With Solid Sorbent Patents (Class 62/480)
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Patent number: 6035656Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 1, 1998Date of Patent: March 14, 2000Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Dennis M. Pfister, Charles M. Byrd
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Patent number: 6032477Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 1, 1998Date of Patent: March 7, 2000Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Dennis M. Pfister, Charles M. Byrd
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Patent number: 6006543Abstract: An absorbent pair refrigeration system comprising a source of liquid refrigerant; an evaporator for transforming the liquid refrigerant into vapor refrigerant at a lower temperature than the liquid refrigerant to thereby provide a desired cooling effect; a volume of absorbent in communication with the evaporator, wherein the vapor refrigerant is absorbed onto the absorbent; an electromagnetic wave generator for desorbing the vapor refrigerant from the sorbent without appreciably heating the absorbent; and a condenser in communication with the absorbent for condensing the vapor refrigerant which has been desorbed from the absorbent.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 1998Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Charles M. Byrd, Dennis M. Pfister, Ted W. Warriner
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Patent number: 6000463Abstract: The apparatus is a hydride heat pump which uses double communicating section containers holding high and low temperature metal hydrides, with the containers moving back and forth within channels between three heat exchangers. The preferred device has a cylindrical body with the several cylindrical channels in a circular pattern around the axis of the cylindrical body. High, medium, and low temperature heat exchangers are located in the body in sequence along the channels. Transition regions formed by thermal bridges alternating with thermal insulation are located along the channel walls between the heat exchangers to transfer heat among all the hydride containers located in each transition region. The lengths of the heat exchangers and the transition regions, the geometry of the containers, the timing of the reciprocation, and the number of channels are selected so that at least two containers moving in opposite directions are in contact with the transition zones at any time.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 1999Date of Patent: December 14, 1999Assignee: Thermal Corp.Inventor: Boris A. Astakhov
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Patent number: 5992168Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 29, 1999Date of Patent: November 30, 1999Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Dennis M. Pfister, Charles M. Byrd
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Patent number: 5964097Abstract: Device for producing by chemical reaction cold and/or heat, comprising two reactors containing each an associated salt susceptible of reacting chemically with a gas and dispersed into a porous support, a housing intended to receive the gas from the reactors and a housing intended to deliver the gas to the reactors. Accordingly to the invention, the reactors are arranged in direct contact and in such a way that the heat transfer between each other takes place only by conduction. A process for implementing the chemical reactions between at least one salt and one gas within such a device to product cold and/or heat is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 1998Date of Patent: October 12, 1999Assignee: Elf AquitaineInventors: Vincent Goetz, Bernard Spinner
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Patent number: 5953927Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing a chilled water stream by the integration of a sorption cooling section with a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process. The hot and cold working fluids for operation of the sorption cooling section are withdrawn directly from liquid streams in the FCC process in a novel flow scheme which employs a side draw stream to provide the hot working fluid and the liquid condensed from the overhead of the FCC main fractionator as the cold working fluid. The hot exit stream and the warm exit stream are cross-exchanged to smooth out the temperature variations which reduce the size and operating cost of producing the chilled stream. Potential damage to equipment and variation operations can be avoided by selecting the location of the side draw stream to avoid the accumulation of non-condensables in the heat exchange equipment.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 1998Date of Patent: September 21, 1999Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Constante P. Tagamolila, Stephen R. Dunne
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Patent number: 5941093Abstract: In a sorption device with orbiting sorption containers (16) and a heat transfer medium radially flowing therearound, the individual flow regions are mutually sealed by lips (36) resting against outer and/or inner margins, respectively, of the sorption containers. The sorption containers include a heater absorber part and a condensation-evaporation part. As heating device for the heat transfer medium flowing around the heater absorber parts, a heating tube (40) which transfers the heat using ribs (41) to the heat transfer medium can be used.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 1998Date of Patent: August 24, 1999Assignee: Electrolux Leisure Appliances AGInventor: Ebbeson Bengt
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Patent number: 5931005Abstract: A chiller for chilling a quantity of fluid of the type comprising an adsorbent for receiving and adsorbing under pressure a quantity of gas, the desorption of gas from the adsorption causing a reduction in temperature of the adsorbent and adsorbate which acts to chill the fluid, wherein the chiller comprises one or more thin-walled vessels for placement in direct thermal contact with the fluid to be chilled, each vessel comprising two thin sheets of substantially similar size and shape, joined together around the peripheral edges thereof so as to form a cavity therebetween for containing the adsorbent. Preferably, heat transfer means are provided to ensure efficient transfer of heat between the surface of the body of adsorbent and the adsorbent therewithin.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 1998Date of Patent: August 3, 1999Assignee: The BOC Group plc (An English Company)Inventors: Michael E. Garrett, Evelyn A. Shervington
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Patent number: 5916259Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 27, 1997Date of Patent: June 29, 1999Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Dennis M. Pfister, Charles M. Byrd
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Patent number: 5901572Abstract: An auxiliary heating and air conditioning system has an output for selectively delivering warm air and cool air to the passenger area of a motor vehicle. The auxiliary system includes a thermo-electric cooler, which is a solid state device having a hot side and a cold side. Heat exchangers are disposed in connection with the hot side and cold side of the thermo-electric cooler to facilitate the transfer of thermal energy away from each side of the thermo-electric cooler. Two fans are disposed in fluid communication with the first and second heat exchangers to transfer air across the exchangers and to the output for selectively heating and cooling the passenger area of the motor vehicle. Interposed between the first and second heat exchangers and the output, are first and second arrays of energy storage panels. Preferably, these panels contain phase change material which is charged during the operation of the motor vehicle to change phase and therefore store thermal energy.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 1995Date of Patent: May 11, 1999Assignee: Rocky ResearchInventors: Larry Peiffer, Terry Zeigler, William G. Guo
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Patent number: 5901780Abstract: An auxiliary active heating and air conditioning system which uses a fuel fired heater as an energy source for both heating and air conditioning a passenger area of a motor vehicle. The system also utilizes a single heat exchanger to supply both heated and cooled air to the passenger area. The system includes a fuel fired heater for heating heat transfer fluid and a two bed sorber cooling system. The system being operable in a heating mode and a cooling mode. In the heating mode, the heated heat transfer fluid from the fuel fired heater is directed to heat exchanger in order to heat the passenger compartment. In the cooling mode, the heat transfer fluid from the heater is alternately directed to the two sorber beds such that one sorber bed is heated while the other bed cools. The alternate heating and cooling of the sorber beds in the cooling mode causes the sorber cooling system to operate and thereby deliver cooled heat transfer fluid to the heat exchanger in the passenger area.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 1998Date of Patent: May 11, 1999Assignee: Rocky ResearchInventors: Terry A. Zeigler, Larry L. Peiffer, William G. Guo, Uwe Rockenfeller, Paul Sarkasian, Lance D. Kirol
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Patent number: 5881573Abstract: In a refrigerating device consisting of a housing unit 1 and a cooling unit 2 the cooling unit 2 includes an evaporator 3, a condenser 4 and a reactor 5. The evaportor 3, the condenser 4 and the reactor 5 form a first closed system 27 in which ammonia is provided for as working liquid and manganese chloride 5 is provided for in the sorber part 6 of the reactor 5. The reactor 5 has an insulating shell 16 enclosing the sorber part 6, wherein a working chamber 17 filled with working liquid 18 is reserved between the insulating shell 16 and the sorber part 6. To the working chamber 17 a second closed system 19 is connected in the upper and lower region of the working chamber 17. The upper connection can be closed by means of a shut-off valve 24.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 1996Date of Patent: March 16, 1999Assignee: Electrolux Leisure Appliances ABInventor: Bengt Ebbeson
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Patent number: 5875648Abstract: A method for making a unit including a pressure-sealed container (2) with at least one connecting port (3), and an active solid (1) placed in said container (2). The container (2) is formed directly on a preformed body of the active solid (1) and made of a material having a thermal conductivity of more than 18 W/m. K. The resulting units are particularly useful for making portable air-conditioning devices for garments.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 1998Date of Patent: March 2, 1999Assignee: Manufactures de Vetements Paul Boye S.A.Inventors: Philippe Boye, Didier Claude Joseph Felix Heinry
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Patent number: 5862855Abstract: A hydride bed structure includes a first and second set of separated hydride modules within a single hydrogen containing, sealed tank. Each set contains a hydride having a different equilibrium disassociation characteristic. Each set is thermally isolated from the other and the enclosing tank by a hydrogen permeable, thermally insulating material. The hydride in each set is divided into a plurality of spaced apart clusters with each cluster disposed in a respective concave cavity defined in one side of a sheet of thermally conductive material. A hydrogen porous, hydride impermeable member seals each cluster within the respective cavity. The convex side of the cavity protrudes into a thermal media transfer cavity on the opposite side of the sheet. The spacing and arrangement of the cavities/protrusions define a channel array between the protrusions. A pan member is bonded to the opposite side of the sheet and defines the thermal media cavity shaped to receive the protrusions therein.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 1996Date of Patent: January 26, 1999Inventor: Sheldon Balk
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Patent number: 5857346Abstract: A thermochemical system and process for producing heat and/or cold by solid-gas chemical reaction is disclosed. The system and process utilizes a reactant formed of a compressed support and at least two salts which are distributed throughout the compressed support, the salts being active towards a gas. The salts of the reactant are selected for the system and process so that in the system and process one salt will react with the gas in the reactor while the other salts in the reactant remain substantially unreacted to produce heat or cold at a first temperature or power level and, thereafter, one of the other salts of the reactant reacts with the gas to produce heat or cold at a second temperature or power level which is different from the first temperature or power level.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 1997Date of Patent: January 12, 1999Assignee: Elf AquitaineInventor: Vincent Goetz
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Patent number: 5857345Abstract: Method of managing a solid/gas adsorption or thermochemical reaction, the site of which is a device comprising a reactor, which contains a solid capable of reacting with a gas, an evaporator/condenser assembly for the gas and means intended to reheat the solid, the method comprising the steps which consist in:bringing the evaporator/condenser assembly, when the latter is filled with liquid, into communication with the reactor so as to cool the evaporator,switching on the means intended to reheat the solid, so as to deliver the gas to the evaporator/condenser assembly.According to the invention, the step of switching on the means intended to reheat the solid starts before the previous step has finished.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 1997Date of Patent: January 12, 1999Assignee: Elf AquitaineInventors: Jacques Prosdocimi, Bernard Spinner, Vincent Goetz
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Patent number: 5855121Abstract: An absorbent pair refrigeration system comprising a source of liquid refrigerant; an evaporator for transforming the liquid refrigerant into vapor refrigerant at a lower temperature than the liquid refrigerant to thereby provide a desired cooling effect; a volume of absorbent in communication with the evaporator, wherein the vapor refrigerant is absorbed onto the absorbent; an electromagnetic wave generator for desorbing the vapor refrigerant from the absorbent without appreciably heating the absorbent; and a condenser in communication with the absorbent for condensing the vapor refrigerant which has been desorbed from the absorbent.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1997Date of Patent: January 5, 1999Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Charles M. Byrd, Dennis M. Pfister, Ted W. Warriner
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Patent number: 5855119Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 20, 1997Date of Patent: January 5, 1999Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Dennis M. Pfister, Charles M. Byrd
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Patent number: 5845507Abstract: A thermal compressor (10) comprises two adsorbent beds (11, 12) each with an associated thermal management system (14). The thermal management systems (14) are identical and consist of a circulating supply of a control fluid which passes through the adsorbent bed, a pump (15), a heat exchanger (16) and an inert bed (17, 18). Heat removed from the adsorbent beds (11, 12) by the control fluid is supplied to the inert beds (17, 18) and is store to be subsequently regenerated to heat the adsorbent beds (11, 12) in a later half of the operating cycle of the thermal compressor (10). The thermal compressor (10) is energy efficient by virtue of the heat recycling which is performed.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1997Date of Patent: December 8, 1998Assignee: University of WarwickInventors: Robert Edward Critoph, Roger Thorpe
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Patent number: 5842350Abstract: The invention relates especially to a refrigerating device comprising a pressure-resistant container (1) furnished with an adsorbent material (2), which device furthermore comprises an adjustably set valve (7) whose passage communicates, on the one hand, with the inside of the container and, on the other hand, with the outside, and means (5, 6) for bringing said container temporarily into communication with a pressurized source (10, 11) of gas which can be adsorbed by said adsorbent material.Use in refrigerated clothing or portable refrigerators.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1997Date of Patent: December 1, 1998Assignee: Manufactures De Vetements Paul Boye S.A.Inventors: Bernard Spinner, Philippe Boye, Didier Heinry
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Patent number: 5842356Abstract: 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 aType: GrantFiled: March 20, 1997Date of Patent: December 1, 1998Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Dennis M. Pfister, Charles M. Byrd
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Patent number: 5823003Abstract: The present invention is a process for controlling a sorption cooling or heating process which employs an adsorption zone in fluid communication with a refrigeration circuit to pass desorbed vapor upon heating to a condenser and to adsorb refrigerant vapor from an evaporator when cooled. The process is cyclic and comprises heating the adsorption zone during a desorption step and cooling the adsorption zone during an adsorption step. The heating and cooling of the adsorption zone wherein a heat exchange zone is in intimate indirect thermal contact with the adsorption zone is provided during a cyclic process by alternating the flow of a working fluid at a hot source temperature or a working fluid at a cold source temperature through the heat exchange zone to provide the heating and cooling.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 1997Date of Patent: October 20, 1998Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Frank S. Rosser, Jr., Stephen R. Dunne
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Patent number: 5816069Abstract: The invention relates to a sorption refrigerating unit in which a liquid is expelled and again absorbed by intermittent heating and cooling of a substance capable of sorption, in a cylinder body. The sorber part is formed by a cylinder body 2 standing in upright position and being closed on all sides, which is penetrated by a heating body 7 protruding from the sorber part with a section serving for heating during the regeneration phase and/or for cooling, respectively, in the cooling phase. The inner space of said sorber part is connected to a evaporizer part 3 via a line 4. Said sorber part and said evaporizer part 3 form a rigid mobile structural unit which together with said evaporizer part can be hung into a refrigerating box 22.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1997Date of Patent: October 6, 1998Assignee: Electrolux Leisure Appliances AGInventor: Bengt Ebbeson
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Patent number: 5813248Abstract: A heat transfer apparatus that uses an adsorbent material to generate a cooling effect. The heat transfer apparatus includes a first vessel containing adsorbent material and a second vessel interconnected to the first. A working substance is contained within the two interconnected vessels. The adsorbent material and working substance are sized such that the working substance is completely adsorbed in both liquid and solid states by the adsorbent material from the second vessel into the first, cooling the second vessel and heating the first. Complete adsorption includes adsorption of the working substance by vaporization when the working substance is in a liquid phase and adsorption by sublimation when the working substance is in a solid phase. The second vessel contains a compressible foam which accommodates the expansion of the working substance when it changes phase from a liquid to a solid and prevents the second vessel from breaking.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 1996Date of Patent: September 29, 1998Inventors: David A. Zornes, John J. Bauer
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Patent number: 5802870Abstract: A process and a system are disclosed for sorption heating and cooling which comprise at least 2 sorption zones. Each sorption zone comprises a heat transfer zone and an adsorption zone containing a sorbent such that the heat transfer zone is in intimate thermal contact with the adsorption zone to permit an essentially uniform temperature lengthwise through the sorption zone and thereby employ essentially all of the sorbent in the process at all times. The process comprises passing heat transfer streams such as a hot stream, a cold stream, and a recirculation stream through the heat transfer zone and routing a refrigerant through the adsorption zone of each sorption zone to affect a desorption stroke, an intermediate stroke and an adsorption stroke in the adsorption zone. Rotary and multi-port valves are employed to circulate the refrigerant and the heat transfer streams. The resulting sorption cooling process achieves a significantly higher coefficient of performance than the prior art.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 1997Date of Patent: September 8, 1998Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Edward Charles Arnold, Stephen R. Dunne, Syed M. Taqvi
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Patent number: 5778972Abstract: A modular metal hydride hydrogen storage system which can provide a robust and reliable source of hydrogen that can quickly and easily be modified for a variety of applications and environments. The hydrogen storage system comprises at least one storage module. Each storage module comprises a container having at least one open end, a metal hydride hydrogen storage means, means for introducing gaseous hydrogen into and withdrawing gaseous hydrogen from the container, and means for connecting storage modules together end-to-end to form a plurality of storage modules.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 1996Date of Patent: July 14, 1998Assignee: Energy Coversion Devices, Inc.Inventors: Krishna Sapru, Srinivasan Venkatesan, Ned T. Stetson, Krishnaswamy Rangaswamy
