Guide Patents (Class 165/78)
  • Patent number: 5148861
    Abstract: A quick disconnect heat exchanger is disclosed wherein male and corresponding female members are adapted to be slidably interconnected. Each of the respective male and female members includes a discrete fluid flow so that fluids are not mixed during heat exchange and the coupler may be disconnected without fluid loss or mixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Triangle Research and Development Corporation
    Inventors: David P. Colvin, James C. Mulligan, Benjamin T. Gravely
  • Patent number: 5143148
    Abstract: A thermal storage apparatus comprises a series of stacked heat exchange modules. Each module extends horizontally and comprises channels separated by corrugations. Each channel has underneath it a heat exchange fluid pipe through which a primary or secondary coolant circulates. An inlet pipe delivers the phase change medium, for example water, to the lower most module from which it circulates to the top of the apparatus. The modules are stacked by the wall of a module engaging a groove of the next module above it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Berhaz Pty. Limited
    Inventor: Albert E. Merryfull
  • Patent number: 5137080
    Abstract: Difficulty in heat exchanger module replacement and the cost of plural manifolds in a modular heat exchanger useful in heavy duty vehicles or the like is avoided in a construction that includes an elongated manifold (20) having spaced interior inlet and outlet channels (84, 86) along with a plurality of spaced inlet and outlet ports (68, 70) in fluid communication with respective ones of the inlet and outlet channels (84, 86). An elongated frame member (14) is spaced from and parallel to the manifold (22) and has a plurality of spaced retaining formations (42). A plurality of heat exchanger modules (12) are mounted between the frame member (14) and the manifold (20) in side by side relation and each module has spaced tanks (34, 36; 50, 52) with a plurality of finned tubes (30, 32) extending between and in fluid communication therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignees: Caterpillar Inc., Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James T. Haasch, Stanley F. Meizelis, Jr., Robert F. Poehlman, Charles J. Rogers, Raymond D. Stratton
  • Patent number: 5113931
    Abstract: A combination pump and heat exchanger assembly in a manufacturing process temperature controller uses a cast metal pump case with two upwardly opening sockets receiving the lower ends of two tubes, one of them communicating through the case with the pump impeller intake and the other with the impeller discharge. Closed circuit and open circuit versions are shown. In both types, the tubes are constructed to function as tanks, at least one being a heat exchanger unit, and they are readily and removably secured to the case by threaded fasteners and are sealed therein by compression seals. The heat exchanger tubes employ electrical heating elements or chilled liquid piping units therein. A controller including a microcomputer responds to temperature of liquid pumped from the assembly through a process to be temperature controlled, and returned to the assembly, to control an electric heater and/or a motor-operated modulator valve discharging to drain while cool make-up water is admitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: Advantage Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Oswalt, Ronald A. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 5113930
    Abstract: Heat exchanger apparatus for a motor vehicle engine comprises a main heat exchanger having a water box containing a secondary heat exchanger that includes two coupling tubes, which extend sealingly through a side wall of the water box. The secondary heat exchanger is secured in the latter by means of these tubes, each fitted to the secondary heat exchanger by being introduced successively through an access orifice formed in the water box side wall and then into a seating formed in the secondary heat exchanger. The water box side wall carries at least one slide inside the water box, and the secondary heat exchanger has at least one sliding element which slides in the slide so as to enable the secondary heat exchanger to be precisely positioned within the water box, so that the two coupling tubes can then be fitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: Valeo Thermique Moteur
    Inventor: Philippe le Gauyer
  • Patent number: 5109917
    Abstract: The present arrangement includes a removable, sealable plate located over a port in the side of a vacuum furnace chamber, which port lies opposite a heat exchange device. The heat exchanger is mounted on guide devices to enable it to be slideably withdrawn from the furnace chamber without causing injury to any other furnace parts located within the vacuum furnace chamber, such as the hot zone. The removable, sealable plate has major apertures therethrough to permit coolant pipes (eq. water pipes) to pass therethrough. Such feedthrough coolant pipes are sealed to provide integrity for the vacuum condition of the furnace. In addition the present arrangement includes a second sealable, removable plate located on a bonnet device which houses a fan motor. The grease fittings for such a fan motor are elongated and are accessible when the second plate is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: Vacuum Furnace Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Fred W. Ripley
  • Patent number: 5086831
    Abstract: An arrangement for the catalytic oxidation of the harmful components in a cooled carrier gas from a technical process. The arrangement includes two parallel gas ducts which are connected at one end through a bend and whose other ends are connected to gas lines for the carrier gas and for purified gas. The gas ducts are connected to each other through a three-stage thermal energy return unit. The exchanger stage of the thermal energy return units are arranged spaced from each other and are composed of individual heat tubes whose number increases from exchanger stage to exchanger stage. The size ratio of the heat-exchanging surfaces of heating part to cooling part of each exchanger stage decreases in flow direction of the carrier gas from exchanger stage to exchanger stage. The catalyst is integrated in the gas duct for the carrier gas immediately downstream of the heating part of the last exchanger stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Assignee: GEA Luftkuhler GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Paikert, Werner Rudowski, Clemens Ruff
  • Patent number: 5083446
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a plate heat exchanger comprising several heat exchange plates arranged in a frame between a frame plate and a pressure plate, and suspended from a horizontal carrying bar, which has a hollow supporting body with protruding suspension means on its underside for the heat exchange plates. According to the invention the supporting body and the suspension means are formed of a bent sheet material, and the carrying bar has opposite side walls (3, 15, 16) which extend to abutment against each other and are joined to each other at least at lower support surfaces (6) located close to a vertical center plane through the carrying bar, and which beneath said support surfaces (6) extend away from said central plane to form said suspension means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: Alfa-Laval Thermal AB
    Inventor: Torgny Andersson
  • Patent number: 5058662
    Abstract: The tubes of a heat exchanger core are interlocked and spaced from are another prior to brazing in a furnace. Each of the separate plates of each tube is formed with discrete laterally spaced tabs which project transversely to the plane of the plate for spacing and for locking adjacent tubes with one another. These tabs are an integral part of stamped plate and are bent so that they are generally perpendicular to the plane of the plate. The locking tabs have a flat, upturned locking end that is resilient to closely fit over the end of an adjacent plate of an adjacent tube to interlock adjacent tubes together. Straight spacer tabs are used to spaced separate tubes from one another. These spacer tabs are similar to the locking tabs but have straight abutment ends instead of the flattened locking end portions to provide column support. With the locking and spacing tabs in place, the tubes are arrayed in a core which is securely interlocked and accurately spaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Hung P. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 5056590
    Abstract: Heat exchanger plates for stacked flat plate heat exchangers include tapered collars for alignment of one plate relative to another in the stack. The tapered collar extends from the major surface portion of the plate and is tapered so as to have a constricted free end. The collar of one plate receive a collar of a neighboring plates as the plates of the stack are internested one in another. The collars are wedgingly engaged one in another to provide accurate alignment of the heat exchanger plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: The Cherry-Burrell Corporation
    Inventor: John C. Bohn
  • Patent number: 5035281
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for cooling enclosures, typically electronic enclosures, has a box with a heat pipe type exchange element and upper and lower fan units. A novel element holder and box structure and arrangement of components provides for safety, NEMA-12 sealing, easy access and cleaning without tools, and enables the exchanger to be inverted end-for-end and mounted either on the inside or outside of the exchanger while providing a cover that easily comes off for service. The exchanger has an ambient fan and motor and a heat load fan and motor normally inside the box, and both fan and motors and the exchanger are movable to alternative positions for service. A method of servicing a heat exchanger is provided wherein two fans and motors, and a heat exchanger sequentially are unlocked and moved to alternative service positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: McLean Midwest Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas L. Neuenfeldt, Roger A. Peterson
  • Patent number: 4986344
    Abstract: A heat exchanger having two mainfold ducts extending in parallel, adjacent relation connected to each other by heat exchange tubes. The manifold ducts are formed by a plurality of duct segments axially aligned one after the other in sealed relation and a support frame is arranged externally of the manifold ducts and is secured to and supports the duct segments individually at one of their ends. Each duct segment is secured to the frame at one of its ends while its other end is guidably supported and allowed to axially expand and contract relative to the end of the adjacent duct segment. This provides favorable resistance to the loads developed during operation as well as simple dismantling of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: MTU Motoren und Turbinen- Union Munchen GmbH
    Inventor: Karl Maier
  • Patent number: 4964977
    Abstract: A cross-flow type cooling tower comprises a cooling tower main body, a water tank placed at the upper part of the main body, a plurality of closed type heat exchanging units arranged in the main body in substantially horizontal manner and in parallel to each other in multi-stage below the water tank, a supplying header placed near an air discharge opening of the main body, which is detachably connectable to supplying ports of the heat exchanging units, a discharge header placed near an air intake opening of the main body, which is detachably connectable to discharge ports of the heat exchanging units, wherein the water tank is divided into a first water receiving part near the air intake opening and a second water receiving part near the air discharge opening by way of a partition wall, and a switching valve is provided at at least a water feeding pipe to the second water receiving part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Assignee: Shinwa Sangyo Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jujiro Komiya, Tadanobu Muto
  • Patent number: 4951737
    Abstract: A package terminal air conditioner having a modular blower and heater unit that is readily removable intact for servicing. The module includes a housing or box that has a back scroll portion and a pair of ends or side panels. The ends have rearwardly extending tabs and top forwardly extending mounting brackets. A cross-flow blower wheel is spaced adjacent the scroll portion of the housing and is supported by the ends. A shaft extending from the blower wheel is connected to a motor. An electric heating element is mounted to the housing, and the motor and heating element are connected to an electrical connector. The module is installed into an indoor section compartment of the air conditioner, and the tabs insert through slots in the main partition. The mounting brackets are then affixed and the connector is mated to a matching connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Amana Refrigeration, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Tenhundfeld, Daniel R. Melchior, Michael A. Duckworth
  • Patent number: 4924934
    Abstract: A rotary regenerative heat exchange assembly comprises (1) heat exchange wheel means including a heat exchange wheel having a rotation axis and rotably mounted for rotation about said axis and means for rotating said wheel about said axis; and (2) cabinet means comprising openings for securing said assembly to a source of relatively cool air and to a source of relatively warm air so that when said assembly is properly located in an operative position in said cabinet means a portion of said wheel intercepts the flow of said relatively cool air and another portion of said wheel intercepts the flow of said relatively warm air, said cabinet means including means for slidably supporting said heat exchange wheel means and an opening so that said heat exchange wheel means can be slid into said cabinet means to said operative position, and at least partially moved out of said cabinet means so that said wheel can be maintained and/or replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Airxchange, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald F. Steele
  • Patent number: 4921040
    Abstract: A power thermo-coupling unit with muffler (4, 5) and exhaust gas heat exchanger (6, 7) avoids the requirement of a disproportionately large space for component removal at the front end of the power thermo-coupling unit. The muffler (4, 5) and the exhaust gas heat exchanger (6, 7) each have two separate components, the lengths of which are shorter than the distances between the center column (8) and the end walls of the unit support (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: Motoren-Werke Mannheim AG
    Inventors: Celal Ueruenduel, Friedemann Zacharias
  • Patent number: 4909313
    Abstract: Disclosed is an interdigitated plate-type heat exchanger interface. The interface includes a modular interconnect to thermally connect a pair or pairs of plate-type heat exchangers to a second single or multiple plate-type heat exchanger. The modular interconnect comprises a series of parallel, plate-type heat exchangers arranged in pairs to form a slot therebetween. The plate-type heat exchangers of the second heat exchanger insert into the slots of the modular interconnect. Bellows are provided between the pairs of fins of the modular interconnect so that when the bellows are pressurized, they drive the plate-type heat exchangers of the modular interconnect toward one another, thus closing upon the second heat exchanger plates. Each end of the bellows has as a part thereof a thin, membrane diaphragm which readily conforms to the contours of the heat exchanger plates of the modular interconnect when the bellows is pressurized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Fred E. Voss, Harold R. Howell, Roger V. Winkler
  • Patent number: 4903762
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchanger, particularly for motor vehicles, including at least one water tank disposed at one end of a bank (6) of tubes (8) with fines (7) through which a first fluid flows and a shell (2), such as a casing (9), defined by walls (12, 13, 14, 15) surrounding said bank and through which a second fluid flows. In this exchanger, two sides of the bank are adjacent to walls (12, 13, 14, 15) of the casing (9) braced against one another by assembly means positioning the bank (6) and supported by it. This exchanger is characterized in that the assembly means comprise mutual sliding engagement means (21, 23, 25, 26, 34) supported respectively in part by the bank (6) and by at least one of the walls (12, 13, 14, 15) of the casing (9). The invention relates in particular to motor vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: VALEO
    Inventors: Christian Marsais, Herve Dupuis
  • Patent number: 4889181
    Abstract: A bulkhead is formed of a sheet of material which is preformed so as to have alternatingly opposed S-shaped creases at spaced intervals which define pairs of mutually facing recessed grooves between adjacent creases. Resilient surface area enlarging members are each provided with a pair of lips formed on the opposite edges thereof. Each pair of lips are received within a pair of mutually facing recessed grooves of the bulkhead. The surface area enlarging members can be snapped into or out of operative position with respect to the bulkhead to adjust the surface area of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Inventor: Sjoerd Meijer
  • Patent number: 4874039
    Abstract: A plate heat exchanger has a frame plate, a pressure plate and heat exchange plates clamped therebetween, all suspended from a carrying bar passing through a hole in the pressure plate and extending at least some distance into a corresponding hole in the frame plate. The pressure plate is slidable on the carrying bar. The frame plate and the pressure plate are identical so that the hole for the carrying bar in the frame plate is identical to the hole for the carrying bar in the pressure plate. The carrying bar is fastened in the frame plate by means of a locking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignee: Alfa-Laval Thermal AB
    Inventor: Bo Nilsson
  • Patent number: 4856581
    Abstract: A heat exchanger, particularly a radiator for the heating of buildings is formed with a modular unit comprising a tubular finned element of extruded aluminum in which upper and lower headers of die-cast aluminum are engaged by an interference fit and a sealing O-ring gasket. The headers being connected through couplers by bayonet type coupling. The unit being completed passivated and/or anodized against corrosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Inventor: Gennaro Santoro
  • Patent number: 4813478
    Abstract: A frame or a pressure plate (end plate) has two horizontal sides and two vertical sides and is provided with holes or recesses for fastening means used for clamping heat exchange plates between the end plates. The end plate has only one hole or recess (6a, b; 7a, b; 8a, b; 9a, b) at the upper and lower horizontal side, the hole or recess (6a; 7a; 8a; 9a) at the upper side being located on one side of the vertical center line (L) and the hole or recess (6b; 7b; 8b; 9b) at the lower side being located on the other side of the vertical center line (L). The end plate has at least one hole or one recess (10a, b) at each vertical side such that a line between the uppermost hole or recess on each side of the vertical center line forms an angle with the vertical center line, larger than 0.degree. but less than 90.degree..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: Alfa-Laval Thermal AB
    Inventors: Nils-.ANG.ke Jonsson, Per Rissler
  • Patent number: 4804040
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a kind of plate heat exchanger (1) comprising several heat exchange plates (2, 2D), which are arranged between a frame plate (3) and a pressure plate (4) and are supported by a lower carrying bar (7), said lower carrying bar (7) and an upper guiding bar (6, 6B) extending through recesses (18) in lower and upper parts, respectively, of the heat exchange plates (2, 2D), and at least the upper part of each heat exchange plate (2, 2D) being provided with at least one lug (19, 20) extending into the upper recess (18) and forming an upper constriction of it for retaining of the heat exchange plate (2, 2D) in position on the guiding bar (6, 6B), said lug being flexible enough to be bent aside to permit insertion of the guiding bar into the recess and to spring back after the bar has been inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Assignee: Alfa-Laval Thermal AB
    Inventors: Bergqvist Jan-Ove, Nilsson Ebbe, Andersson Jarl
