Abstract: A method for reducing the internal erosion of a brazed aluminum heat exchanger, such as a heater core used in automotive applications. The heat exchanger is composed of a tank and header that form a chamber, a number of coolant tubes secured to the header such that ends of the tubes project into the chamber, and an inlet to the chamber disposed opposite to the tubes so as to direct a coolant toward the ends of the tubes. A sacrificial erosion member is brazed to the tank so as to be in the path of the coolant as the coolant flows from the inlet into the chamber, such that the coolant impinges the erosion member as it enters the chamber. As a result, the coolant is deflected away from the ends of the tube so as to reduce erosion of the ends of the tubes. Furthermore, the erosion member serves to enhance the efficiency of the heat exchanger by improving the flow distribution of the coolant among the tubes.

Abstract: A pressure valve assembly for use in gas-lift producing oil-wells includes a cylindrical body, a first pressure chamber including bellows located in the body, a second pressure chamber in the body having a first port for communication with gas pressure in a lining or casing, a second port for communicating the second chamber with a pipe in the lining, a valve stem connected to the bellows for movement in the second chamber and a gate valve assembly connected to the stem in the second chamber for controlling the gas flow between the first and second ports.

Abstract: A plate-fin type of heat exchanger facilitates exchange of heat between two process streams such as high pressure methane and seawater and includes a matrix of heat exchange plate elements arranged side-by-side, flow passages for the seawater process stream being defined between adjacent plate elements. The plate elements are a high-integrity diffusion bonded sandwich construction comprising two outer sheets and a superplastically expanded core sheet structure between the two outer sheets. The sandwich construction provides flow passages for the methane process stream. Adjacent plate elements are held in position relative to each other by serrated bars or racks which engage the edges of the plate elements.

Abstract: In an electromagnetic valve device, in order to secure a core assembly to a housing, an annular spacer is used. The annular spacer is fitted between a conical inner surface of a receiving portion of the housing and a conical opening of a casing. Since the conical opening of the casing is mounted on a tapered surface of a stationary core accommodated in the receiving portion of the housing, the core assembly is secured to the housing.

Abstract: A fluid supply pressure control apparatus for use in conjunction with a pressure control valve (10) of a fluid supply system is disclosed which includes: first sensor means (26, 28) for sensing the pressure of the fluid at a first point (12, 14) in the system, and first control means (16) for controlling the pressure control valve (10) to adjust the pressure of the fluid at the first point in the system in accordance with a difference between the pressure sensor by the first sensor means and a predetermined pressure valve. The apparatus further includes second control means (24) for controlling the predetermined pressure value to reduce fluctuations in the fluid pressure at a second point in the system.The aim of this apparatus is to maintain the lowest possible pressure in the supply pipes commensurate with maintaining a reasonable pressure in outlying and elevated areas and with meeting the demand for water.

Abstract: A solenoid controlled valve is mounted in a threaded opening of a pressure vessel which contains compressed natural gas. The valve includes a valve body having a head, which is exposed outside of the pressure vessel, and a neck, which is located within the pressure vessel. A solenoid poppet valve is mounted to the inner end of the neck. A valve seat is mounted in a bore within the valve body. All orifice at an inner end of the valve seat exposes a flow passage between the bore of the valve body and an outlet port, which is located in the head of the valve body. The solenoid poppet valve includes a seal for closing the orifice, a bias spring which biases the seal toward the seat to close the orifice, a plunger which is connected to the seal, and a solenoid coil which, when energized, moves the plunger so that the seal moves out of engagement with the seat and permits flow of compressed gas from the interior of the pressure vessel to the outlet port.

Abstract: In a heat exchanger having a heat exchanger network with a plurality of tubes and at least one base plate having a plurality of passages for tube ends, the passages in the base plate are substantially triangular.

Abstract: The heat exchange comprises a housing of tube-shaped inside cross-section as part of an outer thermal cycle, and at least one tube attached in the housing as part of a second thermal cycle. Each tube is formed from a flexible material. The tubes and housing comprise separate inlets and outlets, and at least one element is disposed transversely to the longitudinal housing axis to fit tightly within the housing crosssection to provide passages for the tubes. The element is shaped as a helix so that the tubes are flowed around in a helical fashion by the medium contained in the first thermal cycle. The helical element forces a flow which passes diagonally at a tangent against and around the tubes.

Abstract: A water faucet includes an inlet, an outlet and an opening formed between the inlet and outlet. A cylindrical member extends upward from the opening. A sleeve is secured to the body. A rod is threadedly engaged in the sleeve. A cap is secured to the lower portion of the rod and includes a peripheral flange dependent from the cap for slidably engaging with the cylindrical member and includes a convex lump for engaging with the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member so as to make a water tight seal with the cylindrical member.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for extracting thermal energy from a process fluid, comprising a first group of at least one plate-fin heat exchange module and a second group of at least one plate-fin heat exchange module. Each plate-fin heat exchange module includes an inlet, an outlet and a plurality of spaced-apart plates for communicating a refrigerant fluid in a cross-direction to a process fluid. The modules are sequenced alternately with one of the modules of the first group adjacent one of the modules of the second group. The modules are disposed so that the refrigerant fluid flows in a first direction through the modules of the first group and flows in a second opposite direction through the modules of the second group. A supply header connects to the inlets of each heat exchange module in parallel for communicating the refrigerant fluid from a supply to the heat exchange modules.

Abstract: A method of heating or cooling particulate material by indirect heat exchange of the particles with a heat exchange fluid in a heat exchanger is improved by the use of a gas vent that operates to pump catalyst into and out of a heat exchanger. A periodic build-up of fluidizing medium in a particle cycling zone intermittently causes catalyst to flow into out of a heat exchanger. The method and apparatus of this invention are particularly useful for the cooling of FCC catalyst and simplifies the addition of a cooler by allowing the use of small size catalyst transfer lines.

Abstract: A clip for holding a downspout lateral in the tipped up position has a C-shaped body constructed of transparent, resilient plastic. The clip is resiliently snapped onto a downspout some distance above where a lateral joins the downspout. The C-shaped body of the clip has at least one depending lip for retaining the downspout lateral. The lateral is tilted upwardly until the upper edge of the lateral rests against the clip then the clip is slid down slightly until the lip engages the upper edge of the lateral and thereby retains it.

Abstract: A coupling member is provided for coupling a refrigerant line to a refrigerant port of a refrigeration system. The coupling member includes a generally cylindrical body member having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, a radially inwardly facing surface defining an axially extending interior passageway, and a radially outwardly facing surface. The radially inwardly facing surface includes a circumferential fluid passageway portion. A radially extending fluid inlet passageway extends between the circumferential fluid passageway and the radially outwardly facing surface. An inner sleeve member is disposed in the axially extending interior passageway for axial movement therein. The inner sleeve member includes a wall having a radially inwardly facing surface defining an interior of the inner sleeve member, and a radially outwardly facing surface defining a boundary of the circumferential fluid passageway. A pin depressor member is disposed at least partially in the interior of the inner sleeve.

Abstract: A cleaning system using balls for cleaning fluid-conducting tubing including separation apparatus for separating the balls before recirculation by ball recirculation apparatus. The separation apparatus includes a conduit having an inlet in flow communication with the downstream side of the tubing, a ball outlet connected to the inlet of the ball recirculation apparatus and a fluid outlet connected to an outlet fluid line, and a generally cylindrical sieve substantially extending between the inlet and the ball outlet.

Abstract: A method for reducing the amount of water vapor in gas exhausted from closed loop evaporative heat exchange systems wherein the low energy air which has been warmed and moistened within the heat exchange system is mixed with cooler air to condense moisture out of the low energy air for recovery and reuse. Various methods and apparatus for controlling and effecting the mixing are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for supporting and spacing the tubes within a heat exchanger comprised of a plurality of V-shaped stiff wire rods. Each of the V-shaped wire rods includes a pair of leg portions and a concave intermediate section. The inside radius of the concave intermediate section is substantially equivalent to one-half of the tube outside diameter. Six of the V-shaped stiff wire rods are affixed to one another to form a spacer having a substantially hexagonal opening wherein each side of the hexagonal opening is one of the concave intermediate sections. At each apex of the substantially hexagonal opening there extends radially outward legs from two of abutting V-shaped stiff wire rods.Thus formed, the spacer of the present invention provides a structurally sound tube supporting device while limiting the obstruction to flow of shell side process fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a valve of the iris diaphragm type.The valve comprises first and second annular body members having respective first and second recesses therein and an annular recess between such first and second body members. A flexible valve closure sleeve is provided with first and second annular mounting flanges at opposite ends and an intermediate flange. The first and second mounting flanges are engaged respectively in the first and second recesses, and the intermediate flange disposed in the annular recess defined between the first and second body members so as to be angularly moveable relative thereto and relative to the first and second annular mounting flanges. Operating means are connected with the intermediate flange for moving the flange between closed and open positions corresponding to closed and open positions of the valve closure sleeve.

Abstract: The heat exchanger includes at least one metal retainer hoop (20) having a shape similar to the shape of the bent parts (5b) of the tubes of the bundle, fixed at each of its ends on the spacer plate (10a) located closest to the bent parts (5b) of the tubes, in extension of two anchor rods, (14) and interposed between two successive tubes of a plane row of tubes (18) and including linkage devices (22) for fastening the set of antivibration bars (13) interposed between two adjacent tube rows.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly (10) includes a pair of manifolds (12, 14) with a core member (20) connected therebetween. The core member (20) includes a plurality of fluid tubes (16) extending between the manifolds (12, 14) in fluid communication therewith, a plurality of air fins (18) connected between the fluid tubes (16), and a pair of side support members (22) are joined to the manifolds (12, 14) at the outermost sides thereof. Reinforcement straps (50) are connected at each corner of the assembly (10) between the side support members (22) and the manifolds (12, 14) to reinforce the joints of the assembly (10).

Abstract: A cleaning system for cleaning liquid-conducting tubing including a plurality of balls, ball recirculation apparatus for recirculating balls and liquid recirculation apparatus for recirculating the liquid used for entraining the balls to the ball recirculation apparatus. The ball recirculation apparatus has an inlet at the downstream side of the tubing and an outlet at the upstream side of the tubing. The liquid recirculation apparatus has an inlet in flow communication with the ball recirculation apparatus and an outlet at the upstream side of the tubing. Also, an apparatus for injecting a volume of liquid from a source of liquid into a liquid conducting system including a compressor.