Gas And Liquid Contact Patents (Class 62/121)
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Patent number: 7047752Abstract: Cooling of an enclosed space is effected by a cooling system including a plurality of cooling units forming ducts having an internal surface on which a layer of liquid is developed, e.g. by a wicking material, and through which air from the enclosed space is passed in contact with the liquid layer whereby the liquid is exposed to and evaporates into the air-flow with consequent cooling of the duct wall on which the liquid layer is developed.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2001Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Loughborough University Innovations LimitedInventors: Harry Salt, Dennis Leslie Loveday
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Patent number: 7032403Abstract: A method of controlling spray distances in a spray unit for efficiently thermally managing one or more electronic devices. The method of controlling spray distances in a spray unit includes a first portion and a second portion positioned with the first portion. The first portion includes at least one first orifice for dispensing a first fluid flow towards at least one electronic device. A second portion is positioned within the first portion, wherein the second portion may be slidably positioned or non-movably positioned within the first portion. The second portion includes at least one second orifice for dispensing a second fluid flow towards at least one electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2003Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignee: Isothermal Systems Research, Inc.Inventors: Charles L. Tilton, Tahir Cader, Nathan G. Muoio
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Patent number: 7021070Abstract: A system and method for cooling air includes using a refrigerant cooling system and further using a refrigerant liquefaction subsystem or method that includes using a heat sink cooler (“pre-cooler”) to cool the heat sink coolant before it is used to cool the refrigerant in the condenser. One aspect of the refrigerant liquefaction subsystem may use a water mist, which may be prepared by atomizers, high pressure nozzles, piezo-electric ultrasonic nebulizers, or the like, to cool the heat sink coolant.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2004Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Inventor: Tim Allan Nygaard Jensen
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Patent number: 7021067Abstract: A dynamic thermal management spray system for efficiently thermally managing one or more electronic devices. The dynamic thermal management spray system includes one or more spray units having an adjustable spray characteristic. The spray characteristic of at least one spray unit is adjusted based upon the desired thermal management of one or more electronic devices. Adjusting the spray characteristic is preferably comprised of increasing/decreasing the fluid flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2004Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: Isothermal Systems Research, Inc.Inventors: Charles L. Tilton, Tahir Cader, Nathan G. Muoio
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Patent number: 7013669Abstract: A gasdynamic arrangement for a multi-stage centrifugal turbomachine, such as a two-stage compressor, comprising two coaxial impellers assembled on a common shaft with axial intake ports and radial peripheral discharge zones, the intake ports of the two impellers preferably pointing away from each other; a cylindrical vessel concentrically housing the impellers and the intake duct; a partition wall between the two impellers having a first and a second group of apertures; a first array of curved ducts conveying the flow from the first impeller discharge zone to the first group of apertures in the partition wall, the flow further passing through a chamber in the vessel to the intake port of the second impeller, and a second array of curved ducts conveying the flow from the second impeller discharge zone to the second group of apertures in the partition wall, the flow further going to the discharge port, the two flows bypassing each other in opposing directions at the partition wall.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2001Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: I.D.E. Technologies, Ltd.Inventors: Avraham Ophir, Henrikh Rojanskiy, Arie Kanievski
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Patent number: 7013662Abstract: A staggered spray nozzle system for efficiently thermally managing one or more electronic devices. The staggered spray nozzle system includes a first portion and a second portion positioned with the first portion. The first portion includes at least one first orifice for dispensing a first fluid flow towards at least one electronic device. A second portion is positioned within the first portion, wherein the second portion may be slidably positioned or non-movably positioned within the first portion. The second portion includes at least one second orifice for dispensing a second fluid flow towards at least one electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2003Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Isothermal Systems Research, Inc.Inventors: Charles L. Tilton, Tahir Cader, Nathan G. Muoio
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Patent number: 6968705Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling a fluid in the liquid state, possibly also containing solid elements, comprising feeding said fluid into a containing member for said fluid and also feeding into said member a cooling fluid in the liquid state, such as a liquefied gas; said fluids are brought into direct contact within said containing member so that by absorbing heat, the cooling fluid passes into the gaseous state and cools the fluid to be cooled, these fluids then being extracted directly from said member by separate conduits.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2004Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme à Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges ClaudeInventor: Maurizio Frati
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Patent number: 6938434Abstract: A system is disclosed that incorporates a generator for generating a liquid coolant. This invention provides a self-contained water (or similar liquid coolant) chilling system of suitable capacity to cool small to medium size structures, such as private residences and manufactured homes. The system utilizes an arrangement of heat-exchanging panels to pre-condition an ambient temperature air-stream, prior to passage through a pump-driven coolant spray. The system also provides several sub-systems for automatic coolant monitoring, chemical addition and periodic coolant replacement.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2003Date of Patent: September 6, 2005Inventor: Shields Fair
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Patent number: 6911121Abstract: The present application is directed to a continuous contacting apparatus for separating a liquid component from a liquid mixture.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2000Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Inventor: James R. Beckman
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Patent number: 6889515Abstract: A spray cooling system for efficiently thermally managing a single or multiple semiconductor chip package. The spray cooling system includes a heat exchanger unit having a pump unit and a reservoir, a coaxial tube fluidly connected to the heat exchanger unit, a coupler unit attached to the coaxial tube, and a spray module where the coupler unit is removably connected to the spray module. The heat exchanger unit has an air tolerant design that allows for the entry and release of air without interfering with the operation thereof.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2003Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: Isothermal Systems Research, Inc.Inventors: Charles L. Tilton, Donald E. Tilton, Ryan J. Baddeley, Tahir Cader, George J. Wos
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Patent number: 6857283Abstract: A semiconductor burn-in thermal management system for providing an effective thermal management system capable of maintaining a desired semiconductor temperature during a burn-in cycle. The semiconductor burn-in thermal management system includes a reservoir for storing a volume of fluid, a pump fluidly connected to the reservoir, and a plurality of spray units fluidly connected to the pump. The spray units dispense the fluid upon the surface of the semiconductor during burn-in thereby maintaining a relatively constant surface temperature. Each of the spray units preferably includes a stationary first portion with a second portion movably positioned within the first portion in a biased manner. When burning in semiconductors without an integrated heat sink that are deeply recessed within the sockets of a burn-in board, the fluid pressure to the second portion is increased thereby extending the second portion from the first portion thereby reducing the effective distance from the surface of the semiconductor.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2002Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: Isothermal Systems Research, Inc.Inventors: Charles L. Tilton, Tahir Cader, Benjamin H. Tolman, Nathan G. Muoio
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Patent number: 6779351Abstract: A fuel cell using fuel and oxidant resulting in the production of water and heat in addition to electrical power. The fuel cell employs an evaporative cooler and has methods to adjust the moisture and temperature for the fuel and oxidant flows to improve the fuel cell efficiency. The water produced by the fuel cell is used to provide the water for wet channels of the evaporative cooler. The evaporative cooler has separate product channels and dry working channels that are cooled by heat transfer across a heat exchanger plate. The heat exchanger plate forms part of each wet working channel on the wet side of the heat exchanger plate and part of the product channel and the dry working channel on the dry side. The fuel passes first through the dry working channel then the wet working channel becoming humidified by the evaporation therein and cooling the heat exchanger plate before going to the anode of the fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2003Date of Patent: August 24, 2004Assignee: Idalex Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Valeriy Maisotsenko, Leland E. Gillan, Timothy L. Heaton, Alan D. Gillan
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Patent number: 6766651Abstract: A user-programmable monitoring and dispensing system for controlling the dispensing of water vapor and various other media into an HVAC air stream in residential or commercial structures. The various media to be dispensed are preferably water-soluble, and mixed with the system water supply to be dispensed with the water vapor added to the HVAC air stream. These materials may be fragrances or aromas, intended to produce an aesthetic effect, or they can be agents capable of pesticidal, bacteriacidal, fungicidal or sporacidal effect for use as acute or prophylactic treatment for infestation. The dispensing system central processor is pre-programmed with a default concentration algorithm for each media to be dispensed. The concentration of media in aqueous solution is initially controlled by this default algorithm at each of several concentration levels, from lowest to highest.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2003Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Inventor: Scott Dillenback
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Publication number: 20040134202Abstract: In a method of cooling a tank molded from thermoplastic plastic material, a molded tank is received from a metallic die assembly at a temperature somewhat lower than a melting point of the plastic material, the molded tank is retained in a jig frame, and cooling water is sprayed onto an external surface of the molded tank. Preferably, the method further comprises the step of blowing cooling air into the tank substantially at the same time as spraying cooling liquid onto an external surface of the molded tank. Thus, the molded plastic tank can be removed from the metallic die assembly at a relatively high temperature, and the use efficiency of the metallic die assembly can be improved. Also, because the tank is not subjected to any pressure or buoyant force, it is prevented from undesirably distorting. In particular, by blowing cooling air into the tank, the tank can be cooled even more quickly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2003Publication date: July 15, 2004Inventors: Hirokazu Omura, Satoru Tanaka, Tadayuki Morita, Yasuhiro Katsuki
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Patent number: 6758463Abstract: An apparatus for distributing a liquid in an exchange column includes a plate and at least one elongated internal baffle. The plate has at least one elongated channel, which has a first longitudinal axis, a bottom, and at least one aperture in the bottom. At least a substantial portion of the internal baffle, which has a second longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis, is disposed in the channel.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Ian Robert Zone, Raymond Elliott Sacks, Kenneth William Kovak, Mohammad Ali Kalbassi, Steven Ray Auvil
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Publication number: 20040118143Abstract: A modular semiconductor chip cooling system having a readily openable enclosure defining a chamber configured to hold a printed circuit board carrying components to be cooled. The enclosure can include a reservoir, a condenser and a pump. Sprayers within the chamber are adjustably mounted on one or more brackets to allow each sprayer to be set for the individual height of its respective component. The enclosure can be readily removed from a computer system through a quick release connection. The computer system can include a condenser and pump to operate all its modular cooling systems, removing the condensing function from the individual modules.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2003Publication date: June 24, 2004Inventors: Cullen E. Bash, Abdlmonem H. Beitelmal, Chandrakant D. Patel
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Patent number: 6748751Abstract: An air cooling device includes at least one cooling unit which includes an oblique honeycomb having front, rear, upper, and lower openings and disposed so that air to be cooled is introduced into the front opening and cooled air is discharged from the rear opening, a cooling water supply means which supplies cooling water to the upper opening of the oblique honeycomb, and a water receiving section which receives discharge water discharged from the lower opening of the oblique honeycomb, and a blower means which introduces air to be cooled into the front opening of the oblique honeycomb and allows cooled air to be discharged from the rear opening of the oblique honeycomb, wherein the height of one oblique honeycomb in the cooling unit is 200 to 800 mm. The air cooling device has high thermal efficiency, a small liquid-gas ratio, and a small pressure drop, and is capable of saving space and energy.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2002Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignees: Nichias Co., Ltd., Taisei Corporation, Hitachi Plant Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tadahiro Ohmi, Yasuyuki Shirai, Sadao Kobayashi, Isao Terada, Toshihisa Okabe, Takashi Taniguchi, Naoki Mori, Hiromu Itoh, Yoshihide Wakayama, Hitoshi Inaba, Kazuo Saito, Kikuji Kobayashi, Hideo Hanaoka
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Patent number: 6742342Abstract: A system for cooling a power transformer wherein cryogen in liquid or solid form is sprayed into a vaporizer or directly onto a power transformer radiator and the vaporizing and/or sublimating cryogen cools a cooling fluid within the vaporizer or cools the radiator directly to provide cooling to the power transformer.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2003Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.Inventors: Dante Patrick Bonaquist, John Henri Royal, Michael James Lockett
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Publication number: 20040089008Abstract: A spray cooling system for efficiently thermally managing a single or multiple semiconductor chip package. The spray cooling system includes a heat exchanger unit having a pump unit and a reservoir, a coaxial tube fluidly connected to the heat exchanger unit, a coupler unit attached to the coaxial tube, and a spray module where the coupler unit is removably connected to the spray module. The heat exchanger unit has an air tolerant design that allows for the entry and release of air without interfering with the operation thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2003Publication date: May 13, 2004Inventors: Charles L. Tilton, Donald E. Tilton, Ryan J. Baddeley, Tahir Cader, George J. Wos
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Patent number: 6705096Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for indirect evaporative cooling of a fluid stream to substantially its dew point temperature. Plate heat exchanger has perforations (11) and channels (3, 4 and 5) for gas on a dry side and wet side. There is a trough formed in a portion of the plate that temporarily holds evaporative fluid which is in contact with the wick material on the wet side surface of the plate. The evaporative fluid flows through the trough by way of liquid perforations into the next trough. The trough of a plate with a wet side up, the liquid perforations are on the side creating a reservoir to wet the opposing wick materials. As streams flow across the dry side (9), transferring heat to the plate. Working gas stream (2) flows across the dry side and through perforations to channels (5) on wet side (10), which it then cools by evaporative cooling as well as conductive and radiative transfer of heat from plate.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Idalex Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Valeriy Maisotsenko, Timothy L. Heaton, Alan D. Gillan, Leland E. Gillan
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Publication number: 20040020220Abstract: Cooling of an enclosed space is effected by means of a cooling system comprising a plurality of cooling units forming ducts having an internal surface on which a layer of liquid is developed, e.g. by means of a wicking material, and through which air from the enclosed space is passed in contact with the liquid layer whereby the liquid is exposed to and evaporates into the air-flow with consequent cooling of the duct wall on which the liquid layer is developed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2003Publication date: February 5, 2004Inventors: Harry Salt, Dennis Leslie Loveday
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Publication number: 20040003619Abstract: The present invention relates to the methods for hydrophilization, capable of greatly improving the surface wettability of wet surface heat exchangers by transforming the solid surface to an improved surface having hydrophilic porous structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2003Publication date: January 8, 2004Inventors: Dae Young Lee, Jae Beom Byun
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Patent number: 6658865Abstract: A method for cooling components of installations charged with flowable media, in particular molding units for glass melts, and for direct cooling of molded glass parts. A stable cooling range between 60° C. and 280° C., such as is required in glass production, can be governed with the cooling medium, which is of a mixture of compressed and/or blower air and a water aerosol fog.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Schott GlasInventors: Christian Schenk, Siegbert Schell
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Publication number: 20030209017Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for indirect evaporative cooling of a fluid stream to substantially its dew point temperature. Plate heat exchanger has perforations 11 and channels 3, 4 and 5 for gas or a low temperature for liquids on a dry side and wet side. Fluid streams 1 flow across the dry side 9, transferring heat to the plate. Gas stream 2 flows across the dry side and through perforations to channels 5 on wet side 10, which it then cools by evaporative cooling as well as conductive and radiative transfer of heat from plate. A wicking material provides wetting of wet side. In other embodiments, a desiccant wheel may be used to dehumidify the gas, air streams may be recirculated, feeder wicks 13 and a pump may be used to bring water from a water reservoir, and fans may be used to either force or induce a draft. The wicking material may be cellulose, organic fibers, organic based fibers, polyester, polypropylene, carbon-based fibers, silicon based fibers, fiberglass, or combinations of them.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2003Publication date: November 13, 2003Inventors: Valeriy Maisotsenko, Leland E. Gillan, Timothy L. Heaton, Alan D. Gillan
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Publication number: 20030177771Abstract: A fuel cell using fuel and oxidant resulting in the production of water and heat in addition to electrical power. The fuel cell employs an evaporative cooler and has methods to adjust the moisture and temperature for the fuel and oxidant flows to improve the fuel cell efficiency. The water produced by the fuel cell is used to provide the water for wet channels of the evaporative cooler. The evaporative cooler has separate product channels and dry working channels that are cooled by heat transfer across a heat exchanger plate. The heat exchanger plate forms part of each wet working channel on the wet side of the heat exchanger plate and part of the product channel and the dry working channel on the dry side. The fuel passes first through the dry working channel then the wet working channel becoming humidified by the evaporation therein and cooling the heat exchanger plate before going to the anode of the fuel cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2003Publication date: September 25, 2003Inventors: Valeriy Maisotsenko, Leland E. Gillan, Timothy L. Heaton, Alan D. Gillan
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Publication number: 20030172669Abstract: A spray cooling system for transverse thin-film evaporative spray cooling in a narrow gap which generally includes a framework, a cooling cavity, a plurality of atomizers oriented to transversely spray coolant across the electronic components to be cooled, and preferably a vapor recirculation system and a reduction in cross section from the inlet or spray side to the exit side.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2002Publication date: September 18, 2003Applicant: Isothermal Systems Research, Inc.Inventors: Donald E. Tilton, Charles L. Tilton, Jeffery K. Weiler
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Patent number: 6609386Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for reducing air borne allergens in evaporative air coolers. In another aspect the invention relates to a method for reducing the cost of operating evaporative air coolers.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2002Date of Patent: August 26, 2003Inventor: Hans Karl Schmoldt
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Publication number: 20030150234Abstract: An air cooling device includes at least one cooling unit which includes an oblique honeycomb having front, rear, upper, and lower openings and disposed so that air to be cooled is introduced into the front opening and cooled air is discharged from the rear opening, a cooling water supply means which supplies cooling water to the upper opening of the oblique honeycomb, and a water receiving section which receives discharge water discharged from the lower opening of the oblique honeycomb, and a blower means which introduces air to be cooled into the front opening of the oblique honeycomb and allows cooled air to be discharged from the rear opening of the oblique honeycomb, wherein the height of one oblique honeycomb in the cooling unit is 200 to 800 mm. The air cooling device has high thermal efficiency, a small liquid-gas ratio, and a small pressure drop, and is capable of saving space and energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2002Publication date: August 14, 2003Applicant: Tadahiro OhmiInventors: Tadahiro Ohmi, Yasuyuki Shirai, Sadao Kobayashi, Isao Terada, Toshihisa Okabe, Takashi Taniguchi, Naoki Mori, Hiromu Itoh, Yoshihide Wakayama, Hitoshi Inaba, Kazuo Saito, Kikuji Kobayashi, Hideo Hanaoka
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Publication number: 20030145609Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for indirect evaporative cooling of a fluid stream to substantially its dew point temperature. Plate heat exchanger has perforations (11) and channels (3, 4 and 5) for gas on a dry side and wet side. There is a trough formed in a portion of the plate that temporarily holds evaporative fluid which is in contact with the wick material on the wet side surface of the plate. The evaporative fluid flows through the trough by way of liquid perforations into the next trough. The trough of a plate with a wet side up, the liquid perforations are on the side creating a reservoir to wet the opposing wick materials. As streams flow across the dry side (9), transferring heat to the plate. Working gas stream (2) flows across the dry side and through perforations to channels (5) on wet side (10), which it then cools by evaporative cooling as well as conductive and radiative transfer of heat from plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2002Publication date: August 7, 2003Inventors: Valeriy Maisotsenko, Timothy L. Heaton, Alan D. Gillan, Leland E. Gillan
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Patent number: 6581402Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for indirect evaporative cooling of a fluid stream to substantially its dew point temperature. Plate heat exchanger has perforations 11 and channels 3, 4 and 5 for gas or a low temperature for liquids on a dry side and wet side. Fluid streams 1 flow across the dry side 9, transferring heat to the plate. Gas stream 2 flows across the dry side and through perforations to channels 5 on wet side 10, which it then cools by evaporative cooling as well as conductive and radiative transfer of heat from plate. A wicking material provides wetting of wet side. In other embodiments, a desiccant wheel may be used to dehumidify the gas, air streams may be recirculated, feeder wicks 13 and a pump may be used to bring water from a water reservoir, and fans may be used to either force or induce a draft. The wicking material may be cellulose, organic fibers, organic based fibers, polyester, polypropylene, carbon-based fibers, silicon based fibers, fiberglass, or combinations of them.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2001Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: Idalex Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Valeriy Maisotsenko, Leland E. Gillan, Timothy L. Heaton, Alan D. Gillan
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Patent number: 6553777Abstract: A user-programmable monitoring and dispensing system for controlling the dispensing of water vapor and various other media into an HVAC air stream in residential or commercial structures. The various media to be dispensed are preferably water-soluble, and mixed with the system water supply to be dispensed with the water vapor added to the HVAC air stream. These materials may be fragrances or aromas, intended to produce an aesthetic effect, or they can be agents capable of pesticidal, bacteriacidal, fungicidal or sporacidal effect for use as acute or prophylactic treatment for infestation.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Inventor: Scott J. Dillenback
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Publication number: 20030014983Abstract: The within invention improves on the indirect evaporative cooling method and apparatus by making use of a working fluid that is pre-cooled with and without desiccants before it is passed through a Wet Channel where evaporative fluid is on the walls to take heat and store it in the working fluid as increased latent heat. The heat transfer across the membrane between the Dry Channel and the Wet Channel may have dry, solid desiccant or liquid desiccant and may have perforations, pores or capillary pathways. The evaporative fluid may be water, fuel, or any substance that has the capacity to take heat as latent heat. The Wet Channel or excess cooled fluid is in heat transfer contact with a Product Channel where Product Fluid is cooled without adding any humidity. An alternative embodiment for heat transfer between adjacent channels is with heat pipes.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2002Publication date: January 23, 2003Inventors: Valeriy Maisotsenko, Leland E. Gillan, Timothy L. Heaton, Alan D. Gillan
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Publication number: 20030000227Abstract: A method for cooling components of installations charged with flowable media, in particular molding units for glass melts, and for direct cooling of molded glass parts. A stable cooling range between 60° C. and 280° C., such as is required in glass production, can be governed with the cooling medium, which is of a mixture of compressed and/or blower air and a water aerosol fog.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2002Publication date: January 2, 2003Inventors: Christian Schenk, Siegbert Schell
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Patent number: 6497107Abstract: The within invention improves on the indirect evaporative cooling method and apparatus by making use of a working fluid that is pre-cooled with and without desiccants before it is passed through a Wet Channel where evaporative fluid is on the walls to take heat and store it in the working fluid as increased latent heat. The heat transfer across the membrane between the Dry Channel and the Wet Channel may have dry, solid desiccant or liquid desiccant and may have perforations, pores or capillary pathways. The evaporative fluid may be water, fuel, or any substance that has the capacity to take heat as latent heat. The Wet Channel or excess cooled fluid is in heat transfer contact with a Product Channel where Product Fluid is cooled without adding any humidity. An alternative embodiment for heat transfer between adjacent channels is with heat pipes.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2001Date of Patent: December 24, 2002Assignee: Idalex Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Valeriy Maisotsenko, Leland E. Gillan, Timothy L. Heaton, Alan D. Gillan
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Publication number: 20020170309Abstract: A waist-mounted evaporative personal cooling device designed to cool the back of a user, comprises a blower (25), a liquid reservoir (29), a means to deliver liquid from the reservoir a mist of droplets into blower-forced air (33) or directly onto the skin area to which the forced air will be directed (45), and a duct (27) to guide forced air under the user's shirt or blouse and directly onto or across the skin of the user's back. The device improves on prior art coolers by delivering a powerful evaporative cooling effect directly to a user's back, while being compact, comfortably wearable, and requiring the user to do little or nothing to get its benefit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2001Publication date: November 21, 2002Inventor: Ted Strauss
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Publication number: 20020124576Abstract: A method and device for rapidly changing at least one of the temperature and the state of a liquid in a container is provided. The container is rapidly rotated about its longitudinal axis. A source of a thin film of a medium having a different temperature than the liquid in the container is provided to thermally affect the container while rotating the container. The container is positioned at an angle to the horizontal of less than 45°, and the position of the container with respect to the thin film source is controlled by angling the axis of the container skewed from the axis of the rotating mechanism. The device can be used to cool liquids such as beverages, warm liquids such as infant formula, and/or make ice cream.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2002Publication date: September 12, 2002Inventors: Gregory H. Loibl, George Sidebotham
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Publication number: 20020112491Abstract: A cooling system for cooling one or more components that produce heat. The cooling system includes sprayers configured to spray cooling fluid toward the components. A detection system includes a radiation source and a radiation sensor that pass radiant energy in the vicinity of the component such that the radiant energy is affected by passing through the vaporizing spray coolant. A controller controls the flow rates of the sprayers in response to levels of radiant energy detected by the radiation sensor, allowing the controller to more accurately control the wall temperature and cooling regime achieved by the spray cooling. The source and sensor are aimable or otherwise configured for gathering information for different thermal zones of the component, providing the controller with information that is helpful in separately controlling the wall temperature and/or cooling regime in each zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2001Publication date: August 22, 2002Inventors: Christopher G. Malone, Cullen E. Bash, Chandrakant D. Patel
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Publication number: 20020073718Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for indirect evaporative cooling of a fluid stream to substantially its dew point temperature. Plate heat exchanger has perforations 11 and channels 3, 4 and 5 for gas or a low temperature for liquids on a dry side and wet side. Fluid streams 1 flow across the dry side 9, transferring heat to the plate. Gas stream 2 flows across the dry side and through perforations to channels 5 on wet side 10, which it then cools by evaporative cooling as well as conductive and radiative transfer of heat from plate. A wicking material provides wetting of wet side. In other embodiments, a desiccant wheel may be used to dehumidify the gas, air streams may be recirculated, feeder wicks 13 and a pump may be used to bring water from a water reservoir, and fans may be used to either force or induce a draft. The wicking material may be cellulose, organic fibers, organic based fibers, polyester, polypropylene, carbon-based fibers, silicon based fibers, fiberglass, or combinations of them.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2001Publication date: June 20, 2002Inventors: Valeriy Maisotsenko, Leland E. Gillan, Timothy L. Heaton, Alan D. Gillan
