Heat Exchanger Patents (Class 29/726)
  • Publication number: 20120285664
    Abstract: An enhanced boiling apparatus includes a substrate having at least one heated region, at least one outer surface, and one or more asymmetric shaped cavities extending into the substrate along the at least one outer surface. Each of the one or more asymmetric shaped cavities has a sidewall which intersects at a corner with a bubble pathway surface with a different slope from the sidewall. Each of the asymmetric shaped cavities is configured to non-gravitationally direct fluid that is moving along the sidewall out along the bubble pathway surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventor: Satish G. Kandlikar
  • Publication number: 20120247734
    Abstract: A design and manufacturing technique for a “Long Heat Exchanger”, a counter-flow heat exchanger sizeable to transfer up to 100% of heat and temperature between two fluids (gas or liquid). Inner “Core” capable of manufacture in continuous lengths, may be coiled, cut and formed to shape multiple applications, ranging from engine exhaust, to recycling steam turbine, to building furnaces. Core costs are comparable to metal tubing costs, and outer or “Main” channel housing may be existing exhaust channels being retrofitted or new housing injection molded in sections. Applies anywhere waste heat is exhausted. As waste heat represents fuel waste directly, recovering up to 100% of wasted heat, while maintaining temperature and pressure of the working fluid, can equate to recovering up to 100% of wasted fuel. Practical, economical designs may readily yield over 90% fuel efficiency in applications currently yielding 10% to 60% fuel efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventor: William A. Kelley
  • Patent number: 8225496
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a system that can be used to form a photovoltaic device, or solar cell, using processing modules that are adapted to perform one or more steps in the solar cell formation process. The automated solar cell fab is generally an arrangement of automated processing modules and automation equipment that is used to form solar cell devices. The automated solar fab will thus generally comprise a substrate receiving module that is adapted to receive a substrate, one or more absorbing layer deposition cluster tools having at least one processing chamber that is adapted to deposit a silicon-containing layer on a surface of the substrate, one or more back contact deposition chambers, one or more material removal chambers, a solar cell encapsulation device, an autoclave module, an automated junction box attaching module, and one or more quality assurance modules that are adapted to test and qualify the completely formed solar cell device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Z. Bachrach, Yong-Kee Chae, Soo Young Choi, Nicholas G. J. De Vries, Yacov Elgar, Eric A. Englhardt, Michel R. Frei, Charles Gay, Parris Hawkins, Choi (Gene) Ho, James Craig Hunter, Penchala N. Kankanala, Liwei Li, Wing Hoo (Hendrick) Lo, Danny Cam Toan Lu, Fang Mei, Stephen P. Murphy, Srujal (Steve) Patel, Matthew J. B. Saunders, Asaf Schlezinger, Shuran Sheng, Tzay-Fa (Jeff) Su, Jeffrey S. Sullivan, David Tanner, Teresa Trowbridge, Brice Walker, John M. White, Tae K. Won
  • Publication number: 20120151855
    Abstract: An insulated metal building panel (100) with integrated un-glazed solar thermal collectors includes an outer metal skin (102) which provides the finished exterior surface, an insulating core (108) which provides the building insulation, an inner metal skin (104) which provides an interior finished surface, and a plurality of fluid conduits (110) and manifolds (112) between the interior and exterior skins, embedded in the core. The conduits circulate a fluid capable of heat transfer. The panels can also include photovoltaic cells (120) mounted to the outer skin. The panels can yield heat as well as gain heat, and can therefore be used as integral parts of hydronic heating and cooling systems. In different embodiments, the panels are suitable for use as floors, walls, and roofs of buildings. The panels minimize the number of components which must be field-assembled, and can provide a rapidly erected, weather-resistant, building envelope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventor: William Malpas
  • Patent number: 8161611
    Abstract: A tool for installing tubing in channels of floor panels comprises a handle attached to an upper portion of a front frame and a pair of wheels attached to a bottom portion of the front frame, a pneumatic drive, mounted between a front frame spacer and a bearing block, drives a hammer assembly for pushing the tubing into the channels, and a steering block is secured under the bearing block by a bearing assembly which enables the steering block to rotate about a bearing. An upper portion of a rear strut attaches to the bearing block and a pair of wheels attach to the lower portion of the rear strut. The tool quickly and efficiently installs the tubing into the flooring channels as the tool is rolled along the floor panels when an air source is attached to an air coupling on the pneumatic drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventors: Dominic A. DiMambro, Raymond T. Kapala, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8091232
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for operating in a water chamber (7) of a heat exchanger (1) comprising a wall (6) of substantially hemispherical shape and, at its upper portion, a tube plate (5) traversed by a plurality of vertical holes (4). The device comprises at least one rail (11) furnished with members for attachment on the bottom face of the tube plate (5) and supporting at least one trolley (15) that can be moved along the said rail (11) and fitted with a pendular lifting means (19) and a robotic arm (20) comprising an attachment base (30) furnished with members for coupling on the bottom face of the tube plate (5) and a drive means interacting with the lifting means (19) to draw the attachment base (30) against the tube plate (5). The invention applies more particularly to the steam generator of a pressurized water nuclear reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Areva NP
    Inventors: Marc Gely, Philippe Jambon, Christophe Parize
  • Publication number: 20110283528
    Abstract: There is set forth herein a method including providing an apparatus adapted for reflection of heat, the providing including providing the apparatus to include a reflective assembly having a material member defining a front face, the material member being light transmissive and heat resistant, wherein the providing includes providing the reflective assembly to carry first indicia, the first indicia being viewable by viewing a front face of the reflective assembly, disposing the reflective assembly in an interior of a fireplace rearward of where there is to be initiated a fire in such manner that when a fire is initiated the reflective assembly directs heat and light from the interior of the fireplace to an exterior of the fireplace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventor: Donald Spinner
  • Patent number: 8044427
    Abstract: This invention relates to the thermal management, extraction of light, and cost effectiveness of Light Emitting Diode, or LED, electrical circuits. An integrated circuit LED submount is described, for the packaging of high power LEDs. The LED submount provides high thermal conductivity while preserving electrical insulation. In particular, a process is described for anodizing a high thermal conductivity aluminum alloy sheet to form a porous aluminum oxide layer and a non-porous aluminum oxide layer. This anodized aluminum alloy sheet acts as a superior electrical insulator, and also provides surface morphology and mechanical properties that are useful for the fabrication of high-density and high-power multilevel electrical circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: DiCon Fiberoptics, Inc.
    Inventors: Wen-Herng Su, Junying Lu, Ho-Shang Lee
  • Patent number: 8037595
    Abstract: An improved hairpin expander machine equipped with a closed-loop-controlled hydraulically positioned bolster plate and a heat exchanger-holding fixture characterized by a full-length, continuous front plate, back plate, and side rails. The hairpin expander includes a novel heat exchanger bottom end plate clamping mechanism as part of the fixture. These features enable the hairpin expander to provide larger expansion ratios and exert greater forces with tighter control, which is required for producing heat exchangers with reduced diameter hairpin tubes according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Goodman Global, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Dees, Eric Garza, Stephen Merschat, Sean Mosser, Andrew Overturff, Dale Stetson, William Topper
  • Publication number: 20110239676
    Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus for mounting to a retail gondola includes a case, a door hingedly connected with the case, a compressor disposed within the case, a condenser coil disposed within the case, an evaporator coil disposed within the case, and brackets connected with the case. The case includes a top wall, a bottom wall, a left wall, a right wall and a rear wall defining a forward opening and a storage compartment for storing retail items. The case further includes a heat-conductive inner wall and a heat-conductive outer wall. The door is moveable between a closed position for covering the forward opening and an open position for providing access to the storage compartment. The condenser coil is disposed adjacent the outer wall and is in fluid communication with the compressor. The evaporator is disposed adjacent the inner wall and is in fluid communication with the compressor. The brackets extend rearwardly from the case away from the rear wall for engaging an upright of a retail gondola.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: BIL-JAC, INC.
    Inventors: Craig Saunders, Jeffrey Kalman, David Boll, Gary Robert Stephan, Lindsey Tufts, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110232864
    Abstract: A structural cold plate assembly includes a support structure including first and second opposite sides supporting corresponding cold plates and an insert. The insert defines a portion of a fluid passage through the support structure and secures the cold plate to the support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventor: Mark A. Zaffetti
  • Patent number: 8006361
    Abstract: An installation tool for use with a liner sleeve attachment, such as a nutplate assembly for mounting onto a substrate blind side as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,747. The installation tool includes retractable grip jaws for gripping and pulling a fixture pin protruding from the attachment, for initially advancing a tapered tool nose piece into deforming engagement with an attachment liner sleeve leading end to flare and/or expand the liner sleeve to lock the liner sleeve onto the substrate. Continued pulling action exerts a sufficient force to collapse a fixture pin head and thereby permit pull-removal of the fixture pin from the attachment. The nose piece is carried by a retractable inner housing normally retained in an advanced position for deforming the liner sleeve, and thereafter movable to a retracted position spaced from the liner sleeve to accommodate substantially unobstructed fixture pin separation from the attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Physical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles G. Hutter, III, Barry L. Madson
  • Publication number: 20110203773
    Abstract: A cooling member includes a heat-transfer member having a groove and a refrigerant introducing pipe pressed into the groove. The refrigerant introducing pipe has a pressed region positioned inwardly of the edge of the heat-transfer member, and at least one curbed surface portion. A method for manufacturing a cooling member includes preparing a punch having at least one curved corner and a pressing surface, positioning the corner, and moving the punch closer to the groove to press the refrigerant introducing pipe into the groove with the pressing surface. A device for manufacturing a cooling member includes the punch and a support configured to support the heat-transfer member so the groove is positioned opposite the punch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Junichi Teraki, Mitsuhiro Tanaka, Noriyuki Okuda
  • Patent number: 8001675
    Abstract: In a heat exchanger, a liquid resin is applied to an outer surface of the heat exchanger, and then surplus liquid resin is removed from the outer surface. In removing the surplus liquid resin, before air having a first velocity is directed to the heat exchanger for blowing the surplus liquid resin off the heat exchanger, air having a second velocity lower than the first velocity is directed to the heat exchanger to remove the surplus liquid resin from the heat exchanger by moving the surplus liquid resin along the outer surface of the heat exchanger. The air at the second velocity is directed toward the heat exchanger by a second blower before the air at the first velocity is directed toward the heat exchanger by a first blower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Sugino, Hiroyuki Nakamura, Motohiro Shirai
  • Publication number: 20110167637
    Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a heat exchanger core matrix has a tube feed means for feeding heat exchanger tubes to a support surface upon which the heat exchanger is assembled and fin feed means for feeding heat exchanger fins to the same support surface. Both the tube feed means and the fin feed means are located above the support surface and, in use, the apparatus is operable to sequentially and vertically feed the tubes and fins to the support surface via a common feed guide. This arrangement enables the manufacture of large format heat exchanger cores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: Emerson & Renwick Limited
    Inventors: Ian Westwell, Colin Hargreaves, Benjamin Clements
  • Publication number: 20110163534
    Abstract: A dual passageway fitting assembly 10 for connection to a hot water tank 2 in a solar hot water system 200 is disclosed. The fitting assembly 10 has a fitting assembly that internally forms two isolated water passageways P1 and P2, a water outflow passageway and a hot water inflow passageway. The fitting assembly 10 has a connection end fitting 40 to connect water tightly to a single access port 4 on the hot water tank 2. The fitting assembly 10 enables a method of converting an electric hot water tank 2 having dual heating elements 80 to a solar hot water tank. The method includes the steps of: removing one of the heating elements 80; exposing a threaded access port 4 on the tank 2; and installing a dual passageway fitting assembly 10 to the threaded access port 4 of the tank 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventor: Vincent Peter Biel
  • Publication number: 20110048672
    Abstract: A cooling device for cooling a computer includes: a flexible and conformal fluid heat-exchanger coupled to a surface of the computer; a liquid coolant material circulated through the fluid heat-exchanger to convey heat from the fluid to an external cooling apparatus; an enclosure defined when the fluid heat-exchanger is placed against the computer surface; and a vacuum applied to the enclosure, removably sealing the fluid heat-exchanger to the computer to provide a vapor seal for the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: YVES MARTIN, Theodore G. Van Kessel
  • Publication number: 20110035935
    Abstract: A heat sink fast disassembling structure dissipates heat from a heat source through a heat sink includes a base installed on a electronic device and a bracing rack connecting to the base. The base has an opening corresponding to the heat source and a first positioning portion. The bracing rack has a fastening portion mounted onto the heat sink and a connecting portion connecting to the base. The connecting portion has a second positioning portion corresponding to the first positioning portion. The bracing rack and the base are interposed by an elastic element. The first and second positioning portions form an anchoring relationship through the elastic element. The heat sink is in contact with the heat source through the anchoring relationship and the connecting portion via the opening. The bracing rack can be installed or disassembled through the first and second positioning portions and the elastic element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Ching-Yuan CHEN, Pen-Chun YU
  • Publication number: 20110005238
    Abstract: A Dewar apparatus includes a focal plane array (FPA) component coupled to an FPA carrier, and a cold bridge coupled to the FPA carrier. A cold shield is aligned with the optical axis and coupled to the cold bridge (e.g., via a direct-metal bond), and at least one cryostat enclosure is similarly coupled to the cold bridge such that it has an axis that is noncollinear with the optical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Daniel W. Brunton, Justin C. Jenia, Paul M. Lyons, Jim R. Hicks, Bret J. Ashby, Barry A. Rovner
  • Publication number: 20100299915
    Abstract: A system, comprising a seal segment including a cable fastener. The system also includes a syngas cooler component that includes a cable guide, where the cable guide may route a cable coupled to the cable fastener to enable the cable to pull the seal segment into a mounting position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: James Michael Storey, Lien-Yan Chen, Anna Ziombra, Karol Rzepniewski
  • Publication number: 20100294461
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a heat transfer device that includes a shell; the shell being an enclosure that prevents matter from within the shell from being exchanged with matter outside the shell during the operation of the heat transfer device; the shell having an outer surface and an inner surface; and a porous layer disposed on the inner surface of the shell; the porous particle layer having a thickness effective to enclose a vapor space between opposing faces; the vapor space being effective to provide a passage for the transport of a fluid; the heat transfer device having a thermal conductivity of greater than or equal to about 10 watts per meter-Kelvin and a coefficient of thermal expansion that is substantially similar to that of a semiconductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Stanton Earl Weaver, JR., Shakti Singh Chauhan, Aaron Jay Knobloch, Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni, Kripa Kiran Varanasi
  • Publication number: 20100281664
    Abstract: A tool for installing tubing in channels of floor panels comprises a handle attached to an upper portion of a front frame and a pair of wheels attached to a bottom portion of the front frame, a pneumatic drive, mounted between a front frame spacer and a bearing block, drives a hammer assembly for pushing the tubing into the channels, and a steering block is secured under the bearing block by a bearing assembly which enables the steering block to rotate about a bearing. An upper portion of a rear strut attaches to the bearing block and a pair of wheels attach to the lower portion of the rear strut. The tool quickly and efficiently installs the tubing into the flooring channels as the tool is rolled along the floor panels when an air source is attached to an air coupling on the pneumatic drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: R & D TOOL SPECIALTIES
    Inventors: Dominic A. DiMambro, Raymond T. Kapala, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7814655
    Abstract: A heat sink designed as a heat pipe has an interior space in a body of the heat sink that is closed toward the outside. The interior space has at least one vapor channel and at least one fluid space connected with the vapor space and having a porous or capillary structure. The heat pipe is made using the DCB process to connect each end of posts within the interior space directly with one of the two opposing walls forming the interior space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Electrovac AG
    Inventor: Jürgen Schulz-Harder
  • Publication number: 20100236542
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for connecting solar panels to a roof system surface. The solar panels can be formed flexible or non-flexible solar panels that are at least partially attached to a roofing surface by use of a fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: JOHN L. PIERSON, Brian Lambert
  • Publication number: 20100236057
    Abstract: A heat sink installing device includes a base, a pair of guiding poles, a slidable cover, a pair of latches and a number of auxiliary wings. The pair of guiding poles is perpendicularly mounted on the base and separated from each other. The slidable cover is slidably fitted on the pair of guiding poles and defines a pair of through holes running through two opposite side surfaces of the slidable cover. Each of the latches is mounted on the slidable cover and latched on one of the guiding poles correspondingly. The plurality of auxiliary wings are correspondingly attached on a side surface of the slidable cover around the through hole and inclined towards the center of the through hole by a distal end thereof away from the slidable cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: LI-CHE LU, CHUN-YI YIN, YI-CHENG KUO
  • Publication number: 20100218925
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided with an evaporator assembly located in a compartment. The evaporator assembly includes a pipe, a fan assembly, a plurality of fins, a first and second bracket. The pipe is configured to transport a refrigerant that exchanges heat with an air stream from the compartment. The plurality of fins is inserted on the pipe. The brackets each include apertures to receive bent end portions of the pipe. The brackets are configured to hold the pipe and the fins in a specific position, to mount the evaporator assembly within the compartment, and restrict the air stream exiting the evaporator assembly from mixing with the air stream entering the evaporator assembly. The fins include end fins that are placed in direct contact with the first end bracket and are configured to further restrict the air stream from flowing through the plurality of apertures of the brackets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Marcelo Candeo
  • Publication number: 20100218531
    Abstract: A transport refrigeration unit having a front grille supported by a frame and being composed of a rigid material that is subject to cracking because of vibrations being transmitted from the frame, there is provided a relatively flexible support structure surrounding the grille and supporting it in the manner which allows for the damping of vibrations so as to prevent them from reaching the grille. The flexible material is preferably a thermoplastic olefin. The manner in which the supporting structure is attached to the frame and in which the grille is attached to the supporting structure also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shafi N. Khan
  • Publication number: 20100212654
    Abstract: It includes at least one module with a concave reflecting mirror surface which concentrates the light radiation towards certain devices in order to then obtain electrical or other type of energy. It also includes means for orienting that mirror surface according to the position of the sun. It is characterised in principle in that each module comprises a thin lightweight laminar body with an arched structure which incorporates the concave mirror surface, this laminar body being associated with certain stiffening supports which stabilise and stiffen that arched structure in order to maintain this shape, said structure being supported on some ground with the interposition of guide means by which the arched structure at least tilts towards one side or the other depending on the light sensor or timer which activates a device that positions each module in real time with the required orientation according to the position of the sun.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventor: José Javier Alejo Trevijano
  • Publication number: 20100154787
    Abstract: A solar thermal unit adapted for fitting into one or more connectors designed for receiving one or more panes of glass (2), wherein said thermal solar unit includes a fluid circuit, a light-absorbing surface (3), and a housing for the light-absorbing surface (3) and fluid circuit, which housing extends to the. rear and sides of the light-absorbing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Stuart Anthony Elmes, Kok Thong Tan, Richard Burgess
  • Publication number: 20100132818
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thermoelectric-based power generation system designed to be clamped onto the outer wall of a steam pipe or other heating pipe. The system can include a number of assemblies mounted on the sides of a pipe. Each assembly can include a hot block, an array of thermoelectric modules, and a cold block system. The hot block can create a thermal channel to the hot plates of the modules. The cold block can include a heat pipe onto which fins are attached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Robert Dell, Chih-Shing Wei, George Sidebotham
  • Patent number: 7721439
    Abstract: A manufacturing system for processing a container body into a heat dissipating device includes: a support for supporting the container body thereon; an elastically deformable member covering a periphery of an opening in an upper wall of the container body and defining a cavity in fluid communication with interior of the container body through the opening; a vacuuming device connected to the elastically deformable member for vacuuming the inner space; a working fluid-loading device connected to the elastically deformable member for filling a predetermined amount of the working fluid into the container body; a depressing device including opposite upper and lower pressing members; and a driving mechanism for driving movement of at least one of the upper and lower pressing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Asia Vital Components Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jao-Ching Lin, Pei-Pei Ding, Hsiu-Wei Yang, Wen-Hwa Yu, Yen-Wen Chen
  • Publication number: 20100116465
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for cooling a liquid has an inlet and an outlet for a liquid to be cooled. A bypass is provided that bypasses the heat exchanger. A valve controls flow of liquid into the heat exchanger or into the bypass. The valve has a valve seat, a valve cone, and at least one spring made of a shape memory material. The at least one spring counteracts a liquid pressure existing in the inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: MANN+HUMMEL GMBH
    Inventors: Herbert Jainek, Alexander Wöll
  • Publication number: 20100115969
    Abstract: A portable cooling/heating unit for cooling/heating a product container. The unit includes a thermoelectric assembly, a housing, a front side fan, and a rear side fan. The thermoelectric assembly includes a thermoelectric device, a first heat sink, and a second heat sink. The housing maintains the first heat sink and front fan within a front side channel, and the second heat sink and rear fan within a rear side channel. The housing further forms a condensation passageway segment that facilitates fluid connection between the channels. During use, the unit is removably assembled to the container such that openings of the front side channel are fluidly within the container's interior region. Accumulated condensation is directed to the rear side channel and evaporated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL MILLS, INC.
