Convertible Patents (Class 165/137)
  • Patent number: 5107921
    Abstract: Heat exchanger apparatus for quenching hot hydrocarbon fluid feeds, of different compositions, so as to minimize coking including a shell, and baffle structure in the shell, defining spaced first and second chambers and primary inlet and outlet ports to flow the fluid to and from the shell via the two chambers, the shell and baffle structure also defining a third chamber between the first and second chambers, with secondary inlet and outlet ports communicating with the third chamber to flow quench fluid to and from the third chamber, and pipes of different bore sizes extending through the third chamber, and communicating between the first and second chambers, for passing the hydrocarbon fluid in a selected path or paths via the pipes and first and second chambers, in flowing between the primary inlet and outlet ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Inventor: Frank W. Tsai
  • Patent number: 5101883
    Abstract: A vehicle heating and cooling system has a distribution duct separated into two channels by a baffle for supplying separate air streams to the passenger and driver sides of the vehicle compartment. Two temperature control doors associated with the heater core and evaporator separately admit an air mix to the two channels for independent control of driver and passenger side temperature. Optionally a single door is used in place of the two temperature control doors so that at the time of manufacture the system can be configured as a single zone system. A rear air discharge opening is provided in one of the channels to supply a duct leading to the rear seat region of the vehicle compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Kinmartin, Frank C. Falzone, Donald E. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 5095971
    Abstract: For selectively satisfying a basic cooling demand or a cooling demand which is an integral multiple of said basic cooling demand, the apparatus can be assembled from components selected from a plurality of sets of such components. For satisfying the basic cooling demand the apparatus comprises a single cooler-filter unit. One set of components consists of a plurality of said cooler-filter units. Another set of components consists of mounting blocks, which are to be mounted in a reservoir and adapted to communicate with cooler-filter units provided on the outside of a wall defining said reservoir. Another set consists of manifold blocks, each of which is adapted to be connected between the port members of cooler-filter units and a mounting block and to which each cooler-filter unit is hydraulically connected by means of a transverse supply passage section and a transverse return passage section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Inventor: Karl Hehl
  • Patent number: 5050667
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided which combines in a single, relatively compact housing the necessary components to efficiently exchange stale room air with fresh outside air. The apparatus includes a single, continuous duct having openings at each end. A heat storing matrix is disposed within the duct. A fan is also placed within the duct. The fan is capable of producing a substantially axial air flow through the duct. The fan is moveable between two positions: a first position wherein air flow is in a direction from the first end to the second end of the duct and a second position wherein air flow is reversed. The apparatus includes means for moving the fan from the first position to the second position such as a solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Inventors: Erling Berner, Rolf E. Berner
  • Patent number: 5016704
    Abstract: A heater unit of an automotive air conditioner includes a partition wall which separates a heater body into first and second air mix chambers, a communication path for communicating with the first and second air mix chambers, a separation door for closing or establishing the communication path and also for fully blocking or unblocking an air induction path of a conditioned air to be discharged into rear discharge outlets, and an arched shape communication duct for communicating with the second air mix chamber and a connecting member which is employed with the heater body and connected to a rear duct introduced into a rear seat side of a vehicular cabin. An independent temperature control type air conditioner in which the temperatures of conditioned air flowing through the first and second air mix chambers are independently controlled, may be modified to function as a standard type air conditioner in which the temperatures of conditioned air flowing through second air mix chamber are commonly controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, Limited
    Inventor: Hitoshi Ono
  • Patent number: 4966695
    Abstract: A high pressure liquid chromatography jacket includes a rectangular, fluid-tight enclosure which has a removable cover on which a pair of tubing seal fittings are mounted. The fittings form a fluid-tight seal around the inlet and discharge tubes of a chromatographic column which is mounted in the enclosure. The enclosure is connected to a source of temperature controlled fluid which circulates through the enclosure and controls the temperature of the chromatographic column.In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a valve is provided which allows sample materials being loaded to enter a sample storage loop, which is exposed to the temperature controlled fluid. The sample, whose temperature has been controlled by the temperature controlled fluid, is then injected into a chromatographic column under high pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Inventor: Henry Joshua
  • Patent number: 4854376
    Abstract: An air-conditioning system including an air conditioner incorporating a heat exchanger and a fan therein, and duct assembly connecting to the air conditioner for supplying conditioned air to a specific room equipped with the air conditioner and to another room, the duct assembly comprising an auxiliary duct removably attached to a front cover of the air conditioner and a main duct separably connected to the auxiliary duct to extend from the specific room to said another room and having air outlet portions for supplying air to the respective rooms, the auxiliary duct having an air channel for guiding the air discharged from the air outlet of the front cover into the main duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shouji Tunekawa, Wazoh Yamada, Yoshitaka Hara, Fujio Suzuki
  • Patent number: 4730668
    Abstract: A radiator of the type having an upper water tank, a lower water tank, and a plurality of core radiator modules positioned between the upper and lower tanks with the use of a rubber gasket type seal, the core assembly with upper and bottom tanks secured as a unit with a pair of side frames interconnecting the tanks and core elements, the improvement comprising method and apparatus for replacing the internal module core units with a single conventional replacement core, which would include providing the replacement core in place of the modular units, providing an adaptor assembly connectably engageable onto the top face of the replacement core, the adaptor assembly having a plurality of upper nipples for accommodating the rubber gasket type seals so that the upper water tank and lower water tank can be utilized with the replacement core and the left and right side framework can re-engage the water tanks to provide the new radiator assembly utilizing the replacement core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Inventor: William LeMaster
  • Patent number: 4664071
    Abstract: An adapter for converting a condenser into a thermal siphon radiator includes a housing that has an outlet port connected to the fill inlet of the condenser, a side inlet port connected to a conduit and a fill inlet that is sealingly engaged to a radiator cap. The radiator cap has a valve element that seats against a sealing surface in the adapter. The surface is interposed between the inlet and the two ports. In addition, an overflow and return port is positioned above the sealing surface and is connected to a reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignee: Arrow Specialty Company
    Inventors: William C. Geary, Leland M. Zabel
  • Patent number: 4653573
    Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for connecting a radiator to a single or double tube type hot water central heating system. The connecting apparatus includes a conventional thermostatic valve and a conventional valve controlled bypass between the inlet and outlet connectors of the connecting apparatus. A constructural feature which results in lower manufacturing costs and a lower stock inventory for thermostats involves a return passage from the radiator outlets which has a setting valve that is actuatable independently of the bypass valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventor: Knud A. Hansen
  • Patent number: 4651820
    Abstract: A heat exchanger of the type having a tube assembly made up of a number of tubes through which a first medium flows and around and between which a second medium flows to accept heat from, or transfer heat to, the first medium. One of the media is constrained by baffles to follow a tortuous path through the heat exchanger. According to the invention, the baffles are completely separate from the tubes, so permitting them to be replaced or adjusted without the necessity of disassembling the tube assembly. The baffles can be carried releasably on rods which allow their spacing to be adjusted at will, with the result that heat exchangers according to the invention are more versatile than conventional heat exchangers where the baffles are fixed to the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Inventor: Herfried Knapp
  • Patent number: 4646817
    Abstract: An air to air heat exchanger including a core structure defining two air paths and a pair of fans for drawing air through the core in the paths is formed by a frame structure defined by interlocking tubular frame elements and panels closing the faces defined by those frame elements. The panels are of different types providing simple closing panels, baffles, inlet and outlet ducts, fan support panels and others all of which are basically square for positioning in a face defined by the frame elements so that the heat exchanger construction can be tailored by positioning the various panel types where required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: Del-Air Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Dirk Van Ee
  • Patent number: 4648007
    Abstract: A module for cooling equipment mounted in a frame. The module includes a plenum positioned between an upper portion and a lower portion of electronic equipment and a panel positioned across the plenum to occlude it. The panel is of multiplanar arcuate construction including a first, a second and a third panel portion each provided with an aperture in which is mounted to a fan. A pair of vanes between adjacent fans are provided. The vanes align themselves with the air flow from adjacent fans when both adjacent fans are operational and position themselves across the aperture of an adjacent fan when failed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: GTE Communications Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Robin E. Garner
  • Patent number: 4502099
    Abstract: An improved cooling system for electronic components wherein an air supply housing with two openings cooperates with a manifold with one opening to allow air distribution from the air supply housing through the manifold to a card cage both while the manifold is closed for normal operation and while the manifold is extended to allow maintenance of the electronic components. When the manifold is closed for normal operation, the first opening in the air supply housing is blocked by the manifold and air flows into the manifold through the second opening. When the manifold is extended for maintenance, air flows into the manifold through the first opening and the second opening is blocked by a flapper which swings down over the second air supply housing opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1985
    Assignee: Storage Technology Partners II
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Manes, William D. Hart
  • Patent number: 4474232
    Abstract: A heat exchange unit is disclosed which is capable of being mounted either in a vertical or horizontal position. A condensate pan including multiple drain openings each serving a particular position is additionally disclosed. A cover plate secures the condensate pan by providing a drain projection opening into which a projection from the condensate pan may extend. A drip pan for coacting with the condensate pan is provided when the unit is mounted in the horizontal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1984
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy A. Wright, Thaddeus J. Wawro, Donald J. Casler
  • Patent number: 4466482
    Abstract: A heat recuperator comprises a cross-flow ceramic core within a housing. The housing includes an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit for a gas to be heated. The housing also includes means for thrice passing said gas through the ceramic core in order to improve the diffusion of the gas through the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1984
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond E. Dorazio, William L. Mingos, Joseph J. Cleveland
  • Patent number: 4410033
    Abstract: A heat exchange unit is disclosed having a combination coupling retainer and support. This combination coupling retainer and support acts to both secure a suction line coupling and a liquid line coupling connected to the appropriate headers of the heat exchanger and to provide structural support for the heat exchange unit. The coupling retainer and support includes a suction line opening for securing the suction line coupling therein and a liquid line slot in an arcuate configuration adapted to secure the liquid line coupling. This combination retainer and support is capable of being used in various units with heat exchangers mounted at differing angles, the suction line coupling serving as a pivot point and the liquid line coupling being positioned within the liquid line slot to secure the various components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1983
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Thaddeus J. Wawro, Timothy A. Wright
  • Patent number: 4403649
    Abstract: A face-and-bypass heating coil has features which allow the device to be mounted either horizontally or vertically without loss of mechanical or thermal efficiency. The invention includes a frame comprising a pair of side panels which support the working mechanism, and upper and lower panels. A plurality of fixed partitions are attached between the upper and lower panels. A plurality of movable dampers are mounted on shafts and supported by linear ball bearings such that the movable dampers may selectively mate with the fixed partitions. A crank linkage is used to drive the movable dampers into and away from the fixed partitions. The elastic U-shaped structure of the movable dampers resiliently mates with the fixed partitions so as to form a substantially leak-proof seal around the heating tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1983
    Assignee: Wing Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben B. Herschel, Andrew Chaloka
  • Patent number: 4373576
    Abstract: An air supply and return system for heating and cooling a room, including an air flow loop having a first set of openings positioned high in a wall of the room (high vents) and a second set of openings positioned low in a wall of the room (low vents). The air flow loop includes a reversible air moving device, heating and cooling coils, and ducts connecting the reversible air moving device, filters, and the heating and cooling coils to the high vents and the low vents. During the cooling cycle, air is withdrawn from the room through the low vents, circulated with high air flow by the air mover through the ducts, filter, and the cooling coils, and discharged to the room from the high vents. During the heating cycle the air mover, and thereby the direction of air flow within the duct system, is reversed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1983
    Inventor: Kenneth Strupczewski
  • Patent number: 4351385
    Abstract: A compact temperature-control unit for use with gas chromatographs. The unit includes a highly insulated enclosure with a removable lid having a gas chromatograph column wound on a thin-walled core fixedly positioned within the enclosure. Provisions are included for inserting a temperature-control module within the cavity formed by the core to achieve temperature control. A variety of different modules can be used to alter the desired control point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1982
    Assignee: The Foxboro Company
    Inventor: Guy C. Amey
  • Patent number: 4342359
    Abstract: A heat exchanger that is universally usable in the flue stack of a heating appliance and yet is efficient and capable of properly matching the rate of heat exchange to the heat rating of the heating appliance. The basic elements of the heat exchanger which affect heat transfer, include the length and diameter of the flue gas tubes, the tube support structure defining the tube spacing, air flow baffles, air openings and the size of the blower are held constant. To match the amount of heat recovery from the flue gas to the heat rating of heating appliance, only the amount of heat exchange surface area (finning) is varied from heat exchanger to heat exchanger. Further, the heat exchanger includes a heat transfer section which is readily separable from the flue gas inlet and outlet assemblies for cleaning or repair without the need for complete removal of the entire heat exchanger from the flue stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1982
    Inventor: Jack T. Baker
  • Patent number: 4337823
    Abstract: A rectangular enclosed electric furnace cabinet, for mobile and modular homes, has a downward blower which draws air downward from an upper wall duct inlet over electric resistance heaters and out through a lower wall duct outlet to the underfloor ducts of the home. A rectangular open frame member, mounting a louvered door, is secured to the cabinet upper wall at its forward end. After closet installation of the cabinet, final wall trim, adjacent to the cabinet sides and the open frame member, may be added. In use exclusively as an electric furnace, a furnace filter is secured beneath the upper furnace inlet by a pair of diagonally-crossed elongated clips. The cabinet is adaptable for use as the indoor unit of a central air conditioner or heat pump by the addition of an A-coil over the upper air inlet; then filters are provided instead on the upper sloping sides of the coil and the elongated clips are utilized to secure insulation sheet to the interior of the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1982
    Assignee: Intertherm Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. DelPercio
  • Patent number: 4325429
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a plurality of batteries, comprising a fluid containing body having a base and opposing side walls, a series of supports positioned at the corners of the body defined by intersecting side walls, a fluid inlet manifold connected to a first side wall and communicating with the body, and a fluid outlet manifold connected to a second side wall horizontally opposing the first side wall and communicating with the body, wherein the body, the legs, the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet comprise a unitary structure. The apparatus is particularly adapted for stacking in a vertical array, providing a cascading fluid arrangement, by positioning the fluid outlet of a first, upper apparatus in vertical spaced relation to the inlet of a second, lower apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1982
    Assignee: General Battery Corporation
    Inventors: William G. Bevan, Larry L. Sterling
  • Patent number: 4301861
    Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for use in condensing steam from the turbine exhaust of a power plant or the like, comprising a steam condenser having means for circulating cooling medium therethrough in order to condense a portion of the steam from the turbine exhaust, a wet cooling tower in which the cooling medium is cooled by means of ambient air, and a dry cooling tower in which the other portion of the steam is condensed by means of ambient air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1981
    Assignee: Hudson Products Corporation
    Inventor: Michael W. Larinoff
  • Patent number: 4300627
    Abstract: Cross-flow ceramic recuperators are useful in industrial waste heat recovery in an assembly in which the ceramic recuperator is held by a metallic housing adapted for retrofitting to the metallic fittings of existing furnaces, ovens and preheaters. The assembly is characterized by at least two insulating layers inside the conduit portions leading from the operating hot faces of the ceramic core, whereby the operating efficiency of the assembly is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1981
    Inventors: Joseph J. Cleveland, Ray L. Newman, William L. Mingos
  • Patent number: 4296802
    Abstract: There are disclosed four embodiments of apparatus for use in condensing steam from the turbine exhaust of a power plant or the like, each comprising a steam condenser having means for circulating cooling medium therethrough in heat exchange relation with steam from the turbine exhaust, and wet and dry cooling towers in which the cooling medium is cooled by means of ambient air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1981
    Assignee: Hudson Products Corporation
    Inventor: Michael W. Larinoff
  • Patent number: 4293032
    Abstract: A single housing contains heating and air cooling units but in separate chambers and a single blower is selectively movable to force air into and through the respective chambers as desired for cooling or heating and outlets from the separate chambers to a common plenum are closed off depending upon which of the chambers is being fed by the blower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1981
    Inventor: Donald J. Asp
  • Patent number: 4287961
    Abstract: An off-highway vehicle includes a body having an engine compartment in which is positioned an internal combustion engine. The grill for the engine compartment is hinged to the body to permit ready access to the engine compartment. The radiator system for the engine includes a plurality of similar cooling modules which are interconnected together and to the engine to circulate coolant with respect to the engine. The number of cooling modules may be readily varied to vary the cooling capacity of the radiator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1981
    Assignee: Hydra-Mac, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce W. Steiger
  • Patent number: 4250955
    Abstract: A series of like-shelved, convertible refrigerating and heating cabinets, accessible from either one of two sides thereof through self-closing glass doors for self-service and replenishment of prepared food and drinks, and following a door opening of any duration over periods of intermittent replenishing, dispensing and storage conditions, providing fast automatic rapid air condition recovery for uniformity of refrigeration, or heating, and/or humidification of miscellaneous food products accessibly displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1981
