Patents Examined by L. R. Leo
  • Patent number: 5411080
    Abstract: A baffle ring suitable for retrofitting an existing shell-and-tube heat exchanger with rod baffle supports and a method of retrofitting an existing shell-and-tube heat exchanger with a rod baffle support is provided. The rod baffle rings comprise a first semi-circular member and a second semi-circular member with a first semi-circular member hinged to the second semi-circular member such that they can be hinged open to allow installation on the existing tube bundle and hinged closed to provide a completed rod baffle ring around the tube bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Cecil C. Gentry
  • Patent number: 5409056
    Abstract: A multi tube evaporator with tubes having elongated side passages interconnected by an end crossover passage. The tube has oblong internal bumps in the side passages that have a low angle with the normal and partly spherical bumps in the crossover passage arranged so that heat transfer between the air passing past the tubes and the refrigerant passing through the tubes is by conduction through the walls of the tubes and the boundary layer of refrigerant moving along the inner walls of the tube and by forced convection of heat energy between the boundary layer and the main flow of refrigerant flowing therethrough. The low angle bumps in the side passages provide the least amount of drag of the refrigerant while effectively reducing the thickness of the boundary layer thereof to reduce its insular effect. The spherical bumps in the crossover are insensitive to the direction of flow and help provide a low pressure drop for effectively increasing efficiency of the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Farry, Jr., Don C. Corser, Elroy D. Powley
  • Patent number: 5409058
    Abstract: An oil cooler includes a heat exchanging core 40 which includes a stack of heat exchanging plates 40. Each of the heat exchanging plates 40 includes a first set of openings 61 and 62 and a second set of openings 65, 66 and 67. The openings 65, 66 and 67 in the second set construct rows which are spaced along the width W of the plates 40. The openings between the first and second sets are alternately arranged along a direction of the width W of the plates. The openings 61 and 62 in the first set are symmetrical about a central axis X--X, while the openings 65, 66 or 67 in each row are asymmetric about the axis X--X.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Munenori Yuasa, Shinichi Hamada, Yasutoshi Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 5407004
    Abstract: A method of affixing a plurality of tubes having oval ends into a plurality of corresponding oval openings of equal circumference in the header wall of a heat exchanger. The minor diameter of the tube ends is greater than the minor diameter of the header openings and the major diameter of the tube ends is less than the major diameter of the header openings. The tube ends are inserted into corresponding openings in the header wall whereupon the minor diameter of the tube ends is reduced and the major diameter of the tube ends is increased to create a substantially fully contacting fit around the circumference with said header openings. Ends of the tubes are welded to corresponding collar openings in the header wall to form a plurality of tube-to-header joints. Flux is applied to the air-facing side of the tube-to-header Joints, and molten solder is applied to the opposite liquid-facing side and flowed into any voids in the welded joints to substantially seal the joints against leakage of liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: The Allen Group Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. DeRisi, Lonnie E. Winston, Dudley Harrison, Ken Rawson
  • Patent number: 5404936
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for heating a roll and a heatable roll for use in a paper machine, paper finishing machine, or equivalent. The roll is heated by a heating medium which is introduced into the roll interior through at least one of the ends of the roll. The heating medium acts upon the material of the roll mantle or the roll and is arranged to flow across the axial length of the roll. The heating medium is arranged to flow out of the roll through either one of the ends of the roll. The roll is provided with means by which the coefficient of heat transfer from the flowing heating medium to the material of the roll is increased in the flow direction of the heating medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Valmet Paper Machinery Inc.
    Inventors: Juhani Niskanen, Jari Vahapesola
  • Patent number: 5404941
    Abstract: A spacer for aligning a series of tubes comprises a first side having a plurality of adjacently positioned recesses and an extended portion projecting the adjacent recesses. The spacer also comprises a second side having a plurality of adjacently positioned recesses and a projection between the adjacent recesses. The first side and the second side are oppositely aligned around a series of tubes such that each tube is positioned between a recess of the first side and a recess of the second side and the extended portion of the first side extends near the projection of the second side for defining a weld area. A weld is also provided at the weld area for fixing the extended portion of the first side to the projection of the second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: Raymond J. Jacksits
  • Patent number: 5404940
    Abstract: Increased resistance to deformation caused by internal pressure within a heat exchanger acting in a direction generally transverse to the length of tubes (18) extending between spaced headers (10,12) is achieved in a construction wherein side pieces (22) sandwiching the core defined by the tubes (18) and interposed fins (20) are coupled by means of tie bars (30) having transverse ends (32) embracing the side pieces (22). Resilient clips (40) act to secure the tie bars (30) to the side pieces (22) and include retention notches (54) to positively hold the clips (40) assembled to the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Jan van den Nieuwenhuizen, Joos de Hoog
  • Patent number: 5404939
    Abstract: The present invention involves split system air conditioners. Specifically, the present invention provides a condenser unit with cross-flow blowers. A single cross-flow blower may be used to draw air through a heat exchanger and expel the air adjacent to a cut-off portion. Further, dual cross-flow blowers may be provided to enhance the performance of the condenser unit. The combination of air streams from two cross-flow blowers provide better air circulation through the heat exchangers and a more uniform exhaust stream. The condenser unit is more compact and can be mounted on the wall, on the overhang, or on the top of the building. These various mounting locations take advantage of the air boundary layer near the building and thus the air conditioning system operates more efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Inter-City Products Corporation (USA)
    Inventors: Alexander T. Lim, Richard DeVos, Jeffrey B. Scott
  • Patent number: 5398751
    Abstract: A plate heat exchanger for heat transfer media, comprising a plurality of heat transfer plates having ridges (11) running adjacent each other, the top portions (13) of which are located on a specific distance from a plane parallel with the plate, and in an angle with these ridges, grooves (12) running adjacent to each other, the bottom portions (14) of which are located on an equal distance from said plane. Each plane portion located between two parallel ridges (11) and two parallel grooves (12), is provided with protrusions (18) and depressions (19), the top portions (20) and bottom portions (21) of which, respectively, are located closed to said plane than said specific distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Inventor: Ralf Blomgren
  • Patent number: 5396948
    Abstract: In a heat exchanger such as a steam generator equipping a nuclear power station the secondary fluid is injected into the upper part of an annular space (30) formed between an outer envelope (10) and a bundle or core envelope (26) having a common vertical axis. Injection takes place by means of a supply pipe (44), which issues into an overflow or weir (62). The latter has an upper horizontal edge (64) from which the secondary fluid is discharged onto a deflecting wall (54). The secondary fluid flows along this wall towards the bottom of the annular space (30). A device (60) for trapping migrating bodies can also be placed in the overflow (62) or between the latter and the deflecting wall (54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Framatome
    Inventor: Christophe Poussin
  • Patent number: 5394936
    Abstract: A heat removal system employing fluid circulation and vaporization for transferring heat from a primary heat sink to a secondary heat sink where the heat is dissipated into the surrounding air is disclosed. The present invention comprises a primary heat sink coupled to a secondary heat sink via flexible tubing. The primary heat sink is bonded directly to an electric device such as a semiconductor device. As the electric device heats up and thereby heats up the primary heat sink, a liquid coolant within the primary heat sink transfers excess heat via the tubing to the secondary heat sink where the heat is dissipated. The cooled coolant is then returned to the primary heat sink via the flexible tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Gerald A. Budelman
  • Patent number: 5392847
    Abstract: A pneumatic, disposable, temperature control blanket pressurized with a heated or cooled air comprises an inflated envelope having a lower sheet having openings formed therein for impinging the air upon a patient. Air is introduced into the blanket envelope at a single inlet port, and an interior flexible conduit or subtube located within the envelope communicates with the inlet for distributing freshly introduced air throughout the blanket length with little temperature loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Progressive Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventor: James G. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 5392849
    Abstract: A layer-built heat exchanger has channels formed by dividers in a first-side plate 32 and a second-side plate 33. A seal plate 3 is interposed between the first- and second-side plates. The first-side plate 32 and second-side plate 33 are positioned relative to each other such that dividers 35 of the second-side plate 33 are in line with channels 36 of the first-side plate 32, and dividers 34 of the first-side plate 32 are in line with the channels 37 of the second-side plate 33, thus preventing deformation of the seal plate 3 due to a high differential pressure between the coolants flowing through the channels of the first- and second-side plates. The corners of the first-side plate 32, second-side plate 33, and seal plate 3 are also shaped differently so that omission of one of the component plates can be easily confirmed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Matsushita Refrigeration Company
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Matsunaga, Kenji Fujino, Takashi Sugahara, Hiroaki Kan
  • Patent number: 5388638
    Abstract: An improved rod baffle heat exchanger and method for manufacturing the same are disclosed in which cross-support members are used to prevent support rod movement and to provide increased rigidity in the heat exchanger. The cross-support members have a threaded circular section at each end, to which threaded nuts are attached. The threaded nuts rest on a protective pad, which is adjacent to the outermost tubes. As the nuts are tightened at each end of the threaded cross-support member, the baffle support rods are brought into firm contact with adjacent tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Cecil C. Gentry
  • Patent number: 5388636
    Abstract: A system for cleaning the inside of tubing, as of a heat exchanger, which is made up of a number of balls entrained by a liquid flowing through the system, a separator for separating the balls from the liquid downstream of the tubing, an accumulator for accumulating the balls downstream of the separator, a storage tank for storing a volume of injection liquid, and a mechanism for injecting the balls upstream of the tubing by displacement of the injection liquid from the storage to upstream of the tubing through the accumulator to entrain the balls therewith. The accumulator and the storage tank can be combined in a single housing or configured as separate airtight housings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: C.Q.M. Ltd.
