US1965209A - Method of treating and drying material - Google Patents

Description

y 1934- T. ALLSOP METHOD OF TREATING AND DRYING MATERIAL Original Filed April 2, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet l H a-r NFL RN? WITNESSES July 3, 1934. "r. ALLSOP METHOD OF TREATING AND DRYING MATERIAL ori inal Filed April 2. 1929 is Sheets-Sheet 2 I N VENTOR: I Wmasfllsqy ATTORNEYS.

July 3, 19-34. T. ALLSOP 1,965,209 S METHOD OF TREATING AND DRYING MATERIAL Original Filed April 2, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 WITNESSES I N VEN TOR:

ym-9% A BY mfl w I TTORNEYS.

Patented July 3, 1934 UNITED STATES METHOD OF TREATING AND DRYING MATERIAL Thomas Allsop, Philadelphia,

'Pa., assignor to The Philadelphia Drying Machinery Company,

Philadelphia, Pa., vania Original application 852,013. Divided a corporation of Pennsyl- April 2, 1929, Serial No. and this application August 18, 1931, Serial No. 557,817

2 Claims.

This invention relates generally to methods of material treating; for example, the drying, cooling and conditioning,of various classes of goods requiring a certain degree of moisture as a pre requisite to successful manufacture into serviceable articles, or, for shipment and storage for subsequent use. i

More particularly the present improvements are a. division from my co-pending application filed April 2, 1929, under Serial Number 352,013; and which later matured into U. S. Patent No. 1,841,927, dated January 19, 1932 and have reference to methods in which the material treated is graduallyprogressed through a zone or zones wherein a predetermined temperature and sensible degree of moisture, or other somewhat analogous conditions, are maintained.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a novel method for the above noted purposes, in which the current or currents of treating media generally flows or flow counter-directional'to the course traveled by the material under treatment.

Another object is to effect diversion of the treating current or currents in opposing directions, equally distributed, and evenly balanced during sinuous circulation and re-circulation over separate courses in sequential stages of differing or graduated specific eflect.

A further object is the provision of a novel method for drying, cooling, and conditioning certain classes of material, such as worsteds, woolens, cottons, silks and.- rayons in skeins.

Having thus set forth a brief statement of the invention involved, I in order to make the same more clear, refer to the accompanying sheets of drawings illustrative of a convenient means for carrying out my novel method of treating materials, and in which like characters of reference refer to co responding parts in all the views.

Inthese dra. gs:-

Fig. I is a broken top .plan view of an organization or machine more particularly serviceable for the treatment of materials inskein formation.

Fig. II is a side elevation of the same.

Fig. III is a transverse section, taken substantially as indicated by the arrows m-m in Fig. I, and ,on a relatively larger scale for the sake of clearness.

Fig. IV is a fragmentary part-sectional and part-plan. view, illustrating certain structure to better advantage.

Fig. V is a similar elevational illustration with portions of the left-hand half thereof broken away, to better disclose certain otherwise obscured structure; and,

Fig. VI is a sectional plan view, taken on the plane indicated by the arrows VI-VI in Fig. III. The organization or equipment illustrated, by way of example as adapted to my novel method,

comprises aligned sections comprehensively desighated 1, 2 and 3; that indicated as 1 serving for drying purposes, 2 constituting a cooling chamber, and 3 being assigned to moisture regain or "conditioning. The machine shown consists of a skeleton framework of standard sections 4 that support thermo-insulated walls 5, which are connected together'in accordance with known practice.

As best appreciated from Fig. III, the drying section 1 is longitudinally subdivided-from end to end-by vertical partitions 6, except as hereinafter explained, to set apart a central heater chamber 7 with parallel flanking drier compartments 8, through which the material under treatment is progressed by veyors 9.

The top or roof 10 of the machine is mainly fiat excepting the provision of an aligned-sequence of medially-located peaks 11, over the heater chamber v7. Each peak 11 comprises parallel, longitudinally-directed, vertical walls 12, reversely sloping roof portions 13, the pitch of which is equal on each side of a comparatively-narrow horizontal ridge 14. The several peaks 11 are uniformly spaced and separated by gutters 15 afforded by intervals of the flat roof 10, while said gutters are preferably of a dimension and configuration closely approximating that of the fiat ridges 14.

means or endless con- 7 Each peak 11 is interiorly subdivided by a central vertical partition 16 which extends from the transverse median of the ridge 14, downwardly to a sub-roof 17, co-extensive with the heater chamber 7; while vertical end partitions 18, centrally below the gutters 15, intervene the flat roof lO and sub-roof 17. These partitions 18 extend from side to side entirely across the machine below the flat roof 10, thereby dividing the flanking portions thereof, over the drier compartments 8, into a succession up, r g m The median partitions 16 are each apertured and have a suitable housing 19 for reception of a vertically rotative fan 20. On the suction side of the respective fans 20, each peak 11 is provided with longitudinally-directed side Walls 21 intervening the flat roof 10 and the sub-roof 1'7; whereas said sub-roof is formed intermediate the fan partition 16 and the end wall 18, on the same side thereof, with a comparatively large of inverted pockets d respect to the drier opening 22, as best shown in Fig. VI. 0n the other hand, on the delivery side of each fan 20, the vertical side walls 21 are omitted, thereby providing opposed rectangular openings 23, for egress of the treating medium into the pockets "p, and circulation through the drier compartments 8.

Intervening the flat roof 10 and sub-roof 17 on the delivery side of each fan 20, is a deflector 24, which serves to evenly divide the flow of treating medium discharging from said fan for distribution, by way of .the opposed openings 23, into the pockets 11" and circulation through the respective drier compartments 8. This de- Hector 24 is a sheet metal structure of somewhat semi-fru'sto-pyramidal aspect; or, has an inclined edge 25-, in register with the longitudinal center of the peak 11, and right and left-hand, sweeps or valleys 26 that converge outwardly toward the associated openings 23. The apex or high-point of the inclined edge 25, is located a distance in advance of the proximate vertical end wall 18, below the roof 10; while the low or, vanishingpoin 2'7 of each valley 26, conveniently merges into the juncture of the sub-roof 1'1 with the end wall aforesaid, at a distance from the companion opening 23. r

The heater chamber '7 is subdivided longitudinally by a skeleton structure of spaced verticals 28 and attached paneling 29, to provide walkways 30 extending uninterruptedly through the entire drying section 1. The paneling 29 extends from the top edge of the walk-ways 30 or sub-roof 1'7, to a level somewhat below the transverse supports 31 for heater coils 32. Hinged sections 33 shut-off the lower portions of the walk-ways 30 and thereby compel all the circulating air to flow upwardly (or downwardly) through the heater coils 32, as conventionally indicated by the arrows on Fig. .111, as well as effectively preventing short circuiting of air over the conveyors 9. I

Temperature regulators 34 are located at predetermined intervals along the heater coils 32 so that graduated degrees of heat may be automatically maintained throughout the drier section 1, whereby the material treated need not be initially subjected to a maximum drying atmos-,

phere, but that the transition may be progressively conducted, and vice versa.

Exhaust of the vitiated atmosphere from the drying section 1 is effected by way of outlet openings 35 in the lower region thereof, said openings communicating into vertical trunks 36 having laterally elbowed ends 37, and exhauster fans 38. The fan 20 at the feed end of the machine, as well as the associated deflector 24 are directionally reversed, relative to the rest of the series in the drying section 1, so as to effectively prevent "outflow" of vitiated atmosphere thereat, or otherwise than by way of the trunks 36.

With the several fans 20 located on the longitudinal center line of the machine, immediately over the heater coil battery or batteries 32, the respective currents of air circulating in the machine are equally distributed and balanced with compartments 8, as they are directed against the several deflectors 24; while slatting 39 immediately below the pockets 9", or above the forward run of the top conveyor 9, with a corresponding slatting 40 proximately beneath the return run of the lower conveyor 9, further aids such equal distribution of the treating atmosphere.

After the material transported bythe endless on m ss, as

conveyors 9 emerges from the drying section 1, it enters the cooling chamber 2, which is devoid of any heater coils 32, while it is separated from the heater chamber '7, and conditioning section 3, by vertical partitions 41, 42, respectively, that extend from the roof 10 to the floor 'level. The former partition 41, is cut out at 43 below the level of the return runs of the lower conveyors 9, in registry with the heater chamber '7, so that a proportionately smallquantity of fresh atmospheric air is continuously supplied to the drying section 1. The cooling chamber 2, is also furnished with a peak 11a. conforming in substantially all respects to the peaks ll, hereinbefore described, excepting that there is no opening 22 in the sub-roof 1'7, so that re-circulation in said chamber is prevented. 0n the other hand, atmospheric air is admitted by way of an inlet 44, of appropriate size in the sloping roof-section 13 on the suction side of the fan 20'; while opposed out-,- lets 45 in the side walls of the cboling chamber 2, below the level of the return runsof the bottom conveyors 9, take care of the exhaus Provision is thus afforded whereby an adequate supp y of fresh atmospheric air continuously circulates, through the cooling chamber 2; while a minor portion thereof is constantly diverted by way of the partition opening 43 to replace the vitiated air exhausted from the drying section 1. Corresponding reference characters are applied to all 105 other parts of the cooling chamber 2, which conform to those previously explained in connection with the drying section 1, in order to avoid repetitive description;

The moisture regain or conditioning section 110 3, conforms in all major structural aspects with that of the drying section 1, andincludes a heater chamber 7b, that also comprises means for diffusing moisture into the circulating air. The moisture diffusing means conveniently consists of 5 a tank 46, suitably supported outside the conditioning section 3 and connected to the spray pipes 4'1, said tank being supplied with water by way of a service connection 43, while a plurality of spray heads 49'have the nozzles thereof inwardly 1 directed, so that all the moisture emitted is thoroughly vaporized and the circulating atmosphere highly saturated, hile no water comes in direct contact with the material treated. This highly saturated atmosphere through and about the passing material by means of fans 20, in the peaks 11b of the conditioning sec-' tion 3. These fans 20 are arranged for opposed or inward action, as conventionally indicated by the arrows 50 on Fig. I; while the associated deflectors 24 in the peaks 11b divergently function. Thus a constant finward" circulation of highly saturated atmosphere takes place from both ends, of the heater portion "lb, of the conditioning section 3, with a simultaneous divergent flow of the same into the flanking compartments 8b, through which the material treated is advancing to the delivery end of the machine. At the same time the conditioning section 3 is to all practical intent isolated from the cooling chamber 2 except for 0 supply of air therefrom by way of the conveyor. well as eifectively safe-guarded the humidified air at against wasteful escape of valve controlling the supply of steamto the heater coils 32 is designated 51, with a combined temperature and humidity control ditically indicated at 52, the same serving to maintain predetermined or desired conditions in the conditioner 3; while similar valves 51 in connection with 151 is divided and circulated 5 dryingsection 1, serve and over appropriate tracks 54, supported by the framework sections 4, having guards 55 of rustless non-corrosive sheet metal, whereby the material treated is safe-guarded against damage during transit through the machine.

Simultaneous uniform progression of the conveyors 9 is brought about by means'of. suitable co-ordinators 56, at the delivery end of the machine for example, inturn operated by appropriate drive connections 57 to a variable speed control mechanism. 58. 59 is a clutch lever controlling stopping and starting of either conveyor 9.

The variable speed control mechanism 58 in turn is coupled by a suitable drive 60 to a continuous shaft 61, joumaled in bearings 62 mounted on the roof 10 of the machine, and disposed along the longitudinal center line of the machine and supports all of the several fans 20; while it is made up in sections attached together by couplings 63, and provided with a drive 64 for operative connection to any suitable source of power. Heating medium, such as steam is supplied to the respective heater coils 32, 17 from a main 67.

Assuming the desired temperature or temperatures for the drying section 1, as well as the temperature and humidity degree in the conditioning section 3, have been set by the respective regulators 34 and 52; it will be readily appreciated that uniform results are assured at all times regardless of conditions prevailing exteriorly of the machine. Furthermore, it is to be noted that the moisture content of the conditioning atmosphere as well as the respective temperatures in the various sections 1 and 3, of the machine are all under positive automatic control.

Power being applied to the shaft 61, it will be readily seen that the respective fans 20.are uni-- formly rotated, while the several conveyors 9 are correspondingly progressed at the desired speed under control of the variable speedmechanism 58. Material, such as the hanks or skeins 65, on poles 66, for treatment is supplied to the feed end of the section 1, in any conventional manner, and gradually passed through said' section by the conveyors 9. During progress through the section 1, the skeins 65 traverse a series of uniformly-maintained drying-atmosphere circulat ing and re-circulating thereabout, within the respective compartmental sections 8 under action of the fans 20, whereby said skeins are effectively freed of all contained moisture, before entry into the cooling chamber 2 in a hot condition. Inci dent to positive governance of the travel of the conveyors 9, by the speed control mechanism 58, the skeins 65 emerging from the drying section 1, are properly cooled by fresh atmospheric air in thechamber 2, and thereby reduced to the requisite temperature for proper regain of the essential or normal amount of moisture. This moisture regain is quickly and uniformly obtained in the section 3, whereupon the skeins 65 are discharged at the delivery end of the machine, with the proper moisture content and .feel brought about by the uniform drying, cooling and conditioning, sequentially eifected in the manner described.

From the foregoing it is thought the advantages of my invention will be well understood, but it is to be particularly noted that the general principle of circulating and re-circulating the treating media, may be employed in a single unit or section allocated to'any one of the individual opera-- tions set forth. 'For instance, in the treatment of certain classes of materials, the drying operation may be entirely dispensed with, thereby obviating the necessity for section 1, and the process restricted to cooling and conditioning only, as eflfected in sections 2 and 3. Again, in the finishing of cotton fabrics, silk, linen, paper, etc., a calender may be arranged to operate in tandem with the apparatus, and such materials delivered thereto having the right amount of moisture content to ensure the best calendered results.

In conclusion, it will be readily understood, that my invention being adapted to various uses, hence I do not wish to be limited by the specific disclosure, but consider myself at liberty to make such variations therein, as are circumscribed by reasonable interpretation accorded the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. The method of treating suspended materials 110 which consists in progressing the same through a generally counter-directed longitudinal main flow of heated fresh air, dividing and diverting said flow laterally into equally-distributed and evenly balanced opposedly-circulating and re- 115 circulating sequential stages, and thereafter proguessing the materials through a correspondinglyabout the materials.

THOMAS ALLSOP;

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