Tubular Air Heater Patents (Class 126/109)
  • Patent number: 11397027
    Abstract: A flue collector box for a furnace having a cooling coil, a heat exchanger, and an inducer blower includes a housing having an interior chamber in fluid communication with the heat exchanger such that condensation generated in the heat exchanger flows to the interior chamber of the housing. A valve is connected to the housing and includes a pair of lips defining a fluid passage through the valve in fluid communication with the interior chamber. The lips have an open condition allowing condensation to exit the valve when the inducer blower is deactivated. The lips have a closed condition forcefully engaging one another when the inducer blower is activated to prevent condensation from exiting the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: BECKETT THERMAL SOLUTIONS
    Inventor: Michael J. O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 10864135
    Abstract: An apparatus and system for manipulating soft tissue may include a support member and a raised member. The support member includes a support surface disposed between a first end of the support member and a second end of the support member. The support member is elongated in a lengthwise direction between the first end of the support member and the second end of the support member. The raised member includes an outer surf ace disposed opposite an inner surface. The inner surf ace is supportable by the support surface of the support member. The outer surf ace of the raised member is configured to rotate along at least a portion of a user's body in response to movement of the raised member along the user's body. The raised member is repositionable along the support surf ace of the support member in the lengthwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas G. Carlson
  • Patent number: 10711998
    Abstract: A fresh-air intake according to aspects of the disclosure includes an outer cover having a pair of side panels disposed in a generally parallel spaced relationship, a top panel coupled to, and disposed generally perpendicular to, each panel of the pair of side panels, a bottom panel disposed generally parallel to the top panel, and a front panel coupled to, and disposed generally perpendicular to, each panel of the pair of side panels and the top panel, the front panel having a window formed therein, a supply line coupled to the bottom panel, a weir extending above the bottom panel and surrounding a junction with the supply line, a baffle disposed inside the outer cover, the baffle being disposed inwardly of the window so as to prevent infiltration of moisture into the supply line, and a weep hole formed in the bottom panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Perez, Randal Poirier, Eric Chanthalangsy, Steven Schneider
  • Patent number: 10578020
    Abstract: The present innovation relates to a gas turbine engine comprising an engine core with a combustion section, a fuel circuit fluidly coupled to the combustion section, an oil circuit fluidly coupled to the engine core, and an oil heat exchanger comprising a portion of the fuel circuit forming part of the oil circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Unison Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Thomas Kenworthy, Lonnie Ray Stewart, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10401055
    Abstract: A heat exchanger tube includes a first pass for at least partially combusting a fuel and the first pass having a modified shape including a minor diameter and major diameter that reduces the external pressure drop of an external fluid flowing across the heat exchanger tube. A HVACR system includes a heat exchanger tube with a first heat exchange pass that at least partially combusts a fuel and has a modified shape. A method of making a heat exchanger including configuring a first heat exchange pass such that the major diameter of modified portion of the first heat exchange pass is oriented towards an incoming direction of the process fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Wayne N. Kraft, Nathan Wagers, Dennis Scott Bradbury, Joshua Brian Coley, Sandeep Gowdagiri
  • Patent number: 10352278
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) EGR cooler for an engine system. In one example, the EGR cooler includes a first section with a first group of tubes adapted to flow exhaust gases, and also includes a first group of passages formed by exterior surfaces of the first group of tubes and adapted to flow coolant from a coolant source. The EGR cooler also includes a second section including a second group of tubes adapted to flow coolant from the coolant source, and a second group of passages formed by exterior surfaces of the second group of tubes and adapted to flow the exhaust gas from the first group of tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: GE Global Sourcing LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Alan Marsh, Suresh Rama Reddy Govindappa, Venu Gummadavelli Gupta, Mahesh Chand Aggarwal
  • Patent number: 10309686
    Abstract: A forced air supply combustion apparatus sucks combustion air from an air supply port. An air filter for collecting foreign matters in the air is mounted on an air-supply-port-formed plate in an insertable and drawable manner. A filter frame is arranged to be brought into close contact with a peripheral part of the air supply port in a state of having mounted the air filter in position. The air-supply-port side edge parts are provided with retaining pieces to clamp a filter side frame part in the Z-axis direction against the side edge parts. A distance in the Z-axis direction between the air-supply-port side edge parts, and the retaining pieces is set larger than a dimension, in the Z-axis direction, of the filter side frame part, and is set smaller than a sum of the dimensions to be obtained by adding to said dimensions the projection height of the projections provided in a projecting manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: RINNAI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshimitsu Nagasaka, Masakazu Ando
  • Patent number: 10161639
    Abstract: An apparatus and system for efficiently and safely transferring heat from a masonry heater to an external heating device using coil pipes and a liquid circulation pump. Circulation of a heat transfer liquid in the apparatus and system is controlled based on the measured temperature of the heat transfer liquid in the coil pipe on a return side of the masonry heater. Two additional sensors near the external heating device are used to control the flow rate of the circulation of the heat transfer liquid in the apparatus and system, thereby controlling the amount of heat actually transferred to the external heating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Inventor: Joseph Copeland
  • Patent number: 10041743
    Abstract: An energy recovery system includes a heating or cooling system and an energy recovery ventilator operably connected to a component of the heating or cooling system. The energy recovery ventilator includes a supply port extending into the component to provide a supply of fresh airflow from the energy recovery ventilator to the component for use by the component. A return port extends into the component configured to receive a flow of stale air from the component while minimizing ingestion of the fresh air flow from the component into the return port. A method of operating an energy recovery system includes flowing a flow of fresh air from an energy recovery ventilator through a supply port into a component of a heating or cooling system. Stale air is flowed from the component through a return port into the energy recovery ventilator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dwight H. Heberer, Eric W. Adams
  • Patent number: 9562723
    Abstract: Disclosed therein are a white smoke reducing system and a method of recovering waste heat and water using the white smoke reducing system. The white smoke reducing system includes a discharge gas inflow pipe, a water recovery part, a sensible heat exchanger, a first latent heat exchanger, a second latent heat exchanger, a steam separator, a discharge part, a circulation duct, and a mixing duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Inventors: Kil Hwan Cho, Han Ule Cho
  • Patent number: 9534801
    Abstract: A wall mount-type evaporative humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main body mounted on a wall and having an air intake port and an air blower port formed therein, a ventilator disposed within the main body and configured to suck air into the air intake port and blow the air toward the air blower port, a water guide disposed within the main body and having a water channel formed therein, a water tank configured to contain water in order to supply the water to the water guide and seated in the water guide, and a humidification filter configured to absorb water of the water guide and to supply moisture to air flowing toward the ventilator and seated in the water guide. The present invention is advantageous in that it can realize a humidifying effect and a cooling effect at the same time, has the high utilization of space, and can control the humidity of the entire room rapidly and uniformly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Yong Hyuk Choi, Chin Hyuk Chang, Dong Wook Kim, Jae Hun Jung, Arunesh Kr Singh, Yo Sang Jung
  • Patent number: 9510728
    Abstract: An example vent assembly for a dishwasher having a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber, and an exhaust vent, includes a condenser having an outlet, and an inlet in fluid communication with the treating chamber, an ambient air cooling duct in thermal communication with the condenser, and having an outlet in fluid communication with the exhaust vent, a venturi having an inlet in communication with the outlet of the condenser, and an outlet in communication with the cooling duct, and a fan for flowing ambient air through the cooling duct, past the venturi, and out the exhaust vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Whilrpool Corporation
    Inventor: Barry E. Tuller
  • Patent number: 8819957
    Abstract: A portable air heating system provides a stream of heated air. The heating system generally has an air transfer assembly for providing a flow of air through the system, a fuel burner assembly having one or more burners for providing heat by combustion, and a heat transfer housing for safely transferring the heat produced by the fuel burner assembly to the air flowing through the transfer assembly. The burner assembly has burners with inlets having generally horizontal axes that are disposed from one or more heat transfer tubes mounted in the heat transfer housing. The burner assembly and the heat transfer assembly are positioned outside the area being heated so that the exhaust gases are completely isolated from the air heated by the system, thereby virtually eliminating the likelihood of asphyxiation by the exhaust gases from the burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Taps, LLC
