Patent US1921594A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3672068A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for drying materials
Assignee: Lennox Associates & Co
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Filing: 1969-12-31
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Granted: 1972-06-27
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Expires: 1989-12-31
Abstract
Abstract An improvement in the method and apparatus used in vacuum drying materials such as grain, cotton, pulps, papers and peats in chambers, wherein the internal pressures are below atmospheric pressure. The previous methods and apparatus are simplified with respect to heating by distributing the heat generated by the operating vacuum pump throughout a heat exchanger manifold located inside the chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert Challen Wilkison
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 17:13
CPC Classifications
F; F26; F26B; F26B5/00; F26B5/04; F26B23/00; F26B23/001; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of reducing moisture in materials such as grain, cotton, pulps, papers, and peats, comprising the steps of: a. placing the moisture laden materials in a chamber and sealing the chamber; b. reducing the pressure within the sealed chamber below atmospheric pressure in a range optionally selected down to 0.20 inches of mercury by operating a vacuum pump; c. heating the material in the chamber by utilizing the heat generated upon operating the vacuum pump as this heat is passed through heat exchanging manifolds located in the sealed chamber during the pressure reducing step, and being limited to a maximum temperature of 180* Fahrenheit; and d. withdrawing the moisture from the materials and from the chamber, during and following the heating of the materials when the chamber is under vacuum.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of reducing moisture in materials such as grain, cotton, pulps, papers, and peats, comprising the steps of: a. placing the moisture laden materials in a chamber and sealing the chamber; b. reducing the pressure within the sealed chamber below atmospheric pressure in a range optionally selected down to 0.20 inches of mercury by operating a vacuum pump; c. heating the material in the chamber by utilizing the heat generated upon operating the vacuum pump as this heat is passed through heat exchanging manifolds located in the sealed chamber during the pressure reducing step, and being limited to a maximum temperature of 180* Fahrenheit; and d. withdrawing the moisture from the materials and from the chamber, during and following the heating of the materials when the chamber is under vacuum.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
215 words
A dryer for extracting laden moisture from grain, cotton, pulp, and peat, materials, comprising: a. a fully enclosed horizontal cylindrical chamber having sealable access means for the entry above and withdrawal below of these materials; b. a heat transfer manifold of multiple longitudinal pipes with end headers distributed throughout the interior of the fully enclosed cylindrical chamber to receive and to guide heated air; c. a vacuum pump and pipe subassembly connected to the chamber to remove air from the chamber around the heat transfer manifold where the materials are located; d. a heat exchange means about the vacuum pump to receive the air pumped out of the chaMber and through the pump to utilize the heat generated about the pump to heat this air and thereafter to guide the heated air through the heat transfer manifold positioned within the fully enclosed chamber in which the materials are being dried; e. a valve means in the vacuum pipe conducting moisture laden air from the horizontal cylindrical chamber to the vacuum pump, to be opened following the drying of the material to bring the drying chamber pressure back to atmospheric pressure to enable the opening of the sealable access means to unload and load the dryer, and f. an energy means to drive the vacuum pump.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
215 words
A dryer for extracting laden moisture from grain, cotton, pulp, and peat, materials, comprising: a. a fully enclosed horizontal cylindrical chamber having sealable access means for the entry above and withdrawal below of these materials; b. a heat transfer manifold of multiple longitudinal pipes with end headers distributed throughout the interior of the fully enclosed cylindrical chamber to receive and to guide heated air; c. a vacuum pump and pipe subassembly connected to the chamber to remove air from the chamber around the heat transfer manifold where the materials are located; d. a heat exchange means about the vacuum pump to receive the air pumped out of the chaMber and through the pump to utilize the heat generated about the pump to heat this air and thereafter to guide the heated air through the heat transfer manifold positioned within the fully enclosed chamber in which the materials are being dried; e. a valve means in the vacuum pipe conducting moisture laden air from the horizontal cylindrical chamber to the vacuum pump, to be opened following the drying of the material to bring the drying chamber pressure back to atmospheric pressure to enable the opening of the sealable access means to unload and load the dryer, and f. an energy means to drive the vacuum pump.
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) | 1975-06-27 | 1975-12-27 | 1976-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-27 | 1979-12-27 | 1980-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-27 | 1983-12-27 | 1984-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |