The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 05, 1977
Filed:
Dec. 22, 1975
Howard F McKinney, Florissant, MO (US);
Nathan L Higginbotham, Chesterfield, MO (US);
Dick Q Durant, Manchester, MO (US);
McDonnell Douglas Corporation, St. Louis, MO (US);
Abstract
Seed is dried with no impairment of its germinating capabilities by subjecting the seed to microwave energy in an atmosphere of reduced pressure. The microwave energy elevates the temperature of the water within the seed to its boiling point, which is quite low because of the reduced pressure, and the water vapor which is released is condensed within the atmosphere of reduced pressure. An apparatus for practicing the process includes an upright pressure vessel, hoppers at each end of the pressure vessel, a perforated processing chute connecting the hoppers, and a control wheel at the lower end of the chute for controlling the speed at which the seed moves through the chute. It also includes a vertical wave guide surrounding the chute and external microwave power units which direct microwave energy into the wave guide and the chute within it. A condenser surrounds the wave guide within the pressure vessel.