Separate External Discharge Port For Each Fluid Patents (Class 165/111)
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Publication number: 20020005277Abstract: A condenser neck (1) comprises two level cover plates (2) and two side walls (3) located between them that are favorably shaped with respect to flow technology. The cover plates (2) and side walls (3) may be reinforced with ribs (4a,4b). A pipe (5) arranged between the cover plates (2) further reinforces the condenser neck (1). It would also be conceivable to provide openings (11) for bypass lines in the pipe (5) and/or in the side walls (3).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2001Publication date: January 17, 2002Inventors: Daniel Ponca, Vaclav Svoboda, Gunter Schmalzbauer
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Patent number: 6332494Abstract: An air-cooled condenser includes an upper header for distributing a vaporous medium to be condensed, a lower header for collecting condensate, spaced finned tubes with outer fins, the finned tubes being connected in parallel between the upper header and the lower header and cooled by a cooling air flow, means for draining the condensate form the lower header and extraction means for removing non-condensible gases from the condenser. The lower header is also used for distributing the vaporous medium to the finned tubes, so that the vaporous medium id fed into the finned tubes through both the upper and lower headers, and the extraction means are connected to each of the finned tubes at its portion facing the cooling air flow.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2000Date of Patent: December 25, 2001Assignee: Energiagazdalkodasi ReszvenytarsasagInventors: Janos Bodas, Gabor Csaba
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Publication number: 20010025703Abstract: The invention relates to a condenser for condensing a vaporous fluid, preferably a condenser designed on the church window principle. The condenser comprises at least one bundle (10) with a multiplicity of tubes (12) arranged parallel to one another, the bundle being subdivided into an upper sector (16) and a lower sector (14). The tubes have a first fluid flowing through them and the vaporous fluid flowing around them. A condensate discharge element is arranged in the bundle between the upper sector (16) and the lower sector (14). The condensate discharge element may be designed as a condensate discharge plane (60) or else as a condensate discharge duct (80).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2001Publication date: October 4, 2001Inventors: Francisco Leonardo Blangetti, Werner Muri, Hartwig Wolf
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Patent number: 6296049Abstract: A condenser including a steam cooling tube bundle having a number of steam cooling tubes, an enclosure enclosing a central space formed at an inside of the steam cooling tube bundle, an air cooling tube bundle disposed in the enclosure and having a number of air cooling tubes, and a tube support plate supporting the steam cooling tube bundle. The steam cooling tube bundle includes upper and lower tube bundles. The enclosure includes a pair of enclosing bodies dividing the steam cooling tube bundle into two parts. Each of the enclosing bodies includes an upper enclosing plate having at least a sloping surface inclined downward to an outside from an inside of the enclosure and a bottom enclosing plate disposed downward of the upper enclosing plate. A flow opening is formed at a joined portion of upper and bottom enclosing plates to communicate the inner space and the outer space.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2000Date of Patent: October 2, 2001Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Toshiaki Ozeki, Kenji Sato, Tadafumi Shintani
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Patent number: 6289976Abstract: For multi-cell, mechanical draft, vacuum steam condensers, a design of a noncondensible gas removal system that isolates bundles and fan cells from external/internal influences and gas/vapor interchange and allows bundles to operate in a reverse air-flow direction, all of which promotes freeze protection and improved performance.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 1999Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Inventor: Michael W. Larinoff
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Patent number: 6267795Abstract: A filter device for removing combustion gases and/or particulate matter from air comprises a cooling unit and filtering unit. The cooling unit has an inlet for receiving an air stream containing combustion gases and/or particulate matter, a cooling member for lowering the temperature of the air stream, a first outlet for discharge of a condensate, and a second outlet for discharge of the air stream containing uncondensed particulate matter. The filtering unit has an inlet for receiving the air stream containing uncondensed particulate matter from the second outlet of the cooling unit, the filtering unit having at least one filter barrier through which the air stream passes, the filter barrier being configured to catch at least a portion of the particulate matter in the air stream. The invention is also for a process for removing combustion gases and/or particulate matter from an air stream.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1999Date of Patent: July 31, 2001Inventor: John Givargis
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Patent number: 6241009Abstract: An integrated heat pipe vent condenser for a heat pipe steam condenser has a vent condenser casing surrounding one or more heat pipes in a vapor duct of the heat pipe steam condenser. The casing may be provided at an inclined orientation relative to a vertical axis of the heat pipe steam condenser. A plurality of baffles are positioned within the casing to provide a serpentine path for a vapor flow entering the casing from the vapor duct to pass through. Condensable gases from the vapor flow condense on the heat pipes and baffles and condensate is drained back into the vapor duct for removal through a drain or downcomer having a trap to prevent vapor flow from entering the downcomer.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2000Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: Hudson Products CorporationInventor: Gregory C. Rush
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Patent number: 6196303Abstract: A heat exchange assembly has a heat exchanger, a fan at one side and a drain tray assembly extending beneath the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has a pipe along which heated or cooled water is supplied, and a stack of vertical, parallel plates between which the fan passes air. The drain tray assembly has a tray with a peripheral wall and a drain outlet at one end. An inverted gutter fits loosely within the tray spaced from its edges by two channels. The height of the gutter is such as to block the space between the upper surface of the tray and the underside of the heat exchanger so as to prevent air flow beneath the heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1999Date of Patent: March 6, 2001Assignee: Smiths Industries Public Ltd. Co.Inventor: Jonathan Ivan Hepper
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Patent number: 6189338Abstract: In this condenser in which the fluid as it condenses flows downward, in cross section, that part of the outlet box (18) which lies between its lowermost point (28) and the point (31) of a liquid-outlet pipe (30; 35) connected to this box, lies completely at a level that is lower than the level of the lowermost point (A) of the distributor corrugation (13). Application to the main vaporizer-condensers of double air-distillation columns.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventor: Jean-Yves Lehman
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Patent number: 6161767Abstract: A method of sensing failure of a thermostat in a vehicle comprises the steps of sensing signals from various kinds of sensors after starting of the engine, and determining whether the signals are normal; determining whether the amount of intake air among the sensed signals from the sensors in the above step is larger than the amount of intake air during a predetermined period; accumulating the elapsed time by a given time at every predetermined time depending on the determination in the above step; determining whether the accumulated time obtained in the above step has reached a predetermined time for determining the failure; sensing the temperature of the coolant when the accumulated time in the above step has reached the predetermined time for determining the failure, and determining whether the sensed temperature of the coolant is below a predetermined temperature of the coolant; and indicating failure alarm when the sensed temperature of the coolant in the above step is below the predetermined temperatureType: GrantFiled: December 21, 1999Date of Patent: December 19, 2000Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: In-Joo Yeo
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Patent number: 6142223Abstract: An air-cooled condenser comprising a distributing chamber for distributing a vaporous medium to be condensed, a condensate collecting chamber and finned tubes with fins on air side, said finned tubes being connected in parallel between the distributing chamber and the condensate collecting chamber, where each of the finned tubes comprises two parallel essentially flat side walls and exterior closings connecting the side walls, in the finned tubes there are longitudinal separation walls connected to the side walls and dividing the inner space of the finned tubes into longitudinal parallel channels, and in the separation walls there are breakthroughs and closure elements for allowing the flow of the medium between neighboring channels.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 1998Date of Patent: November 7, 2000Assignee: Energiagazdalkodasi ReszvenytarsasagInventors: Janos Bodas, Gabor Csaba, Zoltan Szabo
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Air conditioning installation with an external temperature estimator, especially for a motor vehicle
Patent number: 6123146Abstract: A motor vehicle air conditioning installation has a cold loop, a hot loop, a sensor for measuring cabin temperature, a manual setting unit for setting demand values of cabin air parameters, and a control unit for defining the resulting required adjustments to be made to the various components of the cold and hot loops. The control unit includes a temperature estimating module which generates an estimated value of the outside temperature, either from (a) the measured value of cabin temperature (in stabilized operation of the installation), or (b) a temperature value stored in a sub-memory of the control unit (when the installation is converging towards its stabilized mode).Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1997Date of Patent: September 26, 2000Assignee: Valeo ElectroniqueInventor: Dominique Dias -
Patent number: 6119764Abstract: A regenerative, rotary heat exchanger includes a stationary housing; a rotatable rotor in the housing; radially extending partition walls in the rotor separating the rotor into sectors; and a regeneratable mass in the sectors. Axially adjustable sector plates are located in sealing relation with respect to respective axial end surfaces of the rotor into which and out from which two heat exchanging media are directed in counter-flow separated by the partition walls. A flange is fixedly attached to the rotor and extends circumferentially around at least one of the respective axial end surfaces of the rotor, and a sensing device senses a clearance between at least one of the sector plates and the flange. A controller adjusts the clearance to a predetermined size responsive to the sensing device.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 1999Date of Patent: September 19, 2000Assignee: ABB Air Preheater, Inc.Inventors: Kurt Karlsson, Stig Lundin
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Patent number: 6109345Abstract: A food storage and preparation device (10, 50, 100, 200) is provided for more rapidly cooling or heating a mass of food or other product contained within a storage pan. The device includes a plurality of air contact fins (20) which rapidly convey heat to and from the ambient surrounding air and a plurality of food contact fins (22, 56, 106) which are inserted within the mass of food to increase the surface area of the food exposed to a heat transfer surface to more rapidly transfer heat to or from the mass of food.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 1997Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Inventor: Jeffrey A. Giacomel
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Patent number: 6104203Abstract: A test apparatus (1) has a temperature controlled chuck (8) which provides good mechanical stability across a wide temperature range. This significantly reduces the number of times the probes (9) must be re-positioned, and in some cases eliminates such re-positioning. The chuck (8) has a support plate (20) which is connected to a base plate (35) by pillars (40) which have a low thermal expansion coefficient. This limits thermal expansion between the support plate (20) and the base plate (35). In addition, the heat transfer means is mounted so that thermal expansion is accommodated internally.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 1996Date of Patent: August 15, 2000Assignee: Trio-Tech InternationalInventors: Simon Costello, Louis Ryan, Paul Pham, Mircea Motora
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Patent number: 6089310Abstract: A thermostat for control of an AC-operated HVAC unit (or a unit providing only heating or only cooling) is provided with load activation detection sensing for increased reliability of latching relay activation. The thermostat includes a sensing transformer in series with the heating or cooling load (or both, if both are in the system), so that, when activation of the load is called for by the thermostat, current flows in a primary winding of the transformer, inducing a current in the secondary winding. A voltage derived from the current in the secondary winding is sensed by the thermostat controller and used to determine whether the heating or cooling load has been properly activated or deactivated. Sensing of the AC power source in the HVAC unit may also be provided, so that the controller can confirm that the absence of the voltage derived from the current in the secondary winding is actually due to the state of the latching relays rather than to a failure of the AC power source.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1998Date of Patent: July 18, 2000Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.Inventors: Bartholomew L. Toth, Ronald J. Holohan, Jr.
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Patent number: 6079483Abstract: In a main controller for use in an air conditioner for controlling temperature/humidity of an intaken outside air, a controlling line setter (18) sets each of control lines (J.sub.1 -J.sub.5) on a psychrometric chart table (13), in which an aimed temperature/humidity line (Lo) is formed by connecting an upper limit state point (Ps) and a lower limit state point (Pw) of condition air from each of the outside air state points (G.sub.1 -G.sub.5) to the aimed temperature/humidity line (Lo). The controlling line (J.sub.1 -J.sub.5) is formed by connecting necessary lines selected from a main heating line (H.sub.L) showing the heating operation of a main heater (H), an adiabatic humidifying line (W.sub.L) showing the humidifying operation of an adiabatic humidifying device (W), a cooling line (C.sub.L) showing the cooling operation of a cooler (C) and an auxiliary heating line (RH.sub.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 1999Date of Patent: June 27, 2000Assignee: Trinity Industrial CorporationInventors: Hideaki Morooka, Yoshio Suzuki, Naoki Mawatari, Muneo Ueda
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Patent number: 6073455Abstract: In a refrigerant leakage warning device for an apparatus having a refrigeration cycle using a flammable refrigerant as a refrigerant, when leakage of the refrigerant occurs, measures how to cope after the leakage of refrigerant occurs are indicated on an indoor unit. Therefore, the user can see the indication of the leakage and take the measures to cope with it, and it is possible to hold the damage at a minimum, and to enhance the safety.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 1999Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Riko Tachigori, Akira Fujitaka, Yukio Watanabe, Yoshinori Kobayashi, Kanji Haneda
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Patent number: 6073685Abstract: Input/output chamber for a fluid, for part of a body (1) of an apparatus in which this fluid circulates, this part of the body including a face (3) for inlet or outlet of the said fluid, the chamber (6A) being intended to be connected with a leaktight joint to this face. At least part of the chamber consists of at least one spherical or ellipsoidal portion (20A) and of sectors of cones (22A) tangential to this spherical or ellipsoidal portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 1995Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignees: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude, Nordon Cryogenie SNCInventors: Claude Gerard, Jean-Yves Lehman
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Patent number: 6070655Abstract: A heat exchanger, for use in particular in connection with the process outlets at paper, pulp and board mills, including substantially parallel tubes or equivalent arranged in a duct. An air flow that delivers heat passes through the tubes and an air flow that receives heat passes through gaps between the tubes in accordance with the cross-flow principle. The heat faces of the tubes are made larger at the side of the flow that receives heat by means of ribs, lamellae or equivalent, and an air that is moist, saturated, or near its saturation curve is used as the air flow that delivers heat in the heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1997Date of Patent: June 6, 2000Assignee: Valmet CorporationInventor: Pertti Heikkila
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Patent number: 6062825Abstract: A water release system includes a compact aftercooler connected to receive hot, moisture laden compressed air from a compressor having a load cycle under control of a governor. A water release valve is connected between a header of the aftercooler and an unloader pressure line connected to the governor. The valve ordinarily remains open until it receives a certain, pressure value signal from the unloader line which is effective to close the valve. A switch is located in pressure sensing relationship with the aftercooler, and a solenoid valve is electrically connected to the pressure sensitive switch and pneumatically connected between the water release valve and the governor.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1998Date of Patent: May 16, 2000Inventor: Dale A. Chovan
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Patent number: 6054263Abstract: A method in which a temperature gradient is generated across a "gradient" block, and an apparatus comprising a block across which a temperature gradient can be generated. By setting up such a gradient, multiple reaction mixtures held in wells on the gradient block can be simultaneously run at temperatures which differ only slightly, thereby permitting an optimum temperature for the reaction to be quickly identified. In a preferred embodiment the gradient block is integrated into a thermal cycler used for nucleic acid amplification reactions.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1998Date of Patent: April 25, 2000Assignee: StratageneInventors: John Lewis Danssaert, Robert James Shopes, Daniel Davis Shoemaker
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Patent number: 6041852Abstract: The present invention provides a condenser which is free from pressure loss of air stream due to an air exhaust pipe and loss of thermal energy, and which is compact. In the condenser according to the present invention, deflector plates 27b are disposed in a vertically central part of a first cooling pipe bundle having a number of cooling pipes extended in parallelism with each other and in a first horizontal direction of the condenser. The deflector plates 27b are diverged downward to both sides and provide a roof of air cooling chambers 24a, 24b. Second cooling pipe bundles 25a, 25b are disposed respectively in the air cooling chambers 24a, 24b. An air exhaust inner pipe 29 is extended upward in the first cooling pipe bundle 20 in communication with upper spaces 34a, 34b in the air cooling chambers 24a, 24b.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 1996Date of Patent: March 28, 2000Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Kenji Sato, Akihiro Taniguchi, Shin Ohgushi
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Patent number: 6035552Abstract: A blower moves cooling air through the primary side of an air-to-air heat exchanger and process air the secondary side. The efficiency of the heat exchanger is increased in that the primary side is divided into at least two portions, through which the cooling air flows in series.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 1998Date of Patent: March 14, 2000Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbHInventors: Manfred Kruger, Manfred Schulz
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Patent number: 6009745Abstract: A method of positively locating the source of leaks in the heat transfer surface area of the plate heat exchanger between separate product and service fluid paths arranged in an intimate heat exchange relationship is disclosed. The method comprises:circulating a solution through one fluid path of the exchanger, the solution consisting of solvent with appreciable vapor pressure under the chosen test conditions;providing a gas flow across the other fluid path of the exchange surface by means of forced or natural convection;applying a positive pressure differential between solution and gas stream; anddetecting visually the location of deposited solutes on or around the other fluid path.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 1997Date of Patent: January 4, 2000Assignee: APV CorporationInventors: Jonathan Graham Shaw, Stephan Dall
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Patent number: 6000458Abstract: A cooling and circulating unit 2 comprising a cooling circuit section including a heat exchanger 21 that cools a refrigerant liquid and a circulating circuit section for heating the cooled refrigerant liquid and then delivering it; an input/display unit 3 including a temperature setting device 32 for setting the temperature of the refrigerant liquid, and an operation display device 33; a control section unit 4 comprising a sequencer 41; and an electrical section unit 5 including various electrical parts that are integrated into units and the units 2 to 5 are independently and detachably mounted on a frame 1. All units are electrically connected together via a relay substrate 6 mounted on a frame 1.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 1998Date of Patent: December 14, 1999Assignee: SMC CorporationInventor: Mitsuhiro Watanabe
