With Solid Sorbent Patents (Class 62/480)
  • Patent number: 6434955
    Abstract: A novel modular and miniature chiller is proposed that symbiotically combines absorption and thermoelectric cooling devices. The seemingly low efficiency of each cycle individually is overcome by an amalgamation with the other. This electro-adsorption chiller incorporates solely existing technologies. It can attain large cooling densities at high efficiency, yet is free of moving parts and comprises harmless materials. The governing physical processes are primarily surface rather than bulk effects, or involve electron rather than fluid flow. This insensitivity to scale creates promising applications in areas ranging from cooling personal computers and other micro-electronic appliances, to automotive and room air-conditioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: The National University of Singapore
    Inventors: Kim Choon Ng, Jeffrey M. Gordon, Hui Tong Chua, Anutosh Chakraborty
  • Patent number: 6430943
    Abstract: Improved methods for the controlled generation of ammonia from an ammoniated metal salt at substantially ambient temperature by applying microwave energy to the salt. The ammoniated salts have the formula MAn·(NH3), wherein M is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, scandium, ytterbium, the lanthanides, titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, manganese, technetium, rhenium, iron, ruthenium, osmium, cobalt, rhodium, iridium, nickel, palladium, platinum, copper, silver, gold, zinc, cadmium, mercury, tin, and aluminum; A is at least one ion selected from the group consisting Cl−, Br−, F−, I−, ClO3−, ClO4−, BF4−, AlCl4−, PF6−, SbCl6−, and SbF6−; and SbF6− n is from 1 to 6; and X is from 1 to 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M. Pfister, Charles M. Byrd
  • Publication number: 20020104319
    Abstract: A self cooling can has water on a pre-wetted wick (478), in a chamber and an adsorbent in another chamber communicable upon actuation of the can with the chamber. One or both of the chambers is at low pressure. Upon actuation the pressure of the wick drops, water vapour is absorbed by the adsorbent from the internal atmosphere and more water evaporates from the wick to replace it, thereby causing a cooling effect in heat generated in the adsorbent may be contained by but a take-up system, such as phase change material or microcapsules of high heat capacity material such as water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Lisa Jane Paine, Saffa Bashir Riffat, Richard Curtiss
  • Publication number: 20020100288
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a miniature metal hydride thermal storage apparatus for the cooling of devices to subambient temperatures, the apparatus composed of at least two chambers containing distinct metal hydrides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventor: Jon Zuo
  • Patent number: 6425440
    Abstract: A reciprocal design for an electrochemical heat exchanger comprised of a gas-based driving system, a liquid-based cooling system, and a non-permeable flexible diaphragm to physically separate the contents of the driving system from the contents of the cooling system while maintaining a pressure based communication between the contents of the two systems. The gas-based driving system utilizes a hydrogen electrochemical pump to induce circulation of a liquid coolant through the cooling system. Said liquid coolant exchanges heat with the object to be cooled and transfers heat out of the heat exchange system by way of matched banks of radiator tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Borst, Inc.
    Inventors: Boris Tsenter, Alexei Petrov
  • Publication number: 20020092315
    Abstract: Heat is absorbed from a first heat emitter and a second heat emitter is cooled by an adsorption type refrigerator operating by that absorbed heat. When the amount of emission of heat of the first heat emitter exceeds a predetermined amount of heat, the heat absorbed in the heat medium by a first heat collector is discharged to the outside air by an outdoor unit without being supplied to the adsorbent of the refrigerator. On the other hand, when the amount of emission of heat of the first heat emitter falls below a predetermined amount, the heat medium which had been supplied to a first heat exchanger for heating the adsorbent is switched to return to the first heat collector without flowing to the outdoor unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Masaaki Tanaka, Shigeo Numazawa, Katsuya Ishii, Hideaki Sato, Shin Honda, Yoshiyuki Okamoto, Junichiro Kanamori, Tadayoshi Terao
  • Patent number: 6415625
    Abstract: An auxiliary active heating and air conditioning system for a passenger area of a motor vehicle comprising a heat exchanger in the passenger area piped to receive conditioned heat transfer fluid, a sorption cooling system located outside the passenger area and having first and second reactors, each reactor containing a metal salt or a complex compound formed by absorbing a polar gas on a metal salt comprising a halide, nitrate, nitrite, oxalate, perchlorate, sulfate or sulfite of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal, zinc, cadmium, tin or aluminum, or sodium borofluoride or a double metal halide, the reactors having a heat transfer section for thermally exposing a heat transfer fluid and/or condensed polar gas refrigerant in heat exchange communication with the metal salt or said complex compound, a refrigerant loop including an evaporator piped to deliver conditioned heat transfer fluid to the heat exchanger during air conditioning, a heater for heating heat transfer fluid, and a valve ass
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventors: Uwe Rockenfeller, Lance Kirol, Paul Sarkisian, Kaveh Khalili
  • Patent number: 6415626
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sorber which is suitable for use in an electromagnetic wave activated sorption system and which is easily adaptable to packaging constraints. One embodiment of the sorber comprises a flexible enclosure having an outer conductor, and inner conductor, a port through which a sorbate can be communicated into and out of said enclosure, and a sorbent in the enclosure which can adsorb the sorbate to form a sorbate/sorbent compound. The enclosure is configured to be coupled to an electromagnetic wave generator so that waves generated by the electromagnetic wave generator propagate through the sorbate/sorbent compound within the enclosure. Another embodiment of the sorber comprises an enclosure which is configured to serve as a structural component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M. Pfister, Charles M. Byrd
  • Patent number: 6415627
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sorber cooling device suitable for use in an electromagnetic wave activated sorption system. One embodiment of the sorber cooling device has a metallic tubular enclosure extending coaxially into the sorber, a plurality of fins connected to a portion of the tubular enclosure extending outside of the sorber, a reservoir in fluid communication with the tubular enclosure, and a wick located within the portion of the tubular enclosure extending into the sorber. A refrigerant which is placed in the cooling device is drawn by the wick into the portion of the tubular enclosure extending into the sorber. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the sorber and evaporates. The evaporated refrigerant is condensed in the portion of the tubular enclosure extending outside of the sorber and the heat of condensation is dissipated by the fins. The condensed refrigerant is collected in the reservoir. This cycle repeats automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M. Pfister, Charles M. Byrd
  • Patent number: 6412295
    Abstract: A sorption device for heating and cooling gas streams, with a sorbent container which contains a sorbent that takes up a working fluid which evaporates in an evaporator that contains a quantity of working fluid in correspondence with the quantity of sorbent, with a sorbent heat exchanger which exchanges the heat between a sorbent and a sorbent gas stream, with a working fluid heat exchanger which exchanges the heat between working fluid, and with a working fluid gas stream, and a closable valve between the sorbent container and the evaporator, which valve is able to interrupt the flow of the working fluid vapor, with both the sorbent heat exchanger and the working fluid heat exchanger having at their inlets and outlets connecting elements which can be readily attached to, detached from, and exchanged for one another on the gas flow channels for supplying and discharging gas streams that are to be heated or cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Zeo-Tech Zeolith Technologie, GmbH
    Inventors: Rüdiger Weiss, Jürgen Just, Hartmut Gehse, Peter Maier-Laxhuber, Reiner Worz, Andreas Becky, Leo Totschnig, Christoph Grupp
  • Patent number: 6389839
    Abstract: A disposable flow-through refrigeration system includes an evaporator chamber containing a refrigerant, which, during system operation, evaporates to form a vapor; an evacuated absorber chamber including sorbent for receiving the vapor, a heat sink material in thermal contact with the sorbent, and a means for preventing vapor flow from evaporator to absorber until operation of the refrigeration system. The system also includes a primary volume of dispensable product and a product reservoir in fluid communication with each other. The system includes a dispensing means configured to enable controlled withdrawal of a secondary volume of product contained in the reservoir which includes a flow path from the primary volume to the dispensing means. At least one wall of the flow path is in thermal contact with an outer surface of the evaporator chamber during operation of the refrigeration system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Tempra Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Cullen M. Sabin
  • Publication number: 20020053217
    Abstract: A regenerative adsorption process and a multi-reactor regenerative adsorption chiller assembly including a condenser adapted to receive a coolant from a source; an evaporator connected to the condenser to provide a refrigerant circuit; a plurality of reactors, each being able to operate in adsorption and desorption modes and having a coolant inlet to directly or indirectly receive coolant when operating in adsorption mode before, after or simultaneous with the condenser, and a waste heat inlet for directly or indirectly receiving waste heat from a waste heat source when operating in desorption mode; and control means for controlling said plurality of reactors such that each reactor alternately operates in adsorption and desorption modes for substantially identical time intervals, and such that each reactor has an equal chance of being the first reactor to receive the coolant when operating in adsorption mode, and the waste heat from the waste heat source when operating in desorption mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Inventors: Hui Tong Chua, Kim Choon Ng, Abdul Malek, Takao Kashiwagi, Atsushi Akisawa, Bidyut Baran Saha
  • Patent number: 6378601
    Abstract: A hydrogen cooled hydrogen storage unit. The unit employs excess hydrogen flow between hydrogen storage alloy rods in the hydrogen storage unit in order to provide convective cooling thereof. The unit provides for high packing density of the storage materials. The unit also allows for efficient thermal transfer of heat energy from a central source of heat through the rods thereof during discharge of the stored hydrogen. The hydrogen storage rods of the unit are encased in an encapsulant layer which prevents entrainment of the hydrogen storage material in the high flow rate hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Rosa T. Young
  • Patent number: 6378326
    Abstract: A sorption cooler for cooling substances in a vessel (4) by means of a sorption agent (11) within a sorption agent vessel (10), which in connected via a vapor valve (9) to an evaporator (10) for generation of working agent vapor, and where a part of the outer wall (1) of the vessel (4) is in good thermal contact with a working agent storage material (2) and at least this part of the outer wall (1) of vessel (4) is at the same time a part of the boundary surface (5) of the evaporator (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Zeo-Tech Zeolith-Technologie, GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Maier-Laxhuber, Andreas Becky, Gert Richter, Reiner Worz, Manfred Binnen, Leo Totschnig, Ralf Schmidt, Jannik Inselkammer, Martin Leibhard, Maximilian Ammon, Axel Rosler
  • Publication number: 20020035849
    Abstract: The present invention provides an adsorption-type cooling apparatus comprising first, second, third, and fourth adsorption devices filled with a coolant and contain adsorbents which adsorb evaporated coolant and desorb the adsorbed coolant during heating. Adsorption cores provide heat exchange between the adsorbents and a heat medium, and evaporation and condensation cores provide heat exchange between heating medium and the coolant. A cooling device in which heating medium cooled in the evaporation and condensation cores circulates and cools the object of cooling. A heating means supplies a high-temperature heat medium to the first-fourth adsorption devices. A cooling means supplies a low-temperature heat medium which has a temperature lower than that of the high-temperature heat medium to the first-fourth adsorption devices. Also, a switching control means is provided which switches between multiple states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Inventors: Masaaki Tanaka, Satoshi Inoue, Kideaki Sato, Katsuya Ishii, Hisao Nagashima, Shin Honda, Takahisa Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6360811
    Abstract: A case for a hydrogen absorption indirect heat exchanger of the present invention includes a square cylindrical portion 11 having each portion thereof formed integrally by die-casting or extrusion molding. The corners 11a of this square cylindrical portion 11 and the center portion of its side 11b are shaped to a greater thickness than that of other portions. The weight of the case can be reduced while the case powder capacity is secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiji Toh, Hidehito Kubo, Nobuo Fujita, Hiroyuki Mitsui
  • Patent number: 6349560
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for the cooling of a liquid (4) within a container (3) by means of a liquid cooler (1), which absorbs a working agent vapor through a sorbent (14) from an evaporator (8), which is in thermal contact with the liquid (4) to be cooled, and wherein during the regeneration of the sorbent (14), the working agent vapor flows back into the evaporator (8) and during condensation, releases its condensation heat to a liquid (4) in the container (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Zeo-Tech Zeolith-Technologie, GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Maier-Laxhuber, Andreas Becky, Gert Richter, Reiner Worz
  • Patent number: 6349553
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooling an electrical component is disclosed which comprises a sorber containing a sorbent; a condenser in fluid communication with the sorber; an evaporator in fluid communication with both the sorber and the condenser and connected in heat-exchange relation to the electrical component; wherein a sorbate which has been condensed in the condenser is evaporated in the evaporator, thereby absorbing heat from the electrical component, and then adsorbed onto the sorbent; an electromagnetic wave generator; a waveguide coupler for directing the electromagnetic waves to the sorbent; wherein the sorbate is desorbed from the sorbent by the electromagnetic waves and condensed in the condenser, and wherein the desorption of the sorbate from the sorbent is substantially isothermal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M. Pfister, Charles M. Byrd
  • Publication number: 20020017380
    Abstract: In a chemical heat pump a substance is used which in an efficient way interacts with a volatile liquid such as water. The substance is selected considering among other things the magnitude of its &Dgr;T and its energy content so that the heat pump becomes suited for converting low grade heat energy such as solar energy to cooling for airconditioning and also for a simultaneous production of heat for example for use as hot tap water in houses. The heat pump can also be used in a refrigerating box. Suitable substances comprise barium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, strontium bromide and cobalt chloride. The substance is applied as a layer (23) on the surface of a heat conducting wall (22) by applying a slurry-like mixture of the substance with the liquid when being vibrated to the wall between heat conducting flanges 25). The mixture is dried under a vacuum and is heated and is simultaneously compressed by applying an exterior pressing force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: Staffan Jonsson, Ray Olsson, Mona Karebring-Olsson
  • Publication number: 20020005045
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cooling, using an adsorption agent, and with at least one rector/adsorber which comprises a vessel for receiving the adsorption agent, in particular zeolite, with at least one vessel serving as an evaporator and for receiving an evaporation agent, in particular water, and with at least one line which connects the two vessels and which is capable of being shut off at least with the aid of a shut-off member, the reactor/adsorber and the evaporator each having at least one orifice and being connectable to a vacuum generator and to at least one condenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Inventor: Norbert Patzner
  • Publication number: 20010042378
    Abstract: Improved methods for the controlled generation of ammonia from an ammoniated metal salt at substantially ambient temperature by applying microwave energy to the salt. The ammoniated salts have the formula MAn·(NH3), wherein M is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, scandium, ytterbium, the lanthanides, titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, manganese, technetium, rhenium, iron, ruthenium, osmium, cobalt, rhodium, iridium, nickel, palladium, platinum, copper, silver, gold, zinc, cadmium, mercury, tin, and aluminum; A is at least one ion selected from the group consisting Cl−, Br−, F−, I−, ClO3−, ClO4−, BF4−, AlCl4−, PF6−, SbCl6−, and SbF6−; and SbF6− n is from 1 to 6; and X is from 1 to 8.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: Dennis M. Pfister, Charles M. Byrd
  • Patent number: 6318453
    Abstract: A hydrogen cooled hydrogen storage unit which employs excess hydrogen flow through flow channels between hydrogen storage alloy plates in order to provide convective cooling of the plates. The unit provides for high packing density of the storage materials and ease of expansion of storage capacity by merely adding more storage material plates. Since the hydrogen flows transversely between the plates and does not flow along the entire length of the stack, the cooling flow path of the hydrogen is short, and the temperature differential between any point of the stack and the hydrogen coolant is maximized, which maximizes the cooling efficiency of the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Rosa T. Young
  • Publication number: 20010035281
    Abstract: An HM reservoir for storing hydrogen includes a housing and a plurality of storage units. The storage units are stacked in the interior of the housing. Each storage unit includes a pair of plate-like molded bodies and a flat heat exchanger. The plate-like molded bodies are formed by compressing powder of hydrogenstorage material. The heat exchanger is provided between the molded bodies. Each molded body includes a first side and a second side, which is opposite to the first side. The first side contacts the heat exchanger. A plurality of flat hydrogen passages are formed in the interior of the housing to face the second sides of the associated molded bodies. The structure of the HM reservoir is thus simple. Further, the molded bodies of the HM reservoir smoothly absorb hydrogen and smoothly release the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventors: Katsuyoshi Fujita, Hidehito Kubo, Keiji Toh, Hiroyuki Mitsui, Sinichi Towata, Kazuhiko Itoh
  • Patent number: 6305186
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for controlling a thermochemical reaction or a solid-gas adsorption being carried out in a reactor (10) containing an active agent capable of reversibly reacting with a gas, the reactor (10) being connected to an evaporator/condenser assembly (14) for the gas by a connection (12) without control valve, the reactor (10) and the evaporator/condenser assembly (14) each provided with means for selectively exchanging calories with their surroundings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Xavier Py, Francis Kindbeiter
  • Patent number: 6303080
    Abstract: An apparatus for low temperature processing and high temperature sterilization comprising a hydrofluoroether heat-transfer fluid. Another embodiment of the present invention is a method therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Phillip E. Tuma
  • Publication number: 20010025510
    Abstract: A sorption cooler for cooling substances in a vessel (4) by means of a sorption agent (11) within a sorption agent vessel (10), which in connected via a vapor valve (9) to an evaporator (10) for generation of working agent vapor, and where a part of the outer wall (1) of the vessel (4) is in good thermal contact with a working agent storage material (2) and at least this part of the outer wall (1) of vessel (4) is at the same time a part of the boundary surface (5) of the evaporator (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Applicant: Zeolith-Technologie, GmbH.
