Abstract: A conveyor oven for cooking food and having an oven chamber in which food is cooked; a conveyor moveable to convey food within the oven chamber; a burner assembly operable to emit a flame to heat air for cooking food moving within the oven chamber on the conveyor; a burner tube extending into a compartment and positioned to receive at least a portion of the flame emitted by the burner assembly; and one or more passive tubes in the compartment positioned opposite the burner tube, wherein elongated baffles are located between adjacent passive tubes, wherein a baffle plate is located between the burner and passive tubes to restrict airflow from the burner tube to the passive tube, and/or wherein shelf assemblies in the oven enable movement (and in some cases removal) of a shelf with a corresponding fan and/or motor without disturbing other shelves and their corresponding fans and/or motors.

Abstract: Method and device for coating a continuously moving metal strip, according to which said strip, after having received its coating, is heated in a heating section, especially for evaporating solvents and for drying or curing the coating, and then cooled in water. A continuous series of sheet-metal elements is provided between the inlet of the tunnel furnace and the outlet of the water cooler so as to make the whole assembly gas-tight, and a device for atmosphere separation by injection of a gas at a temperature above the dew point of the solvents is placed between the outlet of the tunnel furnace and the inlet of the water cooler.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dryer with a housing and a drying chamber for objects to be dried, a process air duct, in which are located a heater for warming the process air and a first fan, a motor for driving the drying chamber, a heat exchanger and a cold air section in the process air duct or in a cooling air duct, with a motor cooling duct which branches off from the cold air section being able to apply cold air to the motor.

Abstract: An air-lift dryer for processing a high-lactose aqueous fluid (HLAF), such as permeate from ultrafiltration of whey fluid, is provided. The air-lift dryer has an enclosed drying chamber with diverging interior sidewalls that define an intermediate interior space having a cross-sectional area that increases as the diverging interior sidewalls extend away from a lower portion toward an upper portion.

Abstract: A particulate material processing apparatus has a vessel, a processing tank, and a dispersing member. The vessel has a charging port for charging a particulate material into the vessel. The processing tank receives the particulate material charged from the charging port. The processing tank is shaped so as to narrow towards the bottom. At least the lower part of the processing tank is made of a gas-permeable material that allows the process gas for processing the particulate material to pass through. The dispersing member is disposed below the charging port. The dispersing member disperses and flattens the particulate material on the processing tank.

Abstract: A hybrid thermal management system for providing simultaneous spray cooling and dry cooling for a plurality of cards. The hybrid thermal management system includes a chassis having a global spray chamber, a hybrid chamber, a first opening within a rear portion of the chassis extending into the global spray chamber, a second opening within the rear portion of the chassis extending into the hybrid chamber, and a backplane secured and sealed to the rear portion of the chassis. A dry chamber may be attached to the chassis for air cooling electrical components. The cards within the global spray chamber are typically high heat flux components with increased cooling requirements and the cards in the hybrid chamber are comprised of dry/air cooling and zone cooling components.

Abstract: A dry-wet thermal management system for providing simultaneous spray cooling and dry cooling for a plurality of cards. The dry-wet thermal management system includes a chassis having a dry chamber and a spray chamber, a first opening within a rear portion of the chassis extending into the spray chamber, a second opening within the rear portion of the chassis extending into the dry chamber, and a main backplane secured and sealed to the rear portion of the chassis. Electronic cards may be electrically coupled within sockets of the main backplane within both the dry chamber and the spray chamber. The cards within the spray chamber are typically high heat flux components with increased cooling requirements and the cards within the dry chamber are typically low heat flux components with reduced cooling requirements. A spray cool system is within the spray chamber and a dry cool system is within the dry chamber.

Abstract: A dry-wet thermal management system for providing simultaneous spray cooling and dry cooling for a plurality of cards. The dry-wet thermal management system includes a chassis having a dry chamber and a spray chamber, a first opening within a rear portion of the chassis extending into the spray chamber, a second opening within the rear portion of the chassis extending into the dry chamber, and a main backplane secured and sealed to the rear portion of the chassis. Electronic cards may be electrically coupled within sockets of the main backplane within both the dry chamber and the spray chamber. The cards within the spray chamber are typically high heat flux components with increased cooling requirements and the cards within the dry chamber are typically low heat flux components with reduced cooling requirements. A spray cool system is within the spray chamber and a dry cool system is within the dry chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating products with air in order to enable the conservation, storage and use thereof. Said invention also relates to a device for treating such products and the products obtained using said treatment method. The products (P) to be treated, such as a hay drier or other similar agricultural products, are loaded into a closed space (20) that is connected to a thermodynamic machine (21) which is controlled using a programmable automaton (22) and which is powered by an electrical cabinet (25). Three mass of water in air sensors (Q1, Q2 and Q3) determine the operation of the machine according to the desired treatment objectives both in terms of moisture in relation to the product treated and power consumption. The invention is suitable for treating diverse products such as agricultural products.

Abstract: A critical point drying apparatus for sample preparation in electron microscopy and semiconductor wafer production includes a computer system to automate the operational modes in drying the specimen. These operational modes controlled by the computer system are: cooling, in which a drying chamber is cooled; starting, in which the specimen chamber is filled with a transitional fluid; purging, in which the transitional fluid purges an intermediary fluid from the drying chamber and the purged internediary fluid is collected by a collector condenser; heating, in which the drying chamber is heated to elevate the transitional fluid to its critical point temperature and pressure; and bleeding, in which the drying chamber is depressurized to atmospheric pressure at a very slow rate until the drying chamber is completely vented, which signals the end of the drying operation. The drying chamber incorporates concave surfaces for pressure dispersal and to facilitate purging the intermediary fluid completely.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for completely drying polished nails without any smudging or nicking. The method utilizes first warm air and then very cold air preferably followed by a brief return to warm air. The apparatus for performing the method includes a temperature controller for setting the temperature and timers for controlling the duration of each heating and cooling period. By means of an air heater and a cooler connected to a temperature controller, heats and cools the air which is forced upon the nails by a motor and fan.

Abstract: An automatic clothes dryer has a drying cycle followed by a cool down cycle where the cool down cycle is terminated when the sensed output temperature of the dryer drum falls below a default temperature value preselected or altered by user. This permits the user to adjust the termination cool down cycle temperature to the user's preference and touch sensitivity to the warmth of clothing removed from the dryer. The user adjusts the setting of a user variable selection device on the dryer control panel to a preferred temperature signal representing the desired temperature of articles in the dryer when the cool down cycle is terminated. The dryer has a comparator that is connected to the outlet thermistor for receiving the sensed signal representing the temperature of the air leaving the drum and that is connected to the user variable selection device for receiving the user preferred temperature signal.

Abstract: A device for rapidly cooling a semiconductor wafer test/transfer machine and which includes a body which is provided with an interior gas passage one end of which is connected to a source of clean, dry air or other gas by a tubing. In typical application, the body is rested on the cover of a semiconductor wafer test or transfer machine, typically above or adjacent to the chuck or other wafer holder of the machine, with the other end of the gas passage in contact with the cover. The air or gas flowing through the gas passage impinges against the machine cover and rapidly cools the chuck or other wafer holder.

Abstract: A dryer-cooler unit comprising a single vessel wherein drying and cooling occur. The unit comprises a rotary dryer and a stationary discharge hood. Cooling air is distributed through the discharge hood.

Abstract: A dryer for a material web having a surface to which ink is applied, including a housing subdivided into sections, through which a web travel plane extends wherein the material web is transportable, and a cooling and conditioning unit integrated in the housing, the cooling and conditioning unit having an inlet for admitting therethrough fresh air to the housing, includes at least one chill roll in the cooling and conditioning unit, over which the material web is guidable, the at least one chill roll being disposed and the fresh air being conductable through the cooling and conditioning unit in a manner for promoting post-evaporation of solvent inside the cooling and conditioning unit, and for preventing solvent vapors harmful to operating personnel from escaping to the outside from the housing; and a method of operating the dryer.

Abstract: A cabinet for clothes drying and dewrinkling which comprises a main enclosure that defines an inner area for housing clothes, a fan for supplying air to the inner area, a steam generator for supplying steam to the inner area, a controller for regulating the air supply and steam supply, and at least one airing duct. The airing duct can be opened and closed by the controller.

Abstract: A cooling system and method are provided for cooling a heater block located in a cylindrical processing chamber of a wafer processing apparatus. The cooling system includes first and second frame assemblies having respective ends adapted to rest on an upper peripheral surface of the processing chamber, and fan assemblies mounted to the frame assemblies at spaced locations therealong. A first pair of fan assemblies are directed to push air into the processing chamber, and a second pair of fan assemblies are directed to pull air out of the processing chamber. The fan assemblies are arranged such that they circulate ambient air through the processing chamber to provide a rapid cooling of the heater block to a safe working temperature. The frame assemblies have an adjustable length that can be adjusted to fit processing chambers having different sizes and configurations.

Abstract: A combined drying and refrigerating storehouse is disclosed. The storehouse comprises a housing, circulation passages, a heat pump unit, a second evaporator, flow passage control means and a control unit. The housing has a heat pump unit chamber and two combined drying and refrigerating chambers. The heat pump unit chamber is divided from the combined drying and refrigerating chambers by two partition walls. The circulating chambers are extended outwardly from the partition walls and extended vertically. The heat pump unit has a compressor, a four-way valve, first and second heat exchangers and a second condenser. The compressor, the fourway valve, the first heat exchanger, the second condenser, the second heat exchanger and the compressor are connected one after another by means of a first conduit. The outlet of the four-way valve is connected to the inlet of the compressor by means of a suction conduit. The second evaporator is disposed on a portion of a second conduit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for cooling semiconductor substrates prior to handling. In one embodiment, a substrate and support structure combination is lifted after high temperature processing to a cold wall of a thermal processing chamber, which acts as a heat sink. Conductive heat transfer across a small gap from the substrate to the heat sink speeds wafer cooling prior to handling the wafer (e.g., with a robot). In another embodiment, a separate plate is kept cool within a pocket during processing, and is moved close to the substrate and support after processing. In yet another embodiment, a cooling station between a processing chamber and a storage cassette includes two movable cold plates, which are movable to positions closely spaced on either side of the wafer.

Abstract: A plastics molding includes an elongate flexible strip 3 and a plurality of substantially flat wall sections 5 disposed in an end-to-end, mutually spaced relationship, lying substantially on a smooth curve which meets the strip at opposite ends. The wall sections 5 are connected to the flexible strip at their opposite ends by means of webs 8, 9 such as to form trapezoidal ventilation passages 10 between the wall sections and the flexible strip. The webs may contain ventilation apertures. In different embodiments the molding may be curved such that the flexible wall lies on the inside or the outside. The inside wall is covered with a porous sweat band 12 and contains apertures 7 so that air flowing through the ventilation passages 10 keeps the sweat band dry by a wick effect. The outside wall is provided with a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive for attaching the device to the inside of the headgear.

