US3849063A — Safe infrared radiation-emitting apparatus

Claim 1

Independent Claim 62 words

Apparatus for safely emitting infrared radiation comprising a source of infrared radiation, an infrared radiation-transmissive, flexible wall softenable at a temperature below 1,000* F. and having a surface confronting the radiation source but spaced therefrom, means for transporting a coolant across the opposed surface of the wall to cool the latter, and means preventing access of the coolant to the radiation source.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 62 words

Apparatus for safely emitting infrared radiation comprising a source of infrared radiation, an infrared radiation-transmissive, flexible wall softenable at a temperature below 1,000* F. and having a surface confronting the radiation source but spaced therefrom, means for transporting a coolant across the opposed surface of the wall to cool the latter, and means preventing access of the coolant to the radiation source.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 11 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the radiation source is fuel-fired.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 86 words

Apparatus for safely emitting infrared radiation comprising a first chamber, a source of infrared radiation enclosed in the first chamber, a second chamber adjacent the first chamber and desposed in radiation-receiving position with respect to the infrared radiation source, an infrared radiation-transmissive flexible wall softenable at a temperature below 1,000* F. and having one surface confronting the radiation source and an opposed surface confronting the second chamber, a coolant, and means for transporting the coolant across the opposed surface of the wall to cool the wall.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 86 words

Apparatus for safely emitting infrared radiation comprising a first chamber, a source of infrared radiation enclosed in the first chamber, a second chamber adjacent the first chamber and desposed in radiation-receiving position with respect to the infrared radiation source, an infrared radiation-transmissive flexible wall softenable at a temperature below 1,000* F. and having one surface confronting the radiation source and an opposed surface confronting the second chamber, a coolant, and means for transporting the coolant across the opposed surface of the wall to cool the wall.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 24 words

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the coolant includes an article adapted to be heated within the second chamber by absorption of infrared radiation.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 32 words

The apparatus of claim 3 including means for moving an article within the second chamber in a path permitting confrontation of the article with infrared radiation emitted from the infrared radiation source.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 25 words

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the source of infrared radiation is fuel-fired, and including means for exhausting combustion product gases from the first chamber.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 22 words

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the infrared radiation-transmissive wall forms a gas-tight wall of the first chamber confronting the second chamber.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 112 words

Apparatus for safely emitting infrared radiation comprising a first chamber, a source of infrared radiation enclosed in the first chamber, a second chamber adjacent the first chamber and disposed in radiation-receiving position with respect to the infrared radiation source, an infrared radiation-transmissive gas-tight wall having one surface confronting the radiation source and an opposed surface confronting the second chamber, a coolant, means for transporting the coolant across the opposed surface of the wall, and a sensor for sensing the integrity of the infrared transmissive wall, the sensor including a controller responsive to the sensor and adapted to deactivate the infrared radiation source when non-integrity of the wall is sensed by the sensor.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 112 words

Apparatus for safely emitting infrared radiation comprising a first chamber, a source of infrared radiation enclosed in the first chamber, a second chamber adjacent the first chamber and disposed in radiation-receiving position with respect to the infrared radiation source, an infrared radiation-transmissive gas-tight wall having one surface confronting the radiation source and an opposed surface confronting the second chamber, a coolant, means for transporting the coolant across the opposed surface of the wall, and a sensor for sensing the integrity of the infrared transmissive wall, the sensor including a controller responsive to the sensor and adapted to deactivate the infrared radiation source when non-integrity of the wall is sensed by the sensor.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 20 words

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the infrared transmissive wall forms a common wall of the first and second chambers.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 144 words

Apparatus for safely emitting infrared radiation comprising a first chamber, a source of infrared radiation enclosed in the first chamber, a second chamber adjacent the first chamber and disposed in radiation-receiving position with respect to the infrared radiation source, means for moving an article within the second chamber in a path permitting confrontation of the article with infrared radiation emitted from the source, an infrared radiation-transmissive wall having one surface confronting the radiation source and an opposed surface confronting the second chamber, a coolant, means for transportinG the coolant across the opposed surface of the wall, a mask confronting the wall and having an infrared radiation-transmissive open position and an infrared radiation opaque closed position, and including means responsive to the movement of an article within the second chamber and adapted to affect closure of the mask when the movement of the article ceases.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 144 words

