US Patent 11466931 Vibratory apparatus with segmented distributor deck

A vibratory fluidized bed dryer includes a deck with a surface on which a bed of materials is formed, the deck having apertures through which air passes to fluidize the bed of materials on the deck, a source of air coupled to the apertures in the deck to supply air to the bed through the apertures in the deck, and a vibration generator coupled to the deck. The deck has at least two zones, each zone having a different open area percentage, such that the air passing through each zone produces a different superficial velocity.