    Inventors: George A. Tuszkiewicz, Mark Bedard
  • Publication number: 20100071868
    Abstract: HVAC units and systems, air conditioning units, and heat pumps that have micro-channel heat exchangers wherein fins are slanted, multi-tubes are oriented non-horizontally (e.g., vertically), or both, for example. Fins may be slanted downward in the direction of air flow to facilitate drainage of condensation, or may be slanted either downward or upward as appropriate to reduce air-flow restriction. Other embodiments include the heat exchangers themselves and buildings having such heat exchangers, units, or systems, as well as methods concerning such devices, such as methods of manufacture. In some embodiments, heat exchangers are used as evaporators in air conditioning units, as condensers in heat pumps, or both, as examples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: NORDYNE Inc.
    Inventors: ALLAN J. REIFEL, Russell W. Hoeffken
  • Patent number: 7681313
    Abstract: A method for forming heat exchanger plates (10) comprises formation of a fluid flow channel (28) along the edges (22) of a sheet metal strip or blank, and formation of a pair of raised end bosses. The raised end bosses (32) are elongated in the longitudinal dimension and are formed within the final width dimension of the plate so as to avoid the need for trimming of excess material along the edges of the plate. The method generates less scrap than prior art processes using progressive stamping, and also permits variation of the plate lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Dana Canada Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Zurawel, Brian Ernest Duke, Raymond R. Caron, Craig Lambert, Eric Luvisotto
  • Publication number: 20100064713
    Abstract: A single bracket serves to both attach a TXV bulb to an outer surface of an outlet header and to place a securely hold the distribution assembly in a fixed position with respect to the TXV bulb. A pair of clam shell clamping members on opposite ends of a central member are put in position and clamped to hold the TXV bulb tightly in place against the outlet header and to clamp around the equalizer of the distributor assembly, thereby resulting in a rigid interconnection which maintains the desired positions for each of the components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason Michael Thomas, Floyd J. Frenia, Thomas K. Rembold, Arturo Rios, Michael V. Hubbard
  • Patent number: 7676915
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an LED lamp assembly includes anodizing at least a portion of a surface of an electrically and thermally conductive base, such as an aluminum or aluminum alloy base, so as to form an electrically insulating coating. The base may form a heat sink or be coupled to a heat sink. Circuit traces are formed on the anodized surface of the base, which include LED landings. LEDs are electrically and mechanically attached to the LED landing by a conductive metallic solder such that heat generated from the LED is transferred efficiently through the solder and circuit traces LED landings to the base and heat sink through a metal-to-metal contact pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: The Artak Ter-Hovhanissian Patent Trust
    Inventor: Artak Ter-Hovhannissian
  • Publication number: 20100051019
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a first solar powered furnace may be fluidically coupled to a second solar powered furnace in a solar powered furnace array by an array interconnect, which may include a first receiver, a second receiver, and an array interconnect stent that is at least partially inserted into each of the first receiver and the second receiver. In some embodiments, the solar powered furnace may include a back pass air channel defined by a duct floor and a solar absorption plate, and a distance between the duct floor and the solar absorption plate and a flow rate of air may be selected such that air flows through the back pass air channel in a laminar flow regime. In some embodiments, the solar powered furnace may include a mounting system including a mounting rail and a mounting channel defined in a back surface of the solar powered furnace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Jason W. Edens, Barbara Jean Allen, Sarah Jean Hayden, Graham Scott Wright
  • Publication number: 20090308570
