Gas Or Vapor Distributing And Applying Agitators Patents (Class 34/241)
  • Patent number: 9021982
    Abstract: Provided is a gas wiping device having a box-shaped body which encloses a steel band and gas wiping nozzles, wherein it is possible to prevent splash on the steel band. A gas wiping device provided with a plating bath for storing molten metal, and a box-shaped body placed above the plating bath. The box-shaped body is provided, in the interior, with tubular members disposed along the width direction of a band-shaped body, gas wiping nozzles disposed facing one another on the respective tubular members so as to sandwich the band-shaped body, extending members disposed on both ends of gas wiping nozzle so as to extend towards the direction of gas wiping nozzle, and extending members disposed on both ends of gas wiping nozzle so as to extend towards the direction of gas wiping nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Nisshin Steel Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Koga, Tomohiro Fukuyama
  • Patent number: 9015956
    Abstract: A solar drying tunnel having a low-profile and which is transportable includes a bottom portion, a frame, a cover, and externally controlled rolling mechanism for turning grain over. The tunnel may also include a fan at one end and a chimney at another end to provide enhanced air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Grainpro, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom de Bruin, Lewis Donovan Strickland
  • Patent number: 9004000
    Abstract: A gas wiping device for preventing splash on a steel band including a box-shaped body enclosing the steel band and gas wiping nozzles is provided with a plating bath for storing molten metal, and a box-shaped body placed above the plating bath. The box-shaped body is provided, in the interior, with gas wiping nozzles disposed facing one another on the respective tubular members so as to sandwich a band-shaped body. Gas wiping nozzle is provided with a first spraying unit capable of spraying gas to the steel band, and a second spraying unit and a third spraying unit capable of spraying gas towards the direction of gas wiping nozzle. Gas wiping nozzle is provided with a fourth spraying unit capable of spraying gas to the steel band, and a fifth spraying unit and a sixth spraying unit capable of spraying gas towards the direction of gas wiping nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Nisshin Steel Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinichi Koga
  • Patent number: 8910395
    Abstract: In a sludge treatment installation, a movable carriage is arranged transversely above a work surface of a floor. The movement of the carriage by longitudinal translation over the floor is initiated by a first drive shaft carrying a toothed wheel meshing with a drive chain. A second chain helps to guide the carriage. On the carriage is provided a rotary turning tool which engages in the sludge. Driven in rotation by a second drive shaft independent of the first, it includes pairs of semi-cylindrical paddles fixed substantially symmetrically by one of their edges on either side of a shaft driven by the second drive shaft. The two paddles in each pair of paddles are asymmetrical as a result of having different radii, with a difference at least equal to about 5%. Forced ventilation acts directly on the paddles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Aqualter
    Inventor: Loic Darcel
  • Publication number: 20140020258
    Abstract: A system for tempering vehicle bodies having a housing, a tempering tunnel in the housing, at least one pressure chamber in a housing and separated by a wall from the tempering tunnel, a plurality of nozzles in the wall and an air tempering unit which introduces tempered air into the pressure chamber in such a way that the tempered air flows in through the nozzles into the tempering tunnel and acts on the vehicle body. At least one nozzle unit is oriented and has a range that is wide enough, such that the air stream exiting the nozzle unit passes through an opening in the vehicle body on the side facing the nozzle unit and acts on an inner face of the vehicle body on the opposite side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: EISENMANN AG
    Inventors: Erwin Hihn, Werner Swoboda, Tatjan Urich
  • Publication number: 20130232811
    Abstract: Provided is a gas wiping device having a box-shaped body which encloses a steel band and gas wiping nozzles, wherein it is possible to prevent splash on the steel band. A gas wiping device provided with a plating bath for storing molten metal, and a box-shaped body placed above the plating bath. The box-shaped body is provided, in the interior, with tubular members disposed along the width direction of a band-shaped body, gas wiping nozzles disposed facing one another on the respective tubular members so as to sandwich the band-shaped body, extending members disposed on both ends of gas wiping nozzle so as to extend towards the direction of gas wiping nozzle, and extending members disposed on both ends of gas wiping nozzle so as to extend towards the direction of gas wiping nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Nisshin Steel Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi KOGA, Tomohiro FUKUYAMA
  • Patent number: 8282788
    Abstract: The invention relates to extraction apparatus and method for obtaining essential oils and essence and pigments from odorous raw materials by microwave radiation heating under sub-critical conditions, which has advantages of easy operation, higher extracting temperature and efficiency. The microwave chamber has a power level of 100 W to 1,500 W and its microwave radiation has a frequency at 915 MHz or 2,450 MHz. The extraction process can be performed without any preheating necessary. A condenser unit is operated at temperatures between ?20° C. and 15° C. for cooling the gas extractive flowing out of the extraction unit. Because both volatile aromatic compounds and pigments of the odorous raw materials can be extracted successfully, the extracted essence is colorful. Since the extraction process by microwave radiation heating is free from adding any organic solvent and/or any artificial chemical compound, the extraction apparatus and method applied are really environmentally friendly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Inventor: Bing-Nan Lee
  • Publication number: 20120246963
    Abstract: An apparatus such as a hand dryer is configured to expel air in the form of a heated flowstream and an unheated flowstream. The heated flowstream results from active heating, such as would occur when the apparatus exposes the air to a heating element. The heating element heats the air to a temperature that is greater than the air in the unheated flowstream. The apparatus can direct each of the heated flowstream and the unheated flowstream to an exit plane, which defines a first side on which the apparatus prevents the heated flowstream from mixing with the unheated flowstream. The exit plane also defines a second side on which a target can reside. The heated flowstream can mix with the unheated flowstream on the second side, wherein mixing can occur when the heated flowstream and the unheated flowstream impinge on the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: World Dryer Corporation
    Inventor: David Boyd Fisher
  • Publication number: 20120159805
    Abstract: A device and a method for distributing residual air in a pasty mass, in particular for the production of sausages, with a housing comprising a flow channel and an inlet and outlet for the pasty mass, and with a distributor means for deflecting and mixing the pasty mass thoroughly in the flow channel, where the distributor means can be adjusted such that the mixing of the pasty mass can be adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: ALBERT HANDTMANN MASCHINENFABRIK GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Martin Ried, Uwe Weckenmann
  • Patent number: 8157899
    Abstract: A particulate material processing apparatus has a vessel and a processing tank. 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 upper part of the processing tank has lower gas permeability than the lower part of the processing tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Isogai, Katsuya Nakai, Tatsuo Suzuki, Taku Hirakawa, Hiroyuki Shimada
  • Publication number: 20120042534
    Abstract: An application for a shower drying system that directs air downwardly onto the walls, surfaces and/or shower curtain of a shower enclosure. In one embodiment, the air is heated. The movement of the air in the downward direction helps urge droplets of water on the shower surface towards a drain at the lower level of the shower enclosure. Remaining water on the surfaces is evaporated into water vapor that is exhausted from above the shower enclosure, thereby reducing mold and mildew.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventor: Josh Martin
  • Publication number: 20120017461
    Abstract: In a sludge treatment installation, a movable carriage is arranged transversely above a work surface of a floor. The movement of the carriage by longitudinal translation over the floor is initiated by a first drive shaft carrying a toothed wheel meshing with a drive chain. A second chain helps to guide the carriage. On the carriage is provided a rotary turning tool which engages in the sludge. Driven in rotation by a second drive shaft independent of the first, it includes pairs of semi-cylindrical paddles fixed substantially symmetrically by one of their edges on either side of a shaft driven by the second drive shaft. The two paddles in each pair of paddles are asymmetrical as a result of having different radii, with a difference at least equal to about 5%. Forced ventilation acts directly on the paddles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: AQUALTER
    Inventor: Loïc DARCEL
  • Publication number: 20110186664
    Abstract: A grinder/dryer having a plurality of beater blades carried on a rotating shaft in a cylindrical housing, including one or a plurality of grinding members on the cylindrical side wall. The grinding members are adjustably positioned at different locations within the cylinder. The grinding members may be provided in a variety of different combination of elevated ridges and/or valleys used to dry and classify materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: SCOTT EQUIPMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard R. Lucas, Christopher T. Dolan, Gilbert F. Sticha
  • Publication number: 20100199510
    Abstract: A drying apparatus and method including heated airflow and ultrasonic transducers. The ultrasonic transducers are arranged and operated for effectively breaking down the boundary layer to increase the heat transfer rate. The ultrasonic transducers are spaced from the material to be dried a distance of about (?)(n/4), where ? is the wavelength of the ultrasonic oscillations and n is an odd integer (i.e., 1, 3, 5, 7, etc.). In this way, the amplitude of the ultrasonic oscillations is maximized to more-effectively agitate the boundary layer. In addition, the ultrasonic transducers are operated to produce about 120-190 dB (preferably, about 160-185 dB) at the interface surface of the material to be dried. In one embodiment, the ultrasonic transducers are of a pneumatic type. In another embodiment, the ultrasonic transducers are of an electric type. And in other embodiments, infrared and/or UV light devices are included for further boundary layer disruption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventor: Zinovy Plavnik
  • Publication number: 20090199425
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for comminuting coal or other fuel solids in a shear field, and for optionally coating the solids with catalysts for combustion, liquefaction, and or gasification during the milling process. The apparatus further provides for control of water content in the solids may be controlled before, during and after the milling in order to obtain micronized solids with fine hydration layers. The output fuel solids of the apparatus can burn at low temperatures, avoiding emissions of nitrogen oxides, and they also have improved properties for surfactant-free suspension in either water or oil media, as well as for liquefaction and gasification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventor: David W. Taylor
  • Patent number: 7427039
    Abstract: A siphon type of drying gun includes an arc diverter disposed between an inner end surface in an accommodation space in a body of the gun and a flared hole. A rear cover having a flange is screwed into the body. An exhaustion gap is defined between the flange of the rear cover and the arc diverter. A front tapered hole in the rear cover corresponding to the arc diverter to guide the compressed air admitted into the exhaustion gap to flow by following the arc diverter and taking a turn into the flared hole so to produce siphon effects against ambient air to reduce noise level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Inventor: Wuu-Cheau Jou
  • Publication number: 20080189977
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for drying and deagglomerating moist feed material, whereby the feed material is kneaded, mixed and broken up by the action of at least one roller rolling on a driven plate and is dried by means of hot gas supplied thereto. The invention also relates to a method for converting this device into a mill drying device, whereby the at least one roll is provided with a pressing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Andreas Halbleib, Karl Menzel, Pedro Guerrero Palma
  • Publication number: 20080134540
    Abstract: This invention pertains to a bio-mass processing system, and method of processing waste bio-mass, wherein one or more mixers mixes a bed of bio-mass material such as manure at substantially any and all locations in a defined length and width portion of the bed, in a dryer. Heated air percolates upwardly through the bed. Separation apparatus separates a relatively dryer fraction of the bio-mass material from the dryer. The separated finished product from the dryer is optionally fed to a boiler where the dried bio-mass material is burned. Heat of combustion from the boiler is used as dryer heat for drying the bio-mass feed material in the dryer. Excess heat is optionally used to produce steam, which powers a turbine, which powers an electrical generator. Residual ash from the combustion process comprises about 2% by weight of the solids content of e.g. a feed stream coming into the dryer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Skill Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Wallace R. Lasonde
  • Patent number: 7340846
    Abstract: A drying gun includes a chamber and a handle made integrated with the body of the gun, an arc diverter being disposed between an inner end of a rear hole inside the chamber and an exhaust hole; a plug being placed in the rear hole in the chamber; a narrow exhaust gap being defined between a front surface of the plug and the inner end of the rear hole; a front tapered hole inside the plug being disposed corresponding to the arc diverter; the compressed air admitted through the exhaust gap being first guided by the arc diverter to follow the arc to change its direction into the exhaust hole thus to produce siphon effect; and the body of the drying gun may be combined with diffusers in different configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Inventor: Wuu-Cheau Jou
  • Patent number: 7047661
    Abstract: A SPME-fiber cleaning and conditioning apparatus and method having an elongated heating chamber with first and second opposite ends. The first end is capable of insertably receiving a SPME fiber portion of a SPME device, and the second end is a fluid outlet. A heater is provided for heating the chamber and heat-treating an inserted SPME fiber. Contaminants and other particles are agitated, desorbed and purged from the inserted SPME fiber by flowing a fluid through the chamber from the first end to the second end, away from the SPME device. Additionally, turbulence may be produced in the flow at a location adjacent the first end, to enhance agitation, desorption, and purging. A holder may also be provided extending from the first end for supporting the SPME device in a substantially horizontal orientation when the SPME fiber is positioned in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Armando Alcaraz, Michael H. Wiefel
  • Patent number: 6959504
    Abstract: An emptying unit for recovering bottom residue, particularly in drying filters, drying units and the like, comprising, inside a container for treating and containing dried product, fluid introducing elements for moving the bottom residue of the dried product. A discharge port being also provided which is controlled by a discharge valve interposed on a pneumatic circuit suitable to produce a circulation of fluid in output from the discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: 3V Cogeim S.p.A.
    Inventor: Luigi Fabbri
  • Patent number: 6834440
    Abstract: An apparatus for drying a wafer includes a rotating chuck configured to rotate the wafer. A movable de-ionized water supply member and an organic solvent supply member are positioned adjacent a face of the wafer. The de-ionized water supply member supplies de-ionized water onto the wafer, and the organic solvent supply member has a plurality of solvent supply nozzles disposed to supply an organic solvent onto the wafer. The organic solvent supply member includes a first solvent supply member and a second solvent supply member. The de-ionized water supply member and the first solvent supply member move radially between a position adjacent the central portion of the wafer and the edge portion of the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keum-Joo Lee
  • Patent number: 6742285
    Abstract: An air knife constructed in accordance with the present invention directs a curtain of air across a region and most typically is used to direct the stream of air against a surface. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention the air knife includes an elongated housing having an inlet for receiving air into the housing. The housing includes an elongated gap that extends along the housing that allows air entering the housing through the inlet to exit the housing and form a curtain of air. The elongated housing is made from a piece of sheet metal bent to define a hollow region into which air is forced. The sheet metal defines a gap along a length of the housing from which the air exits. The elongated air knife forms an angle with respect to a direction of travel of glass sheets passing the air knife so that a leading edge of those glass sheets passes progressively different parts of the air knife.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Glass Equipment Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert R. Shepard
  • Publication number: 20040088877
    Abstract: A small, portable fan having a spring-biased clamp at the base thereof. The clamp is adapted to mount to almost any surface on a conventional golf cart. The fan is provided with power cords having alligator clips at the ends thereof. The power cords can readily be connected to the battery of the golf cart, which battery is normally positioned under the seat of the cart. The fan can be mounted to and dismounted from the golf cart with ease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventor: Diane L. Gilmer
  • Publication number: 20040060190
    Abstract: An apparatus for drying a wafer includes a rotating chuck configured to rotate the wafer. A movable de-ionized water supply member and an organic solvent supply member are positioned adjacent a face of the wafer. The de-ionized water supply member supplies de-ionized water onto the wafer, and the organic solvent supply member has a plurality of solvent supply nozzles disposed to supply an organic solvent onto the wafer. The organic solvent supply member includes a first solvent supply member and a second solvent supply member. The de-ionized water supply member and the first solvent supply member move radially between a position adjacent the central portion of the wafer and the edge portion of the wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Keum-Joo Lee
  • Patent number: 6665949
    Abstract: A drying tool for drying moisture present in cells of a honeycomb core. The tool includes an inflatable bladder compartment having a bendable exterior surface and a plurality of open-ended nozzles protruding from this exterior surface, with each nozzle having a passage in fluid communication with the bladder compartment. A connector element is connectible with a hot air source for delivering hot air into the bladder compartment for subsequent dispatch through the plurality of nozzles. Preferably, the nozzles are situated in a grid formation and are of a generally conical configuration. In use, the bendable exterior surface with the protruding nozzles is bowed or curved to generally configure to the exterior shape of the honeycomb core such that hot air is pinpointed in a grid pattern to drive heated air into the core and thereby cause circulation through the core cells for moisture evaporation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Carl A. Reis, Doris Andren Reis