    Assignee: Bastian Blessing Co. Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Plattner, Raymond J. Arend, John A. Verberkmoes
  • Patent number: 4237967
    Abstract: A circuit for allowing an air conditioner to be installed in a motor vehicle using the vehicle's existing heater and vent controls. A slide potentiometer is attached to the heater control arm that normally controls the heater air temperature. The slide potentiometer has two resistance elements electrically separated from each other, but only a single wiper that moves from one to the other as the arm is moved. The air conditioner and heater have separate blowers, but both are connected to the conventional heater blower switch. A relay is connected to the heater and air conditioner blower circuits for enabling either one or the other to operate. The relay is actuated by a switching circuit that is completed only when the wiper is in contact with one of the resistance elements and not the other. Another enabling circuit is completed when the slide potentiometer wiper is in contact with the other resistance element. This latter circuit enables the air conditioner temperature regulating circuitry to function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1980
    Assignees: Lone Star Manufacturing Company, Inc., Genelco, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Harding, Jack E. Herweg
  • Patent number: 4205657
    Abstract: The convertible, modular tri-mode solar conversion system provides two primary heating modes, -both hot water and hot air for winter time operation, with conversion to one secondary mode for electric power generation and air conditioning during summertime operation.The tri-mode solar conversion system utilizes linear parabolic concentrators for converting solar energy to hot water/steam, hot air, and heat engine/electric power generation for nearly all year round operation with improved overall cost-effectiveness.Wintertime hot water is provided within a conventional focal piping line with hot air produced through a thin plastic duct which is concentric to the focal piping. The thin plastic duct is supported by thin, spirally wound wire coils with uniformly located, radial struts fastened to both the focal piping and the wire coils.Summertime air conditioning and electric power are provided from both the focal piping steam and the hot air flow by way of a simple Rankine cycle heat engine loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1980
    Inventor: Donald A. Kelly
  • Patent number: 4203427
    Abstract: A portable, solar cooker of the type having an insulated housing with an oven compartment and associated reflector elements is adapted for cooking with a portion of the housing removed and using a conventional source of heat such as canned heat, gas-fired lantern heat, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1980
    Inventor: Lee V. Way, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4194498
    Abstract: A solar collector cell formed as an integral portion of a roof flashing is disclosed as comprising a flashing base having a dihedral surface including a larger base portion and a smaller ramp portion, and a solar collector cell container built integrally with the base portion of the flashing. The combination is designed to be installed in the roof of a dwelling or other building structure. The container portion of the flashing is substantially shorter in height above the roof line than conventional solar collector cell structures added to a roof subsequent to its construction. As a result, the invention gives the building constructor or owner, the option of either including the solar cell components at the time of construction of the roof to provide a solar heating device, or to fill the solar collector cell container with a temporary support structure, such as roof shakes or tiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1980
    Assignee: Frank Mayer
    Inventor: Myron D. Mayerovitch
  • Patent number: 4188994
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus, having an evaporative cooler interfaced with an insulated air chamber and detachable therefrom to be replaced with a solar heater collecting panel, said insulated air chamber being connected to a house or other structure by air passage means and said evaporative cooler operable by other than the conventional electrical energy sources as well as the usual electrical energy source, said assembly to be used for the cooling and heating of houses and other structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1980
    Inventor: Louis W. Hinshaw
  • Patent number: 4182404
    Abstract: An engine cooling system for the internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, such as a construction machine or the like which operates on uneven or sloped terrain, comprises a radiator having a lower core section and an elongated upper section or top tank separated from the core section by a sealed baffle and extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The cooling system further comprises fluid conducting passages connected between the radiator and the engine, including a radiator supply line and a radiator return line connected between the core section and the engine. The cooling system also comprises a pair of fluid outlet ports located near the bottom of the top tank and spaced apart from each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1980
    Assignee: Fiat-Allis Construction Machinery, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Beveridge, Myron L. Vigesaa
  • Patent number: 4164256
    Abstract: Cooling tower having an outer peripheral wall provided with blowers spaced about the periphery thereof at a lower region thereof, the blowers being formed with annular inlet openings for cooling air, the cooling tower further including means defining closable openings disposed between the annular inlet openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1979
