# US 10,371,443 B2 · Infrared float bar

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- Number: US 10,371,443 B2
- Document ID: US10371443B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/263,059
- Filed: 2014-04-28
- Published: 2014-09-11
- Granted: 2019-08-06
- Earliest claimed: 2009-06-05
- Assignees: Durr MEGTEC, LLC
- Applicants: MegTec Systems, Inc.
- Inventors: Steven J. Zagar; Michael O. Rocheleau
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10371443B2

## CPC

- F26B 3/30: from infrared-emitting elements {(by radiation emanating from passages containing heated fluids other than combustion gases F26B23/10)}
- B41F 23/0413: {Infrared dryers}
- F26B 3/283: {in combination with convection}
- F26B 13/104: {supported by fluid jets only; Fluid blowing arrangements for flotation dryers, e.g. coanda nozzles}
- Y02P 70/10: Greenhouse gas [GHG] capture, material saving, heat recovery or other energy efficient measures, e.g. motor control, characterised by manufacturing processes, e.g. for rolling metal or metal working
- F26B: DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM (drying devices for combines A01D41/133; racks for drying fruit or vegetables A01F25/12; drying foodstuffs A23; drying hair A45D20/00; body-drying implements A47K10/00; drying household articles A47L; drying gases or vapours B01D; chemical or physical processes for dewatering or like separating liquids from solids B01D43/00; centrifugal apparatus B04; drying ceramics C04B33/30; drying yarns or fabrics in association with some other form of treatment D06C; drying frames for laundry without heating or positive air circulation, domestic laundry-or spin-driers, wringing or hot pressing laundry D06F; furnaces, kilns, ovens F27)
- B41F: PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES (manifolding devices or office printing machines B41L)
- Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS

## Abstract

Infrared air float bar for use in floating and drying a continuous planar web of a material in a dryer. Direct radiated or reflected infrared electromagnetic energy from an infrared light source in a removable channel assembly accelerates drying, or evaporation of solvents, or curing of web material passing in proximity to the bar, either by infrared electromagnetic energy, or in combination with convention airflow. The infrared source is cooled by pressurized air passing through an interior portion of the removable air bar channel assembly, and the air is further conducted into fluid contact with the web in an air gap between the emitter and web to promote convective heat transfer and to contribute to the air pressure field supporting web flotation. The removable channel assembly is configured for replacement of the infrared emitter and to allow the setting of the pressurized cooling air flow to the optimum level.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of drying a web of printed material having at least one region of wet ink coverage and at least one region without wet ink coverage, said method comprising impinging convection air on said web in combination with applying infrared heat flux simultaneously to said web in a pressure field created by said impinging air with a plurality of air jets, regulating a temperature of said impinging air such that said at least one region having wet ink coverage is heated by an infrared emitter source and by said convection air and said at least one region without wet ink coverage is heated by said infrared emitter source while simultaneously being cooled by said convection air; and
wherein said infrared flux is emitted from at least one infrared emitter source located between discharge slots creating said air jets and directing said air jets to impinge on said web creating said pressure field on the surface of said web, said infrared flux impinging simultaneously on said pressure field, and wherein drying air has wet bulb temperature of less than 180° F., and wherein said air jets are regulated to a temperature 30 to 100 Fahrenheit degrees above the wet bulb temperature of the drying air impinging on said web, and said convection air is heated to a temperature of 150 to 300° F.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said air jets discharge air at a velocity of from 5000 to 16000 feet per minute.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the web had a web direction, and wherein the heat flux from each infrared light source is 100 to 200 watts per inch across the web direction.