US2497676A - Infrared ray equipment - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 14, 1950 R. w. LASHELLS 2,497,676

INFRARED RAY EQUIPMENT Filed March 27. 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTUR.

1950 R. w. LASHELLS 2,497,676

INFRARED RAY EQUIPMENT Filed March 27, 1946 s Sheets-Sheet 2 LII AW II IN V EN TOR.

Feb. 14, 1950 w, s s 2,497,676

' INFRARED RAY EQUIPMENT Filed March 27. 1946 s Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Feb. 14, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE INFRARED RAY EQUIPMENT Ralph W. Lashellsfliindlay, Ohio Application March 27, 1946, Serial No. 657,395 1 Claim. (01. 219-34) i This invention relates to infrared ray equip ment and particularly to equipment employing infrared ray lamps for the purpose of heating objects of various character and for various purposes, the principal object being the provision of equipment of this type capable of conserving electrical energy, providing a more even distribution of the heat from the infrared ray lamps, and that is readily adapted to various sizes and shapes of objects to be subjected to the rays of infrared ray lamps.

Objects of the invention include the provision of a reflector structure for an infrared ray lamp by means of which a more efflcient distribution of the heat rays from an associated infrared ray lamp is possible than in constructions heretofore employed; the provision of equipment of the type described including a reflector so constructed and arranged as to permit a more eflicient reflection of heat rays from an infrared ray lamp either directly or indirectly associated therewith than in prior art structures; the provision, in equipment of the type described, of a reflecting device for association with an infrared ray lamp so constructed and arranged as to be capable of directing heat rays from a directly associated lamp simultaneously upon the opposite ends of a body which ends are spaced from each other by a distance greater than the maximum diameter 'of the lamp; the provision of a reflecting device of the character described provided in extended lengths and capable of receiving a plurality of infrared ray lamps in association therewith; and the provision of a reflector of the type described of a more or less continuous conformation and 1-;

adapted for a direct association with a plurality of laterally spaced infrared ray lamps, and a plurality of such reflectors and associated lamps being adapted to form banks of such lamps by arranging them with the reflectors in edge to edge relationship.

The above being among the objects of the present invention, the same consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, and then claimed, having the above and other objects-in View. I

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate suitable embodiments of the present invention and in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several difierent views.

Fig. l is a vertical sectional view taken transversely through a reflector-constructed in "accordance with the present invention, illustrating an infrared ray-lamp in association therewith and illustrating the reflection of heat rays from the infrared ray lamp by the reflector upon an object to be heated,

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but illustrating a pair of such reflectors and associated lamps in opposed relationship with respect to each other and illustrating the heat rays emanating from the lamps and reflected by the reflector,

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view illustrating a typical arrangement in which two banks of infrared ray lamps equipped with reflectors constructed in accordance with the present invention are arranged in opposed relationship with respect to each other and upon opposite sides of a conveyor mechanism by means of which work may be caused to be moved between the banks,

Fig. 4 is a reduced face view of one of the banks, shown in Fig. 3, but with the infrared ray lamps removed therefrom, and,

Figs. 5, 6, '7 and 8 are reduced views, similar to Fig. l, but illustrating the application of different types of infrared ray lamps to reflectors con- .structed in accordance with the present inven- .tion.

In infrared ray lamp equipment employed for .drying painted coatings on objects, or for any other reason, it is desirable, from a commercial standpoint, that such equipment be made up .mainly from standard parts which may be assembled to one another to form completed structures of various sizes and shapes adapting them to a relatively wide variation in uses, and sizes and shapes of objects being treated thereby. Otherwise, it would require special parts for each installation with corresponding increased costs of parts and increased time required to construct the same.

Additionally, part of such infrared ray lamp equipment desirably provides reflecting surfaces for the infrared rays emanating from the lamps. This is true because of the fact that many infrared ray lamps are not equipped with their own reflectors, that is, silvered surfaces incorporated as a part of the bulb itself, and therefore require for efiicient operation some means for directing the heat rays therefrom upon the work. Even in those cases where the bulbs are provided with their own reflecting surfaces, inasmuch as such :bulbs are usually arranged in opposed banks or series such reflecting surfaces are desirabl in each bank or series to reflect the heat received thereby from the bulbs of the opposite bank or series. Such reflecting surfaces are, of course,

preferably such'as to resultin an even concentratiom or'. diffusion of both the reflected and the to strike all surfaces of such object when such. object is of a greater siz than the maximum di'-' ameter of the lamp. It will be appreciatedlthat the value of providing such a reflecting surface is that certain sizes of objects, of a maximum"di mension between opposite sides substantially]? greater than the diameter of the lamp bulbs employed, may be completely subjected to the'effects' of infrared rays from the lamp without the necesi s-it'y of' employing multiple rows, or."'banks,-.. of lamps as is nowconvention'al practica. Theasav= ing is, of course, not only intheamount of" elec;- trical energy consumed foraparticularroperatibnz but is also material from. the standpoint. of 'costof equipment;

Thepresent invention deals particularly: with a reflector-for infrared" my equipment by means of which the above desirable characteristics are obtainable.- Furthermore, th'ezreflector' of the present invention isform'ed' in zlengths such that any desirablenumber'of infrared ray lampsmay be mounted inlaterally."spaced 'relation with respect to each other over the: length. of' a single such reflector; thus:-elimin'atin'g the" necessity of forminga separate reflector.for-cooperation with eacli lamp' as is now commonv practice Additi'onally; Su'ch refl'ec'tols are so constructed and arranged that they maybe' positi'onedi m1 edge to edge relationship with respectlto: each other in banks ofany'desired'length; and. height and'at suitable angles wi-tli r'esp'e'ctl t'o each 1' otherso as toenable -themato be adapted; to any size: and shape of object to be treated by infrared rays.

Thus; the construction; is;such.xas.itocprovide a standard: sectioniifor the? reflectors; which section may" be economically manufactured: in: relatively long-lengths and simply-cut? to the length: desired in; any particular installatiomand a. plurality of which lengths: may be readily associatedixwith each other: to' formibanks of; lamps" ofiany width 'or height.

Ref'e'rringinow to: the accompanyingdrawings and particularly to'Fig; 1, there is. shown'ame flector indicated generally at l'U-form'edtfrom: a single piece of sheet m'et'al andihaving a: base-or bottom wall l2 and opposite side: walls I4; It willbe understood that the View in Fiig; 1" is a transverse i, section through such reflector and that in' practice; the reflector is elongatedi and therefore of more or less trough: like conformation.- While. the'b'as or bottom walLlZmay be slightly curved orlfla't and: similarly the sidewalls F E-"maybe slightly'curvedlor'flat, theyarezpreferably flat as shown in; order to? obtain: a more evenly distributedo and controlled? reflection". of light fth'erefrom; Likewise; the; base? or' bottom wall [2 may 'bejoinedttd'the sidewalls M-rthroug-h ara'di'us of greater: or: lesser" extent; these: walls beingslio'wn'zin theed'rawings as: having: ai sub st'anti'ally sharp-corner betweenthem; The 1' free edgesiof tli'exside walls- I 4 are preferably provided with; a relatively'inarrow but' oontinuousfiange .16

I bent outwardly-ttherefrom .and: formed; integrally tlrerewittninotionlwtozaidiimrigidifyingrthe struce ture but for an additional purpose which will hereafter be apparent.

An infrared ray lamp bulb I8 is positioned with its axis in the longitudinal central plane of the reflector. While it may be supported in any suitable or conventional manner, in the particular case shown a sheet metal box or conduit 20 of rectangular section is mounted in spaced relation with respect to and in back of the base or rear wall: l2: and isv provided with aipair. of? forwardly projecting legs 22, theiree" ends of which are bent outwardly and rigidly secured in contact with the rear wall 12 of the reflector by means of.:s'crews-:24;. The member 20 has fixed interiorly thereof. a socket 25 of conventional construction ih'which-the threaded end of the bulb I8 is adaptedto-bexreceived. The rear wall I2 is, of course, apertured in line with the socket 25 in the member ZU-so that its stem portion may be projected therethrough. The member 2:) and the socket 25 carried .thereby is positioned at such. distance behind the rearxwall l 2 that theray emitting ele.- ment of the-lamp l8; ..shown in the conventional form. of: a coilLZfig. isr-positioned; a. material distance5rearwardly ofitheplane: ofthe forward edges ofzthe sidewalls Me. It isipreferable that the last mentioned relation: exist regardless of the particular size of the lamp lwS-employed'where suchrlamp isof the type shown-having atransparentbody devoid of reflectingv material forming a part thereof and the presence: of WhiChzWOU-ld prevent direct projection of the rays of heatfrom the lamp upon'the reflection: I0 Theprojection of the forward: edges of-the: side Wa1ls M beyond the point of heat" ray; emission. from the lamp M31 is. necessary to obtain-full advantage-of the present-invention, but even in'caseswherea lamp of such'shape'orsize-isemployed-that the point of" heat ray emissionthereof-z lies outwardly be.- yond the planeof'the freeedges ofthe-side walls oftherefiectorcertainmaterial advantages of the present'invention are .stillobtainable.