    Assignee: Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Fritz Kelp
  • Patent number: 4139052
    Abstract: The air conditioning unit of the invention has a construction of the indoor air flow section which adapts it to receive and return indoor air either through its bottom area in a vertical air flow mode, or through its end wall in a horizontal air flow mode so that the unit may be either roof top mounted or slab mounted without the need of any added section or module furnished by the manufacturer. The indoor air flow section includes a draw-through refrigerant coil located in an upper quadrant of the section, a detachable panel separating two lower quadrants in the section for the vertical air flow mode and movable to separate a lower and upper quadrant for the horizontal air flow mode, and removable end wall panel means covering the end in the vertical air flow mode and being positioned to cover the bottom for the horizontal air flow mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1979
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Robert S. Lackey
  • Patent number: 4105065
    Abstract: A heat exchanger employs a variable number of repositionable baffles in its headers to permit changing the number of passes made by the fluid processed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1978
    Assignee: Ecodyne Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony N. Chirico
  • Patent number: 4085725
    Abstract: A forced air room heater for installation in a Franklin stove includes a mounting plate configured for covering the flue opening located in the back wall of the stove and having a central opening passing therethrough. A plenum chamber arranged for placement above the baffle which divides the firebox of the stove has an inlet interconnecting it to the opening in the mounting plate and an outlet opening outside of the stove. An electric motor powered fan is attached to the mounting plate opposite the inlet for forcing air first into the plenum where it is heated, then out of the outlet. In one embodiment the outlet opens out of the stove through its front door opening. In a second embodiment the outlet exits the stove through the mounting plate allowing operation of the stove with its door closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1978
    Inventor: Michael V. Mesenbrink
  • Patent number: 4082142
    Abstract: A housing, for the expansion unit of a cooling system, has a top wall, a bottom wall and end walls; and those walls define a space which accommodates that expansion unit. That housing has a front opening which is filled by an air-distributing transition member; and it has a rear opening that is substantially closed by an air-guiding member. That air-guiding member can support a motor and a pair of multi-vane blowers, or it can be an angular transition for a single blower. That air-guiding member is shorter than the rear opening to provide a short space which can accommodate the supply and return headers of the expansion unit. That air-guiding member can be set in either of two predetermined positions relative to that rear opening to permit the supply and return headers to be located at either end of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1978
    Assignee: John E. Mitchell Company
    Inventors: James R. Blackburn, Dudley C. Smith, Theo B. Smith, Jr., Jerry N. Morgan
  • Patent number: 4072187
    Abstract: A compact indoor environmental control system which has cooling, heating, and ventilation components mounted and positioned to provide a slim design for in-the-wall installation. A cabinet is provided with cooling and heating components mounted to leave plenums at opposite ends of the cabinet so that air outlets can be selected on any one of five sides of the plenums. The heating, cooling and control sections are of modular design to permit full accessibility for maintenance, repair or replacement. A variety of configurations for intake and exhaust of inside and outside air are possible because of the versatility provided by the modular construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1978
    Assignee: Advance Machine Corporation
    Inventor: Robert H. Lodge
  • Patent number: 4071082
    Abstract: A method for converting an air conditioning system, for cooling an environment, having respective hot and cold air supply ducts and a dual duct terminal box wherein the hot and cold air is mixed to achieve a desired temperature for delivery to the environment, to a more efficient system by replacing the hot deck of the hot air duct with a cold deck similar to that of the cold air duct and replacing the dual duct box connected to both ducts with one or more types of terminal boxes capable of varying the volume of delivered cooled air to control room temperature. The variable volume terminal boxes may have either limited or unlimited volume variation capability and those with limited variation may be provided with means for heating the residual constant volume furnished at the lower limit of volume variation. The invention also provides for increasing the cooling ability of a system through the use of higher capacity terminal boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1975
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1978
    Assignee: Economides & Goldberg
    Inventor: Leander Economides
  • Patent number: 4066119
    Abstract: A vehicle engine radiator assembly has a radiator having first and second opposed surfaces, an inlet conduit, and an outlet conduit. A fluid coupling is connected to each conduit and is of a construction sufficient for pivotal movement of the radiator for controllably directing either the first or second surface outwardly from the vehicle. Means is provided for permitting pivotal movement of the radiator and maintaining the radiator fixed to the vehicle at a preselected position. The radiator is pivoted for changing the direction of air flow therethrough for removing dirt and other materials from the radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1978
