F
SECTION F — MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
 F01 - 
F42

Note(s)

Guide to the use of this subsection (classes F01-F04)

The following notes are meant to assist in the use of this part of the classification scheme.

  1. In this subsection, subclasses or groups designating "engines" or "pumps" cover methods of operating the same, unless otherwise specifically provided for.
  2. In this subsection, the following terms or expressions are used with the meanings indicated:
    • "engine" means a device for continuously converting fluid energy into mechanical power. Thus, this term includes, for example, steam piston engines or steam turbines, per se, or internal-combustion piston engines, but it excludes single-stroke devices. "Engine" also includes the fluid-motive portion of a meter unless such portion is particularly adapted for use in a meter;
    • "pump" means a device for continuously raising, forcing, compressing, or exhausting fluid by mechanical or other means. Thus, this term includes fans or blowers;
    • "machine" means a device which could equally be an engine and a pump, and not a device which is restricted to an engine or one which is restricted to a pump;
    • "positive displacement" means the way the energy of a working fluid is transformed into mechanical energy, in which variations of volume created by the working fluid in a working chamber produce equivalent displacements of the mechanical member transmitting the energy, the dynamic effect of the fluid being of minor importance, and vice versa;
    • "non-positive displacement" means the way the energy of a working fluid is transformed into mechanical energy, by transformation of the energy of the working fluid into kinetic energy, and vice versa;
    • "oscillating-piston machine" means a positive-displacement machine in which a fluid-engaging work-transmitting member oscillates. This definition applies also to engines and pumps;
    • "rotary-piston machine" means a positive-displacement machine in which a fluid-engaging work-transmitting member rotates about a fixed axis or about an axis moving along a circular or similar orbit. This definition applies also to engines and pumps;
    • "rotary piston" means the work-transmitting member of a rotary-piston machine and may be of any suitable form, e.g., like a toothed gear;
    • "cooperating members" means the "oscillating piston" or "rotary piston" and another member, e.g., the working-chamber wall, which assists in the driving or pumping action;
    • "movement of the co-operating members" is to be interpreted as relative, so that one of the "co-operating members" may be stationary, even though reference may be made to its rotational axis, or both may move;
    • "teeth or tooth equivalents" include lobes, projections or abutments;
    • "internal-axis type" means that the rotational axes of the inner and outer co-operating members remain at all times within the outer member, e.g., in a similar manner to that of a pinion meshing with the internal teeth of a ring gear;
    • "free piston" means a piston of which the length of stroke is not defined by any member driven thereby;
    • "cylinders" means positive-displacement working chambers in general. Thus, this term is not restricted to cylinders of circular cross-section;
    • "main shaft" means the shaft which converts reciprocating piston motion into rotary motion or vice versa;
    • "plant" means an engine together with such additional apparatus as is necessary to run the engine. For example, a steam engine plant includes a steam engine and means for generating the steam;
    • "working fluid" means the driven fluid in a pump and the driving fluid in an engine. The working fluid may be in a gaseous state, i.e., compressible, or liquid. In the former case coexistence of two states is possible;
    • "steam" includes condensable vapours in general, and "special vapour" is used when steam is excluded;
    • "reaction type" as applied to non-positive-displacement machines or engines means machines or engines in which pressure/velocity transformation takes place wholly or partly in the rotor. Mmachines or engines with no, or only slight, pressure/velocity transformation in the rotor are called "impulse type".
  3. In this subsection:
  4. For use of this subsection with a good understanding, it is essential to remember, so far as subclasses F01B, F01C, F01D, F03B, and F04B, F04C, F04D, which form its skeleton, are concerned:
    • the principle which resides in their elaboration,
    • the classifying characteristics which they call for, and
    • their complementarity.
      1. Principle

        This concerns essentially the subclasses listed above. Other subclasses, notably those of class F02, which cover better-defined matter, are not considered here.

        Each subclass covers fundamentally a genus of apparatus (engine or pump) and by extension covers equally "machines" of the same kind. Two different subjects, one having a more general character than the other, are thus covered by the same subclass.

        Subclasses F01B, F03B, F04B, beyond the two subjects which they cover, have further a character of generality in relation to other subclasses concerning the different species of apparatus in the genus concerned.

        This generality applies as well for the two subjects dealt with, without these always being in relation to the same subclasses.

        Thus, subclass F03B, in its part dealing with "machines", should be considered as being the general class relating to subclasses F04B, F04C, and in its part dealing with "engines" as being general in relation to subclass F03C.

      2. Characteristics

        The principal classifying characteristic of the subclass is that of genera of apparatus, of which there are three possible:

        Machines; engines; pumps.

        As stated above, "machines" are always associated with one of the other two genera. These main genera are subdivided according to the general principles of operation of the apparatus:

        Positive displacement; non-positive displacement.

