Drying and gas or vapor contact with solids – Material treated by electromagnetic energy – Microwave energy
Patent
1996-10-24
1998-08-25
Bennett, Henry A.
Drying and gas or vapor contact with solids
Material treated by electromagnetic energy
Microwave energy
34264, 34495, 34216, 34237, 219696, 219 1055A, 404 77, 404 94, F26B 334
Patent
active
057971943
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The drying of building components, such as joist frames, walls, ceilings, exterior wall surfaces etc. is required in construction and repair work. At new production, construction times are rather long therefore making air heating and other conventional drying methods practicable. In spite of that, there are frequently reasons to make arrangements to speed up drying also in new production.
In connection with renovation of old bathrooms and repairs after water damage, one of the most difficult problems is the long drying times, which often may extend to 6-8 weeks. In bigger projects within the repair, rebuilding, enlarging sector, the work proceeds along one or more water and sewage mains at a time, i.e. that in a four story house four bathrooms are put in order at the same time. A single instance of water damage discovered at the removal of the surfacing causes disorder in the complete plan.
Demands that the repair should take as little time as possible are the rule rather than exception. Every delay brings with it costs, as apartments and other premises cannot be used as intended in the meantime. Ideally, drying and connecting repair will be made rapidly enough to require none or only insignificant restrictions in the use of the premises.
Several different ways have been proposed. Examples are making holes and blowing with dry air, electric heating, etc.
Recently the use of microwaves has been proposed. Use has been made of long microwave generators, which are inserted into drilled holes, and of directed microwave radiation without making any holes. This latter technology was already at the end of the seventies used for producing and maintaining composite tracks consisting of a, sometimes reinforced, concrete structure with a top layer of asphalt. See U.S. Pat. No. 4,175,885.
This technology has later been adapted for use in buildings. The state of the art is described inter alia in the international patent application with the publication number WO 92/08084.
Microwave technology brings with it progress but a string of problems remain. Microwaves have a relatively short range and must, for reasons of safety, be well shielded to protect the operators against radiation. Each unit is capable of drying only a relatively small area at a time.
The technology described in WO 92/08084 requires extensive supervision and much work for moving the equipment. This is, with respect to safety and ergonomy, a work environment problem. The wheels mentioned in the publication reduce the need for heavy lifting but do not reduce the need for supervision. The equipment is useable just for floors or slightly inclined surfaces but not for ceilings and walls.
The need for essentially, permanent supervision has, to a high degree, restricted, the usefulness of microwave drying.
The inventor has looked for other ways resulting in increased safety, reduced need for supervision, simplified handling and possibility to let the dryer equipment work day and night, thereby considerably increasing the usefulness of the microwave technique.
The basic inventive concept is to use programmed, electrically controlled movement of one or more microwave units along one or two rails and/or along one or more screws. Displacement along rails is preferred, when drying floors and other horisontal surfaces, and along screws when drying walls. Combinations of movements along rails and screws may be suitable at the drying of large wall areas. When drying ceilings or walls one or more screws may be used to place the dryer unit at the desired level and rails to govern its lateral movement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one embodiment of the invention each microwave unit has wheels or is supported by a carriage provided with wheels. Such a unit or carriage respectively is moved along one or more rails. The propelling force is generated either by a motor on each microwave unit or carriage or by a pulling arrangement.
According to another embodiment, one or more microwave units are carried by a lifting stand, for instance
REFERENCES:
patent: 4175885 (1979-11-01), Jeppson
patent: 4256944 (1981-03-01), Brandon
patent: 4370534 (1983-01-01), Brandon
patent: 4765713 (1988-08-01), Matsuo et al.
patent: 4765773 (1988-08-01), Hopkins
patent: 5296666 (1994-03-01), Varadan et al.
patent: 5441360 (1995-08-01), Long et al.
Bennett Henry A.
Microz Sweden AB
Wilson Pamela A.
LandOfFree
Mobile microwave dryer does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Mobile microwave dryer, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Mobile microwave dryer will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-29256