Patents by Inventor P. Charles Miller, Jr.

P. Charles Miller, Jr. 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: 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
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7481262
    Abstract: A keel cooler having a standard header with an internal beveled bottom wall, with orifices on the inner wall of the exterior tubes extending into the header, the orifices being in the natural flow path of the coolant flow. The orifices are sufficiently large so as not to restrict the flow of coolant. A fluid flow diverter is additionally provided in the header of the keel cooler for facilitating coolant flow towards both the interior tubes and also towards the exterior tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Duramax Marine, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Leeson, Michael W. Brakey, P. Charles Miller, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7201213
    Abstract: A keel cooler having a standard header with an internal beveled bottom wall, with orifices on the inner wall of the exterior tubes extending into the header, the orifices being in the natural flow path of the coolant flow. The orifices are sufficiently large so as not to restrict the flow of coolant. A fluid flow diverter is additionally provided in the header of the keel cooler for facilitating coolant flow towards both the interior tubes and also towards the exterior tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Duramax Marine, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Leeson, Michael W. Brakey, P. Charles Miller, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6896037
    Abstract: A keel cooler having a standard header with an internal beveled bottom wall, with orifices on the inner wall of the exterior tubes extending into the header, the orifices being in the natural flow path of the coolant flow. The orifices are sufficiently large so as not to restrict the flow of coolant. A fluid flow diverter is additionally provided in the header of the keel cooler for facilitating coolant flow towards both the interior tubes and also towards the exterior tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Duramax Marine, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Leeson, Michael W. Brakey, P. Charles Miller, Jr.