        The positive displacement apparatus are further subdivided according to the ways of putting into effect the principle of operation, that is, to the kind of apparatus:

        Simple reciprocating piston; rotary or oscillating piston; other kind.

        Another classifying characteristic is that of the working fluid, in respect of which three kinds of apparatus are possible, namely:

        Liquid and elastic fluid; elastic fluid; liquid.

      3. Complementarity

        This resides in association of pairs of the subclasses listed above, according to the characteristics under consideration in respect of kind of apparatus or working fluid.

        The subclasses concerned with the various principles, characteristics and complementarity are shown in the following table:

It is seen from this table that:

  
LIGHTING; HEATING
 F26
DRYING
 F26B
DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM (racks for drying fruit or vegetables A01F 25/12; drying foodstuffs A23; drying hair A45D 20/00; body-drying implements A47K 10/00; drying household articles A47L; drying gases or vapours B01D; chemical or physical processes for dewatering or like separating liquids from solids B01D 43/00; centrifugal apparatus B04; drying ceramics C04B 33/30; drying yarns or fabrics in association with some other form of treatment D06C; drying frames for laundry without heating or positive air circulation, domestic laundry-or spin-driers, wringing or hot pressing laundry D06F; furnaces, kilns, ovens F27)
 F26B

Note(s)

Processes using enzymes or micro-organisms in order to:

  1. liberate, separate or purify a pre-existing compound or composition, or to
  2. treat textiles or clean solid surfaces of materials
are further classified in subclass C12S[5]

 F26B
Subclass index
PROCESSES FOR DRYING
Preliminary treatment 1/00
Processes: with heat; without heat; by combination of both types 3/00; 5/00; 7/00
MACHINES OR APPARATUS FOR DRYING
With articles to be dried at rest or locally agitated, domestic airing 9/00
With non-progressive movement 11/00
With progressive movement: for fabrics or yarns; for articles and compact batches; for material not in compact batches 13/00; 15/00; 17/00
Other kinds 19/00
Combinations using at least two of the above kinds 20/00
ARRANGEMENTS OR DETAILS OF GENERAL APPLICATIONS
Arrangements for air or gas for drying; heating 21/00; 23/00
Other details 25/00
 F26B 1/00 - 
F26B 7/00
Processes for drying
 F26B 1/00
Preliminary treatment of solid materials or objects to facilitate drying
 F26B 3/00
Drying solid materials or objects by processes involving the application of heat (in specific machines or apparatus F26B 9/00-F26B 19/00)
 F26B 3/02
·  by convection, i.e. heat being conveyed from a heat source to the materials or objects to be dried by a gas or vapour, e.g. air
 F26B 3/04
·  ·  the gas or vapour circulating over, or surrounding, the materials or objects to be dried (F26B 3/14 takes precedence)
 F26B 3/06
·  ·  the gas or vapour flowing through the materials or objects to be dried (F26B 3/14 takes precedence)
 F26B 3/08
·  ·  ·  so as to loosen them, e.g. to form a fluidised bed
 F26B 3/084
·  ·  ·  ·  with heat exchange taking place in the fluidised bed  [5]
 F26B 3/088
·  ·  ·  ·  using inert thermally-stabilised particles  [5]
 F26B 3/092
·  ·  ·  ·  agitating the fluidised bed, e.g. by vibrating or pulsating  [5]
 F26B 3/097
·  ·  ·  ·  using a magnetic field to stabilise the fluidised bed  [5]
 F26B 3/10
·  ·  the gas or vapour carrying the materials or objects to be dried with it
 F26B 3/12
·  ·  ·  in the form of a spray
 F26B 3/14
·  ·  the materials or objects to be dried being moved by gravity
 F26B 3/16
·  ·  ·  in a counter-flow of the gas or vapour
 F26B 3/18
·  by conduction, i.e. the heat is conveyed from the heat source, e.g. gas flame, to the materials or objects to be dried by direct contact
 F26B 3/20
·  ·  the heat source being a heated surface (F26B 3/22 takes precedence)
 F26B 3/22
·  ·  the heat source and the materials or objects to be dried being in relative motion, e.g. of vibration
 F26B 3/24
·  ·  ·  the movement being rotation
 F26B 3/26
·  ·  ·  the movement being performed by gravity
 F26B 3/28
·  by radiation, e.g. from the sun
 F26B 3/30
·  ·  from infra-red-emitting elements
 F26B 3/32
·  by development of heat within the materials or objects to be dried
 F26B 3/34
·  ·  by using electrical effects
 F26B 3/347
·  ·  ·  Electromagnetic heating, e.g. induction heating or heating using microwave energy  [4]
 F26B 3/353
·  ·  ·  Resistance heating  [4]
 F26B 3/36
·  ·  by using mechanical effects, e.g. by friction (by using ultrasonic vibration F26B 5/02)
 F26B 5/00
Drying solid materials or objects by processes not involving the application of heat (separating liquids from solids by straining B01D; replacing liquids in wet solids by other liquids, e.g. water by spirit, B01D 12/00; drying by electrophoresis B01J)
 F26B 5/02
·  by using ultrasonic vibrations
 F26B 5/04
·  by evaporation or sublimation of moisture under reduced pressure, e.g. in a vacuum
 F26B 5/06
·  ·  the process involving freezing
 F26B 5/08
·  by centrifugal treatment
 F26B 5/10
·  ·  the process involving freezing
 F26B 5/12
·  by suction
 F26B 5/14
·  by applying pressure, e.g. wringing; by brushing; by wiping
 F26B 5/16
·  by contact with sorbent bodies, e.g. absorbent mould; by admixture with sorbent materials
 F26B 7/00
Drying solid materials or objects by processes using a combination of processes not covered by a single one of groups F26B 3/00 or F26B 5/00
 F26B 9/00 - 
F26B 20/00
Machines or apparatus for drying
 F26B 9/00
Machines or apparatus for drying solid materials or objects at rest or with only local agitation; Domestic airing cupboards
 F26B 9/02
·  in buildings (special types of buildings E04H)
 F26B 9/04
·  in presses or clamping devices
 F26B 9/06
·  in stationary drums or chambers
 F26B 9/08
·  ·  including agitating devices
 F26B 9/10
·  in the open air; in pans or tables in rooms; Drying stacks of loose material
 F26B 11/00
Machines or apparatus for drying solid materials or objects with movement which is non-progressive
 F26B 11/02
·  in moving drums or other mainly-closed receptacles (F26B 11/18 takes precedence)
 F26B 11/04
·  ·  rotating about a horizontal or slightly-inclined axis
 F26B 11/06
·  ·  ·  with stirring devices which are held stationary
 F26B 11/08
·  ·  rotating about a vertical or steeply-inclined axis
 F26B 11/10
·  ·  ·  with stirring devices which are held stationary
 F26B 11/12
·  in stationary drums or other mainly-closed receptacles with moving stirring devices (F26B 11/22 takes precedence)
 F26B 11/14
·  ·  the stirring device moving in a horizontal or slightly-inclined plane
 F26B 11/16
·  ·  the stirring device moving in a vertical or steeply-inclined plane
 F26B 11/18
·  on or in moving dishes, trays, pans, or other mainly-open receptacles
 F26B 11/20
·  ·  with stirring devices which are held stationary
 F26B 11/22
·  on or in stationary dishes, trays, pans, or other mainly-open receptacles, with moving stirring devices
 F26B 13/00
Machines or apparatus for drying fabrics, fibres, yarns, or other materials in long lengths, with progressive movement
 F26B 13/02
·  with movement in a straight line
 F26B 13/04
·  ·  using rollers
 F26B 13/06
·  with movement in a sinuous or zig-zag path
 F26B 13/08
·  ·  using rollers
 F26B 13/10
·  Arrangements for feeding, heating, or supporting materials; Regulating movement, tension, or position of materials (heating processes F26B 3/00)
