Patents Examined by Albert W. Davis
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Patent number: 5228505Abstract: The heat exchanger is made up of a shell having a coaxial tubular outer and inner wall with end plates attached thereto to enclose a tubular shell cavity provided with an inlet and outlet for a first fluid. Within the shell cavity is a spiral coil of tubing through which flows a second fluid. The coil is wound helically about the axis of the shell and sized to fit the inner and outer walls with limited radial clearance. The coils are axially spaced from one another to define a spiral flow path within the shell cavity for the fluids to first flow. The radial and axial clearance establish a spiral flow path and an axial flow path which are relatively sized to cause the first fluid to travel in a spiral motion, thereby enhancing heat transfer between the first and second fluids.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 1992Date of Patent: July 20, 1993Assignee: Aqua Systems Inc.Inventor: Jack C. Dempsey
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Patent number: 5226474Abstract: In a plate heat exchanger for climbing film evaporating of a fluid, vertically arranged heat transfer plates (1, 2) delimit evaporating passages (4) and condensating passages (7) between themselves. Each evaporating passage (4) has a fluid inlet (5) at its lower portion and an outlet (6) for concentrated fluid and generated vapor at its upper portion, which outlet (6) is located at one vertical side of the heat transfer plates. To provide a desired distribution of the fluid and the vapor in each of the evaporating passages (4), at least alternate heat transfer plate (1), in its lower portion (17A) closest to the inlet (5) for fluid, has been provided with a number of zones (23A-26A), having different pressing pattern of corrugation ridges and grooves.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 1991Date of Patent: July 13, 1993Assignee: Alfa-Laval Thermal ABInventor: Leif Hallgren
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Patent number: 5226475Abstract: The invention relates to a process for cooling gases using a circulating fluidized bed technique, wherein gas is conveyed through a fluidized bed formed by circulating fluidized bed material so that part of the circulating fluidized bed material is driven along with the gas flow and whereby the circulating fluidized bed material entrained in the gas flow is separated from the gas flow and returned into the fluidized bed, and wherein at least part of the cooling is carried out by cooling the circulating fluidized bed material stream to be returned. The process is characterized in that substantially the entire cooling is realized by cooling the circulating fluidized bed material stream to be returned in a heat exchanger (10) separate from the gas flow duct, in which event the cooling of the gas stream is effected by means of the circulating fluidized bed material stream returned to the fluidized bed and having a temperature lower than that of the fluidized bed.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1992Date of Patent: July 13, 1993Assignee: Tampella Power OyInventor: Seppo Ruottu
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Patent number: 5224349Abstract: The body cooler consists of a wearable network of coils which contain a solid which absorbs heat when dissolved in water. The cooling action is initiated by the addition of water to the network through more than one conduit communicating between the portions of the network and a water source. The degree cooling is regulated by opening of closing of individual conduits which conduct the water to the portions of the network.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 1991Date of Patent: July 6, 1993Inventor: Israel Siegel
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Patent number: 5222298Abstract: In a method for the production of a heat storage means, more particularly in the form of a latent heat storage means, for vehicle heating systems run on heat from the engine, comprising a housing, which is made up of an outer container and an inner container arranged in spaced relationship to the outer container so as to constitute an insulating vessel including an insulating zone, a heat storage core arranged in the inner container and having at least one chamber for a heat storage medium in it, said chamber being separated by a partition wall from at least one flow path for a heat transfer medium, and an inlet duct and outlet duct for the heat transfer medium, such ducts being connected with the flow path and extending outwards through the insulating zone, the insulating zone having been baked out in the housing for degassing and having been evacuated.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 1991Date of Patent: June 29, 1993Inventor: Oskar Schatz
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Patent number: 5222299Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a high performance evaporator tube having a subsurface channel formed between adjacent helical fins with the subsurface channels having alternating closed portions and open pores above the subsurface channels. The fins of the tube are rolled-over toward the adjacent fin and then contacted with a notched disc to form the alternating closed portions and open pores.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 1992Date of Patent: June 29, 1993Assignee: Carrier CorporationInventor: Steven R. Zohler
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Patent number: 5222548Abstract: An improved electrically controlled thermotropic liquid-crystal heat valve to control the flow of heat between two bodies of different temperatures by interposing therebetween a fluid layer of liquid-crystal material having a nematic temperature range that includes the temperature of both bodies. This type of heat valve has particular application to any free-swimming divers' diving garments, to provide some thermal protection against the cold ambient water. The heat valve uses stable liquid-crystal materials encapsulated in a sealed environment, with the valves' electrodes being shielded and not in direct electrical contact with the liquid-crystal material. This arrangement essentially completely eliminates the electrochemical effects which can otherwise degrade the liquid-crystal materials, so that the liquid crystal may function for a very long time.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1992Date of Patent: June 29, 1993Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Rand R. Biggers, Jeff W. Rish, III, Girardeau L. Henderson, Chuong N. Pham, Robert R. Fuller