    Inventors: Peter Maier-Laxhuber, Andreas Becky, Gert Richter, Dipl-Ing Reiner Worz, Manfred Binnen, Dipl.Phys Leo Totschnig, Ralf Schmidt, Jannik Inselkammer, Martin Leibhard, Maximilian Ammon, Axel Rosler
  • Patent number: 6282919
    Abstract: An auxiliary active heating and air conditioning system for a passenger area of a motor vehicle comprising a heat exchanger in the passenger area piped to receive conditioned heat transfer fluid, a sorption cooling system located outside the passenger area and having first and second reactors, each reactor containing a metal salt or a complex compound formed by absorbing a polar gas on a metal salt comprising a halide, nitrate, nitrite, oxalate, perchlorate, sulfate or sulfite of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal, zinc, cadmium, tin or aluminum, or sodium borofluoride or a double metal halide, the reactors having a heat transfer section for thermally exposing a heat transfer fluid and/or condensed polar gas refrigerant in heat exchange communication with the metal salt or said complex compound, a refrigerant loop including an evaporator piped to deliver conditioned heat transfer fluid to the heat exchanger during air conditioning, a heater for heating heat transfer fluid, and a valve ass
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventors: Uwe Rockenfeller, Lance Kirol, Paul Sarkisian, Kaveh Khalili
  • Patent number: 6276166
    Abstract: An auxiliary thermal storage heating and air conditioning system having an output for selectively delivering warm and cool air to the passenger area of a motor vehicle incorporates a reactor containing a metal salt or a complex compound formed by absorbing a polar gas refrigerant on a metal salt comprising a halide, nitrate, nitrite, oxalate, perchlorate, sulfate or sulfite of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal, zinc, cadmium, tin or aluminum, or sodium borofluoride or a double metal halide. In a preferred embodiment, the reactor contains a sorbent/substrate composition comprising a substrate material inert to the polar gas and incorporating the salt or the complex compound. One embodiment utilizes apparatus having a heat exchanger which selectively functions as an evaporator for a cooling mode and a condenser for a heating mode, and inside and outside coils for transferring system generated thermal energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventors: Paul Sarkisian, Uwe Rockenfeller, Lance Kirol, Kaveh Khalili
  • Patent number: 6263697
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sorber which is suitable for use in an electromagnetic wave activated sorption system and which is easily adaptable to packaging constraints. One embodiment of the sorber comprises a flexible enclosure having an outer conductor, and inner conductor, a port through which a sorbate can be communicated into and out of said enclosure, and a sorbent in the enclosure which can adsorb the sorbate to form a sorbate/sorbent compound. The enclosure is configured to be coupled to an electromagnetic wave generator so that waves generated by the electromagnetic wave generator propagate through the sorbate/sorbent compound within the enclosure. Another embodiment of the sorber comprises an enclosure which is configured to serve as a structural component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M. Pfister, Charles M. Byrd
  • Patent number: 6257322
    Abstract: In a heat-exchange unit 1a constituting a chief portion of an indirect heat exchanger 1, the streams of hot medium that flow through many small flow passages 20 in the flat tubes 2 in the upstream heat-exchange set 5, meet together in the tubular headers 4 for each of the flat tubes 2 and, then, flow again into many small flow passages 20 in the flat tubes 2 in the downstream heat-exchange set 6. Even in case some of the small flow passages 20 are clogged or constricted, all the small flow passages 20 from the upstream common header 71 to the downstream common header 72 do not become incapable of exchanging heat and do not lose the function for exchanging heat, and most of the area of the upstream side and of the downstream side can be normally used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Keiji Toh, Hidehito Kubo
  • Patent number: 6244056
    Abstract: Improved methods for the controlled generation of ammonia from an ammoniated metal salt at substantially ambient temperature by applying microwave energy to the salt. The ammoniated salts have the formula MAn.X(NH3), wherein M is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, scandium, ytterbium, the lanthanides, titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, manganese, technetium, rhenium, iron, ruthenium, osmium, cobalt, rhodium, iridium, nickel, palladium, platinum, copper, silver, gold, zinc, cadmium, mercury, tin, and aluminum; A is at least one ion selected from the group consisting Cl−, Br−, F−, I−, ClO3−, ClO4−, BF4−, AlCl4−, PF6−, SbCl6−, and SbF6−; and SbF6− n is from 1 to 6; and X is from 1 to 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M. Pfister, Charles M. Byrd
  • Patent number: 6240742
    Abstract: A modular air-conditioning system is disclosed and consists of a power supply module, blower module(s), air-conditioning module(s), and an air-distribution module. The power module may be comprised of batteries, whereas the blower module provides ventilation through the air-conditioning system that extracts heat from the flow of fluid and directs the extracted heat to a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is a closed-low pressure system consisting of a liquid filled with a water adsorbing material. The heat is extracted from boiling liquid in a lower chamber of the heat exchanger and transferred to an upper chamber of the heat exchanger by way of heat and mass transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Jonathan W. Kaufman, Paul A. Dolinar
  • Patent number: 6173583
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sorber which is suitable for use in an electromagnetic wave activated sorption system and which is easily adaptable to packaging constraints. One embodiment of the sorber comprises a flexible enclosure having an outer conductor, and inner conductor, a port through which a sorbate can be communicated into and out of said enclosure, and a sorbent in the enclosure which can adsorb the sorbate to form a sorbate/sorbent compound. The enclosure is configured to be coupled to an electromagnetic wave generator so that waves generated by the electromagnetic wave generator propagate through the sorbate/sorbent compound within the enclosure. Another embodiment of the sorber comprises an enclosure which is configured to serve as a structural component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M. Pfister, Charles M. Byrd
  • Patent number: 6170279
    Abstract: The invention is a fisherman refrigerating device using engine exhaust, which comprises a refrigerating tub, a storage bottle of the coolant liquid ammonia, a condenser and two generators whose guiding pipe is connected to the inlet of the condenser via a valve. The outlet connects to the coolant inlet of the storage bottle, the coolant outlet of the storage bottle then connects to the inlet of the vaporizer through a flux control valve. The vaporizer outlet connects to the guiding pipe of the generators by a valve, the outer case of the generator has an engine exhaust pipe and an inner pipe on it. An inner tube with apertures and calcium chloride are between those pipes, and the inner tube connects to the guiding pipe. A sprinkling tube sits above the inner pipe and the outer case has a water pipe connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Inventor: Ding-yu Li
  • Patent number: 6167721
    Abstract: An electrochemical heat exchanger which includes a housing, hydrogen producing/consuming portions separated by a proton exchange membrane and a gas space designed to contact an object in need of cooling. The gas space includes either hydrogen or a liquid gas which is placed in thermal contact with an item to be cooled. The hydrogen gas or liquid coolant exchanges heat with the element to be cooled and is constantly replenished by hydrogen or liquid coolant forced through the heat exchanger by a pressure differential created between the respective hydrogen electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Borst, Inc.
    Inventor: Boris Tsenter
  • Patent number: 6155073
    Abstract: In a heat pump, e.g. comprising two adsorbers (1, 2), the adsorbers are monoliths having a multiplicity of open cells capable of flow-through of gas or vapor, and having a coating of an adsorbent, e.g. zeolite, for a fluid such as water vapor. Waste heat, e.g. from a vehicle engine, is supplied to heater (3), which heats up a heat transfer fluid pumped around the system by a reversible pump (11). Heat is lost to the ambient air by a cooler (4), and air from ambient, or recirculated air, is cooled by passing over an evaporator (6) for adsorbate fluid such as water, before entering a vehicle passenger compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company
    Inventor: Peter Geoffrey Gray
  • Patent number: 6151911
    Abstract: A beverage pack comprises a container (28), beverage (41) held in the container (28), and beverage cooling means (10) provided in, or in association with, the container (28) and comprising a phase-change medium (22) such as water adapted in use to change phase and thus extract heat from the beverage. Adsorption or absorption means (20) such as activated carbon, ammonium nitrate, and a polymer may be provided to adsorb or absorb the phase-change medium (22). The phase-change medium may be arranged to vaporize into a vaporization chamber (26) at sub-atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Bass Public Limited Company
    Inventors: William Dando, John Lawrence
  • Patent number: 6144894
    Abstract: A method for controlling the output power of the magnetron generator, where the method and apparatus defines an ignition power level that ensures that the magnetron generator provides a minimal level of power that will ignite the plasma and not result in a detrimental impedance mismatch between the magnetron and an applicator of a remote plasma source. When the user of the wafer processing system requests a power level (i.e., a requested power level) that is below this ignition level, the ignition level is used to ignite the plasma and the output power of the magnetron is gradually decreased to the requested power level. The decrease is performed within a predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Tam Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6125649
    Abstract: A heat exchange unit for use in containers for cooling a food or beverage. The heat exchange unit includes inner end outer vessels with inner vessel having a plurality of thermally conductive discs in thermally conductive contact with an inner surface thereof. An adsorbent material is disposed between adjacent discs is compacted between them to provide maximum adsorbent material per unit volume. The outer surface of the inner vessel defines a plurality of grooves and is in thermally conductive contact with the inner surface of the outer vessel. The grooves provide flow paths for a gas such as carbon dioxide which is adsorbed onto the adsorbent material to flow and exit the heat exchange unit and to carry with it, the heat contained in the food or beverage, thereby lowering its temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Chill-Can International, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Sillince
  • Patent number: 6125650
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sorber cooling device suitable for use in an electromagnetic wave activated sorption system. One embodiment of the sorber cooling device has a metallic tubular enclosure extending coaxially into the sorber, a plurality of fins connected to a portion of the tubular enclosure extending outside of the sorber, a reservoir in fluid communication with the tubular enclosure, and a wick located within the portion of the tubular enclosure extending into the sorber. A refrigerant which is placed in the cooling device is drawn by the wick into the portion of the tubular enclosure extending into the sorber. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the sorber and evaporates. The evaporated refrigerant is condensed in the portion of the tubular enclosure extending outside of the sorber and the heat of condensation is dissipated by the fins. The condensed refrigerant is collected in the reservoir. This cycle repeats automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M. Pfister, Charles M. Byrd
  • Patent number: 6116039
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooling an electrical component is disclosed which comprises a sorber containing a sorbent; a condenser in fluid communication with the sorber; an evaporator in fluid communication with both the sorber and the condenser and connected in heat-exchange relation to the electrical component; wherein a sorbate which has been condensed in the condenser is evaporated in the evaporator, thereby absorbing heat from the electrical component, and then adsorbed onto the sorbent; an electromagnetic wave generator, a waveguide coupler for directing the electromagnetic waves to the sorbent; wherein the sorbate is desorbed from the sorbent by the electromagnetic waves and condensed in the condenser; and wherein the desorption of the sorbate from the sorbent is substantially isothermal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M. Pfister, Charles M. Byrd
  • Patent number: 6109057
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cooling and/or gassifying a liquid 12 stored in a container 10 having an outlet 10b. The apparatus comprises an adsorbent 14 for receiving and adsorbing under pressure a quantity of gas and a three position cap 16. In a first position, said cap 16 simply acts to seal the contents within the container whilst in a second position it acts to cause release of adsorbed gas from adsorbent 14 which then passes through the beverage 12 thereby gassifying and/or cooling said beverage. A third position of the cap 16 allows for its removal from container 10 such that the beverage may be dispensed. The container may be provided with a thermochromatic coating to indicate when the liquid is at a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: The BOC Group plc
    Inventors: Evelyn Arthur Shervington, Michael Ernest Garrett
  • Patent number: 6102107
    Abstract: A sorption cooling exchanger module and a process for its use in sorption cooling processes is described. The apparatus, provides high efficiency sorption cooling operations by maintaining a characteristic diffusion distance between fin plates such that the sorption cooling process can be carried out with short cycle times which increase the efficiency of the sorption cooling process and increases the specific power. The apparatus comprises an adsorption zone comprising an adsorbent layer comprising a coating of adsorbent or comprising a paper layer containing a selective adsorbent. For sorption cooling processes, the heat transfer zone is disposed in tubes disposed normal to the fin plates. The apparatus provides an opportunity to provide an adsorber/generator module having a high fin plate density per unit length of tube without the characteristic diffusion distance becoming equal to the height of the fin from the tube resulting in an improvement in efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Stephen R. Dunne
  • Patent number: 6098417
    Abstract: A beverage chiller which chills the liquid through the desorption of gas from an adsorbent within a vessel, wherein the chiller comprises a plurality of heat transfer elements, formed of thermally-conductive material and in direct thermal contact with the adsorbent and adapted to transfer heat between the vessel walls and the adsorbent therein, and wherein the elements are configured so as to cooperate in use in order to conduct desorbed gas from the adsorbent to the vessel walls and thence along the vessel walls prior to its exit from the vessel. The chiller provides more effective heat transfer and fully utilizes the chilling capacity of the desorbed gas by channeling it to and along the vessel walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: The BOC Group plc
    Inventor: Michael E. Garrett
  • Patent number: 6074972
