By Vapor Condensation Patents (Class 34/73)
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Patent number: 7251905Abstract: Disclosed is a drawer structure for storing condensed water generated during the drying procedure. The drawer prevents the condensed water form being leaked out of the dryer though the condensed water is fully filled in the drawer and overflowed from the drawer. Thus, a user may not throw away the condensed water whenever the laundry is dried.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2004Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Young Jin Doh, Chang Wook Kim
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Patent number: 7222439Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an appliance comprising at least one sub-program step “drying”, which permits appliances comprising at least one sub-program step “drying” to be operated in the most economic manner possible and permits the efficient drying of items with a minimum energy consumption. To achieve this, during the sub-program step(s) “drying”, air is conducted from a treatment chamber via a conduit system, in which at least one Peltier element is located, and the air is then recirculated to the chamber. During its passage through the conduit system, the air is cooled, moisture is removed and the air is subsequently reheated.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2004Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbHInventor: Kai Paintner
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Patent number: 7194823Abstract: A clothes drying apparatus includes a heat pump mechanism, an air path for guiding drying air into a drying drum accommodating therein clothes, a blower for supplying drying air to the air path, and a controller for controlling a driving of a compressor, wherein the controller operates the blower and the compressor during a drying operation; stops the compressor in case the drying operation is suspended; and operates, in case the drying operation is resumed, the compressor after a certain time period has elapsed since the compressor had stopped. In case employing the heat pump mechanism having the compressor as a heat source, it is possible to reduce a load on the compressor and allow temperature of warm air to rapidly return by using the heat pump mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2004Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shigeharu Nakamoto, Hidetaka Yabuuchi, Hajime Nojima, Masayuki Tanaka
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Patent number: 7159334Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 20, 2005Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: William Blake Kolb, Don W. Hendrickson, Gary L. Huelsman
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Patent number: 7055262Abstract: A drying apparatus for drying articles such as clothing is provided. The drying apparatus includes a chamber for containing articles to be dried and a system for supplying heated dry air at a first temperature to the chamber. The air supplying system comprises an air flow pathway having an evaporator for removing moisture from air exiting the chamber and for decreasing the temperature of the air to below dew point temperature. The air supply system further has a condenser for increasing the temperature of the air exiting the evaporator to the first temperature. The drying apparatus further has a heat pump system having a refrigerant loop which includes a compressor, the condenser, a TEV valve, and the evaporator.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2004Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: Self Propelled Research and Development Specialists, LLCInventors: Michael Goldberg, James C. Truman, Alexander B. Kniffin
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Patent number: 7043853Abstract: A process and apparatus for drying a stack of lumber, wherein the dry comprises a condensation collection device for collecting liquid in the chamber interior space; and an evaporation system for evaporating collected liquid from the chamber interior space. Process water or effluent discharge from the drying process is reduced or eliminated.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2004Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: Waco Construction Co., Inc.Inventors: C. Wayne Roberts, Harold Wayne Hankins, Karl H. Grubb, Joel S. Bridges, David E. Miles, Michael L. Miles
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Patent number: 7024795Abstract: A drying apparatus having a purpose of shortening a drying time of laundry, comprising an accommodating chamber in which the laundry is accommodated, and executing a washing operation of the laundry and a drying operation after end of the washing operation in the accommodating chamber, the machine comprising: a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, a gas cooler, an expansion valve, and an evaporator are successively connected to one another in an annular form via a piping; an air circulation path for discharging air which has exchanged heat with the gas cooler into the accommodating chamber by a blower to exchange the heat of the air passed through the accommodating chamber with the evaporator; and a control device for operating the compressor and the blower to perform the drying operation, wherein the control device starts the operation of the compressor before entering the drying operation.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2004Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaya Tadano, Shinichi Akiyama, Nobuo Koumoto, Toru Kawabata, Ryoko Kubo, Hiroshi Mukaiyama, Kazuyoshi Tomochika, Koji Ono
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Patent number: 6996917Abstract: A desolventizing system for removing solvent from a quantity of solvent-laden particles such as flakes comprises first and second desolventizer units, each having an inlet port for receiving solvent-laden particles, an outlet port for discharging at least partially desolventized particles, and a solvent vapor port. A solvent trap is connected between the outlet port of the first desolventizer through a first airlock, and to the inlet port of the second desolventizer unit. Particles entering the solvent trap through the first airlock are conveyed to the inlet port of the second desolventizer. The second desolventizer unit has an airlock connected to the outlet port of the second desolventizer unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2002Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Crown Iron Works CompanyInventor: George E. Anderson
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Patent number: 6981336Abstract: There is disclosed a washing/drying machine having a purpose of shortening a time required for a washing operation and improving an operation efficiency, and comprising: an inner drum in which things to be washed are accommodated and in which a washing operation of the things to be washed and a drying operation after end of the washing operation are performed; a water supply passage for supplying water into the inner drum and a drainage passage for discharging the water from the inner drum in the washing operation; a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, a gas cooler, an expansion valve, an evaporator and the like are successively connected to one another in an annular form via a piping and in which carbon dioxide is used as a refrigerant; and a blower for blowing air which has exchanged heat with the gas cooler into the inner drum to allow the air passed through the inner drum to exchange the heat with the evaporator in the drying operation.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2004Date of Patent: January 3, 2006Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Etsushi Nagae, Hiroshi Mukaiyama, Koji Ono, Masaya Tadano, Tetsuya Masuda, Kazuyoshi Tomochika, Takahiro Nakamura, Masakatsu Morishige, Harumi Takeuchi, Kiyokazu Fujikawa, Tamotsu Kawamura, Motohiko Kosano, Shinichi Akiyama, Nobuo Koumoto
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Patent number: 6931756Abstract: A portable, atmospheric dehydrator and water condenser for dehydrating fruits and vegetables while producing pure atmospheric condensation from humidity found in the air and purifying the water for dispensing and drinking purposes.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2002Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Inventors: Michael Morgan, Janet Morgan
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Patent number: 6918192Abstract: A substrate drying system for drying substrates after the substrates are washed typically using deionized water, is disclosed. The substrate drying system comprises a substrate cleaning tank in which the substrates are washed. A dry pump is provided in fluid communication with the substrate cleaning tank. A container which contains a supply of a liquid drying fluid, typically isopropyl alcohol (IPA), is further provided in fluid communication with the substrate cleaning tank. In application, the dry pump induces a reduced pressure inside the substrate cleaning tank and the drying fluid container. This reduces the vapor pressure, and thus, the boiling point of the drying fluid, such that the drying fluid is vaporized and remains in a vaporized state throughout transit to the substrate cleaning tank and during drying of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2002Date of Patent: July 19, 2005Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jen-Yuan Yang
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Patent number: 6904702Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 15, 2003Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignees: Toho Kasei, Ltd, Daikin Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Takazo Sotojima, Norio Maeda
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Patent number: 6769196Abstract: A condenser of a condensing-type clothes dryer includes a plurality of condensing ducts provided in a middle portion of a circulation duct, the condensing ducts condensing air being circulated there-through after being discharged from a drum; and a plurality of cooling fins provided to be in contact with an outer surface of the condensing ducts, wherein an interval or a pitch of the cooling fins is different partially according to a flow rate of air blown from a cooling fan for a heat-exchange with air flowing through the condensing duct. At this time, the pitch or interval of the cooling fins is narrow at a portion where air blown from the cooling fan flows fast, and the pitch or internal of the cooling fins is wide at a portion where air blown from the cooling fan flows slowly.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2003Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Young Hwan Park, Choon Myun Chung, Mu Yong Choi, Dae Yun Park, Kyung Seop Hong
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Patent number: 6757989Abstract: An apparatus for drying a semiconductor substrate includes a chamber having a processing bath and a cover, a liquid flow system for supplying a liquid flow into the processing bath so as to clean the substrate and for draining a liquid from the processing bath, a gas distributor for spraying a gas for drying the substrate, and decompression means for exhausting air in the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: DNS Korea, Ltd.Inventors: Jeong-Yong Bae, Chang-Ro Yoon, Pyeng-Jae Park
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Publication number: 20040088880Abstract: A substrate drying system for drying substrates after the substrates are washed typically using deionized water. The substrate drying system comprises a substrate cleaning tank in which the substrates are washed. A dry pump is provided in fluid communication with the substrate cleaning tank. A container which contains a supply of a liquid drying fluid, typically isopropyl alcohol (IPA), is further provided in fluid communication with the substrate cleaning tank. In application, the dry pump induces a reduced pressure inside the substrate cleaning tank and the drying fluid container. This reduces the vapor pressure, and thus, the boiling point of the drying fluid, such that the drying fluid is vaporized and remains in a vaporized state throughout transit to the substrate cleaning tank and during drying of the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2002Publication date: May 13, 2004Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jen-Yuan Yang
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Patent number: 6732448Abstract: The invention relates to a device including a vessel, a vacuum pump (10), at least one condenser (3 and/or 8) and a heat exchanger (16) for heating and drying parts (2) with cellulose or plastic based hygroscopic insulation in transformers, condensers, instrument transformers or electric leadthroughs by means of condensation heat from the steam of a heating fluid (a solvent, kerosine). During heating, at least one higher-boiling second liquid, such as transformer oil, is removed. In order to provide a mobile system enabling local treatment of transformers (2) which are already in operation, the heat exchanger (16) heats the heating fluid in the liquid phase and evaporation occurs near to or in the vessel, for example, via expansion valves (18) and/or in an expansion container or evaporator arranged directly on the vessel.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2002Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Wilhelm Hedrich Vakuumanlagen GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Helmut Strzala
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Patent number: 6732446Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2002Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. LtdInventors: Pao-Kun Liao, Wen-Tsai Su
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Publication number: 20040064965Abstract: A wafer dryer system which is suitable for drying rinse water from substrates in the event of a system malfunction or failure during or after rinsing of the substrates. The wafer dryer system typically includes a pair of drying chambers, each of which is fitted with at least one nitrogen gas inlet, at least one IPA gas inlet and an exhaust opening. A wafer boat which holds multiple wet wafers from an interrupted rinsing process typically in a wet bench system is placed in one of the chambers, after which the chamber is filled with hot nitrogen gas and mixed IPA gas to dry the wafers in the wafer boat. Upon resumption of operation of the wet bench system from which the wafers were taken or upon availability of a second wet bench system, the dried wafers are removed from the chamber for continued rinsing, as necessary.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2002Publication date: April 8, 2004Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hsing-Kai Huang
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Patent number: 6709499Abstract: An air-routing household appliance includes an improved removable and washable filter in that the filter is of a flexible fiber material and is finished such that it can bind and/or decompose odorous substances. Such a filter can be disposed, in particular, in the closed process-air circuit of a condensation laundry dryer to free laundry of unpleasant odorous substances. The odor filter is produced, in particular, from a textile material and can, therefore, advantageously be cleaned in a washing machine. For the binding of odorous substances, the fibers of the filter can be treated with particles that can bind odorous substances and from which the odorous substances can also be washed out again to regenerate the filter.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2002Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbHInventor: Harald Moschütz
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Publication number: 20040035019Abstract: A condenser of a condensing-type clothes dryer is disclosed, which includes a plurality of condensing ducts provided in a middle portion of a circulation duct, the condensing ducts condensing air being circulated there-through after being discharged from a drum; and a plurality of cooling fins provided to be in contact with an outer surface of the condensing ducts, wherein an interval or a pitch of the cooling fins is different partially according to flow rate of air blown from a cooling fan for a heat-exchange with air flowing through the condensing duct. At this time, the pitch or interval of the cooling fins is narrow at a portion where air blown from the cooling fan flows fast, and the pitch or internal of the cooling fins is wide at a portion where air blown from the cooling fan flows slowly.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventors: Young Hwan Park, Choon Myun Chung, Mu Yong Choi, Dae Yun Park, Kyung Seop Hong
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Publication number: 20040020072Abstract: An apparatus for drying semiconductor wafers includes a bath for receiving semiconductor wafers and for holding a fluid, a chamber for providing an area where vapor is flowable over the bath, a supply pipeline for supplying vapor to the chamber, a vapor discharging pipeline for expunging vapor in the chamber, a fluid discharging pipeline for draining fluid in the chamber therefrom, and a protector for maintaining a distance between the semiconductor wafers during a drying process.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2003Publication date: February 5, 2004Inventors: Jung-Min Kim, Young-Hee Kim, Myung-Hwan Shin
