Patent US3622733A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3622733A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for drying sheet materials
Assignee: MICRODRY Inc A CORP OF KENTUCKY
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Filing: 1970-01-28
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Granted: 1971-11-23
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Expires: 1990-01-28
Abstract
Abstract Wood veneers or other flat materials are passed through successive sections of energized meander waveguides and through jets of heated air from air knives situated between the waveguide sections to effect a very rapid drying action in which relatively moist areas are dried more strongly than dryer areas to produce a finished product of uniform moisture content. The waveguide and air knife structure is disposed within an electrical conductor walled, thermally insulated cabinet with continuous feed conveyor means and an air recirculation system in an arrangement which optimizes operating efficiency and convenience.
Inventors
- 👤 Franklin J Smith
- 👤 Klaus Silbermann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:35
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B6/00; H05B6/64; H05B6/78; H05B6/788; F; F26; F26B; F26B15/00; F26B3/00; F26B3/32; F26B3/34; F26B3/343; F26B2210/00; F26B2210/14; H05B2206/00; H05B2206/04; H05B2206/046
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
60 words
In a meander waveguide apparatus for drying materials which are moved along a plane path, the combination comprising first and second meander waveguide assemblies each having a plurality of spaced-apart sections extending across said plane path, pairs of successive sections of said first waveguide assembly being alternated with pairs of successive sections of said second waveguide assembly along said path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
60 words
In a meander waveguide apparatus for drying materials which are moved along a plane path, the combination comprising first and second meander waveguide assemblies each having a plurality of spaced-apart sections extending across said plane path, pairs of successive sections of said first waveguide assembly being alternated with pairs of successive sections of said second waveguide assembly along said path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
117 words
The combination defined in claim 1 further comprising first and second groups of U-shaped waveguide connectors, the connectors of said second group being of greater length and radius than the connectors of said first group and wherein the sections of said first waveguide assembly are coupled by connectors of said first group at a first side of said plane path and are coupled by connectors of said second group at the opposite second side of said plane path, and wherein said sections of said second waveguide assembly are coupled by connectors of said second group at said first side of said path and are coupled by connectors of said first group at said second other side thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination defined in claim 1 further comprising a pair of microwave energy sources, and wherein each of said waveguide assemblies is energized by a separate one of said sources and at opposite sides of said path.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The combination defined in claim 1 comprising at least seven of said waveguide sections and wherein said first meander waveguide is comprised of the first and third and fourth and seventh of said waveguide sections and wherein the second of said meander waveguide assemblies is comprised of the second and fifth and sixth of said waveguide sections.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus for heating sheet materials wherein said materials are conveyed along a plane path and having a meander waveguide assembly with sections which extend across said plane path at spaced-apart locations therealong, said waveguide assembly being formed of at least two separable components having the juncture therebetween at said plane path, a plurality of linear guide means extending in a direction generally normal to said plane path, one of said separable components of said waveguide assembly engaging said guide means and being slidable therealong, said apparatus further comprising power means for retracting one of said separable of said waveguide assembly away from the other thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus for heating sheet materials wherein said materials are conveyed along a plane path and having a meander waveguide assembly with sections which extend across said plane path at spaced-apart locations therealong, said waveguide assembly being formed of at least two separable components having the juncture therebetween at said plane path, a plurality of linear guide means extending in a direction generally normal to said plane path, one of said separable components of said waveguide assembly engaging said guide means and being slidable therealong, said apparatus further comprising power means for retracting one of said separable of said waveguide assembly away from the other thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus defined in claim 5 wherein said power means for retracting said one of said separable components of said waveguide assembly comprises at least one rotatable lead screw extending parallel to said guide means and engaging said one of said separable components of said waveguide assembly and a motor for electrically rotating said lead screw.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
164 words
An apparatus for heating sheet materials wherein said materials are conveyed along a plane path and having a meander waveguide assembly with sections which extend across said plane path at spaced-apart locations therealong, said waveguide assembly being formed of first and second separable members having the juncture therebetween at said plane path, one end of said waveguide coupled to a microwave source through a fixed waveguide portion, said first waveguide member having an end spaced a small distance from the end of said fixed waveguide portion and being electrically connected thereto through a choKe coupling comprising a first electrically conducting flange secured to said end of said first waveguide member, a second electrically conducting flange secured to said end of said fixed waveguide portion and being spaced from said first flange to define a clearance space having an effective electrical length of one half wavelength and said second waveguide member and said fixed waveguide portions being secured together to be electrically and mechanically continuous.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
164 words
An apparatus for heating sheet materials wherein said materials are conveyed along a plane path and having a meander waveguide assembly with sections which extend across said plane path at spaced-apart locations therealong, said waveguide assembly being formed of first and second separable members having the juncture therebetween at said plane path, one end of said waveguide coupled to a microwave source through a fixed waveguide portion, said first waveguide member having an end spaced a small distance from the end of said fixed waveguide portion and being electrically connected thereto through a choKe coupling comprising a first electrically conducting flange secured to said end of said first waveguide member, a second electrically conducting flange secured to said end of said fixed waveguide portion and being spaced from said first flange to define a clearance space having an effective electrical length of one half wavelength and said second waveguide member and said fixed waveguide portions being secured together to be electrically and mechanically continuous.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-22 | 1975-05-24 | 1975-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-22 | 1979-05-24 | 1979-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-22 | 1983-05-24 | 1983-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |