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US4702015A
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Evaporative-cooling apparatus and method for the control of web or web-production machine component surface temperatures
Assignee: Kadant Web Systems Inc
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Filing: 1986-09-22
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Granted: 1987-10-27
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Expires: 2006-09-22
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is an apparatus for providing a shower of fog onto a web or a machine component in contact with a web. The fog, which has a temperature lower than the temperature of the surface of the web or the machine component to be cooled, is applied to the surface and is caused to evaporate by the difference in the temperatures. A supply of dry air is supplied to transport the evaporated fog from the region adjacent the surface to be cooled. Fog may be generated through the use of an air-atomizing nozzle which propels water and compressed air through a small orifice under pressure to create an atomized mist or fog. In one embodiment, the fog may also be supplied in controlled specified quantities locally as required to provide for a controllable fog application rate across the full apparatus width. The fog is thus generated at a single source and then supplied to a common cross-machine plenum with the flow of fog to each local region being regulated by a locally adjustable outlet of the apparatus through which the fog and dry air flow.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce F. Taylor
- 👤 Kenneth G. Hagen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:43
CPC Classifications
D; D21; D21G; D21G7/00; D21F; D21F7/00; D21F7/003; D21F7/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
An apparatus for use in the non-contact cooling of a web or a machine component in contact with the web, said apparatus being positioned adjacent said web or component to be cooled, said apparatus comprising: means for creating fog within said apparatus, said fog having a temperature lower than the temperature of said web or component to be cooled; an opening in said apparatus, said opening including a passageway through which fog is forced from said chamber into direct contact with the surface to be cooled; means for supplying and carrying air to carry said fog to the surface to be cooled, said supplying means being located a short distance upstream from said means for creating fog, said carrying air also exhausting vapor created by the contact of said fog with said web or machine component from a region adjacent said web or machine component.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
145 words
An apparatus for use in the non-contact cooling of a web or a machine component in contact with the web, said apparatus being positioned adjacent said web or component to be cooled, said apparatus comprising: means for creating fog within said apparatus, said fog having a temperature lower than the temperature of said web or component to be cooled; an opening in said apparatus, said opening including a passageway through which fog is forced from said chamber into direct contact with the surface to be cooled; means for supplying and carrying air to carry said fog to the surface to be cooled, said supplying means being located a short distance upstream from said means for creating fog, said carrying air also exhausting vapor created by the contact of said fog with said web or machine component from a region adjacent said web or machine component.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
117 words
The apparatus for use in the non-contact cooling of a web or a machine component in contact with the web of claim 1 wherein said means for creating fog comprises: compressed-air supply means and compressed air supply valve means connected to said compressed-air supply means for controlling the release of compressed air from said compressed-air supply means; water supply means and water supply valve means connected to said water supply means for controlling the release of water from said water supply means; air-atomizing nozzle means for receiving compressed air from said compressed air supply means and water from said water supply means, said air-atomizing nozzle means providing a flow of fog to a chamber in said apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus for use in the non-contact cooling of a web or a machine component in contact with the web of claim 1 further comprising a fog chamber into which the created fog is supplied, said fog chamber also housing said means for supplying carrying air to carry said fog from said fog chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus for use in the non-contact cooling of a web or a machine component in contact with the web of claim 1 wherein said apparatus further comprises a fog chamber including an adjustable outlet through which said fog and carrying air is supplied, said outlet including a stationary wall and a adjustable wall, said adjustable wall being adjusted to vary the dimensions of said passage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus for use in the non-contact cooling of a web or a machine component in contact with the web of claim 2 wherein said air atomizing nozzle means comprises a needle valve positioned within a water input orifice of said air atomizing nozzle means, control means for controlling the position of said needle value within said water input orififce.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus or use in the non-contact cooling of a web or a machine component in contact with the web or claim 5 wherein said control means comprises a stepping motor and a lead screw device coupled between said stepping motor and a shaft of said needle valve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus for use in the non-contact cooling of a web or a machine component in contact with the web or claim 4 wherein said adjustable wall is positioned between two flex joints, the adjustment of said flex joints enabling said adjustable wall to be adjusted relative to said stationary wall.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for the non-contact cooling of a web or a machine component in contact with a web, said method comprising the steps of creating a supply of fog, the temperature of which is lower than the temperature of the web or component to be cooled; directing fog from said created supply of fog to the surface to be cooled through an adjustable outlet in a housing in which said supply of fog is created, said outlet leading to a surface of said web or component to be cooled; exhausting vapor created by evaporation of said fog which is caused by the contact of fog and the surface of the web or machine component to be cooled from a region adjacent said web or machine component to an ambient atmosphere.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for the non-contact cooling of a web or a machine component in contact with a web, said method comprising the steps of creating a supply of fog, the temperature of which is lower than the temperature of the web or component to be cooled; directing fog from said created supply of fog to the surface to be cooled through an adjustable outlet in a housing in which said supply of fog is created, said outlet leading to a surface of said web or component to be cooled; exhausting vapor created by evaporation of said fog which is caused by the contact of fog and the surface of the web or machine component to be cooled from a region adjacent said web or machine component to an ambient atmosphere.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method for the non-contact cooling of a web or a machine component in contact with the web of claim 8 wherein said step of exhausting vapor comprises providing a flow of dry air upstream from the location of said fog supply, said dry air transporting said fog through said outlet and exhausting said vapor from a region adjacent the web or machine component.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method for the non-contact cooling of a web or a machine component in contact with the web of claim 8 wherein said step of directing said fog comprises the step of directing fog from said created supply at discrete locations across a width of said apparatus by selectivly adjusting portions of said adjustable outlet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method for the con-contact cooling of a web or a machine component in contact with the web of claim 8 further comprising the step of volumetrically controlling the fog created.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
166 words
An apparatus for use in the non-contact cooling of a web or a machine component in contact with the web, said apparatus being positioned adjacent said web or component to be cooled, said apparatus comprising: means for creating fog within said apparatus, said fog having a temperature lower than the temperature of said web or component to be cooled; means for directing said created fog from a fog chamber of said apparatus to a surface the web or machine component to be cooled and for exhausting vapor from a region adjacent the surface of the web or machine to be cooled, said vapor being created by the contact of said fog with said surface, said directing and exhausting means preventing the residual buildup of moisture on said web, said fog chamber including an adjustable outlet through which said fog and carrying air is supplied, said outlet including a stationary wall and an adjustable wall, said adjustable wall being adjusted to vary the dimensions of said passage.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
166 words
An apparatus for use in the non-contact cooling of a web or a machine component in contact with the web, said apparatus being positioned adjacent said web or component to be cooled, said apparatus comprising: means for creating fog within said apparatus, said fog having a temperature lower than the temperature of said web or component to be cooled; means for directing said created fog from a fog chamber of said apparatus to a surface the web or machine component to be cooled and for exhausting vapor from a region adjacent the surface of the web or machine to be cooled, said vapor being created by the contact of said fog with said surface, said directing and exhausting means preventing the residual buildup of moisture on said web, said fog chamber including an adjustable outlet through which said fog and carrying air is supplied, said outlet including a stationary wall and an adjustable wall, said adjustable wall being adjusted to vary the dimensions of said passage.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
139 words
A method for the non-contact cooling of a web or a machine component in contact with a web, said method comprising the steps of creating a supply of fog, the temperature of which is lower than the temperature of the web or component to be cooled; directing fog from said created supply of fog to the surface to be cooled; exhausting vapor created by the contact of fog and the surface of the web or machine component to be cooled from a region adjacent said web or machine component to an ambient atmosphere by providing a flow of dry air upstream from the location where said fog is supplied and toward the location of the fog supply, said dry air transporting said fog through said outlet and exhausting said vapor from a region adjacent the web or machine component.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
139 words
A method for the non-contact cooling of a web or a machine component in contact with a web, said method comprising the steps of creating a supply of fog, the temperature of which is lower than the temperature of the web or component to be cooled; directing fog from said created supply of fog to the surface to be cooled; exhausting vapor created by the contact of fog and the surface of the web or machine component to be cooled from a region adjacent said web or machine component to an ambient atmosphere by providing a flow of dry air upstream from the location where said fog is supplied and toward the location of the fog supply, said dry air transporting said fog through said outlet and exhausting said vapor from a region adjacent the web or machine component.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2804693A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-10-26 | 1991-04-27 | 1991-10-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-10-26 | 1995-04-27 | 1995-10-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-10-26 | 1999-04-27 | 1999-10-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |