Patents by Inventor Frank E. Horvat

Frank E. Horvat has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10697703
    Abstract: A multiple-stacked marine heat exchanger for cooling at least one heat source in a marine vessel having an upper marine heat exchanger with a forward beveled end and upper coolant flow tubes connected thereto, a lower marine exchanger having a forward beveled end which converges with the forward beveled end of the upper marine heat exchanger and lower coolant flow tubes connected thereto, and an ambient water passageway extending through each pair of stacked marine heat exchangers in the multi-stacked marine heat exchanger. In one situation, the beveled ends cooperate to form a stagnant pressure region near the entrance to the ambient water passageway to create an increase in pressure at the entrance to create jets of turbulent water flowing through the passageway to break up the laminar boundary layer and increase heat transfer from the coolant flow tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Duramax Marine, LLC
    Inventors: Frank E. Horvat, Joseph H. Andulics
  • Patent number: 10179637
    Abstract: A keel cooler assembly comprising a coolant tube including a plurality of turbulence enhancers for improving the heat transfer of the coolant without substantially increasing pressure drop of the coolant. In one embodiment, the turbulence enhancers are provided for generating turbulent wakes in the coolant for disrupting laminar boundary layers for improving heat transfer. In another embodiment, the turbulence enhancers are provided for generating and propagating turbulent vortexes in the coolant to enhance mixing of the bulk coolant for improving heat transfer. In other embodiments, turbulators, including inserts or impediments, are provided having various configurations and being arranged in predetermined patterns for enhancing turbulence of the coolant for improving keel cooler heat transfer efficiency without substantially increasing pressure drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Duramax Marine, LLC
    Inventors: P. Charles Miller, Jr., Frank E. Horvat
  • Publication number: 20180283793
    Abstract: A multiple-stacked marine heat exchanger for cooling at least one heat source in a marine vessel having an upper marine heat exchanger with a forward beveled end and upper coolant flow tubes connected thereto, a lower marine exchanger having a forward beveled end which converges with the forward beveled end of the upper marine heat exchanger and lower coolant flow tubes connected thereto, and an ambient water passageway extending through each pair of stacked marine heat exchangers in the multi-stacked marine heat exchanger. In one situation, the beveled ends cooperate to form a stagnant pressure region near the entrance to the ambient water passageway to create an increase in pressure at the entrance to create jets of turbulent water flowing through the passageway to break up the laminar boundary layer and increase heat transfer from the coolant flow tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: Duramax Marine, LLC
    Inventors: Frank E. Horvat, Joseph H. Andulics
  • Patent number: 9957030
    Abstract: A keel cooler assembly comprising a liquid coolant tube including a plurality of turbulence enhancers for improving the heat transfer of the liquid coolant without substantially increasing pressure drop of the liquid coolant. In one embodiment, the turbulence enhancers generate turbulent wakes in the liquid coolant for disrupting laminar boundary layers for improving heat transfer. In another embodiment, the turbulence enhancers generate and propagate turbulent vortexes in the liquid coolant to enhance mixing of the bulk liquid coolant for improving heat transfer. In other embodiments, turbulators, including inserts or impediments, are provided having various configurations and being arranged in predetermined patterns for enhancing turbulence of the liquid coolant for improving keel cooler heat transfer efficiency without substantially increasing pressure drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Duramax Marine, LLC
    Inventors: P. Charles Miller, Jr., Frank E. Horvat
  • Publication number: 20150191237
    Abstract: A keel cooler assembly comprising a coolant tube including a plurality of turbulence enhancers for improving the heat transfer of the coolant without substantially increasing pressure drop of the coolant. In one embodiment, the turbulence enhancers provide a means for generating turbulent wakes in the coolant for disrupting laminar boundary layers for improving heat transfer. In another embodiment, the turbulence enhancers provide a means for generating and propagating turbulent vortexes in the coolant to enhance mixing of the bulk coolant for improving heat transfer. In other embodiments, turbulators, including inserts or impediments, are provided having various configurations and being arranged in predetermined patterns for enhancing turbulence of the coolant for improving keel cooler heat transfer efficiency without substantially increasing pressure drop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: Duramax Marine, LLC
    Inventors: P. Charles Miller, JR., Frank E. Horvat
  • Publication number: 20150020996
    Abstract: A keel cooler assembly comprising a coolant tube including a plurality of turbulence enhancers for improving the heat transfer of the coolant without substantially increasing pressure drop of the coolant. In one embodiment, the turbulence enhancers provide a means for generating turbulent wakes in the coolant for disrupting laminar boundary layers for improving heat transfer. In another embodiment, the turbulence enhancers provide a means for generating and propagating turbulent vortexes in the coolant to enhance mixing of the bulk coolant for improving heat transfer. In other embodiments, turbulators, including inserts or impediments, are provided having various configurations and being arranged in predetermined patterns for enhancing turbulence of the coolant for improving keel cooler heat transfer efficiency without substantially increasing pressure drop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: Duramax Marine, LLC
    Inventors: P. Charles Miller, JR., Frank E. Horvat