  • Patent number: 4799541
    Abstract: A two member heat exchanger. The first member having an outer surface, a conical inner surface surrounding a hollow region, a fluid chamber between the outer surface and the conical inner surface, and first and second fluid ports diametrically positioned on the outer surface to permit the flow of fluid in and out of the fluid chamber. The second member, insertable into the hollow region of the first member, has an outer conical surface matching the inner conical surface of the first member and a cylindrical bore for receiving external heat dissipating devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1989
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Corporation
    Inventors: Tibor Buna, William H. Miller
  • Patent number: 4751913
    Abstract: An apparatus for heating water, especially a hot-water boiler. The apparatus has a combustion chamber and two or more heat exchangers that are disposed one above the other. The heat exchanger disposed in the bottom of the apparatus is associated with a condensation chamber. In order to be able to operate this heat exchanger without water, and to be able to raise the efficiency of the apparatus as a whole, the heat exchanger of the condensation chamber is provided with a fresh air inlet and a fresh air outlet. Air is conveyed through this heat exchanger, whereupon it is heated up. This warmed air is supplied to the burner of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1988
    Inventor: Richard Vetter
  • Patent number: 4738311
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for use for example in a laundry dryer comprises a plurality of plates defining flow passages therebetween for a first heat exchange medium. Each plate is made up of a plurality of aluminum elements having mutually co-operating positive and negative profilings at their narrow sides, to fit snugly together. The plates are held at a spacing from each other in grooves in end wall members forming a holding assembly. A second heat exchange medium flows through the hollow interiors of the elements making up the plates. The hollow interiors have web portions therein, to enhance heat flow between the first and second heat exchange media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Inventor: Ingo Bleckman
  • Patent number: 4718481
    Abstract: A water injection device having a plurality of superposed pipes (13), and a series of tubes (5) for circulating the fluid to be heated, are disposed inside a cylindrical case (6). Interconnecting devices are fixed to the injection device and support the series of tubes, to make the injection device and series of tubes a structurally independent, removable unit. The apparatus is useful for vaporization and heating by circulation of water of liquefied gasses at low temperature such as nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, argon, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Daniel Delatte
  • Patent number: 4709755
    Abstract: In a shell and tube heat exchanger, cooperation between a shell and shroud within the shell is established by at least one boss extending radially outward from the exterior surface of the shroud and at least one channel on the inside of the shell. The channel has longitudinal and circumferential path portions which are adapted to receive the boss so as to allow for longitudinal and radial temperature expansion without incurring undesirable stresses on either the shell or the shroud. The shroud is disclosed as further including at least one longitudinally extending alignment guide which enables cooperation with guide rails associated with a tube bundle positioned within the shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1987
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: Cecil C. Gentry, William M. Small
  • Patent number: 4710136
    Abstract: A structure for mounting an electronic apparatus comprises a pair of opposed side members each having front and rear ends for guiding the apparatus between the front and rear ends of the structure. A rear member has a coupling element for establishing an electrical connection with the electronic apparatus. To make the apparatus retractable with a minimum of effort, the rear member is arranged to movably engage the side members so that when the apparatus is removed from the structure, the rear member is also moved with it, over a predetermined distance, allowing the apparatus to be more firmly gripped for further removal with a greater force that is sufficient to disengage the coupling elements from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1987
    Assignee: Nippon Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 4709750
    Abstract: This invention is a phase change heat exchange unit which is comprised of upper and lower skeletal support frames having a container for a phase change material disposed therebetween. Each of the frames has a pair of support grids which provide support for the phase change material container and provide a passage for the flow of a heat transfer fluid therethrough so that it can come into direct contact with the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1987
    Assignee: InterNorth, Inc.
