instituted for evacuation, cooling and drying, after which the chamber is returned to ambient. Subsequent cycles may be performed with other liquid treatments. An apparatus for carrying out the method may be in the form of a closed system in which the vessels from which the liquid treatment are drawn are coupled to the treatment chamber to allow return of the liquids when the liquids are pumped out. Liquid loss is thus minimized and efficiency increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Xorella AG
    Inventor: Freddy Wanger
  • Patent number: 6047151
    Abstract: A drying system and method for an electrophotographic imaging system employing a gap drying system. The electrophotographic imaging system includes a photoconductor belt. A mechanism moves the photoconductor belt in a first direction along a transport path. A scanner mechanism is positioned along the transport path for scanning a laser beam along the photoconductor belt based on image data to form a latent image of the photoconductor belt. A development station is positioned along the transport path. The development station includes a mechanism for applying a toner to a first major surface of the photoconductor belt, the toner including a carrier liquid. A gap drying system is operably located along the transport path, wherein the gap drying system removes excess carrier liquid from the photoconductor belt. The gap drying system includes a carrier liquid (i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Marcio da Silveira Carvalho, William Blake Kolb, Kay F. Schilli
  • Patent number: 5979074
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process and an apparatus to dry cut timber or other hygroscopical plate-shaped or bar-shaped goods in subatmospheric pressure in a vacuum-solid drying chamber, which is equiped with ventilators (fans) effecting crosswise to the length axis of the chamber to revolve a gaseous drying medium, with one or several heating coils extending over the length of the chamber, and with a dehumidifying device (condenser). It is task of the invention to regulate the heat energy supply for individual stack areas and thus the removal of humidity contained in the wood, independent of other stack areas of the same charge in the drying chamber. Thereby, existing or arising dispersions of the wood moisture in different stack areas due to inhomogeneous conditions inside and outside the drying chamber, ought to be eliminated during the drying stage before entering the final equalizing and conditioning stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventors: Reinhard Brunner, Kal Brunner
  • Patent number: 5966837
    Abstract: The device relates to a wood drying plant comprising a wood drying device and a purifying device which is arranged to receive a drying gas from the wood drying device, the drying gas comprising water steam and volatilized organic components such as terpenes, and to purify the drying gas from organic components and to recover the latter. The purifying device comprises at least one condenser which is arranged to separate relatively difficultly volatilized components containing organic components and relatively easily volatilized components. The purifying device also comprises a separating device which is arranged to separate said organic components and a rest material from the relatively difficultly volatilized components. The purifying device also comprises a transferring device which is arranged to transfer organic components present in the rest material to the drying gas introduced in the purifying device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Flakt AB
    Inventors: Stefan Backa, Ulf Persson
  • Patent number: 5915815
    Abstract: An apparatus method of separating organic mass into its component parts in environmentally contained hygienic conditions at high thermal efficiency. One example is extraction of aromatic oils from citrus fruit. Organic materials derive from plants which contain (A) dry matter; (B) aqueous solutions and (C) secretions. The apparatus and method separates organic mass into these three components to create positive valuable products, frequently from negative value wastes. The apparatus and method utilizes a drying medium comprising a mixture of self derived superheated steam generated from part of the moisture given off by the material itself and air. The apparatus is fully enclosed, thus being environmentally benign and eliminating odors and deleterious emissions common to non-contained and/or direct fired dryers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Responsible Recycling Limited
    Inventors: Philip Moore, David J Dickinson
  • Patent number: 5913589
    Abstract: A combination product cooling and flux management apparatus is mounted above a reflow soldering oven. The apparatus has a sealed housing with four openings: an ambient air inlet, an ambient air outlet, a recirculating gas inlet and a recirculating gas outlet. The recirculating gas blower is mounted in a first end of the housing and draws air into the recirculating gas inlet, through a recirculating gas side of a gas-to-gas heat exchanger and out the recirculating gas outlet, where it is recirculated through a product cooling chamber and back into the recirculating gas inlet. The ambient air blower is mounted in a second end of the housing and draws air into the ambient air inlet, through an ambient air side of the gas-to-gas heat exchanger and out the ambient air outlet to the surrounding atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Conceptronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Dow, Robert S. Silveri, Omer Kerem Durdag, Thomas A. Sherwin, Mark O. Beaupre
  • Patent number: 5813133
