Dryer assembly
A textile dryer capable of monitoring heating chamber temperature (internal thermocouple), peak ink temperature (absorption infrared probe at exit), real-time ink temperature (donut thermocouple) as the textile travels through the chamber, and gas consumption is disclosed. A controller permits one to set numerous parameters and view graphs of the monitored variables over time. Recipes or job settings can be stored for recall and use later. In addition, visual and audible warnings and alarms are incorporated into the system.
1 . A dryer for textiles having a heating chamber with an input opening and an exit opening and a mechanism for moving the textiles through the input opening and heating chamber and out the exit opening, comprising:
at least one detector sensing temperature inside the chamber;
a controller receiving the sensed temperature and displaying and/or printing the sensed temperature over time.
2 . The dryer as claimed in claim 1 further including an alarm system associated with the controller for visually and/or audibly alerting an operator when the sensed temperature is outside a pre-defined temperature range.
3 . The dryer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the controller stores at least one set of dryer settings associated with the dryer for recalling and applying to the dryer,
each set of dryer settings including:
a chamber temperature setting; and,
a speed setting for the mechanism moving the textiles.
4 . The dryer as claimed in claim 3 further including an alarm system associated with the controller for visually and/or audibly alerting an operator when the sensed temperature is outside a pre-defined temperature range associated with the chamber temperature setting.
5 . The dryer as claimed in claim 4 further including:
at least one second detector sensing the surface temperature of the textile either inside the chamber or as it exits the chamber, the controller receiving the sensed temperature and displaying and/or printing the sensed temperature over time.
6 . The dryer as claimed in claim 5 further including an alarm system associated with the controller to make a visual and/or audible alarm alerting an operator when the sensed temperature by the at least one second detector is outside a pre-defined temperature range for a pre-defined length of time.
7 . The dryer as claimed in claim 6 wherein the alarm system associated with the controller has two pre-defined lengths of time, such that a first visual and/or audible alarm made when the sensed temperature is outside a pre-defined temperature range for a first pre-defined length of time and a second visual and/or audible arm is made when the sensed temperature is outside a pre-defined temperature range for a second pre-defined length of time.
8 . The dryer as claimed in claim 7 wherein the time between the sensing of temperature by the detector can be pre-set.
9 . The dryer as claimed in claim 5 further including:
at least one third detector traveling on the mechanism for moving the textiles and sensing the temperature as it travels, the controller receiving the sensed temperature and displaying and/or printing the sensed temperature over time.
10 . The dryer for textiles having a heating chamber with an input opening and an exit opening and a mechanism for moving the textiles though the input opening and heating chamber and out the exit opening, comprising:
at least one detector sensing the surface temperature of the textile either inside the chamber or as it exits the chamber;
a controller receiving the sensed temperature and displaying and/or printing the sensed temperature over time.
11 . The dryer as claimed in claim 10 further including an alarm system associated with the controller to make a visual and/or audible alarm alerting an operator when the sensed temperature is outside a pre-defined temperature range for a pre-defined length of time.
12 . A dryer as claimed in claim 10 wherein the controller stores at least one set of dryer settings associated with the dryer for recalling and applying to the dryer,
each set of dryer settings including:
a chamber temperature setting; and,
a speed setting for the mechanism moving the textiles.
13 . The dryer as claimed in claim 10 wherein the alarm system associated with the controller has two pre-defined lengths of time, such that a first visual and/or audible alarm made when the sensed temperature is outside a pre-defined temperature range for a first pre-defined length of time and a second visual and/or audible arm is made when the sensed temperature is outside a pre-defined temperature range for a second pre-defined length of time.
14 . The dryer as claimed in claim 13 wherein the time between the sensing of temperature by the detector can be pre-set.
15 . A dryer for textiles having a heating chamber with an input opening and an exit opening and a mechanism for moving the textiles through the input opening and heating chamber and out the exit opening, comprising:
at least one detector traveling on the mechanism for moving the textiles and sensing the temperature as it travels; and,
a controller receiving the sensed temperature and displaying and/or printing the sensed temperature over time.
16 . The dryer as claimed in claim 15 further including an electrical cord connected to the detector and the dryer has a socket so that the electrical cord can be connected to the socket.
17 . A dryer for textiles having a heating chamber with an input opening and an exit opening and a mechanism for moving the textiles through the input opening and heating chamber and out the exit opening, comprising:
a controller for storing at least one set of dryer settings associated with the dryer for recalling and applying to the dryer,
each set of dryer settings including:
a chamber temperature setting; and,
a speed setting for the mechanism moving the textiles.
18 . The dryer as claimed in claim 17 wherein the dryer settings further include:
an outfeed temperature setting;
an outfeed temperature off-set to define a pre-defined temperature range; and,
at least one outfeed dwell time associated with an alarm system in communication with the controller for visually and/or audibly alerting an operator when the sensed temperature is outside the pre-defined temperature range for a pre-set period of time.