초록 ▼

A dryer is constructed and arranged to dry vegetable product, such as coffee beans. The dryer includes a thermal collector that is constructed and arranged to convert solar energy to heat energy, a heat transfer system, and a housing that defines a drying chamber. The thermal collector is positioned

A dryer is constructed and arranged to dry vegetable product, such as coffee beans. The dryer includes a thermal collector that is constructed and arranged to convert solar energy to heat energy, a heat transfer system, and a housing that defines a drying chamber. The thermal collector is positioned toward a light source and is thermally connected to the heat transfer system. The heat transfer system is also in thermal communication with the drying chamber. Therefore heat is able to move from the thermal collector to the drying chamber. Convective forces, or flow, can be used to move air inside the drying chamber, but photovoltaic energy could also be used to enhance this effect.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A dryer for drying vegetable product comprising:a thermal collector constructed and arranged to convert solar energy to heat energy;a heat transfer system;a housing having a drying chamber;wherein said heat transfer system is in thermal communication with both said thermal collector and said dryi

1. A dryer for drying vegetable product comprising:a thermal collector constructed and arranged to convert solar energy to heat energy;a heat transfer system;a housing having a drying chamber;wherein said heat transfer system is in thermal communication with both said thermal collector and said drying chamber such that heat is able to move from said thermal collector to said drying chamber; andfurther comprising a photovoltaic module constructed and arranged to provide electrical power to said heat transfer system, said photovoltaic module being electrically connected to said heat transfer system.2. The dryer of claim 1 wherein said photovoltaic module further comprises a battery constructed and arranged to store electrical energy.3. The dryer of claim 2 wherein said photovoltaic module provides all of the electrical energy consumed by said dryer.4. A dryer for drying vegetable product comprising:a thermal collector constructed and arranged to convert solar energy to heat energy;a heat transfer system;a housing having a drying chamber; andwherein said heat transfer system is in thermal communication with both said thermal collector and said drying chamber such that heat is able to move from said thermal collector to said drying chamber;wherein said heat transfer system further comprises:a first heat transfer circuit including a first pump and a first heat transfer medium;a second heat transfer circuit including a second pump and a second heat transfer medium;a first heat exchanger; andwherein said first heat exchanger is in thermal communication with said thermal collector via said first heat transfer circuit and said first heat exchanger is in thermal communication with said drying chamber via said second heat transfer circuit such that heat is able to move from said first heat transfer circuit to said second heat transfer circuit.5. The dryer of claim 4 wherein said heat transfer system further comprises a second heat exchanger.6. The dryer of claim 4 wherein said heat transfer system further comprises a heat storage medium, said heat storage medium being in thermal communication with said drying chamber such that heat is able to move from said heat storage medium to said second heat transfer circuit.7. The dryer of claim 4 wherein said heat transfer system further comprises an auxiliary heat source, said auxiliary heat source being in thermal communication with said drying chamber such that heat is able to move from said auxiliary heat source to said second heat transfer circuit.8. The dryer of claim 7 wherein the auxiliary heat source is a furnace constructed and arranged to burn biomass.9. The dryer of claim 8 wherein said biomass is coffee parchment.10. The dryer of claim 4 wherein said first heat transfer medium is water.11. The dryer of claim 4 wherein said second heat transfer medium is air.12. The dryer of claim 4 further comprising a heat storage medium in thermal communication with an auxiliary heat source, said thermal collector, and said drying chamber, wherein heat is able to move from said auxiliary heat source to said heat storage medium, from said thermal collector to said heat storage medium, and from said heat storage medium to said drying chamber.13. A dryer for drying vegetable product comprising:a housing defining a cylindrical drying chamber, the housing having an outer wall extending around the drying chamber, the outer wall defining a plurality of perforations for intaking and exhausting fluid;an infuser adjacent to the perforations for infusing fluid through the perforations;wherein the housing is constructed and arranged to rotate relative to the infuser; and wherein the infuser is periodically adjacent to first and second relative sides of the outer wall, the first and second sides capable of changing position as the housing rotates relative to the infuser, the first relative side being in a position for intaking fluid into the drying chamber when the second relative side is in position for exhausting fluid from the drying chamber.14. The dryer of claim 13 wherein the infuser is in thermal communication with a heat source for heating fluid to be infused into the drying chamber.15. A housing defining a drying chamber for drying vegetable product, the housing comprising:a cylindrical wall extending around the drying chamber, opposing end walls at either end of the drying chamber, a plurality of perforations located for intaking and exhausting fluid, wherein the housing is constructed and arranged to rotate about an axis; and a set of doors in the cylindrical wall to load and unload vegetable product.16. The housing of claim 15 further comprising a set of baffles for mixing produce within the drying chamber, the baffles extending from the inner surface of the cylindrical wall.17. A dryer for drying vegetable product, comprising:a housing having a drying chamber, the housing having a fluid intake port and a fluid exhaust port located along a fluid flow path of the drying chamber, the intake and exhaust ports oriented such that the fluid flow path includes a substantial component in the vertical direction;a set of support members providing channels substantially oriented in the direction of the fluid flow path; and wherein the channels are adjustable relative to the vertical direction.18. The dryer of claim 17 wherein the housing further comprises an entry port and an exit port, the entry port located vertically upward relative to the exit port.19. The dryer of claim 17 wherein the channels are constructed and arranged to conduct product from a higher level relative to a ground level to a lower level relative to the ground level.