    Inventor: Trevor Adrian
  • Publication number: 20120240916
    Abstract: A multiple barrel forced-air heater comprising a base, a first heater jacket, and a second heater jacket. The base may comprise a fuel tank adapted to accept a fuel. The first heater jacket may comprise a first device for producing a first air flow, a first Venturi adapted to mix fuel with the first air flow to form a first fuel-air mixture, and a first combustion site adapted to combust the first fuel-air mixture to generate a first amount of heat and a first amount of combustion products. The second heater jacket may comprise a second device for producing a first air flow, a second Venturi adapted to mix fuel with the second air flow to form a second fuel-air mixture, and a second combustion site adapted to combust the second fuel-air mixture to generate a second amount of heat and a second amount of combustion products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: Enerco Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Jedrzejek
  • Patent number: 7997004
    Abstract: A portable air heating system provides a stream of heated air. The heating system generally has an air transfer assembly for providing a flow of air through the system, a fuel burner assembly having one or more burners for providing heat by combustion, and a heat transfer housing for safely transferring the heat produced by the fuel burner assembly to the air flowing through the transfer assembly. The burner assembly has burners with inlets having generally horizontal axes that are disposed from one or more heat transfer tubes mounted in the heat transfer housing. The burner assembly and the heat transfer assembly are positioned outside the area being heated so that the exhaust gases are completely isolated from the air heated by the system, thereby virtually eliminating the likelihood of asphyxiation by the exhaust gases from the burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Taps, LLC
    Inventor: Trevor Adrian
  • Patent number: 7850748
    Abstract: A fuel reformer burner for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) system includes a first tube through which a fuel for a fuel reformer is supplied and a second tube through which anode-off gas (AOG) is supplied from a fuel cell stack. The second tube is not connected to the first tube, and an inlet line through which an air is supplied is connected to the first tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Doo-hwan Lee, Kang-hee Lee, Hyun-chul Lee, Tae-sang Park
  • Patent number: 7172412
    Abstract: A pyrolysis heater particularly for the cracking of hydrocarbons in the production of olefins has a burner arrangement in the firebox which includes staged combustion low NOx hearth burners firing upwardly in the firebox adjacent to the walls. Wall stabilizing gas fuel injection tips, located at an elevation above the hearth burners, inject fuel upwardly between the walls and the flame from the hearth burners. This prevents rollover of the flame onto the process heater coil and overheating of the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: ABB Lummus Global Inc.
    Inventors: Erwin M. J. Platvoet, Robert John Gartside, Peter Robert Ponzi, Paul Chapman, Frank D. McCarthy
  • Patent number: 7044123
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat exchanger and condensation combustion chamber assembly, comprising a plurality of tubes and including a front plate and a rear plate connected to the combustion chamber with a drop pattern. Each of the heat exchanger tubes comprises a variable area cross section, with a flat portion at a middle region, to provide a larger thermal exchange surface. The middle region is subjected to a crossed cut molding process to provide a helical type of fume path, suitable to enhance the efficiency of the assembly, owing to an increased thermal exchange between the fumes and heated air flows. The combustion chamber having a cross section of drop shape allows to properly solve the problem related to the very high temperatures generated by recent cylindrical gas burners having a metal mesh surface generating great amounts of heat, which must be disposed of in a thermal exchange process with the heated air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Inventor: Angelo Rigamonti
  • Patent number: 6887070
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuing the operation of a fuel fired furnace when the air supply from the blower to the furnace is interrupted by employing a combination of a ventilator and drop door, the ventilator having a power source independent of the blower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Sellamuthu G. Chellappan, William J. Walker, David L. Ramsey
  • Publication number: 20040069295
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat exchanger and condensation combustion chamber assembly, comprising a plurality of tubes and including a front plate and a rear plate connected to the combustion chamber with a drop pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventor: Angelo Rigamonti
  • Patent number: 6494255