    Inventor: Moshe Peery
  • Patent number: 5388635
    Abstract: A cooling hat for transferring heat from a surface or plurality of heat generating components to a flowing fluid includes a coldsheet, a plurality of manifold layers and springs. The coldsheet is typically a medium-thin metal sheet usually with fine fins or grooves to readily transfer heat to a coolant. Each manifold layer is typically molded rubber with conduits for coolant supply and return. The conduits form a branched hierarchy. The fluid flow is highly parallel and streamlined which achieves ample flow with small hydraulic differential pressure. Springs gently urge the cooling hat against the thermal joints hence against the components. The hat can bend slightly to conform to a curved surface. Typically some compliance is provided by the hat, and other compliance is provided by a thermal joint between each component and the coldsheet. The system is highly self-aligned for counteracting variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Peter A. Gruber, Arthur R. Zingher
  • Patent number: 5381859
    Abstract: A heat sink according to the invention comprises a multilayered body prepared by laying one upon the other a plurality of heat sink fin elements having pin-fin sections formed by cutting a number of slits through thin plates of a thermally conductive material with spacers, each being inserted between two adjacent heat sink fin elements to separate them by a given distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Ko Minakami, Toshinori Terashima, Toshio Maeda, Tomiya Sasaki, Katsumi Hisano, Hideo Iwasaki, Koichiro Kawano
  • Patent number: 5379834
    Abstract: A heat exchanger comprises a main body and at least one header-held members, with the main body having a plurality of heat exchanging tubes whose both ends are connected to headers in fluid communication with them, wherein the header-held members are selected from a group consisting of a bracket and an external pipe-connecting member which are attached to the header. The header-held members each comprise a header-surrounding portion which is fitted sideways on and then brazed to the header while remaining self-retained on it, whereby the header-held member can be easily and rigidly secured to the header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Showa Aluminum Corporation
    Inventor: Toshinori Tokutake
  • Patent number: 5375652
    Abstract: A heat radiating apparatus for a semiconductor device, in which said semiconductor device mounted on a circuit board is cooled by a radiator. The radiator is provided with a stepped portion, and fixing spring hardware having slit grooves is provided with a notch engaging with the stepped portion, so that the end of radiator is brought into contact with the outer surface of the semiconductor device when the stepped portion of the radiator engages with the notch portion of the fixing spring hardware. The stepped portion of the radiator is constituted of two stages, and the notch of the fixing spring hardware is provided with two notch portions engaging with the two-stage stepped portions of the radiator, respectively, so that the larger-diameter portion of the two-stage stepped portions of the radiator engages with the farthermost portion of the notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Katsuki Matsunaga, Yasushi Kojima, Naoya Yamazaki, Kiyoshi Yoshida, Yoshinori Hoshino
  • Patent number: 5375653
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat exchanger system having a nest of tubes through which a particle-in-liquid dispersion flows and which has an entrance chamber in which the particle-in-liquid dispersion is provided with a rotational flow in order to prevent particles from being trapped in the low flow regions between tube entrances. In particular the present invention relates to a heat exchanger system having a static turbulator insert in front of the heat exchanger entry providing a rotation flow pattern relative to the main flow direction of the heat exchanger tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Axel Borlinghaus, Howard R. Steen