  • Publication number: 20030172547
    Abstract: An air knife constructed in accordance with the present invention directs a curtain of air across a region and most typically is used to direct the stream of air against a surface. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention the air knife includes an elongated housing having an inlet for receiving air into the housing. The housing includes an elongated gap that extends along the housing that allows air entering the housing through the inlet to exit the housing and form a curtain of air. The elongated housing is made from a piece of sheet metal bent to define a hollow region into which air is forced. The sheet metal defines a gap along a length of the housing from which the air exits. The elongated air knife forms an angle with respect to a direction of travel of glass sheets passing the air knife so that a leading edge of those glass sheets passes progressively different parts of the air knife.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: Glass Equipment development, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert R. Shephard
  • Publication number: 20020178606
    Abstract: The invention is concerned with the problem of ensuring optimum drying of contact lenses on a gripper, whilst at the same time minimising interruptions in operations. This is achieved by a convex shape of the end face of the blast nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventor: Werner Steffan
  • Patent number: 6473991
    Abstract: Apparatus to transport and cool rolled products such as bars, round pieces, rods or similar, arrangable downstream of a coil-forming head, comprising a plurality of transport rollers, at least partly motorized and parallel to each other to define a substantially horizontal transport plane on which the rolled products arranged in coils are able to lie, ventilator in correspondence with the transport rollers to blow air towards the rolled products and a conveyor to convey more air towards the lateral edges of the coils than towards the central zone of the coils, the conveyor comprising a plurality of elements, arranged at intervals between the transport rollers. Each of the elements shaped to define transit channels having a first transverse section greater in correspondence with the ends of the transport rollers and a second transverse section less in correspondence with the median zone of the transport rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche SpA
    Inventors: Alfredo Poloni, Ferruccio Tomat, Fabio Vecchiet, Nuredin Kapaj
  • Patent number: 6305097
    Abstract: A system for cleaning a reticle. There is provided a clean chamber and a reticle having a pair of opposing edges and a pair of opposing surfaces which is to be cleaned disposed in the clean chamber. A gas inert to the reticle is directed in a direction tangential to each of the surfaces of the reticle and along one the edge of the reticle. The gas is exhausted from a location spaced from the other of the pair of opposing edges and remote form the one edge. An optional monitor monitors the particles in the exhausted gas. The gas is preferably applied in pulses which have a pulse length of from about 0.05 second to about 1 second and a pulse repetition rate of from about 0.5/second to about 40/second. The gas is preferably ionized and preferably is applied at a pressure of from about 20 psi to about 120 psi. The stepper chamber is vibrationally isolated from the blow-off chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Sima Salamati-Saradh, Richard L. Guldi, David R. Wyke
  • Patent number: 6282812
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the drying of electronic components. The invention provides multiple holes through which air is passed before striking the components. This provides the apparatus of the invention with multiple air knives, thereby breaking major air flow into multiple eddy currents whereby these eddy currents have a low enough air pressure gradient such that the electronic components are not damaged or lifted from the conveyer belt on which they are transported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: St Assembly Test Services Pte Ltd.