Apparatus for safely emitting infrared radiation comprising a first chamber, a source of infrared radiation enclosed in the first chamber, a second chamber adjacent the first chamber and disposed in radiation-receiving position with respect to the infrared radiation source, means for moving an article within the second chamber in a path permitting confrontation of the article with infrared radiation emitted from the source, an infrared radiation-transmissive wall having one surface confronting the radiation source and an opposed surface confronting the second chamber, a coolant, means for transportinG the coolant across the opposed surface of the wall, a mask confronting the wall and having an infrared radiation-transmissive open position and an infrared radiation opaque closed position, and including means responsive to the movement of an article within the second chamber and adapted to affect closure of the mask when the movement of the article ceases.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 124 words

Apparatus for safely emitting infrared radiation comprising a first chamber, a fuel-fired source of infrared radiation enclosed in the first chamber, a second chamber adjacent the first chamber and disposed in radiation-receiving position with respect to the infrared radiation source, means for moving an article within the second chamber in a path permitting confrontation of the article with infrared radiation emitted from the source, an infrared radiation-transmissive wall having one surface confronting the radiation source and an opposed surface confronting the second chamber, a coolant, means for transporting the coolant across the opposed surface of the wall to cool the wall, and an exhaust stack communicating with the first and second chambers for exhausting combustion product gases and coolant simultaneously from the respective chambers.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 124 words

Apparatus for safely emitting infrared radiation comprising a first chamber, a fuel-fired source of infrared radiation enclosed in the first chamber, a second chamber adjacent the first chamber and disposed in radiation-receiving position with respect to the infrared radiation source, means for moving an article within the second chamber in a path permitting confrontation of the article with infrared radiation emitted from the source, an infrared radiation-transmissive wall having one surface confronting the radiation source and an opposed surface confronting the second chamber, a coolant, means for transporting the coolant across the opposed surface of the wall to cool the wall, and an exhaust stack communicating with the first and second chambers for exhausting combustion product gases and coolant simultaneously from the respective chambers.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 42 words

The apparatus according to claim 5 including an infrared radiation reflector in the second chamber and positioned to receive infrared radiation emitted from the infrared source and to reflect the same against a portion of the article not confronting the infrared source.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 120 words

Apparatus for safely irradiating an article with infrared radiation comprising: a fuel-fired source of infrared radiation; a combustion chamber housing the infrared radiation source and having a gas-tight, infrared radiation-transmissive flexible wall softenable at a temperature below 1,000* F. and spacedly confronting the infrared radiation source, the combustion chamber further having an exhaust aperture permitting combustion product gases to be exhausted from the chamber; a conveyor for transporting an article exteriorly of the infrared radiation-transmissive wall and in the path of infrared radiation emitted therethrough; an enclosure housing the article during movement thereof in the path of the infrared radiation; and means for transporting a coolant exteriorly of, but in cooling relationship to, the radiation-transmissive wall to cool the same.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 120 words

Apparatus for safely irradiating an article with infrared radiation comprising: a fuel-fired source of infrared radiation; a combustion chamber housing the infrared radiation source and having a gas-tight, infrared radiation-transmissive flexible wall softenable at a temperature below 1,000* F. and spacedly confronting the infrared radiation source, the combustion chamber further having an exhaust aperture permitting combustion product gases to be exhausted from the chamber; a conveyor for transporting an article exteriorly of the infrared radiation-transmissive wall and in the path of infrared radiation emitted therethrough; an enclosure housing the article during movement thereof in the path of the infrared radiation; and means for transporting a coolant exteriorly of, but in cooling relationship to, the radiation-transmissive wall to cool the same.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 31 words

The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the article enclosure is positioned beneath the combustion chamber and wherein the radiation-transmissive wall of the chamber forms an upper wall of the article enclosure.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 150 words

Apparatus for safely irradiating an article with infrared radiation comprising: a fuel-fired source of infrared radiation; a combustion chamber housing the infrared radiation source and having a gas-tight, infrared radiation-transmissive lower wall spacedly confronting the infrared radiation source and having an exhaust aperture for exhaustion of combustion product gases; a conveyor for transporting an article exteriorly of the infrared radiation-transmissive wall and in the path of radiation emitted through the wall; an enclosure housing the article during movement of the latter in the path of the infrared radiation, said infrared radiation-transmissive lower wall of the combustion chamber forming an upper wall of the article enclosure; a gaseous coolant; and means for transporting the coolant comprising an exhaust stack communicating with the combustion chamber and with the article enclosure and adapted to simultaneously draw combustion product gases from the chamber and coolant gas from the enclosure, and to exhaust the same.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 150 words