    Abstract: A modified air heater gas inlet plenum for a tubular air heater which permits retrofit installation of additional flue gas environmental treatment equipment. A divider plate is located within the inlet plenum to subdivide it into first and second flue gas passages. The first flue gas passage created by the divider plate merely conveys the hot flue gas through the inlet plenum and into flues which convey the flue gas to the new equipment. Return flues convey the flue gas back to the second flue gas passage created in the inlet plenum which, in turn, conveys the flue gas into the tubular air heater heat exchanger tubes. By taking advantage of the large size of a conventional air heater gas inlet plenum, the first and second flue gas passages created by the divider plate still have sufficient cross sectional area so that acceptable flue gas velocities are preserved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Paul James Lieb, Edward J. Piaskowski, Norman D. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6405791
    Abstract: A modified air heater gas inlet plenum for a tubular air heater which permits retrofit installation of additional flue gas environmental treatment equipment. A divider plate is located within the inlet plenum to subdivide it into first and second flue gas passages. The first flue gas passage created by the divider plate merely conveys the hot flue gas through the inlet plenum and into flues which convey the flue gas to the new equipment. Return flues convey the flue gas back to the second flue gas passage created in the inlet plenum which, in turn, conveys the flue gas into the tubular air heater heat exchanger tubes. By taking advantage of the large size of a conventional air heater gas inlet plenum, the first and second flue gas passages created by the divider plate still have sufficient cross sectional area so that acceptable flue gas velocities are preserved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Inventors: Paul James Lieb, Edward J. Piaskowski, Norman D. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6244196
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for burning organic material including farm bedding waste of the present invention includes a firebox having an air injector disposed within the firebox. A heat exchanger is also disposed within the firebox above the air injector. The fuel to be burned, a mixture of organic farm bedding waste, is piled in the firebox surrounding the air injector and heat exchanger. By injecting air into the pile of fuel, the fuel is burned from the inside out, surrounding the heat exchanger with the burning fuel. The unburned fuel acts to insulate the burning fuel from the walls of the firebox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: John Kimberlin
  • Patent number: 6044837
    Abstract: A combustion and heating chamber into which a fluid is pumped under pressure is provided. A burner is positioned in the combustion and heating chamber to provide a heat load to the pressurized fluid in the chamber. As the fluid is heated its internal pressure is greatly raised providing a force for driving the heated air through a spiral conduit that encircles the combustion and heating chamber. An insulated outer wall is fitted around the spiral conduit and in contact with it. The individual wraps of the spiral conduit do not lay side by side, but are spaced apart. Relatively cool process air is drawn into the spaces between the separate wraps of the spiral conduit, which is thereby formed as a second spiral space intertwined with the spiral conduit between the combustion and heating chamber wall and the outer wall. The process fluid is therefore in contact with the walls of the spiral conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Inventor: Harry Arthur Tyler
  • Patent number: 5950616
    Abstract: A high efficiency heater system made up of a longitudinally extending combustion chamber located within an external enclosure which is spaced apart from the combustion chamber to provide an air space. A burner assembly provides combustion gases into one end of the combustion chamber which travel down the chamber and are exhausted through flue gas vents at the other end of the chamber. An air path divider separates the air space between the upper portion of the combustion chamber and the enclosure from the air space between a lower portion of the combustion chamber and the enclosure. A blower supplies ambient air which flows into the upper air space, flows along the hottest part of the combustion chamber and then, upon reaching the flue gas end of the combustion chamber, reverses direction and travels back along the lower air space before being exhausted into the ambient air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Shenandoah Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. Armentrout
  • Patent number: 5839375
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for burning organic farm bedding waste includes a firebox having an air injector disposed within the firebox. A heat exchanger is also disposed within the firebox above the air injector. The fuel to be burned, a mixture of organic farm bedding waste, is piled in the firebox surrounding the air injector and heat exchanger. By injecting air into the pile of fuel, the fuel is burned from the inside out, surrounding the heat exchanger with the burning fuel. The unburned fuel acts to insulate the burning fuel from the walls of the firebox. The apparatus can be used as an incinerator or as a furnace to heat a building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Inventor: John R. Kimberlin
