Patent · US Expired

Microwave system and method for curing rubber

US5166484A · kind A · utility

16Cited by
17References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 5, 1990
Grant dateNov 24, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 5, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB29K2105/04
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

System and method for processing extruded sponge rubber products and the like by simultaneously heating the products with microwave energy and impinging jets of high velocity hot air on the products. In one disclosed embodiment, the extruded sponge rubber parts are passed through a series of impingement rings in a microwave cavity, and each of the rings has a plurality of inwardly facing nozzles for directing jets of air in a radial direction toward the parts. Rollers transport the parts between the rings and can be driven at different speeds to accommodate elongation of the rubber parts as they expand. The microwave power is applied in pulses to provide more uniform heating of the parts, and the time base of the pulses can be changed without having to readjust the on-time of the pulses to maintain the on-time as a given percentage of the time base.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.