    Abstract: A radiator, particularly a skirting radiator for heating a room space is mounted just above level. An elongate panel (10) for mounting on a wall (112, 113) has a first surface (11) for facing away from the wall (112, 113) and an opposed second surface (12) for facing said wall (112, 113). A pair of longitudinally extending conduits (17) connected to the second surface (12) and for carrying heating fluid are designed so that the panel (10) is slim. Each conduit (17) has a depth less than its height. A releasably connectable upper member (34) closes a clearance between the panel (10) and the wall (112, 113) and a releasably connectable depending skirt (37) may be cut to size to take up any clearance between the panel (10) and the floor. Adjacent panels (10) are interconnected by ported connectors (70) that are retained in the conduits (17) by retaining clips (80). Ported elbow connectors (70) with one spigot (71) longer than the other are provided to render the installation process easier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: THE DISCRETEHEAT COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Martin Wadsworth, Stephen Leslie Foster
  • Publication number: 20090300903
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus is used for mounting a heat sink on a main board. The mounting apparatus includes a base, a load-supporting unit mounted on the base, a rack mounted on the base, and a pressing means movably mounted on the rack. The load-supporting unit includes a supporting means for supporting the main board, a first positioning means for positioning the main board, and a second positioning means for positioning the heat sink. The pressing means is used for pressing the heat sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO.,LTD, HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: GUANG YANG
  • Publication number: 20090217689
    Abstract: A refrigeration unit includes an external housing and an internal housing supported by a vehicle roof. The internal housing includes an inner wall spaced from an outer wall with air located between to insulate the components of the refrigeration unit from an interior of a vehicle. The internal housing, a condenser, a compressor, and an evaporator may be assembled together into a refrigeration unit chassis prior to assembly with the vehicle roof. Fasteners are used to assemble the internal housing to the chassis. The external housing and a cover to reduce the amount of contaminants that enter the refrigeration unit. Water drains are located at the bottom of the internal housing along the inner wall to collect and dispose of any water within the refrigeration unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Bruno Chakiachvili, Joaquim Ferreira, Claude Saudoyez
  • Publication number: 20090199892
    Abstract: A solar collector system (10, 30, 82, 82?, 171) includes a photovoltaic means (24, 174) for conversion of solar energy into electrical energy and a pathway/conduit (22, 94, 94?, 94?) for thermal transfer fluid which is in thermal communication with the photovoltaic means (24, 174). A shaped solar concentrator surface (12, 58, 58?, 173) may have at least one focus and the pathway/conduit (22, 94, 94?, 94?) may be disposed at the focus. The shaped solar concentrator surface (12, 58, 58?, 173) may be comprised of roof cladding material (58?) which is integrally formed to support the conduit (94) at the focus. Alternatively, the concentrator surface (173) may be disposed in a trough of corrugated roof cladding, with a transparent or translucent cover (98) over the top. The covers may be domed covers having an axis of curvature which substantially aligns with the roof gradient. A roofing structure comprises intersecting first (48) and second (50) roofing planes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventor: Roger A. Farquhar
  • Patent number: 7565743
    Abstract: A reactor cartridge includes a plurality of spaced-apart monoliths, formed along a tube or other mandrel. Each monolith is formed of a pair of flat and corrugated metal strips, spirally wound around the tube. These strips could be made of solid or screen material. The corrugations are skewed, such that the monolith imparts a swirl to gases flowing through it. The corrugations of the strips in adjacent monoliths are oriented differently, so that successive monoliths impart different swirls to the gases, so as to promote mixing of gases and better heat transfer from the exterior to the interior of the cartridge. An insertion and removal tool simplifies the procedure for stacking such cartridges in a long pipe, or for removing cartridges from the pipe. The all-metal construction facilitates heat transfer through the entire reactor, and avoids the problems associated with packed ceramic beds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Catacel Corp.
    Inventors: William A. Whittenberger, David A. Becker, Randy Bartos
  • Publication number: 20090151510
    Abstract: An enclosure for mounting burners and particle injection equipment in an electric arc furnace (EAF) is described. The enclosures are mounted on the sidewalls of an EAF and include passages in which burners or injectors are mounted so that the discharge ends of the burners and injectors are located closer the melt than sidewall mounted burners and injectors. Burners and injectors mounted in the enclosures heat material in the furnace and deliver particulates to the melt more efficiently than conventionally mounted burners and injectors. The enclosures are liquid-cooled, typically by water, and constructed of high conductivity materials such as copper and/or cast iron and can be constructed in one or more pieces. Therefore, the enclosures protect the burners and injectors from the excessive heat and mechanical impact to which they would normally be subjected when mounted so close to the melt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: PROCESS TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Valery Shver
  • Patent number: 7536784
    Abstract: A sintering method for a wick structure of a heat pipe includes the steps of inserting a shaft inside the pipe body such that a tapered head is assembled to the shrunk end to achieve a second positioning point, wherein another end of the shaft extending to the filling tool forms a first positioning point corresponding to the clamping section. The filling tool fills a wick structure into a uniform gap defined by the shaft and the pipe body and clamped by the first positioning point and the second positioning point. The wick structure is sintered and cooled to complete a heat pipe having wick structure of uniform thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Chaun-Chong Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Sobo Sun, Tony Wang
  • Publication number: 20090083972
    Abstract: A technique for installing a heatsink in an electronic assembly includes simultaneously applying force to multiple fastener assemblies that each retain a respective fastener in a body of the heatsink. The heatsink is then attached to the electronic assembly by actuating the fasteners while the force is simultaneously applied to the multiple fastener assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: John L. Colbert, John S. Corbin, JR., Jason R. Eagle, Arvind K. Sinha, Christopher L. Tuma
  • Patent number: 7472479
    Abstract: A heat pipe (50) and a method (100) of producing the heat pipe are disclosed. The method includes the following steps: (1) inserting a mandrel (10) into a hollow metal casing (20) with a porous structure (30) combined to an outer surface of the mandrel; (2) filling powders (40) into a space formed between the hollow metal casing and the porous structure; (3) sintering the filled powders; (4) drawing the mandrel out of the hollow metal casing; and (5) sealing the hollow metal casing with a working fluid filled therein. The heat pipe produced by this method includes a composite wick structure (60) arranged in the hollow metal casing. By using this method, the mandrel can be easily drawn out of the hollow metal casing after the filled powders are sintered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chuen-Shu Hou, Chao-Nien Tung, Tay-Jian Liu, Chih-Hao Yang, Kuo-Chu Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20090000333
    Abstract: For assembling a plant for gas separation which comprises at least one separating column and a surrounding casing, the separating column (1) is prefabricated in a workshop and provided with pipe bridge modules. The separating column (1) is positioned horizontally on the construction site such that the pipe bridge modules (2a-d) are on the upper half of the column periphery along an axis parallel to the preferential axis of the separating column (1). Accessory parts are at least partially mounted on the pipe bridge modules (2a-d) while the separating column 1) is positioned horizontally. Mounting the accessory parts in a horizontal orientation require only a small amount of scaffolding is required at the level of the diameter of the separating column (1). All the operations take place virtually at ground level. At the same time as the horizontal mounting of the accessory parts on the separating column (1), the casing is fabricated in a vertical orientation to half of its height, the upper side remaining open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventor: Ralf SCHANDA
  • Publication number: 20080307650
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a heat exchanger, a liquid resin is applied to an outer surface of the heat exchanger, and then surplus liquid resin is removed from the outer surface. In removing the surplus liquid resin, before a first air having a first velocity is directed to the heat exchanger for blowing the surplus liquid resin off the heat exchanger, a second air having a second velocity lower than the first velocity is directed to the heat exchanger to remove the surplus liquid resin from the heat exchanger by moving the surplus liquid resin along the outer surface of the heat exchanger. The second air is directed toward the heat exchanger by a second blower before the first air is directed toward the heat exchanger by a first blower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuji Sugino, Hiroyuki Nakamura, Motohiro Shirai
  • Publication number: 20080283234
    Abstract: A heat sink has a heat pipe inside of which a working fluid is filled and which is extended by a predetermined length from a heat source in a heat radiation direction, and a radiation fin having a mountain portion and a valley portion formed in a longitudinal direction of the heat pipe, the mountain portion and the valley portion forming a continuous waveform. The radiation fin further has a step portion for fitting and retaining the heat pipe thereinto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: Hitachi Cable MEC-Tech, Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumihiko Sagi, Masami Murayama, Junichi Katougi