Porous Type Gas-liquid Contactor Exposed To Heat Exchanger Patents (Class 261/154)
  • Patent number: 11732968
    Abstract: An air transfer apparatus or enclosure having a heat exchanger attached to at least one side of the air transfer apparatus. The air transfer apparatus is an integral or a monolithic structure or enclosure where all internal cavities of the air transfer apparatus are formed from a single piece of material. The air transfer apparatus or enclosure includes a drain apparatus and a drain device. The drain apparatus includes a plurality of plates and the plurality of plates are positioned to make any collected fluid thereon collect in a sump of the air transfer apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Inventor: Anthony Staniulis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11585603
    Abstract: A cooling tower having a controller installed within the cooling tower which controls the operation of pump motors, fans, dampers, valves and adjusts the speed of the fan and pump motor. The controller is placed inside a compartment which is attached to an inside surface of the cooling tower. The compartment has an inlet and an outlet such that conditioned air enters the compartment inlet and flows over the surface of the controller to either cool or heat the controller and then the conditioned air, which has flowed over the surface of the controller, exits the compartment through the compartment outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Inventor: Anthony Staniulis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11274367
    Abstract: Provided is a vaporizer capable of reducing the occurrence of bumping in a vaporization space and thereby minimizing the pressure fluctuations therein, when a method not using an atomizer is employed. A vaporizer (1) includes a tank body (10), a porous member (30) disposed in the vaporizer (1) and heated, a supply tube (40) configured to supply a liquid material (L) to the porous member (30), and a gas discharge passage (7) configured to discharge a source gas (G) produced by vaporizing the liquid material (L) to the outside. An outlet (41) of the supply tube (40) is disposed in contact with or in close proximity to the porous member (30). When the outlet (41) is disposed in close proximity to the porous member (30), a separation distance (H) between the outlet (41) and the porous member (30) is not greater than a distance from the outlet (41) to a bottom of a droplet of the liquid material (L) formed and suspended at the outlet (41) by surface tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: LINTEC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Ono, Shigeo Yagi, Kenta Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9178229
    Abstract: A membrane humidifier is provided for a fuel cell. The membrane humidifier of the present invention includes a hollow housing, a joint member, a plurality of internal partition modules, and a plurality of hollow fiber membrane bundles. The hollow housing has a humid air inlet formed at one end thereof and a humid air outlet formed at the other end thereof. The joint member is formed integrally with an inner circumferential surface of the hollow housing. The plurality of internal partition modules are coupled to the joint member and arranged adjacent to each other in the hollow housing, and have a plurality of humid air guiding apertures passing therethrough. The plurality of hollow fiber membrane bundles are disposed in the plurality of internal partition modules, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hyun Yoo Kim, Hyuck Roul Kwon
  • Publication number: 20140346689
    Abstract: There is provided an aerosol generating device including a storage portion configured to store an aerosol-forming substrate. The device includes a vaporizer configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate, a capillary material configured to convey the liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the storage portion towards the vaporizer by capillary action, and a porous material between the capillary material and the vaporizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventor: Flavien Dubief
  • Patent number: 8840093
    Abstract: The present invention provides a natural evaporation humidifier which is space and energy efficient and maximizes humidification efficiency by enhancing diffusion of the moistened air. It is much easy and convenient for users to use, operate and carry the natural evaporation humidifier. The natural evaporation humidifier comprises a container, a plurality of inner support portions, a plurality of tunnels, a plurality of auxiliary support portions, a plurality of evaporation filters, and a plurality of support legs. The container, having a front and back wall, bottom, and side walls, forms an interior compartment and a water reservoir with the inner support portions. The inner support portions are shaped in curve, vertically attached to the bottom of the container, arranged in parallel along the length direction of the container to form a plurality of tunnels and evaporation filter housing areas. The inner support portions have a plurality of spacers inside each tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Inventor: Haion Won
  • Patent number: 8833740
    Abstract: A natural evaporation type humidifier includes a reservoir for containing liquid, an absorbent member for absorbing the liquid in the reservoir by capillary action, and a supporter for supporting the absorbent member. The supporter is detachably assembled with the reservoir and has a portion extended away from the reservoir to guide the absorbent member to a position outside the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventor: Che Hub Ha
  • Publication number: 20140138861
    Abstract: An internal liquid separating hood-type condensation head exchange tube, comprising an external heat exchange tube and an internal liquid separating hood disposed in the cavity of the external heat exchange tube and coaxial with the external heat exchange tube. The internal liquid separating hood is a hollow tube with a plurality of micropores or gaps distributed on a wall surface. The condensate formed during the heat exchange is pumped to the internal liquid separating hood in time under the effect of surface tension of the liquid via the micropores or gaps, and then is discharged from the heat exchange tube by the internal liquid separating hood. Vapor is retained to flow in the annular region between the external heat exchange tube and the internal liquid separating hood, so the inner wall of the external heat exchange tube comes into contact with the vapor to the greatest extent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventors: Hongxia Chen, Jianling Xu, Wei Wang
  • Publication number: 20140001658
    Abstract: Humidifier apparatus for a respiratory apparatus includes a housing providing a gas flow path, a heater apparatus, and a water supply distribution member configured and arranged to deliver water vapour to the gas flow path. The water distribution member is provided to the housing and in thermal communication with the heater apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: ResMed Limited
    Inventor: Alexander Virr
  • Publication number: 20130313729
    Abstract: A humidifier includes a first electrode that is a porous metal body having a three-dimensional porous structure, a second electrode that is a conductor electrode arranged opposite to the first electrode with a space of a predetermined distance from the first electrode, a power supply that forms an electric field in the space between the first electrode and the second electrode, a water supply unit that supplies water to the first electrode, and a fan that sends air to the space to evaporate and disperse the water that is supplied from the water supply unit to the first electrode and retained by the first electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Sakai, Akira Morikawa, Koji Ota, Yasutaka Inanaga, Yasuhiro Tanimura, Hiroshi Tsutsumi
  • Patent number: 8517356
    Abstract: A ventilation device and a controlling method of the same are provided. The ventilation device may include a humidifier having improved humidification efficiency and improved durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Tae Man Yang, Jeong Hun Kim, Hyung Ho Park
  • Publication number: 20130118457
    Abstract: A microcondenser device for an evaporative emission control system includes a housing having an inlet for receiving fuel vapor and a condensation outlet for discharging condensed fuel vapor, and a porous element disposed in the housing and fluidly interposed between the inlet and the condensation outlet for absorbing the fuel vapor received through the inlet. The microcondenser device further includes a thermoelectric element in thermal contact with the porous element for removing heat from the fuel vapor absorbed by the porous element to condense the fuel vapor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dennis B. Chung
  • Publication number: 20120326340
    Abstract: A natural evaporation type humidifier includes a reservoir for containing liquid, an absorbent member for absorbing the liquid in the reservoir by capillary action, and a supporter for supporting the absorbent member. The supporter is detachably assembled with the reservoir and has a portion extended away from the reservoir to guide the absorbent member to a position outside the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventor: Che Hub HA
  • Patent number: 8162298
    Abstract: A vaporizer is provided with a vaporizing chamber heated by heaters; a primary filter positioned in a bottom end portion of the vaporizing chamber and heated by the heater; a liquid material supply portion for dropping down a flow-controlled liquid material from upper portion of the vaporizing chamber toward the primary filter; a carrier gas guiding passage for guiding a carrier gas into the underside of the primary filter; and a material delivering passage for discharging a mixed gas including the carrier gas and a vaporized liquid material from the top of the vaporizing chamber. The liquid material dropped down onto the primary filter is partially vaporized, while the rest thereof is atomized by being subjected to bubbling effect provided by the carrier gas flowing from underneath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Lintec Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Hirofumi Ono
  • Patent number: 8100386
    Abstract: The invention relates to an enthalpy exchanger, comprising at least one enthalpy-exchanging unit, which enthalpy-exchanging unit: comprises at least one plate, along at least one contact side of which a first liquid medium and a second medium can be displaced while exchanging enthalpy, and comprises at least one hygroscopic material layer which connects to at least one contact side of the plate in contact with the first liquid medium, wherein the mutual orientation of the plate and the material layer is such that a liquid film of the first medium can form between the plate and the material layer, wherein the liquid film is in enthalpy-exchanging contact with both the plate and the material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: StatiqCooling B.V.
    Inventor: Peter Gerard Hans Uges
  • Patent number: 8088202
    Abstract: A heat exchange tower has an external structure including opposed sidewalls, a front barrier wall, an inlet opening below the front wall, and a rear barrier wall having an outlet at a generally upper region. A fill material generally spans the inside within the four walls, and is generally disposed above the top of the inlet and below the bottom of the outlet. A baffle protrudes inwardly from the rear barrier wall inside the tower and is located at a height above the top of the fill and below the bottom of the air outlet. A primary drift eliminator structure spans generally across the tower, and is located at the height of the baffle, so they connect to each other. A supplemental drift eliminator is provided above the primary drift eliminator, adjacent an inward edge of the baffle. At least one air turning vane angled in a generally vertical direction is provided below the fill media. An air inlet guide projects outwardly from the front wall above the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: SPX Cooling Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jidong Yang, Glenn S Brenneke, Eldon F Mockry
  • Patent number: 8052127
    Abstract: A respiratory humidification system having a capillary passage in communication with a ventilator, the ventilator adapted to deliver an air stream, a heater operable to at least partially vaporize water in the capillary passage, a pumping unit adapted to supply water to the capillary passage, wherein the water upon heating is at least partially vaporized to form an aerosol stream. The aerosol stream is combined with the air stream to form a humidified air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Walter A. Nichols, Christopher S. Tucker, Amit Limaye
  • Publication number: 20110241232
    Abstract: A cooling tower with a hot water distribution system includes a distribution lateral disposed above a hot water basin. The distribution lateral discharges fluid into the hot water basin, which in turn, releases the fluid through a plurality of orifices. As the fluid is released, it falls on heat-exchanging fill material that assists in increasing the cooling rate of the fluid. The distribution lateral is configured structurally to discharge the fluid through a plurality of outlets at one or more angles (as compared to the horizontal) into the hot water basins. In one embodiment, the outlets are arranged into one or more rows that extend along a substantial length of the distribution lateral. Discharging the fluid in this manner enhances and promotes a more even fluid flow within the hot water basin, which results in a more even fluid flow over and onto the fill material, thereby increasing thermal efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Composite Cooling Solutions, L.P.
    Inventors: Toby Daley, James A. Bland, Michael Bickerstaff
  • Patent number: 7975993
    Abstract: A vaporizer is provided with a vaporizing chamber heated by heaters; a primary filter positioned in a bottom end portion of the vaporizing chamber and heated by the heater; a liquid material supply portion for dropping down a flow-controlled liquid material from upper portion of the vaporizing chamber toward the primary filter; a carrier gas guiding passage for guiding a carrier gas into the underside of the primary filter; and a material delivering passage for discharging a mixed gas including the carrier gas and a vaporized liquid material from the top of the vaporizing chamber. The liquid material dropped down onto the primary filter is partially vaporized, while the rest thereof is atomized by being subjected to bubbling effect provided by the carrier gas flowing from underneath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Lintec Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Hirofumi Ono
  • Patent number: 7883076
    Abstract: A semiconductor processing system includes a gas supply system configured to supply water vapor into a process chamber that accommodates a target substrate. The gas supply system is provided with a gas generating apparatus for generating water vapor from purified water. The gas generating apparatus includes a first vaporizing section configured to spray the purified water along with a carrier gas and heat the purified water, so as to generate preparatory water vapor containing mist, and a second vaporizing section configured to vaporize mist contained in the preparatory water vapor, so as to generate process water vapor from the preparatory water vapor. In the second vaporizing section, a thin film having a mesh structure is disposed across a passage for the preparatory water vapor and configured to trap mist between the first vaporizing section and the process chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Tsuneyuki Okabe, Shigeyuki Okura
  • Patent number: 7828275
    Abstract: A humidifier utilizes a plurality of disposable filters and air from a source of heated air flow emanating from a floor, wall, or ceiling. The humidifier provides an energy efficient device comprising a container having a water reservoir formed from an inner support portion, a plurality of tunnels for transporting heated air throughout the container, and a plurality of evaporation filters. The evaporation filters extend into the water reservoir so that water is absorbed onto the filters by way of capillary action. The humidifier is appointed to be placed proximate to a source of heated air so that water absorbed by the evaporation filters evaporates into the heated air and is diffused into a room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Inventor: Haion Won
  • Patent number: 7712729
    Abstract: A vaporizing device which can vaporize fuel stably includes: a liquid absorbing member to allow liquid to move from one end portion to the other end portion of the liquid absorbing member under influence of a capillary action; and a heater to heat a side of the other end portion of the liquid absorbing member to vaporize the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasunari Kabasawa, Daisuke Imanaka, Kaoru Saito
  • Publication number: 20100101546
    Abstract: A vapor purifier for oil recovery from and cleansing of deleterious matter carried by oil vapors in a crankcase of an internal combustion-type engine generally includes a coil member that can separate the oil from the vapors by passing the vapors over and/or through the coil member. As the vapors impinge upon the surface(s) of the coil member, oil in the blow-by vapors condenses thereon. The vapor purifier can include a flow equalization member to maintain a normal engine intake manifold pressure for driving modes of the engine. As a result, the vapor purifier of the present invention can maintain the air to fuel stoichiometric ratio of the engine system. Additional components, such as filters and/or disks can also be included in the vapor purifier to promote oil recovery and cleansing of deleterious matter from the vapors, which act as a host for the deleterious matter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventor: Arman Manookian, JR.
  • Patent number: 7654307
    Abstract: An automotive air conditioning system is disclosed comprising an evaporative cooler in series with the conventional vapor compression system. The evaporative cooler comprises an array of dry channels and a contiguous array of wet channels. The primary air stream to be conditioned by the evaporator of the conventional air conditioning system is preconditioned by the evaporative cooler by lowering its dry bulb temperature without changing its absolute humidity. An evaporator core is supported downstream of the evaporative cooler for receiving the primary air from the dry channels and thereby produces liquid condensate. The system is distinguished by conducting the liquid condensate from the evaporator core to the wicking tank for use in the wet channels of the evaporative cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohinder Singh Bhatti, Ilya Reyzin, Kurt Dale Hollasch
  • Patent number: 7540475
    Abstract: Advanced wicking structures and methods utilizing these structures are described. The use of advanced wicking structures can promote rapid mass transfer while maintaining high capillary pressure through the use of small pores. Particularly improved results in fluid contacting processes can be achieved by enhanced mixing within a wicking layer within a microchannel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Victoria S. Stenkamp, Ward E. TeGrotenhuis, Robert S. Wegeng
  • Patent number: 7344576
    Abstract: Methods of separating fluids using capillary forces and/or improved conditions for are disclosed. The improved methods may include control of the ratio of gas and liquid Reynolds numbers relative to the Suratman number. Also disclosed are wick-containing, laminated devices that are capable of separating fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Ward E. TeGrotenhuis, Victoria S. Stenkamp
  • Patent number: 7322566
    Abstract: A device for conditioning breathing air includes a housing (1) provided with an inlet (5) for non treated breathing air and an outlet (6) for the treated breathing air. The housing (1) contains a passive humidifier (7) and an active humidifier wherein the active humidifier includes a water supply inlet (13), a heating device for the supplied water, a membrane (12) having substantial water impermeable and water vapor permeable characteristics, and a heat exchange element (14). The membrane (12) is divided into a hydrophilic membrane (12a) and a water vapor permeable and water impermeable membrane (12b). The heat exchange element is a perforated metal plate (14) and/or a heating resistance. A method for the conditioning of breathing air includes the steps of: supplying through the inlet opening non treated breathing air, passively humidifying the supplied air through the passive humidifier, and actively humidifying the breathing air, through the active humidifier of a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: BVBA Medisize Belgie
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Anthony
  • Publication number: 20080006953
    Abstract: A humidifier utilizes a plurality of disposable filters and air from a source of heated air flow emanating from a floor, wall, or ceiling. The humidifier provides an energy efficient device comprising a container having a water reservoir formed from an inner support portion, a plurality of tunnels for transporting heated air throughout the container, and a plurality of evaporation filters. The evaporation filters extend into the water reservoir so that water is absorbed onto the filters by way of capillary action. The humidifier is appointed to be placed proximate to a source of heated air so that water absorbed by the evaporation filters evaporates into the heated air and is diffused into a room.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventor: Haion Won
  • Patent number: 7309062
    Abstract: A dehumidification and energy recovery device includes a casing defining an interior that is divided into two vertically stacked sections, a channel extending vertically between the sections and forming upper and lower openings, absorption devices arranged inside the channel corresponding to the sections respectively, and a tank arranged below the lower opening of the channel and containing a liquid that is driven by a pump to a position above the upper opening of the channel to drop onto and flow through the absorption devices. Intake airflow and exhaust airflow respectively pass through the sections, contacting the liquid flowing through the channel in a cross-flow fashion, whereby exchange of humidity and heat is performed between the airflows and the liquid to effect dehumidification and energy recovery with a simple structure and low costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Inventor: Wen-Feng Lin
  • Patent number: 6976489
    Abstract: A method of humidifying a gas that includes supplying a gas to a surface of a humidification material that readily absorbs moisture and readily releases moisture when exposed to a dry environment and generating turbulence in the gas as it passes over the surface of the humidification material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Northgate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Mantell, Peter A. Manzie
  • Patent number: 6935337
    Abstract: An apparatus for humidifying breathable gas includes (a) at least one humidifier part configured to retain a body of liquid therein and defining at least one chamber therein, (b) an inlet communicated with an interior of the at least one humidifier part and connectable to a blower outlet, and (c) an oulet communicated with the interior of the at least one humidifier part and connectable to a patient supply conduit. The at least one chamber is arranged such that liquid from the body of liquid is prevented from exiting the at least one humidifier part through the inlet thereof when the at least one humidifier part is rotated from a working, upright orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Alexander Virr, Ian Malcolm Smith, Perry David Lithgow, Richard Llewelyn Jones, Andrew Cheung
  • Patent number: 6896247
    Abstract: An X-ray analysis system controls the humidity of a sample. The analysis system has a device for dividing a gas flow stream into two portions and for submerging a membrane humidifier tube, containing one of the gas flows, in a water bath in which the gas passing through that tube is moisturized to a desired degree. The two gas flows are subsequently reunited at a controlled temperature to provide for combined moisturized gas at a desired temperature and humidity. The gas is then sprayed onto the sample and an excess moisturized gas vented from the chamber to maintain a moisturize gas sample without condensation of water on or near the sample. This system and a method for its use allow measurements of samples to be made as a function of humidity and temperature over wide ranges of these parameters under highly stable conditions in a straightforward manner which are not susceptible to malfunction and which can be produced and operated at low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Bruker Axs GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Georg Brotzeller, Hans Leitz
  • Patent number: 6877510
    Abstract: To provide a unit for adjusting humidification capable of improving inconveniences that may otherwise be caused to occur due to damages, while sustaining the humidifying ability and other performance that are to be originally achieved by the humidification adjusting unit. Around the outer surface of the exothermic member 13 are wound multiple hollow fibers 14 each having a minute diameter and having a peripheral wall with minute openings each being large enough to allow water vapor to permeate therethrough yet small enough to fail to permeate water therethrough, and the multiple hollow fibers 14 and the exothermic member 13 are inserted tightly into an extendable mesh cover tube 15 in engagement therewith. In order to perform humidification, water to be supplied to the multiple hollow fibers 14 is warmed by the exothermic member 13 to generate water vapors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Respironics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazufuku Nitta
  • Patent number: 6875247
    Abstract: Methods of separating fluids using capillary forces and/or improved conditions for are disclosed. The improved methods may include control of the ratio of gas and liquid Reynolds numbers relative to the Suratman number. Also disclosed are wick-containing, laminated devices that are capable of separating fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Ward E. TeGrotenhuis, Victoria S. Stenkamp
  • Patent number: 6871844
    Abstract: A humidifier for fuel cells includes a housing with a heat-exchange plate formed therein, the plate defining first and second gas passages having gas inlets and outlets, respectively; a plurality of apertures formed on the plate; and a plurality of reservoirs fixed under the apertures and filled with a water absorbable and permeable stuffing material for trapping and storing water. The water permeable stuffing material may be disposed in the first gas passage. Cool, dry oxygen/air is channeled to the first gas passage and conveyed to an oxygen/air inlet of the fuel cell, and high-temperature, high-moisture exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell is introduced to the second gas passage, such that water and heat of the exhaust gas in the second gas passage are recycled by the heat-exchange plate and conveyed to the first gas passage, thereby achieving the humidification effect and improving electricity-generating efficiency of the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Yi-Yie Yan, Jar-Lu Huang, Keh-Chyun Tsay, Falin Chen, Hsin-Sen Chu
  • Patent number: 6805988
    Abstract: A more compact humidifying apparatus for a fuel cell can be implemented. In the present invention, hydrogen humidifying modules 30A and 30B are disposed so as to be separated vertically on the front surface side of the humidifying unit 20, the air humidifying modules 30C and 30D are disposed separated vertically on the back side surface thereof, and the air humidifying modules 30E is disposed at the center, surrounded by the humidifying modules 30A, 30B, 30C, and 30D. The axis direction of all of the humidifying modules 30A to 30E are disposed so as to be parallel to each other, only the hydrogen humidifying module 30A is disposed so that its position is shifted to the left (the longitudinal direction) of the axial direction of the other humidifying modules 30A to 30E, and the air off gas discharge pipes 43 of the air humidifying modules 30C to 30E are disposed in the space formed by this shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Shimanuki, Kouji Katano, Yoshio Kusano, Toshikatsu Katagiri
  • Patent number: 6789789
    Abstract: A two-stage vaporizer includes two vaporizing stages joined by a vaporization chamber located gravitationally below the first vaporizing stage and gravitationally above the second vaporizing stage. A separator covering an outlet within the vaporization chamber allows vaporized precursor from both vaporizing stages to pass through the outlet to chemical vapor deposition system and prevents any remaining liquid precursor from passing through the outlet. The liquid precursor is premixed with carrier gas just prior to entry into the vaporizer. Additional flows of carrier gas pass through the two vaporizing stages in opposite directions to carry the vaporized precursor to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Veeco Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Rajul V. Randive, William J. Messner
  • Publication number: 20040084789
    Abstract: The present invention provides a humidifier for fuel cells having a housing, a metal heat-exchange plate, a water-trapping reservoir, water permeable stuffing material and water absorbable and permeable stuffing material; the heat-exchange plate, disposed in the housing, divides the housing into a first gas passage and a second gas passage, the water permeable stuffing material is disposed in the first gas passage, and the water saturation aperture and the water-trapping reservoir are disposed underneath the heat-exchange plate with the water-trapping reservoir having the water absorbable and permeable material disposed therein, thus the dry and cold oxygen/air shall be channeled to the first gas passage within the housing of the humidifier and conveyed to the oxygen/air inlet of the fuel cell, and high-temperature and high-moisture exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell is introduced to the second gas passage within the housing of the humidifier, such that water and heat of the exhaust gas in the second g
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Yi-Yie Yan, Jar-Lu Huang, Keh-Chyun Tsay, Falin Chen, Hsin-Sen Chu
  • Patent number: 6666909
    Abstract: Laminated, multiphase separators and contactors having wicking structures and gas flow channels are described. Some preferred embodiments are combined with microchannel heat exchange. Integrated systems containing these components are also part of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Ward E. TeGrotenhuis, Robert S. Wegeng, Greg A. Whyatt, Victoria S. Stenkamp, Phillip A. Gauglitz
  • Publication number: 20030221438
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel energy efficient sorption processes and systems for cooling, dehumidifying and heating using multistage liquid desiccant regenerators, or hybrid cooling systems or adsorption cooling systems involving appropriate combinations of rotating contacting devises, adsorption modules with heat transfer passages in thermal contact with the adsorption module wall and switchable heat pipes. The sorption processes of this invention help in flexible designing of compact cooling, dehumidifing, heating systems easy operability. The adsorption module of this invention leads to lower cycle times as low as 5 minutes; makes it possible to achieve high system Coefficient of Performance (COP) up to 0.9 due to reduced thermal mass; offers high specific cooling power in the range of 50 to 750 W/kg of AC; is easy to manufacture and operates at low costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: Milind V. Rane, S. V. Kota Reddy, Akhil Agarwal, Jaskaran S. Bajaj
  • Patent number: 6557551
    Abstract: A humidification unit adapted to be disposed in a patient circuit for humidifying the flow of breathing gas delivered to the patient via the patient circuit by an artificial ventilator system. The humidification unit includes an exothermic member having an outer surface and a plurality of hollow fibers disposed on the outer surface of the exothermic member. Each hollow fiber is defined by a peripheral wall having minute openings large enough to allow a gas to pass therethrough yet small enough to prevent a liquid from passing therethrough. Liquid delivered to the hollow fibers is heated by the exothermic member and the gas vapor resulting from the heating passes through the hollow fiber walls and humidifies the flow of breathing gas delivered to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Respironics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazufuku Nitta
  • Patent number: 6554261
    Abstract: A humidifier includes a housing that accommodates bundles of a large number of water permeable hollow fiber membranes arranged along the longitudinal direction of the housing. Two different gasses having different moisture contents pass through outside and inside of the bundle of the hollow fiber membranes separately to exchange their moistures through the hollow fiber membranes resulting in the dry gas of lesser moisture content being humidified. A heating or temperature adjuster is provided to maintain the temperature of the exhaust gas introduced to the humidifier or the bundles of hollow fiber membranes substantially at a temperature of a fuel cell in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshikatsu Katagiri, Yoshio Kusano, Hiroshi Shimanuki, Motohiro Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20030047821
    Abstract: The invention relates to a packing for heat- and material-exchange columns, with a number of approximately perpendicularly arranged corrugated plates (or strips), with the side surfaces thereof lying adjacent to each other. The ribs of the above lie very close to each other and run from top to bottom, in the approximate form of an arc, whereby the ribs of two adjacent plates cross each other and the ribs in the upper region of a plate are straight and inclined to the upper, in particular, horizontal plate edge and, in the lower region of the plate, run bent in the form of an arc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Egon Zich, Helmut Jansen, Jochen Leben, Thomas Rietfort, Jorg Zellmer, Bjorn Kaibel
  • Patent number: 6394084
    Abstract: A humidification unit adapted to be disposed in a patient circuit for humidifying the flow of breathing gas delivered to the patient via the patient circuit by an artificial ventilator system. The humidification unit includes an exothermic member having an outer surface and a plurality of hollow fibers disposed on the outer surface of the exothermic member. Each hollow fiber is defined by a peripheral wall having minute openings large enough to allow a gas to pass therethrough yet small enough to prevent a liquid from passing therethrough. Liquid delivered to the hollow fibers is heated by the exothermic member and the as vapor resulting from the heating passes through the hollow fiber walls and humidifies the flow of breathing gas delivered to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Respironics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazufuku Nitta
  • Publication number: 20010015501
    Abstract: The invention offers a humidifier consisting of a housing accommodating a large number of water permeable hollow fiber membranes arranged along the longitudinal direction of the housing and two different gasses having different moisture contents pass through outside and inside of the bundle of the hollow fiber membranes separately to exchange their moistures through the hollow fiber membranes and the dry gas of lesser moisture content is humidified. By applying such a heating means the humidifier can be used even in colder territory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventors: Toshikatsu Katagiri, Yoshio Kusano, Hiroshi Shimanuki, Motohiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6258170
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and process for the vaporization of liquid precursors and deposition of a film on a suitable substrate. Particularly contemplated is an apparatus and process for the deposition of a metal-oxide film, such as a barium, strontium, titanium oxide (BST) film, on a silicon wafer to make integrated circuit capacitors useful in high capacity dynamic memory modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Sasson Somekh, Jun Zhao, Charles Dornfest, Talex Sajoto, Leonid Selyutin, Vincent Ku, Chris Wang, Frank Chang, Po Tang
  • Patent number: 6145818
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a tube register through which a liquid to be cooled or heated is conveyed. The heat exchanger provides for contacting an outside surface of the tube register with a spray of water flowing in the same direction on the outside of the tube register as the fluid flows within the tube register, and a stream of air flowing in the opposite direction on the outside of the tube register as the fluid flows within the tube register. The tube register includes capillary tubes which extend generally parallel to each other and which are bent back about one or several lines extending transverse to the directions of air and water flow past the tube register to form layers of the tube register one upon another. The spaces between the capillary tubes are at least partly filled with foamed material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Inventor: Donald Herbst
  • Patent number: 6095505
    Abstract: An improved breathing gas humidifier including an evaporation module which has a contact chamber and a flash-resistant heat exchanger, a wicking layer on the heat exchanger, a liquid water flow controller, an electric resistance heater, and a breathing gas temperature controller. The contact chamber is defined by a rigid housing and in part by a flash-resistant heat exchanger. The rigid housing has a gas inlet for connection to a breathing gas source such as a ventilator, a water inlet for connection to a liquid water source by a liquid water flow passageway, and a breathing gas outlet connected to an inhalation passageway. The wicking layer is positioned in the contact chamber to receive and distribute liquid water. The breathing gas temperature controller is operably connected to the flow controller, the heater, and a temperature sensor in the breathing gas outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Pegasus Research Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth G. Miller
  • Patent number: 6054049
    Abstract: To improve the affinity between a gas and a liquid, the liquid is passed through an enclosure where it contacts a portion of the magnets of a magnetic field generating device and passes through the magnetic field created by the magnets while a gas is in contact with the other portion of the magnets. A liquid level control device maintains and controls the liquid level so that the magnets simultaneously extend about equally into the gas and liquid with both contacting the magnets and being within the magnetic field created by the magnets. The gas in the enclosure increases the effectiveness that the magnetic field and magnets have on the liquid. The gas used in the enclosure can optionally subsequently be mixed with the liquid or another gas can be mixed with the liquid. Additional gases and liquids can be mixed together. The device and process associated with it can be used on different liquids and different gasses, including fuel mixed with air in a combustion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Inventors: Kazunori Hamasaki, Kenji Ohwari, Matsuji Mori
  • Patent number: 5946932
    Abstract: A multistage condensing structure using a liquid dispensing means to transfer droplets of evaporative cooling liquid onto an air-cooled condenser, taking advantage of the conventional air-cooled condensing method and the evaporation method using a liquid coolant. To further increase the efficiency of the air conditioner, two or more condensing units can be arranged in tandem along the blowing direction of a common air blower. With two or more condensing units arranged in tandem, the contacting area between the evaporation surfaces and the air flow can be enlarged to increase the evaporation efficiency without significantly increasing the size of the air conditioner. The multistage condensing structure, with its continuous heat-exchange along the flow of the refrigerant in the coiled pipe, causes an increase in the subcooling condition in the refrigerant. This condensing structure can, therefore, achieve a much higher E.E.R. than the known method of air cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventor: Huai-Wei Wang