Movable surface drying apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for drying an underlying surface. The apparatus includes a housing with an interior and a frame attached to the housing and arranged for coupling to a means for moving the housing. The apparatus further includes an air delivery system arranged to deliver heated and compressed air through a set of nozzles to the underlying surface from the interior of the housing. The air is heated with a heating system coupled to the housing and arranged to heat the compressed air through a heating pipe in a heat exchange configuration prior to delivery of the compressed air to the underlying surface. The apparatus also includes an airflow regulation system arranged to regulate airflow within the interior of the housing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for drying an underlying surface comprising:
 a housing including an interior;   a frame attached to the housing and arranged for coupling to a means for moving the housing;   an air delivery system arranged to compress air and deliver compressed air to the underlying surface from the interior of the housing;   a heating system arranged to heat the compressed air of the air delivery system prior to delivery of the compressed air to the underlying surface; and   an airflow regulation system arranged to regulate airflow within the interior of the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the air delivery system includes a compressor to compress inlet air to produce the compressed air and tubing for transporting the compressed air to the underlying surface. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the air delivery system includes a manifold coupled to the compressor, wherein the manifold includes a plurality of exhaust air nozzles for delivering the compressed air to the underlying surface in an overlapping spray pattern. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the heating system includes a burner and a heating pipe, wherein the burner generates heat that is transferred to the heating pipe and wherein the heating pipe is positioned adjacent to the tubing of the air delivery system to heat the compressed air prior to delivery to the manifold. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a cooling fan deployed through the housing and arranged to cool components of the apparatus by passing air from the exterior environment into an area between the housing and a housing exterior cover. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a drafting fan and a drafting duct within the housing, wherein the drafting fan is arranged to draw hot combustion gas through the housing to aid in the water drying process by lifting evaporated water away from the underlying surface for exhausting through the drafting duct. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the apparatus is coupled by the frame to a towing vehicle. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a width of the housing is selectable.