Abstract: A device for drying substrate disks by irradiation with ultraviolet light, wherein during the irradiation process a glass plate is resting on the substrate disk, has a lower part on which the substrate disk rests during drying and a liftable and lowerable upper part for lowering a glass plate onto the substrate disk resting on the lower part. The upper part has a glass plate holding device that is lowered below the substrate disk upon lowering of the upper part for placement of the glass plate onto the substrate disk.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for cooling and reducing fluoride emissions from a hot, spent anode butt removed from an electrolysis cell. The system comprises an elongated fluidised bed cooling chamber comprising particles of alumina and conveyor means for transporting a hot, spent anode butt through the fluidised bed. A lower air distributor is provided for injecting fluidising air into the chamber to create the fluidised bed and an upper air distributor is provided which is adapted to direct fluidised particles into contact with the top surface of the hot anode butt, whereby the fluidised bed surrounds the hot anode butt and serves to simultaneously uniformly cool the hot anode butt and significantly reduce fluoride emissions from the hot anode butt.

Abstract: A cooling unit reduces the temperature of heat shrink tool holders and extensions to ambient temperature. The cooling unit includes a housing with a removable cooling tray. The cooling tray is formed with a plurality of receptacles configured to accommodate a heat shrink tool holder or extension. Additionally, a blower is disposed within the housing for propelling a flow of ambient temperature air over the cooling tray to cool the heat shrink tool holders or extensions to ambient temperature. The blower in the cooling unit may be an axial fan with an axial inlet in fluid communication with the ambient temperature air and a radial outlet to direct the flow of air over the cooling tray. Additionally, the housing may further includes a damper disposed between the radial outlet of the fan and the cooling tray for selectively regulating the flow of air over the cooling tray.

Abstract: A cooling shaft for the rollers of a roller conveyor includes a flow duct for the cooling medium and an outlet opening. The cooling shaft includes the flow duct for the cooling medium and at least one length portion extending upwardly from the flow duct, wherein the length portion has an outlet opening and ends below the axes of the rollers. The cross-section of the flow duct in the transition from the flow duct and the length portion is smaller than the outlet opening and at least one side of the length portion is curved outwardly.

Abstract: An article for cooling an imaging material which has been heated to a first temperature by a thermal processor. The article includes a first cooling section on which the imaging material rides after the imaging material exits the thermal processor. The first cooling section is at a lower temperature than the first temperature. The first cooling section has a curved shape such that the imaging material is curved when riding on and being cooled by the first cooling section.

Abstract: The process system of the present invention has a cooling process portion, a siding portion, and transfer means. The cooling process portion is responsible for applying cooling process to a heated substrate. The siding portion is positioned in an upper side of the cooling process portion and used for temporarily storing the substrate before being subjected to the cooling process. The transfer means loads/unloads the substrate into/from the cooling process portion and the siding portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling a granular material, such as a phosphate fertilizer, using ambient air is disclosed. The apparatus includes a cooling device and a conveyor assembly for feeding the material. The cooling device includes a rotatable assembly for receiving and spreading the material in the ambient air. The rotatable assembly is comprised of radiating fins with alternating recesses.

Abstract: A wood treating apparatus for efficiently treating wood with a chlorine-based organic solvent includes: a solvent tank storing a mixture of chlorine-based solvent and water, which solvent tank is provided with a heater for heating the mixture to generate vapor of chlorine-based solvent and water; a treating chamber for containing wood to be treated, which treating chamber receives the vapor from the solvent tank; and a cooling chamber contacting an upper portion of the treating chamber for cooling and condensing the vapor. The treated wood dries rapidly, and can uniformly be dyed.

Abstract: A pellet conditioning device (10) for the cooling and/or drying of preformed discrete pellets (148) is provided which includes an upright pellet-receiving bin (12) with a dual grate assembly (18) therein. The assembly (18) includes a stationary first grate comprising a plurality of upright, apertured grate wall members (86), and a shiftable second grate including a plurality of elongated, obliquely oriented plates (106) located between and in spanning relationship to adjacent pairs of the wall members (86). Shifting structure (20) is provided for selective and sequential translational, rectilinear shifting movement of the lower margins (110) of the plates (106) so as to successively open and close a pellet passageway (117) adjacent each lower margin (110). A duct and fan arrangement (38) is also provided with the bin (12) so as to draw cooling air currents through the grate assembly (18) and pellets (148) therein.

