Dual path kiln improvement
First Claim
1. A method of drying lumber in a continuous kiln having at least three chambers arranged serially from one end of the kiln to the opposite end with the ends being open to allow the passage of a load mover and a load of lumber supported on a carriage, the kiln having a floor and a pair of parallel rails mounted on the floor and extending along a path that extends from outside the kiln through the chambers, the load mover including a housing having a wall with which at least a portion of the load is engageable during transport sequentially through the chambers of the kiln, the housing having wheels that, in use, engage and ride on the rails, the kiln having a track extending parallel to the rails and through the kiln, the track being mounted on the floor, the load mover having mounted thereon a variable speed electric motor and gearing constructed for transferring the output of the motor to a transport gear which is rotatably mounted on the housing of the load mover and which engages the track so that rotation of the transport gear will effect movement of the load mover on the rails, and the wall having a substantially vertical portion to engage the load supported on the carriage which rides on the rails where the vertical portion is positioned to be moved against the load to enhance the stability of the load during transport along the rails, the method comprising:
- providing the load of lumber on the carriage; and
using the electric motor to drive the transport gear engaging the track to move the load mover which pushes the load of lumber on the carriage through the kiln to produce dried lumber.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dual path kiln is provided that includes a kiln having one or more chambers and at least two lumber charge paths adapted to convey lumber through the kiln in opposite directions by means of a track having two rails in which a pusher device pushes the lumber through the kiln and comprises a variable output electric motor to effect a high degree of accurate control of the movement speed of the pusher device and the lumber it'"'"'s pushing and wherein the pusher device includes a faceplate having two side walls extending from said faceplate to engage the side of the lumber in order to greatly enhance stability of the lumber while it is being transported and minimize the risk of spillage.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of drying lumber in a continuous kiln having at least three chambers arranged serially from one end of the kiln to the opposite end with the ends being open to allow the passage of a load mover and a load of lumber supported on a carriage, the kiln having a floor and a pair of parallel rails mounted on the floor and extending along a path that extends from outside the kiln through the chambers, the load mover including a housing having a wall with which at least a portion of the load is engageable during transport sequentially through the chambers of the kiln, the housing having wheels that, in use, engage and ride on the rails, the kiln having a track extending parallel to the rails and through the kiln, the track being mounted on the floor, the load mover having mounted thereon a variable speed electric motor and gearing constructed for transferring the output of the motor to a transport gear which is rotatably mounted on the housing of the load mover and which engages the track so that rotation of the transport gear will effect movement of the load mover on the rails, and the wall having a substantially vertical portion to engage the load supported on the carriage which rides on the rails where the vertical portion is positioned to be moved against the load to enhance the stability of the load during transport along the rails, the method comprising:
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providing the load of lumber on the carriage; and using the electric motor to drive the transport gear engaging the track to move the load mover which pushes the load of lumber on the carriage through the kiln to produce dried lumber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of drying lumber in a continuous kiln having at least three chambers arranged serially from one end of the kiln to the opposite end with the ends being open to allow the passage of a load mover and a load of lumber supported on a carriage, the kiln having a floor and a pair of parallel rails mounted on the floor and extending along a path that extends from outside the kiln through the chambers, the load mover including a housing having a wall with which at least a portion of the load is engageable for transport sequentially through the chambers of the kiln, the housing having wheels that, in use, engage and ride on the rails, the kiln having a track extending parallel to the rails and through the kiln, the track being mounted on the floor, the load mover having mounted thereon a variable output electric motor and gearing constructed for transferring the output of the motor to a transport gear which is rotatably mounted on the housing of the load mover and which engages the track so that rotation of the transport gear will effect movement of the load mover on the rails, and the wall having a substantially vertical portion to engage the load supported on the carriage which rides on the rails where the vertical portion is positioned to be moved against the load to enhance the stability of the load during transport along the rails, the wall having a first end and a second end wherein a first and a second sidewall each extends horizontally from the wall'"'"'s first and second ends respectively, the method comprising:
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providing the load of lumber on the carriage; and using the electric motor to drive the transport gear engaging the track to move the load mover which pushes the load of lumber on the carriage through the kiln to produce dried lumber. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification