Dual mode convection oven

A method for selectively providing convective heat to an object with a dual mode convection oven alternatively operable in either a running mode or a bypass mode, comprising the steps of:

• (A) channelling said convective heat into a supply hood through a supply duct;
• (B) channelling said convective heat out of a suction hood through a return duct;
• (C) selecting an operating mode for said convection oven;
• (D) if said selected operating mode is said running mode, then positioning a bypass supply damper in an open position, said bypass supply damper being located within said supply hood and adjacent to said first end;
• positioning a bypass suction damper in an open position, said bypass supply damper being located within said suction hood and adjacent to said second end;
• and positioning a bypass duct damper in a closed position, said bypass duct damper being located in said bypass duct to enable said convective heat to be channelled to said object from said supply hood through a heat application zone and into said suction hood, said heat application zone being positioned between said supply hood and said suction hood;
• and
• (E) if said selected operating mode is said bypass mode, then channelling said convective heat away from said heat application zone by directing said convective heat from said supply hood through a bypass duct and into said suction hood, said bypass duct having a first end coupled to said supply hood and a second end coupled to said suction hood.

An apparatus for applying convective head transfer to an object, comprising:

• (A) a supply hood for supplying a cool gas into a heat transfer zone and a suction hood for withdrawing cool gas from said heat transfer zone, said heat transfer zone positioned between said supply hood and said suction hood for applying said heat transfer to said object;
• (B) a supply duct, coupled to said supply hood, for channelling a cool gas into said supply hood;
• (C) a return duct, coupled to said suction hood, for channelling said cool gas out of said suction hood;
• and
• (D) a bypass duct for channelling said cool gas from said supply hood to said suction hood by bypassing said heat transfer zone, said bypass duct having a first end coupled to said supply hood and a second end coupled to said suction hood;
• (E) a bypass supply damper positioned within said supply hood and adjacent to said first end, said bypass supply damper being alternatively positionable in either an open or closed position;
• and
• (F) a bypass suction damper positioned within said suction hood and adjacent to said second end, said bypass suction damper being alternatively positionable in either an open or closed positioned;
• and
• (G) a bypass duct damper positioned within said bypass duct, said bypass duct damper being alternatively positionable in either an open or closed position;
• wherein said cool gas provides said heat transfer to said object.

A method for selectively providing convective heat transfer to an object with a dual mode heat transfer apparatus alternatively operable in either a running mode or a bypass mode, comprising the steps of:

• (A) channelling a cool gas into a supply hood through a supply duct;
• (B) channelling said cool gas out of a suction hood through a return duct;
• (C) selecting an operating mode for said heat transfer apparatus;
• (D) if said selected operating mode is said running mode, then positioning a bypass supply damper in an open position, said bypass supply damper being located within said supply hood and adjacent to said first end;
• positioning a bypass suction damper in an open position, said bypass supply damper being located within said suction hood and adjacent to said second end;
• and positioning a bypass duct damper in a closed position, said bypass duct damper being located in said bypass duct to enable said cool gas to be channelled to said object from said supply hood through a heat transfer zone and into said suction hood, said heat transfer zone being positioned between said supply hood and said suction hood;
• and
• (E) if said selected operating mode is said bypass mode, then channelling said cool gas away from said heat transfer zone by directing said cool gas from said supply hood through a bypass duct and into said suction hood, said bypass duct having a first end coupled to said supply hood and a second end coupled to said suction hood.