  • Patent number: 5540213
    Abstract: A kerosene heater (1) having a pump assembly (106) which includes a piston (113) having a hollow bore (121) through which fuel (98) is routed to the hollow shaft of a fuel atomizer (27). The piston (113) is operated by a cam (117) machined into the shaft (114) of the heater motor (22). Mounted on the motor shaft (114) between the atomizer (27) and the pump assembly (106) is a novel fan (26) combining both low pitched outer blade portions (143) and high pitched vanes (146) near the hub (136) of the fan (26). The air flow near the periphery of the fan tends to be axial while the flow near the hub (136) tends to be turbulent and of lower velocity. A series of rear heads (32,33) downstream of the atomizer (27) tends to separate cooling and combustion air while preheating a portion of the air in the region of the atomizer (27).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: DESA International
    Inventors: Dennis B. Shell, Jay J. Kakuk
  • Patent number: 5531212
    Abstract: A multi oil furnace is disclosed wherein the external cabinet shell houses a central burner chamber, an upper bank of conduits and a lower bank of conduits. Headers operably coupling the burner chamber, the upper and lower banks of conduits and a discharge opening define a flow path for the combustion gases created by the ignition of the used oil within the burner chamber. A ventilation chamber positioned between forward and rearward headers allows the passage of ambient ventilation air around the conduits and the burner chamber to effect a transfer of heat from the exhaust gases to the ventilation air while maintaining isolation therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Clean Burn, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin K. Smoker, David J. Yoder, Benuel F. Smoker, Frederick W. Phillips, Emanuel S. Beiler
  • Patent number: 5490495
    Abstract: A multi oil furnace is disclosed wherein the front door is sealable against the burner chamber and against a lip extending around the circumference of a front header formed in the cabinet shell to operatively interconnect an upper bank of heat exchanger conduits with a lower bank of heat exchanger conduits. The exhaust gases flow from the burner chamber into the upper bank of conduits to the front header where the exhaust gases must flow around the burner chamber to the lower bank of heat exchanger conduits. The lip extending around the periphery of the front header is recessed below the lower bank of conduits to permit an accumulation of ash precipitated from the exhaust gases. The front door carries longitudinally offset sealing surfaces to seal against both the burner chamber and the header lip. Both the upper and lower banks of conduits, the burner chamber and the front header are accessible through the opening corresponding to the front door when moved to its opened position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Clean Burn, Inc.
    Inventors: Beneul F. Smoker, David J. Yoder, Benjamin K. Smoker, Frederick W. Phillips, Emanuel S. Beiler
  • Patent number: 5477846
    Abstract: The invention provides in one broad aspect an improved process fluid preheater system for raising the temperature of a process fluid with a hot furnace gas, having a combustion furnace in communication with a shell and tube heat exchanger, wherein the furnace operably produce the hot furnace gas and comprises air inlet means, fossil fuel combustion means and hot furnace gas exit means; and the heat exchanger comprises an exchanger shell, a first end radial tube sheet and a second end radial tube sheet, which define a shell space; a plurality of longitudinal tubes retained by the first and second end tube sheets within the shell and comprising heat exchange means; hot furnace gas inlet means; cooled furnace gas outlet means; process gas inlet means; and heated process fluid outlet means; the improvement comprising the plurality of tubes further comprises the hot furnace gas inlet means and the cooled furnace gas outlet means; the hot furnace gas exit means in communication with the plurality of tubes furnace g
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Inventor: Gordon M. Cameron
  • Patent number: 5458484
    Abstract: A burner for burning a combustible gas comprising fuel gas and air that has been mixed before being supplied to the burner. The burner has a flame holder concavely recessed into a flame outlet. The concave configuration of the flame holder focuses the individual flames on the combustion surface toward a central location where the individual flames interact with and reinforce one another in a direction axial to the burner. Thus very little heat is transmitted directly from the burner in a direction normal to the burner axis. This characteristic of the burner allows it to be used to fire a flue type heat exchangers where the walls of the heat exchanger are very close to the burner without excessive temperatures being produced in the heat exchanger walls adjacent the burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Chester D. Ripka
  • Patent number: 5363836