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Robert N. Stedman
  • Patent number: 4064867
    Abstract: A solar heat collector having an enclosure, a first receptacle for a heated liquid medium, and a second receptacle for a cooled liquid medium. Heat transfer means within the enclosure provide for the transfer of heat either to or from a liquid medium therein. Additionally, the heating enclosure may include a closure member which is transparent to radiant energy from the sun. Means may be provided to move the closure member between an opened and a closed position in response to the intensity of radiant energy which impinges on the closure member. First means may then be provided to convey a liquid medium from the first receptacle through the heat transfer means and back to the first receptacle with the closure in a closed position. Also, second means may be provided to convey a liquid medium from the second receptacle through the heat transfer means and then back to the second receptacle with the closure member in an opened position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1977
    Inventor: Robert J. Schlesinger
  • Patent number: 4044950
    Abstract: A fuel-burning forced-air-circulating heating system having a thermostatically controlled heavy-duty blower, and a constantly operable relatively low-powered supplemental air-circulating attachment for forcing air from the cold-air-return plenum to the hot-air-feed plenum of a conventional hot-air furnace. The supplemental attachment bypasses the furnace so that the air-flow resistance of the air filter of the furnace minimizes reverse air-flow through the furnace, resulting in a gentle temperature-equalizing circulation of air through the rooms being heated. Preferably, and very importantly, the supplemental attachment may include a heat-exchanger associated with the furnace flue to further improve the thermal efficiency of the system thus modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1977
    Inventors: Charles F. Engeling, Ralph F. Staubly
  • Patent number: 4018268
    Abstract: The invention pertains to air-conditioning apparatus capable of selectively heating, cooling or circulating air by the use of separate heating and cooling heat exchangers and a neutral zone selectively located within the airflow path through the apparatus. The heating and cooling heat exchangers are in the form of circular segments mounted upon support structure rotatable about an axis and separated by a neutral zone, and pivoting of the support structure about the axis selectively locates one of the heat exchangers or the neutral zone within the apparatus air inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1977
    Inventor: Henrik Kallies
  • Patent number: 4011903
    Abstract: A sliding damper plate is positioned between the blower and heat exchanger of a down draft gun-type furance for mobile home usage and includes cam means at opposite ends thereof for actuating associated switches coupled to the furnace and air conditioning control circuits. When the damper is closed to cut off the flow path through the furnace to permit a separate air conditioner unit to utilize the existing heating ductwork in a mobile home, one of the switches is actuated to permit operation of the air conditioning unit. Alternatively, when the damper is moved to an open position for heating operation, the air conditioning unit is inactivated and a second switch closed by the cam to permit furnace operation. If the damper is partially open or closed, both the furnace and air conditioning unit are deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1977
    Assignee: Lear Siegler, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Harbin, Harry W. Slater
  • Patent number: 3995687
    Abstract: In a closed circuit system for circulating cooling water to various parts of a shaft type furnace, particularly a blast furnace, the closed circuit includes a water cooling device and two separate feed lines disposed in parallel and each arranged to cool different parts of the furnace. Two tanks are connected to the closed circuit, one located above and the other below the circuit. An electric pump circulates the cooling water during normal operation. If a power failure occurs, the electric pump is shut down and one feed line is automatically cut out of the closed circuit and receives flow from the upper tank and discharges it into the lower tank. The other feed line continues to receive the cooling water circulated through the closed circuit including the cooling device by an internal combustion driven pump which is started up when the power failure occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1976
    Assignee: Demag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Horst Euler
  • Patent number: 3977467
    Abstract: Air conditioning apparatus which includes an air blower-heater module useful independently and also in a unit having cooling coils providing means for heating, cooling, and filtering air in air conditioning systems for enclosures. The module has a squirrel cage type centrifugal blower in a housing having scroll shaped baffling with an electric heater at the outlet. The baffling is shaped to minimize turbulence; the heater is mounted within a heat shield spaced within the baffling to reduce housing temperatures; and the blower motor is mounted exterior of the blower chamber for maximum air input. A preferred application of the module is in a cube shaped fancoil unit having a square cooling coil assembly which may be installed at various orientations to provide for bottom drainage with a variety of directions of air intake and discharge. In the cube unit using the module, the air intake and discharge paths are perpendicular to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1974
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1976
    Inventor: Leonard L. Northrup, Jr.