ADVANCED WOOD DRYING OVEN

Technical Field

The present invention is related to drying oven used in order to dry wood comprising moisture and water more than the required amount.

The present invention is especially related to a drying oven having an advanced cover and wood feeding system.

Prior Art

The woods that comprise water or in other words, moisture more than the required amount are dried with different methods in prior art. The most common one among them is drying performed via condensation. The capacity of this drying method is high, but loading and drying period is considerably longer.

In the vacuum and sir-dried ovens using the other method, drying period is shortened in accordance with the first method. However, drying fractures occur on the wood both in this first method and in this method, because drying with hot air is performed.

The other method is drying with microwave. These ovens that provide advantage in terms of time cannot provide drying up to the desired lower moisture levels, because frequency values of microwave are bigger than 3 MHz. Moreover, when vacuum is not used, undesired damages occur on the wood surface, because liquid discharge is slow. In addition, oven capacities are limited.

Another method used in prior art is using high frequency in the vacuum environment. Water molecules in the wood generate the liquid necessary for evaporation by oscillating 3 to 30 million times per second. Therefore, in the frequencies between 3 MHz to 30 MHz that are also named as High Frequency, water in the wood gets warm from the inner part of the wood towards the outer part, and evaporates. In the High Frequency drying systems, water vapor spreads to the tank inner environment from the wood, as pressure in the inner part of the wood is bigger than the surface pressure value. When the environment reaches to a certain pressure value, water vapor is disposed out of the tank by means of a vacuum pump. Water boiling temperature inside the tank, falls below 100 degree thanks to vacuum pump. The wood is enabled to have the desired moisture level by repeating this cycle as much as the desired number.

High capacity ovens can be generated if the mentioned last method is desired to be used. However, the resistance of different components of the oven is required to be high in this situation. The area where the oven occupies needs to be planned and used appropriately. In addition, it should be user friendly, preferably an automatic system, because of size.

Object of the Invention

Developed by getting inspired of the present situations, the invention aims to solve the above mentioned drawbacks.

The primary object of the invention is to disclose an oven mechanism, which has more volume than the other oven volumes in prior art, and can operate without any problems for a long time although it dries more woods by volume in order to clear the wooden material of the water it comprises, in other words to dry. Increasing the work capacity depending on the volume difference is one of the objects of the invention. The present invention aims to provide an oven with larger sizes than the ones in the state of art and keep the production capacity high.

An object of the invention is to disclose an oven that operates without any problems thanks to the cover mechanism it comprises, and has a long-life cover. Therefore, the cover comprises strength member fixed on the carrier and joint carrier. In addition, the liquid on the carrier or inside the carrier, which will be harmful (rusting, etc.) to the carrier, is eliminated thanks to liquid discharge channels provided on the joint carrier. Corrosion problem is minimized in the joint system thanks to 7 different rollers used in the joint system. The components such as strength members, joint handle fixing lugs and viewing window fixed by being interlocked are attached to the surface, into which they penetrate, by leaving excess; therefore, their strengths and impermeabilities are kept high.

Additionally, minimum loading on the joint system and chamber wall is aimed thanks to assembling components, plaques and plates.

Joint carrier provides easy positioning of the carrier heavy by weight is enabled thanks to carrier channels provided thereon. In the preferred embodiment, the joint carrier is preferably fixed with welding at a position close to the chamber inlet on the outer chamber surface after its position is defined.

In addition, the present invention aims to disclose an automatically folding, lockable and openable cover system thanks to actuator piston and cylinders it comprises.

Another object of the invention is to reduce the transportation and storage costs by means of the fact that wood carriers have portable and stackable sizes. In addition, the accumulation of the water being released from the wood, on the carrier is prevented thanks to the liquid discharge channels provided on the wood carrier.

It is one of the objects of the invention that the oven volume is prevented from occupying unnecessary place at the environment where the oven is provided, by means of the fact that the oven is decreased below the ground level thanks to chamber carrier system used preferably.

The structural and characteristic features and all the advantages of the invention will be more clearly understood with the figures below and the detailed description written by referring to those figures; therefore, the evaluation needs to be done by taking these figures and the detailed description into consideration.

Figures for Better Understanding of the Invention

Figure 1 shows the side view of drying oven according to the invention and the detail of the joint A-A section (M), respectively.

Figure 2 shows the front view, B-B section and right side view of the joint carrier according to the invention, respectively.

Figure 3 shows the left side view, C-C section and top view of the joint handle according to the invention, respectively.

Figure 4 shows the D-D section of the drying oven according to the invention and the detail of the cover rotation shaft part (K) obtained from this section, respectively.

Figure 5 shows the front view of the viewing window according to the invention and E-E section thereof, respectively.

Figure 6 shows the front view of the cover carrier according to the invention and F-F section thereof, respectively.

Figure 7 shows the detailed view of the locked position of the cover according to the invention by being rotated.

Figure 8 shows the G-G section, top view and front view of the moving carrier according to the invention, respectively. Figure 9 shows the representative side view of the drying oven chamber according to the invention and chamber carrier system carrying thereof, respectively.

The drawings don't need to be scaled necessarily and the details unnecessary to understand the present invention may be ignored. Apart from this, the members that are identical to a great extent or at least have identical functions to a great extent are referred with the same numeral.

Description of the Part Numerals

100. Drying oven 150. Cover rotation shaft part

110. Drying chamber 151. Base

111. Outer surface 152. Shaft

11. Cylinder 153. Connection member

12. Strength component 160. Joint handle

13. Carrier flange 161. Fixing lug

14. Carrier stand 162. Shaft bearing

112. Chamber inlet 163. Roller fixer

113. Lock bolt housing 164. Roller

114. Detector 165. Intermediate roller

120. Cover 170. Joint carrier

121. Cover edge 171. Plate

122. Lock bolt 172. Carrier channel

123. Cover carrier connection housing 173. Lateral plate

124. Actuator 174. Liquid discharge channel

130. Cover carrier 175. Strength component

131. Plate 176. Joint connection hole

132. Shaft housing 180. Chamber carrier system

133. Sleeve 190. Moving carrier

34. Roller 191. Wheel

135. Lateral plate 192. Rail channel

36. Strength component 193. Liquid discharge channel

40. Joint fixed part 200. Viewing window

41. Joint shaft 201. Body

42. Shaft fixing member 202. Cover

43. Roller 203. Transparent material

204. Impermeability member Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention is related to drying oven (100) comprising drying chamber (110) used in order to dry wood, and cover (120) closing the inlet (112) of the chamber (110), through which wood is supplied.

The present invention is characterized in comprising;

• at least one cover carrier (130), to which said cover (120) is connected from its own center so as to rotate around its own center,

• at least one joint fixed part (140), to which the cover carrier (130) is connected directly or indirectly so as to rotate around an axis, and which is connected to the drying chamber outer surface (1 1) directly or indirectly.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention:

In this detailed description, the preferred embodiments of the wood drying oven (100) according to the invention are explained in order for the subject to be better understood without any limiting effects.

The present invention has a wood drying chamber (110) with larger sizes than that of known in prior art. The preferred chamber (110) size is appropriate for 25 m ^A 3 wood. The chamber (110) is in cylindrical form as preferred in prior art. As the chamber (1 10) is used in the drying process performed by using high frequency and vacuum, there are cylinders (11), preferably hydraulic pistons are provided thereon in order to apply pressure on the wood and locate the electrodes. Strength components (12) like belt are located on the areas where the pistons positioned at certain distances are provided, in order for the durability of the chamber (1 10). In addition, there are carrier flanges (13) at certain distances are provided in the chamber (110) (Figure-1). At least one viewing window (200) is provided on the chamber (110). Thus, the wood and processes in the chamber (110) are observed. The body of this window (200) exceeds at a certain extent in the inner surface of the chamber and it is welded to the chamber (110). Therefore, a more durable fixing is obtained. Finally, there are carrier stands (14) provided under the chamber (110). As mentioned, as the system is preferably a vacuum high frequency oven, the system comprises vacuum pump and water discharge components.

The joint mechanism used in the invention is preferably positioned on the joint carrier (170). Joint carrier (170) is fixed on the drying chamber (110) preferably with welding. As the chamber (110) is in cylindrical form and joint carrier (170) is circular as same with the outer surface (111) of the chamber, carrying load is imposed on each point and structural distortion that can occur in time on the chamber (110) is minimized. Said joint carrier (170) is formed with at least two plates (171 ) positioned parallel to each other at a certain distance, and at least one lateral plate (172) interconnecting the plates (171 ) and having a width as much as the distance between the plates (172) (Figure 2). In order to prevent the physical deformation that can occur because of the weight of the cover, at least one strength member (175) fixed perpendicularly to the plates (171) from at least one point of the plates (171 ) is provided. This member (175) is preferably a durable plate. This plate has a length at least as such as the distance between the plates (171 ) and it is attached to the plates (171 ) perpendicularly from one or more certain points of two parallel plates (171). The preferred plaques are at least as much as the distance between the outer surfaces of parallel plates (171). Therefore, an attached plaque is fixed to both of the plates

(171 ) by means of preferably welding. Thus, the said plaque serves as a strength component (175). The said plaque is positioned on the upper and lower edges of joint carrier (170) that is preferably in C form, in which its back is perpendicular.