    Inventors: Hwee Nam Wee, Peter Hock Ming Ng, Sean Shiao Shiong Chong
  • Patent number: 6108938
    Abstract: The invention is of methodologies and associated equipment, the practice and use of which, in the context of drying systems used in the drying of conveyorized articles bearing residual moisture from prior manufacturing steps, provides substantially enhanced drying efficacy and substantially accelerated drying rates, when compared with presently available drying systems. The present invention is of certain design parameters for drying systems, and associated methods, the practice of which result in impingement pressures, created by air or flowing from drying system nozzles onto to-be-dried articles of manufacture, which fall between the certain optimum ranges discovered by the present inventor for drying articles such as printed circuit boards in an assembly line context. The design parameters pertain to relative dimensions and positioning of air supply conduits, manifolds, nozzles, and conveyor surfaces, as well as performance parameters such as the velocity of air exiting the drying system nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventor: Jeff Jones
  • Patent number: 5997678
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for imprinting a sublimation transfer onto a generally cup-shaped or tubular structure. The apparatus includes a support structure for holding of the structure. A blower is provided for providing a flow of heating air to the interior surface of the structure. A control device is provided for directing the flow of heating air in a uniform manner about the interior surface of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Raymond E. Wess, Carlos F. Rezende, Daniel C. Davis
  • Patent number: 5709035
    Abstract: A counter flow cooler in which feed material is fed into the top inlet of the cooler and dispersed into a plurality of cooling chambers. At the bottom of each cooling chamber is a discharge grid which will discharge feed material uniformly over the area of the cooling chamber. The discharge rate of this discharge grid can be adjusted to the desired throughput of the cooler. Air is drawn through the bottom of the discharge grid and passes up through the feed material in a counter flow manner. That is, while the product is passing down through the cooler, the air is passing up through the feed material, carrying away heat and possibly. A feed controller is used to selectively direct feed material into the plurality of cooling chambers. When a second batch of feed material is to be introduced into the cooler, feed material to the first cooling chamber is stopped and all the feed material is directed into the second cooling chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: California Pellet Mill Company
    Inventor: Donald M. Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 5697168
    Abstract: Single or multi-screw indirect-heating screw conveyor desorbers having a heating gas guide enclosed by the screw shaft wall (single-wall screw shafts) or located between a screw shaft wall and an internal chamber wall (double-walled screw shafts). Predetermined amounts of cooling and diluting fluid may be added to a heating gas stream to control the maximum temperature thereof. Screw shaft support bearings and rotary drive components may be cooled, and conveyor wall and/or screw shaft surfaces (e.g.. screw flights and interflight surfaces) may be automatically cleaned during screw shaft rotation by hardened bits and/or breaker devices. Cleaning operations may also involve the interaction of two counter-rotating conveyor screw shafts having mutually interleaved and opposite-handed external flights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Separation and Recovery Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre Matthys, Philippe J. Matthys, Robert A. Shelden, Felix G. Marcelino, Michael Katko
  • Patent number: 5416982
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a moisture sealing apparatus for a powdery brazing flux, comprising an open-topped container for the powdery brazing flux, a nozzle positioned at the center over the container and adapted to cause dry air to flow out through a slit opened out in all horizontal directions, and an air pipe for supplying the dry air, which is connected to the nozzle. According to the apparatus, a powdery flux having strong deliquescence is always kept a completely dry state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Inventor: Makoto Nishimura
  • Patent number: 5220813
    Abstract: In a unified washing-drying machine, the use of conventional drying means is eliminated and, instead, an electromagnetic heating system is provided at an appropriate place in the unified washing-drying machine as a means to thermally evaporate the remaining moisture in the washed fabrics during the drying cycle. A high-pressure air system with the air nozzle assemblies imbedded on the agitator is installed in the unified washing-drying machine such that the high-pressure air flow from the air nozzle assemblies can float the washed fabrics to have the evaporated steam or water vapor removed efficiently. Also, the high-pressure air flow can have the washed fabrics circulate and tumble well to prevent wrinckles from setting on the washed fabrics. Thus, with the invented unified washing-drying machine contineous, uninterrupted cleaning and drying cycles can be achieved with the additional benefit of saving space by eliminating an extra dryer installment as in a conventional laundry system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Inventors: Haw-Renn Chen, Feichu H. Chen
  • Patent number: 4875904
