Dryer

Claim 3

An apparatus according to claim 1 further characterized in that each of said disc heAting elements comprises: A. a housing having a pair of facing thin-walled circular plates having a plurality of concentric rings of convex arcuate cross section enclosing a plurality of concentric generally toroidal chambers, B. collector means within the outermost of said chambers for collecting cooler fluid therefrom and conduit means for removing the same.

Claim 4

An apparatus according to claim 2 further characterized in that: A. said rotor shaft includes a pair of concentric tubes, B. the space between said tubes is a conduit for introducing heating fluid to the disc heating elements and the space within the innermost tube is a return conduit for cooler fluid, C. ports in the outermost tube communicate with the innermost of said concentric toroidal chambers, and D. tubular conduits extending through the walls of both concentric tubes communicate with the fluid collecting and removing means of the outermost disc chamber.

Claim 5

An apparatus according to claim 2 further characterized in that said fluid collecting and removing means connecting the outermost of said disc chambers with said further conduit means comprises: A. an arcuate tubular conduit disposed within the outermost toroidal chamber against the outermost peripheral wall thereof, one end of said conduit toward the direction of rotation of the disc being open, and B. a generally radial tubular conduit connected to the opposite end of said tubular conduit and extending through the toroidal chambers to communicate with the further conduit means of the rotor shaft for the passage of fluid therethrough.

Claim 6

An apparatus according to claim 1 further characterized in that: A. said housing is double-walled over at least part of its surface, and B. inlet and outlet means are provided in communication with the space between said walls for circulation of heating fluid therein.

Claim 7

An apparatus according to claim 1 further characterized in that: A. said rotor shaft includes a pair of concentric tubes, B. the space between said tubes is a conduit for entry of heating fluid and the space within the innermost tube is a return conduit for cooler fluid, C. each disc heating element comprises a hub carrying a pair of facing thin-walled circular heat conducting plates, said plates having a plurality of concentric rings of convex arcuate cross section enclosing a plurality of concentric generally toroidal chambers, D. entry port means in the outermost tube of the rotor shaft communicate with entry port means in said hub, E. collector means are provided within the outermost chamber for collecting cooler fluid, F. conduit means are provided connected to said collector means for removing cooler fluid, and G. tubular conduits extending through the walls of both concentric tubes of the rotor shaft communicate with discharge port means in said hub for removing cooler fluid.

Claim 8

An apparatus according to claim 6 further characterized in that said means for collecting and removing cooler fluid comprise: A. an arcuate tubular conduit disposed within the outermost toroidal chamber against the outermost peripheral wall thereof, one end of said conduit toward the direction of rotation of the disc being open, and B. a generally radial tubular conduit connected to the opposite end of said arcuate tubular conduit and extending through the toroidal chambers to communicate with the discharge port means in the hub for passage of fluid therethrough.

Claim 9

An apparatus according to claim 6 further characterized in that: A. said entry port means and discharge port means in said hub are disposed generally on opposite sides of the hub, B. each port interconnecting one of said chambers with another is disposed generally on the opposite side of the chamber from the fluid entry port to that chamber for maximum circulaton of fluid through said chambers.

Claim 10

A disc heating element for use in a rotary drying aPparatus, said disc comprising: A. a hub, B. a pair of facing thin-walled circular heat conducting plates mounted on said hub, said plates having a plurality of concentric rings of convex arcuate cross section enclosing a plurality of concentric generally toroidal chambers, C. entry port means in said hub for introducing heating fluid to the innermost of said chambers, D. discharge port means in said hub for withdrawing cooler fluid from the outermost of said chambers, E. ports interconnecting adjacent chambers for passage of fluid from the innermost chamber of a pair to the next outermost chamber, F. collector means wihin the outermost of said chambers for collecting cooler fluid therefrom, and G. conduit means connected to said collecting means and discharge port means for removing cooler fluid.

Claim 11

A disc heating element for use in a rotary drying aPparatus, said disc comprising: A. a hub, B. a pair of facing thin-walled circular heat conducting plates mounted on said hub, said plates having a plurality of concentric rings of convex arcuate cross section enclosing a plurality of concentric generally toroidal chambers, C. entry port means in said hub for introducing heating fluid to the innermost of said chambers, D. discharge port means in said hub for withdrawing cooler fluid from the outermost of said chambers, E. ports interconnecting adjacent chambers for passage of fluid from the innermost chamber of a pair to the next outermost chamber, F. collector means wihin the outermost of said chambers for collecting cooler fluid therefrom, and G. conduit means connected to said collecting means and discharge port means for removing cooler fluid.

Claim 12

A disc according to claim 9 further characterized in that said fluid collecting and removing means comprises: A. an arcuate tubular conduit disposed within the outermost toroidal chamber against the outermost peripheral wall thereof, one end of said conduit toward the direction of rotation of the disc being open, and B. a generally radial tubular conduit connected to the opposite end of said arcuate tubular conduit and extending through the toroidal chambers to communicate with the discharge port means in the hub for passage of fluid therethrough.

Claim 13

A disc according to claim 9 further characterized in that: A. said entry port means and discharge port means in said hub are disposed generally on opposite sides of the hub, B. each port interconnecting one of said chambers with another is disposed generally on the opposite side of the chamber from the fluid entry port to that chamber for maximum circulation of fluid through said chambers.