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Publication number: 20040010932Abstract: An apparatus of drying semiconductor substrate using azeotrope effect and a drying method using the apparatus are provided. The apparatus includes a bath for storing a fluid, a chamber located above the bath and an apparatus for supplying an organic solvent onto the surface of the fluid in the bath for forming an azeotrope layer at the surface of the fluid and for forming an organic solvent layer over the azeotrope layer. The organic solvent layer and the atmosphere thereon are heated by a heater. The apparatus may further include a drying gas conduit for introducing a drying gas into the chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2003Publication date: January 22, 2004Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co.Inventors: Sang-Mun Chon, Jin-Sung Kim, Pil-Kwon Jun, Sang-Oh Park, Yong-Kyun Ko, Kwang-Shin Lim, Hun-Jung Yi
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Patent number: 6675492Abstract: A regenerative dehumidifier includes: a housing having perforations formed through the housing for directing moisture-laden (or moisture-free) air therein (or therefrom), a moisture-absorbable dehydrating agent including silica gel filled in the housing for absorbing moisture as laden in the air entering the housing for dehumidification or dehydration, and a heating device sandwiched in a first layer and a second layer of the dehydrating agent disposed on opposite sides of the heating device for heating the moisture-saturated dehydrating agent for vaporizing water from the dehydrating agent in order for regenerating the water-absorbed dehydrating agent for its re-use.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2001Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Inventor: Tsang-Hung Hsu
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Patent number: 6658764Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 10, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.Inventor: Feng Chia Hsu
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Patent number: 6658757Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 25, 2001Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: M-I L.L.C.Inventors: Gary E. Fout, Jerry T. Connaughton
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Publication number: 20030140517Abstract: In an apparatus 4 for drying crockery in a washing chamber 2 of a dishwashing machine hot moist washing chamber air is produced, from which moisture is removed by condensation outside the washing chamber 2. In order to keep the amount of water required for condensation small and to keep it in readiness for the next washing operation a heat exchanger 5 is provided outside the washing chamber 2, the heat exchanger surface 6 of the heat exchanger 5 separating a water guide chamber 7 and an air guide chamber 8. The heat exchanger surface 6 is arranged in such a way that condensate runs down under the effect of the force of gravity into an intermediate storage means 9 to which the water guide chamber 7 is connected and which is communicated with the washing chamber 2 by way of a valve 13.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2002Publication date: July 31, 2003Inventor: Bertram Schmid
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Publication number: 20030093917Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing an electronic component precursor comprising the steps of contacting a carrier gas with a process chemical stream to entrain the process chemical in the carrier gas thereby forming a fluid stream and injecting at least a portion of additional process chemical into the fluid stream to form a localized region of increased concentration of process fluid is provided. The methods and apparatus also provide injecting a portion of additional carrier gas into the fluid stream to form a diluted region of decreased concentration of process fluid is also provided. The methods and apparatus further provide controlling the concentration of process chemical in the localized region as well as in the fluid stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2002Publication date: May 22, 2003Inventor: Gerald N. DiBello
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Publication number: 20030056389Abstract: A system and method are disclosed including a vapor dryer chamber (12) with a lid (14). A heater (16) is disposed within the vapor dryer chamber to vaporize liquid drying medium (24), preferably isopropyl alcohol, in the bottom of the vapor dryer chamber (12). Cooling coils (18) disposed within an upper portion of the vapor drying chamber (12) condense the drying medium vapor. A vapor monitor assembly (30) is disposed within the vapor dryer chamber (12) to monitor the vapor concentration within vapor dryer chamber (12). A controller (40) is associated with the vapor monitor assembly (30) and evaluates vapor concentration measurements from the vapor monitor (38).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2002Publication date: March 27, 2003Inventors: Neal T. Murphy, Claire Ching-Shan Jung, Daryl R. Koehl, Donald J. Rigsby
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Publication number: 20030009901Abstract: A wafer drying apparatus of increased efficiency in which isopropyl alcohol (IPA) supplied to a hood is activated by heat, thereby increasing its diffusion efficiency and enabling it to vaporize pure water on a wafer quickly, includes a washing tank for storing pure water, a hood positioned at an upper portion of the washing tank, an injection nozzle for ejecting IPA positioned in the hood, a storage tank for storing the IPA, a bubble maker in the storage tank to create IPA vapor, a nitrogen supplier for storing a carrier gas for transferring the IPA vapor in the storage tank to the hood, and a heater provided near the injection nozzle to heat the IPA vapor that is ejected through the injection nozzle to a predetermined temperature, thereby uniformly diffusing the IPA vapor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2002Publication date: January 16, 2003Inventors: Tae-Ho Kim, Dong-Kwan Hong, Nung-Suck Kang
