Other

George R Culp

Robert T Nagel

A kiln system includes a kiln chamber defining a chamber interior space, a furnace capable of providing heated air, one or more air moving devices capable of circulating air in the chamber interior space along a recirculating flow path, and a plenum positioned in the kiln chamber and generally separating the chamber interior space into an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion of the chamber interior space that is positioned above the plenum, and the lower portion of the chamber interior space is positioned below the plenum and is capable of receiving the charge of lumber for drying. The plenum defines a plenum cavity that is in communication with and capable of receiving the heated air from the furnace. The kiln system further includes one or more upright passageways. Each upright passageway is mounted to the plenum and in communication with the plenum cavity so that the upright passageway is capable of receiving heated air from the plenum cavity. Each upright passageway extends into the upper portion of the chamber interior space and includes at least one outlet positioned proximate the recirculating flow path in the upper portion of the chamber interior space. As a result, each upright passageway is capable of providing heated air from the plenum to the recirculating flow path in the upper portion of the chamber interior space via its outlet.

Structure and methods for introducing heated ari into a kiln chamber

Elliptically shaped reheater conduits extend downward into a portion of a flow path that extends through a lower chamber interior space of a kiln chamber. Each of the reheater conduits has opposite ends, defines a length that extends between the opposite ends and is perpendicular to the portion of the flow path that extends through the lower chamber interior space, defines a first cross-dimension that is perpendicular to the length and parallel to the portion of the flow path, and defines a second cross-dimension that is perpendicular to both the length and the portion of the flow path. The second cross-dimension is less than the first cross-dimension. Each of the reheater conduits defines outlets positioned along the length of the reheater conduit. Each reheater conduit defines a pair of vertices between which its second cross-dimension is defined, and the outlets are proximate the vertices. The outlets of adjacent conduits are arranged so that jet-like flows from the outlets cooperate to produce whirling masses of air that travel downstream along the flow path to advantageously provide turbulence that interacts with a downstream stack of lumber. The jet-like flows from the outlets of the reheater conduits reach adjacent reheater conduits and advantageously interact with the boundary layers that extend around the adjacent reheater conduits. Movable dampers are respectively proximate the upper ends of the reheater conduits and are capable of being moved to adjust the amount of heated air supplied to the reheater conduits. Each reheater conduit advantageously includes an internal converging/diverging section proximate its upper end.

Reheaters for kilns, reheater-like structures, and associated methods

The kiln system for drying lumber to a predetermined moisture content according to the present invention includes a kiln chamber for enclosing a charge of green lumber consisting of at least one rectangular solid stack of lumber, a fan for circulating air through the kiln chamber and through the lumber in the kiln chamber to dry the lumber and a relatively lightweight covering overlying and substantially blanketing an upper row of the rectangular solid stacks of lumber. The relatively lightweight covering limits direct contact of the circulating air with the upper row of lumber and prevents excessive drying, warping or cracking of the upper row of lumber. Further, the covering is relatively thin such that the volume of lumber enclosed in the kiln chamber is maximized. The covering is preferably comprised of a substantially rigid material, such as a wooden or a metal sheet. In addition, the covering is preferably spaced from the upper row of lumber, such as by a number of spaced apart stickers disposed between the covering and the upper row of lumber for allowing a limited amount of circulating air to pass of over the upper row of lumber.

Controlled upper row airflow method and apparatus

The kiln system for drying green lumber to a predetermined moisture content according to the present invention includes a kiln chamber for enclosing a charge of lumber, a fan in upper portions of the kiln chamber above the stacks of lumber to circulate air through the kiln chamber and through the lumber in the kiln chamber and a first elongate fairing overlying and partially surrounding an upper corner of the charge of lumber. The elongate fairing controls the air flow from the fan in the upper portions of the chamber to increase the efficiency of the air flow and the drying process. For kiln chambers adapted to receive a charge of lumber consisting of a plurality of laterally spaced rectangular stacks of lumber, the elongate fairing preferably overlies and partially surrounds the outer upper corners of the outermost stacks of lumber.

Aerodynamic surfacing for improved air circulation through a kiln for

A kiln system for drying green lumber to a predetermined moisture content according to the present invention includes a kiln chamber for enclosing a charge of lumber consisting of a number of laterally spaced rectangular solid stacks of lumber, a fan above the lumber for circulating air through the kiln chamber and through the lumber and a first elongate center bridging panel above the stacks of lumber and overlying each vertically extending air space defined between adjacent, laterally spaced stacks of lumber. The elongate center bridging panel includes a center portion having opposed side edges which extends laterally substantially across the air space. The center bridging panel also includes first and second side portions hingedly connected to the opposed edges of the center portion. The center bridging panel substantially prevents circulating air from rising above the stacks of lumber in the vertically extending air space. Accordingly, the circulating air is forced to flow through each successive stack of lumber to more evenly and efficiently dry the lumber.

Center bridging panel for drying green lumber in a kiln chamber

The kiln system for drying green lumber to a predetermined moisture content according to the present invention includes a kiln chamber for enclosing a charge of lumber, a fan in upper portions of the kiln chamber above the stacks of lumber to circulate air through the kiln chamber and through the lumber in the kiln chamber and an elongate splitter plate extending laterally from a leading edge in upper portions of the kiln chamber downwardly toward a sidewall of the kiln chamber to a trailing edge. The splitter plate includes a curved portion between the leading edge and the trailing edge for directing the circulating air along the splitter plate and then downward about a rectangular stack of lumber in the kiln chamber. The splitter plate further includes a number of projections extending outwardly from the leading edge for creating vortices in the air circulated by the fan. The increased vorticity of the air helps the circulating air to more closely follow the surface of the splitter plate downwardly about the lumber.

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New London, NC, United States of America

George R Culp