Dryer and drying apparatus with enhanced moisture removal
AssigneeProtégé Enterprises
InventorsCharles Robert Dewald, III, Thomas L. Cristello
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A dryer and a drying apparatus attachable to a dryer are disclosed. A wheel having desiccant material is located in line and in close proximity with a heating element. The wheel includes a first portion positioned in an inlet air path and a second portion positioned in an outlet air path. The desiccant material removes water molecules from air within the inlet air path, and lowers the vapor pressure of the incoming air. In the outlet air path, heated air flows through the second portion to transfer energy to the desiccant material. The wheel rotates to change the desiccant material within the portions.
Claims27
A dryer, comprising:
- an inlet air path;
- an outlet air path;
- and
- a wheel holding a desiccant material having a first portion placed in the inlet air path and second portion placed in the outlet air path, wherein the first portion positions the desiccant in the inlet air path.
Apparatus to change air for drying an article, the apparatus comprising:
- a wheel positioned in an inlet air path that allows incoming air to flow over the article;
- and
- desiccant material located within the wheel and positioned in the inlet air path, wherein the desiccant material removes at least one water molecule from air in the inlet air path.
A method for enhancing moisture removal, the method comprising:
- positioning a desiccant within a wheel into an inlet air path;
- removing at least one water molecule from air within the inlet air path;
- and
- transferring energy from heated air within an outlet air path to the desiccant to facilitate the removing step.
A drying apparatus comprising:
- a desiccant wheel having pellets in a first portion to remove at least one water molecule from air within an inlet air path;
- an axis to support the desiccant wheel;
- and
- a belt to rotate the wheel, wherein the wheel includes a second portion positioned in an outlet air path to transfer energy from heated air to the wheel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.