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Patent number: 5992505Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a fouling resistance and a cleanliness factor of heat-transfer surface and which is capable of continuously and accurately monitoring a build-up degree of deposits on a heat-transfer surface of a heat exchanger includes a fouling sensor having a given length of metal wire wound inside the heat-transfer surface for measuring an average temperature of the heat-transfer surface, a direct current voltage supply member for supplying a voltage to a heating wire of the fouling sensor, an accurate resistance measuring member connected with a temperature measuring metal wire of the fouling sensor for measuring an electrical resistance of the metal wire, an inlet/outlet portion water temperature measuring member for measuring the temperatures of the inlet/outlet portions of the apparatus, a water flow rate measuring member, and a data calculation apparatus for computing a fouling resistance and a cleanliness factor of a heat-transfer surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 1997Date of Patent: November 30, 1999Assignee: Korea Electric Power Corp.Inventor: Jeon-Soo Moon
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Patent number: 5983996Abstract: A steam condenser has a perforated plate extending transversely in a housing, a pipe extending upwardly from an opening in the plate and having openings in its upper portion, at least one steam inlet, and a deflector adjacent to said inlet extending inwardly of the housing and downwardly to deflect and disburse steam to enhance condensation.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1998Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Inventor: Elmer Romero
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Patent number: 5976461Abstract: A method for protecting cooling water systems from corrosion is disclosed which monitors the hydrocarbon concentration in a cooling fluid flow and activates protective procedures upon detection of a predetermined concentration. According to the method, a fluid flow of cooling water from a cooling tower is directed through an upstream gate valve before entering a heat exchange apparatus where heat from an industrial process fluid flow is transferred to the cooling fluid flow. The hydrocarbon concentration of the heated cooling fluid flow is monitored as it is directed out of the heat exchange apparatus for return to a cooling tower. However, if a concentration of hydrocarbons is detected in the fluid flow which indicates possible process fluid leakage, upstream and downstream cooling fluid gate valves as well as a process fluid gate valve are automatically closed.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 1998Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Inventor: Paul R. Kostuck
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Patent number: 5960857Abstract: A machine for circulating cooling water through manufacturing process equipment includes a combination pump and heat exchanger assembly. The machine has a cast metal pump case with two upwardly opening sockets receiving the lower ends of two tanks, one of them "the suction tank" communicating through the case with the pump impeller intake, and the other "the discharge tank" communicating with the impeller discharge. The tanks are constructed to function as heat exchangers, and they are readily and removably secured to the pump case by threaded fasteners and are sealed therein by compression seals. The discharge tank has electrical heating elements. The suction tank has a motor-operated modulator valve precisely fixed thereon, so as to enable discharging excessively warm water from the process to drain while cool make-up water from city water supply is admitted through the suction tank to the pump.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 1996Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: Advantage Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Philip D. Oswalt, Steven E. Wash, Ronald A. Wolfe
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Patent number: 5950717Abstract: An air cooled condenser is provided which improves the heat transfer in the dephlegmator pipes and reduces the risk of condensate back-up. A condensate outlet extending from the bottom end to the top is arranged in selected dephlegmator pipes. The cross section and the geometry of the condensate outlet is configured in accordance with the respective cross section geometry and the dimensions of the dephlegmator pipe. The length of the condensate outlet is preferably between 100 mm and 500 mm. By separating the steam phase and the condensate phase at the entrance to the dephlegmator pipes, a mutual disadvantageous influence of the two phases on each other is prevented. In particular, the frictional forces between the steam and condensate can be appreciably reduced. As a result, the back-up velocity, that is, the steam inlet velocity at which the condensate starts to back up, is appreciably reduced. Depending on the length of the condensate outlets, a condensate back-up or swallowing can be prevented entirely.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1998Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: GEA Power Cooling Systems Inc.Inventor: Herman Peter Rolf Fay
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Patent number: 5950709Abstract: A thermostat which is configurable to be used with conventional fossil fuel furnaces, electric furnaces, heat pumps and other air conditioning equipment and fans. A setup program is included which requires an installer to enter data specific to the type of HVAC plant installed in the building with the thermostat.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 1995Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: Honeywell Inc.Inventors: James H. Krueger, Jeffrey R. Meyer, T. Michael Tinsley
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Patent number: 5942678Abstract: In the case of a method for tracing leaks in the closed or half-cooling system of a gas turbine installation, the parts of the gas turbine installation to be cooled being cooled by means of a cooling fluid (15) other than air, and the cooling fluid (15) flowing in a special cooling fluid circuit (16), and the leak in the cooling system leading to the cooling fluid (15), entering the hot gas channel of the gas turbine (3), samples are taken from the exhaust gas (10) from the gas turbine and concentration measurements, preferably of the cooling fluid (15), are carried out on these samples. The sample taking and concentration measurement may be carried out continuously or periodically. The concentration measurement results are passed to an alarm or a protection system (21) by means of which overheating of inadequately cooled parts of the turbine (3) is prevented.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1997Date of Patent: August 24, 1999Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AGInventor: Hans Wettstein
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Patent number: 5931378Abstract: The invention concerns a control unit for an automatic air-conditioning system for motor vehicles, with adjusting and/or indicating means at least for "air distribution", "air volume" and "air temperature" with the following features:(a) As nominal-value adjusting means for "air distribution" and/or "air volume" and/or "air temperature", provision is made in each case for an operator-regulated analog nominal-value adjusting device (2, 3 and 4, respectively);(b) as nominal-value indicating means for "air distribution" and/or "air volume", an analog nominal-value indicating device (2.1; 2.2 or 2.1; 2.3 or 2.1; 2.4 or 3.1; 3.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 1998Date of Patent: August 3, 1999Assignee: Valeo Klimasysteme GmbHInventor: Michael Schramm
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Patent number: 5927388Abstract: A dephlegmation condenser for binary/polynary condensation of a vapor mixture is arranged upright. It has tubes (4) through which the coolant flows, an inlet connection (1) arranged in the top region of the coolant tubes and intended for the mixture to be condensed, and a collecting space (2) arranged below the coolant tubes (4) and intended for the condensate to be drawn off. The inlet connection (1) and the collecting space (2) are connected to one another via a condenser shell (3) encasing the tubes (4). The coolant is directed in pure counterflow to the mixture in the predominant part of the condensation space.The vapor-side, smooth temperature profile achieved is a consequence of the segregation during the condensation. A mixture which is enriched with the higher-boiling component of the mixture condenses at the start of the condensation section, whereas another mixture which is enriched with the lower-boiling component of the mixture condenses out at the end of the condensation section.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1997Date of Patent: July 27, 1999Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AGInventors: Francisco Blangetti, Gunter Volks
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Patent number: 5927380Abstract: The individual air temperature sensors normally mounted within each outlet duct in an automatic automotive heating and air conditioning system are eliminated in favor of a dual temperature sensor incorporated directly into the swinging mode door. The door swings back and forth through the central air mix area within the housing, and one end or the other of a dual sensor mounted through the door is always exposed to the air flow before it enters an outlet duct. This presents a better location for air sensing, and reduces or eliminates the time lag involved in temperature sensing when a different duct is selected, in addition to reducing part count.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 1998Date of Patent: July 27, 1999Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Ardeean Scoccia
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Patent number: 5918665Abstract: A temperature control system includes an electro-mechanical subassembly having an enhanced thermal interface, which comprises: an electronic device which has a face that dissipates heat; a heat exchange member which has a face that mates with the heat dissipating face of the electronic device; and, a film of liquid, lying between the mating faces of the heat exchange member and the electronic device, which evaporates without leaving any residue at a temperature that is too low to damage the electronic device. Due to the presence of the liquid film, the thermal resistance between the mating faces of the heat exchange member and the electronic device is reduced by over 1000% from which it otherwise is when film is deleted.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1998Date of Patent: July 6, 1999Assignee: Unisys CorporationInventors: James Wittman Babcock, Jerry Ihor Tustaniwskyj
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Patent number: 5896918Abstract: A heat exchanger tube for condensing steam with the use of cooling air includes an upper steam supply and a lower condensate discharge. The heat exchanger tube has an elongated cross-section in the flow direction of the transversely flowing cooling air. The interior of the tube is divided by a separating wall extending transversely of the flow direction of the cooling air into a condenser stretch whose cross-section becomes smaller in the flow direction of the steam and a dephlegmator stretch whose cross-section becomes smaller in the flow direction of the steam, wherein the condenser stretch is at the lower end thereof connected to the dephlegmator stretch for conducting steam from the condenser stretch to the dephlegmator stretch, and wherein a gas/steam mixture exhauster is mounted at the upper end of the dephlagmator stretch.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 1998Date of Patent: April 27, 1999Assignee: GEA Energietechnik GmbHInventor: Raimund Witte
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Patent number: 5896919Abstract: A cooling device for cooling plastic particles includes a casing having a hub extended upward from an inner and lower portion for forming an annular chamber between the casing and the hub. A water is supplied into the annular chamber for moving the plastic particles upward and out through the hub, such that the plastic particles may be cooled by the water. A housing is secured on top of the casing and a pipe is coupled to the housing for supplying the plastic particles into the housing and for cooling the plastic particles in the housing by the air flowing into the housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1998Date of Patent: April 27, 1999Inventor: Mark Ho
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Patent number: 5896915Abstract: A rethermalization system for heating refrigerated food on trays, maintaining the food in a refrigerated condition until heated, and heating some of the food to a desired temperature at a serving time while maintaining the rest of the food in a refrigerated condition. The system has a cart which docks inside a refrigerator. The cart has shelves on which trays of food reside. In the shelves there are heaters. The operator programs the system using an intricate series of commands at an operator interface. A first controller interprets the commands and sends the program to a second controller. The second controller controls the heating cycle of the heaters. A current sensor is provided to sense whether there is current to the heaters. The second controller polls the current sensor and compares the findings to what is called for in the program.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 1997Date of Patent: April 27, 1999Assignee: Standex International CorporationInventors: John Walter Westbrooks, Jr., Sara Cofield Hurt
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Patent number: 5896089Abstract: A dual carbon monoxide detection system is provided including a gas furnace having a heat exchanger with a supply air duct for delivering heated air and a return air duct for receiving air to be heated. The gas furnace further has a gas input line for receiving gas from a gas supply line for heating purposes. A first carbon monoxide detector is situated within the supply air duct for generating an activation signal upon the detection of more than a predetermined amount of carbon monoxide. Associated therewith is a second carbon monoxide detector situated within the return air duct for generating the activation signal upon the detection of more than a predetermined amount of carbon monoxide. A gas valve is coupled between the gas input line and the gas supply line. The gas valve is adapted to preclude the flow of gas through the gas input line only upon the receipt of power. Connected to the gas valve is a relay for delivering power thereto upon the receipt of the activation signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 1997Date of Patent: April 20, 1999Inventor: Cleveland L. Bowles
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Patent number: 5885313Abstract: In the temperature-gradient type multistage condenser, a first cooling step is carried out at an outer cooling cylinder storing a freezing mixture. The outer cooling cylinder has an opening at the upper portion thereof and is constructed of double walls having a predetermined space between the walls, a second cooling step is carried out at a vertical pipe disposed substantially coaxially in the outer cooling cylinder, and a third cooling step is carried out at an inner cooling cylinder through which the vertical pipe passes. The cooling capacity is gradually increased as cooling proceeds from the first cooling step, and becomes substantially highest at the third cooling step wherein solvent vapor becomes thin.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 1997Date of Patent: March 23, 1999Assignee: Shionogi & Co., Ltd.Inventor: Joji Okamoto
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Patent number: 5875834Abstract: Baffle inserts or shims are disclosed for controlling the flow circuiting in plate or tube type heat exchangers of the kind having a plurality of stacked, hollow plate pairs or tubes including mating end bosses or areas or spacers having communicating openings formed therein to form a manifold for the flow of fluid through the plate pairs. The baffle inserts are located between preselected adjacent end bosses in the area of the end bosses only, to define different flow circuits through the plate pairs or tubes without having to use specially shaped plates or inserting obstructions into the flow passages inside the plate pairs or tubes. A method of using the baffle inserts is disclosed in which the baffle inserts are inserted during preassembly of the heat exchanger prior to the brazing operation.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1998Date of Patent: March 2, 1999Assignee: Long Manufacturing Ltd.Inventor: Sean Terence Brooks
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Patent number: 5868195Abstract: A rethermalization system for storage of prepared meals in a refrigerated state, rethermalization of the meals in accordance with a rethermalization program, and maintenance of the rethermalized meal at a desired serving temperature is disclosed. Refrigerated meals are placed within racks in a rethermalization cart that is retained in a refrigerated area. Beneath the trays are located heater shelves containing one or more heating elements to heat selected food items located on the tray. The carts incorporate controllers which, upon receiving a start signal, provide power to the heater shelves of the cart in accordance with a rethermalization program. The controllers are specially adapted to enable a user to provide various heater shelves on the same cart with different programs to compensate for temperature stratification and warm and cool areas within the refrigerated environment.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 1992Date of Patent: February 9, 1999Assignee: Standex International CorporationInventor: John Walker Westbrooks, Jr.
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Patent number: 5860285Abstract: A system for monitoring an outdoor heat exchange coil of a heating or cooling system includes a neural network for computing the status of the coil. The neural network is trained during a development mode to learn certain characteristics of the heating or cooling system that will allow it to accurately compute the status of the coil. The thus trained neural network timely computes the status of the outdoor heat exchange coil during a run time mode of operation. Information as to the status of the coil is made available for assessment during the run time mode of operation.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1997Date of Patent: January 19, 1999Assignee: Carrier CorporationInventor: Sharayu Tulpule
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Patent number: 5859363Abstract: A smoke generator for smoke testing heat exchangers of gas furnaces for the presence or absence of leakage or fluid-tight integrity, the generator having: a smoke chamber housing having upper and lower portions; at least one heating element in the upper portion of the smoke chamber housing; a pump which supplies a gas to the smoke chamber housing; a liquid which fills the lower portion of the smoke chamber housing, wherein the at least one heating element is suspended above the liquid; an applicator of liquid to the at least one heating element; and a smoke vent in the upper portion of the smoke chamber housing.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1997Date of Patent: January 12, 1999Inventor: Larry Michael Gouge
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Patent number: 5819840Abstract: An energy saving controller for an air conditioning system comprising a temperature sensor or sensing and measuring the temperature in an area to be controlled, a memory device for storing a first set and a second set of reference temperatures, each set of reference temperatures including a heating reference temperature and a cooling reference temperature, and a controller in communication with the memory device for selecting one of the first and second sets of reference temperatures in the memory and for comparing the selected set of reference temperatures to the measured temperature of the area. The controller is adapted to select one set of reference temperatures when the area is unoccupied by a person and to select the other set of reference temperatures when the area is occupied by a person. The occupancy information is provided to the controller by an occupancy detector. A system switch is provided that communicates with the controller and selects between a heating mode, a cooling mode, and an off mode.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 1996Date of Patent: October 13, 1998Assignee: Don R. WilsonInventors: Don R. Wilson, Harvey Downing
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Patent number: 5810074Abstract: A serial heat exchanger. The heat exchanger comprises a serial passage extending from an inlet to an outlet and a plurality of vapor liquid separators extracting vapor from the passage.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 1996Date of Patent: September 22, 1998Assignee: American Standard Inc.Inventor: Stephen S. Hancock
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Patent number: 5806582Abstract: A method and an arrangement for controlling heat transfer in a ventilation apparatus or an air conditioning apparatus, in which heat contained in exhaust air is recovered into supply air by means of a heat transfer circuit having fluid circulation. Additional heating or additional cooling energy is supplied to the heat transfer circuit when the heat transfer is insufficient for maintaining a desired temperature of the supply air. To optimize the heat recovery, the supply of additional heating or cooling energy is minimized by measuring the temperatures and fluid flows of the heat transfer fluid and of the additional energy.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1996Date of Patent: September 15, 1998Assignee: ABB Installaatiot oyInventors: Esko Tapio Santavuori, Ingmar Erik Rolin, Seppo Juhani Leskinen
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Patent number: 5802961Abstract: Apparatus and methods for transferring particulate product contained in a compatible media and then separating or straining the particulate product from the compatible media. A housing is provided for containing the compatible media at an optimum level and includes an inclined portion having a particulate product inlet at a lower end thereof and separate particulate product and compatible media outlets at an upper end thereof. The compatible media outlet is located below the particulate product outlet. The housing contains a particulate product conveyor unit which includes a perforated tube and auger assembly for transferring the particulate product from the particulate product inlet to the particulate product outlet. The particulate product is heated or cooled while it is submerged within the compatible media and cross currents of media are supplied to increase heat transfer and conveyance of the product.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1995Date of Patent: September 8, 1998Assignee: FMC CorporationInventors: Lloyd F. Hay, Jerry M. Hougland, Christopher J. Rufer