Fluid flow deflector apparatus and sheet dryer employing same

Abstract

A fluid flow deflector apparatus is described including a helical shaped deflector member. The deflector member is positioned in the path of a fluid stream, such as hot air, to deflect the flow of such stream thereby producing turbulence to mix the fluid and prevent laminar flow. The deflector member can be positioned with its axis extending substantially parallel to the direction of flow of the fluid stream. Thus, in one embodiment the deflector member is positioned inside a conduit to provide a heat exchanger apparatus in which hot air or other heating fluid is deflected into contact with the inner surface of the conduit in order to heat another fluid in contact with the outer surface of such conduit. In another embodiment of the invention the deflector member is positioned in a sheet dryer apparatus with its axis extending substantially perpendicular to the directional flow of the stream of drying fluid, such as hot air or steam, to deflect the fluid upward and downward into contact with separated sheets being dried. This results in better mixing of the fluid to provide a more uniform temperature and more efficient drying. The sheet dryer apparatus may be a wood veneer dryer, or a gypsum wall-board dryer or insulation board dryer. The helical deflector member provides less resistance to air flow than other deflectors so that the flow increases and the pressure drop decreases which provides a much more efficient heat exchanger or dryer.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.