Dryer control system
US6418638B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 14, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jul 16, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 14, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB28B11/24
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A control system and method for a dryer used to dry a line of gypsum boards. The control system automates control of the dryer by measuring the amount of water used at the mixer to produce board segments and determining a desired amount of water to be evaporated for each board segment based on the measured value. The desired amount of water to be evaporated for each board segment is tracked through the production line and the total evaporation load of each dryer zone is continuously calculated based on the board segments located in the dryer zone at a given time. The dryer zone differential temperature is adjusted according to the calculated evaporation load. When a board is rejected from the board line, the desired amounts of water to be evaporated of its corresponding board segments are set to zero, thus signifying a gap. The control system can be implemented using a distributed control concept, with PLC's controlling major process areas, and networked PC based supervisory operator interfaces located at key locations throughout the production line.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.