Where the-point; of. heat. ray emission. of the lampyshownas' the'coil 2fi inlthe. lamp l-S in Fig. 1; lies a: sufficient distance inwardly fromv the plane. of the free: edges .ofcthe. side walls. M, and the-side walls M are arranged at the-proper. angular relation with respect to the axis-of; the lamp l8; then, asbroughtout in::Fig. 1, the opposite ends of an. object, such: as. 2 8, tobeheated by the; lamp. I8 and spacedifrom. each. other. by a distance;greater'zthanthe diameter of thelamp l 8, .may be heated. thereby. In. suchcase, the opposed 'face of. thesobject28- may receive direct rays from the lamplii as-well as-rays therefrom ly and: centrally. in: front thereof...

Obviously; by positioning two lamps, andv their cooperating reflectors-in opposed. and. spaced relationship with -respect..to..each..otl1er as indicated. in Fig;- 2, then vwhen.amobflect such; as the object 28- of Fig. 1,. anobjectof. square section such as indicatedby dotted lines 341 inFig. 2, a round object such; asindicatedz at. 32 in Fig. 2, oruany othershaped, object-when positioned. centrallyii w-ith .respect to .-.the...-.axis..-of the lamp": and

;wheniofitgreatenzvertical dimension; thanrthe di the only difference being that the side walls l4 of the reflectors l shown in Fig. 2 are bent outwardly at a greater degree with respect to the central plane of the reflector than in the construction illustrated in Fig. 1. This feature of being able to bend the side walls I4 with respect to the base l2 so as to vary the angle in question is one of the advantages of the present inven 'tion as in such case reflectors having side walls at varying angles to the base or rear wall l2, or to the lamp axis, may be provided from standard size and shape reflectors. This is so particularly in view of the fact that the reflectors H) are preferably made of relatively light gage metal,

diffusion of rays from the lamps l8 reflected from the side walls 14 may be varied by simply varying this angle in the manner above described.

Although, in the broader aspects of the invention, the reflectors l4 may be formed from any suitable material having the desired light reflecting characteristics or having a surface imparting such characteristics to it, they are preferably made from aluminum or aluminum alloy having a specular finish having a reflectivity in the neighborhood of 80% or more. It has been found that by the use of such material the reflectors ID are relatively cheap and an extremely effective reflecting surface is provided.

It will, of course, be appreciated that in actual practice very few installations will be made comprising a single reflector l0 having one or more bulbs such as l8 mounted in cooperation therewith, or a single pair of reflectors l0 each with one or more bulbs such as 18 mounted in cooperative relation therewith as shown in Fig. 2. The reason for this is that most installations will be such as to permit a relatively wide variation in size and shapes of objects to be treated thereby and in such case an arrangement of the general character shown in Fig. 3, or the equivalent, will ordinarily be resorted to.

Referring to Fig. 3, it will be noted that in this case there are two banks of reflector and lamp assemblies arranged in opposed relationship to each other on opposite sides of a monorail conveyor indicated generally at 40. In this case, each bank of lamps and reflectors includes six horizontally extending parallel reflectors l0 arranged in succession one above the other with the adjacent flanges H in overlapping relationship with respect to each other and secured together by -means of suitable fastening devices such as sheet metal screws 42. The four center reflectors l0 are arranged with the axes of the lamps 18, or

'of each opening 44.

their central planes, horizontally so as to direct the rays of heat therefrom generally in a horizontal direction except, of course, concentrated and/or diffused, as explained in connection with Figs. 1 and 2. The lower reflector of each bank is arranged with the central plane thereof, or the axis of its various lamps l8, directed inwardly and upwardly, in the particular case shown at approximately to the horizontal. Similarly, the upper reflector ll! of each bank is arranged with the central plane of the reflector, or the plane including the axis of the lamps l8, directed inwardly and downwardly, shown in the particular case illustrated as approximately at 45 to the horizontal.

It will be understood that each bulb l8 in the .construction illustrated in Fig. 3 is supported with respect to its reflector It in identically the same general manner as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, and it will also be understood that in the arrangement shown in Fig. 3 each reflector It) will be relatively elongated and have a plurality of lamps 58 associated in spaced relationship with respect to each other over its length. This feature is brought out in Fig. 4, which is a face view of one Of the banks shown in Fig. 3 except that the lamps 18 have been removed, and from which it will be noted that each reflector I0 is provided with eight openings 44 arranged in equally spaced relation with respect to each other over the length of the reflector and through each of which the stem of a lamp [8, or the equivalent, is adapted to be projected for reception in a socket therefor, one arranged directly to the rear Accordingly, in the particular arrangement shown, each bank of lamps shown in Fig. 3 will include 48 lamps when a lamp is inserted in each of the sockets.

While the reflectors l0 and lamps is, or the equivalent, may be supported in the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 in any suitable manner, in the particular case shown by way of illustration, each bank includes an end frame comprising a vertical angle member 46 suitably secured as by welding at its lower end to a hori zontally directed member 48 mounted upon a pair of spaced casters 50. An angularly disposed angle iron 52 arranged with its face in a plane perpendicular to the central plane of the lower reflector l0 interconnects the members 46 and 48 outwardly of their first described point of attachment and not only serves as a brace for the joint between them but for the purpose of supporting the lower reflector l0 and lamps carried thereby as will be appreciated. A short angularly directed angle iron 54 directed upwardly and inwardly from the upper end of each member 46 is suitably secured thereto by welding or the like and serves the same purpose as the members 52 in the support of the corresponding reflector l0 and lamps l8.

In the construction illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, the members 20 first described are assumed to be elongated channel sectioned members intercom necting the members 46, 52 and 54 at opposite ends of each bank so as to rigidly interconnect them and serve as a means for supporting the in Fig. 3 and in close but spaced relationship with 78 respect .to each other, they cooperate to form fromeach other, and. front the floor; provide for .1

theready'flow of air'b'e'low ithe and between them -into the central portiontof'the oven Where such airgbeing he'ate'd'from contact with the reflectors I and articles being treated may i freely escape upwardly between the opposede'dges of the upper V deflectors-Ill. Thisispointed out bythe arrows 58 in Fig. 3 showing thelflowof'such air. This "fiow' of air is oft'en important, particularlywhere thebanks of lamps are employed for drying a coat of paint or enamel, or the like, on'the sur- "fa'ce' oran ob'je'chias the lampsdrive oil the volatile fluid of the paints-'orwenamel'and the-flow'of air carries this away, thereby constantlyproviding a supply of fresh air Whichmaymore readily absorb such volatile fluids.

It "will be appreciated thatinpracticethe refl'ectors may become very .hot: and this is particul'arly' sowhere the .lamp bulb's ls-or their equivalent are-riot the'typeiincorporating the reflector 'sur'fa'ce as 'anintegral part thereof. Evenin the flatter case they usually becomeveryhot because "ofreception'of light rays 'fromthe lamps of the opposite bank. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a'fre'e'flow oi'air particularly over the back surfaces of the reflectors 410 so as'to'dissipate such heat and prevent any deleterious effects there'oforr the wiringfor the various lamps. In the presentcase, the "rear faces of the reflectors lllare open to the surrounding air so that such --air in "being heated may freely flow upwardly ove'r'the backs of the reflector, as indicated'by the arrows 58 and carrythe heat away.

An important advantage-of the present invention is that inheating objects passed through opposed banks of thel'ampssuch as those shown- "in Fig. 3, the :am'ountof electrical energy re- "quired for .heatin the objects to the desired extent may bekept at a-minimum. Where the "objects to 'be treated are-of such depth, as for 'instan'cein thef'case of the article Ell illustratedinFig. 3, that its upper 'end'is at a level with or -above'the upper edge ofthe second from the top reflector in each bank, and the bottom edge is on the level with 'or'ibelow the lower edge from 'the second from/the bottom reflectorin "each "bank, then of. course "all of the lamps 18 in such "banks must be energized :if all the surfaces of theobje'ot 6-8 are to receive the rays of heat-from th'e'lamp and be affected thereby. On-the other hand, 'if an object such as indicated by dotted dines at 62 is the object to lea-treated-and which object '52 is of less vertical height than the width of two-reflectors It then, as illustrated at *Fig. 3, it may be so suspended from the conyeyordt that its-upper edge is below the upper edge of one reflector of each bank" and its lower edge is: above the loweredge of the next-adjacent -reflector of'each bank, so that in thiscase only the lamps i8 in two-reflectors H) of each'bank are required to he energized-in. order to com-- .flpletely cover all surfaces of the object 62. On the other hand, if an object suchasillustrated by dotted lines at 64 in-Fig. '3 is-to-be treated between the two-banksof lamps and --its vertical dimension is less-than the width of -the open side;- of la single'reflector Hl, then itmay be'arranged 2in substantiallypf the same relation as the obiiects and 32 -:Fl'g. -i2, .and as brought out :Fig. 3, "so that the lamps in only one irefle'ctor i111 598311 k are quired 't0 "be energized answers 8 cover -all surfaces of the object #64 to be treated.

.It'i's to be particularly hoted that-with-infrared ray lamp equipment :as heretoforeproduced and having lamps arranged in banks as in the general manner illustrated in Fig. =3,- it would be necessary inthetreating ofobjects such as-E2, and by shifting the same vertically from the position shown, to employ at least three rows of lamps in each bank-and in order to treat-anobject such "as "64 to employ at least tworows. Thus, the possible relative saving in cost of electrical energy by the use'of the present invention will be appreciated. Where, as above explained, the size of the object being passed between the opposite banks of lamps-shown. in Fig. 3, or their equivalent, issuch as topermit only'a portion 'ofthe various rowsv of lampsin each bankto-beutilized in. properly treating --'it, then the 'efiect of the remaining rows of lamps-may be eliminated in anysuitablemanner. For instance, the lamps P8 of each other rows may simply be removed. On the other hand, however, a switch is preferably providedin thecircuit for each row of lam-ps l8 "so that by simply opening certain such switches any desired row or rows nlay be deenergized. 'In thismanner, the opposed banks of lamps'may be quickly conditioned to process any desired size of object capable of being received between the opposite banks of lamps.

a As previously mentioned, while the-reflectorof the present invention is probably more efficient when employed with a lamp of therelative size illustrated in Figs. 1, .2, and 3, and which lampis there shown asthe type commercially-known as the G-3Q,and while, of course, such reflectors may be made in any size'so as'to be correspondingly associated with-other sizes of infrared ray lamps, other relative sizes of lamps may, of course, be used with anyparticular sizerefl'ector. This is brought out in -Figs.'5, 6, '7, and- 3, in which lamps of a sized-iiieren-t irom the 6-30 size, shown as a lamp +8 in the previous'figures, is illustrated with thesame relative size of reflector. For instance, in Fig. 5a lamp commercially known as G-25 is shown in association with areflector H3 assumed in this caseto be the same sizeas the reflectors previously shown. This lamp is slightly smaller than the G-SO lamp, shown as :a lamp E8 in the previous figure, and the relative relation of the same with respect to the reflector I9 is thus indicated. In Fig. 6 an infrared ray lamp commercially known as type F's-30 isillustrated; in Fig. 7 an infrared ray lamp of a type commercially known as'type (3-40 is shown; and in Fig. 8 an infrared ray lamp of atype commercially known as type It -40 isshown. These lamps all varyin'size from the lamp of the type G-30 and the relative relation with the same size reflector as employed with the latter type lamp in theprevious figures is illustrated. The advantages above described are-all realized to a greater or lesser extent in connection'with all these various types of lamps, orot-her types, but in the case of lampsof theR-eo type or similar lamps which incorporate their own reflecting surfacesthen, of course, the rays fromthe lamp itself will not be directly reflected from its own reflector I!) but the rays therefrom will bepropected to the opposite'ban-k of lamps and there bare-reflected in a manner similar to'thatabov e described.

Having thus described "my invention and the advantages thereof, what I claim by Letters Patent is:

Infrared;rayequipmentzeompnsinginrcombmctlon a relatively elongated one piece trough-like member formed from sheet aluminum having a specular finish and comprising a relatively fiat base and a pair of opposed outwardly diverging substantially flat side walls projecting from the edges thereof, and terminating at their free edges in laterally outwardly directed flanges, said sheet aluminum being of such a thickness as to permit the angularity between said side walls and said base to be readily varied between 30 and 45 with respect to the central plane of the reflector by bending the side walls with respect to said base, and the angularity of said flanges with respect to such side walls may be readily varied by bending said flanges with respect to said side walls, and an infrared ray lamp supported in fixed relations with respect to said reflector with the infrared ray emitting element thereof approximately centrally of the central plane of said re- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 908,838 Brown Jan. 5, 1909 1,400,859 Brown et a1 Dec. 20, 1921 2,042,855 Merklein June 2, 1936 2,263,866 Barber Nov. 25, 1941 2,317,426 Wilson Apr. 27, 1943 2,355,459 Miskella Aug. 8, 1944 Certificate of Correction Patent N 0. 2,497,676 February 14, 1950 RALPH W. LASHELLS It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

7 Column 7, line 6, after the word below strike out the; column 8, line 21, for each read such;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this 13th day of June, A. D. 1950.

[SEAL] THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Commissioner of Patents.

Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,497,676 February 14, 1950 RALPH W. LASHELLS It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 7, line 6, after the word below strike out the; column 8, line 21, for each read such;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that me same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 13th day of June, A. D. 1950.

[SEAL] THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Commissioner of Patents.

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