Abstract: A process for spray drying of ceramic suspensions for the production of a powder which is dust free, sufficiently stable for storage and with good flow characteristics. The ceramic suspension is spray dried in a chamber (1) to a powder with a water content which is 0.1-10% higher than required in the final powder and hereafter fluidized in a fluid bed (6) with ambient air for an evaporative cooling process, whereby the water content is reduced to the required value at the same time as the powder is cooled. The produced powder has a high water content without tendency to lumping.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing high quality laminated veneer lumber from pre-flattened wood veneer, for such uses as in architecture and furniture, and a method of mass production thereof using veneer which is flattened in advance. A sheet of veneer is first obtained by cutting a log with a rotary lathe or the like, and flattening and cutting the veneer into a predetermined length. Sheets of veneer thus obtained are cut on both edges in the grain direction to form symmetrically diagonal end faces, and are bonded with one another at these end faces with their grain directions aligned to form an elongated sheet of veneer. The resultant elongated sheet veneer is cut into a predetermined length to form laminated veneer material having seams. Plural sheets thus formed laminated veneer material are laminated and bonded with their grain directions aligned to form laminated veneer core.

Abstract: An integrated plant including a microalgae production plant for growing, harvesting and drying algae and a fossil fuel-motor-generator plant producing electrical energy. A fossil fuel engine produces hot exhaust gas from which sensible heat dries the algae. The drying may be direct from the exhaust gas or may be indirect with the hot exhaust gas exchanging sensible heat with a recirculating stream of inert gas. Carbon dioxide from the exhaust gas is recovered for use as a nutrient in the microalgae production plant. Electrical energy from the generator is used to drive motors and/or produce artificial illumination and/or drive pumps, motors and controls in the microalgae production plant.

Abstract: A method of printing a material web includes the steps of applying ink to the material web, subsequently drying the material web with the use of heat and subsequently drying the material web, and, after cooling and prior to further processing, moistening the material web while simultaneously applying heat to the material web, and subsequently once again cooling the material web. An apparatus for carrying out the method includes, in a travel direction, a printing unit, a drying section following the printing unit, a cooling section following the drying section, a moistening section following the cooling section, and an after-cooling section following the moistening section.

Abstract: A drying apparatus for drying a fibre web (5) between two air-tight bands (1, 2) moving in the same direction. One band (1) is heated by hot steam and the other band (2) is cooled by water, and the fibre web (5) is passed through a drying zone formed by the bands (1, 2) with at least one felt or wire (3, 4) so that the fibre web (5) is in contact with the surface of the heated band, and the felt or wire (3, 4) is between the fibre web (5) and the cooled band (2). In the invention the drying zone and the water chamber (14) cooling the lower band (2) are in communication with each other for controlling the pressure difference between them by a simple connection, such as a pipe (25) opening at a suitable height.

Abstract: Apparatus for drying wood or other solid material has an elongate cylindrical vessel in which there is an elongate platform on which is placed the material to be dried. The platform divides the interior of the vessel into an upper drying chamber and a lower condensing chamber with restricted communication between the two chambers. In the drying chamber there is a heater and one or more fans for circulating the air and water vapor in the chamber. An air cooling channel of much greater width than height extends below the vessel for its full length and is formed between a lower part of the vessel and a spaced outer wall formed of sheet metal or plastic and preferably heat insulated. One or more fans in the base of a chimney at one end of the cooling channel produce variable and reversible flow of air through the cooling channel.

Abstract: Damp sodium bicarbonate filter cake is pre-dried and calcined to produce light soda as in a process comprising a carbon dioxide ebullated fluid bed pre-dryer working in connected series relationship with a plurality of carbon dioxide ebullated fluid bed/bag filter calcination systems such that bicarbonate decomposition during pre-drying is minimized and the thermal treatment of small particles during calcination is optimized.