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Patent number: 5220954Abstract: A heat exchanger for a phase change material is provided which comprises a container holding the phase change material, a tube surrounding the container to define an annular space therebetween, and at least two divider walls extending across the annular space to divide the annular space into at least upper and lower flow passageways. The heat exchanger can preferably be operated in either a melt cycle or a freeze cycle. In the melt cycle, the lower flow passageway is configured to receive heat exchange fluid to initiate melting of the phase change material from the bottom so that newly-formed liquid phase change material is displaced toward the top of the container. In the freeze cycle, the upper flow passageway receives heat exchange fluid to initiate freezing of the phase change material at the top. The newly-formed solid phase change material falls to the bottom of the container, displacing liquid phase change material toward the top.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1992Date of Patent: June 22, 1993Assignee: Shape, Inc.Inventors: Robert L. Longardner, William J. Longardner
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Patent number: 5220887Abstract: An improved water heater is shown which includes a water heating tank having external cylindrical sidewalls, an interior, and initially open upper and lower ends. A combustion chamber is connectable to the water heating tank and houses a burner for the combustion of a selected fossil fuel. A fire tube unit of a fixed length is received within the interior of the water heater tank and has an upper transverse wall section, a lower transverse wall section and interconnecting fire tubes. The fire tubes have open interiors which receive the products of combustion from the combustion chamber for heating water contained in the water heating tank. Flanges and resilient seals are located at the upper and lower ends of the water heating tank for securing the fire tube unit within the interior thereof.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1992Date of Patent: June 22, 1993Assignee: PVI Industries, Inc.Inventors: Weldon M. Hiddleston, Charles L. Adams
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Patent number: 5219020Abstract: A structure of a heat pipe applicable to a heat transportation device is disclosed in which an elongate metallic capillary tube is formed having an inner diaeter sufficiently small to enable movement of a bi-phase compressible working fluid having a predetrmined quantity and sealed into the metallic capillary container in a filled and closed state, a plurality of heat receiving portions and heat radiating portions being on predetermined parts of the elongate metallic tube and alternatingly arranged thereat. Both terminals of the metallic elongate capillary tube are heretically sealed thereat or hermetically connected to form a loop-type flow passage of the bi-phase compressible working fluid. In addition, no flow direction limiting mechanism such as check valves is essentially eliminated.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 1991Date of Patent: June 15, 1993Assignee: Actronics Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hisateru Akachi
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Patent number: 5219021Abstract: A re-entrant groove heat pipe provides capillary channel fin surfaces which are smooth, continuous, and offer a large radius of curvature upon which an extended thin film of working liquid may develop. Superior formation of thin films of the working fluid allows heat to be conducted more readily between the surface of the heat pipe and the surface of the fluid where evaporation and condensation takes place.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 1991Date of Patent: June 15, 1993Assignee: Grumman Aerospace CorporationInventors: Fred Edelstein, Robert L. Kosson
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Patent number: 5219022Abstract: A radiator for the cooling system of a vehicle, and having a header tank and a bottom tank interconnected by a core through which air can flow, the header tank being provided with a filler tube fitted with a double seal filler cap through which coolant can flow in opposing directions, depending on the conditions pertaining at a given instant in the header tank, is disclosed wherein the header tank is formed integrally with a coolant recovery tank. The coolant recovery tank is connected to the header tank by a passageway extending from the coolant recovery tank to a point in the filler tube of the header tank which is normally on the unpressurized side of the filler cap, but which is connected to the pressurized side of the filler cap when the predetermined coolant pressure set by the pressure relief valve in the filler cap is exceeded.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1992Date of Patent: June 15, 1993Assignee: Ford New Holland, Inc.Inventors: Wayne B. Martenas, Patrick J. Coyne
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Patent number: 5217063Abstract: A thermal storage heat pipe apparatus and method uses an adsorption chamber connected with the condenser section of a heat pipe via a valve which opens in response to selected changes in temperature and pressure in the heat pipe. The apparatus and method provides adequate heat pipe operation, in addition to normal operation, during frozen startup, when there is no condenser heat rejection and when the evaporator cooling requirements exceed the condenser heat rejection capacity. In addition, the apparatus and method permit recharging and avoids frozen heat pipes where, for example, water is used as the working fluid.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1992Date of Patent: June 8, 1993Assignee: Mainstream Engineering CorporationInventors: Robert P. Scaringe, Lawrence R. Grzyll, Clyde F. Parrish
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Patent number: 5217062Abstract: The invention concerns a thermal storage unit with a storage container having an internal space for holding a storage medium, the internal space including a solidification zone, in which the storage medium is located following a solidification process, and an expansion zone, in which the storage medium can expand during the melting process. In order to improve this thermal storage unit so that the mechanical loads are reduced, permitting the storage container to have a simpler, cheaper constructional design, it is proposed that the storage container wall surfaces in contact with the storage medium are made of a material which is not wetted by the storage medium.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 1990Date of Patent: June 8, 1993Assignee: Deutsche Forschungsanstalt fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V.Inventors: Friedrich Lindner, Hans-Joerg Staehle, Peter Tattermusch
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Patent number: 5213153Abstract: A radiating device 10 has a rectangular parallelepiped block 11. Block 11 includes a first group of holes 12 to 19 and a second group of holes 20 to 23 causing convection of air. Passages for circulating gas and liquid serving as a heat pipe, are formed to extend in X, Y and Z directions in block 11. Opening ends of respective passages are closed by pins 51. The air heated in the holes is discharged to the atmosphere from the top surface of the block through the second group of holes. Accordingly, cool air in the atmosphere absorbed in the holes of the first group, carries the heat generated from the inner wall surface of the holes, is discharged to the atmosphere from the top surface of the block. Working fluid sealed in the passage frequently repeats an evaporation and condensation. The liquid condensed at the radiating portion returns to the heated portion along an inner wall surface defining the passage.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 1992Date of Patent: May 25, 1993Assignee: Itoh Research & Development Laboratory Co., Ltd.Inventor: Satomi Itoh
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Patent number: 5212958Abstract: The present invention provides a pump pack for automatic and continuous emptying of water condensate from a dehumidifier positioned below ground level or remotely from a gravity drain. The present invention includes a small submersible electrical pump powered by a conventional 110 volt AC power source, includes an on/off float switch connected with the power source, in cooperation with a flexible hose of small diameter of variable length. Condensate collected in the water collection pan is withdrawn at a preselected water level by the pump and passes through the tubing to an elevated or remote drain means or to other appropriate areas for disposal. The present invention permits continuous operation of portable dehumidifiers which would otherwise shut off when the condensate water pan fills after approximately one day's unattended use.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1991Date of Patent: May 25, 1993Inventor: John C. Anderson
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Patent number: 5213152Abstract: A control system for regulating the temperature of a heat detector disposed on a heat exchanger. The control system includes a temperature detector (42) for determining the temperature of the hot spot sensor (32), non-liquid cooling means (50,52) for cooling the detector when its temperature is above the desired temperature range, and non-liquid heating means (48,53) for heating the detector when its temperature is below the temperatures range. The control system includes control means (82) coupling the temperature sensing means to the non-liquid heating and cooling means. By keeping the heat detector at a generally constant temperature, the accuracy of the hot spot sensor on the heat exchanger is improved.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1991Date of Patent: May 25, 1993Assignee: ABB Air Preheater, Inc.Inventor: William C. Cox
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Patent number: 5211135Abstract: An apparatus for deslagging a steam boiler includes a plurality of loop clusters of detonating cord, each including a plurality of loops arranged in a multi-directional pattern to impart a three-dimensional generally spheroid shaped to the cluster The clusters are supported in spaced apart relation between a pair of adjacent tubing panels and are interconnected by lengths of detonating cord to form an explosive assembly adapted for substantially simultaneous detonation. A plurality of explosive assemblies are arranged in approximately every third or fourth spread between tubing panels and are interconnected so as to pyrotechnically detonate each explosive assembly after a predetermined delay in response to detonation of another explosive assembly to which it is connected. The invention is further directed to the method of deslagging a steam boiler with the plurality of loop clusters of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 1992Date of Patent: May 18, 1993Inventors: Paul A. Correia, Robert R. Lamotte
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Patent number: 5211671Abstract: For charging the salt space of a latent heat storage means the salt is heated to a charging temperature. The temperature is so near the maximum temperature occurring during production and during operation of the heat storage means that any temperature difference present between the charging temperature and the maximum temperature will at the most only cause a negligible expansion in volume and consequent stressing of the wall of the salt space.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 1992Date of Patent: May 18, 1993Inventor: Oskar Schatz
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Patent number: 5209287Abstract: A catalyst cooler arrangement for an FCC regenerator improves the operation of the cooler by the use of a full or partial screen arrangement at the cooler outlet of the regenerator to remove material that interferes with the operation of the cooler and especially the distribution of fluidizing gas within the cooler.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1992Date of Patent: May 11, 1993Assignee: UOPInventors: Daniel R. Johnson, Kevin J. Brandner