At least one carrier channel (172) is provided on the said carrier (1729, preferably parallel plates (171 ) and the edge connected to the lateral perpendicular plate (173). This channel

(172) is used for carrying the joint carrier (170) during assembly and/or disassembly. The preferred number is two, four in total, as at the lower part and upper part on each parallel plate (171 ). At least one liquid discharge channel (174) is provided on the upper and lower lateral plates (173). These channels (174) provide the discharge of the water from joint carrier (170) in humidity cases that may occur due to hot-cold air changes. There is at least one, preferably more than one, joint connection hole (176) for two joint fixed parts (140) as lower and upper, on the lateral plate (173) forming the perpendicular back is provided. These holes (176) are formed so as to provide tolerance at certain amounts during assembly. For example, in a system with preferred sizes, a 1 -mm fluctuation at this point will result in a 12- mm change on the cover (120) itself.

The present invention comprises at least one joint handle (160), which is fixed to the said cover carrier (130) and connected to the said joint fixed part (140) so as to rotating around an axis. However, the cover carrier may be preferably formed so as to have an integrated handle (130). A 90 degree-angle is provided between joint handle (160) and cover carrier (130). The said handle (160) is preferably two pieces and they are embedded onto the joint fixed parts (140) fixed to the connection holes (176) of the joint carrier.

The joint handle (160) comprises at least one fixing lug (161) being fixed by passing through parallel plates (131) forming the cover carrier (130) (Figure 3). The lug (161 ) preferably extends up to the plate (131 ) at the other side of the cover carrier and even, goes beyond it. Therefore, it is easier for the lug (161) to sustain the weight of the cover (120) and its physical life is prolonged. These lugs (161) are preferably four pieces. These four lugs (161) are the lugs of separate plaque two by two. The said plaques are perpendicular and parallel. Lower and upper plaques are fixed onto the lower and upper part of these two plaques as perpendicular to them and parallel to each other. The lower and upper plaques are roughly in L form. The lower base of L form is the end where said lugs (161) are provided and is based on one of the cover carrier plates (131). Joint shaft bearing (162) that provides the said joint bearing is provided at the top of L form.

In the said shaft bearing (162), there are at least one, preferably three rollers (164) -as at two inlets and center of the bearing (162)- that enable the rotation of the bearing (162) around the shaft (141) by being positioned between bearing inner surface and joint shaft (141). The upper part of the shaft bearing (162) has a larger diameter than that of the lower part. The reason is to provide a housing for the roller (164) that is stated to be positioned at the center of the bearing. After the said middle roller (164) is positioned, at least one roller fixer (163) fixing the position of the rollers (164) to the large diameter area is positioned (Figure 1). The fixer (163) is preferably a cylindrical pipe in accordance with the shaft bearing (162). The joint shaft ( 41) is locked inside the shaft bearing (162) thanks to shaft fixing members (142) attached on the joint fixed part (140) and involving the ends of joint shaft (141). Fixing members (142) are fixed to the joint fixed part by means of connection members. In addition, it comprises a cover for quick access to the shaft (141). In order for proper rotation of shaft (141) inside the fixing members (142), at least one roller (143) is provided between joint shaft (141 ) and inner surface of shaft fixing member (142). Moreover, intermediate rollers (165) are provided between the ends of shaft bearing (162) and shaft fixing members (142). The said intermediate rollers are axial rollers, and the other rollers are radial rollers (Figure 1 ).

Cover carrier connection housing (123) is provided at the center of cover outer surface. Preferably, it is formed with a lug integrated with the cover (120). The components providing the rotation of the cover (120) around its own axis are connected to this housing (123). The first one of the said components is cover rotation shaft part (150), which is connected at the center of the cover ^' outer surface in order to provide the connection between said cover (120) and cover carrier (130). This part (150) consists of base (151) located into the cover carrier connection housing (123) and shaft (152) provided on the base (151) so as to be in line with the cover axis (Figure 4). After the base (1519 is located into the housing (123), it fixed by means of preferably connection members (153), optionally bolt. One viewing window (200) that is separately fixed on the cover surface is provided. Thus, the wood and processes in the chamber (1 10) are observed. The body of this window (200) exceeds at a certain extent in the inner surface of the cover (approximately 5 cm at a cover with preferred size) and it is welded to the cover (120). Therefore, a more durable fixing is obtained.

The viewing windows (200) used in the invention consist of body (201) preferably in the shape of a cylindrical pipe, and a cover closing one end thereof and comprising a durable transparent material (203) at the center (Figure 5). The cover (202) is fixed to the body (201) by means of connection members, preferably bolts. The transparent material (203) is glass or a different transparent plaque such as glass used in submarines, the durability of which is known. At the edges of this plaque, three separate impermeability members (204) as front- rear and lateral surfaces in sectional manner are used.

Preferably, the cover carrier (130) is roughly in U form (Figure 6). Two handles of U form are fixed to two joint handle (160). The shaft housing (132) at the center point of the base of U form is attached to the said cover rotation shaft (152). At least one ball bearing (134) is provided around the shaft (152). The preferred number of them is four. In the case that rollers (134) are more than one, intermediate rings are positioned among the rollers (134) in order to fix their positions. The intermediate rings are in two sizes. One of them is completely fit around the shaft (152), and the other one remains opposite the ring on the shaft (152) so as to contact with inner surface of sleeve (133). Finally, a roller fixing plaque is fixed to the end of the shaft (152) by means of connection members. Preferably, one sleeve (133) is positioned between shaft housing (132) and rollers (134), and this sleeve (133) is fixed to the carrier (130). The sleeve (133) consists of preferably a pipe-formed body and a cover fixed thereon by means of connection members. One end of the sleeve (133) is open in order for cover rotation shaft (152) to enter.

As joint carrier (170), the said cover carrier (130) consists of two plates (131 ) positioned parallel to each other at a certain distance. The said two parallel plates (131) are connected with lateral plate or plates (135) having width at least as much as the distance between thereof. However, in order to prevent the physical deformation that may occur due to cover (120) weight, plaque or plaques are attached to two parallel plates (131) from certain one or more points of two parallel plates (131) perpendicularly. This plate has a length at least as much as the distance between the plates (131). An attached plaque is fixed to both of the plates (171) preferably by means of welding. Thus, the said plaque serves as a strength component ( 36). The cover (120) embedded to the cover carrier (130) can be rotated around its own axis. For this purpose, at least one actuator (124) is used, one end of which is connected to cover edge (121), and the other end is connected onto drying chamber (1 10), cover carrier (130), joint fixed part (140), joint handle (160) or joint carrier (170). In the preferred embodiment, the fixed end of the piston, which is used as actuator (124), is fixed to the joint handle (160).

The rotation of the cover around its own axis is used to lock the cover (120). In line with this purpose, at least one lock bolt (122) formed at the edge (121) of the said cover and at least one lock bolt housing (113) provided at the chamber inlet (112) and into which the lock bolt (122) penetrates due to the rotation of the cover around its own axis, are used (Figure 7). In the preferred system, the cover (120) and chamber inlet (112) are surrounded completely with lock bolts (122) and housings (113).

Thanks to at least one detector (114) provided at the cover edge (121) and/or chamber inlet (1 12), the endless rotation of the cover (120) is prevented. In accordance with the predetermined data, the actuator (114) stops the rotation after deciding that the cover (120) has rotated enough for the locking. The said actuator (114) can be an appropriate actuator known in the state of art. Impermeability between the cover (120) and the chamber (110) is provided by means of at least one impermeability member. This member is a seal that can be inflated with preferably gas, preferably air.

The present invention comprises at least one actuator, which takes the cover away from the drying chamber (1 0) and/or pulls it over the drying chamber (110); one end of which is connected to the cover (120), cover carrier (130) or joint handle (160), the other end of which is connected onto joint fixed part (140), joint carrier (170) or drying chamber (110). In the preferred embodiment, the cylinder of the piston and cylinder, which is used as actuator, is connected to joint carrier (170), and the piston end thereof is connected to cover carrier (130).

The rails are provided inside the chambers (110) according to the invention to locate the woods to be dried. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, feeding the woods into the chamber (110) is performed by means of at least one moving carrier (190) (Figure 8). The carrier (190) is formed in small size due to carrying and storing purposes. Therefore, several carriers (190) are connected via at least one carrier connection member (193) interconnecting the carriers (190). This member (193) may be the components known in prior art such as chain, belt, flange or etc.

At least one wheel (191) is used in order for the carrier (190) to move through the rail inside the drying chamber (110). The preferred carrier (190) comprises 8 wheels as four at the right and four at the left. In the event that said wheel (191) or more wheels (191) are provided, at least one wheel or wheels (191) moving through the rail comprise rail channel (192) where the said rail is positioned. If desired, said channel (192) can be formed on all of the wheels (191).

The upper surfaces of the said carriers (190) which carry wood comprise at least one liquid discharge channel (193). Therefore, the liquid releasing from the wood can be transferred to the liquid discharge channels. In order to facilitate the process during propelling the carriers (190) towards chamber (110), chamber carrier system (180), which moves the said drying chamber (110) up and down, aligns the rail inside the drying chamber (110) with the ground at least at one point, and is positioned on the ground, is used (Figure 9). In order to use this system, firstly, the related system is required to be configured on the ground where the chamber is installed, and the chamber (1109 is required to be located on this system.

The oven (100) according to the invention comprises at least one control panel. Thanks to this panel, all of the functions of the oven, mainly on-off and locking operations, are controlled automatically. Therefore, it does not lead to difficulty of use, though it is a big structure in volume.