Patents Examined by Albert W. Davis
  • Patent number: 5184669
    Abstract: An improved heat accumulator based on chemical solid/gas storage reactions is provided. A solid/gas reaction storage material resides in a container which can be charged and discharged by means of a heat carrier gas. Thus, through chemical reaction, a reaction component is released or absorbed. In order to provide the simplest structure possible with minimal loss of useful energy, the storage material is arranged in the container in a continuously apportioned configuration and such that the heat carrier gas flows directly around it. The reaction components are released into or drawn from the region through which the heat carrier gas flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: Deutsche Forschungsanstalt fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V.
    Inventors: Rainer Tamme, Herbert Kanwischer
  • Patent number: 5183098
    Abstract: A heat recovery ventilator having a rotary wheel heat exchanger uses a random matrix media of randomly interrelated small diameter heat-retentive fibrous material to provide high thermal efficiency in exchanging heat and moisture between inlet and exhaust air streams for residential, commercial and industrial applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: Stirling Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Catherine J. Chagnot
  • Patent number: 5182921
    Abstract: A solar dehumidifier which utilizes solar energy to evaporate the moisture in air absorbed by the liquid desiccant and then to make said liquid desiccant denser for reuse. In other words, the humid air is dried in order to be used in a specific area. In particular, the solar dehumidifier according to the present invention is provided with a heat-pipe heat exchanger to increase the evaporation rate of the moisture absorbed by the liquid desiccant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventor: Wen-Jyh Yan
  • Patent number: 5183100
    Abstract: A novel ground water heat transfer system is provided for low cost and high efficiency heat pumps and includes a deep well filled with water. An insulating sleeve which is smaller than the diameter of the deep well is placed in the center of the deep well so as to separate the well water into two portions. A water pump is suspended preferably below the water level and pumps the water from inside the insulating sleeve to the space between the insulating sleeve and the wall of the deep well in a manner which eliminates the dynamic lifting head. In an open loop system the water from the pump is first pumped to an heat exchanger and returned to the space between the insulating sleeve and the wall of the deep well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Inventor: James E. Harrell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5183104
    Abstract: A closed-cycle expansion-valve impingement cooling system provides cooling for electronic components that have a high-density heat flux. Coolant passes from a compressor to a supply heat exchanger where its temperature is reduced and from there to an impingement plenum of a cooling chamber. Expanded cooling medium, at substantially reduced temperature, directly impinges on the electronic components to be cooled, thereby removing heat from the components. The heated coolant then returns to the compressor through a return heat exchanger. The cooling medium may be air or may undergo a phase change at the surface of the components, thereby improving the efficiency of heat removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: Digital Equipment Corporation
    Inventor: Shlomo D. Novotny
  • Patent number: 5181556
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed using a combination of convection and conduction cooling to cool an article in an evacuated environment. A processing chamber is used which includes at least one heat sink. A flat surface of the article to be cooled is positioned within the chamber in a spaced apart facing parallel relationship to a facing surface of the heat sink. High conductivity gases are admitted into the chamber to accomplish cooling of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: Intevac, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Hughes
  • Patent number: 5181557
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating a resin phase from a solvent solution containing a solvent, demetallized oil and a resin. The apparatus has a vertically-positioned heat-exchange surface having an upper portion which is heated by circulating a heat-exchange fluid and a lower portion which is heated by conduction of heat from the upper portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: Uop
    Inventor: Brian W. Hedrick
  • Patent number: 5178210
    Abstract: The vapor pump constituted by a mass and heat exchanger comprises an outer enclosure, a set of exchanger tubes disposed inside the enclosure and extending lengthwise therein, opening out at one of the ends in a first radial plane and at their other ends in a second radial plane, which radial planes include means for positioning and supporting the tubes and for closing the empty spaces in the section of the enclosure situated outside the tubes, thereby defining between said radial planes both a first gaseous fluid flow circuit inside the tubes, and a distinct counterflow second fluid flow circuit inside the enclosure but outside the tubes. One of the first and second gaseous fluids constituted by moist hot combustion products from a thermal process while the other gaseous fluid is constituted by new combustion air. Humidifier means are provided for humidifying the air inserted into the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Gaz de France
    Inventors: Remi Guillet, Georges Baeckeroot
  • Patent number: 5179312
    Abstract: Device for projecting television pictures by means of an assembly of three television picture tubes with associated lens systems arranged in each other's proximity, including an integrated cooling system. The integrated cooling system has a liquid circuit comprising a first duct extending below the television picture tubes, which duct is in direct communication via passages with the lower ends of the flow spaces, and a second duct extending above the television picture tubes, which duct is in direct communication via passages with the upper ends of the flow spaces. The first and the second duct are connected via at least one connection duct which extends along an end the assembly constituted by the three television picture tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Leendert Vriens, Gerrit B. Gerritsen
  • Patent number: 5178208
    Abstract: A quick action coupling is disclosed for connecting simultaneously at least two pipes or hoses to the water box of a radiator or to the inlet and outlet members for the cooling fluid of a motor vehicle engine, said water box or said members comprising a generally cylindrical shaped chimney and n ways (n being a whole number at least equal to two) which open into said chimney, said coupling comprising n rigid conduits whose outlets into said connector are of a shape and position mating with the outlet orifices of said corresponding ways in the chimney of the water box or of said members so as to form n fluid circuits, as well as seals for sealing between the different fluid circuits with respect to each other, comprising: a male connector of a form mating with said chimney; and sealing of said circuits with respect to the outside is provided by a single additional seal whatever the number n of circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignees: Hutchinson, Valeo Thermique Moteur
    Inventor: Gilles Briet
  • Patent number: 5174367
    Abstract: In order to make a thermal utilization system operable in a stable and efficient condition regardless the variation of the operating heat source used, the system is provided with three hydrogen absorbing alloys having different pressure-temperature characteristics, wherein absorption/desorption of hydrogen gas is performed in two steps, i.e. the hydrogen gas desorbed from a first alloy is absorbed by a second alloy at a predetermined pressure, and is absorbed by the third alloy at a higher pressure after it is desorbed from the second alloy in a case when the temperature of the operating heat source is low, while the hydrogen gas desorbed from the first alloy is directly transported from the first alloy to the third alloy to be absorbed there when the temperature of the operating heat source is high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Nasako, Takahiro Yonesaki, Akio Furukawa, Ikuo Yonezu, Masakazu Moroto, Naoki Hiro, Toshihiko Saito
  • Patent number: 5172759
    Abstract: A plate-type heat exchanger comprises a stack of flat tubes each composed of a pair of confronting core plates jointed to each other and defining a fluid passage. A cross sectional area of the fluid passage is increased along the flowing direction of tbe refrigerant. A plurality of ribs are disposed on the fluid passage. A flowing resistance of the ribs which are disposed near an outlet tank is lower than that of the ribs which are disposed near an inlet tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Shimoya, Tadashi Nakabou, Yoshiyuki Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 5172760
    Abstract: A heat-exchange apparatus for separating a resin phase from a solvent solution containing a solvent, demetallized oil and resin which comprises: (a) at least one generally vertically positioned heat-exchange surface; (b) a means for directing the flow of the solvent solution in a downward direction over a portion of the heat-exchange surface thereby heating the solvent solution to precipitate a resin phase; (c) an outlet means to recover a solvent solution having a reduced concentration of resin which outlet means is located to essentially reverse the flow of the solvent solution having a reduced concentration of resin to a generally upward direction before exiting the heat-exchange apparatus; and (d) an outlet means to recover the resin phase from a lower portion of the heat-exchange apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventor: Brian W. Hedrick
  • Patent number: 5172762
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a pair of header pipes, tubes disposed between the header pipes, and radiation fins provided along the tubes. Each of the header pipes has a plurality of connection holes for the tubes. Each of the header pipes is formed by bending a longitudinal flat plate in the form of a pipe and connecting the side edge portions of the bent plate to each other. The side edge portions of the bent longitudinal plate have connecting portions which are connected to each other with a junction area larger than the cross-sectional area defined by the thickness and length of each header pipe at a position other than the side edge portions. The connection holes are processed before the longitudinal flat plate is bent, and therefore, can be easily and precisely formed at desired positions. The manufacture of the heat exchanger can be simplified and the cost for the manufacture can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: Sanden Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiharu Shinmura, Nobuyasu Ando, Hisao Aoki, Naoyoshi Sutou
  • Patent number: 5170841
    Abstract: A quick action coupling is disclosed for connecting simultaneously at least two pipes or hoses to the water box of a radiator or to the inlet and outlet members for the cooling fluid of a motor vehicle engine, said water box or said members comprising a generally cylindrical shaped chimney and n ways (n being a whole number at least equal to two) which open into said chimney, said coupling comprising n rigid conduits whose outlets into said connector are of a shape and position mating with the outlet orifices of said corresponding ways in the chimney of the water box or of said members so as to form n fluid circuits, as well as seals for sealing between the different fluid circuits with respect to each other comprising: a male connector of a form mating with said chimney; and sealing of said circuits with respect to the outside is provided by a single additional seal whatever the number n of circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignees: Hutchinson, Valeo Thermique Moteur
    Inventor: Gilles Briet
  • Patent number: 5168922
    Abstract: A barometric direct-contact steam condenser (10) in which a stream of vapor and formed condensate contacts a free surface of the condensate, which surface is preferentially removed, preferably continuously, so as to provide a cooler surface against which and/or as a result of which more vapor can condense.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Inventor: Daya R. Senanayake
  • Patent number: 5168921
    Abstract: A heat pipe cooling plate in which one or more heat pipes sandwiched between cover plates is an expandable heat pipe made with thin flexible walls forming the heat pipe casing. One advantage of such an expandable heat pipe within the cooling plate structure is that the heat pipe need not be bonded to the outer casing. Instead, the heat pipe balloons out when the vapor pressure increases upon heating, and the flexible heat pipe casing moves into intimate contact with the boundary surfaces of the cooling plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Thermacore, Inc.
    Inventor: George A. Meyer, IV
  • Patent number: 5168920
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wort boiler apparatus comprising a wort boiler vessel and at least one separate heating circuit external of the boiler vessel and including a heat exchanger for heating or boiling the wort, the heat exchanger comprising an arrangement of heat exchanger pipes for passing the wort through the heat exchanger. The object of the invention is to provide a heat exchanger adapted to be adjusted to different evaporation values as required for making different types of beer. To attain this object, the invention provides that the arrangement of heat exchanger pipes includes pipe connections and valves in an arrangement permitting the wort to be passed through the heat exchanger along flowpaths of different lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Anton Steinecker Entwicklungs GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Heinz Brauer, Martin Widhopf
  • Patent number: 5168919
    Abstract: An air-cooled self-contained evaporator and condenser apparatus with no external power source, the apparatus including a cold plate having a first surface with recesses formed therein in a matrix or array corresponding to the matrix or array of chips on a multi-chip module or unit. The opposite surface of the cold plate includes a finned arrangement which, in conjunction with the cold plate, forms part of an isolated evaporation chamber of the cooling unit, with the chamber housing a boilable fluid which changes phase from liquid to vapor. Positioned above and contiguous with the isolated chamber is a condensing chamber, including a plurality of tubular passageways, the external portions of which are finned for ready removal of heat. For attachment of the cold plate portion of the unit to the chips, suitable heat transfer slugs, such as aluminum nitride slugs, are affixed in the recesses, with opposites surfaces thereof bonded to the exposed faces of the chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Digital Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Jack Berenholz, John K. Bowman
  • Patent number: 5165467
    Abstract: A heat storage means with an inner container, an outer container surrounding the inner container with clearance and with the formation of a preferably evacuated insulating space has two ducts leading through the insulating space into the inner container, one of such ducts serving as a supply duct and the other serving as a return duct for a heat transport vehicle fluid. The duct sections passing through the insulating space pass from the lower side of the outer container through the insulating space as far as the upper part of the insulating space and then via a bend into the upper part of the inner container and the part, adjacent to the outer container and the bend of the duct sections are deformable and are preferably like bellows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Inventors: Oskar Schatz, Horst Marx