Patents Examined by Leonard Leo
  • Patent number: 6068047
    Abstract: A pathogen reduction system for a sludge treatment process that employees multiple reactors operating in a batch mode to reduce pathogen levels in the sludge while providing a continuous flow of pathogen reduced sludge to a digester. In addition, the present invention entails an efficient heat exchanger for heating and cooling the sludge being treated in the above process. In particular, the heat exchanger is of the counterflow type and includes a helical coil confined in an annular chamber for transmitting one media and wherein the helical coil is spaced so as to form another helical flow channel that is defined by the annular chamber and the helical coil itself. Consequentially, one media is directed through the helical coil while another media is directed through the flow channel that is defined in part by the helical coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Kruger, Inc.
    Inventor: Karsten Buchhave
  • Patent number: 6067712
    Abstract: There is provided heat exchange tube formed from a ductile metal strip which is formed into a generally circular configuration with the opposing longitudinal edges of the strip welded together. Both surfaces of the strip are enhanced. One surface of the tube is enhanced with protrusions in the shape of truncated cones. The ratio of the pitch between longitudinally aligned protrusions and transversely aligned protrusions maximizes the formation and maintenance of vortexes in a flowing fluid along the tube surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventors: Myron R. Randlett, Ralph L. Webb, Louay M. Chamra
  • Patent number: 6065530
    Abstract: An enclosure which acts as a heat sink for dissipating heat generated by electronic components within the housing. The outer surface of the enclosure includes numerous cooling fins, preferably on all six faces of the enclosure, to help dissipate heat. The fins are diagonally oriented, rather than vertical or horizontal, to permit them to be effective whether the unit is mounted horizontally or vertically. In addition to dissipating heat, the enclosure is rain tight, EMI-tight and ESD-tight. The inside major surfaces of the enclosure include a number of pins extending inwardly to help increase the surface area for heat transfer into the enclosure material. The pins extend deeply into the interior of the enclosure, and are made shorter only where necessary to avoid large components on the printed circuit card. The spaces between the pins allow convection of the heated air whether the enclosure is vertically or horizontally mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Alcatel USA Sourcing, L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Austin, Matthew K. Meeker, Stephen S. Greer, Dwayne C. Green
  • Patent number: 6065534
    Abstract: An aluminum alloy article consisting essentially of controlled amounts of iron, silicon, copper, manganese, magnesium, titanium, zinc, zirconium and free machining elements with the balance being aluminum and incidental impurities is adapted for use as a connector block in a heat exchanger assembly. The connector block has a connector block body with at least one machined portion therein and is configured to be brazed to a portion of the heat exchanger, particularly the heat, exchanger header. The aluminum alloy combines the properties of machinability, corrosion resistance, strength and brazeability. A connector block made from the aluminum alloy can be machined to the right configuration and can be brazed to the heat exchanger header to form a high quality brazed joint. In addition, the connector block can withstand the corrosive environment associated with the heat exchanger and has the necessary mechanical properties to interface with other heat exchanger components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Reynolds Metals Company
    Inventor: Subhasish Sircar
  • Patent number: 6062305
    Abstract: A plate heat exchanger including heat exchanger plates arranged adjacent to each other and in a compressed pack, the heat exchanger plates each having openings aligned with each other and channels configured to receive a heat emitting medium and a heat absorbing medium alternately via the openings. The plate heat exchanger further includes gaskets arranged on a periphery of the openings and between two adjacent heat exchanger plates in gasket regions. The heat exchanger plates have corrugations extending from the openings in a substantially radial direction and uninterrupted through the gasket regions. Corrugations hills and corrugations troughs of adjacent heat exchanger plates cross at crossing points such that adjacent heat exchanger plates support each other at the crossing points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: EP Technology AB
    Inventor: Lars Persson
  • Patent number: 6059019
    Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly is provided attachable to a frame of a vehicle. The heat exchanger assembly includes first and second support brackets attachable to a frame of a vehicle so as to define a mounting space therebetween having closed sides in two facing planes, the first and second support brackets each having a surface thereon transverse to the planes. The heat exchanger assembly also includes a first heat exchanger disposed within the mounting space, the first heat exchanger supported on the surfaces of the first and second brackets and releasably secured to the first and second support brackets. The heat exchanger further includes a second heat exchanger disposed within the mounting space, the second heat exchanger supported on the surfaces of the first and second brackets and releasably secured to the first and second support brackets separately from the first heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignees: Modine Manufacturing Company, Bayerische Motoren Werke
    Inventors: Viktor Brost, Klaus Kalbacher, Karl Schutterle, Winfrid Eckerskorn, Axel Temmesfeld, Manfred Schatz
  • Patent number: 6059026
    Abstract: The distributor is constituted by a simple metal sheet (17) shaped as a spherical calotte that is provided with holes (17b) at its periphery and which is plane at the center. This plane element is preferably delimited by a conical body (17a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Inventors: Andre Bailly, Romuald Jurkowski, Mohamed Idriss, Marc Altazin, Slimane Meziani, Jean-Michel Navarro
  • Patent number: 6059023
    Abstract: In a heat exchanger for exchanging heat of fluids, the heat exchanger is provided with a heat exchanging section having a shape bent alternately consecutively so as to form laminate space and is constructed such that a first flow passage is formed on a space contacting a first surface of the heat exchanging section among the laminate space; and a second flow passage is formed on a space contacting a second surface of the heat exchanging section among the laminate space, wherein a first fluid flows on the first flow passage and a second fluid flows on the second flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventor: Masayuki Kurematsu
  • Patent number: 6059028
    Abstract: The present invention is a dual section liquid-cooled panel that lines a portion of the interior surface of a metallurgical furnace. The invented panel has a primary section disposed proximate to the center of the furnace and a secondary or back-up section adjacent the primary section. A three-way valve is controls the flow of fluid to the operating section of the panel. Initially, the primary section is operational and the valve is set to permit the flow of fluid to the primary section. If the primary section suffers structural damage, the valve can be used to re-direct the cooling fluid to the secondary section of the invented panel and the secondary section becomes operational until regular maintenance is scheduled to occur. Also disclosed is a method for repairing a damaged dual section liquid-cooled panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Amerifab, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Kincheloe, Richard J. Manasek, Richard W. McVicker
  • Patent number: 6056045
    Abstract: A rib is provided around a hose connecting portion which is projected from an upper tank of a radiator. A cooling water which is leaked from a fitting portion between a hose and a hose connecting portion is guided to a predetermined position by the rib. As a result, such an event can be eliminated that the leakage cooling water drops downward and then attaches to a caulking portion between the upper tank and a core portion and thus such water is misconceived for a leakage water generated from the caulking portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitomi Matsuzaki, Seiji Kawachiya
  • Patent number: 6056047
    Abstract: A manifold for heat exchangers with a manifold segment having slots which are perpendicular to the tube axis and spaced in the longitudinal direction and separated by webs, into which hollow flat tubes can be inserted and joined to the contact surface of the respective slot. The webs each have a pair of stampings to strengthen the material on each side of each web and the webs are relatively flat in shape such that the cross-section of the manifold segment has a generally D-shaped profile. At least one baffle is inserted in the manifold segment, centered between a pair of adjacent slots. The baffle has a principle circular edge and a truncated edge so as to have a truncated circular profile substantially corresponding to the approximately D-shaped profile of the manifold segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Thermal Components, a division of Insilco Corporation
    Inventor: James D. Gowan
  • Patent number: 6053243
    Abstract: When forming a circular tube-shaped header pipe by rolling a plate material, surfaces extending at a right angle to the internal and external surfaces of the plate material are formed at the two side edges extending in the lengthwise direction, and the plate material is rolled in such a manner that the two side edges face opposite each other while setting the two side edges in a non-contact state. In this process, the gap between the two side edges is set at or less than 0.3 mm. In order to manufacture this header pipe, a plate material that has been cut to a specific length is trimmed in the direction of its short side to achieve a specific dimension and also at a right angle to the front and rear surfaces of the plate material. After a piping insertion hole is formed, the entirety of the plate material is rolled so that its cross section achieves a U-shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Zexel Corporation
    Inventors: Soichi Kato, Takashi Sugita, Hitoshi Makabe
  • Patent number: 6050326
    Abstract: A heat dissipation apparatus for cooling one or more electronic devices. The apparatus utilizes a moving heat sink a portion of which is in contact with the device to be cooled. The moving heat sink may be in the form of a rotating disk, moving belt or strip. The heat sink may be made from various materials such as metals or plastics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Richard J. Evans, David L. Gardell, Anthony M. Palagonia
  • Patent number: 6050331
    Abstract: The coolant plate component of a fuel cell assembly is formed from a plate made from graphite particles that are bonded together by a fluorocarbon polymer binder and which encapsulate a serpentine coolant circulation tube. The coolant plate component is non-porous. The graphite particles are preferably flakes which pack together very tightly, and require only a minor amount of the polymer binder to form a solid plate. The plate will provide enhanced heat transfer, will conduct electrons, and will block electrolyte migration from cell to cell in a fuel cell stack due to its construction. The composition of the plate is graded so as to provide a varied coefficient of thermal expansion as measured through the thickness of the plate so as to reduce thermal stresses imposed on the fuel cell stack. The coolant circulation tube has a roughened outer surface which enhances adhesion of the encapsulating graphite flake/binder mixture without inhibiting heat transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: International Fuel Cells L.L.C.
    Inventors: Richard D. Breault, Ronald G. Martin, Robert P. Roche, Glen W. Scheffler, Joseph J. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 6047767
    Abstract: A heat exchanger is disclosed having a first chamber, a second chamber positioned inside the first chamber, and a third chamber positioned inside the second chamber. The first, second, and third chambers are in coaxial alignment. A first portion of a first helical tube is positioned inside the second chamber and a second portion of the first helical tube is positioned inside the third chamber and a second helical tube is positioned inside the first chamber. The heat exchanger heats a cryogenic liquid to a gas phase using at least three different heat transfer fluids in one contained unit without mixing any of the fluids in the exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Vita International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Bodhaine, Hany E. Hassanein
  • Patent number: 6047765
    Abstract: A cross flow fan cooling device for semiconductor components includes a heat sink and a cross flow fan. The heat sink has a plurality of fins and two mounting slots on two most outside fins. The cross flow fan has a back of fan housing, a fan left end and a fan right end to be assembled into the fan housing. The fan left end has a hole for setting rubber boot which holds a bearing. The bearing is as one side supporter for the blade rotor. A motor is inserted into the fan right end. A shaft of the motor is used as other side supporter for the blade rotor. Both the fan left end and the fan right end have slots, which match slots on the heat sink, for mounting the cross flow fan to the heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Inventor: Xiao Zhan
  • Patent number: 6047769
    Abstract: A pair of heat conductive plates forming an evaporator core portion has a plurality of projection ribs. The projection ribs protrude toward outsides of the pair of heat conductive plates for forming refrigerant passages thereinside. Air flows outside the heat conductive plate perpendicularly to a flow direction of the refrigerant, and is prevented from flowing straightly by the projection ribs to make a turbulent flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Shimoya, Yoshiyuki Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 6032726
    Abstract: A process for fabricating a low cost high efficiency liquid cold plate is described. The process uses a metal extrusion designed with internal fluid channels. A simple process for fabricating fluid inlet and outlet manifolds, creating turbulent flow inside the fluid channels, a method for capping the extrusion ends, and a method for improving the surface contact with heat generating components is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Solid State Cooling Systems
    Inventors: Lloyd F. Wright, Justice Carman
  • Patent number: 6032729
    Abstract: In a laminated heat exchanger, an intake portion and an outlet portion for heat exchanging medium are provided at one end portion in the direction of lamination. The intake portion is made to communicate with a most upstream pass distance from the one end portion in the direction of lamination via a communicating pipe, and the outlet portion is made to communicate with the most downstream pass at one end portion in the direction of lamination. The communicating pipe is further made to communicate with an odd-numbered pass in the vicinity where the odd-numbered pass changes from the even-numbered pass that immediately precedes it. In addition, the intake portion at one end portion in the direction of lamination is made to communicate with the pass immediately preceding the most downstream pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Zexel Corporation
    Inventors: Kunihiko Nishishita, Muneo Sakurada, Seiji Inoue
  • Patent number: 6026893
    Abstract: A fin type heat exchanger includes a plurality of plate shaped fins disposed in spaced parallel relationship to define air channels therebetween for conducting an air flow from an air inlet side to an air exhaust side of each fin. A bent pipe extends through pipe holes formed in the fins for conducting a heat exchange fluid. Groups of slits are formed in each fin, whereby there is a first row of slit groups adjacent the air intake side, and a second row of slit groups adjacent the air exhaust side. There are more slits in the first row than in the second row. The slits in the first row have a width greater than the width of the slits disposed in the second row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gyoo-Ha Jung, Young-Dawn Bae, Sung-Han Jung