Patents by Inventor Richard O. Kaufmann

Richard O. Kaufmann has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4630672
    Abstract: Air under pressure is injected into a contaminated fluid flowing into a plate and frame heat exchanger. The injected air turbulates the flow of the contaminated fluid within the plate and frame heat exchanger and also produces a scrubbing action. Both the turbulence and the scrubbing reduce the deposition of contaiminates upon the surface of the plate and frame heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Inventor: Richard O. Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 4602672
    Abstract: Waste water of above ambient temperature in a commercial laundry is directed through a self-cleaning plate and frame heat exchanger to heat incoming fresh water. Some of the fresh water heated to a first temperature is directed to a cold water storage tank to raise the water therein above ambient temperature which results in substantially lessened downstream requirements for heat input with commensurate cost reductions. The remainder of the fresh water is heated to a higher second temperature and is directed to a hot water storage tank. A system of valves regulates the temperature of the water flowing into each of the hot and cold water storage tanks to maintain a preset temperature in each of the storage tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1986
    Assignee: Thermal Engineering of Arizona, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard O. Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 4546511
    Abstract: A continuous flow laundry system and method incorporates a fluid flow control, temperature control, and heat recovery systems. Steam is injected into the system to derive appropriate temperatures for washing laundry; rinse water is provided at a predetermined elevated temperature by passing fresh water through a heat exchanger to derive heat from designated outflows of the system. As soiled laundry enters the system to flow counter to the washing fluid flow, it is subjected to a flushing section provided with flush water at a reduced elevated temperature; the laundry is then passed through a washing section where it is subjected to water at an elevated temperature for the washing cycle. The washed laundry is passed to a rinse section and subsequently to an extractor section for removal of excess water therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1985
    Inventor: Richard O. Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 4373572
    Abstract: Waste water of above ambient temperature in a commercial laundry is directed through a self-cleaning plate and frame heat exchanger to heat incoming fresh water. Some of the fresh water heated to a first temperature is directed to a cold water storage tank to raise the water therein above ambient temperature which results in substantially lessened downstream requirements for heat input with commensurate cost reductions. The remainder of the fresh water is heated to a higher second temperature and is directed to a hot water storage tank. A system of valves regulates the temperature of the water flowing into each of the hot and cold water storage tanks to maintain a preset temperature in each of the storage tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1983
    Assignee: Thermal Engineering of Arizona, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard O. Kaufmann