Patent US3793742A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3793742A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Hopper dryer for particulate material
Assignee: Universal Dynamics Corp
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Filing: 1972-04-03
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Granted: 1974-02-26
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Expires: 1992-04-03
Abstract
Abstract Improved drying apparatus is disclosed which maintains the even flow of material to be dried through a drying vessel in countercurrent flow to a drying gas and maintains the residence time of material in the vessel at a constant value. In prior art systems, material tends to accumulate along the periphery of the drying vessel. In accordance with the present invention, a moveable means is placed at the bottom of the drying vessel which effects a predetermined and selectable spatial non-uniformity in the flow of material through the hopper body. The improved apparatus has the effect of preventing peripheral accumulation of the material or ''''hilling'''' in the dryer to the end that there is uniform flow and drying of the material passing therethrough.
Inventors
- 👤 D Rainville
- 👤 H Hek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 21:30
CPC Classifications
F; F26; F26B; F26B17/00; F26B17/12; F26B17/14; F26B17/1433; F26B17/1441; F26B17/1458
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
Apparatus comprising: a. a hopper having an inlet in the upper region thereof for introduction of particulate material and an outlet at the bottom thereof for the removal of said particulate material; and b. selectively positionable moveable means in said hopper disposed in the path of said material for eliminating variations in the residence time of said material passing through said hopper.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus comprising: a. a hopper having an inlet in the upper region thereof for introduction of particulate material and an outlet at the bottom thereof for the removal of said particulate material; and b. selectively positionable moveable means in said hopper disposed in the path of said material for eliminating variations in the residence time of said material passing through said hopper.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said moveable means effects a predetermined selectable spatial non-uniformity in the flow of material through said hopper body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said moveable means has at least one degree of freedom in its movement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said moveable means has at least two degrees of freedom in its movement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said two degrees of freedom in movement are each linear and define a plane perpendicular to the vertical center line of the hopper.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said moveable means comprises a cone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as in claim 6 further comprising a truncated cone positioned around said cone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said cone and said truncated cone define an annular gap for the passage of material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the moveable means remains in its selected position until selectively repositioned.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as in claim 8 further comprising means for drying the material in said hopper.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as in claim 10 wherein said means for drying the material in said hopper comprises means for introducing hot air into and through the hopper.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
10 words
Apparatus as in claim 10 wherein said cone is perforated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said truncated cone is perforated.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
10 words
Apparatus as in claim 13 wherein said cone is perforated.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said moveable means is selectively positioned by a threaded element which communicates with said moveable means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 further comprising rack and pinion means for selectively positioning said moveable means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said moveable means is moved by a threaded element which communicates with said moveable means and additional means for achieving said second degree of freedom.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as in claim 17 wherein said additional means is a rack and pinion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
83 words
A dryer comprising: a. a hopper having an inlet in the upper region thereof for the introduction of pArticulate material and an outlet at the bottom thereof for the removal of said particulate material; b. selectively positionable moveable means in said hopper disposed in the path of said material for selectively eliminating variations in the residence time of said material passing through said hopper; and c. drying means for introducing hot air into and through the hopper for drying material in the hopper.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
83 words
A dryer comprising: a. a hopper having an inlet in the upper region thereof for the introduction of pArticulate material and an outlet at the bottom thereof for the removal of said particulate material; b. selectively positionable moveable means in said hopper disposed in the path of said material for selectively eliminating variations in the residence time of said material passing through said hopper; and c. drying means for introducing hot air into and through the hopper for drying material in the hopper.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as in claim 19 wherein said moveable means effects a predetermined selectable spatial non-uniformity in the flow of material through said hopper body.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as in claim 19 wherein said moveable means has at least one degree of freedom in its movement.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as in claim 19 wherein said moveable means has at least two degrees of freedom in its movement.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as in claim 22 wherein said two degrees of freedom in movement are each linear and define a plane perpendicular to the vertical center line of the hopper.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus as in claim 19 wherein said moveable means comprises a cone.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as in claim 24 further comprising a truncated cone positioned around said cone.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as in claim 25 wherein said cone and said truncated cone define an annular gap for the passage of material.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as in claim 22 wherein the moveable means remains in its selected position until selectively repositioned.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as in claim 21 wherein said moveable means is selectively positioned by a threaded element which communicates with said moveable means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as in claim 21 further comprising rack and pinion means for moving said moveable means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as in claim 22 wherein said moveable means is moved by a threaded element which communicates with said moveable means and additional means for achieving said second degree of freedom.
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) | 1977-02-25 | 1977-08-27 | 1978-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-25 | 1981-08-27 | 1982-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-25 | 1985-08-27 | 1986-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |