Flasher Patents (Class 122/40)
  • Patent number: 11239470
    Abstract: A topping cycle fuel cell unit includes a support plate having internal flow passages that extend to combustion outlets, a first electrode layer, an electrolyte layer, and a second electrode layer. The second electrode layer is configured to be coupled to another support plate of another fuel cell unit. The internal flow passages are configured to receive and direct air across the first electrolyte layer or the second electrolyte layer and to receive and direct fuel across another of the first electrolyte layer or the second electrolyte layer such that the first electrode layer, the electrolyte layer, and the second electrode layer create electric current. The internal flow passages are configured to direct at least some of the air and at least some of the fuel to the combustion outlets where the at least some air and the at least some fuel is combusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard Louis Hart, Jared Iverson, Andrew Wickersham, Patrick Daniel Willson, Daniel Jason Erno
  • Patent number: 10851771
    Abstract: The present invention provides a portable battery steam cleaner comprising in combination of a hollow main body, in which a water tank, peristaltic pump, control system and lithium battery; the water tank in connection with the input of the peristaltic pump; the output of the peristaltic pump in connection with one end of silicone hose; and the other end of silicone hose in connection with the steam generator. The present invention can continuously transport liquid from the water tank, through the silicone hose, into the steam generator, and thus eject steam continuously for cleaning purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Beijing China Base Startrade Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shihui Xu
  • Patent number: 10816191
    Abstract: A steam heating apparatus, including a housing, a heater, a water inlet, and a steam outlet. The heater includes a base and a heating body vertically extending down from the base. The heating body includes a water inlet channel, a steam outlet channel, and heating pipes. The water inlet channel and the steam outlet channel are located between a pair of vertical heating pipes among the heating pipes. One end of the water inlet channel is communicated with the water inlet provided at one end of the heater, and the other end of the water inlet channel is opened to allow steam to flow out. The steam heating apparatus can fully utilize the heat of the heater, and the steam conversion efficiency and quality are higher. Meanwhile, the problem of blocking is prevented, and the performance of the heating apparatus is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: KINGCLEAN ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Zugen Ni
  • Patent number: 10791761
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices. The aerosol delivery devices may include a reservoir containing a liquid aerosol precursor composition and an atomizer including an electrical resistance heating element and a nonfibrous liquid transport element having a microtextured surface adapted for surface wicking of the liquid aerosol precursor composition across the microtextured surface, the microtextured surface of the liquid transport element being in fluid communication with the reservoir and in fluid communication with the electric resistance heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael F. Davis, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, James William Rogers, Andries Don Sebastian, Eric Taylor Hunt, Sawyer Hubbard, David Allan Brammer
  • Patent number: 10357581
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to reduce noise generated by water and gas discharged after a sterilization treatment, and to prevent adhesion of condensation water on an object to be sterilized. The sterilizer according to the embodiments of the present invention may include a can body having a heater and capable of housing an object to be sterilized; a steam discharge pipe connected to the can body and having an opening and closing means for opening and closing a channel to enable discharging of steam; and a discharged steam tank provided partway along the steam discharge pipe and having a greater channel cross-sectional area than that of the steam discharge pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: YUYAMA MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Kishishita, Hajime Mishima
  • Patent number: 10203108
    Abstract: There is provided a vapor generator including: a circuit to carry a DC current from an energy device; a wire mesh heating element to receive the DC current; and a sprayer to direct a fine spray of a liquid at the wire mesh heating element to vaporize the liquid, wherein a ratio of a resistance of the wire mesh heating element to a radiative black body area of the wire mesh heating element is less than 2 ohms/m2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: De Luca Oven Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Nicholas P. De Luca
  • Patent number: 9404649
    Abstract: A pressurized boiler (1) for a steam generator appliance comprises an evaporation chamber (78), an electric heater (60) in good thermal contact with a wall (70) of the evaporation chamber (78), a water inlet (77) arranged in a cover (72) of the evaporation chamber (78) separate from said wall (70), and a pump in fluid communication with the water inlet (77) arranged to supply water to the evaporation chamber (78) through the water inlet (77).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Strix Limited
    Inventors: Steven Anthony Ashton, Colin Moughton, Nicholas Edward Gibbs
  • Patent number: 9335066
    Abstract: A water heating system including a water container having a cold water inlet that connects to a water supply, a hot water outlet, a water heater outlet and a water heater inlet; an instantaneous water heater mounted to the water container and having a tank supply inlet connected to the water heater outlet, a tank supply outlet connected to the water heater inlet, a burner, and a heat exchanger located adjacent the burner between the tank supply inlet and the tank supply outlet; a pump connected between the water container and the instantaneous water heater that moves water between the water container and the instantaneous water heater; and a controller that operates the pump and the burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Rinnai America Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Gilman Humphrey, Timothy J. Shellenberger, James Stuart York
  • Patent number: 9314755
    Abstract: A food mixing machine (20) has an agitator (25) to mix food in a cup (C). A cup holder (31) is provided with a flexible boot (32) which receives the cup (C). The cup holder (31) is moveable through an opening (90) in the machine (20) and carries a gripping assembly (33) and an actuator assembly (34). The actuator assembly (34) is moveable relative to the gripping assembly (33) and is biased by springs (35) to maintain fingers (56) of the gripping assembly (33) in engagement with the cup (C). When it is desired to release the cup (C), a release assembly (80) overcomes the bias of the springs (35). As the cup holder (31) moves through the opening (90), the area between the cup holder (31) and the opening (90) is sealed by a seal assembly (91) so that food materials cannot go through the opening (90).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Vita-Mix Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene J. Kozlowski, John K. Barnard
  • Patent number: 8985063
    Abstract: When a detection temperature by a hot-water tank thermister (42) has been equal to or lower than a re-heating determination temperature over at least a re-heating determination time, a tank controller (50) performs a sterilization process by heating hot water within a hot-water tank (30) by means of a heat pump unit (60); and when the detection temperature by the hot-water tank thermister (42) has been equal to or lower than a determination temperature for prohibiting the use of hot water in the hot-water tank over at least a determination time for prohibiting the use of hot water in the hot-water tank, the tank controller (50) performs only a temperature regulation control via heating while keeping a hot-water flow regulation valve (34) in a closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Rinnai Corporation
    Inventor: Ikuro Adachi
  • Patent number: 8934763
    Abstract: A water delivery system is provided, comprising at least one faucet device with a cold water faucet part and a hot water faucet part, a cold water line to the at least one faucet device, a tankless heater device for heating water, a hot water line having a first portion running from an outlet of the tankless heater device to the at least one faucet device and having a second portion running from the at least one faucet device to an inlet of the tankless heater device, and a circulatory pump arranged in the second portion of the hot water line, wherein the circulatory pump has a prefixed first performance level and a prefixed second performance level, wherein the first performance level causes a finite water flow in the hot water line which is below an operation threshold value of the tankless heater device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Xylem IP Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Oliver Laing
  • Patent number: 8899969
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for combustion in which a pressurized preheated liquid fuel is atomized and a portion thereof flash vaporized, creating a mixture of fuel vapor and liquid droplets. The mixture is mixed with primary combustion oxidant, producing a fuel/primary oxidant mixture which is then injected into a primary combustion chamber in which the fuel/primary oxidant mixture is partially combusted, producing a secondary gaseous fuel containing hydrogen and carbon oxides. The secondary gaseous fuel is mixed with a secondary combustion oxidant and injected into the second combustion chamber wherein complete combustion of the secondary gaseous fuel is carried out. The resulting second stage flue gas containing very low amounts of NOx is then vented from the second combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventors: Vincent Gard, Dennis A. Chojnacki, Ioseph K. Rabovitser
  • Patent number: 8851022
    Abstract: A water heating system includes a housing that defines a substantially enclosed interior region. A control panel is attached to the housing and includes a display that displays a particular condition of the water heating system. An access panel is attached to the housing for movement between a first position and a second position, wherein, in the first position of the access panel, a passageway to the interior region of the housing is provided, and, in the second position of the access panel, the passageway to the interior region of the housing is closed. The display is visible in both positions of the access panel such that movement of the access panel from the second position to the first position facilitates simultaneous access to the display and to the interior region of the housing though the passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Laars Heating Systems Company
    Inventors: Christopher J. Jacques, Andrew Hodsdon
  • Patent number: 8554063
    Abstract: A steam generator includes a housing, a heating unit, an electrothermal unit and a one-way valve. The housing has a chamber and a water inlet. The heating unit includes a heating portion extending into the chamber. The heating portion has a first spiral channel thereon. One end of the heating portion is formed with a vaporization room and a steam outlet. The vaporization room has a second spiral channel therein to extend the time that the water and the wet steam pass through the heating unit so as to provide a complete heating and vaporizing function. Besides, by the one-way valve coupled to the water inlet, the steam generator of the present invention is simple in structure and cost-effective, providing an automatic water supply and re-heating function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Zweita International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Kao Hsu
  • Publication number: 20130145997
    Abstract: Apparatus for generating steam, the apparatus including a source of liquid water, an injector in flow communication with the source of water for injecting liquid water from the source of water at a pressure of at least about 10,000 psia, and an impact chamber having a contact surface onto which the injected water is contacted. upon impact of the injected water with the contact surface of the impact chamber, the injected water undergoes a virtually instantaneous phase transition from the liquid state to a gaseous state following the contact of the water with the contact surface, thereby generating steam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventor: Richard E. AHO
  • Publication number: 20120222696
    Abstract: A Personal Care Vaporizer Device for Hands. The device has a main housing that is defined by a large aperture formed in its side. The side aperture provides access to an internal treatment chamber. The user can insert one or both hands into the chamber through the side aperture in order to provide therapeutic treatment for the skin of the hands. The device has a removable fluid reservoir that seats into the main housing. Fluid from the reservoir is ported to an internal cool mist vaporizor such as a transducer or other misting apparatus. Once vaporized, the mist is driven down a mist conduit by user-adjustable airflow. As the mist passes down the mist conduit, it passes a heating element that allows the user to selectively deliver heated or cool vapor into the treatment chamber. The user is able to utilize water and/or fluid having additives such as extracts, additives, therapeutic medications and essential oils as the raw material for formation of the mist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas Nichols
  • Patent number: 8236240
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for conducting a continuous operation, flowing vapor phase decontamination in either an open loop or a closed loop. Using the method, a multi-component liquid decontaminant is vaporized and delivered into, through and out of a sealable enclosure by means of a carrier gas that is flowing into, through and out of said sealable enclosure. After leaving the enclosure, the vapor is captured in a cold-water bath and decomposed. The invention humidifies the carrier gas by passing it through a temperature controlled water bath to warm, or to cool, the carrier gas as necessary in order to bring the carrier gas to the desired temperature and humidity before it is combined with the vaporized sterilant and allowed to flow into the sealable enclosure. The concentration of the vapor sterilant and the percent saturation of the vapor sterilant are simultaneously controlled by controlling the rate at which the carrier gas flows and the rate at which the liquid sterilant is vaporized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventors: James Arthur Childers, Robert Warren Childers
  • Patent number: 8132545
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating high temperature steam according to the present invention comprises a high pressure container including a hollow body having a certain volume and sealed shape and a vapor outlet formed at an upper or lower portion of the body for discharging vapor generated therein; a heat supply unit for supplying high temperature heat to the high pressure container; a water supply pump positioned at an outside of the high pressure container and supplying the high pressure container with water from an outside; a spray nozzle for spraying the water supplied from the water supply pump to the high pressure container; and a vapor discharge line connected to the outlet of the high pressure container to guide the vapor generated in the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignees: Kook Hyun Cho, Unibell Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kook Hyun Cho
  • Patent number: 8104434
    Abstract: In various aspects, the present invention provides an electric tankless liquid heater system capable of delivering liquid, such as, for example, water, with an acceptable increase in output liquid temperature upon a sudden and substantial decrease in liquid demand. In various aspects, the electric tankless liquid heater comprises an inlet manifold and a plurality of liquid heaters the inlets of which are connected in a parallel flow relationship by the inlet manifold, and the outlets of which are each connected to a separate outlet conduit, and which is configured to provide water to a plurality of automatic water fixtures with a less than about 2° F. (about 1.1° C.) increase in output water temperature upon about a one-and-a-half-fold or greater decrease in water demand that occurs in less than about 500 milliseconds as measured by the increase time of the inlet liquid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Eemax, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward Vincent Fabrizio
  • Publication number: 20110116775
    Abstract: A multi-stage, superheated steam generator for crude oil recovery comprises a plurality of radially spaced-apart first stage electric heating tanks that peripherally surround an inner, second stage electric steam tank. The steam tanks are secured within casing by a slack accommodating mounting comprising a downwardly projecting stub received within a rigid, tubular expansion sockets secured beneath each steam tank. A plurality of serpentine, electric resistive heating elements abut each steam tank. The elements have loop portions proximate the bottoms of each steam tank and vertical portions abutting each tank periphery. First stage tanks output steam to a manifold system that outputs to the second stage heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Jimmy L. Turner, Richard B. Graibus
  • Patent number: 7895705
    Abstract: A steam cleaning apparatus includes water and wax containers to supply water and wax, a pump to discharge a mixture of water and wax, a combustion chamber to receive the discharged mixture in an internal pipe and to spray the mixture through a nozzle such that the mixture can be discharged along the pipe, a burner to heat the pipe of the combustion chamber with a fuel from a fuel container to convert the mixture into steam having high temperature and high pressure, a steam gun to discharge the high temperature and pressure steam from the combustion chamber to an outside, and a controller to control the water container, wax container, pump, combustion chamber, fuel container, and burner and to allow the mixture to be discharged to the outside after being converted to the high temperature and pressure steam. A method of driving the apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: Tae-Young Kim
  • Publication number: 20110036095
    Abstract: A low emission and environmentally friendly apparatus and method is used to generate a high pressure stream of thermal vapor. The thermal vapor stream may be injected into a subterranean formation for recovery of highly viscous petroleum or used to turn a steam turbine for driving an electrical generator. In one implementation, the high pressure stream of thermal vapor is generated by burning a high temperature fuel, including any short or long chain hydrocarbon products from methane to coal, in an enclosed vessel to produce combustion gases. Various techniques may be used to improve heat distribution and lower the temperature of the combustion gases. Water may be used to quench the combustion gases and produce the superheated steam or vapor. The water may be introduced onto the combustion gases by spraying, weeping, dripping, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: ZERO-CO2 LLC
    Inventor: Richard W. Krajicek
  • Patent number: 7779790
    Abstract: In various aspects, the present invention provides an electric tankless liquid heater system capable of delivering liquid, such as, for example, water, with an acceptable increase in output liquid temperature upon a sudden and substantial decrease in liquid demand. In various aspects, the electric tankless liquid heater comprises an inlet manifold and a plurality of liquid heaters the inlets of which are connected in a parallel flow relationship by the inlet manifold, and the outlets of which are each connected to a separate outlet conduit, and which is configured to provide water to a plurality of automatic water fixtures with a less than about 2° F. (about 1.1° C.) increase in output water temperature upon about a one-and-a-half-fold or greater decrease in water demand that occurs in less than about 500 milliseconds as measured by the increase time of the inlet liquid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Eemax, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward Vincent Fabrizio
  • Publication number: 20100124410
    Abstract: A system for supplying water vapor in a process for treatment of a semiconductor wafer, comprising a treatment chamber having an interior for receiving at least one semiconductor wafer and a water vapor dispenser. The water vapor dispenser comprises i) a hot water source, ii) a water vapor separator, iii) a first conduit fluidly connecting the hot water source to the water vapor separator, iii) a fluid control valve in the first conduit controlling the flow of fluid between the hot water source and the water vapor separator, and iv) a second conduit fluidly connecting the water vapor separator to the treatment chamber for delivery of water vapor to the interior of the treatment chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: FSI INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Arne Benson
  • Patent number: 7665427
    Abstract: An improved shell-and-tube steam instantaneous heat exchange system of a closely coupled feedback design which overheats water in the heat exchanger portion of the system and then blends the water, as needed, with proportional amounts of cold water to achieve the correct outlet temperature for a wide range of flow rates. The system uses at least two primary heat exchangers to provide redundancy in the case of failure of a major component of the system. Steam flow through the heat exchangers is controlled by the use of steam traps, rather than using a thermostatically controlled valve to vary the supply of steam. To obtain precise temperature control during varying water volume use, water is directed from the blended outlet of a first water tempering valve into the hot inlet port of a second water tempering valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: PVI Industries, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Peckham, Frank A. Myers, Christopher J. Bollas
  • Patent number: 7577343
    Abstract: A steam generating device includes a flat casing and a heating device is received in the casing. The heating device includes flanges which are engaged with grooves in the casing so as to define a lower space and an upper space between the heating device and the inner periphery of the casing. A seal is clamped between the heating device and casing to prevent foreign objects entering the casing. The heating device includes a chamber which is in communication with a hole defined in the bottom of the casing. Water is introduced into the lower space and steamized by the heating device, the steam enters into the upper space via passages and enters into the camber and blasts out from the hole of the casing. The steam travels a long path in the casing and is heated sufficiently so as to increase the efficiency for generating the steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Inventor: Li-Yuan Chiang
  • Publication number: 20090151400
    Abstract: A steam generator for a laundry machine is disclosed, in which the power supplied to a heater is cut off before a water level of water used to generate steam is lower than an end of the heater, thereby avoiding a risk of fire. The steam generator includes a case coupled with the main body of the laundry machine. A heater is provided inside the case. A temperature fuse is provided inside the case when a coupling portion couples the case with the main body of the temperature fuse is configured to be higher than the heater based on a horizontal line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Seog Kyu Park
  • Publication number: 20090148556
    Abstract: A brewery plant with at least one mash container, a lauter tun, a wort pan and a water housing, wherein at least part of the thermal energy requirement of the brewery is covered with solar collectors, and the solar collectors directly or indirectly heat a fluid. Also, a brewing method where the thermal energy requirement for at least of a part of the brewing process stages is at least partially covered with a fluid heated directly or indirectly by solar collectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: Krones AG
    Inventors: Kurt Stippler, Klaus-Karl Wasmuht
  • Patent number: 7398778
    Abstract: A furnace in combination with a heat pump and solar panels for providing domestic hot water and forced hot or cooled air utilizing heat pump achieved efficiency levels in an on-demand and unlimited domestic hot water, heating and air conditioning system. In heating mode, recycled air acquires heat from the heat pump's condenser coil and transfers this heat to the on-demand hot water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Air Hydronic Product Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Stewart R. Kaiser
  • Patent number: 7337752
    Abstract: An instantaneous type fuel-fired water heater has a variable speed blower that discharges combustion air into a fuel burner utilized to heat water flowing through a heat exchanger portion of the water heater. A portion of the air discharged from the blower bypasses the burner and associated heat exchanger, flows around the heat exchanger, and then mixes with flue gases being discharged from the heat exchanger portion into the flue portion of the water heater. In this manner, such flue gases are cooled by the bypassing blower discharge air to an extent permitting the flue portion to be formed from a low cost plastic material instead of a high temperature metal material such as stainless steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jozef Boros, Subbu Thenappan
  • Patent number: 7278379
    Abstract: An improved shell-and-tube steam instantaneous heat exchange system of a closely coupled feedback design which overheats water in the heat exchanger portion of the system and then blends the water, as needed, with proportional amounts of cold water to achieve the correct outlet temperature for a wide range of flow rates. The system uses at least two primary heat exchangers to provide redundancy in the case of failure of a major component of the system. Steam flow through the heat exchangers is controlled by the use of steam traps, rather than using a thermostatically controlled valve to vary the supply of steam. To obtain precise temperature control during varying water volume use, water is directed from the blended outlet of a first water tempering valve into the hot inlet port of a second water tempering valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: PVI Industries, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Peckham, Frank A. Myers, Christopher J. Bollas
  • Patent number: 7146937
    Abstract: A direct-fired steam generator body defines a combustion chamber and having an exhaust outlet. A mixing chamber is provided for receiving the exhaust gases from the combustion chamber. A flange joint between an elbow forming part of the mixing chamber and the end of the steam generator body defining the exhaust outlet is designed so as to be cooled by process water coupled to the joint by an injection port provided in one of the flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Timothy James Kraus, Eric Ryan Lang, Walter Mark Schlesser
  • Patent number: 7100540
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for directing steam, hot water or hot water vapor and hot air onto a target area, the apparatus comprising a water container and a fuel container connected and supplying water and fuel to an applicator wand with an applicator head which generates steam and heat for application adjacent to the target area of application to the unwanted vegetation. Steam is generated immediately adjacent to the target area within the applicator head and combined with surplus heat from the steam generation process to produce heated steam and water vapor for application to the target area. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the applicator wand is hand held, the applicator head having an inlet, an outlet and a body therebetween, the water and fuel being supplied to a steam generator and burner within the body of the applicator head which generates steam and hot air adjacent to the target area for application through the outlet to the target area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Hot Water Holdings LTD
    Inventor: Steven Vaughan
  • Patent number: 7055466
    Abstract: A portable instant water heater. Water is delivered to a base unit of the instant hot water heater by a pump that draws water from a reservoir through a flow control valve. The water flows into a pre-heater that wraps around a base of the burner and that is heated by the burner. Water is heated in a heat exchanger and then exits the base unit through an outlet spout that swings out from the base unit to dispense water and that may be stored and locked into position in a handle for the base unit. The flow control valve may lower the flow of water through the heat exchanger, so the water has more time to absorb heat and to get hotter. The base unit includes a single control knob that turns on the pump and the burner and operates the flow control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: The Coleman Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Norris Richard Long
  • Patent number: 6928961
    Abstract: A liquid heating device includes a pump for pumping liquid, and a helical heating tube receiving liquid sent by the pump. The two ends of the helical heating tube are connected with two terminals of electric power, and when a control system is started, the helical heating tube is heated up to produce high heat to heat up the liquid therein to a proper temperature, to boil it up or change it into vapor for practical use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Inventors: Huang Chuan Pan, Huang Chen-Lung
  • Patent number: 6925968
    Abstract: A portable steam generator for automobile washing is provided. The steam generator of the current application is to produce a steam of pressure 6 KG/cm2 at a rate of 30 kg/hr. The steam generator uses natural gas as a heat source. The inner structure of the steam generator is designed to increase the contact of the heat with the steam generating chamber while minimizing heat exchanging tubes inside the chamber. The steam generator weights only 25 Kg and has dimension of 572 mm in height by 400 mm in outer diameter. Whole unit including gas burner is mounted on one structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventors: Pil Sun Hwang, Kyung Aie Chae, Kyung Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 6869501
    Abstract: A process for evaporating a portion of a colloidal solution, said process including: a) passing a colloidal solution, said colloidal solution including particles in a liquid medium, wherein at least a portion of said liquid medium includes at least one volatile component, through one or more orifices into an evaporation zone that has at least one inner surface, wherein said colloidal solution does not substantially contact said at least one inner surface of said evaporation zone as said colloidal solution is passed through said evaporation zone; b) applying pressure in said evaporation zone that is lower than the vapor pressure of said colloidal solution as it is passed into said evaporation zone, allowing for flash evaporation of at least a portion of said at least one volatile component from said colloidal solution; c) adjusting the pressure in said evaporation zone to evaporate an amount of said at least one volatile component from said colloidal solution; and d) collecting the remaining colloidal solution
