US4208806A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for treatment of pourable materials with microwaves
Assignee: Buehler AG
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Filing: 1978-10-27
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Granted: 1980-06-24
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Expires: 1998-10-27
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to apparatus and method for microwave drying conducted at a higher microwave energization level while avoiding scorching of the material. The increasing energization includes the formation and interruption of chains of particles of the material in mutual contact and extending transverse to the flow of material and in line with the electric field of the energization.
Inventors
- 👤 Josef A. Manser
- 👤 Georg Dankesreiter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 16:29
CPC Classifications
F; F26; F26B; F26B3/00; F26B3/32; F26B3/34; F26B3/343
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A process for the treatment, with microwave energy, of particulate material moving through the energy in a direction having a principal vertical component with which the direction of propagation of the energy is aligned, said process comprising the step of regulating the rate of movement of the material so as to promote the formation and interruption of chains of contacting particles of said material having substantially the direction of the electric field of said energy.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
A process for the treatment, with microwave energy, of particulate material moving through the energy in a direction having a principal vertical component with which the direction of propagation of the energy is aligned, said process comprising the step of regulating the rate of movement of the material so as to promote the formation and interruption of chains of contacting particles of said material having substantially the direction of the electric field of said energy.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process according to claim 1 including the further step of imparting to the direction of movement of the material a further component transverse to said primary component.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process according to claim 2 in which said further step comprises causing said material to move back and forth zig-zag fashion transversely of said electric field.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 1 in which said principal component is opposite to said direction of propagation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process according to claim 1 in which said principal component is the same as said direction of propagation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process according to claim 1 in which said chains are at least 10 millimeters in length.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 1 including the further step of blowing gas through the material while it is in the microwave energy.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
A process for the treatment, with microwave energy, of particulate material moving through the energy in a direction having a principal vertical component with which the direction of propagation of the energy is aligned, said process comprising the step of imparting to the direction of movement of the material a further component transverse to said primary component and to the direction of the electric field of said energy.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
68 words
A process for the treatment, with microwave energy, of particulate material moving through the energy in a direction having a principal vertical component with which the direction of propagation of the energy is aligned, said process comprising the step of imparting to the direction of movement of the material a further component transverse to said primary component and to the direction of the electric field of said energy.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus for treating particulate material with microwave energy comprising, in combination: means propogating, in a vertical direction, microwave energy having an electric field orthogonal to said predetermined direction; means transparent to microwave energy for causing movement of said material through said energy in a direction having a primary component aligned with said predetermined direction; and means for promoting the formation and interruption of chains of contacting particles of said material extending in the direction of said electric field.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus for treating particulate material with microwave energy comprising, in combination: means propogating, in a vertical direction, microwave energy having an electric field orthogonal to said predetermined direction; means transparent to microwave energy for causing movement of said material through said energy in a direction having a primary component aligned with said predetermined direction; and means for promoting the formation and interruption of chains of contacting particles of said material extending in the direction of said electric field.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 in which the last named means comprises means for regulating the rate of said movement of said material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 in which the last named means comprises means for imparting to said movement of said material a reversing component transverse to said primary component.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 in which said reversing component is transverse to the direction of said field.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 in which the first named means includes a microwave generator and a wave guide connected thereto for energization therefrom, and in which the second named means comprises a chute of material transparent to microwave energy, arranged within the wave guide between an inlet and an outlet for said material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 13 in which said wave guide extends generally vertically and said chute extends generally vertically therein.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 13 in which said wave guide extends generally vertically and said chute is structured cascade-form within said wave guide.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 13 in which said wave guide extends generally vertically and said chute comprises a square duct axially within said wave guide.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 15 in which said chute includes a plurality of members of material transparent to microwave energy, spaced therealong for causing deflection of said particles from the direction of said primary component.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 13 in which microwave generator is connected to said wave guide near the outlet for said material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 13 in which said microwave generator is connected to said wave guide near the inlet for said material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 13 in which said chute has a dimension of at least 10 millimeters in the direction of said electric field.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 13 in which said wave guide and said chute are constructed to enable flow of gas therethrough transverse to said principal direction.
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) | 1983-06-24 | 1983-12-24 | 1984-06-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-06-24 | 1987-12-24 | 1988-06-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-06-24 | 1991-12-24 | 1992-06-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |