Crop re-hydration system utilizing a direct-fired steam generator having continuous water circulation
US6978740B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 12, 2005 |
| Grant date | Dec 27, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 12, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF22B1/28
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A direct-fired steam generator system is used in conjunction with a baler for providing steam for re-hydrating the crop being baled. Cooling water is pumped through water jackets defined by double walls surrounding the combustion chamber and adjacent components, with this water being routed exteriorly of the water jackets and back to a three-way water control valve provided for normally routing the water back to the cooling water reservoir. The control valve is selectively actuated to couple the returning water to an injector flange for metering the water into an outlet end of the combustion chamber only when a flame is present or soon to be present in the combustion chamber, whereby the water will come into contact with hot combustion gases and be changed to steam which is routed on to be applied to the crop being baled.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.