    Abstract: Drying a coated substrate which includes magnetic particles includes a condensing surface spaced from the substrate. This creates a longitudinal gap between the substrate and the condensing surface. Liquid is evaporated from the substrate to create a vapor and the vapor is transported to the condensing surface without requiring applied convection. The vapor is condensed on the condensing surface to create a condensate which is removed from the condensing surface. Removal is performed, using more than gravity, without allowing non-uniformities of the condensate film to occur. The magnetic particles are oriented on the coated substrate by subjecting the coated substrate to a magnetic field created at a location outside of the dryer space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: John D. Munter, William B. Kolb, Gary L. Huelsman
  • Patent number: 5694701
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of drying a substrate uses a condensing surface located adjacent the substrate on the side of the substrate being dried. The liquid from the substrate is evaporated and then condensed on the condensing surface without applied convection. The condensed liquid is removed from the condensing surface while the condensed liquid remains liquid. Evaporation can be performed by heating the substrate without applied convection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Gary L. Huelsman, William B. Kolb
  • Patent number: 5695614
    Abstract: A method for processing waste liquids, having high solids content. The process includes the steps of spraying and evaporating the waste liquid together with a dry gas in a counterflow of dry gas within a spray tower, collecting the solids of the waste water in a lower section of the spray tower, discharging the moist gas from an upper section of the spray tower, and bringing the moist gas in heat exchange with an evaporator of a refrigerating means to condensed the liquid from the evaporator. The cooled dry gas is directed in heat exchange with the condenser of said refrigerating means and heated to be returned in a closed loop to repeat the cycle of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Winter Umwelttechinik GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Hording, Claus Hellmann
  • Patent number: 5628125
    Abstract: The device for eliminating humidity particularly from laundry includes a frame body having inside, in combination, a device for dehumidifying the air and a device for heating the dehumidified air to a selected temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: De' Longhi S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe De' Longhi
  • Patent number: 5581905
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of drying a substrate uses a condensing surface located within 15 cm of the substrate on the side of the substrate being dried. The liquid from the substrate is evaporated and then condensed on the condensing surface without applied convection. The condensed liquid is removed from the condensing surface while the condensed liquid remains liquid. Evaporation can be performed by heating the substrate without applied convection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Gary L. Huelsman, William B. Kolb
  • Patent number: 5554416
    Abstract: An automated air filtration and drying method for uncured waterborne paint and industrial coatings are disclosed that provides for the drying of a product using recycled filtered air. In particular, a drying system is used along with a series of multistage dry-type filters to continuously exhaust contaminated air from a spray booth, filter it, remove moisture therefrom, and deliver it back to the spray booth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Optimum Air Corporation
    Inventors: Fred G. Scheufler, Richard D. Scheufler, William H. Bayard
  • Patent number: 5548906
    Abstract: Vaporizing and concentration drying apparatus and method are disclosed. The apparatus and method prepare good quality of condensed water and save evaporation energy and are wide used in making contaminated waste water become distilled water and in purification of the waste water and in concentration and drying of varieties of environmental polluting sludge. The apparatus and method recover and reuse the heating energy, which energy was applied to the vapor so as to heat the vapor to a high temperature and to remove the environmental polluting impurities, such as odor, B.O.D. and C.O.D. laden in the vapor, so that the apparatus and method remarkably save the cost for the heating energy. The apparatus saves the energy by 2-10 times in comparison with the conventional apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Inventors: Dae Sung Lee, Ho Keun Shin
  • Patent number: 5353517
    Abstract: Water-containing solids are dried in a fluidized bed, which is indirectly heated by at least one heat exchanger. Water vapors having a high water vapor content are withdrawn from the fluidized bed and a part of the vapors is passed as a fluidizing fluid through the fluidized bed. The remaining vapors are cooled to form an aqueous condensate. At least part of the aqueous condensate is contacted in a purification zone with a gaseous or vaporous stripping fluid. Purified condensate and contaminated stripping fluid are separately withdrawn from the purification zone. Water vapor is preferably used as a stripping fluid in the purification zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Metallgesellschaft Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hans-Jurgen Weiss
  • Patent number: RE38412
    Abstract: Drying a coated substrate which includes magnetic particles includes a condensing surface spaced from the substrate. This creates a longitudinal gap between the substrate and the condensing surface. Liquid is evaporated from the substrate to create a vapor and the vapor is transported to the condensing surface without requiring applied convection. The vapor is condensed on the condensing surface to create a condensate which is removed from the condensing surface. Removal is performed, using more than gravity, without allowing non-uniformities of the condensate film to occur. The magnetic particles are oriented on the coated substrate by subjecting the coated substrate to a magnetic field created at a location outside of the dryer space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: John D. Munter, William B. Kolb, Gary L. Huelsman