Abstract: A forced hot air furnace having a continuously wet recuperative heat exchanger. The recuperative heat exchanger is positioned in the hot air chamber at an upward incline from the firebox to the outside flue. Inclined positioning enables heat exchanger condensate to drain counter to combustion products. Condensate is collected in a reservoir located in the firebox. Combustion products flow over the reservoir thereby becoming elevated in dew point before entering the heat exchanger. Consequently, the amount of condensation formed in the heat exchanger is substantially increased over conventional heat exchangers. Condensate will form along the entire length of the heat exchanger resulting in all wet operation. In another embodiment, continuously wet operation is achieved without a water reservoir. In still another embodiment, the continuously wet recuperative heat exchanger is coupled to the output of a non-recuperative heat exchanger.

Abstract: A dryer having a cylindrical lint screen connected to and extending from the rear of a rotating clothes drum. The drum is defined by a circumferential wall having perforations or air exit ports. A casing surrounds the drum thereby defining an air recirculation passageway from the perforations radially through the screen. Airborne lint is deposited on the screen as air passes therethrough en route to either the drum air inlet or the exhaust outlet. The lint is incinerated as the screen rotates past the drying air heat source.

Abstract: A clothes dryer operating with a very high volume of air flow across the clothes thereby enabling a high percentage of air recirculation without sacrifice to drying time or efficiency. A cylindrical clothes drum is surrounded by an air tight casing. Radial perforations are formed along the entire cylindrical wall of the drum. Drying air is forced axially into the drum and radially expelled through the perforations. By expelling the air through the total area of all perforations, a high air flow is maintained without increasing exit velocity. The expelled air is drawn back between the drum and casing towards the drum air inlet. Over 80% of the expelled air is recirculated back into the drum resulting in expelled air having a high water vapor content. Consequently, the energy per pound of exhaust air is increased sufficiently to heat water for direct use in washing machines. In another embodiment, the high air flow is used to advantage with a lower percentage of recirculation to achieve reduced drying time.

Abstract: A forced hot air furnace having a continously wet condensing heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has an upwardly inclined first segment connected in series to a downwardly inclined second segment. Combustion products are first passed across a water reservoir thereby becoming sufficiently elevated in dew point to condense within the first segment resulting in all wet first segment operation. Condensate formed in the first segment will drain downward opposite the flow of combustion products, into the water reservoir. Since combustion products entering the second segment have been cooled to less than their dew point, the second segment will also operate in the all wet mode. Condensate flows down the second segment into a sump for transfer to the water reservoir.

Abstract: Gas-solids transport and heat exchange techniques are disclosed wherein solid particulate material is circulated in a "figure 8" or a circular flow path for selective contact and/or direct heat exchange with gaseous media. The particulate material is introduced into streams of gaseous media at spaced locations in the flow path and subsequently separated from the gaseous streams following contact and/or heat exchange therewith. The gaseous streams are maintained separate from one another by loose packed bed columns of particulate material formed in the flow path and used to introduce the particulate material into the gaseous streams. The flow rate of the particulate material is regulated by the controlled biasing of particulate material from each of the columns thereof directly into the gaseous streams, and the particulate material is circulated solely through the use of the gaseous media and the force of gravity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for defrosting or removing ice from the outside of the evaporator of a refrigerator or heat pump. An additional inventory of refrigerant in thermal communication with a thermal mass is pressurized to substantially the same pressure as the condenser. After the compressor is deactivated at the end of a cooling cycle, a valve separating the inventory and evaporator is opened whereby the respective pressures rapidly equalize to an intermediate pressure. The inventory of refrigerant boils in the reduced pressure thereby drawing heat from the thermal mass to support the process. The vaporized refrigerant flows through the valve to the evaporator and condenses in the relatively cool environment. The heat given off by the condensation process melts ice on the outside of the evaporator.

Abstract: Gas-solids transport and heat exchange techniques are disclosed wherein solid particulate material is circulated in a "figure 8" or a circular flow path for selective contact and/or direct heat exchange with gaseous media. The particulate material is introduced into streams of gaseous media at spaced locations in the flow path and subsequently separated from the gaseous streams following contact and/or heat exchange therewith. The gaseous streams are maintained separate from one another by loose packed bed columns of particulate material formed in the flow path and used to introduce the particulate material into the gaseous streams. The flow rate of the particulate material is regulated by the controlled biasing of particulate material from each of the columns thereof directly into the gaseous streams, and the particulate material is circulated solely through the use of the gaseous media and the force of gravity.