    Abstract: A coffee-bean roaster for small quantities of coffee, which has a cylindrical roasting chamber (11) and in which only one fan (35) is provided for roasting and for cooling, is described. The coffee beans are roasted in the roasting chamber as a result of the blowing-in of heated air via at least two blowing-in conduits (12) which are arranged off-center and of which the blowing-out direction is set at an angle of between 0.degree. and 30.degree. relative to the roasting-chamber axis in the tangential direction. After the roasting operation has ended, the roasted coffee beans are transferred, via an openable bottom (19) of the roasting chamber, into a collecting container (5), the sieve-like bottom of which is connected to the supply-air conduit (28), so that the roasted coffee beans are cooled by the sucked in supply air of the roasting chamber (FIG. 3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: NOVOPACK Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Harald Munk
  • Patent number: 4875435
    Abstract: A fluidized bed dryer/granulator (10) for coating pellets (P) used in the preparation of pharmaceutical materials, comprises a chamber (11) having a top wall (12) and a bowl (16) at the bottom thereof and an axial air inlet (19) for directing a flow of air axially therethrough, and at least one removable air inlet (20, 21) positioned in the chamber for directing a circumferential flow of air into the chamber to interact with the axial flow to produce an orbital or swirling motion, enhancing the rate of treatment of the material in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
    Inventors: Chaur-Ming Jan, Mark E. Oehling
  • Patent number: 4707933
    Abstract: A wall-mounted dryer of the type for drying a person's hands, face and hair with blowing heated air. The inlet for air into the dryer is formed by a narrow opening around the periphery, except on top, along the surface of the wall for inhibiting the entry of foreign objects, such as by vandals. The narrow opening has inclined louvres for further reducing the size of the openings into the dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Assignee: Bobrick Washroom Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry C. Keck, Roy K. Fujitaki
  • Patent number: 4667420
    Abstract: A hurdle for malthouses or other material-handling spaces has a supporting frame and a bottom supported by the supporting frame and including a plurality of hollow sheet shaped members arranged parallel closely near one another and self-supporting, a plurality of openings provided in the hollow sheet shaped members for passage of a material to be handled, and connecting elements for connecting the hollow sheet shaped members with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: B/u/ hler-Miag GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Amelung, Manfred Peters
  • Patent number: 4571849
    Abstract: A machine for removing liquid from an area of ground over which the liquid has spread, comprises a convex hood (11) with a flat tray (12) mounted inside it. A motor driven fan (14) blows a downdraft out of the tray's central aperture (16) across the underside of the tray and into an annular gap (13) between the hood and the tray. The travelling air supports the machine above the ground and also lifts any ground-lying liquid into the annular gap and deposits it in a chamber inside the hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1986
    Inventors: Philip D. Gardner, Robin H. Combe, John H. Groom, Kenneth J. Groom
  • Patent number: 4560348
    Abstract: A nozzle for delivering cooling gas into the work chamber of a heat treating furnace. The nozzle is formed by a resiliently yieldable metal tube having an overlapping seam and adapted to be contracted radially for insertion through a hole in the wall of the work chamber. After being inserted through the hole, the tube springs outwardly into frictional engagement with the edge of the hole to retain itself in place. Flares on the ends of the tube prevent the tube from shifting endwise relative to the chamber wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: Abar Ipsen Industries
    Inventors: Craig A. Moller, Eric H. Wolter
  • Patent number: 4545137
    Abstract: A hurdle for malthouses or other material-handling spaces has a supporting frame and a bottom supported by the supporting frame and including a plurality of hollow sheet shaped members arranged parallel closely near one another and self-supporting, a plurality of openings provided in the hollow sheet shaped members for passage of a material to be handled, and connecting elements for connecting the hollow sheet shaped members with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1985
    Assignee: Buhlwe-Miag GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Amelung, Manfred Peters
  • Patent number: 4489505
    Abstract: A device for the dehydration and drying of solids, especially granulated plastic materials, in the form of a mixture of granulate and water. Water passes through a curved sieve by an air current that flows in the direction in which the water passes through the sieve and also flows along the sieve. The mixture of granulate and water is delivered to the curved sieve through a delivery channel and whirled, by the energy of the air current, over the curved sieve and conveyed to an outlet duct, at the end of the curved sieve. On the curved sieve, an air jet that runs at an angle to the sieve, is directed for the admission of the air current. The mixture of granulate and water that is carried along by the air current, hits the curved sieve at an angle ranging, approximately between 25.degree. to 75.degree. in relation to the curved sieve. In the direction of flow, behind the air jet, is a cover which covers the curved sieve. The cover is adjacent to the rear wall of the air jet, and extends to the outlet passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1984