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert S. Davidson, Danny B. Anderson, Richard A. Gerth, David R. Holm
  • Patent number: 6827046
    Abstract: A system and method for converting a liquid into a vapor are described. The system includes a housing, a liquid receptor disposed within the housing for accepting the liquid, a liquid inlet for delivering the liquid from outside the housing to the liquid receptor, and a measuring device for determining the amount of liquid delivered to the liquid receptor. The system further includes a heater for heating the liquid delivered to the liquid receptor to thereby convert the liquid to a vapor, and an outlet for discharging the vapor outside the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Greenlight Power Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul John Welle
  • Patent number: 6748904
    Abstract: A steam producing device capable of performing dual heating processes includes an outer shell, and a heating member inserted in, and secured to the outer shell; the heating member has a steam room, and forms a first, a second, and a third chamber together with an inner side of the outer shell; the second chamber communicates with the first chamber owing to a gap, and communicates with the third chamber owing to a narrow curved passage between the heating member and the outer shell; a hole is formed on the heating member for the steam room to communicate with the third chamber; thus, water, after flowing into the first chamber, can travel through the chambers to go through one heating process, and then travel through the steam room to go through another heating process to be transformed into steam and discharged outside the shell for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Inventor: Li-Yuan Chiang
  • Patent number: 6705252
    Abstract: A vaporizer includes a pump for pumping liquid stored in a liquid store tank, a helical vaporizing tube, and a control system connected to two ends of the vaporizing tube for functioning to make the vaporizing tube produce high temperature so as to heat up swiftly liquid flowing through the helical vaporizing tube and finally vaporize liquid at the outlet end of the vaporizing tube, with the liquid in the helical vaporizing tube never reversely flowing back to the pump owing to low temperature of liquid at the inlet end of the helical vaporizing tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventors: Huang Chen Lung, Huang Chuan Pan
  • Patent number: 6637379
    Abstract: A liquid to gas converter to convert liquids (1) to gas (2) that can include a liquid pressurization element (3), a liquid preheating element (5), and a nozzle (10) to disperse liquids into energy (7) generated by an energy source (8). The gas to liquid converter can be located inside an enclosure (17) and substances dissolved in the liquid can accumulate as solids (13) on deposition surface (12) of the enclosure as the liquid (1) converts to gas Cis (2). Condensation of a portion of the gas (2) generated can be combined with the solids (13) for continuous removal of such solids (13) from the enclosure (17). A gas expansion compensator can generate a pressure gradient (24) to move the volume of gas generated from the liquid from the enclosure (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: A. Western Pump & Dredge, Inc.
    Inventors: Herbie Jack Hays, William Merle Hays, Arturo Quezada
  • Patent number: 6612250
    Abstract: Method of controlling the temperatures of an exothermic process carried out in a suspension of solids in a reactor system formed by a wind box (2), a vertical riser (5), which is essentially not cooled, a particle separator (6), at least one set of recycling channels (9), which are not cooled, and at least one cooled set of recycling channels (12). According to the invention, the flow of solids travelling through the recycling channel (9), which is no cooled, as adjusted based on the temperature difference (T2−T1) between the upper and lower parts of a riser (5), which is not cooled, and the flow of solids travelling through the heat exchanger (12) is adjusted based on the temperature (T1) of the lower part or the temperature (T2) of the upper part of the riser tube. The control of the riser temperature is thus exclusively based on the regenerative heat transfer of the solids returned from the heat exchangers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Einco Oy
    Inventors: Seppo Kalervo Ruottu, Lauri Tapio Ruottu
  • Patent number: 6604493
    Abstract: A liquid vaporizing and feeding apparatus, having high heat transfer efficiency and capable of producing a large flow of vaporized gas from a small amount of liquid, utilizes an inclined vaporization plate which is held at a set temperature by a heater. Liquid, discharged by a nozzle in the vicinity of the upper end of the vaporization plate, is vaporized as it flows down an inclined upper face of the vaporization plate. When the volume of the liquid collected on the vaporization plate 20 reaches a designated amount, a level sensor 40 stops the inflow of liquid through the nozzle. Then, as vaporization continues, and the liquid level falls, the sensor causes inflow of liquid to resume. The cycle of stopping and resuming flow of liquid is repeated to maintain a constant liquid level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Aera Japan Ltd.
