Ultrasonic drying system and method
US9068775B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 9, 2009 |
| Grant date | Jun 30, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 5, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF26B21/004
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A drying apparatus and method including heated airflow and ultrasonic transducers. The ultrasonic transducers are arranged and operated for effectively breaking down the boundary layer to increase the heat transfer rate. The ultrasonic transducers are spaced from the material to be dried a distance of about (λ)(n/4), where λ is the wavelength of the ultrasonic oscillations and n is an odd integer (i.e., 1, 3, 5, 7, etc.). In this way, the amplitude of the ultrasonic oscillations is maximized to more-effectively agitate the boundary layer. In addition, the ultrasonic transducers are operated to produce about 120-190 dB (preferably, about 160-185 dB) at the interface surface of the material to be dried. In one embodiment, the ultrasonic transducers are of a pneumatic type. In another embodiment, the ultrasonic transducers are of an electric type. And in other embodiments, infrared and/or UV light devices are included for further boundary layer disruption.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.