    Abstract: A furnace including an elongated housing having an air intake adjacent one end of the housing and an air discharge vent adjacent the other end of the housing utilizes a substantially U-shaped heat exchanger positioned within the housing and a partition supported within the housing so as to separate the interior of the housing into first and second zones. A fuel burner assembly directs a flame and attending combustion products into one leg section of the heat exchanger so that the heat generated by the flame and combustion products are absorbed through the inside surfaces of both leg sections. The furnace also includes a fan so that a fraction of the air move through the first zone and absorbs heat from the outer surfaces of the one leg section and so that a remainder of the air moves through the second zone and absorbs heat from the other surfaces of the other leg section. The partition provides a first and a second opening through which the first and second zones communicate with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Black Gold Corporation
    Inventor: Eugene C. Briggs
  • Patent number: 5222552
    Abstract: The method of bending relatively thin wall tubing to form a tubular heat exchanger that has relatively tight bends with controlled wrinkles. For example, 1.75-inch outer diameter stainless steel tube may have a wall thickness of 0.035 inches and be bent using a controlled-wrinkle bend die to a 180.degree. bend having a centerline radius of 2.5 inches. The relatively high tube collapse that results from bending in such manner without the use of a ball mandrel does not detract from performance of the heat exchanger in a relatively low flow rate furnace application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Amana Refrigeration, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene H. Schuchert
  • Patent number: 5205276
    Abstract: A compact heat exchanger for a fuel-fired heating furnace. The heat exchanger has a radiative heat transfer section including at least one firetube for containing flue gases as the air to be heated passes over the firetube and a convective section including a shell-and-tube heat transfer apparatus arranged to receive flue gases from the firetube in the shell region and the air to be heated after it passes over the firetube in the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: Michael A. Aronov, Roger D. Sheridan
  • Patent number: 5165386
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for heating air or another gas, comprising at least one gas-fired burner comprising a metal pipe-shaped combustion chamber which is part of the heat exchanger and extends in the path of the air to be heated, wherein the pipe-shaped burner chamber (4) comprises means for enlarging the heat transfer surface, such as fins (V), with the pipe-shaped burner chamber (4) forming the first pass of at least two parallel passes which communicate at their ends via deflecting boxes (5, 6) and the burner (1) being a high-speed burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: Veg-Gasinstituut N.V.
    Inventor: Geuko Van Der Veen
  • Patent number: 5022379
    Abstract: Basically the present invention in its most simple form or embodiment is directed to a heat exchanger which provides for at least two heat exchange surfaces and which has the combustion of the fuel, which generates the heat, take place within the heat exchanger rather than the heat of combustion being introduced into the exchanger from an external combustion chamber and wherein the flame is directed into an opening of a truncated cone which cone has a shape approximating the shape of the flame and wherein the tips or ends of the flame "play" on an arcuate surface which is in thermal energy transfer communication with fluid to be heated which is at the unheated or ambient temperature. Additionally, note that the fluid, air in the case of a hot air system, is introduced into the passages where heat exchange will take place, and directed toward the hottest region of the combustion chamber. That is, the coldest air comes into thermal contact with the hottest region providing for maxinum heat exchange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Inventor: James C. Wilson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4905661
    Abstract: The present invention in its most simple form or embodiment is directed to a heat exchanger which provides for at least two heat exchange surfaces. The two heat exchange surfaces are defined by an inner wall or inner shell which separates a combustion region or combustion passage and at least one fluid passage defined by the inner shell, and an outer wall or outer shell. The space defined between the inner and outer shells being the combustion region or combustion passage. The combustion chamber is configured to provide for full and efficient fuel combustion without any flat surfaces upon which a flame of combustion could impinge. Because of the nature of the construction, the flame forms into a fan configuration allowing thorough mixture with the combustion air and thus providing for complete and efficient combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Inventor: James C. Wilson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4877014
    Abstract: A tube arrangement for a tube-type heat exchanger. The tube arrangement provides for the location of the tubes in the upper portion of the drum defining the combustion chamber of the heat exchanger. In one embodiment, four heat exchange tubes are provided, with two of the tubes disposed such that the axial center line of the tube lies across the horizontal center line of the heat exchanger drum, and with two tubes disposed entirely above the horizontal center line of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Beasley
  • Patent number: 4836182
    Abstract: A forced air gas fired heating device may be utilized as a stove insert for a conventional open fireplace or in an alternative embodiment may be formed with a double walled construction for use as a free standing unit. In both embodiments a gas burner adjacent a bottom portion of the housing heats an air space within the housing. A room air inlet conduit traverses back and forth across the heated air space and communicates with an air distribution chamber in an upper portion of the housing. A plurality of room air outlet conduits extend outwardly from the distribution chamber through a front wall of the housing. A heat exchanger is suspended from each of the room air outlet conduits and includes a hollow body portion in fluid communication with the associated air outlet conduit. Each of the heat exchangers has an enclosed longitudinally extending corrugated heat conductive metal plate and terminates in a bottom heat conducted metal plate deposed adjacent the gas burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Inventor: Daniel W. Trowbridge
  • Patent number: 4784110
    Abstract: The heat exchanger of a gravity flow wall furnace defines a tortuous, mostly vertical path for the combustion gases to improve heat transfer to the room. The gases are directed upwardly in a combustion chamber and then split into two portions and conducted through two radiators having paths which extend downwardly adjacent to but spaced from the chamber and then upwardly again leading to a flue. The chamber and the radiators are oriented edgewise with respect to the wall so that all can fit within the space between a pair of studdings in a conventional stud wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: Williams Furnace Company
    Inventors: Stanley F. Skafte, Donald R. Dupras
  • Patent number: 4776320
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for use in a combustion system to inhibit formation of oxides of nitrogen (NO.sub.x) by the combustion system thereby reducing NO.sub.x emissions from the combustion system. The device is made of a material, such as stainless steel, which is positioned at the periphery of a combustion flame produced by a burner which is part of the combustion system, to temper the combustion flame by absorbing thermal energy from the combustion flame. The device sufficiently tempers the combustion flame to limit peak combustion flame temperatures and residence times at these peak combustion flame temperatures to levels which inhibit formation of oxides of nitrogen while allowing substantially complete combustion of the fuel supplied to the burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Chester D. Ripka, John A. Shaheen
  • Patent number: 4706646
    Abstract: A total counterflow heat exchanger comprising a system of partitions dividing an interior chamber into a series of channels which coincide with the path of a duct through that interior chamber. A substance at one temperature is passed through the duct, and a substance at a second temperature is passed through the channels, thereby creating a temperature differential gradient over which thermal energy is transfered from one substance to the other as the substances flow through the heat exchanger. The arrangement of the partitions permits a substance to pass back and forth through the channels in the heat exchanger along the same path as the duct, so that while the substance may flow through the heat exchanger at the same net rate as if the partitions were not present, the length of the heat exchange gradient may be increased many times, therefore enhancing the efficiency of the gradient and the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Assignee: M.A.C., Inc.
    Inventors: Paul O. Christianson, James M. McDonald
  • Patent number: 4630592
    Abstract: The heating stove comprises from top to bottom, a smoke space, an oven, a combustion chamber and an ash-pit; a grate separates the chamber from the ash-pit. The grate comprises a plurality of open-ended hollow cylindrical metallic ducts which criss-cross so as to form a X and which open outwardly of the stove for heating ambient air circulating therethrough. Each of the ducts has a substantially-flattened crossing portion, in order to reduce the spacing between the tubes. The grate may support a solid combustible, but permit the ashes to drop into the ash-pit between the ducts. A plurality of upright semi-cylindrical tubes are fixed to the sides of the oven and form passages between the combustion chamber and the smoke space. The oven is heated not only at its bottom but along its side walls and the tubes also serve to heat the ambient air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Inventor: Ludger Larabie
  • Patent number: 4603680
    Abstract: A furnace flue gas draft inducer outlet box assembly is provided for connecting an inducer housing to a vent pipe, and comprises a plurality of differently directed openings to allow the vent pipe to be connected thereto in one of a plurality of different orientations, thereby facilitating ease of installation of the furnace. When incorporated with a condensing furnace, the inducer outlet assembly further comprises a condensate collecting system for collecting a return flow of condensate formed in a vent pipe and for delivering the condensate out of the inducer housing to prevent contact with the inducer motor, wheel and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1986
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Dempsey, Kent L. Parker
  • Patent number: 4597375
    Abstract: A maximum efficiency stove or furnace for heating homes or other buildings is disclosed. The furnace includes a combustion chamber supported within a furnace housing by an ash pan. The combustion chamber is spaced apart from the furnace housing to define an air circulation chamber therebetween. A horizontal flue extends through the upper portion of the air circulation chamber, from the rear of the combustion chamber to the front of the top wall of the furnace housing. The ash pan includes a number of heat transfer tubes projecting therethrough to define a grate upon which the fuel is burned and a secondary grate below the heat transfer tubes. The furnace also includes an ambient air preheating chamber attached to the outside surface of the housing. The air to be heated is drawn through the preheating chamber and admitted into the air circulation chamber, whereupon it flows through the heat transfer tubes, around the combustion chamber and flue, and is then exhausted into the room to be heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1986
    Inventor: David M. Pabis
  • Patent number: 4579102
    Abstract: A hot air heat exchanger furnace that uses crop residue as a fuel source is provided for producing the heat required for various purposes, such as the drying of grains, peanuts, soybeans and other materials and for the heating of buildings. The furnace includes a combustion chamber, an upper manifold, a lower manifold, a plenum and a number of exhaust tubes. The exhaust tubes direct the flow of combustion gases from the combustion chamber in a serpentine path in the plenum between the upper and lower manifolds and into a stack. Meanwhile, ambient air passes into the plenum, past the heat transfer surfaces of the combustion chamber and the exhaust tubes as heat transfers to it. Then it passes out of the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Inventor: Eugene G. Sukup
  • Patent number: 4558689
    Abstract: A secondary heat exchanger is positioned within a cold air return plenum of a forced air gas or oil fired furnace to preheat cold air drawn into the furnace through the cold air plenum. A heat recovery flue pipe is connected between a primary flue pipe of the furnace and the secondary heat exchanger, and an exhaust pipe is connected between the secondary heat exchanger and the outside of a structure served by the furnace. A secondary blower coupled to the exhaust pipe draws hot combustion gases from the primary flue pipe through the heat exchanger and exhausts cooled combustion gases to the outside. The secondary heat exchanger comprises a combustion gas inlet plenum and a combustion gas outlet plenum, with a plurality of heat conducting pipes sealingly connected therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1985
    Inventor: Artie McCann
  • Patent number: 4553527
    Abstract: Apparatus supporting a catalytic converter for a burner comprising a support including an opening for passage of exhaust gases therethrough, a catalytic converter mounted on the support for movement into and out of an operating position adjacent to the opening to receive the exhaust gases, and means extending from the support for causing the catalytic converter to be moved into and out of the operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Assignee: Nu-Tec Incorporated
    Inventor: Peter S. Albertsen
  • Patent number: 4520790
    Abstract: Hot gases from a fuel burner in a combustion chamber are exhausted to a flue at the top of the furnace. Air to be heated is drawn into the furnace through an upper inlet, passes through a chamber around combustion gas flow tubes, and then downwardly through sidewall flow spaces along the outside of the combustion chamber. Partially heated air from the sidewall spaces flows to one end of the furnace and then through air tubes above the burner to a plenum at the other end of the furnace where the so heated air is withdrawn by a fan. The fuel can be a solid fuel such as lignite, and the heated air can be used for grain drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Assignee: Neshem-Peterson, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald L. Sagness, Donald A. Peterson
  • Patent number: RE36743
    Abstract: A burner for burning a combustible gas comprising fuel gas and air that has been mixed before being supplied to the burner. The burner has a flame holder .[.concavely.]. .Iadd.axially and radially .Iaddend.recessed into a flame outlet. The .[.concave.]. configuration of the flame holder focuses the individual flames on the combustion surface toward a central location where the individual flames interact with and reinforce one another in a direction axial to the burner. Thus very little heat is transmitted directly from the burner in a direction normal to the burner axis. This characteristic of the burner allows it to be used to fire a flue type heat exchangers where the walls of the heat exchanger are very close to the burner without excessive temperatures being produced in the heat exchanger walls adjacent the burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Chester D. Ripka