    Abstract: A material for use in sorption air-conditioning refrigeration or space conditioning units which comprise a metal mesh such as a foam on which are bound micro or mesoporous material such as zeolite crystals which is capable of adsorbing a working fluid such as water and in which void spaces are left between the material to allow for the adsorption of the working fluid. The material has improved heat transfer properties compared with existing materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventors: Graham J Bratton, Karon D. Buck, Timothy Naylor
  • Patent number: 6055822
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooling an electrical component is disclosed which comprises a sorber containing a sorbent; a condenser in fluid communication with the sorber; an evaporator in fluid communication with both the sorber and the condenser and connected in heat-exchange relation to the electrical component; wherein a sorbate which has been condensed in the condenser is evaporated in the evaporator, thereby absorbing heat from the electrical component, and then adsorbed onto the sorbent; an electromagnetic wave generator; a waveguide coupler for directing the electromagnetic waves to the sorbent; wherein the sorbate is desorbed from the sorbent by the electromagnetic waves and condensed in the condenser; and wherein the desorption of the sorbate from the sorbent is substantially isothermal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M. Pfister, Charles M. Byrd
  • Patent number: 6044661
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a coaxial waveguide applicator for an electromagnetic wave-activated sorption system which comprises at least one sorber having a metallic tubular housing defining an outer conductor and first and second ends which are sealed to define an enclosure within the outer conductor; a sorbate/sorbent compound located within the enclosure; the sorber including a port through which a sorbate may be communicated into or out of the enclosure; a metallic inner conductor extending into the outer conductor and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sorber; an electromagnetic wave generator; and a waveguide for coupling electromagnetic waves generated by the electromagnetic wave generator to the inner and outer conductors; wherein electromagnetic waves transmitted by the electromagnetic wave generator are propagated through the enclosure by the inner and outer conductors to desorb the sorbate from the sorbate/sorbent compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M. Pfister, Charles M. Byrd
  • Patent number: 6041617
    Abstract: According to the invention, the temperature and flow rate of cooling water for removing the heat of absorption are controlled artificially according to the cold output of load water by utilizing heated cooling water after the removal of the heat of absorption or heat source water, etc. According to the invention, a coolant tank and a load heat exchanger unit are provided as separate units. A load carrier is provided for cooling the load while partly evaporating the coolant through heat exchange between liquid coolant supplied from the coolant supplied from the coolant tank through a pump and the load. Mixture fluid of liquid coolant and vapor coolant after the heat exchange in the load cooler are returned to the coolant tank for separation of gas and liquid. Because the coolant tank and the load cooler are provided separately, the heat exchange with the load is performed by utilizing the latent heat of evaporation of coolant independently of possible temperature variations in the coolant tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Mayekawa Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaru Sanada, Makota Yamamoto, Fujio Komatu, Makoto Fujii
  • Patent number: 6038883
    Abstract: A refrigeration system capable of providing cooling during at least a portion of a repeatable refrigeration cycle, the refrigeration system comprising at least one sorber having a housing forming an enclosure, a sorbent located within the enclosure, an evaporator in fluid communication with the enclosure, a condenser in fluid communication with both the enclosure and the evaporator, wherein a sorbate is evaporated in the evaporator to provide a cooling effect and then adsorbed by the sorbent, an electromagnetic wave generator, a waveguide coupler for coupling electromagnetic waves generated by the generating means to the sorber, wherein during a desorb portion of the refrigeration cycle the sorbate is desorbed from the sorbent by the electromagnetic waves and then condensed in the condenser, wherein the desorption of the sorbate from the sorbent is primarily isothermal, and a controller for controlling the operation of the generator, wherein the generator is selectively activated and deactivated to initiate a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M. Pfister, Charles M. Byrd
  • Patent number: 6038878
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooling an electrical component is disclosed which comprises a sorber containing a sorbent; a condenser in fluid communication with the sorber; an evaporator in fluid communication with both the sorber and the condenser and connected in heat-exchange relation to the electrical component; wherein a sorbate which has been condensed in the condenser is evaporated in the evaporator, thereby absorbing heat from the electrical component, and then adsorbed onto the sorbent; an electromagnetic wave generator; a waveguide coupler for directing the electromagnetic waves to the sorbent; wherein the sorbate is desorbed from the sorbent by the electromagnetic waves and condensed in the condenser; and wherein the desorption of the sorbate from the sorbent is substantially isothermal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M. Pfister, Charles M. Byrd