Patents Examined by Randolph A. Smith
  • Patent number: 4766950
    Abstract: In an air conditioner of vehicles including a fan for sending air, a cooling unit for cooling air sent by the fan, a heater for heating air sent by the fan, an air mix damper for adjusting the amount of air passing through the heater and cooled by the cooling unit, and a control unit for controlling an opening of the air mix damper in response to a cooling and heating load, a controller for an air conditioner of vehicles has a dehumidifying operation mode in which the opening of the air mix damper is adjusted to effect the air conditioning operation and an energy saving operation mode in which the duty ratio of turning on and off a compressor is changed to effect the air conditioning operation, and comprises a fan drive control unit for increasing the amount of wind in a region where the cooling and heating load is large.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiichi Yamada, Akio Senoo, Jun Iimura, Ryosaku Akimoto, Nakaji Kawauchi
  • Patent number: 4722387
    Abstract: A heat exchanger of the type characterized by a plurality of heat exchanger tubes separated by cooling fins. The ends of the tubes being inserted into a leadless header plate and thereafter brazed thereto. The overall depth of the heat exchanger being approximately equal to the width of the heat exchanger tube plus twice the thickness of the material of the header plate. Heat exchange tube ends being inserted into slots formed in the header plate by use of an alignment tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1988
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventor: Gene W. Aurand
  • Patent number: 4705106
    Abstract: The present invention provides heat exchanger apparatus and method including a tubular heat transfer surface, a heat transfer fluid which is made to pass along the surface, and a wire brush heat exchanger insert positioned to impinge the fluid flowing within the heat transfer surface. The brush heat exchange insert is composed of a ceramic material having a high absorptance and emittance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hornack, Melvin H. Brown
  • Patent number: 4702312
    Abstract: The present invention provides heat exchanger apparatus and method for enhancing heat transfer between a fluid and a tubular heat exchanger surface. The invention involves a heat transfer surface, a heat transfer fluid passed along the surface, and a metal or ceramic thin rod packing positioned to impinge the fluid flowing within the heat transfer surface. The thin rod packing is established in the form of a screen heat exchange insert composed of a metal or ceramic material having a high adsorptance and emittance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: Melvin H. Brown
  • Patent number: 4697636
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for exchange of heat between two media, especially gas and liquid, in heat pumps and the like, including an elongated, generally cylindrical space (2) passed through by one medium and having an inlet (3) arranged at one end and an outlet (7) at the other end, and a helical wall radially defining said space and delimiting a space through which the other medium is intended to flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1987
    Inventor: Carl G. Mellsjo
  • Patent number: 4694898
    Abstract: A heat exchanger element includes a single and integrally extruded member having at least two hollow tubes having parallel longitudinal axes, each two adjacent hollow tubes being connected by at least two webs which extend parallel to the longitudinal axes and which are formed integrally with each of the two adjacent hollow tubes. The webs have therethrough plural perforations, and the material of each web between adjacent perforations therein is deflected to form a rib extending at an angle to the web. At least one tube has formed integrally therewith a projecting track which extends parallel to the longitudinal axes. Plural heat exchanger elements are connected at the respective tracks thereof to form a tube bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1987
    Assignee: Norsk Hydro a.s.
