US3599343A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drying apparatus, particularly for drying green crops intended to be made into briquettes
Assignee: Unidry Eng & Dev
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Filing: 1969-07-10
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Granted: 1971-08-17
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Expires: 1989-07-10
Abstract
Abstract In a drying apparatus, primarily for drying green crops, a rotary drying drum receives the raw material at one end at which also a flow of heated drying air is admitted to the drum for flowing therethrough in substantially axial direction. Two temperature feelers are placed respectively at the inlet and outlet ends of the drum, and a mixture of pulses or signals from these feelers is utilized to control the supply of raw material to the drum in such a way that a balance is ensured between the constant heat production and the heat consumption.
Inventors
- 👤 Alfred Thygesen Nielsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:26
CPC Classifications
F; F26; F26B; F26B25/00; F26B25/001; F26B25/002; F26B11/00; F26B11/02; F26B11/026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A drying apparatus for drying green crops comprising; a substantially horizontal drying drum having an inlet and outlet; means for rotatably supporting the drum; means for adjustably feeding the crops at the inlet end of the drum; a heat source adjacent to the inlet end of the drum and operative to produce a substantially constant amount of heat per unit time; means for admitting gas to the heat source and generating a flow of heated drying gas from the inlet end to the outlet end of the drum; means at the outlet end for discharging the dried crops from the drum; temperature sensor means for signalling temperatures in the drum including at least two temperature sensors positioned in the drum, the first adjacent the inlet end of the drum and the second adjacent the outlet end and means connecting the temperature signals to the means adjustably feeding the crops whereby the rate of feeding the crops is varied to maintain a constant uniform drying of the crops.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
A drying apparatus for drying green crops comprising; a substantially horizontal drying drum having an inlet and outlet; means for rotatably supporting the drum; means for adjustably feeding the crops at the inlet end of the drum; a heat source adjacent to the inlet end of the drum and operative to produce a substantially constant amount of heat per unit time; means for admitting gas to the heat source and generating a flow of heated drying gas from the inlet end to the outlet end of the drum; means at the outlet end for discharging the dried crops from the drum; temperature sensor means for signalling temperatures in the drum including at least two temperature sensors positioned in the drum, the first adjacent the inlet end of the drum and the second adjacent the outlet end and means connecting the temperature signals to the means adjustably feeding the crops whereby the rate of feeding the crops is varied to maintain a constant uniform drying of the crops.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A drying apparatus as in claim 1 where the means for rotatably supporting the drum permits an adjustment of the slope of the drum to help regulate the flow of crops through the drum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A drying apparatus as in claim 1 where the means for adjustably feeding the crops includes an endless conveyor, a worm screw conveyor and an adjustable leveling roller.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A drying apparatus as in claim 1 where the means for generating a flow of heated drying gas through the drum is the only means for moving the crops through the drum.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A drying apparatus as in claim 3 where the adjustable leveling roller rotates contra to the direction of crop feed on the endless conveyor and is adjustable relative to the endless conveyor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
206 words
A drying apparatus for drying green crops comprising, a substantially horizontal drying drum having an inlet and outlet; means for rotatably supporting the drum; means for adjustable feeding the crops at the inlet end of the drum, including an endless conveyor belt having at least three speeds which include a normal operating speed and a higher and lower speed, and a leveling roller; means for adjusting the leveling roller relative to the conveyor belt; a heat source adjacent to the inlet end of the drum and operative to produce a substantially constant amount of heat per unit time; means for forcing a gas heated by the heat source through the drum; only two temperature sensor means both located in the drum for producing temperature signals, the first temperature sensor means located adjacent the inlet and the second temperature sensor means located adjacent the outlet of the drum; means at the outlet of the drum for discharging the crops; means for receiving the temperature signals from the first and second temperature sensor means and controlling the means for adjusting the feeding of the crops including setting an appropriate speed for the endless conveyor and positioning the leveling roller whereby the desired dryness is imparted to the crops.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
206 words
A drying apparatus for drying green crops comprising, a substantially horizontal drying drum having an inlet and outlet; means for rotatably supporting the drum; means for adjustable feeding the crops at the inlet end of the drum, including an endless conveyor belt having at least three speeds which include a normal operating speed and a higher and lower speed, and a leveling roller; means for adjusting the leveling roller relative to the conveyor belt; a heat source adjacent to the inlet end of the drum and operative to produce a substantially constant amount of heat per unit time; means for forcing a gas heated by the heat source through the drum; only two temperature sensor means both located in the drum for producing temperature signals, the first temperature sensor means located adjacent the inlet and the second temperature sensor means located adjacent the outlet of the drum; means at the outlet of the drum for discharging the crops; means for receiving the temperature signals from the first and second temperature sensor means and controlling the means for adjusting the feeding of the crops including setting an appropriate speed for the endless conveyor and positioning the leveling roller whereby the desired dryness is imparted to the crops.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A drying apparatus as in claim 6 where the means for forcing the gas is the only means for moving the crops relative to the drum.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-16 | 1975-02-15 | 1975-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-16 | 1979-02-15 | 1979-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-16 | 1983-02-15 | 1983-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |