US3916987A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pasteurization atmosphere control system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-03-25
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Granted: 1975-11-04
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Expires: 1994-03-25
Abstract
Abstract Pasteurization rooms for the pasteurization of compost in the forced growing of commercial cultivated mushrooms include a fresh air supply system and duct work, supply air fan, return air fan, room supply and return duct systems, by-pass and relief air ducts, filtration equipment, high and low pressure steam systems, cooling systems, automatic and manual temperature and humidity controls, and a compost temperature measurement system for cookout.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph A Giansante
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:49
CPC Classifications
C; C05; C05F; C05F17/00; C05F17/90; C05F17/964; C05F17/971; C05F17/979; A; A01; A01G; A01G18/00; A01G18/60; A01G18/69; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P20/00; Y02P20/141; Y02P20/145; Y02W; Y02W30/00; Y02W30/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
287 words
A system for environmental control in a closed chamber for the pasteurization of soil or compost or a mixture thereof for the growing of mushrooms and the like, said system comprising: A. means for supplying to said chamber outdoor air at a constant pressure; B. means for venting at least a portion of the return air from said chamber to the atmosphere, C. means for re-supplying to said chamber at least a portion of the return air from said chamber, D. damper means for proportionally controlling the quantity of return air from said chamber which is recirculated to said chamber, the quantity of return air vented to said atmosphere, and the quantity of outdoor air supplied to said chamber, E. means for collecting air from distributed points within said chamber and removing it therefrom, returning it to said vent air and recirculation air proportional controlling means, F. means for introducing the portion of said return air resupplied to said chamber and the quantity of outdoor air supplied to said chamber into said chamber at distributed points within saiD chamber, G. automatic means for conditioning said air introduced into said chamber, said automatic conditioning means comprising: i. means, for heating and cooling air introduced into said chamber, said heating means comprising means for introducing both high pressure steam and low pressure steam into said air, ii. means for sensing the temperature of said air collected and returned from said chamber, iii. control means associated with said temperature sensing means for actuating said heating means in response to a signal that said temperature is below a first pre-set limit and for actuating said cooling means in response to a signal that said temperature is above a second pre-set limit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
287 words
A system for environmental control in a closed chamber for the pasteurization of soil or compost or a mixture thereof for the growing of mushrooms and the like, said system comprising: A. means for supplying to said chamber outdoor air at a constant pressure; B. means for venting at least a portion of the return air from said chamber to the atmosphere, C. means for re-supplying to said chamber at least a portion of the return air from said chamber, D. damper means for proportionally controlling the quantity of return air from said chamber which is recirculated to said chamber, the quantity of return air vented to said atmosphere, and the quantity of outdoor air supplied to said chamber, E. means for collecting air from distributed points within said chamber and removing it therefrom, returning it to said vent air and recirculation air proportional controlling means, F. means for introducing the portion of said return air resupplied to said chamber and the quantity of outdoor air supplied to said chamber into said chamber at distributed points within saiD chamber, G. automatic means for conditioning said air introduced into said chamber, said automatic conditioning means comprising: i. means, for heating and cooling air introduced into said chamber, said heating means comprising means for introducing both high pressure steam and low pressure steam into said air, ii. means for sensing the temperature of said air collected and returned from said chamber, iii. control means associated with said temperature sensing means for actuating said heating means in response to a signal that said temperature is below a first pre-set limit and for actuating said cooling means in response to a signal that said temperature is above a second pre-set limit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
A system, as recited in claim 1, wherein said temperature control means includes two manually selectable set positions for said first pre-set temperature limits, said control means (a) actuating said low pressure steam heating means when said first pre-set temperature limit is set at a low temperature position, or (b) actuating said high pressure steam heating means when said first pre-set temperature limit is set at a high temperature position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
A system, as recited in claim 1, further including freeze-stat means for sensing the temperature of air introduced into said chamber and, in response to a signal indicating said temperature to be below a fourth pre-set limit, automatically controlling said damper means to recirculate all of said return air to said chamber and to stop the introduction of all outside air and the venting of any return air to and from said chamber, respectively.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system, as recited in claim 2, wherein said outside air is supplied by a fan and through a filter, said fan including control means for maintaining a constant output pressure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system, as recited in claim 2, wherein said return air to be re-supplied to said chamber and said outside air to be supplied thereto are combined prior to their introduction therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system, as recited in claim 5, wherein said heating means and said cooling means are located in a space through which said combined return air and outside air pass before their introduction into said chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system, as recited in claim 6, wherein said cooling means is a chilled water coil.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system, as recited in claim 7, wherein said freeze stat means temperature sensor is located just upstream of said cooling means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
A system, as recited in claim 5, wherein said chamber includes (a) a first duct for introducing said combined and conditioned return air and outside air, said first duct including a plurality of openings distributed along said duct, and (b) a second duct for collecting return air from said chamber, said second duct including a plurality of openings distributed along said duct.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
A system, as recited in claim 9, wherein said chamber is elongated, said first and second ducts parallel each other along the length thereof with distributor openings in the first duct and collector openings in the second being disposed along the length of each on the outer sides thereof toward the sidewalls of said elongated chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system, as recited in claim 5, wherein a first and second blower means are provided to assist, respectively (a) in the supply of outside air and recirculation of return air to said chamber, and (b) in the return of air from said chamber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system, as recited in claim 1, wherein said control means actuates said cooling means in response to a signal that said temperature is above said second pre-set limit but above a third pre-set limit.
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) | 1978-11-03 | 1979-05-05 | 1979-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-03 | 1983-05-05 | 1983-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-03 | 1987-05-05 | 1987-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |