PCT Pub. Date: Mar. 28, 2002
(65) Prior Publication Data
US 2004/0187341 Al Sep. 30, 2004
(30) Foreign Application Priority Data
Sep. 25, 2000 (NZ) 507132
Mar. 29, 2001 (NZ) 510842
(51) Int. CI.
F26B 3/00 (2006.01)
F26B 21/06 (2006.01)
F26B 21/10 (2006.01)
F26B 21/12 (2006.01)
(52) U.S. CI 34/396; 34/411; 34/423;
34/492; 34/497
(58) Field of Classification Search 34/396,
34/411, 423, 471, 493, 497, 487, 492 See application file for complete search history.
References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
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9/1975 3/1980 1/1994 1/1997 11/1998 1/2000 9/2000
Seiko
Pagnozzi et al.
Carter et al.
Goodwin, III ..
Elder
Elder
Elder
0122902 200351103 WO85/02250 WO99/09364
8/1990 11/1999 5/1985 2/1999
* cited by examiner
Primary Examiner—Jiping Lu
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Carlton Fields PA
A multichamber timber drying kiln in which different conditions are maintained in each chamber and methods of drying timber using such a kiln. In one aspect timber is rapidly heated within a first chamber (2; 202; 207) and then transferred to a further chamber (3; 203; 208) for further drying. Timber may be transferred from the first chamber (2; 202; 207) when the moisture content of the timber approaches the fibre saturation point A preheating chamber (1; 201; 206) may be provided to preheat the timber before passing to the first chamber (2; 202; 207). A conditioning chamber (4; 204; 209) may be provided after the further chamber (3; 203; 208) to condition the timber. Energy transfer means (49-53; 54-58) may be provided to transfer energy between chambers.
13 Claims, 11 Drawing Sheets
