Fuller Company

George W Bryde

Thomas R Lawall

Bernard H Schonbach

Robert H Holland

Michael R Massaro, Jr

Edward L Puschock

Shane K Alesi

Micahel R Massaro

The present invention pertains to a grate plate utilized in a cooling apparatus. Substantially the entire surface area of the exposed surface is defined by alternating rows of a plurality of (1) substantially rectangular hollow air distribution plenums that travel substantially the entire length of the exposed area in a direction parallel to the movement of solid material through the cooling apparatus. The air distribution plenums have two side walls and a top surface with which the solid material transported to the cooling apparatus comes into contact, and (2) a plurality of pockets that also travel substantially the entire length of the exposed area in a direction parallel to the movement of solid material through the cooling apparatus. The said side walls of the air distribution plenums each have a plurality of air outlets or portals located thereon through which cooling air passes from the hollow interior of the air distribution plenum into a pocket located adjacent thereto. Preferably, the longitudinal edges of adjoining grate plates in the cooling apparatus are fitted to abut with one another and to thereby form, along the point of juncture of the two grate plates, another air distribution plenum.

Grate plate

The present invention pertains to a grate plate utilized in a cooling apparatus. Substantially the entire surface area of the exposed surface, that is, the surface of the grate plate that is not overlapped by a preceding grate plate, is recessed from its outside perimeter. The recessed exposed area is defined by alternating rows of (1) substantially tubular, hollow air distribution conduits that travel substantially the entire length of the recessed exposed area in a direction parallel to the movement of solid material through the cooling apparatus. The tubular air distribution conduits have two side walls and a top surface with which the solid material transported to the cooling apparatus comes into contact, and (2) narrow, open, secondary air distribution channels that also travel substantially the entire length of the recessed exposed area in a direction parallel to the movement of solid material through the cooling apparatus. The said side walls of the air distribution channels each have a plurality of air outlets or portals located thereon through which cooling air passes from the hollow interior of the air distribution channel into an adjacent secondary air distribution channel.

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Kutztown, PA, United States of America

George W Bryde