Surface drying apparatus and method

• US 20050000109A1
• Filed: 06/12/2004
• Published: 01/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Charles Hensley
• Original Assignee: Charles Hensley
• Inventors: Hensley, Charles
• Granted Patent: US 8,296,968 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 34/218
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 21/001 Drying-air generating units, e.g. movable, independent of drying enclosure

Abstract

An apparatus and method for quickly and effectively drying ground surfaces are disclosed and claimed. The invention has particular utility in the drying of a race track surface. The invention consists of a means for blowing air upon the surface, a means for heating the air and a means for moving the apparatus with respect to the surface to provide flexibility and control in the degree of drying/heating performed. The apparatus and method may be applied to a variety of surfaces including earthen (dirt) surfaces, concrete and asphalt. One of the objectives of the device is to enable the drying of a track surface such that the surface will not be damaged by overheating which can otherwise occur with other track drying devices applied to an asphalt surface in particular. The design of the invention makes specific use of enhanced turbulent air flow at the surface in order to improve performance over a purely laminar air flow.

Claims

1. A ground surface drying apparatus, comprising:

a) means for blowing non-recirculating air;

b) heating means for heating said non-recirculating air;

c) means for directing said non-recirculating air to a section of said surface, and;

d) means of moving said apparatus along said surface;

e) wherein, said heating means, means for blowing, and means of moving, all have independently adjustable rates with respect to each other.

2. The ground surface drying apparatus of claim 1, wherein;

said heating means burns a hydrocarbon fuel.

3. The ground surface drying apparatus of claim 1, wherein;

the controls for said heating means are powered by an onboard generator.

4. The ground surface drying apparatus of claim 3, wherein;

said onboard generator is driven by an internal combustion engine.

5. The ground surface drying apparatus of claim 1, wherein;

said means for blowing non-recirculating air is a fan.

6. The ground surface drying apparatus of claim 5, wherein;

said fan is driven by an internal combustion engine.

7. The ground surface drying apparatus of claim 1, wherein;

said means of moving said apparatus along said surface is a trailer chassis having wheels and a means for attaching to a towing vehicle.

8. The ground surface drying apparatus of claim 1, wherein;

said means of moving said apparatus along said surface comprises a trailer chassis having wheels, and a means for attaching to a towing vehicle, and wherein the other elements of said apparatus are built upon said chassis.

9. The ground surface drying apparatus of claim 1, wherein;

said means of moving said apparatus along said surface comprises a structural frame upon which the other elements of said apparatus are built, said structural frame fitting into, or upon a self-propelled vehicle.

10. The ground surface drying apparatus of claim 1, wherein;

said means of moving said apparatus along said surface comprises a self-propelled vehicle upon which the other elements of said apparatus are built.

11. A method of drying a ground surface, comprising;

a) taking air into a blower;

b) passing said air through a heater;

c) directing said air through a duct toward said surface without recirculating said air, while

d) moving said blower, heater, and duct along said ground surface.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein;

said heater burns a hydrocarbon fuel.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein;

said blower is driven by an internal combustion engine.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein;

the controls for said heater are powered by an onboard generator.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein;

said generator is driven by an internal combustion engine.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein;

said ground surface is asphalt.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein;

the temperature of the asphalt is kept below the temperature at which asphalt loses it'"'"'s structural rigidity.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein;

said ground surface is earthen material.