Lumber kiln conveyor system
US9746240B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 2, 2015 |
| Grant date | Aug 29, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 2, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49828
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Embodiments provide a conveyor for conveying loads of lumber through a lumber kiln or other structure without the use of lumber carts or pushers. The conveyor may include a plurality of rollers arranged to form a flow path through the lumber kiln. Groups of the rollers may be driven by separate drives that are configured to rotate the rollers in opposite rotary directions and/or at variable speeds. Some or all of the drives may be operable independently of the other drives to transport loads of lumber at different speeds/directions in adjacent areas of the lumber kiln. In the event of a fire or a shut-down, the rollers in the proximal half of the kiln and those in the distal half of the kiln can be rotated in opposite directions to evacuate loads quickly from both ends.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.