Patent ID: 8726539

Claim:
In an open-loop drying system that includes flexible ducting attachable to user-selectable structures present at fixed locations for introducing into enclosed spaces within such structures non-recirculated treated air for effecting removal of moisture from and the drying of the interiors of such enclosed spaces within such structures, wherein such structures are configurable to provide a vent opening to atmosphere and to permit an exchange of air within and the discharge to outside atmosphere of air from such enclosed spaces as the drying system operates in drying mode, a drying system component comprising: a portable drying device transportable to the fixed location of a given structure and positionable thereat external to such given structure, said drying device separate from such given structure, connectable to the flexible ducting attachable to such given structure, and having communication to the atmosphere, said drying device including: a cabinet structure; a heating unit within said cabinet structure; an inlet portion into said cabinet structure admitting air from the atmosphere; an outlet portion from said cabinet structure to which the flexible ducting is connectable; a fan operable to move air through said cabinet structure from said inlet portion towards said heating unit and to said outlet portion; a control for automatedly controlling operation of said heating unit, said control operable to monitor conditions at the enclosed space and responsive to conditions thereat to control the operation of said heating unit; said heating unit operable in accordance with said control to controllably heat air being continuously supplied through said inlet portion from outside of the enclosed space during drying mode operation and to raise the temperature and lower the moisture concentration of the supplied atmospheric air to produce treated air; said drying device operable when so positioned external to said given structure and connected to the flexible ducting to deliver treated air of substantially lower humidity than the air of the atmosphere outside of the structure outwardly from said outlet portion through the flexible tubing into the enclosed space to effect drying of the enclosed space; and whereby introduction of the treated air into the enclosed space effects an evaporation process thereat that causes the moisture content of the treated air delivered into the enclosed space to increase as it moves through the enclosed space toward the vent opening to purge moisture from the enclosed space and to effect changes in the conditions within the enclosed space whereby such changes of conditions within the enclosed space effect changes in the operation of the heating unit to thereby reduce the energy consumption required for the drying process while increasing the speed to accomplish the desired moisture removal.