    Inventor: Edvin L. Clausen
  • Patent number: 4694897
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for heat exchange between a hot gas and a flowing medium that is conveyed in tube bundle heat transfer surfaces, especially a steam generator. The heat exchanger includes a pressure tank, the heat exchanger vessel in which are disposed tube bundles, and a hot gas conduit that is connected with a gas inlet of the heat exchanger wall. Also included are a gas guidance tube, a gas outlet to a circulation fan, and inlets and outlets for the flowing medium. The gas guiding tube opens into the heat exchanger from the side, and an annular channel is disposed after the gas inlet in the heat exchanger wall. The annular channel is delimited inwardly by a riser that forms the gas outlet and is disposed concentrically relative to the walls of the pressure tank and the heat exchanger. The gas from this annular chamber enters the tube bundles and, after being deflected, enters the riser that leads to the circulation fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1987
    Assignee: L. & C. Steinmuller GmbH
    Inventor: Gustav Thones
  • Patent number: 4693305
    Abstract: System and method for controlling flow rate of a fluid through a tube of a heat exchanger, such as through condenser or evaporator tubes disposed within a respective condenser or evaporator in a refrigerator. Flow direction of fluid through the tube is reversed, e.g. by way of a directional control valve, which can move a brush disposed within the tube therethrough, to automatically clean the same. The system and method is capable of increasing the flow rate of the fluid through the tube at or during the flow directional change, to ensure, e.g., that a minimum velocity required to move the cleaning brush through the tube is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Masakazu Fujimoto, Kikuo Kogaito
  • Patent number: 4691764
    Abstract: A heat exchanger unit comprises a support on which is positioned a plurality of stays mounted at spaced locations. A horizontally extending bracket is secured to each of the stays and a plurality of connected heat exchanger plates are suspended from their upper ends from the brackets. The plates have heat media carrying channels which are joined together. The support advantageously comprises a steel ring to which the brackets are attached and which extend radially inwardly also radially outwardly. The heat exchanger plates are rectangularly shaped and are suspended from each bracket so that it hangs freely downwardly. Wire guards extend between the plates to prevent them from deflecting and contacting each other. The construction permits the elimination of spaced support elements which interfere with free heat exchange flow between the plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignee: Norbert Allenspach
    Inventor: Felix Durst
  • Patent number: 4690203
    Abstract: An automotive air-conditioning system includes an arithmetic unit which provides combined control signals at least on the basis of data representing room temperature, fresh air temperature, set temperature and intensity of insolation; a blower control unit which controls the blowing rate of a blower according to the combined signals; an air mixing control unit which controls the opening of an air mixing door on the basis of the combined signals; a mode changing unit which establishes the defrosting mode, the face mode, the foot mode or the bilevel mode according to a mode changing signal based on the opening of the air mixing door and the temperature of an evaporator; a blowing rate control unit which increases the actual blowing rate of the blower gradually after the actuation of the blower; and a control unit which controls the air mixing door control unit and the mode changing unit on the basis of the temperature of the engine cooling water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Assignee: Diesel Kiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsumi Iida
  • Patent number: 4690210
    Abstract: Liquid-vapor phase separation in reservoirs for cryogenic liquid propellants in space vehicles at zero gravity conditions is achieved through a system including a unique heat exchanger. A mixed phase inlet stream is partially separated by centrifugal force imparted to the stream by swirl inducers as the stream enters the inlet of the heat exchanger. Lesser density components are provided to the interior of a spiralled tube forming part of a heat exchanger to be condensed therein by the higher density components which are applied to such tube within the heat exchanger. Heat transfer efficiency is mzximized by making the tube of rectangular cross section and providing liquid impingement jets active on three sides of the tube and by providing a baffle which forces the heat transfer fluid to further cool the tube by convection on the remaining side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Niggemann, John Readman
  • Patent number: 4688627
    Abstract: The process is suitable for detecting leaks in a heat exchanger for heat exchange between two gaseous fluids, for instance for super heating steam. The heat exchanger has a lower pressure fluid circuit and a higher pressure fluid circuit. A predetermined amount of a tracer gas, typically helium, is injected into the higher pressure fluid at the inlet of the heat exchanger and the presence of tracer gas within the lower pressure fluid is determined at the outlet of the heat exchanger. If the lower pressure gas is steam to be super heated, a minor amount of super heated steam is sampled at the outlet of the exchanger and is condensed. Then the uncondensable products are examined for presence of tracer gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Assignee: Electricite de France
    Inventors: Germain Jean-Luc, Janneteau Eric, Loisy Francois, Honore Joel
  • Patent number: 4685508
    Abstract: An automotive air-conditioning apparatus has an air blower and an air mixing damper for adjusting the ratio of a mixture of cool air and hot air. The temperature of air in the automobile cabin is controlled dependent on the amount of air fed from the air blower and the opening of the air mixing damper. In a demisting mode, the amount of air from the air blower is greater than that in a normal temperature adjusting mode, and the opening of the air mixing damper is controlled dependent on ambient-air conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: Diesel Kiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katumi Iida
  • Patent number: 4683883
    Abstract: A two-piece heart valve holder engageable by a separate handle for positioning and rotating the heart valve. The holder includes a cylindrically-shaped plug member that has a recessed shoulder at one end and a V-shaped seat at the other end. Two passages extend through the plug member from the one end. A separate grip member includes two legs which extend through the passageways in the plug member. The two legs each include a base member. The two base members are hinged together with the legs biased outwardly, and each leg has an outwardly projecting valve-engaging foot at the distal end thereof. When the upper ends of the legs engage walls defining the passages, the legs are cammed outwardly so that the feet engage the edge of the valve body of the prosthesis to prevent its removal from the plug member. Once the prosthesis is sutured in place, the grip member is released by lifting a tab that extends upwardly from one of the base members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: Hemex Scientific, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard L. Martin
  • Patent number: 4682647
    Abstract: An indicator device is disclosed for indicating that a heat exchanger has been disassembled, cleaned, inspected, reconditioned and subsequently reassembled and rebrazed. The device includes an elongate housing which defines an inlet and an outlet port. A first and a second tube plate are spaced axially within the housing and a plurality of heat exchange tubes extend through and between the plates. A first seal is disposed between the plates and the tubes for sealing the tubes relative to the plates and a second seal is disposed between the tube plates and the housing for sealing the tube plates within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1987
    Inventor: Robert Sleep
  • Patent number: 4682651
    Abstract: A segmented heat sink device is provided for application to integrated circuit packages for heat dissipation purposes. The segmented heat sink device involves four duplicate sectors, each of which has a patterned set of radial fin elements through which cooling air flow may run. The reduction of the base length of each segment provides for reduction in expansion/contraction stress due to the heating and cooling cycles involved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1987
    Assignee: Burroughs Corporation (now Unisys Corporation)
    Inventor: Paul G. Gabuzda
  • Patent number: 4682649
    Abstract: A small lightweight auxiliary power plant including an engine, electrical alternator, water pump, air conditioning compressor and a heat exchanger is mounted at a convenient location on the tractor of a truck or other large vehicle. The main engine of the truck operates the existing truck air conditioning and heating system in a normal manner when the main engine is running. When the main engine of the truck is not operating and the smaller engine of the auxiliary power plant is operating, the truck air conditioning and heating system is operated by the auxiliary power plant. The heat exchanger of the auxiliary power plant then utilizes the heat of exhaust gases generated by the auxiliary power plant engine to warm the truck engine during the time it is not operating so that easy starting of the truck engine is made possible even in very cold regions. The electrical alternator of the auxiliary power plant supplies electrical power for the truck electrical system when the truck engine is not running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1987
    Inventor: J. Rex Greer
  • Patent number: 4681103
    Abstract: A surgical instrument guide for use in conjunction with an ultrasound probe and the method of use is described. The guide comprises an ultrasound probe socket disposed in a housing so that it can pivot or be locked in place with respect to the housing. An instrument holder adapted to fit in the probe socket and hold a surgical instrument along its longitudinal axis is also provided. The housing has external threads on the bottom thereof to enable the device to be screwed into the skull.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Assignee: Diasonics, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Boner, Mitchel S. Berger, Marc Fine
  • Patent number: 4681156
    Abstract: Cooling apparatus for a gas transmission system which includes radiator fans each driven in a desired direction from its respective drive-motor by way of a drive-belt with an associated belt tensioner, such belt tensioner including a one-way sprag-clutch coupled through a shaft and sheave to a respective drive-belt and having a direction of free rotation which corresponds to the direction of motion of said drive-belt necessary to produce motion of its respective radiator fan in the desired direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Inventor: Paul A. Leonard
  • Patent number: 4679619
    Abstract: A heat exchanger comprising a plurality of spaced U-shaped tubes arranged in a matrix and disposed in a housing for the flow of hot gases around the tubes for heat exchange with a fluid conveyed in the tubes. The housing has a well surrounding the curved U-portions of the tubes of the matrix in spaced relation a shell is diposed between the wall and the curved U-portions of the tubes of the matrix. A flexible seal is mounted between the wall and the shell for preventing flow of hot gases therebetween, and at least one brush seal is mounted between the shell and the curved U-portions of the tubes of the matrix for blocking passage of hot gases therebetween. The brush seal comprises a plurality of bristles clamped at one end in a recess in the shell and fanning out towards the other free end to tangentially and sealingly contact the outermost row of the tubes of the matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1987
    Assignee: MT Motoren-und Turbinen Union Munchen GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Wohrl, Alfred Jabs