    Inventor: Geoffrey T. White
  • Patent number: 4682472
    Abstract: A lockable, mechanically secure coupling is provided for heat exchanger tubes which are connected together by end plates into superimposed layers (A or B) to form hydraulic connections between the extremities of two tubes (1) using tubular elbows (3). Each tubular elbow (3) has a coupling member (5) connected to the extremities thereof by welding, brazing or glueing to form a coupling flange. The subassembly comprising an elbow with its coupling member (5) is received in a countersunk recess (10) in the external face of the end plate and is mechanically locked by pairs of straight pins (13) which extend into spaced parallel bores (12) or (15), disposed orthogonally to the axis (XX) of the tubes (1), each pin (13) being received in an external semicircular groove (9) of the coupling member (5). The invention provides a tight, mechanically sound joint for the hydraulic connections between tubular heat exchangers used in thermoelectric devices employed as heat pumps or as electrical generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1987
    Assignee: Tunzini Nessi Entreprises d'Equipements
    Inventor: Jean-Francois Huard
  • Patent number: 4676303
    Abstract: Heat exchanger comprising a casing and tubular or plate-type exchange surfaces mounted inside the casing. The exchange surfaces (15) are joined together in the form of at least one module (14) comprising two end plates (16, 17) between which the exchange surfaces (15) are disposed, said plates (16, 17) being mounted slidingly after the style of drawers in rails (8, 9) of the casing (1). Application: particularly in low-temperature recuperative heat exchangers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Assignee: Etablissements Neu
    Inventors: Paul Barroyer, Bernard Foucher, Claude Ladent, Jean P. Wicke
  • Patent number: 4669535
    Abstract: A heat sink is formed of an interlocked stack of strip elements each having a heat-conducting base portion and a thinner heat-radiating fin portion, the base portions being configured for interlocking engagement to form a unitary heat-conductive mass and the fin portions having relative large surface areas for efficient heat disposition into surrounding air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: North American Specialties Corp.
    Inventor: Jack Seidler
  • Patent number: 4660132
    Abstract: A cooling device for protecting a light absorbing optical element is provided. The cooling device includes an optical unit which comprises a transparent, thermally-conductive material disposed in heat conductive relation to the optical element. A mounting body supports the optical unit and receives heat energy therefrom. A heat pipe is mounted in the mounting body. Thus, heat energy is removed from the optical element and transferred to ambient through the thermally-conductive material, the mounting body and the heat pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Assignee: Pindar Development Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley S. Basler, Douglas H. Harrison
  • Patent number: 4653575
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for ventilating insulated dwellings with minimum internal heat loss, is disclosed. The heat exchanger is characterized by its very low manufacturing cost, its excellent efficiency and its minimum and easy maintenance. The heat exchanger consists of an elongated box-like casing forming two opposite end chambers interconnected by a plurality of longitudinally-extending, thin walled glass tubes. Warm stale and humid air is expelled through the glass tubes from one to the other chamber, while cool outdoor drier air is circulated within the casing along a generally sinusoidal path about the glass tubes, so that a heat transfer occurs through the walls of the glass tubes. The casing is made of molded foam plastic for good heat insulation and in two half-parts having inner edges releasably and sealingly joined by a tongue-and-groove arrangement. Each half-part has a tongue and a groove, each extending along half the periphery of its inner edge, so that the half-parts can be made in the same mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Inventor: Germain Courchesne
  • Patent number: 4592416
    Abstract: A heat exchange apparatus (10) formed of a plurality of heat exchange modules (20) mounted together in side-by-side relationship to form a box-like array. Each heat exchange module (20) houses a multiplicity of heat exchange tubes (44) which provide a flow passage through which a first heat exchange fluid, such as air, is passed in heat exchange relationship with a second heat exchange fluid, such as flue gas, passing through the heat exchange apparatus over the heat exchange tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1986
    Assignee: The Air Preheater Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn D. Mattison, Michael A. Case
  • Patent number: 4564746
    Abstract: A steam humidifier cabinet provides a small cabinet which can be used in room installations and which provides a heated evaporative chamber for forming steam, and a fan for receiving the steam being generated and dispersing it through a cabinet passageway into the room. The evaporative chamber used for generating the steam is enclosed to prevent any leakage, or damage, and is accessible easily for cleaning or other servicing because it mounts on tracks which permit it to be slid out of the cabinet enclosure. Additionally, the heating element used for generating steam is attached to a cover and the cover is supportable out of the way on supports provided on the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1986
    Assignee: DRI STEEM Humidifier Company
    Inventors: Bernard W. Morton, Bruce K. Olseth
  • Patent number: 4548260
    Abstract: A heat exchanger having a cylindrical shell divided into upper and lower chambers. A tube bundle may be disposed within the lower chamber, the tube bundle having spaced apart inlet and outlet sides which can be disposed either to one side or the other thereby permitting greater placement of the inlet and outlet ports on the shell. To this end the structure which divides the shell into upper and lower chambers includes a generally horizontal longitudinally extending plate assembly provided with openings to either side of a vertically extending barrier wall used for controlling the flow of air. Longitudinally extending guide bars are secured to the lower surface of the horizontal plate. The tube bundle includes upper and lower longitudinally extending shrouds, each of which is provided with a mounting bracket which extends away from the shroud along a longitudinally extending vertical plane which bisects the center of gravity of the tube bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1985
    Assignee: American Precision Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Victor J. Stachura
  • Patent number: 4537247
    Abstract: Being a heat pipe heat exchanger wherein a group of heat pipes are arranged in box form and the central part thereof is partitioned, a high temperature fluid being let to flow into one and a low temperature fluid into the other one, respectively, so that, by the specific properties of the heat pipes, the heat given from the high temperature fluid is transferred to the low temperature fluid through the sealed-in fluid in the heat pipes, a plurality of heat pipes of which those on at least the high temperature fluid passage side are bare pipes are arranged to extend over both passages, and the heat pipes on the high temperature fluid passage side are inserted in finless outer pipes. At least the outer surface of these finless outer pipes is treated for resistance to corrosion. Also, these finless outer pipes and the heat pipes are joined by a heat conductive material, so that heat pipes can be easily demounted, and, therefore, the efficiency of the heat exchanger can be varied as required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: Gadelius Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Eiji Okamoto, Yasuhiro Fukaya, Michio Chikami
  • Patent number: 4533081
    Abstract: A heating and ventilation unit for a motor vehicle comprises a mixing chamber containing a heat exchanger and disposed within the vehicle interior. Pipe connections extending from the heat exchanger pass through the rear wall of the mixing chamber. An aperture in a wall of the mixing chamber is provided for enabling the heat exchanger to be withdrawn from the mixing chamber into the vehicle interior. The aperture is formed in a side wall of the chamber and is dimensioned to permit passage of the heat exchanger as well as the rearwardly projecting connections. A closure and support element is provided which is insertable through the aperture and which, when inserted, serves to support the heat exchanger within the chamber and prevent forward displacement of the exchanger away from the rear wall of the mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Bernd Forsting, Joachim Zander, Jeske Gustav
  • Patent number: 4531575
    Abstract: A heat-exchange radiator (1) is connected to a fluid flow circuit by a connector (19) which provides one member (21) of an interengageable spigot and socket pair (21 and 25) for push-fit, fluid-tight, engagement between the connector and the radiator, with latching formations (22 and 27) at least one of which is resilient. Preferably the connector carries the spigot which tapers and engages with a socket of corresponding shape, the spigot carrying an O-ring seal (23) and either latching fingers (42) or a resilient latching circlip (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1985
    Assignee: Myson Group Limited
    Inventor: Dennis M. Webster
  • Patent number: 4499942
    Abstract: In plate heat exchangers the dismantling of the pack of plates is a lengthy job which normally has to be carried out in situ. A plate heat exchanger has a frame including a head (3), a supporting pillar (7) and a movable follower (4) mounted on a top rail (2) extending between the head (3) and pillar (7) which also carries the plate pack (1). In accordance with the invention, the top rail (2) is readily releasable therefrom by bolts (13) whereby the whole plate pack (1) may be lifted clear of the frame. The follower (4) may be temporarily accommodated on the supporting pillar (7) by clamping means (10) and the roller (5) removed. The top rail may be provided with means for attachment of lifting shackles (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Assignee: The A.P.V. Company Limited
    Inventor: John Allison
  • Patent number: 4482011
    Abstract: The case has a housing (15) with an open end from whose annular edge (16) there depends an annular projection (20) constituting an elastically deformable lip which presses against the tube plate (13) of the heat exchanger, thereby sealing the housing around the tube plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1984
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventor: Maurice Jacquet
  • 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: 4473108
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for the extraction and re-use of heat and/or moisture from gas flows comprising: a housing (3) forming a duct section for gas flows; a rotor (7) which has a plurality of air passages extending therethrough; and a guide arrangement (9, 10, 11) for carrying the rotor (7), which arrangement is movable laterally of the housing (3) to carry the rotor (7) between an inserted position and an at least partially extracted position. A drive (21) for driving the rotor (7) can be movable jointly with said rotor (7). In an expedient embodiment, the rotor bearing is located, optionally together with the drive, on a support member (10, 11) which is stiff against both torsion and bending and which is movable on guide rails. This support member extends expediently by means of two carrying members (10) next to the two major faces of said rotor (7), which are movable on said rails in the housing (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1984
    Assignee: Flakt Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Lennart Jansson, Stellan Akesson, Harry Waermo
  • Patent number: 4465124
    Abstract: A casing (10) for receiving a heat exchanger (12) such as a heater or an air conditioner for a motor vehicle, has an opening surrounded by a rim (13). The heat exchanger is inserted into the casing via the opening. To fasten the heat exchanger therein, resilient lugs (18) having inwardly turned latches (21) project longitudinally from the rim. The lugs snap fasten onto a peripheral flange (16) around the water box (17) of the heat exchanger. Assembly is simplified and speeded by the arrangement, thereby reducing its cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1984
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Maurice Jacquet, Jacques Boidet
  • Patent number: 4453592
    Abstract: A multiple module heat exchanger having a serpentine path for one fluid to flow transversely through adjacent modules while a second fluid flows longitudinally therethrough. A guide pin carried by one module and a mating receptacle carried by a module adjacent thereto cooperate to permit relative longitudinal movement between modules while precluding relative transverse movement therebetween. The mating guide pin and receptacle are located at the central axis of adjacent modules whereby there may be a limited amount of pivotal movement between adjacent modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1984
    Assignee: The Air Preheater Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James D. Wightman
  • Patent number: 4432307
    Abstract: A boiler is disclosed comprising a heat exchanger having a plurality exchanger modules which are plugged in upper and lower headers connected in the heating circuit of a central heating system. The headers are secured to the rear wall of a casing and the modules are slidably mounted in guideways in the casing. Upper and lower latch bars are biased to their latching positions for preventing the modules from being uncoupled with the headers under pressure in the heating circuit. The exchanger modules may be installed and removed separately without the need of any tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1984
    Assignee: Societe Industrielle Auer
    Inventor: Pascal Godin
  • Patent number: 4415024
    Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly has an elongated shell provided with fluid inlet and fluid outlet openings. An elongated bundle assembly is received within the shell. The bundle assembly has a plurality of elongated tubes extending generally longitudinally and a plurality of generally parallel fin plates which are transversely oriented. The bundle assembly has a top sheet and a bottom sheet. The bundle assembly support is interposed between the bottom sheet and the shell. A baffle is provided in the form of an elongated plate extending generally diagonally between the top sheet of the bundle assembly and the shell. In a preferred form, the baffle plate is provided with an underlying seal which is interposed between the baffle plate and the top sheet and has an upper edge which is of generally complementary curvature with respect to the adjacent portions of the shell and may take the form of a portion of a sine wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1983
    Assignee: Joy Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Robert L. Baker
  • Patent number: 4415019
    Abstract: A combined heat exchanging and ventilating unit is disclosed which is designed for roof installation on a building. The unit includes a heat exchange housing (12) with a heat exchange assembly (34) in it which is capable of being slid into or out of an intake portal (32) on the housing (12) so that easy access can be had to the heat exchange assembly (34) from the roof of the building. The heat exchange housing (12) is particularly designed so that a standard updraft ventilator fan (14) may be used to draw exhaust air through the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1983
    Assignee: Hunzicker-Riley, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean L. Hunzicker