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Publication number: 20020038552Abstract: The within invention improves on the indirect evaporative cooling method and apparatus by making use of a working fluid that is pre- cooled with and without desiccants before it is passed through a Wet Channel where evaporative fluid is on the walls to take heat and store it in the working fluid as increased latent heat. The heat transfer across the membrane between the Dry Channel and the Wet Channel may have dry, solid desiccant or liquid desiccant and may have perforations, pores or capillary pathways. The evaporative fluid may be water, fuel, or any substance that has the capacity to take heat as latent heat. The Wet Channel or excess cooled fluid is in heat transfer contact with a Product Channel where Product Fluid is cooled without adding any humidity. An alternative embodiment for heat transfer between adjacent channels is with heat pipes.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2001Publication date: April 4, 2002Inventors: Valeriy Maisotsenko, Leland E. Gillan, Timothy L. Heaton, Alan D. Gillan
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Patent number: 6338258Abstract: A regenerative evaporative cooler, designed to improve the cooling efficiency of its regenerative evaporative cooling unit, is disclosed. In the cooler of this invention, the cooling unit consists of a dry channel and a wet channel arranged to closely come into contact with each other. The dry channel allows primary air to pass through, while the wet channel extracts a part of the primary air from the outlet end of the dry channel so as to form extracted air flowing in the wet channel in a direction opposite to the flowing direction of the primary air. A plurality of cooling fins are arranged in the dry and wet channels to allow the extracted air to come into direct contact with water so as to improve the water vaporization efficiency and the water vaporization area in the wet channel. A first blower fan sucks the primary air into the dry channel, while a second blower fan sucks a part of the primary air of the dry channel into the wet channel so as to form the extracted air.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2001Date of Patent: January 15, 2002Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and TechnologyInventors: Dae Young Lee, Byung Ha Kang, Chun Sik Lee
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Publication number: 20010032477Abstract: Novel heat exchangers and methods of constructing the heat exchangers for use in indirect evaporative cooling applications. The evaporative apparatus for cooling comprises both a multi-stage indirect evaporative cooling heat exchanger; and a multi-stage sump where each sump stage, in a one-to-one relationship. Other multistage heat exchangers with their associated multistage sumps can be combined, with the cooled air of a first multistage evaporative assembly feeding into the intake end of a second multistage evaporative assembly, and so on. These heat exchangers can be used for comfort and industrial applications cooling. The invention can be an entire assembly for the pre-cooling and cleaning of the air going to a gas turbine or any other air breathing device, with an air washer stage in which air is directly cooled by evaporation and where simultaneously the air is also cleaned of dust, dirt and other impurities.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2001Publication date: October 25, 2001Inventors: Leslie Schlom, Andrew J. Becwar
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Patent number: 6223545Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining an enclosed space proximate a selected comfort level, and for conserving utilities, the apparatus comprising a housing in communicating relation with the enclosed space and the external environment and having an evaporative cooler for cooling the enclosed space and having a predetermined operating efficiency, and a spaced apart air conditioner for either selectively cooling or heating the enclosed space, having a baffle that restricts airflow to the air conditioner and an operating efficiency different from the evaporative cooler, and a control mechanism for automatically and selectively switching back and forth from operation of the evaporative cooler to the air conditioner in response to ambient conditions of the external environment and the operating efficiencies of the evaporative cooler and the air conditioner.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 1999Date of Patent: May 1, 2001Inventors: Stephen W. Kinkel, Steven J. Goettl, Peter J. Kinkel
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Patent number: 6134905Abstract: Evaporative cooler apparatus includes two pumps, a primary pump which pumps water to an evaporative medium and a secondary pump for pumping water from the bottom of the cooler to drain the cooler. The secondary, or drain pump includes a timer so that it is only on to drain water from the bottom of the cooler for a predetermined time, and after a predetermined number of hours of operation of the primary pump. That is, there is a direct relationship between the operation of the cooler apparatus as evidenced by the primary pump, and the draining of the water at the bottom of the cooler by the secondary, or drain pump. The efficiency of the pumps is increased to allow them to pump with a very low water level without cavitation problems by virtue of an impeller design which includes vanes on the bottom of the impeller disk and vanes on top of an impeller disk.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1998Date of Patent: October 24, 2000Inventors: Harold O. Collins, James J. Hennessy, Gilbert Mancillas
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Patent number: 6055824Abstract: A method and device refrigerate a fluid by adding a volatile liquid mist to a flow of a gas to saturate the gas with vapor of the volatile liquid, to cause a large amount of misty minute liquid drops of the volatile liquid to float in the gas and to form a cooling gas. The cooling gas is directed through a first flow passage of a heat exchanger having first and second flow passages. The fluid to be refrigerated is directed through the second flow passage of the heat exchanger, so that heat from the fluid is transferred to the cooling gas, while the cooling gas passes through the first flow passage of the heat exchanger to elevate the temperature of the cooling gas. A portion of the minute liquid drops floating in the cooling gas are allowed to vaporize due to the elevated temperature of the cooling gas. The temperature of the cooling gas is continuously lowered by the heat of vaporization of the vaporizing minute liquid drops.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 1999Date of Patent: May 2, 2000Assignee: Kabushiki Gaisha Seibu GikenInventors: Toshimi Kuma, Tsutomu Hirose, Yukito Kawakami
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Patent number: 5974822Abstract: A tank holds a pool of liquid coolant in which spaced, rotatable disks are partially submerged. An air flow is established over exposed portions of the disks, preferably parallel thereto, whereby coolant adhering to the disks upon rotating out of the coolant pool is partially evaporated and the disks and remaining adhering coolant have their temperature lowered and serve to cool the coolant pool upon reentry into the pool from the air space above. A fluid to be cooled is passed through tubes mounted in the tank, below the surface of the liquid coolant, parallel to the surfaces of the disks. Adjacent rows of tubes define spaces therebetween, each of which receives the submerged portion of at least one disk. The evaporative cooler may be used in a refrigeration apparatus in combination with a compressor and an evaporator.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 1997Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Inventor: William L. Kopko
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Patent number: 5970724Abstract: A cooling water tower has a water container, a fan motor, a controller, an air outlet, a first sensor, a second sensor, a pump, and an air conditioning device. The air conditioning device has an air cooling condenser, a freezing agent control device, a compressor, and an evaporator. The air outlet is disposed on a top portion of the water container. The first sensor is disposed on the air outlet. The second sensor is disposed on the bottom of the water container. The fan motor is disposed on the top portion of the water container. The controller is disposed on the fan motor.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 1998Date of Patent: October 26, 1999Assignee: Yiue Feng Enterprise Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kuo-Liang Weng
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Patent number: 5970723Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining an enclosed space proximate a selected comfort range, and for conserving utilities, the apparatus comprising a housing in communicating relation with the enclosed space and the external environment and having an evaporative cooler for cooling the enclosed space and having a predetermined operating efficiency, and a spaced apart air conditioner for either selectively cooling or heating the enclosed space and having an operating efficiency different from the evaporative cooler, and a control mechanism for automatically and selectively switching back and forth from operation of the evaporative cooler to the air conditioner.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 1997Date of Patent: October 26, 1999Inventors: Stephen W. Kinkel, Steven J. Goettl, Peter J. Kinkel
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Patent number: 5943869Abstract: Method and apparatus for effectively and safely using cryogenic liquid to cool a reactor vessel housing an exothermic reaction wherein the cryogenic liquid is subcooled, valved into the reactor in a downward direction, and shielded by annular coaxial shielding gas upon injection into the reactor.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.Inventors: Alan Tat Yan Cheng, Deepak Lumba
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Patent number: 5890369Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling an evaporative gas conditioning system utilizes a controller for controlling the rate at which liquid is introduced into a conditioning chamber, thereby closely controlling the rate at which temperature within the conditioning chamber is adjusted to a desired temperature. Nozzle characteristics of a plurality of different nozzle types are stored in a memory associated with the controller, so that when existing nozzles are replaced with a different nozzle type, an operator can select the new nozzle type, and data stored in memory will be retrieved to permit efficient control of the system without the necessity for manual reconfiguration. Additionally, spray nozzles for spraying water into the conditioning chamber of the system are organized into banks of nozzles, and the banks of nozzles are controlled to maintain optimum water flow through each nozzle, and to evenly distribute the water into the conditioning chamber.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1998Date of Patent: April 6, 1999Assignee: BHA Group Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Anand Mahableshwarkar, Michael M. Mahler, David F. Johnston, Robert Hummell
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Patent number: 5881574Abstract: A liquid phase is placed into contact with a steam or gaseous phase to cause a reaction, heat and/or matter transfer, where the contact of the phases occurs within at least one annular chamber formed of two or more concentric and substantially coaxial elongated cylindrical members. The gaseous phase and the liquid phase typically enter the chamber at opposite ends cylindrically rotating in the same direction and in countercurrent, with the gaseous phase and at least a substantial portion of the product formed by the contact between the phases exiting the at one end of the apparatus and the residual liquid phase exiting at the other end.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 1998Date of Patent: March 16, 1999Assignee: Silvestrini y Barbier Sociedad de HechoInventor: Elso Petrich