    Assignee: Automatik Apparate-Maschinenbau H. Hench GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Hench, Horst Lettner, Friedrich Hunke
  • Patent number: 4373909
    Abstract: A port assembly for delivering fluid through a shell of a rotary kiln is disclosed with structures for screening and excluding particulate matter from the port during operation of the kiln. The port assembly comprises a cylindrical nozzle defining a nozzle orifice to deliver fluid to the interior of a kiln. A base member secured to one side of the nozzle is provided with a platform extending partly through the nozzle orifice and cooperates with the nozzle to define an annular chamber. Facing surfaces of the base member and nozzle define a fluid distribution cavity for providing fluid to the annular chamber for ultimate distribution into the kiln. An annular shoulder surrounding the platform within the fluid distribution cavity cooperates with a facing surface of the nozzle to define a particle barrier gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1983
    Assignee: Allis-Chalmers Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Petit, Thomas J. Gill
  • Patent number: 4373908
    Abstract: A port assembly for delivering fluid through a shell of a horizontal rotating reactor, such as a rotary kiln, is disclosed for purging from the port particulate material which enters port piping when no fluid is passing through the port. The port assembly comprises a cylindrical nozzle disposed in a port pipe, or port sleeve. The nozzle defines a nozzle orifice for discharging fluid into the reactor. A base member having a sloping surface is provided adjacent the nozzle with the sloping surface and nozzle cooperating to define a fluid distribution cavity with a thickness constantly varying from its circumference toward its center. The base member is sized as to define a fluid supply passage with facing surfaces of the port sleeve. Rest tabs along the circumference of the base member separate the base member from the nozzle while permitting communication between the fluid supply passage and fluid distribution cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1983
    Assignee: Allis-Chalmers Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Petit, Walter J. Hartwig
  • Patent number: 4345385
    Abstract: For continuously drying a cloth, the cloth is subjected to a drying process in which high pressure dry hot air is jetted against the cloth in a zigzag pattern from both sides thereof while transporting the cloth continuously through a cloth passage. The cloth passage is a gap formed between a pair of horizontally extending parallel endless net conveyors located one above the other. In accordance with the rotation of the two conveyors the cloth is vigorously beat and vibrated as it passes through the gap in a snaky state under no tension to afford drying of the cloth. When the drying process is effected by stepwise lowering the temperature of the cloth, or is repeated by cooling the heated cloth in the open atmosphere, the drying resembles natural drying, preventing the cloth from becoming fragile, and moreover, in particular heat energy is saved. A cloth in a ropy state can also be dried satisfactorily and effectively by inserting a cloth untwisting process and a cloth expanding process prior to drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1982
    Assignee: Sando Iron Works
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Sando, Hiroshi Ishidoshiro
  • Patent number: 4236322
    Abstract: A dryer which employs open air and solar energy for tumble drying of such items as clothes comprises a rotatable, closed drum and a frame. The drum has first and second end surfaces and a lateral surface. Each of the end surfaces and lateral surface has a plurality of orifices for permitting open air and solar energy to enter and moisture to exit the drum. An access door is attached to the drum and is movable between open and closed positions to permit loading and unloading of the drum. The frame on which the drum is mounted exposes the drum interior to open air and solar energy. Bearings are coupled to the drum and frame for rotatably supporting the drum on the frame. A mechanism for rotating the drum is mounted on the frame and coupled to the drum. The method of drying comprises loading the items to be dried in the drum and exposing the drum loaded with the items to the open air and solar energy while simultaneously rotating the drum to tumble dry the items in the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1980
    Inventor: Allen M. Hastings
  • Patent number: 4204340
    Abstract: According to the invention, the installation for treating a product in a gaseous medium, particularly a heat treatment or drying installation, comprises at least one blowing box provided with at least one blowing wall opposite which is located the product to be treated, this blowing wall being supplied with treatment gas by supply means. The supply means comprises at least one fan disposed on one of the sides of the blowing box called "blowing side", this fan feeding a central duct supplying the central part of the blowing wall and extending perpendicularly to this blowing side as far as the opposite side called "open side", and two end ducts supplying respectively the two end parts of the blowing wall and extending parallel to the central duct from the open side as far as the blowing side, these two end ducts being fed by the central duct through two bends causing the treatment gas to make a half-turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1980
    Assignee: Air Industrie
    Inventors: Guy Doucin, Paul Marchal