    Inventor: Ikuo Toki
  • Patent number: 6572707
    Abstract: A vaporizer is provided for vaporizing sensitive liquid precursors in semiconductor processing applications. The vaporizer uses high flow conductance with large flow area to avoid precursor decomposition. The vaporizer also uses efficient heat conduction to avoid local cold spots due to the heat loss because of the transformation from the liquid to gas phase. The vaporizer convex surface configuration also allow a more uniform distribution of the vaporized liquid precursor. In some aspects of the invention, the vaporizer distributes the precursor to a larger area, thus eliminating the need for a showerhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Simplus Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Tue Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20030062004
    Abstract: A gas to liquid converter to convert liquids (1) to gas (2) that can include a liquid pressurization element (3), a liquid preheating element (5), and a nozzle (10) to disperse liquids into energy (7) generated by an energy source (8). The gas to liquid converter can be located inside an enclosure (17) and substances dissolved in the liquid can accumulate as solids (13) on deposition surface (12) of the enclosure as the liquid (1) converts to gas (2). Condesation of a portion of the gas (2) generated can be combined with the solids (13) for continuous removal of such solids (13) from the enclosure (17). A gas expansion compensator can generate a pressure gradient (24) to move the volume of gas generated from the liquid from the enclosure (17).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Herbie Jack Hays, William Merle Hays, Arturo Quezada
  • Publication number: 20020170504
    Abstract: A raw fuel vaporizing apparatus comprising: a vaporizer for vaporizing liquid raw fuel; a raw fuel introducing device for introducing the liquid raw fuel into the vaporizer; a catalyst combustor into which fuel and air are supplied for catalytic combustion, the catalyst combustor generating heat in the presence of a catalyst and supplying the resulting heat to the vaporizer to vaporize the liquid raw fuel; a fuel introducing device for introducing the fuel into the catalyst combustor; an air introducing device for introducing the amount of the air suitable for catalytic combustion into the catalyst combustor; a heat transferring gas introducing device introducing heat transferring gas into the catalyst combustor to transfer heat retained by the catalyst combustor to the vaporizer; and a controller increasing the amount of the heat transferring gas through the heat transferring gas introducing device when the amount of vapor generated in the vaporizer is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Kasahara, Yuuji Asano, Satoshi Hanai, Takahiro Tachihara
  • Patent number: 6470836
    Abstract: A water jacket assembly for an instantaneous gas fired water heater, the assembly including pressed profiled plates made of copper or copper coated steel, one plate being the inverted image of the other, said plates being placed together in pairs, the pairs of plates being arranged in a parallel array to form a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger being bordered by a water jacket comprising overlapping side and end panels of copper or copper coated steel attached to the array of plates, the assembly being fused together to define a combustion chamber with discrete combusted gases and water passages within said assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Rheem Australia Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: David William Manley, Krzysztof Mastalerz
  • Publication number: 20020148415
    Abstract: A water jacket assembly for an instantaneous gas fired water heater, the assembly including pressed profiled plates made of copper or copper coated steel, one plate being the inverted image of the other, said plates being placed together in pairs, the pairs of plates being arranged in a parallel array to form a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger being bordered by a water jacket comprising overlapping side and end panels of copper or copper coated steel attached to the array of plates, the assembly being fused together to define a combustion chamber with discrete combusted gases and water passages within said assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Applicant: Rheem Australia Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: David William Manley, Krzysztof Mastalerz, Martin Henry Camp, Quentin Arthur Carl Adam
  • Patent number: 6431124
    Abstract: A portable vacuum insulated bottle includes a heat source having a minimum volume and a heat pipe which acts as a heat transmitting device. With this construction, a portable vacuum insulated bottle is provided which makes hot water instantly. In particular, a portable vacuum insulated bottle is provide which makes hot water using liquid propane gas as a possible heat source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignees: PNT Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Yun Sang Kwon
  • Patent number: 6430760
    Abstract: The apparatus for heating a fluid, such as water, as well as the method for using the apparatus are used in taking a personal shower or in cleaning an object. The apparatus includes an elongated tube formed of polymeric material and having two ends, one of the ends having a fitting attached thereto. The fitting is adapted to secure the apparatus in a fluid-tight manner to a source of a fluid flow. The other end of the tube has an applicator which includes one or more holes for the discharge of fluid flowing through the tube. A valve is disposed intermediate the ends of the tube. A portion of the elongated tube is formed into a coil which is disposed within a vessel. The coil is immersed in the liquid contained in the vessel. The vessel is disposed on a heating grate to heat water flowing through the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventor: David Jessie Johns