 F26B 13/12
·  ·  Regulating movement, tension, or position of material
 F26B 13/14
·  ·  Rollers (sorbent surfaces F26B 13/26)
 F26B 13/16
·  ·  ·  perforated (F26B 13/18 takes precedence; for applying suction F26B 13/30)
 F26B 13/18
·  ·  ·  heated; cooled
 F26B 13/20
·  ·  Supporting materials by fluid jets, e.g. air
 F26B 13/22
·  ·  Arrangements of gas flames
 F26B 13/24
·  Arrangements of devices using drying processes not involving heating (such processes per se F26B 5/00)
 F26B 13/26
·  ·  using sorbent surfaces, e.g. bands or coverings on rollers
 F26B 13/28
·  ·  for applying pressure; for brushing; for wiping
 F26B 13/30
·  ·  for applying suction, e.g. through perforated rollers
 F26B 15/00
Machines or apparatus for drying objects with progressive movement; Machines or apparatus with progressive movement for drying batches of material in compact form (F26B 13/00, F26B 17/00 take precedence; conveyers in general B65G)
 F26B 15/02
·  with movement in the whole or part of a circle
 F26B 15/04
·  ·  in a horizontal plane
 F26B 15/06
·  ·  ·  involving several planes, one above the other
 F26B 15/08
·  ·  in a vertical plane
 F26B 15/10
·  with movement in a path composed of one or more straight lines, e.g. compound
 F26B 15/12
·  ·  the lines being all horizontal or slightly inclined
 F26B 15/14
·  ·  ·  the objects or batches of materials being carried by trays or racks
 F26B 15/16
·  ·  ·  the objects or batches of materials being carried by wheeled trucks
 F26B 15/18
·  ·  ·  the objects or batches of materials being carried by endless belts
 F26B 15/20
·  ·  the lines being all vertical or steeply inclined
 F26B 15/22
·  ·  ·  the objects or batches of materials being carried by endless belts
 F26B 15/24
·  ·  ·  ·  in a zig-zag path
 F26B 15/26
·  with movement in a helical path
 F26B 17/00
Machines or apparatus for drying materials in loose, plastic, or fluidised form, e.g. granules, staple fibres, with progressive movement (F26B 13/00 takes precedence)
 F26B 17/02
·  with movement performed by belts carrying the materials; with movement performed by belts propelling the materials over stationary surfaces
 F26B 17/04
·  ·  the belts being all horizontal or slightly inclined (F26B 17/08 takes precedence)
 F26B 17/06
·  ·  the belts being all vertical or steeply inclined (F26B 17/08 takes precedence)
 F26B 17/08
·  ·  the belts being arranged in a sinuous or zig-zag path
 F26B 17/10
·  with movement performed by fluid currents, e.g. issuing from a nozzle (F26B 3/08 takes precedence)  [5]
 F26B 17/12
·  with movement performed solely by gravity
 F26B 17/14
·  ·  the materials moving through a counter-current of gas
 F26B 17/16
·  ·  the materials passing down a heated surface
 F26B 17/18
·  with movement performed by rotating helical blades or other rotary conveyers moving materials in stationary chambers
 F26B 17/20
·  ·  the axis of rotation being horizontal or slightly inclined
 F26B 17/22
·  ·  the axis of rotation being vertical or steeply inclined
 F26B 17/24
·  with movement performed by shooting or throwing the materials
 F26B 17/26
·  with movement performed by reciprocating or oscillating conveyers propelling materials over stationary surfaces; with movement performed by reciprocating or oscillating shelves, sieves, or trays
 F26B 17/28
·  with movement performed by rollers or discs with material passing over or between them, e.g. suction drum, sieve
 F26B 17/30
·  with movement performed by rotary or oscillating containers; with movement performed by rotary floors
 F26B 17/32
·  ·  the movement being in a horizontal or slightly-inclined plane
 F26B 17/34
·  ·  the movement being in a vertical or steeply-inclined plane
 F26B 19/00
Machines or apparatus for drying solid materials or objects not covered by groups F26B 9/00-F26B 17/00
 F26B 20/00
Combinations of machines or apparatus covered by two or more of groups F26B 9/00-F26B 19/00
 F26B 21/00 - 
F26B 25/00
Details of general application
 F26B 21/00
Arrangements for supplying or controlling air or gases for drying solid materials or objects (air-conditioning or ventilation in general F24F)
 F26B 21/02
·  Circulating air or gases in closed cycles, e.g. wholly within the drying enclosure (F26B 21/14 takes precedence)
 F26B 21/04
·  ·  partly outside the drying enclosure
 F26B 21/06
·  Controlling, e.g. regulating, parameters of gas supply (F26B 21/14 takes precedence; control in general G05)
 F26B 21/08
·  ·  Humidity
 F26B 21/10
·  ·  Temperature; Pressure
 F26B 21/12
·  ·  Velocity of flow; Quantity of flow
 F26B 21/14
·  using gases or vapours other than air or steam
 F26B 23/00
Heating arrangements (using heated air or gases F26B 21/00)
 F26B 23/02
·  using combustion heating (F26B 23/10 takes precedence)
 F26B 23/04
·  using electric heating (F26B 23/10 takes precedence)
 F26B 23/06
·  ·  resistance heating
 F26B 23/08
·  ·  inductive heating; capacitative heating; microwave heating
 F26B 23/10
·  using tubes or passages containing heated fluids
 F26B 25/00
Details of general application not covered by group F26B 21/00 or F26B 23/00 (loading, conveying, or unloading in general B65G)
 F26B 25/02
·  Applications of driving mechanisms, not covered by another subclass
 F26B 25/04
·  Agitating, stirring, or scraping devices
 F26B 25/06
·  Chambers, containers, or receptacles
 F26B 25/08
·  ·  Parts thereof
 F26B 25/10
·  ·  ·  Floors, roofs, or bottoms; False bottoms
 F26B 25/12
·  ·  ·  Walls or sides; Doors
 F26B 25/14
·  ·  Chambers, containers, receptacles of simple construction
 F26B 25/16
·  ·  ·  mainly closed, e.g. drum
 F26B 25/18
·  ·  ·  mainly open, e.g. dish, tray, pan
 F26B 25/20
·  Rollers (F26B 25/06 takes precedence)
 F26B 25/22
·  Controlling the drying process in dependence on liquid content of solid materials or objects