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Publication number: 20020178604Abstract: The apparatus serves for drying solid insulation of an electrical device (40) by means of the heat of condensation emitted by the vapor of a solvent. It has an evacuable autoclave (10) accommodating the solid insulation, as well as an evaporator (20) producing solvent vapor, an evacuable condenser (50), connected to the autoclave (10), for condensing a solvent led out of the autoclave (10) and a vapor mixture containing water, and a heat recuperator (30). In the heat recuperator (30), the solvent acts as heat-absorbing medium and the vapor mixture as heat-emitting medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2002Publication date: December 5, 2002Inventors: Paul Gmeiner, Peter Keller
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Patent number: 6484413Abstract: An air drier comprises a base member with means for supplying and carrying away air to and from the air drier, respectively, a cylindrical, dome-shaped container releasably attached to the base member, and in the container a replaceable cartridge for desiccant. The cartridge is divided by a cylindrical dividing wall into a central compartment containing desiccant and an outer annular compartment. The top wall of the cartridge is provided with holes or passages for allowing air communication inside the container between the two compartments.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2000Date of Patent: November 26, 2002Assignee: Haldex Brake Products ABInventor: Sven-Olof Larsson
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Patent number: 6447813Abstract: The present invention relates to the in situ manufacture of plant extracts from living plants. Since the plant remains intact, a flower or other component of the plant can be extracted one or more times. Following the extraction process, the plant is typically able to continue with its lifecycle. Such extracts have a variety of uses including use for, but not limited to: herbal and homeopathic medicines, hair and skin treatments, and cosmetics. The present invention also relates to apparatus useful for manufacturing plant extracts from living plants.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2001Date of Patent: September 10, 2002Inventor: Brent W. Davis
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Publication number: 20020108263Abstract: Thermally controlled apparatus 1 for actuating a valve opening 2, in particular a fluid valve, in particular a drip-stop valve in a steam iron, the apparatus having a bimetallic spring disc 3 fastened to a carrier element 4, the edge 5 or edge region of which disc opens or closes the valve opening depending on the curvature position of the bimetallic spring disc 3. The valve opening is formed through a cross-sectionally variable segment 6 of a tube- or pipe-like flow-through element 7, and the edge 5 or edge region of the bimetallic spring disc 3 acts directly on the cross-sectionally variable segment 6.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2002Publication date: August 15, 2002Applicant: INTER CONTROL Hermann Kohler Elektrik GmbHInventors: Lutz Pahlke, Stefan Trapp
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Patent number: 6397488Abstract: An apparatus and method for drying printing composition on a print medium are disclosed. A method embodiment for use in a printing device includes depositing printing composition onto a print medium and enclosing the print medium in a sealed environment. The method additionally includes reducing a pressure in the sealed environment below an ambient pressure and heating the print medium in the sealed environment to dry the printing composition on the print medium. An apparatus embodiment for use in a printing device having a print engine for depositing printing composition onto a print medium includes an enclosure configured to provide a sealed environment around the print medium. The apparatus additionally includes a vacuum source fluidly coupled to the enclosure and configured to reduce a pressure in the sealed environment below an ambient pressure and a heater configured to apply heat energy to the print medium in the sealed environment to dry the printing composition on the print medium.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2000Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Assignee: Hewlett-Packard CompanyInventor: Richard Brinkly
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Patent number: 6375742Abstract: A decoloring apparatus for an image forming material comprising means for bringing a solvent into contact with an image forming material formed on a paper sheet and containing a color former, a developer and a decolorizer, and means for removing a residual solvent from the paper sheet.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 1999Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Kenji Sano, Katsuyuki Naito, Satoshi Takayama, Sawako Fujioka, Tetsuo Okuyama, Shigeru Machida
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Patent number: 6161300Abstract: An alcohol vapor dryer system includes a vapor generating chamber, a heater, a process chamber, a gas supplier, a drain vessel, and a suction device. The vapor generating chamber of cylindrical shape contains liquid alcohol supplied from an outer source and includes a fan installed above the surface of the liquid alcohol. The heater installed below the vapor generating chamber heats the liquid alcohol contained in the vapor generating chamber at a temperature lower than the boiling point of the liquid alcohol. The process chamber communicates with the vapor generating chamber through a plurality of fluid ducts and includes a body and a cover plate for covering the body. The gas supplier generates heated nitrogen gas and supplies the gas in order to transfer the heated nitrogen gas and the alcohol vapors to the fluid ducts which are connected to the process chamber. The drain vessel communicates with the bottom of the body of the process chamber and also with the bottom of the vapor generating chamber.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1999Date of Patent: December 19, 2000Inventor: Jae Hyoung Kim
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Patent number: 6146448Abstract: A flux vapor management system for a reflow oven includes temperature control units disposed in heating and cooling regions of the oven. A fan within each of the temperature control units provides suction to an intake port. Intake ports of selected temperature control units in the heating region of the oven are connected with a barrier vent disposed between the heating and cooling regions of the oven. Gas drawn into the barrier vent by the suction from the intake ports prevents flux laden gas from migrating into the cooling region. The flux vapor management system also includes a filter for removing flux vapors from a reflow oven. The filter condenses flux vapors by converging a jet of hot gas from the oven with a cooled gas jet causing the flux vapors to condense while suspended in the gas stream. The flux laden gas does not contact any solid surface below the flux condensation temperature so there is no build-up of flux within the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1998Date of Patent: November 14, 2000Assignee: Soltec B.V.Inventors: Russell G. Shaw, Walter James Hall, Roy J. Palhof, Phillip D. Bourgelais
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Patent number: 6138381Abstract: A process of treating moist fuel, particularly biomass fuel, in connection with a power production process, comprises drying moist fuel (7) by means of combustion air (3), which is thereafter supplied to the power production process combustion section (1). Flue gas (11) from the combustion section, which as a result of said drying has become moisture-laden, is condensed (13) while recovering heat (15), which may be used as drying heat. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the flue gas condensation is used to humidify (31) the combustion air.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1998Date of Patent: October 31, 2000Assignee: Vattenfall AB (Publ.)Inventor: Tomas .ANG.byhammar
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Patent number: 6134808Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 18, 1998Date of Patent: October 24, 2000Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Robert A. Yapel, Gary Lee Huelsman, Tom M. Milbourn, William Blake Kolb
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Patent number: 6108927Abstract: Equipment provides more rapid drying of heating parts comprising hygroscopic, electric insulation made of cellulose and/or plastics. At least two condensers are present, one being used when heating the parts and the other in the distillation stage. As a result removal by distillation is possible any time during heating and during the time intervals when heating is interrupted and the pressure-dropping procedure is carried out in the vacuum vessel. Due to the second condenser (with a second, associated vacuum pump), the heating medium can be cleansed or distilled during the pressure-dropping procedure and simultaneously the suction or drying procedure can be carried out in the vacuum vessel. This feature leads to drying the electrical parts more rapidly than heretofore because the steps of drying the electrical parts and regenerating the heating medium no longer require being consecutive, but instead regeneration can be implemented simultaneously with the evacuation of the vicinity around the electrical parts.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 1998Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: Wilhelm Hendrich Vakuumanlagen GmbH & Co.Inventor: Helmut Strzala
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Patent number: 5862746Abstract: Apparatus for reducing the water content of water-containing, granular brown coal under the action of thermal energy and pressure on the material (14) distributed flat in bed form using a press (9, 10) in which the brown coal is subjected to a mechanically applied initial surface pressure and which is furnished with orifices (21) for feeding steam (HD) which, supplying thermal energy to the brown coal, heats this, with condensation, and the hot water (HW) contained in the heated brown coal is expressed for use as a waste-heat source, a vessel (30) being provided for collecting the hot water (HW), from which vessel the hot water (HW) is passed to the orifices (21) in the press (9, 10), and which vessel is furnished with an inlet for the steam (HD) for expelling the hot water (HW).Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 1997Date of Patent: January 26, 1999Assignee: Maschinenfabrik J. Dieffenbacher GmbH & Co.Inventor: Friedrich Bielfeldt
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Patent number: 5813133Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 7, 1997Date of Patent: September 29, 1998Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: John D. Munter, William B. Kolb, Gary L. Huelsman
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Patent number: 5694701Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 4, 1996Date of Patent: December 9, 1997Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Gary L. Huelsman, William B. Kolb
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Patent number: 5657553Abstract: A substrate drying apparatus comprises a treatment vessel for containing IPA in the form of liquid, an IPA source for supplying IPA into the treatment vessel, a first heat exchanger which is equipped with a heat exchanger tube dipped in IPA and allowing steam to pass therein, the first heat exchanger allowing the steam and IPA to perform heat exchange therebetween to thereby evaporate IPA, and a second heat exchanger provided on or above an upper portion of the treatment vessel and equipped with a heat exchanger tube for allowing a coolant to pass therein, the second heat exchanger allowing the coolant and the evaporated IPA to perform heat exchange therebetween to thereby condense the evaporated IPA.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 1995Date of Patent: August 19, 1997Assignees: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Kimmon Quartz Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tetsuya Tarui, Hiromitsu Asano, Hajime Onoda
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Patent number: 5615492Abstract: A process for drying water-containing materials in a closed-circuit system using a vertical drying tower having inlets located at a lower portion of the tower, the inlets circulating superheated steam in countercurrent to the water-containing materials descending through the vertical drying tower thereby drying the water-containing materials, the improvement being:(a) providing an auxiliary fluid having a temperature below that of the superheated steam entering into the vertical drying tower;(b) providing a double jacket having a permeable inner wall wherein the double jacket surrounds the lower portion of the vertical drying tower below the inlets; and(c) introducing the auxiliary fluid through the permeable inner wall of the double jacket and into the vertical drying tower in a tangential or radial direction relative to the permeable inner wall.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 1996Date of Patent: April 1, 1997Assignee: Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf AktienInventors: Wilfried Raehse, Gunter Effey, Wilhelm Beck
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Patent number: 5605564Abstract: A capillary membrane gas dehydrator. A gaseous stream having water vapor therein flows into the tube side of the capillaries. Water vapor permeates through the fibers to the shell side. A portion of the dehydrated stream is used as a purge stream for the shell side of the dehydrator. A pressure valve meter combination is used in the bypass stream to ensure that the pressure of the purge stream is maintained at a constant level independent of any variation in the pressure of the feed stream. This ensures that if there is an increase in pressure in the feed stream there is no increase in the purge rate and no corresponding increase in purge losses.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 1996Date of Patent: February 25, 1997Assignee: Howell Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: D. Stephen Collins
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Patent number: 5581905Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 18, 1995Date of Patent: December 10, 1996Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Gary L. Huelsman, William B. Kolb
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Patent number: 5575083Abstract: This invention relates to a compact vacuum dryer for quickly and economically drying objects such as grain, industrial raw materials and thrash. The vacuum dryer includes a combined upper and lower chamber for accommodating the drying objects. A vacuum pump is connected to the upper chamber for drawing in air for creating the vacuum within the system. A direct heating apparatus is provided at one side of the combination of the upper and lower chambers to directly heat the drying objects. A dielectric heating apparatus indirectly heats the drying objects in combination with direct heating apparatus. A moisture removing apparatus is provided along a discharge passage between the upper chamber and the vacuum pump for preventing the vacuum pump from drawing in moisture from the chamber which may damage or disable the pump.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 1994Date of Patent: November 19, 1996Assignee: Goldstar Co., Ltd.Inventors: In S. Lee, Hyeong K. Lee
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Patent number: 5456022Abstract: A drier having a boxlike housing (12) for receiving a hopper (13) therein which contains a batch of wet sludge. The hopper (13) cooperates with the housing, when closed therein, to define a closed air recirculation system which supplies dry pressurized warm air into an air-receiving chamber (79) located at the bottom of the hopper. The air passes upwardly through a perforated bottom wall (78) into and through the sludge to remove moisture therefrom. The moist air passes upwardly through the open top of the hopper, through a filter and is supplied to a drying unit (34) located in the housing for removing moisture therefrom, which moisture is externally discharged. The drying unit resupplies the dry air back to the drying chamber formed in the hopper.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 1994Date of Patent: October 10, 1995Assignee: JWI, Inc.Inventors: David P. McLeod, David J. Spyker, Daniel De Haan, Greg De Haan, Wesley G. Koops, James E. Roelofs
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Patent number: RE38412Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 29, 2000Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Imation Corp.Inventors: John D. Munter, William B. Kolb, Gary L. Huelsman