Patents Examined by Albert W. Davis
  • Patent number: 5209288
    Abstract: An interrupted monogroove slot in a heat pipe facilitates priming of the heat pipe under zero gravity conditions by preventing the monogroove slot from completely priming before the liquid channel is primed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: Grumman Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: Richard F. Brown, Fred Edelstein, Robert L. Kosson
  • Patent number: 5205350
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for cooling hot exhaust gases. The process gases are supplied to a stationary fluidized bed, which contains cooling elements and is contained in an annular trough. Fluidizing gas is supplied to the stationary fluidized bed through the permeable bottom of the trough. The hot process gas is passed through the central opening in the fluidized bed. Cooled solids flow from the fluidized bed across the inner rim of the trough into the process gas stream and are entrained by said stream into the dust-containing space over the top surface of the fluidized bed. The solids which are separated in the dust-containing space fall back into the annular fluidized bed, and the cooled gas which contains the remaining solids is supplied to a gas cooler, which is provided with cooling surfaces. The gas which leaves the upper portion of the gas cooler is fed to a solids separator and the separated solids are recycled to the stationary fluidized bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Metallgesellschaft AG
    Inventors: Martin Hirsch, Wolfgang Frank, Manfred Heil
  • Patent number: 5205351
    Abstract: In this process for vaporizing a liquid in first ducts, or vaporization ducts, which are opened at top and bottom, of a plate type heat exchanger, by heat exchange with a main calorigenic fluid which circulates in second ducts of the exchanger, additional gas is generated permanently in the lower end part of the first ducts, for example by means of a compartment in which there is a circulation of an auxiliary fluid which is warmer than the main calorigenic fluid. Application to the main vaporizer-condensers of apparatuses for the distillation of air with double column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Christiane Muller, Frederic Rousseau
  • Patent number: 5203401
    Abstract: A wet micro-channel wafer chuck (10) holds a semiconductor wafer 12 having a plurality of high powered chips (14) held in place with vacuum provided in the chuck (10). The chuck (10) has a plurality of micro-channels (16), which extend along cooling fins (18), on which the semiconductor wafer (12) rests when it is held in place on the chuck. A water supply manifold (20) extends perpendicular to the micro-channels (16) across the chuck (10). Water supply slot (22) extends upward from the water supply manifold into the micro-channels (16). Similarly, water exit slots (24) extend upward from water exit manifolds (26) into the micro-channels (16). Water (28) is delivered from pump (30) of an external recirculator/chiller (32) to the supply manifold (20) and into the many micro-channels (16) that pass under the wafer (12) under test. The water (28) leaves the micro-channels (16), enters the exit slots (24) and then the exit manifolds (26), from which it is returned to the recirculator/chiller (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Digital Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: William R. Hamburgen, John S. Fitch
  • Patent number: 5203399
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus as one embodiment of a heat transfer apparatus of the present invention comprises a closing loop pipe line means enclosing a predetermined amount of liquid heating medium inside, a heat receiving section receiving heat from an object to be cooled, and transferring heat to said heating medium in said closing loop pipe means, a radiating section taking heat away from said heating medium in said closing loop pipe means, and one or more check values formed in said closing loop pipe line and allowing only one way flow of said heating medium from said heat receiving section to said radiating section direction. The present invention provides a heat transfer apparatus, which is represented by the above-mentioned cooling apparatus having a simple structure which does not need a circulation apparatus serving as a mechanical power source such as a pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Hisao Koizumi
  • Patent number: 5201196
    Abstract: A heat pipe is disclosed for use in a vapor-absorption heat pump to provide high efficiency heat transfer between first and second fluids in contact with opposing first and second faces of the heat pipe. Although preferably disk-shaped and adapted for rotation for use in compact heat pumps, the heat pipe may be used in heat pump applications requiring other shapes, and may be either fixed or moving. In a further aspect of the invention, a vapor-absorption heat pump is provided incorporating at least one such heat pipe in at least one component thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Wright State University
    Inventor: Amir Faghri
  • Patent number: 5201365
    Abstract: The invention consists of a cooling system that can be worn and travel with the person using the cooling system. Flexible inter-communicating containers (such as coils), are adapted to fit body contour and function as heat removers. The containers are incorporated into clothing, or applied directly to the body. Water under a vacuum in the containers boils at low temperature and removes body heat. Vapor generated by the boiling water re-condenses into water in a communicating portable cold container, which is cooled by portable ice packs, or by endothermic chemical reactants. The degree of cooling can be controlled by regulation of the degree of the communication between the the heat remover containers and the cold condenser container. The re-condensed water returns spontaneously to the heat remover containers by force of gravity. The cooling device can be incorporated into any object which forms a direct or an indirect contact with a person using the device, such as medical casts, and cold compresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Inventor: Israel Siegel
  • Patent number: 5201366
    Abstract: Equipment for the three-stage preheating and degassing of make-up water by means of steam in a power generation installation comprises, in a first stage, a mixing chamber (3) which is located on the outside wall (2) of the condenser of the power generation installation and communicates with the condenser interior via a steam inlet (6) and steam outlet (8). In this mixing chamber, a plurality of water injection means (4) are arranged. A separation column (11) which is located upright underneath the mixing chamber (3) and which is fitted at its upper end with a water distributor (15), forms the second stage. A receiver (21), which is located underneath the separation column (11) and in which steam-dispersing means (22) are fitted and which is connected via a weir (23) to the condenser interior, forms the third stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri Ltd.
    Inventors: Francisco Blangetti, Hans Eisenbeis, Mustafa Youssef
  • Patent number: 5199484
    Abstract: In the case of a heat storage means, more especially a latent heat storage means (10) for motor vehicle heating systems run on waste engine heat there is a load bearing insulation (26 28) between an inner housing (14) enclosing a storage core (16) and an outer housing (12) surrounding the inner housing with a clearance, such insulation being divided up into separate support members, which are preferably divided in support zones separated by intermediate spaces from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Inventor: Oskar Schatz
  • Patent number: 5195577
    Abstract: A boiling type cooling device for cooling power semiconductors includes an evaporator containing an aqueous solution of ethylene glycol as a cooling medium, a condenser; and a vapor and liquid return pipe. According to a first aspect, the lowest portion of the condensor is at a level higher than the top surface of the cooling medium in the evaporator, the bottom surfaces of the condensor being tilted downward toward the top end of the liquid return pipe. According to another aspect, a pump is provided in the liquid return pipe for driving cooling medium to the evaporator. According to still other aspects, the liquid return pipe is covered with a heat insulating material, or a rubber string extends centrally therewithin. A deaeration device for the aqueous solution of ethylene glycol includes two separate deaeration baths and a mixing bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Kameda, Nobuyoshi Takahashi, Takeo Yoshioka, Kenichi Mori, Masahiro Ashiya
  • Patent number: 5195575
    Abstract: Safety equipment is disclosed comprising a three-phase heat pipe for the protection of apparatus from exceeding maximum or minimum safe working temperatures. The heat pipe has a working fluid selected so that it will not function below the desired temperature. A working fluid which has a melting point slightly above the minimum safe temperature of the equipment to be protected is preferred for protecting equipment from exceeding its minimum safe working temperature. This heat pipe may be used to cool an apparatus to a temperature where the heat pipe automatically stops functioning and keeps an apparatus from exceeding its minimum design temperature. A working fluid which has a melting point slightly below the maximum safe temperature is preferred to keep equipment from exceeding its maximum safe working temperature. This heat pipe will be inactive at normal operating temperatures but will release excess heat to cooler surroundings before safe working temperatures are exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Inventor: Roger Wylie
  • Patent number: 5195578
    Abstract: An apparatus for heat exchange between a fluid circulating in a tube of heat conductive material and a flow of liquid in a thin layer circulating by gravity in a channel of heat conductive material, in thermal contact with the tube and disposed in the manner of a helix around the tube. The invention has application to evaporation, desorption, condensation, and absorption in chemical and physico-chemical reactors, and especially in air conditioning and refrigeration systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Pechiney Recherche
    Inventors: Pierre Le Goff, Bertrand Clauzade
  • Patent number: 5191930
    Abstract: A gas regenerator is provided having for the clean air a set of two adjacent parallel flow paths having hot and cold ends, and for the waste gas a set of two adjacent parallel different flow paths, having hot and cold ends, the air and waste gas being separated while passing through the mass storage and heat transfer material of the regenerator, valves arranged only at the cold ends of the flow paths are adapted to be selectively positioned for allowing the flow paths of each set to be alternately selected, and in which the different sets of flow paths are arranged perpendicularly or at another overlapping desired angle to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Inventor: Ross P. Chaney
  • Patent number: 5190098
