US4567340A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for drying solid materials
Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
•
Filing: 1985-01-09
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Granted: 1986-01-28
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Expires: 2005-01-09
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for drying a solid material wherein the solid material is exposed to a radio frequency electromagnetic field such that water is expelled from the surface of the solid material as a liquid. The liquid water thus expelled is then collected.
Inventors
- 👤 John W. Latchum, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 02:35
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B6/00; H05B6/46; H05B6/48; H05B6/50; H05B6/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
An apparatus for drying a solid material containing water comprising: generator means for generating a radio frequency electromagnetic field in the vicinity of the solid material; detection means for detecting the amount of moisture on the surface of the solid material, the surface moisture so detected being denoted as the surface moisture content; control means for controlling the field generated by said generator means in response to the detected surface moisture content so as to maintain a condition wherein water is expelled from the material substantially as a liquid; means for collecting the liquid water expelled by the solid material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
100 words
An apparatus for drying a solid material containing water comprising: generator means for generating a radio frequency electromagnetic field in the vicinity of the solid material; detection means for detecting the amount of moisture on the surface of the solid material, the surface moisture so detected being denoted as the surface moisture content; control means for controlling the field generated by said generator means in response to the detected surface moisture content so as to maintain a condition wherein water is expelled from the material substantially as a liquid; means for collecting the liquid water expelled by the solid material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said control means controls said generator means such that the field generated thereby causes the solid material to have a predetermined surface moisture content.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said control means controls the intensity of the field.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said detection means detects reflectance characteristics of the solid material, certain predetermined reflectance characteristics corresponding to the predetermined surface moisture content.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of drying a solid material containing water comprising: generating a radio frequency electromagnetic field in the vicinity of the solid material; detecting the amount of moisture on the surface of the solid material, the surface moisture so detected being denoted as the surface moisture content; controlling the field in response to said surface moisture detection so as to maintain a condition wherein water is expelled from the solid material substantially as a liquid, and collecting the liquid water expelled by the solid material.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of drying a solid material containing water comprising: generating a radio frequency electromagnetic field in the vicinity of the solid material; detecting the amount of moisture on the surface of the solid material, the surface moisture so detected being denoted as the surface moisture content; controlling the field in response to said surface moisture detection so as to maintain a condition wherein water is expelled from the solid material substantially as a liquid, and collecting the liquid water expelled by the solid material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as recited in claim 5, wherein in said controlling step the field is controlled in response to said surface moisture detection so as to maintain a predetermined surface moisture content.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as recited in claim 6, wherein the field is controlled by controlling the intensity of the field.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as recited in claim 5, wherein in said detecting step, certain predetermined reflectance characteristics are detected which correspond to the predetermined surface moisture content.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as recited in claim 8, wherein the solid material is lignite.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as recited in claim 9, wherein the lignite is dried in a saturated atmosphere.
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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) | 1989-01-27 | 1989-07-29 | 1990-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-01-27 | 1993-07-29 | 1994-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-01-27 | 1997-07-29 | 1998-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |