Cleaning Patents (Class 165/5)
  • Patent number: 11835300
    Abstract: Apparatus for cooling a hot fluid by transferring heat to particles that are then cooled by air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Blake Lance, Clifford K. Ho, Kevin Albrecht
  • Patent number: 11073348
    Abstract: The tube cleaning device has a frame having a plurality of top and bottom vertical slots and a first and second upper slotted bracket, each bracket being located above an upper and lower window. First and second lower brackets are located below the windows forming a ledge. First and second riggings engage the slots and releasably connect the frame to a tube bank. A spreader bar is inserted through a window. A releasable connector secures the spreader bar to the frame. A vibrating motor is releasably secured to the frame. Vibration of the motor is passed through the frame to the spreader bar, which vibrates the tubes to effectuate cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: HRST, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle P. Sogard, Lester S. Stanley, Scott J. Bratberg
  • Patent number: 10788254
    Abstract: A rotating heat carrier system includes a barrier having a first side portion and a second side portion. A plurality of disks is mounted to a shaft. A motor is coupled to the shaft. The motor is operable to rotate the shaft and the plurality of disks. The plurality of disks is at least partially positioned within the barrier. A first portion of each of the plurality of disks extends along a radial direction away from the first side portion of the barrier. A second portion of each of the plurality of disks extends along the radial direction away from the second side portion of the barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Goodman Schroeder, Matthew Hunter
  • Patent number: 10538875
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a surface, such as the surface of a rotating disk, the apparatus comprising an articulating arm associated via a linkage to a rotating member driven by a motor. Rotation of the rotating member causes linkage to move the articulating arm in an oscillating pattern. A nozzle associated with the distal end of the articulating arm can convey pressurized air or liquid from a source to a surface in an oscillating pattern based on the construction of the arm, linkage, the rotating member and the speed of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: AQUARECYCLE, LLC
    Inventor: Harold Randolph Anderson
  • Patent number: 9597633
    Abstract: An air preheating and denitration integrated reactor and reaction method. The reactor includes a rotary catalyst body, housing arranged outside the rotary catalyst body, and gas inlet and outlet channels on upper and lower surfaces of the housing; the gas inlet and outlet channel is in divided three, namely flue gas, reductant, and air inlet and outlet channels, the rotary catalyst body is cylindrical and includes a central shaft rotor and multiple circular catalyst layers rotate around the central shaft rotor, each circular catalyst layer is divided into air, flue gas and reductant zones by a radial sealing plate and axial sealing plate. In each circular catalyst layer, a catalyst in the reactor alternately circulates in flue gas, reductant and air zones. The catalyst performs heating-reheating-cooling process on catalyst layers along with the reactor rotation, different temperatures and reaction atmospheres in zones conductive of air preheating and denitration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SHANDONG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chunyuan Ma, Xingxing Cheng, Zhiqiang Wang, Tao Wang
  • Patent number: 9265524
    Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a cannula for passing a tissue graft through soft tissue. The cannula can comprise an elongated body including oppositely disposed first and second ends and an axis that extends between the first and second ends. The elongated body can further include a passage extending between the first and second ends. The second end can include a curved portion that terminates at a sharpened, pointed tip configured to pierce and/or cut soft tissue at the surgical repair site. The tip can be axially offset from the axis of the elongated body at an angle that is less than 180°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
    Inventors: Kathleen A. Derwin, Joseph P. Iannotti, Ryan A. Milks
  • Patent number: 9200853
    Abstract: Disclosed is a heat transfer assembly for a rotary regenerative preheater. The heat transfer assembly, includes, a plurality of heat transfer elements stacked in spaced relationship to each other in a manner such that each notch from a plurality of notches of one of the heat transfer element rests on respective flat sections from a plurality of flat sections of the adjacent heat transfer elements to configure a plurality of closed channels, each isolated from the other, wherein each of the channels has a configuration in a manner such that each of corrugation sections from a plurality of corrugation sections of one of the heat transfer elements faces respective undulation sections from a plurality of undulation sections of the adjacent heat transfer elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: ARVOS TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Kevin James O'Boyle, James David Seebald, Jeffery E. Yowell
  • Patent number: 9163835
    Abstract: A thermal power boiler includes a furnace having a rear wall. A flue gas channel connected to the furnace includes a vertical back pass arranged on the rear wall side of the furnace. An ash hopper in the lower portion of the back pass has (i) a front wall, (ii) a rear wall, and (iii) two sidewalls. A pre-heater preheats combustion air and is provided with an inlet channel for flue gas connected to the preheater. The inlet channel has vertical portions, with an upper portion being attached to the lower portion of the back pass near the ash hopper. The inlet channel includes two adjacent channel portions connected to opposite sides of the back pass. One of the two portions is directly connected to the front wall of the ash hopper, and the other is directly connected to the rear wall of the ash hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: AMEC FOSTER WHEELER ENERGIA OY
    Inventor: Pentti Lankinen
  • Patent number: 8652265
    Abstract: An improved method for cleaning heat exchange tube bundles, fin-fans, and other elongated components, using a portable cleaning system comprising a cleaning unit having a cleaning enclosure that receives and cleans the component and a control unit that controls the operation of the system. The cleaning unit has a cleaning enclosure defining a chamber sized and configured to receive the component through a sealable lid. A roller assembly rotates the component while a spray assembly sprays cleaning fluid over and into the rotating component. The cleaning fluid is heated in the chamber using surface heating elements attached to heat transfer plates along sections of the chamber walls. A vapor recovery system captures and treats toxic vapors. In use, the cleaning system is transported to a facility to clean the components on-site using cleaning fluid supplied by the facility and discharging waste to the facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Gary I Hays
  • Patent number: 8360137
    Abstract: A regenerative heat exchanger is disclosed and described for gas streams that perform heat exchange between one another using a buffer that is continuously immersed in the gas streams. The buffer is cleanable by a pivotable blowing arm that uses spray nozzles to clean the buffer. The blowing arm has an axis that is positioned parallel to the flow direction of the gas streams across the buffer and allows for the use of two blowing arms which extend in a mirror image opposite to one another. The spray nozzles each distribute compressed air and/or pressurized water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Balcke-Dürr GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Flender
  • Publication number: 20120328999
    Abstract: A device for managing unburned residues, the device comprising a regenerator (5) having one end connected to a combustion enclosure (3) and an opposite end connected to a fuel admission pipe (4) and a flue gas exhaust pipe (8), the pipes being fitted with valves (2; 10) to alternate between an admission stage and an exhaust stage through the regenerator. A purge circuit (1) connected to the regenerator (5) acts before the exhaust stage to purge the regenerator of the fuel that it contains. The invention provides a corresponding method of managing unburned residues and a burner including such a device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: COCKERILL MAINTENANCE & INGENIERIE SA
    Inventors: Yves BRAUD, Ludovic FERRAND, Luc MALPAS
  • Patent number: 8241376
    Abstract: A self-cleaning device of a filtering net is disposed in a wall-hanging type air conditioner and includes a filtering net with an upper filtering net and a front filtering net, which is disposed outside a heat exchanger and is used for absorbing dust in the air passing through the heat exchanger. A dust sweeping assembly with a detachable brush is disposed outside the filtering net, and is used for sweeping the dust adhered on the filtering net. A drive device with a drive motor and a transmission mechanism is used for driving the dust sweeping assembly to slide on the filtering net to sweep off the dust. A dust box is used for collecting the dust and is detachably disposed in the air conditioner to clear up the dust in the box. A dust exchanging device is disposed on the left or right side of the filtering net, and is used for transferring the dust swept out by the sweeping assembly into the dust box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignees: Haier Group Corporation, Qingdao Haier Air Conditioner Gen Corp., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhichun Zhang, Renzhen Chu, Shouxin Zhang, Yu Fu, Zhaozhi Yu, Jiangang Liu, Ting Yang, Baohua Gao
  • Patent number: 7959432
    Abstract: A device for cleaning contamination in heat exchangers, waste-heat boilers, or combustion chambers is provided. In some embodiments, the device comprises a tube, a blasting body, and a combustible gas mixture within the tube. In some embodiments, the tube is destroyed after blasting. In some embodiments, the device further comprises a second tube comprising a blasting cord that is connected to a fuse, wherein the second tube is coupled to the first tube by a hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventor: Frans Steur, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110005706
    Abstract: A method of cleaning air preheaters of the type having a rotor which passes through a stream of flue gas and a stream of intake combustion air is disclosed. A soot blower is operated in step-wise fashion to blow a soot blowing medium through passageways in the rotor. The passageways are arranged in concentric rings and move at a tangential velocity which depends on the speed of the rotor and the location of the passageway relative to the center of the rotor. In the present method the speed of the rotor is adjusted in accordance with the position of the soot blower so that every passageway moves over the soot blower at the same or substantially the same tangential velocity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: Breen Energy Solutions
    Inventors: Scott Thomas, Charles A. Lockert
  • Patent number: 7410611
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the prevention of fouling of process streams by the application of electric charge on process components. The electric charge may be attractive or repulsive to the foulants, they may be constant or variable and may be applied to any section of the process stream where convenient and wherein their preventive effects are optimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Dennis L. Salbilla
  • Publication number: 20070267176
    Abstract: Fouling of heat exchange surfaces is mitigated by a process in which a mechanical force is applied to a fixed heat exchanger to excite a vibration in the heat exchange surface and produce shear waves in the fluid adjacent the heat exchange surface. The mechanical force is applied by a dynamic actuator coupled to a controller to produce vibration at a controlled frequency and amplitude output that minimizes adverse effects to the heat exchange structure. The dynamic actuator may be coupled to the heat exchanger in place and operated while the heat exchanger is on line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Limin Song, Julio D. Lobo, Glen B. Brons, San Chhotray, Himanshu M. Joshi, George A. Lutz
  • Patent number: 7077888
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for separating dust from flue gases from combustion plants, especially solid fuel combustion plants, comprising at least one dust filter via which the flue gases are guided, and by means of which the dust from the flue gases can be filtered out as it passes through the dust filter. In order to produce a device which separates dust in a highly efficient manner and which can be operated in a highly reliable manner and be used to heat combustion air for the combustion plant, the at least one dust filter is embodied as a bulk material filter in whose bulk material heat from the flue gases can be collected when the bulk material is cross-flown by the flue gases and by means of whose bulk material heat collected from the flue gases when the combustion air of the combustion plant flows through the bulk material filter can be given off to said combustion air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Harald Dichtl, Thomas Hagen, Roland Klaus, Jörg Lengert
  • Patent number: 6978793
    Abstract: A portable apparatus and method for chemically cleaning a single pass plate and frame heat exchanger allows the cleaning solution to be uniformly distributed across the plate pack. This portable system of one pump of preferably 10-horsepower, capable of 300 gallons per minute flow through a discharge port; at least two distribution/collection tubes with apertures of predetermined diameter and predetermined placement; one reversing manifold; two bag filters; and one circulation tank with a capacity at least on the order of 150 to 200 gallons; attaches to a single pass plate and frame heat exchanger. The single pass plate and frame heat exchanger is configured with at least two removable flanges that, once removed, allow for the installation of the distribution/collection tubes. The apertures in the distribution/collection tubes are placed facing downwards depending upon the direction of the operational fluid to enhance a vacuuming effect for particle and debris removal during cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: PHEX LLC
    Inventor: Kurt Krueger
  • Patent number: 6863116
    Abstract: A large flexible plastic bib that is conical or funnel shaped with its large open end supported by a frame for positioning near a source of effluent to be collected, and the bib small open end positioned to direct liquid and debris toward a floor drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Goodway Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Kane, Frank Intrieri, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6622780
    Abstract: In order to regenerate the heat exchanger material located in the various segments of a housing section (2) of a regenerative post-combustion device (1), air is heated in the combustion chamber (8) of this post-combustion device (1) by a burner (9), is directly removed from the combustion chamber (8), is adjusted to the desired regeneration air temperature using fresh air, and is returned to the inlet (4) of the thermal post-combustion device (1). The outlet (10) of the thermal post-combustion device (1) remains closed during this operation. The rotary distributor (5) of the thermal post-combustion device (1) rotates during this process which is continued until all segments of the heat exchanger material are heated to a temperature at which the contaminants absorbed by the heat exchanger materials are released and combusted in the combustion chamber (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Eisenmann Maschinenbau KG
    Inventor: Walter Pötzl
  • Patent number: 6610250
    Abstract: An apparatus suitable for low temperature processing and high temperature sterilization comprising a halogenated heat-transfer fluid. The apparatus comprises an expansion device which may optionally comprise a membrane. Another embodiment of the present invention is a method therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Phillip E. Tuma
  • Patent number: 6560965
    Abstract: A microturbine power system and of a method of operating same comprising automatically detecting fouling of a recuperator and then cleaning the recuperator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell Power Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Fukumoto, Peter Zheng, Daniel W. Burnes
  • Publication number: 20030056935
    Abstract: In the manufacture of cement clinker from cement raw meal, sulfide-containing raw materials or raw materials with a high TOC (total organic carbon) level can be used for cement manufacture, which are uncontrollably incompletely burned in the upper cyclone of a heat exchange line, thus leading to high emissions of CO, VOC (volatile organic carbon), and S2− in the waste gas. To reduce or completely eliminate such elevated emissions, an oxidation zone is provided in an waste gas duct downstream of the heat exchange line in the gas flow path, having an afterburner, the waste gas being caused positively to pass through open flames of the afterburner to assure the economical oxidation of the waste gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Hans-Wilhelm Meyer, Michael Siegert
  • Patent number: 6391121
    Abstract: A method of cleaning tubing in an operating heater, in which the tubing has an inlet and an outlet. While the heater is in operation, a pig is run through the tubing from the inlet to the outlet and then returned to the inlet along return tubing, in parallel connection to the heater tubing. A combined pig launcher and receiver mounted parallel to the tubing, and controlled with three way full port valves, is used to launch pigs into the tubing and remove them from the tubing. A boost pump is used to force pigs back from outlet to inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: On Stream Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Orlande Sivacoe
  • Patent number: 6278903
    Abstract: A robot body (21) is carried into the water chamber (2A) of a condenser (1) and disposed on a tube sheet (4) through which a number of narrow tubes (3) open. Inner nozzles (23) are inserted into narrow tubes (3) from working devices (24) installed on the front ends of four combined-use arms (22A through 22D) to position and fix the robot body (21). And the arm turning motors (25) and arm extending and contracting cylinder devices (26) of the combined-use arms (22A through 22D) are driven to move the robot body (21). Further, a cleaning brush (12) and a flaw detection probe (13) are inserted into a narrow tube (3) from each working device (24) and moved along the narrow tube (3) by cleaning water, whereby cleaning and inspection are performed. With three of the combined-use arms (22A through 22D) fixed to the narrow tubes (3), the inner nozzle (23) is extracted from the narrow tube (3) and the working device is moved to the next narrow tube (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Hitachi Zosen Corporation
    Inventors: Hisashi Iwasaki, Shuji Komada, Hirotaka Takahashi, Minoru Hyuga, Takashi Fujimura
  • Patent number: 6203316
    Abstract: A rotary valve regenerative oxidizer generally includes a combustion chamber communicating with a first end of plurality of pie shaped heat exchange chambers and a rotary valve communicating with a second end of the heat exchange chambers. A contaminated gas is directed through an inlet of the rotary valve, through a first group of heat exchange chambers, and into the combustion chamber thereby heating and purifying the gas. The heated and purified gas is directed from the combustion chamber through a second group of heat exchange chambers and through an outlet of the rotary valve. A portion of the heated and purified gas received from the outlet of the rotary valve is directed through a heating element 56 for heating the gas to a temperature sufficient to volatilize organic solids for purging a third group of heat exchange chambers. The gas is directed from the third group of heat exchange chambers into the combustion chamber and out of the oxidizer through the second group of heat exchange chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Regenerative Environmental Equipment Co., Inc. (REECO, Inc.)
    Inventor: Rodney L. Pennington
  • Patent number: 6183707
    Abstract: A method for treating waste gases contaminated with toxic or odorous compounds in the form of a mist using a regenerative incinerator system is provided. The contaminated waste gas is passed through a first regenerator so that the waste gas is heated by contact with the packing material contained therein. This hot contaminated waste gas is passed through a combustion chamber to oxidize the compounds in the waste gas. The hot treated waste gas is passed through another regenerator to cool the gas and heat the packing material contained therein. The cleaned gas is discharged. Part of the cleaned gas is heated and passed through the regenerator to volatilize and/or remove compounds remaining in the regenerator after passage of the waste gas, thereby cleaning the regenerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Biothermica International Inc.
    Inventors: Gérard Gosselin, Jean J. O. Gravel, Guy Drouin
  • Patent number: 6170493
    Abstract: A method of cleaning tubing in an operating heater, in which the tubing has an inlet and an outlet. While the heater is in operation, a pig is run though the tubing from the inlet to the outlet and then returned to the inlet along return tubing, in parallel connection to the heater tubing. A combined pig launcher and receiver mounted parallel to the tubing, and controlled with three way full port valves, is used to launch pigs into the tubing and remove them from the tubing. A boost pump is used to force pigs back from outlet to inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Inventor: Orlande Sivacoe
  • Patent number: 6065528
    Abstract: A swing-arm sootblower for a rotary regenerative air preheater is mounted to sweep across the air preheater rotor at an adjustable constant speed or angular velocity. The sootblower has means for sootblowing with a relatively low pressure medium such as air or steam or with high pressure water. The nozzle unit is equipped with a low pressure nozzle and a plurality of high pressure nozzles. The high pressure nozzles are arranged in a row and the nozzle unit is mounted so that the row is at an angle to the swing arm such that the row of high pressure nozzles is parallel to the heat transfer plates and tangential to the rotor at the outside of the swing of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: ABB Air Preheater, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt M. Fierle, Adam C. Sorochin
  • Patent number: 5965097
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning device wherein polluted effluents are passed into a cage (2) where a partitioned ring (1) of vertical axis, containing a charge (M) of a solid material exhibiting a large heat exchange surface and, against the inner wall thereof, a catalyst bed (9), rotates. An autothermal working point is reached by including in the catalyst bed heating means (resistors for example) that are temporarily connected to the power supply system, after which the cleaning operations with rotation of the ring and effluent circulation are launched. Heat control is thereafter provided by controlled injection into the effluents of either a fuel or sprayed water for example by means of injectors (15, 16). The device can be applied in the field of incineration of VOC for example in industrial effluents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignees: Institut Francais Du Petrole, Jacques Bourcier
    Inventors: Jean Morlec, Jacques Bourcier
  • Patent number: 5875833
    Abstract: A regenerative heat exchanger for gaseous media which are in a heat exchange with one another includes stationary or rotating storage masses and at least one cleaning device for the storage masses, wherein the cleaning device can be pivoted in relation to the annular cross section of the storage masses from the inside toward the outside or vice versa. The regenerative heat exchanger can be used for the preheating of air as well as for the preheating of gas. The free end of a swivel arm of the cleaning device constructed as a blow tube has a bent portion which extends parallel to the plane of the storage masses and the bent portion is provided with at least two blow nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Apparatebau Rothemuhle Brandt & Kritzler Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventor: Siegfried Schluter
  • Patent number: 5820836
    Abstract: A process of cleaning a gas and a rotating catalytic gas cleaning device including a crown of vertical axis driven into rotation in a cage. The crown has an annular catalyst bed covering its inner wall and an annular thermal load, outside the catalytic bed, made of a material exhibiting a large heat exchange surface. A polluted gas is radially passed from a peripheral inlet to a central zone of the crown with crossing of an annular thermal load and a catalytic layer. The gas is radially passed gas from the central zone to a peripheral outlet, while again crossing the catalytic bed and thermal load with thermal exchange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignees: Institute Francais du Petrole, Jacques Bourcier
    Inventors: Jean Morlec, Jacques Bourcier
  • Patent number: 5791400
    Abstract: A hot spot detection system for a rotary regenerative preheater has a linear rail system positionable between the central portion and the casing of the air preheater. The rail assembly has a pair of rails with a carriage movably mounted to each rail. The drive assembly has a motor and sprocket drive mountable to the exterior of the casing for driving the chain to which each carriage is affixed, to move the carriages in a linear reciprocating motion. On each carriage is a sensor assembly for detecting hot spots on the rotor of the air preheater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: ABB Air Preheater, Inc.
    Inventors: Tadek C. Brzytwa, Barry E. Campbell
  • Patent number: 5762128
    Abstract: A fouling sensing system monitors fouling of a rotary regenerative preheater having a housing and a rotor rotatably mounted therein. An emitter for emitting energy is positioned at one of the faces of the rotor and emits energy through the rotor. A sensor is positioned at the other face of the rotor for receiving the energy and generating an output signal indicative of the intensity of the energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: ABB Air Preheater, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne S. Counterman, James D. Seebald
  • Patent number: 5678625
    Abstract: A method for a regenerative heat exchanger for the treatment of pollutant-containing waste gases which are in a heat exchange with another medium. The heat exchanger includes stationary or rotating storage masses which are at least partially of catalytic material and to which a reduction agent is supplied from the hot side thereof. A penetration of the reduction agent into the flue gas flow can be prevented by supplying the reduction agent directly to the catalyst separately from the pollutant-containing waste gases and without coming into contact with the remaining heating surfaces. For this purpose, a nozzle arrangement having at least one arm and extending over the entire radius of the heat exchanger may be arranged in both hood sides of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Apparatebau Rothemuhle Brandt & Kritzler GmbH
    Inventors: Siegfried Schluter, Werner Niggeschmidt
  • Patent number: 5643538
    Abstract: A heat transfer device includes a ring having a vertical axis that can rotate inside a cage. The ring is inwardly provided with partitions. A permanent circulation of gaseous effluents is established on one hand between an effluent delivery pipe and a central zone via a first limited angular sector of the ring and on the other hand between the central zone and an effluent discharge pipe 6 via a second limited angular sector of the ring. The ring is charged with a mass of large heat exchange surface material and the device can be used for recovering positive or negative thermal energy. A thermal reactor of the catalytic bed type, for example, can be placed in the central zone for removing volatile organic compounds (VOC). The device may be used for catalytic or thermal oxidation of the organic compounds in gaseous effluents, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignees: Institut Francais du Petrole, Jacques Bourcier
    Inventors: Jean Morlec, Jacques Bourcier
  • Patent number: 5626184
    Abstract: A swing-arm sootblower for a rotary regenerative air preheater is mounted to sweep across the air preheater rotor at a constant speed or angular velocity. A constant speed motor is attached through a speed reducer to a drive sprocket. A chain drive turns driven sprocket which is connected to the rotatable mounting shaft for the sootblower lance or arm. Limit switches are tripped at the ends of the arc of travel of the lance by a trip arm mounted on the drive sprocket to turn the motor off and to close a valve for the sootblowing medium. The speed of the lance can be adjusted in general or at particular points in the art of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: ABB Air Preheater, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry E. Campbell, Harlan E. Finnemore
  • Patent number: 5443113
    Abstract: A Ljungstrom type heat exchanger in which the bottom sector plate is provided with welded sector plate ribs which are welded to ribs secured to the frame of the heat exchanger. The upper surface may be curved to be complementary to the thermally induced curvature of the rotor. The fairings associated with the support for the upper sector plate may be provided with ports for the passage of some hot gases to prevent distortion of the main beam. A cleaning device is disclosed in which a feed pipe is fully retractable having a nozzle at its radially outer end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Howden Group PLC
    Inventors: Ronald Mulholland, Donald McCallum
  • Patent number: 5397548
    Abstract: An apparatus for catalytic reduction of a nitrogen oxide in a waste gas includes a regenerative heat exchanger containing a heat-storage material consisting at least partially of a catalytic material, inlet and outlet conduits for supplying the waste gases to the heat exchanger and for delivering purified waste gases from the apparatus, respectively, first and second hoods arranged in inlet and outlet conduits respectively, on opposite sides of the heat storage material, a conduit for conducting a gaseous medium through heat exchanger, the gaseous medium flowing, in heat exchanger, through first and second hoods, and a conduit for supplying a reducing agent into the heat exchange for assisting in the catalytic reduction of the nitrogen oxide in the waste gases by the heat-storage material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Apparatebau Rothemuhle Brandt & Kritzler Gesellschaft mit besehrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Gerhard Kritzler, Siegfried Schluter
  • Patent number: 5368091
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting hot spots in a rotary regenerative air preheater which compensates for normal variations in the temperature of the incoming hot gas stream or incoming cold air stream. Alarm conditions are based on calculations relating to the average and maximum outlet gas or outlet air over a period of time compared to the air and gas inlet temperature. The alarm is triggered if the maximum values deviate from the time averaged values more than a selected percentage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: ABB Air Preheater, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Seebald, Carlton L. Bledsoe, William T. Amundson
  • Patent number: 5330441
    Abstract: A surgical suturing needle is formed to have a needle shaft with a rectangular cross-section and a needle head with a triangular needle point. A transitional portion between the needle shaft and the needle head is formed to have a maximum width greater than the width of the needle shaft. A plurality of cutting edges extend from the needle point to at least the maximum width section of the transitional portion. After forming and grinding the suturing needle, it is immersed in an acid bath and exposed to an electrical field. Finally, the surgical needle is heat-treated to increase its strength and resistance to bending or breaking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: American Cyanamid Company
    Inventors: Janniah S. Prasad, Robert Maurer, Paul Kapralos, John E. Buzerak, Charles L. Putnam
  • Patent number: 5318102
    Abstract: A pack of heat transfer plates for regenerative heat exchangers is operationally adapted to absorb heat from a flue gas flowing in one axial direction along the main flow axis and release such heat to a combustion air flowing in another axial direction. The pack includes first and second mutually identical profiled plates which are arranged in mutually contiguous, contacting relationship with double ridges of the first plate intersecting double ridges of the second plate. The double ridges of the first and second plates extending symmetrically and obliquely in mutually opposite directions relative to the main flow axis of the heat exchange media flowing through the pack. The pack includes a third plate having provided thereon continuous extending parallel channel formers. One side of the third plate is in contiguous relationship with the second plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Wahlco Power Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Felix E. Spokoyny, Michael K. Hall, Henry V. Krigmont
  • Patent number: 5213152
    Abstract: A control system for regulating the temperature of a heat detector disposed on a heat exchanger. The control system includes a temperature detector (42) for determining the temperature of the hot spot sensor (32), non-liquid cooling means (50,52) for cooling the detector when its temperature is above the desired temperature range, and non-liquid heating means (48,53) for heating the detector when its temperature is below the temperatures range. The control system includes control means (82) coupling the temperature sensing means to the non-liquid heating and cooling means. By keeping the heat detector at a generally constant temperature, the accuracy of the hot spot sensor on the heat exchanger is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: ABB Air Preheater, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Cox
  • Patent number: 5101741
    Abstract: A method of cleaning flow structure within a regenerative fume incinerator of the type having a plurality of heat exchange chambers for directing fluid into and out of a combustion chamber. Each of the heat exchange chambers have a separate inlet and outlet line which are cyclically opened such that air to be cleaned is continuously being directed into the combustion chamber through one of the chambers, and cleaned air is continuously directed out of the combustion chamber through an alternative one of the chambers. The flow structure, valves and manifolds may become clogged with residue from the air being combusted. An alternate inlet line communicates from the source of fluid directly into the combustion chamber. That line is opened when cleaning of the flow structure is desired. At the same time flow to the normal inlet manifold is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: JWP Air Technologies
    Inventors: Paul J. Gross, Raymond Elsman
  • Patent number: 5097889
    Abstract: A hot spot detection system (78) at one location that is fixed with respect to the rotor (12), and a temperature suppression system (62) at another location that is fixed with respect to the rotor. The suppression system is automatically energized by the hot spot detection system when a threshold temperature is detected. Preferably, the suppression system includes one or more pipes (66) that span the radial dimension of the heating element compartments in the rotor. The detection system can be in the conventional location, on the trailing edge (40) of the air inlet duct (32) of the air preheater. The suppression piping (66) is preferably located in the hot end, or air discharge duct (34), of the air preheater. Depending on the location of the suppression piping with respect to rotor rotation, a timing device (100) is preferably employed to start and stop the flow of suppression water into the rotor, just prior to and after the hot spot passes under the piping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: ABB Air Preheater, Inc.
    Inventor: Kent E. Ritter
  • Patent number: 5044424
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the efficiency of the thermal section of a large scale power plant heat generator in which combustible fuels such as fossil fuels, refuse or other materials are burned are described. Flue gas generated in the heat generators and combustion air are passed in heat exchanger relationship at diametrically opposite sides of a rotary type air preheater. The heat exchanger relationship is selected so that it causes removal of a substantial amount of heat from the flue gas whose temperature is consequently lowered to a level where a corrosive pollutant such as SO.sub.3 in the form H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 condenses out. During operation the rotor is rotated at a slow speed while a strong localized stream of wash liquid is applied onto a portion of the rotor in the air preheater along a zone selected to enable a drain down of wash liquid before the wetted portion reenters the air flow side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Inventor: Richard J. Monro
  • Patent number: 5010950
    Abstract: A ball strainer for foam rubber cleaning balls in a cleaning system for process piping includes a ball collecting and discharge chamber at the downstream end of the screen which is disposed wholly outside the wall of the pipe in which the screen is mounted. The chamber is dimensioned and oriented to completely eliminate the pinch point between the screen and the pipe wall. Mounting the collecting chamber on the outside of the pipe wall allows the use of a planar screen with a smooth elliptical edge which is of substantially simpler construction and offers a minimum resistance to cooling water flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Water Services of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald J. Voith
  • Patent number: 4971140
    Abstract: A manipulator head (15) equipped with a nozzle (15a), a tool or a probe is connected to a first flexible tube (16) which is wound on a drum (18) which is mounted at a first service opening (13). The head (15) is inserted through the first service opening (13) into a tube lane or a tube column of the tube bundle of a heat exchanger and drawn out of a second service opening (14). There the head (15) is connected to the free end of a second flexible tube (17) which is wound onto a second drum (19) at the second service opening (14). By activating one of the two drums, the head (15) is moved through the heat exchanger along the tube lane and/or the tube column. If the head (15) is equipped with a nozzle (15a), the nozzle is supplied through a line with cleaning fluid under pressure, at least through the first flexible tube (16) and the respective drum (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Johannes Stoss
  • Patent number: 4953629
    Abstract: A pack of heat transfer plates (2,3) are intended for heat exchangers, preferably for rotary regenerative air preheaters. The plates have mutually parallel S-shaped double ridges (21,22;31,32) and the plates are arranged in the pack (1) so that the double ridges of one plate intersect the double ridges of an adjacent plate and extend symmetrically and obliquely in mutually opposite directions relative to the main flow directions (6) of the heat exchanging media. The throttling effect normally manifest at the double-ridge intersections (24) is avoided by orienting the plates (2,3) so that each pair of double ridges which converge onto an intersection (24) presents a part (21) of the double ridge of the one plate (2) which projects into an intermediate channel, and also a part (32) of the double ridge of the other plate (3) which projects from the intermediate channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Svenska Rotor Maskiner AB
    Inventors: Kurt Karlsson, Birger Pettersson
  • Patent number: 4944670
    Abstract: A regenerative bed is operated in a separate, additional cleaning cycle by heating the regenerative bed media to a temperature above the condensation temperature of contaminants in order to liquify and drain of the same off of the bed media. In the preferred embodiment shown, this is accomplished by over riding the normal cycling of the regenerative beds so as to retain a subject bed in a fluing mode for an abnormal amount of time (trading bed efficiency for the heating of the bed). The beds preferably also incorporate an escape opening 13 to drain off the contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Assignee: North American Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: James E. Watson