    Abstract: A thermosyphon for removing heat from a permafrost foundation is composed of a sealed container containing an easily vaporizable liquid. The container has a condenser part, which is exposed to temperatures below the condensation temperature of the liquid, and an evaporator part in which the liquid is intended to boil. The evaporator part is of double-tube structure with a supply tube and a return tube connected to each other at a point distal from the condenser part. The return tube has a riser with an opening at one end which is inside the supply tube and has a much smaller cross-sectional area than the supply tube around it. The tubes may have both rising and falling sections but the opening of the riser is sufficiently higher than these sections of the tubes such that the hydrostatic pressure causes the liquid in the evaporator part to flow from the supply tube into the return tube as the liquid forms bubbles in the evaporator part and overflows from the riser opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Inventor: Erwin L. Long
  • Patent number: 5190099
    Abstract: A fluidic pulsatile impinging cooling system for electronic integrated circuit modules and other electronic systems. The fluidic cooling system employs a fluidic oscillator to create the pulsatile cooling flow of air or fluid. The present invention reduces the number of moving parts present in an electronic cooling system and is more efficient in performing its purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of the America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: George Mon
  • Patent number: 5190101
    Abstract: A manifold and a method of making a manifold for a tube and fin type heat exchanger are disclosed wherein the manifold is a one piece aluminum extrusion. The method includes the steps of extruding the material into a U-shaped channel having a base member and a pair of vertical walls, forming a plurality of fluid conducting passageways in the base member, and rolling the vertical walls toward the longitudinal center of the base member until the free ends of the walls contact the base member to form a pair of hollow longitudinal fluid conduits. The conduit are then crimped at predetermined locations to form fluid baffles and the manifold is then sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Ali Jalilevand, Eugene E. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 5188171
    Abstract: A liquid-crystal heat valve is constructed to be controlled with multiple ectrode pairs. So constructed, it is controllable by alternating electric potentials in different phases applied to corresponding electrode pairs, thus increasing the maximum heat-transfer rate of the heat valve by increasing its duty cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Michael E. Stefanov, Rand R. Biggers, Jeff W. Rish, III, Girardeau L. Henderson, Chuong N. Pham
  • Patent number: 5186242
    Abstract: A condenser is disclosed which is provided with a forced cooling system adapted to effect forced cooling of a gaseous coolant in the condenser by exchange of heat with water. This forced cooling system comprises an evaporation chamber disposed in a coolant inlet side flow path of the condenser and provided therein with fins, a vacuum tank (or a water pump) for circulating water in a closed flow path passed through the evaporation chamber, an orifice for decompressing the water being introducing into the evaporation chamber, and a control device for effecting circulation of water only when necessity arises. The water is aspirated, when necessary, by negative pressure from a water storage tank, decompressed to a prescribed saturated pressure by the use of the orifice and consequently atomized and allowed to flow into the evaporation chamber, and allowed to deprive the gaseous coolant at high temperature of a large amount of the latent heat of vaporization and consequently cool the gaseous coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Calsonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tsunenari Adachi, Hitoshi Akasaka, Yutaka Moriyama
  • Patent number: 5186241
    Abstract: The regeneration temperature of a chemical heat pump of closed system utilizing reversible reaction between calcium oxide and water is lowered by using an aqueous solution of a salt in an absorber-condensor provided separately from a reactor filled with calcium hydroxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Kunugi, Michio Yanadori, Toshihiko Fukushima, Tomihisa Ohuchi
  • Patent number: 5186009
    Abstract: An improved absorption cycle apparatus and system using aqueous solutions of metal salts selected from the group consisting of alkali metal hydroxides, nitrites, and alkaline earth and transition metal hydroxides, halides, thiocyanates, and mixtures thereof between about 14% and about 30%, by weight, of said metal salt, of an organic compound selected from the group consisting of alcohols, glycerol, glycols, polyglycols, alkaline glycol ethers, aliphatic amines and alkanol amines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventor: Uwe Rockenfeller