Patents by Inventor James E. Runyan

James E. Runyan 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: 4440215
    Abstract: A unit for recovering thermal energy which utilizes a plurality of unique heat pipes, and the method and apparatus for fabricating the heat pipes is disclosed. The heat pipes are disposed horizontally and are filled with a volume of working fluid sufficient to cause the liquid phase to travel in either direction by gravity. Circumferential capillary grooves in the side walls of the heat pipes transport the liquid phase vertically above the liquid level to increase the area of the liquid-vapor interface. Additionally, the solid metal strips which form the grooves provide a low impedance thermal path from the walls of the heat pipe to the liquid-vapor interface where evaporation and condensation occur. These two factors significantly increase the efficiency of the system. A divider plate having an X-shaped cross section separates the liquid phase from the high velocity vapor phase to prevent slugging under high energy transfer conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1984
    Assignee: Q-dot Corporation
    Inventors: George M. Grover, James E. Runyan