Apparatus for safely irradiating an article with infrared radiation comprising: a fuel-fired source of infrared radiation; a combustion chamber housing the infrared radiation source and having a gas-tight, infrared radiation-transmissive lower wall spacedly confronting the infrared radiation source and having an exhaust aperture for exhaustion of combustion product gases; a conveyor for transporting an article exteriorly of the infrared radiation-transmissive wall and in the path of radiation emitted through the wall; an enclosure housing the article during movement of the latter in the path of the infrared radiation, said infrared radiation-transmissive lower wall of the combustion chamber forming an upper wall of the article enclosure; a gaseous coolant; and means for transporting the coolant comprising an exhaust stack communicating with the combustion chamber and with the article enclosure and adapted to simultaneously draw combustion product gases from the chamber and coolant gas from the enclosure, and to exhaust the same.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 35 words

The apparatus of claim 15 including a sensor for sensing the integrity of the radiation-transmissive wall and adapted to halt fuel flow to the infrared radiation source in response to sensing non-integrity of the wall.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 58 words

The apparatus according to claim 16 including a mask confronting the radiation-transmissive wall comprising pArallel louvers movable between radiation transmissive open positions and radiation opaque closed positions, and including means responsive to the movement of articles within the second chamber and adapted to affect movement of the louvers to the closed position when the movement of articles cases.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 168 words

Apparatus for irradiating moving objects with infrared radiation comprising: a combustion chamber having an upper wall, a flexible, gas-tight, infrared radiation-transmissive lower wall, and side walls, the combustion chamber having an exhaust aperture positioned to draw combustion product gases from the chamber and having an inlet aperture permitting entry of air into the chamber; a fuel-fired source of infrared radiation positioned within the combustion chamber and spaced from the radiation-transmissive lower wall; a conveyor adapted to convey an article beneath the radiation-transmissive lower wall for exposure of the article to infrared radiation; an enclosure housing the conveyor, the radiation-transmissive lower wall of the combustion chamber forming an upper wall of the conveyor enclosure, the enclosure having openings permitting the flow of air therethrough in cooling proximity to the radiation-transmissive lower wall; and an exhaust stack communicating with the exhaust aperture of the combustion chamber and an opening of the conveyor enclosure to simultaneously draw combustion product gases from the combustion chamber and cooling air from the conveyor enclosure.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 168 words

Apparatus for irradiating moving objects with infrared radiation comprising: a combustion chamber having an upper wall, a flexible, gas-tight, infrared radiation-transmissive lower wall, and side walls, the combustion chamber having an exhaust aperture positioned to draw combustion product gases from the chamber and having an inlet aperture permitting entry of air into the chamber; a fuel-fired source of infrared radiation positioned within the combustion chamber and spaced from the radiation-transmissive lower wall; a conveyor adapted to convey an article beneath the radiation-transmissive lower wall for exposure of the article to infrared radiation; an enclosure housing the conveyor, the radiation-transmissive lower wall of the combustion chamber forming an upper wall of the conveyor enclosure, the enclosure having openings permitting the flow of air therethrough in cooling proximity to the radiation-transmissive lower wall; and an exhaust stack communicating with the exhaust aperture of the combustion chamber and an opening of the conveyor enclosure to simultaneously draw combustion product gases from the combustion chamber and cooling air from the conveyor enclosure.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 33 words

The apparatus of claim 18 including means providing a higher pressure in the chamber than in the enclosure, whereby the flexible radiation-transmissive lower wall is caused to balloon outwardly from the combustion chamber.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 104 words

Apparatus of claim 18 including a series of louvers extending across the combustion chamber adjacent the radiation-transmissive lower wall, the louvers being movable between a radiation-transmissive open position and a radiation opaque closed position, the latter position substantially preventing transmittance of radiation from the source exteriorly of the combustion chamber, linkage elements connected to the louvers and adapted to move the latter between open and closed positions, a motion sensor for sensing movement of the conveyor, and a controller controlling movement of the linkage elements and responsive to the sensor and adapted to affect closure of the louvers when movement of the conveyor ceases.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 118 words

The apparatus of claim 20 including a pressure control adapted to maintain combustion chamber pressure at a higher level than the conveyor enclosure pressure, wherein the radiation-transmissive lower wall of the chamber is sufficiently flexible as to balloon out slightly exteriorly of the chamber in response to the pressure differential between the chamber and the enclosure, and including an integrity sensor having a sensing finger touching said outwardly ballooned radiation-transmissive wall and adapted to sense the loss of integrity thereof, and a fuel controller responsive to the integrity sensor and adapted to shut off the supply of fuel to the infrared radiation source in response to the sensing of non-integrity of the radiation-transmissive lower wall of the chamber.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1977-11-18	1978-05-20	1978-11-19	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1981-11-18	1982-05-20	1982-11-19	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1985-11-18	1986-05-20	1986-11-19	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Safe infrared radiation-emitting apparatus

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