Patents Examined by Henry A. Bennet
  • Patent number: 5385298
    Abstract: A system for the heating of fluids by causing severe turbulence of the fluid within a cavity of a housing. The device utilizes a rotor closely received within a cavity, the rotor mounted upon a rotatable shaft, with the surface of the rotor provided with a plurality of uniformly-spaced recesses oriented at a selected angle to the surface. The shaft is journalled in bearing assemblies and seal units at end walls of the housing, and the shaft is rotated by any suitable motive means. The heated fluid then is stored in any suitable storage facility, or utilized for any desired purpose. The system is specifically described for the purpose of heating water. This heated water is for standard use in a facility and, if desired, to provide heat input to air within that facility. Several embodiments of the conversion unit are given together with system elements to provide desired control of the heating of the water and of the facility. The preferred conversion unit has readily replaceable bearing assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Hydro Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventor: James L. Griggs
  • Patent number: 5384968
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a paper remoistening apparatus of the type which drives a strip of paper along a predetermined path within a sealed enclosure, into which nozzles for spraying a moistening mist open and which communicates at a place remote from the spray nozzles with the inlet of a suction device having its outlet opening outside the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Materiels Equipments Graphics, S.A.
    Inventor: Alain J. Grandjean
  • Patent number: 5383339
    Abstract: A supplemental cooling system couplable to at least one refrigerant-cooled apparatus with a refrigerant circuit to reduce the refrigerant temperature in the refrigerant circuit, which cooling system is shown with a thermal storage system as well as an auxiliary condensing arrangement for coupling the refrigerant circuit and supplemental cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Baltimore Aircoil Company, Inc.
    Inventors: William D. McCloskey, Thomas W. Brady
  • Patent number: 5381673
    Abstract: In an absorption cooling system, a refrigerant condensate is converted to a refrigerant gas in an evaporator to achieve a cooling effect. The refrigerant gas is then converted into smaller bubbles in an inlet chamber of an absorber, and a mixture of those bubbles and lithium bromide solution is raised through a heat-exchange conduit to an outlet chamber of the absorber to cause the refrigerant gas to be absorbed by the lithium bromide. The lithium bromide which is diluted by the refrigerant gas is fed to a generator which separates the refrigerant from the lithium bromide. Residual refrigerant gas in the out let chamber of the absorber is returned to the inlet chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung-Gap Lee, Sung-Ho Gil, Suk-Hyun Eun, Hong-Won Lee
  • Patent number: 5381674
    Abstract: A compact generator for an absorption refrigerating machine that uses combustion gas as a heat source, which enables stable heating. The generator 1 has a dilute solution inlet 3, a solution outlet 4, and a vapor outlet 5. A multiplicity of heat transfer fins 6 are provided on the outer periphery of a drum shell 2 of the generator. A circulation guide 7 is provided along the inner periphery of the drum shell. Openings are respectively provided in the bottom and top of the circulation guide 7. The solution outlet 4 has an overflow weir 10. The vapor outlet 5 has a downwardly facing opening 11 inside the can of the generator. The dilute solution inlet 3 is provided with a mixing chamber 20 which is separated from the solution in the drum shell of the generator and where the solution in the drum shell and dilute solution from the dilute solution inlet mix with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignees: Ebara Corporation, Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Omori, Noriyuki Nishiyama, Naoyuki Inoue
  • Patent number: 5379609
    Abstract: In an air conditioner having an air filter comprising a frame body and a mesh which are integrally formed, a specific portion 140 of the frame body 132 is wider than the other portions of the frame body, and a support post 130 which is engageable with a latch slot 131 on the main body is disposed at the widened portion, so that even when the joint between the frame body and the mesh is formed away from the support post, the mechanical strength of the post can be maintained. In addition, the width of the joint at the widened portion is substantially equal to that of the other portions of the joint, so that the mesh is uniformly fixed to the frame body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kensuke Matsumoto, Yasutomo Akutu, Masao Koseki, Michio Kurakami, Yoshiyuki Kitamura, Kiyoshi Koyama
  • Patent number: 5377503
    Abstract: A single package heat pump unit is field-reconfigurable from a horizontal discharge configuration to a top discharge configuration. A supply panel covers the top and upper part of the back wall, and contains a supply vent in a vent wall, with a blank wall joining it at a ninety degree crease. The supply panel can be removed and installed in the top discharge position, using standard fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Nordyne, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne R. Reedy, Lawrence J. Boyce
  • Patent number: 5375421
    Abstract: A portable dehumidifier includes: a housing having an upper housing portion and a base portion positioned below the upper housing portion, at least a thermoelectric cooler formed as thermopile by connecting in series one plurality of thermocouples each thermocouple consisting of a p-type semiconductor and a n-type semiconductor electrically connected between two poles of a direct-current power supply to produce a cold junction and a hot junction on a front and a rear sides of the thermoelectric cooler, a heat-dissipating device secured to a hot junction of the thermoelectric cooler for dissipating heat from the hot junction, an exhausting fan for drawing moisture-laden air through the thermoelectric cooler and the heat-dissipating device to condense moisture laden in the air by the cooler, a condensate collector having a water-reservoir drawer slidably held in the base portion to collect the water drops drained from the cooler for disposal of the condensed water from the air, and a timing controller for seque
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Inventor: Chi-Sheng Hsieh
  • Patent number: 5373893
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling thermally massive parts includes directing a chilled gas onto an electrical component travelling on the belt of a continuous furnace. The belt is divided into a series of hot and cold zones to provide thermal stressing to the electrical component to detect early life failure. As the component cools, a constant thermal stress is maintained by either lowering the temperature or increasing the flow rate of the chilled gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David E. Eisenmann, Peter M. Elenius, James M. Leas, Wagih M. Wazni
  • Patent number: 5372011
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling temperature and humidity of an air stream by chilling a cold storage material and warming a heat storage material by evaporation and condensation respectively from a fixed capacity refrigeration cycle, and selectively cooling and warming the air stream by controlled heat transfer from the cold and heat storage materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Indoor Air Quality Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward J. O'Neal
  • Patent number: 5371950
    Abstract: Microprocessor controlled isopropyl alcohol vapor dryer system for robotic drying of wafer cassettes containing wafers or substrates. A wetted wafer or substrate is robotically placed into a virgin isopropyl alcohol vapor zone. The wetted surface and free-moving contaminants are replaced by a layer of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) which condenses on the surface. The dryer then robotically moves the IPA coated wafer or substrate into an upper cooling zone causing the isopropyl alcohol layer to flash off of the substrate surface, leaving the surface completely dry to a molecular level. IPA vapors are heated at the bottom of a quartz tank and maintained as a vapor by electric heating panels surrounding the quartz tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: S & K Products International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin S. Schumacher
  • Patent number: 5372017
    Abstract: A system for cooling fluid stored in a generally cylindrical container is disclosed. The system includes a generally cylindrical hollow coil element having an engaged orientation for engaging the container and at least one disengaged orientation in which the container is disengaged. The hollow coil element is configured to provide thermal engagement between a refrigerant fluid located interiorly thereof and the container when the hollow coil element is in the engaged orientation. The hollow coil element includes at least one elongate hollow element with a nonuniform generally spiral configuration, wherein the spiral defines a plurality of turns of the elongate hollow element. There is also disclosed a system for cooling gaseous fluid stored in a selectably disengageable container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Lordan & Co.
    Inventors: Hugo Zorea, Ami Kotler, Uri Tyroler, Chaim Brody
  • Patent number: 5369961
    Abstract: An apparatus for the refrigerated drying of gases, more particularly of compressed air, has at least one gas supply system, with a refrigerating device which has a heat exchanger unit through which a refrigerant carrier is passed, a cooling assembly for cooling down the refrigerant to such a temperature that the liquid contained in the gas or the vapour contained in the gas is deposited in ice form, and a de-icing unit. In addition to a main gas supply system there is a further gas supply system which comprises the de-icing unit and to which hot refrigerant can be supplied from the main gas supply system wherein at least two de-icers are provided for the de-icing unit of which at least one can selectively undergo regeneration, and that downstream of the de-icer in the second gas supply system there is a collecting container which is connected to each of the de-icers and from which the refrigerant consumers can be supplied straightaway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Inventor: Wolfram Seiler
  • Patent number: 5369960
    Abstract: A refrigeration system for cooling foodstuffs in an aircraft body having a deck and a space (26) below the deck, uses a surface type heat exchanger (7) positioned for a heat exchange with the environment of the aircraft. A catering container (1) is constructed as a cooler box, and at least one refrigeration device (21) is exchangeably mounted in the space below the deck. The refrigeration device (21) is equipped with at least one modular refrigeration unit (6) connected through respective pipes or conduits (8, 9) to the surface type heat exchanger (7). The refrigeration device (21) is connected by further conduit means (3, 10) to the cooler box (1). The temperature difference between inside and outside of the aircraft is efficiently used for the refrigeration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Deutsche Aerospace Airbus GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Juergen Mueller, Ralf Schliwa, Thomas Scherer, Harald Kull
  • Patent number: 5370307
    Abstract: An air conditioner has a heating capacity which is increased with a compressor driven by an engine when an outdoor temperature is too low. A work load of the compressor is increased by injecting refrigerant into the compressor via an injecting port. As a result, a load of the engine is also increased so that a coolant temperature is also increased. A large heat radiation from the hot coolant to the indoor air is established at a coolant heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventor: Yuzuru Uehra
  • Patent number: 5367786
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for determining a process parameter of a material in a processing system having two containers. The material being monitored is disposed in one container and a single thermal energy control device is applied to both containers. The heat flux of each container is determined while the single thermal control device is applied to both containers. The process parameter is determined in accordance with the determined heat flux. The thermal energy control device may be a single heating surface for warming the two containers, or a cooling device such as a refrigerator. The process parameter may be the drying rate of the material and the drying rate can be determined during the processing of the material. The drying rate and the percent of drying can be displayed and the thermal energy level of the containers can be controlled according to the determined drying rate. A calibration procedure for calibrating the apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Inventor: Thomas A. Jennings
  • Patent number: 5367888
    Abstract: Portable apparatus for servicing a refrigeration system having a refrigerant containing an oil lubricant. The apparatus includes a support frame, a modular housing supported by the frame and defining internal accumulator, condenser, storage, and high and low pressure filter chambers, and a control plate assembly having a plurality of flow passages enabling flow communication between the various chambers. The control plate is adopted for connection to the refrigeration system being serviced, and has control valves operative to control flow of refrigerant through the passages to and between the internal chambers. A processor controls the control valves in a manner enabling selective recovery, evacuation, charging and/or flushing of the refrigerant of the refrigeration system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Environmental Products Amalgamated Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert L. Muston, Mario Matkowitch
  • Patent number: 5365751
    Abstract: A modular accumulator dehydrator assembly for a vehicle air conditioning system uses an array of common components to provide configurations adapted to fit several possible orientations and locations of lines in the system. A cylindrical canister is closed by an end cap, to which a block is attached by a single bolt. Either a bottom or top feed set of inlet pipes is inserted in the end cap, depending on the chosen orientation for the canister. Then, a pair of tubes is added to the outside of the block, which are turned and bent to the proper position for joining to the compressor and evaporator line before brazing in place in the block. A single bolt is tightened to join the block to the end cap, which tightens a pair of O-ring seals to seal the block to end cap connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Donald E. Mikesell, Kenneth B. Newman
  • Patent number: 5365888
    Abstract: A fluid heater and method are disclosed for heating a heat transfer fluid flowing within a heater tube using reradiative and convective heat transfer while avoiding direct flame impingement on the heater tube. The heater tube is separated from the flame by a heat shield that cools the flame temperature and reradiates heat energy to the heater tube. The combustion products are directed around the shield and into contact with the heater tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventor: Michael A. Aronov
  • Patent number: 5365676
    Abstract: A system for drying municipal sludge to reduce its moisture content and harmful pathogens to a level suitable for direct land application includes a cellular conveyor belt defining pockets which are filled with moist sludge and which is carried through multiple runs in a drying chamber over heat conducting supporting pans in a manner causing inversion of the sludge filled belt for at least one of the runs. Heated drying air is supplied directly to the sludge from above along each run and indirectly by conduction to the sludge from the supporting pans below along each run to provide uniform and rapid drying with maximum efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Oven Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel J. Bein