US4549053A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Microwave drying device and method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-03-07
•
Granted: 1985-10-22
•
Expires: 2003-03-07
Abstract
Abstract Method and device in which a suspension in air or other gas of liquid droplets or fine particles containing an electromagnetic energy absorbent component is subjected to microwave radiation to apply energy to the droplets or particles as they fall to a collection point.
Inventors
- 👤 Granger Haugh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 18:11
CPC Classifications
F; F26; F26B; F26B3/00; F26B3/02; F26B3/10; F26B3/12; F26B3/32; F26B3/34; F26B3/343; F26B7/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S159/00; Y10S159/26; Y10S203/00; Y10S203/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of drying a material containing an electromagnetic energy absorbent volatile component comprising the steps of: forming a dispersion in a gaseous medium of droplets of the material; subjecting the dispersed droplets to electromagnetic radiation in the microwave range, the radiation having a strength and duration sufficient to vaporize a substantial amount of the volatile component in the droplets without heating a non-volatile component of the material to a temperature which would chemically alter the non-volatile component; and collecting the remaining non-volatile component which has not been vaporized.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of drying a material containing an electromagnetic energy absorbent volatile component comprising the steps of: forming a dispersion in a gaseous medium of droplets of the material; subjecting the dispersed droplets to electromagnetic radiation in the microwave range, the radiation having a strength and duration sufficient to vaporize a substantial amount of the volatile component in the droplets without heating a non-volatile component of the material to a temperature which would chemically alter the non-volatile component; and collecting the remaining non-volatile component which has not been vaporized.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the material consists of a solution or suspension of the non-volatile component and the solution or suspension is dispersed in the gaseous medium to form a spray.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein the spray is directed into a chamber having a construction resonant at the frequency of the electromagnetic radiation into which the radiation is directed through a wave guide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein spray is directed downwardly from a nozzle into the interior of a chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the dispersion of droplets of the material is done inside a chamber and a second gaseous medium is introduced into the chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein the second gaseous medium is introduced into the chamber to alter the movement of the dispersion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein the second gaseous medium is introduced into the chamber in a direction and at a rate to cause swirling within the chamber to increase the time that the material in droplet form is subjected to the radiation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein the second gaseous medium introduced into the chamber contains an additive for mixture with the remaining non-volatile component.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein the second gaseous medium is inert toward the material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein the second gaseous medium is reactive with a component of the material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the dispersion of droplets of the material is done inside a chamber and the pressure inside the chamber is maintained at an elevated level.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the dispersion of droplets of the material is done inside a chamber and the pressure inside the chamber is maintained at a reduced level.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1 in which the volatile component is water or a mixture of water and/or organic solvent.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the frequency of the radiation is selected which is strongly absorbed by the volatile component.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
118 words
An apparatus for drying a material containing an electromagnetic energy absorbent volatile component and a non-volatile component which is chemically altered if heated above a predetermined temperature, comprising: a chamber; means for forming inside the chamber a dispersion in a gaseous medium of droplets of the material; means for generating microwave radiation; means for directing the microwave radiation into the chamber so that it radiates the dispersion of droplets; means for controlling the dispersion and the generator means such that a substantial amount of the volatile component in the droplets is vaporized without heating the non-volatile component above the predetermined temperature; and means coupled to the chamber for collecting the remaining non-volatile component which has not been vaporized.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
118 words
An apparatus for drying a material containing an electromagnetic energy absorbent volatile component and a non-volatile component which is chemically altered if heated above a predetermined temperature, comprising: a chamber; means for forming inside the chamber a dispersion in a gaseous medium of droplets of the material; means for generating microwave radiation; means for directing the microwave radiation into the chamber so that it radiates the dispersion of droplets; means for controlling the dispersion and the generator means such that a substantial amount of the volatile component in the droplets is vaporized without heating the non-volatile component above the predetermined temperature; and means coupled to the chamber for collecting the remaining non-volatile component which has not been vaporized.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the chamber has a construction resonant to the microwave radiation and the microwave directing means includes a wave guide.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
82 words
An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the material consists of a solution or a suspension of the non-volatile component in the volatile component, and the dispersion forming means includes: a downwardly directed nozzle mounted in an upper end of the chamber; means for supplying the material under pressure; means for supplying the gaseous medium under pressure; and means connecting the material and gaseous medium supply means to the nozzle so that the material is sprayed into the chamber from the nozzle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 17 and further comprising means for introducing a second gaseous medium into the chamber.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the means for introducing the second gaseous medium into the chamber is configured to dynamically alter the descending movement of the droplets.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the means for introducing the second gaseous medium into the chamber is configured to induce swirling movement in the dispersion.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the lower portion of the chamber is conical and the collection means includes a cyclone coupled to a discharge end of the conical portion of the chamber for separating the gaseous medium from the remaining non-volatile component.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the controlling means includes a metering pump for delivering the material to the dispersion forming means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 15 and further comprising means for reducing the pressure inside the chamber.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 15 and further comprising means for increasing the pressure inside the chamber.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-10-21 | 1989-04-22 | 1989-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-10-21 | 1993-04-22 | 1993-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-10-21 | 1997-04-22 | 1997-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |