Patent ID: 6141996
Filing Date: 2000-11-07
Classification: B29B,B29C,B29K,H01B

Abstract:
A psychrometric apparatus for replacing occluded noncondensable gases in continuous fibers with a condensable replacement fluid comprising:a pressure vessel having an inlet and an outlet, a condensation zone located adjacent to the pressure vessel inlet, and an evaporation zone located adjacent to the pressure vessel outlet, wherein the continuous fibers enter the pressure vessel inlet, travel downstream through the condensation zone and the evaporation zone, and exit the pressure vessel through the pressure vessel outlet;a fluid inlet port in the pressure vessel for injecting the continuous fibers with the replacement fluid; andan exhaust port for venting vapor-phase replacement fluid and noncondensable gases from the pressure vessel;wherein saturated vapor of the replacement fluid condenses on the continuous fibers under conditions within the condensation zone, and the condensed replacement fluid vaporizes under conditions within the evaporation zone, so that occluded noncondensable gases are dislodged from the continuous fibers and swept out of the pressure vessel by vaporized replacement fluid venting through the exhaust port.