Abstract: A coffee making apparatus comprises a roaster for roasting dried coffee beans, a tank having a meshed case for temporarily storing roasted coffee beans, a blower which sends air to the roasted coffee beans in the meshed case to cool the roasted coffee beans, a milling/extracting unit receiving the cooled roasted coffee beans from the tank for milling the roasted coffee beans and thereafter extracting a coffee solution therefrom by pouring hot water, a coffee server for receiving the coffee solution which has been extracted, and a case in which the roaster, the tank, and the milling/extracting unit are provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for recovering from a filter element a dry cleaning fluid, the vapor of which is more dense than air, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a chamber, a support for a filter cartridge, a heating element, and a cooling element located below the heating element.

Abstract: An improved fingernail or toenail dryer that uses air cooled almost to freezing directed at nails that have been recently polished. The palm of the hand or sole of the foot thus being treated rests on a plate heated to a temperature sufficient to maintain comfort during the drying process. For hygienic improvement of the manicure or pedicure environment, the device also includes an integral roll of sanitary paper to allow for the easy dispensing of a portion of the paper over the heated plate and the cold air drying zone.

Abstract: A drying method for removing free water resided on electronic parts such as semiconductors, liquid-crystal display devices and printed wiring boards, optical parts such as lenses and prisms, and precision instrument parts such as gears and lead frames having been subjected to advanced cleaning, surface treatments, etc. and to an apparatus therefor. After an object to be dried (A) is placed in a vessel (1), the air present in the inner space of the vessel (1) is replaced with a heated vapor to heat the object to be dried (A) with the heated vapor, and the introduction of the heated vapor is stopped to cool the inner space of the vessel (1) in such a state that the vessel (1) is sealed from the outer air, followed by introduction of a dry gas to the vessel (1). The vessel (1) has a heated vapor introduction pipe (4), a cooling section (8) for cooling the inner space of the vessel (1), a condensate discharge pipe (14) and a dry gas introduction pipe (7).

Abstract: In a reproduction machine wherein thermoplastic marking particles are permanently fixed to a receiver member by application of heat in a fusing assembly as the receiver member is transported along a travel path, an improved device for cooling the receiver member. The improved cooling device comprises a thermally conductive guide plate located in juxtaposition with the receiver member travel path downstream, in the direction of receiver member travel, of the fusing assembly. A plurality of heat transfer fins extend from the guide plate on the opposite side thereof from the travel path. The heat transfer fins are oriented in a direction parallel to the direction of travel of a receiver member along the travel path. Cooling air is directed over the heat transfer fins to dissipate heat from a receiver member moving along the travel path.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for removing a volatile component from volatile component-containing matrix. A volatile component-containing matrix, such as a sludge contaminated with volatile organic material or volatile inorganic material, is directed into a housing. The matrix is then directed through the housing by a screw conveyor. A heat transfer medium is conducted through a conduit within the screw conveyor to heat the screw conveyor to a temperature sufficient to volatilize at least a portion of the volatile component. The heat transfer medium can be a molten eutectic salt solution. The volatilized component is transported by a hot gas discharged over the matrix along at least a substantial portion of the length the housing from a gas inlet tube which is disposed above the matrix within the housing and is substantially parallel to the screw conveyor.

Abstract: An elastic band activation apparatus for activating a heat-sensitive thermal film attached to an edge of a body of an article to form an elastic band along the edge of the article. The apparatus has at least one chamber with a heating zone having a shrinkage atmosphere at a first temperature sufficiently elevated to activate the heat-sensitive thermal film to shrink the film to form the elastic band. The chamber may also have a cooling zone with a quench atmosphere at a second temperature which is less than the first temperature to arrest the shrinkage of the heat-sensitive thermal film. An article transporter transports the article through the heating zone and then through the cooling zone. The apparatus may also include two lateral compression bars for spreading apart first and second adjacent edges of an article when transported through the chamber to expose the article interior region to activate first and second heat-sensitive thermal films, thereby forming first and second elastic bands.

