US3889389A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Parachute drying apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-05-13
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Granted: 1975-06-17
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Expires: 1994-05-13
Abstract
Abstract A parachute drying apparatus which employs an airtight flexible cover positioned over a drying surface with the parachute to be placed in a confined area between the drying surface and the cover. The drying surface is divided into a plurality of separate plates with a heating element connected to each plate and being individually controlled as to temperature. A vacuum is to be drawn within the confined area resulting in the flexible cover being pressed down against the parachute firmly compacting the parachute material down to a minimal thickness over the entire drying surface. The parachute is thus at all times held into close physical contact with the heated drying surface, and therefore receives heat energy at a rapid rate by conduction. In this condition (vacuum and applied heat) the moisture is evaporated and expands with the resulting vapors being forced out of the drying compartment through a channel arrangement formed between the plates of the drying surface down into a condenser where it is condensed and then removed to a collecting tank.
Inventors
- 👤 Alfred Serup
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:43
CPC Classifications
F; F26; F26B; F26B9/00; F26B9/006; D; D06; D06F; D06F58/00; D06F58/30; F26B5/00; F26B5/04; F26B5/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
The method of drying a parachute comprising the steps of: placing the parachute within a confined area; applying heat to the confined area; subjecting the confined area to a vacuum thereby causing moisture within the parachute to be vaporized; causing the vaporized moisture to move within a minimized volume; applying heat to the minimized volume expanding the vaporized moisture; and removing the vaporized moisture from the minimized volume into an enlarged cooler volume due to the natural action of the expanding vaporized moisture to exceed the boundaries of the minimized volume.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
91 words
The method of drying a parachute comprising the steps of: placing the parachute within a confined area; applying heat to the confined area; subjecting the confined area to a vacuum thereby causing moisture within the parachute to be vaporized; causing the vaporized moisture to move within a minimized volume; applying heat to the minimized volume expanding the vaporized moisture; and removing the vaporized moisture from the minimized volume into an enlarged cooler volume due to the natural action of the expanding vaporized moisture to exceed the boundaries of the minimized volume.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein after the removing step: condensing the vaporized moisture which has entered the enlarged cooler volume.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as defined in claim 2 wherein the condensing step includes: removing a significant portion of the heat of condensation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as defined in claim 3 wherein after the condensing step: collecting the resulting condensed liquid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the confined area is defined by: employing a hard planar surface upon which the parachute is to rest; and employing a flexible cover over the parachute wherein the cover forms an airtight seal with the peripheral edge of the hard surface during application of the vacuum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as defined in claim 5 wherein: employing a thermal insulating blanket upon the flexible cover.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
137 words
A parachute drying apparatus comprising: a hard substantially solid planar inner surface, said surface having a peripheral edge; a flexible airtight cover to extend over said surface forming a confined area between said cover and said surface; said surface including aperture means defining a first chamber of minimal volume; a vacuum source connected to said aperture means and adapted to provide a vacuum into said confined area; heating means connected to said planar surface and adapted to supply heat into said confined area; and moisture removing means for removing moisture from said confined area, said moisture removing means including a second chamber which is substantially greater in volume than said first chamber, whereby the vaporized moisture contained within said first chamber is caused to exceed the boundaries of said first chamber And expand into said second chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
137 words
A parachute drying apparatus comprising: a hard substantially solid planar inner surface, said surface having a peripheral edge; a flexible airtight cover to extend over said surface forming a confined area between said cover and said surface; said surface including aperture means defining a first chamber of minimal volume; a vacuum source connected to said aperture means and adapted to provide a vacuum into said confined area; heating means connected to said planar surface and adapted to supply heat into said confined area; and moisture removing means for removing moisture from said confined area, said moisture removing means including a second chamber which is substantially greater in volume than said first chamber, whereby the vaporized moisture contained within said first chamber is caused to exceed the boundaries of said first chamber And expand into said second chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The parachute drying apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein: said planar surface being formed of a plurality of metal plates, said metal plates being arranged in a substantially side by side relationship with respect to each other.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
The parachute drying apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein: said peripheral edge having a recess, said recess being connected to said vacuum source, whereby with said cover positioned upon said surface and said vacuum is applied, a portion of said cover is drawn into said recess thereby forming an airtight seal between said cover and the peripheral edge of said surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The parachute drying apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein: said first chamber including a plurality of channels arranged between and beneath said plates.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The parachute drying apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein: said moisture removing means includes a condenser, said condenser adapted to receive the vaporized moisture from said second chamber, said condenser including structure to condense said vaporized moisture.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The parachute drying apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein: said structure including a plurality of fans to assist in cooling of said vaporized moisture.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The parachute drying apparatus as defined in claim 11 including: a liquid collecting tank connected to said condenser, upon the vaporized moisture being condensed within said condenser, the resulting liquid is conducted into said collecting tank.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The parachute drying apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein: said vacuum being supplied through said collecting tank into said condenser and into said channels.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
142 words
A parachute drying apparatus comprising: a hard substantially planar inner surface, said surface having a peripheral edge; a flexible airtight cover to extend over said surface forming a confined area between said cover and said surface; said surface including aperture means; a vacuum source connected to said aperture means and adapted to provide a vacuum into said confined area; heating means connected to said planar surface and adapted to supply heat into said confined area; moisture removing means for removing moisture from said confined area; said planar surface being formed of a plurality of metal plates, said metal plates being arranged in a substantially side by side relationship with respect to each other; and each of said plates having its own heating element, each said metal plate having its own thermostat, whereby the temperature of each said metal plate is individually controlled.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
142 words
A parachute drying apparatus comprising: a hard substantially planar inner surface, said surface having a peripheral edge; a flexible airtight cover to extend over said surface forming a confined area between said cover and said surface; said surface including aperture means; a vacuum source connected to said aperture means and adapted to provide a vacuum into said confined area; heating means connected to said planar surface and adapted to supply heat into said confined area; moisture removing means for removing moisture from said confined area; said planar surface being formed of a plurality of metal plates, said metal plates being arranged in a substantially side by side relationship with respect to each other; and each of said plates having its own heating element, each said metal plate having its own thermostat, whereby the temperature of each said metal plate is individually controlled.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
The parachute drying apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein: said heating element for each said plate being located within a layer of material, said layer of material being attached to each said plate, said thermostat being adapted to not permit said temperature to exceed 180*F.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The parachute drying apparatus as defined in claim 7 including: a thermal insulating blanket placeable upon said flexible airtight cover, whereby said blanket is to decrease the dissipation of energy from said confined area.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
49 words
In a parachute drying apparatus, a drying surface comprising: a plurality of separate plates positioned together to form said drying surface; and a heating means comprising a separate heating element for each said plate, a thermostat for each said plate to individually control the temperature of each said plate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
49 words
In a parachute drying apparatus, a drying surface comprising: a plurality of separate plates positioned together to form said drying surface; and a heating means comprising a separate heating element for each said plate, a thermostat for each said plate to individually control the temperature of each said plate.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 18 wherein: said moisture removing means including a plurality of channels arranged between and beneath said plates, said channels being connected with said aperture means, whereby the vaporized moisture within said confined area is conducted through said channels and into said aperture means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 19 wherein: said surface being positioned upon a base, said base including aperture means, sAid aperture means connecting with said channels, whereby vaporized moisture from above said drying surface is expandable into said channels and within said aperture means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-16 | 1978-12-16 | 1979-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-16 | 1982-12-16 | 1983-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-16 | 1986-12-16 | 1987-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |