Infrared Float Bar

摘要

Infrared air float bar for use in floating and drying a continuous planar web of a material in a dryer. Direct radiated or reflected infrared electromagnetic energy from an infrared light source in a removable channel assembly accelerates drying, or evaporation of solvents, or curing of web material passing in proximity to the bar, either by infrared electromagnetic energy, or in combination with convention airflow. The infrared source is cooled by pressurized air passing through an interior portion of the removable air bar channel assembly, and the air is further conducted into fluid contact with the web in an air gap between the emitter and web to promote convective heat transfer and to contribute to the air pressure field supporting web flotation. The removable channel assembly is configured for replacement of the infrared emitter and to allow the setting of the pressurized cooling air flow to the optimum level.

主权项

1. A method of drying a web of printed material having at least one region of wet ink coverage and at least one region without wet ink coverage, said method comprising applying both convective flux and infrared heat flux simultaneously to said web and in the same region of said web such that said at least one region having wet ink coverage is heated by an infrared emitter source and by convection air while simultaneously said at least one region without wet ink coverage is heated by said infrared emitter source while simultaneously being cooled by said convection air.