Abstract: A tower spray dryer for spray drying a product having a vertically oriented drying chamber. A spray nozzle is provided above the drying chamber which sprays a product into said drying chamber. A heater is provided for supplying hot air to a plenum tube above the drying chamber. The hot air is passed into the drying chamber to enable the product and hot air to be thoroughly mixed together. Cool air is also introduced into the drying chamber at low velocity. The exposure time of the product to the hot air is short and the hot air is introduced to the drying chamber at high velocity.

Abstract: An open top oven (10) for curing and cooling a painted object such as a vehicle body (12) comprising a plurality of ducts (62,64,70,72,74) for selectively supplying air at different times in the paint curing and cooling process, including a plurality of quartz lamps (92) selectively spaced from the vehicle body (12) which are used to controllably raise the temperature of the body. A mechanism, supported by a cover (50) which cover encloses the oven, is provided to oscillate the body during paint curing and subsequent cooling.

Abstract: A chill roll assembly for a printing press scrubs away boundary layers of air and vapors adhered to both side surfaces of a paper web moving through the chill roll assembly. The chill rolls are supported on separate frames which are adjustable relative to one another. Adjustment of the frames moves the chill rolls into and out of positions in which surfaces of the web sections moving in opposite directions around the rolls are held in closely spaced relationship to define a zone of interference. The boundary layers adhering to the closely spaced surfaces of the moving web sections are scrubbed away in the zone of interference.

Abstract: An open top oven (10) for curing and cooling a painted object such as a vehicle body (12) comprising a plurality of ducts (62,64,70,72,74) for selectively supplying air at different times in the paint curing and cooling process, including a plurality of quartz lamps (92) selectively spaced from the vehicle body (12) which are used to controllably raise the temperature of the body. A mechanism, supported by a cover (50) which cover encloses the oven, is provided to oscillate the body during paint curing and subsequent cooling.

Abstract: A forced jet convection oven is utilized to practice a vacuum bagging process for the production of thermoplastic composite laminates containing reinforcing fiber. The oven comprises a support suitable for supporting a panel wherein said support means is positioned in the oven with the upper surface of the support means being spaced apart from the oven ceiling to define a panel-receiving chamber between the upper surface of the support means and the oven ceiling, a first manifold means having a first multiplicity of outlets directed toward the upper surface of the support means wherein said first manifold means is positioned between the upper surface of the support means and the oven ceiling; and a second manifold means having a second multiplicity of outlets directed toward the upper surface of the support means wherein said second manifold means is positioned between the upper surface of the support means and the oven floor.

Abstract: A cooling and exhaust unit for an IR reflow soldering machine is arranged to be mounted on the soldering machine after the last heating zone. The unit has fans which direct cold air downwardly on to the conveyor and this cooling air divides into two streams, one moving with the conveyor and one counter to the movement of the conveyor. An exhaust inlet is provided near the front and the rear of the machine, the exhaust inlets being connected through an exhaust chamber to an exhaust outlet. To minimize the amount of hot process air sucked out of the soldering machine into the nearer exhaust inlet an additional cold air inlet is provided, this being located intermediate the rear end of the unit (i.e., the end abutting the soldering machine) and the nearer exhaust inlet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for drying a paper web or the like. In the invention the web to be dried is transferred on a felt between bands moving around as an endless loop. The band making contact with the web is heated by means of a steam chamber, and the band making contact with the felt is supported and cooled within the area of the steam chamber by means of supporting and cooling means. For providing a rapid compensation of pressure differences, the supporting and cooling means is formed by a hydrostatic plate comprising a plurality of pressure pockets and return conduits separated from each other by means of ridges. Water is fed into the pressure pockets so that it enters the return conduits over the ridges. The pressure of the return conduits is adjusted on the basis of the pressure of the steam contained in the steam chamber.