Controlled ventilation air curing system
AssigneePhilip Morris USA Inc.
InventorsLeonard W. Lipscomb, John D. M. Bain, Boris L. Kizzie, Michael B. Maher
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A tobacco curing enclosure includes roof vents, sidewall fan assemblies with heaters, a humidity augmentation system, and internal air circulation devices. Internal temperature and humidity monitors are connected with a control system for the fans, vents, heaters, humidity augmentation system and air circulation devices. The control system in conjunction with the enclosure allows humidity inside the enclosure to be controlled according to a predetermined schedule despite the ambient weather conditions, thereby enhancing the quality of cured tobacco.
Claims21
A tobacco curing structure, comprising:
- at least one air-curing module in which tobacco can be stored;
- having a top portion, a roof, sidewalls, and a floor;
- the roof, sidewalls, and floor defining an enclosure, the module including:
- at least one ceiling fan adjacent the top portion of the module;
- at least one reversible sidewall fan, located in a sidewall of the structure, and communicating with air outside the module;
- at least one vent in the roof of the enclosure, communicating with air outside the module;
- a humidity augmentation system in communication with the module, operable to distribute moisture in the module to adjust humidity of air in the module and/or to adjust temperature of air in the module;
- an air heating system communicating with at least one reversible sidewall fan for adjusting temperature of air entering the module;
- an internal sensor system for monitoring the temperature and humidity in at least one location in the module;
- an external sensor system for monitoring the temperature and humidity in at least one location outside the module;
- a monitoring system connected with the internal sensor system and the external sensor system, and operable to control operation of the at least one ceiling fan, the at least one vent, and the humidity augmentation system, and the air heating system so that air temperature and humidity in the module satisfy a predetermined schedule.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.