Furnace Patents (Class 122/33)
  • Patent number: 11867428
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a heat exchange pipe, a heat exchanger and a water heating apparatus. The heat exchange pipe comprises: a pipe body and a plurality of fins fixedly disposed to sleeve the pipe body; a flow guiding structure is provided at a partial outer edge of the fin; and a flow guiding flue is formed between the flow guiding structure and an outer wall of the pipe body. The heat exchange pipe, the heat exchanger and the water heating apparatus provided by the present disclosure can improve the flue gas flow path and the heat exchange efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: A.O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Xiang Gao, Dian Fang, Xiaowei Zhou
  • Patent number: 11761677
    Abstract: A water heater includes an inner water tube coil and an outer water tube coil separated by a drum baffle. The inner and outer coils extend above a top edge of the drum baffle by at least a full turn of each coil. A flue gas bypass path is defined between a top edge of the drum baffle and a top insulation layer above the inner and outer coils. Flue gases flow radially though the inner coil, up along the drum baffle, through the flue gas bypass path, and downwardly over the outer coil to heat water flowing through the inner and outer coils. The water flows into the outer coil at the bottom of the coil, winds upwardly through the outer coil in countercurrent flow with respect to the flue gases, then down through the inner coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Ziwen Fu, Jun Xiao, Yonghua Cheng, Tingyu Li, Mohamed Mehdi Doura, Jianmin Yin
  • Patent number: 11226134
    Abstract: A secondary heat exchanger includes a case and a first heat transfer tube portion. The case includes a box body and a first closing member. The box body is provided with a second opening on one side in a third direction. A first assembly in which the first heat transfer tube portion and the first closing member are assembled integrally is mounted to the box body so that a plurality of first heat transfer tubes are is inserted into the box body from the second opening and so that the second opening is closed by the first closing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: PALOMA CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Kawada
  • Patent number: 11193669
    Abstract: A method of connecting a heat exchanger, which is used primarily in oil and gas operations to heat tanks of liquids, such as drilling mud, water, heavy oil or other such fluids from freezing or becoming too viscous to pump, to a tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Inventors: Patrick G. Bell, William N. Beckie
  • Patent number: 11149981
    Abstract: Marinized systems for vaporizing including a water bath vaporizer utilizing a slosh chamber having reduced water surface area to reduce the effects of wave created when the vaporizer is in motion, and systems utilizing such vaporizer, and to methods of making and using such systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Atlantic, Gulf & Pacific Company of Manila, Inc.
    Inventor: David Franklin
  • Patent number: 11149960
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering energy from exhaust air in a standard kitchen ventilation hood. One or more removeable energy recovery modules comprised of a plurality of heat pipes is mounted above the hot exhaust gases. Working fluid within the heat pipes transfers heat to the makeup air, warming it before it is returned to the kitchen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Inventors: William Gress, David J. Gress
  • Patent number: 10823453
    Abstract: Floating marinized water bath vaporizer utilizing a slosh chamber having reduced water surface area to reduce the effects of wave created which the vaporizer is in motion, and systems utilizing such vaporizer, and to methods of making and using such vaporizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Atlantic, Gulf & Pacific Company of Manila, Inc.
    Inventor: David Franklin
  • Patent number: 10704004
    Abstract: In a natural gas dehydration system, a heat exchanger has first and second passages in thermal communication but fluidly isolated from each other. An eductor pump combines a first stream of natural gas and water vapor from the first passage with a second stream of natural gas and water vapor to form a third stream of natural gas and condensed water, water vapor, or both that is provided to a separator which separates at least part of the water from the third stream to form a fourth stream of natural gas and water vapor that is output via the second passage to a distribution pipeline or a storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Equitrans Gathering Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Douglas K. Mace
  • Patent number: 10627137
    Abstract: A refrigerated transportation cargo container includes a container and a refrigeration unit to provide a flow of refrigerated supply air for the container. The refrigeration unit has refrigerant flowing there through and includes a compressor and an engine (36) powered by a flow of fuel and driving the compressor. A regeneration heat exchanger (50) gasifies the fuel prior to the fuel entering the engine via a thermal energy exchange with the refrigerant flowing through the regeneration heat exchanger. A method of operating a refrigeration unit includes connecting an engine to a compressor and enabling a flow of refrigerant through the refrigeration unit. The refrigerant is directed through a regeneration heat exchanger as a flow of liquid fuel. The fuel is gasified at the regeneration heat exchanger via a thermal energy exchange with the refrigerant. The gasified fuel is directed to the engine to power the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael Swab
  • Patent number: 10527317
    Abstract: A fluid heating apparatus for a primary fluid system the apparatus including first and second surrounding sidewalls having respective first and second interiors disposed therein connected through a first aperture, with a selectable first fluid communication from the primary fluid system to the first and second interiors with a selectable second fluid communication to a secondary consumption fluid system. The apparatus additionally includes a heater that is disposed within both the first and second interiors, wherein operationally a fluid is disposed within the primary fluid system, the first interior, and the second interior, wherein the heater initially heats the fluid within the first and second interiors such that through warmed/cooler fluid density differences causing a warmed fluid heat transfer to the primary fluid system wherein the fluid once cooled returns to the first and second interiors to be re-warmed and returned to the primary fluid system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Inventor: Darrin Yates
  • Patent number: 10513049
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a pump-type autoclave system and a providing method for steam and pressure thereof, wherein the pump-type autoclave system comprises an autoclave, a steam providing device and a compressor, said steam providing device comprises a water storage container and a heating device used for heating said water storage container, said water storage container, the compressor and the autoclave are connected through a pipeline to form a closed loop, an inlet of the compressor is connected with a steam output port of the water storage container, an outlet of the compressor is connected to a steam input port of the autoclave, and a condensate water drain outlet of the autoclave is connected to the water storage container. The present invention uses the compressor to depressurize an intermediate-low temperature water source to obtain steam, and the steam is pumped into the autoclave and condensed to release heat to obtain corresponding temperature and pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Inventor: Kai Liu
  • Patent number: 10253972
    Abstract: Transition castings are disclosed which comprise a steam tube and a water tube, which are joined together by membranes. A heat transfer fin extends from the membrane and abuts the water tube. The steam tube bends such that an upper end is on one side of the water tube, and a lower end is on an opposite side of the water tube. The transition castings are used in a transition section of a boiler in which the furnace is divided into a lower furnace and an upper furnace. The lower furnace uses water-cooled membrane walls, while the upper furnace uses steam-cooled membrane walls that act as superheating surfaces. The transition casting joins the lower furnace and the upper furnace together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Eric L Wells, Roger A Detzel, Albert J Bennett, Steven D Thayer, Kevin L Brewster
  • Patent number: 10234169
    Abstract: Transition castings are disclosed which comprise a steam tube, a water tube, and a pass-through tube, which are joined together by membranes. The ends of the tubes on one vertical end are aligned in a plane, while the ends of the tubes on the other vertical end are aligned in alternating planes, or put another way are angled instead of being in a straight line. The transition castings are used in a transition section of a boiler in which the furnace is divided into a lower furnace and an upper furnace. The lower furnace uses water-cooled membrane walls, while the upper furnace uses steam-cooled membrane walls that act as superheating surfaces. The transition section joins the lower furnace and the upper furnace together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Eric L Wells, Roger A Detzel, Albert J Bennett, Steven D Thayer
  • Patent number: 10190765
    Abstract: A heat exchanger which is used primarily in oil and gas operations to heat tanks of liquids, such as drilling mud, water, heavy oil or other such fluids from freezing or becoming too viscous to pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: ConleyMax Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick G. Bell, William N. Beckie
  • Patent number: 10119769
    Abstract: The present invention provides a tri-piece thermal energy body heat exchanger having multi-layer pipeline and transferring heat to exterior through outer periphery of pipeline, which is configured by multiple layers of pipelines sleeved with each other, the fluid in the outer layer pipeline covers the inner layer pipeline for exchanging heat with the fluid in the inner layer pipeline, and the fluid in the outer layer pipeline is further used for transferring heat to the solid or fluid state thermal energy body which is in contact with the outer periphery of the outer layer pipeline, thereby forming a three-layer annular tri-piece thermal energy body heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Patent number: 10077913
    Abstract: Transfer of heat energy from within a building to the outside air by means of fans, heat pipes and circulating water in a closed loop system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Inventor: Susan Jane Gold
  • Patent number: 10018362
    Abstract: A steam-based faux fireplace comprising a boiler configured to receive a fluid and generate steam, and a manifold configured to receive the steam from the boiler and emit the steam to generate a steam plume at an output. The manifold has a conduit configured to receive fluid from a reservoir and route the fluid about the manifold to heat the fluid before being routed to the boiler. The manifold is already heated due to the emitted steam. This configuration pre-heats the fluid before being presented to the boiler, allowing a smaller low power boiler to be used because the manifold acts as a fluid pre-heater. A very realistic faux flame with a significant length is generated from the low power boiler. In addition, the manifold includes a deflector configured to receive the impinging steam from the output, causing the steam to lose some energy and billow about the deflector and then illuminated to create a realistically looking flame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: MODERN FLAMES LLC
    Inventors: Jason Swanson, David Daniel, Jeff Doss, Josh Wedge
  • Patent number: 10007246
    Abstract: A machining tool is provided having an insert that includes one or more interface surfaces configured to interact with a workpiece. The machining tool also has one or more distribution passages located within the insert. The one or more distribution passages are situated and sized to direct a fluid to the one or more interface surfaces while maintaining the fluid above a pressure at which the fluid exists in a supercritical state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Marion Billingsley Grant
  • Patent number: 9999357
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a pulse transit time (PTT) value of a subject, comprise measuring a first arterial pressure pulse arrival time (PAT) and measuring a second PAT value; calculating a PTT value from the difference between the first PAT value and the second PAT value; processing a sequence of electrical impedance tomography (EIT) images to identify at least one region of interest (ROI); and estimating at least one of the first and second PAT value from the variation of impedance value determined from the at least one ROI. The method allows for the non-invasive and continuous measurement of the PTT value and arterial blood pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: CSEM CENTRE SUISSE D'ELECTRONIQUE ET DE MICROTECHNIQUE SA-RECHERCHE AT DÉVELOPPEMENT
    Inventors: Josep Sola i Caros, Josef X. Brunner, Damien Farrario, Andrew Adler
  • Patent number: 9829204
    Abstract: In a primary heat exchanger, a heat conduction pipe is arranged as one connected pipe in a lower stage and an upper stage in a manner extending back and forth through a plurality of fins. The heat conduction pipe is arranged such that a pitch between the heat conduction pipes in the upper stage is shorter than a pitch between the heat conduction pipes in the lower stage. In addition, the heat conduction pipe is arranged such that a position in a center of each heat conduction pipe in the upper stage in a second direction orthogonal to a first direction in which the heat conduction pipe extends and a position in a center of each heat conduction pipe in the lower stage in the second direction are displaced from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: NORITZ CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Oohigashi, Makoto Hirotsu, Yukiko Noguchi
  • Patent number: 9829257
    Abstract: A fin includes a cut and raised slit and a cut and raised wall portion. The cut and raised slit is formed in a region adjacent to at least one through hole of a plurality of through holes in a first direction and has a tunnel-shaped hole extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The cut and raised wall portion is located in the second direction of the cut and raised slit, protrudes toward a main surface of the fin, and extends along the first direction. Thus, a heat exchanger and a water heater capable of sufficiently conducting an amount of heat of a combustion gas to a heat conduction pipe even in a blind spot of a flow of the combustion gas of the heat conduction pipe and suppressing noise can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: NORITZ CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takeshi Oohigashi
  • Patent number: 9771835
    Abstract: A heat energy recovery device 1, which recovers heat energy of a heat medium by utilizing a Rankine cycle of a working medium, comprises a first heater 2, a second heater 3, an expander 4, an oil separation unit 12, a condenser 6, a working medium pump 7, and an oil-leading passage 10. When the height of a liquid level in the oil separation unit 12 is less than a lower limit value, a control unit 16 first performs a speed reduction control of the working medium pump 7 to reduce an inflow rate of a working medium into the second heater 3, and after a fixed period of time, performs an opening control for opening an on-off unit 11. By the opening of the on-off valve 11, oil L1 in the second heater 3 is led out to the oil separation unit 12 through the oil-leading passage 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeto Adachi, Yutaka Narukawa, Noboru Tsuboi, Koichiro Hashimoto, Haruyuki Matsuda, Kazumasa Nishimura, Tetsuya Kakiuchi, Kazunori Fukuhara
  • Patent number: 9759433
    Abstract: A device is provided for supplying heating and cooling, the device having a heat transfer medium arranged in the interior of a storage tank and having at least one cycle process plant operated using a working substance. The heat transfer medium has a lower temperature in a bottom region of the interior than in a region of the interior arranged thereabove. All the components of the cycle process plant that contain the working substance are arranged in the interior. The components of the cycle process plant arranged inside the storage tank are surrounded by the heat transfer medium. The heat transfer medium has constituents to bind or convert the working substance. The amount of the constituent as a proportion of the heat transfer medium is dimensioned in such a way that the working substance contained in the cycle process plant can be completely bound or converted by the constituent after an escape from the cycle process plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Inventor: Thomas Hahn
  • Patent number: 9746244
    Abstract: A heat exchanger comprises a first header, a second header, a plurality of tubes, and a flow reducer. The first header is connected to a hot fluid inlet and to a cold fluid outlet, so that the first header comprises a hot region and a cold region, separated by a wall. Each of the plurality of tubes provides fluid communication between the first and second headers, including one tube located next to the wall in the hot region of the first header, being called “hot end tube” , and one tube located next to the wall in the cold region of the first header, being called “cold end tube” . The flow reducer reduces the fluid flow in the hot end tube compared to the fluid flow in other tubes located in the hot region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: VALEO SISTEMAS AUTOMOTIVOS LTDA
    Inventors: Armando Mazzoni, Eder Nomoto
  • Patent number: 9739179
    Abstract: A working fluid (6) for a device (4) for converting heat into mechanical energy is disclosed. The working fluid (6) comprises a fluid (7) having a boiling temperature in the range between 30 and 250° C. at a pressure of 1 bar and nanoparticles (8) which are dispersed or suspended in the liquid phase of the fluid (7). Said nanoparticles (8) are instrumented as condensation and/or boiling nuclei and the surface of said nanoparticles (8) is adapted to support condensation and/or boiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Burg, Bruno Michel, Stephan Paredes
  • Patent number: 9341390
    Abstract: The invention involves a tap water structure for storing and heating tap water. The tap water structure contains storage devices, such as a tap water storage tank, for storing a certain amount of tap water. The storage devices are equipped with a tap water input for adding tap water to the storage devices, as well as a tap water output for removing water from the storage devices. The tap water structure is equipped with heating elements that will warm the tap water stored in the storage devices. The storage devices also include a heat exchanger supply and a heat exchanger return, as well as an additional heat exchanger return; these can all be connected to an external heat exchanger unit. The tap water device includes regulators to return the tap water to the storage devices either via the heat exchanger return and/or via the additional heat exchanger return.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: A. O. SMITH WATER PRODUCTS COMPANY B.V.
    Inventors: Eric Reiniert Adrianus van der Heijden, Hendrikus Jacobus Aleida Maria Braken, Henricus Petrus Anna Michiels
  • Patent number: 9066523
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for directing steam distribution in a steam cooker. In one exemplary embodiment, steam is directed through a steam cooker by a plenum that is in fluid communication with a steam chamber. As steam is generated within the steam chamber, the steam fills the chamber where it is directed to the plenum. In one exemplary embodiment, the plenum is formed to extend vertically along an interior wall of the steam cooker. In one exemplary embodiment, the plenum is defined between an interior wall of the steam cooker and a steam distributor that has a plurality of openings formed therein. The openings in the steam distributor allow for steam rising within the plenum to exit into the cooking chamber by passing through the openings. A pressure switch may be utilized to turn off the steam generator in the steam cooker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: ACCUTEMP PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Craig A. Seitz, Lawrence R. Wolf
  • Patent number: 8770153
    Abstract: A first period during which drain is not substantially generated on a surface of a water tube (4) of a heat exchanger (B1), and a second period as a transition during which an amount of drain on the surface of the water tube (4) is increased are provided. There are a plurality of kinds of fan-controlling data in which operation control contents of the fan (13) in the first and second periods in correspondence with change of conditions of entering water temperature or combustion level of the burner (1). The fan-controlling data are stored in a data table (90) of a controller (9). The controller (9) controls the fan (13) in accordance with the data, and an initial air-fuel ratio of combustion driving of the burner (1) is stabilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Noritz Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsurou Hamada, Yoshinori Kanda, Hideaki Yoshitomi
  • Patent number: 8691017
    Abstract: A heat equalizer includes a container structure having a heating block in which a working fluid is held for heating and vaporizing a material to be heated, a heater placed at the bottom of the container structure, and a material feed pipe allowing the outside and the inside of the container structure to communicate with each other. In the heating block, as a flow path in which the material to be heated flows, a main header pipe connected to the material feed pipe and extending in the horizontally, and a riser pipe branching from the main header pipe and extending vertically are formed. As a condensation path in which the working fluid is cooled and condensed, condensation holes formed respectively on the opposite sides of the riser pipe and extending horizontally, and a condensation pit formed under the riser pipe are formed. Between the condensation holes and the condensation pit, the main header pipe is placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignees: National University Corporation Tohoku University, Toshiba Mitsubishi—Electric Industrial Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Tadahiro Ohmi, Masafumi Kitano, Hisaaki Yamakage, Yoshihito Yamada
  • Patent number: 8662023
    Abstract: A steam boiler, comprising a boiler body accommodating water and steam therein and a burner throwing flames toward a central through-hole of the boiler body and water pipes formed to cross the inside of the central through-hole of the boiler body, and directly heated by the flames of the burner and an internal cylinder formed to cover the outside of the boiler body so as to form a space between the internal cylinder and the outer wall surface of the boiler body where burned discharge gas flows from the lower side to the upper side and an external cylinder formed to cover the outside of the internal cylinder so as to form a space between the external cylinder and the outer wall surface of the internal cylinder where air for combustion flow such that heat exchange between the air for combustion and the discharge gas is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: SJE Corporation, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ho Moog Yoo
  • Patent number: 8567689
    Abstract: A method of sanitizing pipes, etc. in a hot water supply system includes the steps of normally heating water by driving water from a water storage tank, into a heat exchanger. Typically, a water pump is stopped once the water storage tank receives a particular percentage of hot water. However, when a sanitation mode is desired, the pump is not stopped, such that the water tank becomes all, or almost all, hot water. The hot water is then delivered to the pump, and from the pump to the heat exchanger. This hot water is thus operable to sanitize pipes and the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Bryan A. Eisenhower, Tobias Sienel, Nicolas Pondico-Cassou
  • Patent number: 8418661
    Abstract: A combustion apparatus 51 includes a plurality of burners 58, a plurality of fuel supply channels 89, a blower 53, an air supply passage 37, and a pressure regulator 56. The burners 58 are divided into a plurality of burner groups 71. The pressure regulator 56 is branched at a portion located immediately after a gas outlet 31 at downstream of the regulator 56 and connected to the respective fuel supply channels 89, so as to regulate gas supplied at a primary pressure to gas at a secondary pressure in response to a predetermined signal pressure sensed from one selected from a part of the air supply passage 37 and the blower 53 and to discharge the regulated gas through the pressure regulator 56. The fuel supply channels 89 each are configured to perform fuel supply to the respective burner groups 71 and are provided with a switching valve 75 for either shutting off or reducing the fuel supply to at least a part of the burner groups 71.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Noritz Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Kanda, Takeshi Wakada, Toshio Watanabe, Takashi Akiyama, Takashi Wakatake
  • Patent number: 8376034
    Abstract: A method of assembling a radiant cooler includes providing a vessel shell that defines a gas flow passage therein that extends generally axially through the vessel shell, forming a tube cage from coupling a plurality of cooling tubes together to form a tube cage defined by a plurality of chevron-shaped projections that extend circumferentially about a center axis of the tube cage, each chevron-shaped projection includes a first side and a second side coupled together a tip, circumferentially-adjacent pairs of projections coupled together such that a valley is defined between each pair of circumferentially-spaced projections, each of the projection tips is positioned radially outward from each of the valleys, and orienting the tube cage within the vessel shell such that the tube cage is in flow communication with the flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Michael Storey, Aaron John Avagliano, Ashley Nicole Gerbode, John Battaglioli
  • Patent number: 8210132
    Abstract: So as to provide a latent heat recovery-type water heater capable of certainly preventing drain generated by heat exchange from being discharged out of an exhaust portion through an outlet with entrained by a flow of combustion gas, an exhaust portion 9 is formed by an exhaust portion constituting-body 25 attached above a secondary heat exchanger 7. The exhaust portion 9 includes therewithin a deflector 26 and a distribution board 27 opposed to the deflector 26. The deflector 26 has a deflection board 30 extending substantially vertically downward from a top face 9a of the exhaust portion 9, so as to form a gap 35 between a lower end of the board 30 and a bottom face 9b of the exhaust portion 9. A flowing direction of combustion gas introduced into the exhaust portion 9 through an opening 21 of the bottom face 9b is deflected by passing through the gap 35, and the combustion gas flows toward the distribution board 27.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Noritz Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Asakura, Shigehiro Yamamoto, Masamitu Ishikado
  • Patent number: 8191512
    Abstract: A heat exchange apparatus of a high-load bottom-up-type condensing gas boiler is disclosed. In the gas boiler system having a ventilator attached to a lower part of a combustion chamber, the heat exchange apparatus structured in such a manner that a Venturi path for achieving a high-pressure and high-velocity flow of exhaust gas is mounted in an exhaust duct formed between a sensible heat exchanger in which first heat exchange is performed and a latent heat exchanger to which firstly heat-exchanged exhaust gas is flown, so that the sensible heat exchanger and the latent heat exchanger are perfectly independent from the exhaust gas after combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Daesung Industrial Corporation
    Inventor: No Jin Park
  • Patent number: 8006651
    Abstract: A condensing heat exchange economizer wherein upwardly flowing hot flue gas is redirected to flow in a downward direction over a bundle of heat exchange tubes carrying a counter-flowing heat exchange medium to form condensate and cool the flue gas, and the condensate is forced by gravity to flow in the downward direction. The economizer may be in the form of a cylindrical economizer adapted for insertion in an exhaust stack for flue gas. The cooled flue gas may be redirected to flow in an upward direction and merged with a primary flow passage leading to the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Combustion & Energy Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel H. Veitch, Cameron S. Veitch
  • Patent number: 7891324
    Abstract: A heater and a method for heating a circulating liquid in a gas-to-liquid heat exchanger and an indirect heat exchanger to produce a hot liquid stream for use for heat exchange in a selected process to supply heat to the process. One particularly useful application of the present invention is the revaporization of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventors: David A. Franklin, Martin J. Rosetta
  • Patent number: 7841305
    Abstract: A heat exchange apparatus for use in transferring heat to a heat sink. Preferably, the heat sink is comprised of a natural gas supply line at a pressure reduction station. Alternately, the heat sink is comprised of a storage tank. The apparatus is comprised of a heat exchange vessel, adapted to contain an amount of a heat exchange fluid, and a heat source. The heat exchange vessel includes a sump section at a lower end thereof, and a heat transfer section for transferring heat to the heat sink. The heat exchange vessel further includes a single communication junction between the sump section and the heat transfer section which provides fluid communication therebetween. The heat source is associated with the sump section and adapted to add heat to the heat exchange fluid in order to cause the heat exchange fluid to evaporate in the heat exchange vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Grit Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Wayne King, Blaine D. Ross
  • Publication number: 20100294180
    Abstract: In a method for operating a steam generator, a transport reactor is provided. Only a substantially pure oxygen feed stream is introduced into the transport reactor in an amount sufficient to maintain the transport reactor at or above a specific system load. The specific load is the system load when only the substantially pure oxygen feed stream is provided to the transport reactor at a minimum flow velocity for operating the transport reactor. A fuel is combusted in the presence of the substantially pure oxygen feed stream to produce a flue gas, which contains solid material. The solid material is separated from the flue gas and passed to a heat exchanger. The heat exchange may be one of a moving bed heat exchanger or a fluidized bed heat exchanger. The solid material is directed to the transport reactor to contribute to the combustion process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventors: John H. Chiu, George D. Mylchreest
  • Patent number: 7647897
    Abstract: A heating apparatus 1 includes a shell 2, a primary heat exchanger (sensible heat exchanger) 3, a burner (combustion means) 5, and a fan 6. A secondary heat exchanger (latent heat exchanger) 7 has a plurality of heat receiving tubes 18 arranged in parallel between a pair of headers 16 and 17, the heat receiving tubes 18 being fixed to tube plates 20. The heat receiving tubes 18 are bare tubes without fins and are arranged across flow of combustion gas. The number of the tubes 18 arranged vertically is less than the number of the tubes 18 arranged horizontally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Noritz Corporation
    Inventors: Ichiro Ootomo, Hiroshi Asakura, Toshihiro Hori, Nobuhiro Takeda, Kazuhiro Kimura, Akira Tsutsumi, Takayasu Fujita, Masakuni Morikawa
  • Patent number: 7644686
    Abstract: A water heating apparatus including a tank divided into first and second chambers, wherein water in the first and second chambers has first and second temperatures, respectively, a first outlet for supplying water from the first chamber, a first thermostat to measure the first temperature, a second thermostat to measure the second temperature, means for heating water in the second chamber, a pump having a pump inlet in fluid communication with the second chamber and a pump outlet in fluid communication with the first chamber, and a controller configured to initiate pumping of water from the second chamber to the first chamber when the first temperature is below a predetermined first value. The controller is also configured to initiate heating of water in the second chamber when the second temperature is below a predetermined second value, the second value being greater than the first value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: AOS Holding Company
    Inventors: Gary S. Threatt, Howard C. Holliman, Robert E. Olson, David L. Stricker
  • Publication number: 20090308295
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a steam boiler/combuster and gasifier that uses a primary dirty fuel, such as waste materials, or high-polluting fossil fuels, and a secondary low-polluting fuel, such as biomass fuels for co-generation of electricity while reducing harmful emissions. The primary fuel is burned in the combuster to create steam in the steam boiler. The steam turns a steam turbine thereby powering a first generator. The dirty exhaust from the combuster is scrubbed by a gasifier. The secondary fuel and oxygen are added to the dirty exhaust in the gasifier creating gas and ash. The gas powers an engine that turns a second generator and releases a cleaner exhaust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventor: RANDALL J. THIESSEN
  • Patent number: 7617802
    Abstract: The invention relates to a condensation heat exchanger. The inventive heat exchanger consists of two co-axial helicoidal tube bundles which are positioned end-to-end, one of said bundles (2a) serving as a primary exchanger and the other (2b) serving as a secondary exchanger. Each of the aforementioned bundles comprises a tube and/or a group of flat tubes which are mounted inside a gas-impermeable casing (1). Moreover, means are provided to circulate at least one fluid to he heated inside the tubes, the casing (1) being equipped with a gas exhaust sleeve (122). In this way, a first hot gas, known as the main gas, which is, for example, generated by a burner (6), passes radially through the voids in the bundles. A deflector system (7) ensures that said main hot gas first passes through the primary exchanger (2a) from inside outwards and, subsequently, the secondary exchanger (2b) from outside inwards, after which it is discharged from the exchanger through the above-mentioned sleeve (122).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignees: Giannoni France
    Inventors: Joseph Le Mer, Rocco Giannoni
  • Patent number: 7600489
    Abstract: A heat exchange apparatus including a housing, a first array of fluid conduits provided within the housing, and a second array of fluid conduits provided within the housing. The first and second arrays of fluid conduits are configured to carry a first fluid. The heat exchange apparatus also includes a first fluid passageway provided within the housing, where the first fluid passageway is defined by an internal surface of the housing and by a baffle plate. The first fluid passageway is configured to carry a second fluid. The baffle plate is configured to divide the first fluid passageway into a first flow path and a second flow path, where the first array of fluid conduits extends through the first flow path and the second array of fluid conduits extends through the second flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: H2Gen Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Franklin D. Lomax, Jr., John S. Lettow, Brian D. James
  • Patent number: 7552701
    Abstract: A boiler for making super heated steam by indirect heat exchange of water against a hot gas, said boiler being a vertically oriented vessel comprising a spirally formed conduit around the vertical axis of the vessel, which vessel is provided with an inlet for hot gas fluidly connected to the lower end of the conduit for upwardly passage of hot gas through the spirally formed conduit, an outlet for cooled gas fluidly connected to the upper end of the conduit, an inlet for fresh water and a vessel outlet for super heated steam, said vessel further provided with a water bath space in the lower end of the vessel and a saturated steam collection space above said water bath space, said spirally formed conduit comprising of a spirally formed evaporating section located in the water bath space and a spirally formed super heater section at the upper end of the vessel, wherein the conduit of the super heater section is surrounded by a second conduit forming an annular space between said super heater conduit and said se
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Juergen Brinkmann, TeckSoon Lau, Hans Christian Thul
  • Patent number: 7523721
    Abstract: A heat exchanger A1 includes a partition 19 partitioning the space 35 surrounded by a coiled tube 60 at an axially intermediate portion of a housing 2 into a first and a second regions 35a and 35b and partitioning the coiled tube 60 into a first and a second heat exchanging portions HT1 and HT2. The combustion gas supplied to the first region 35a flows to a combustion gas path 36 by passing through a clearance 61 of the first heat exchanging portion HT1 and then passes through a clearance 61 of the second heat exchanging portion HT2. With this structure, the amount of heat recovery is increased, and the heat exchange efficiency is enhanced while simplifying the overall structure of the heat exchanger A1 and reducing the size of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Noritz Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsurou Hamada, Hitoshi Hara, Hideaki Yoshitomi, Kozo Uehara, Hiroaki Takashima
  • Patent number: 7458340
    Abstract: A secondary heat exchanger B for recovering latent heat from combustion gas includes water tubes 5 each of which is so inclined that a first end 50a is positioned lower than a second end 50b. Therefore, in draining water from each of the water tubes 5, water can be caused to flow smoothly into a water-inflow and hot-water-outflow header 6A connected to the first ends 50a. The secondary heat exchanger B includes a casing 7 which includes an upper wall 70a and a bottom wall 70b which are so inclined that the inner surfaces thereof extend generally in parallel with the water tubes 5, and the upper and the lower gaps 79a and 79b have constant widths s2 and s3. Therefore, the amount of heat recovery from the combustion gas passing through the gaps 79a and 79b can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Noritz Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Takeda, Hiroshi Asakura, Akira Tsutsumi, Kazuhiro Kimura, Shuji Kameyama, Keiichi Amada, Hironao Matsunaga
  • Publication number: 20080277097
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hot water supplying apparatus which has a dual pipe capable of transferring heat energy of hot water, which is heated by heat of combustion of a burner and flows in pipe of a heat exchanger, to an inner pipe in which cold water is introduced, thereby inhibiting the condensation of moisture so as to prevent the corrosion of parts in the hot water supplying apparatus. The hot water supplying apparatus, comprises: a burner for supplying heat; a water inlet pipe for supplying cold water; a heat exchanging pipe formed with a dual pipe including an outer pipe for directly receiving combustion heat of the burner, and an inner pipe formed in the outer pipe, for allowing the cold water, which is introduced through the water inlet pipe, to be heated while passing through the inner pipe; and a water outlet pipe for discharging the heated water from the heat exchanging pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: Kyungdong Navien Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Tae-Sik Min
  • Patent number: 7428883
    Abstract: A heat exchanger A1 includes a coiled tube 60 including a plurality of loops 60a, and a space 35 surrounded by the coiled tube 60 and having an end closed by a partition 19. The heat exchanger is so designed that combustion gas flows from the space 35 to a combustion gas path 36 by passing through clearances 61 of the loops 60a of the coiled tube 60. The loops 60a are made of a tube having a thickness t1 and a width L1 which is larger than the thickness, so that the amount of heat recovery when the combustion gas passes through the clearances 61 is large. Therefore, the heat exchange efficiency is enhanced while simplifying the overall structure of the heat exchanger A1 and reducing the size of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Noritz Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsurou Hamada, Hitoshi Hara, Hideaki Yoshitomi, Kozo Uehara, Hiroaki Takashima, Mitufuku Asakawa
  • Patent number: 7392767
    Abstract: A quench column heater and a method for heating a circulating liquid in a gas-to-liquid heat exchanger and an indirect heat exchanger to produce a hot liquid stream for use for heat exchange in a selected process to supply heat to the process. One particularly useful application of the present invention is the revaporization of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Black & Veatch Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Franklin, Martin J. Rosetta