Variable die for use in drying synthetic elastomers
AssigneeMichelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
InventorTimothy Flanery
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and methodologies are provided for flash drying liquid materials using a variable die. A die and a die body are provided with an adjustably configured pressure regulating variable obstruction in the material flow path that allows control of the pressure applied to the material and consequent control of the temperature of the material as it enters the die. Optimizing pressure and temperature allows optimization of the flash drying process.
Claims23
A variable die assembly, comprising:
- a die body having an inner portion and an outer portion;
- an adjustment sleeve having an inner portion and an outer portion;
- and
- a filter screen, secured in said adjustment sleeve and movable with respect to said die body, so as to allow dynamic control of the pressure applied to material passing through the die.
A method for flash drying material, comprising the steps of:
- providing a dynamically adjustable die assembly, the assembly comprising a die body, an adjustment sleeve and a filter screen;
- and
- forcing material to be dried through the die assembly.
A method of optimizing flash drying of material, comprising the steps of:
- providing a dynamically adjustable die assembly, said die assembly comprising a filter screen, a die body and a dynamically variable pressure adjuster between said die and said die body;
- forcing material through the die body, the dynamically variable pressure adjuster and the filter screen at controllable flow rates;
- and
- varying the controllable flow rates and the pressure adjuster,
- whereby adjustment of the controllable flow rates and pressure adjuster provide optimizing control of the pressure and temperature applied to and generated in the material.
An adjustable die assembly for use in removing liquid from a mixture, comprising:
- a die body defining a first surface located along a first end of the die body;
- a die positioned proximate to the first end of the die body, the die having an interior side that defines a second surface, wherein the first surface and the second surface define a passage for the flow of the mixture during operation of the die assembly;
- an adjusting element in mechanical communication with the die and the die body, the adjusting element providing for the relative movement of the die relative to the die body so as to allow adjustment of the size of the passage during operation of the die assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.