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Patent number: 5775126Abstract: A differential in refrigerant adsorption rates of adsorbent during an adsorption process and during a desorption process is enlarged, realizing improvement in refrigeration capacity, and together therewith, the number of circulation systems for coolant fluid is reduced and the number of pumps is made smaller. A heat exchanger of a first stage evaporator and a cooler for air conditioning use are connected in series, and coolant fluid cooled by this heat exchanger is supplied to the cooler for air conditioning use. Additionally, a heat exchanger of a second stage evaporator and a radiator are connected in series, coolant fluid cooled by the radiator is further cooled by the heat exchanger, and this coolant fluid is alternately supplied to heat exchanging passages of first first stage and second stage adsorption devices and to heat exchanging passages of second first stage and second stage adsorption devices.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 1997Date of Patent: July 7, 1998Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Hiedaki Sato, Masaaki Tanaka, Shin Honda, Kenichi Fujiwara, Satoshi Inoue
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Patent number: 5768910Abstract: An adsorption heat pump includes a working fluid, an adsorption-desorption unit, and an evaporation-condensation unit connected with the adsorption-desorption unit. The adsorption-desorption unit adsorbs and desorbs vapor resulting from the working fluid, and includes an adsorbent being a porous substance. The porous substance has pores, and exhibits a pore diameter distribution curve having a maximum peak falling in a pore diameter range of from 1 to 10 nm. The pores in the diameter range of .+-.40% of pore diameter at the maximum peak have pore volume not less than 60% of a whole volume of the porous substance. The evaporation-condensation unit evaporates and condenses the working fluid. The adsorption heat pump can be operated by a low-temperature heat source, and can exhibit a large pumping temperature difference regardless of its small size.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1996Date of Patent: June 23, 1998Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo KenkyusoInventors: Shinji Inagaki, Yuri Yamada, Yoshiaki Fukushima, Masanobu Hasatani, Fujio Watanabe
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Patent number: 5768906Abstract: An electrochemical heat exchanger including a housing, at least one electrochemical cell within the housing with a first electrode and a hydrogen electrode at least partially immersed in a liquid electrolyte, and positive and negative terminals of the electrochemical cell connected through the housing to respective positive and negative ends of a power supply. The housing includes a gas space which is in communication with a heat exchange chamber. The heat exchange chamber can be a flexible chamber capable of expanding in response to an increase in pressure in the electrochemical cell and contracting in response to a decrease in pressure in the electrochemical cell or it can be a conduit whereby an element to be cooled is placed in thermal contact with either hydrogen gas or a liquid coolant.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 1996Date of Patent: June 23, 1998Assignee: Borst, Inc.Inventor: Boris Tsenter
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Patent number: 5768908Abstract: A desiccant tank storing desiccant is accommodated in a thermal insulation case, and a desiccant tank-side ventilation duct is formed between the desiccant tank and the thermal insulation case. Ventilation path change-over dampers are provided to switch a ventilation path of the desiccant tank-side ventilation duct to an interior heat release operation path or an exterior heat release operation path. A thermal insulation case accommodates a water tank storing water therein and connected with the desiccant tank through a connection pipe without using valves. A water tank-side ventilation duct is formed between the water tank and the thermal insulation case. Ventilation path change-over dampers are provided to switch a ventilation path of the water tank-side ventilation duct to an interior heat absorption/radiation operation path or an exterior heat absorption/radiation operation path.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1996Date of Patent: June 23, 1998Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hisashi Tanaka, Yuichi Shirota, Hikaru Sugi
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Patent number: 5768904Abstract: A process and a control system are disclosed for continuous cooling of a condensable process stream by the integration of a sorption cooling section for producing a chilled stream therewith. The condensable process stream is cooled with a cooled hot exit stream from the sorption cooling section to provide a hot working fluid stream to desorb an adsorption zone in the sorption cooling zone. A cold working fluid stream comprising a condensed portion of the condensable stream is passed to the sorption cooling section to facilitate adsorption in another adsorption zone in the sorption cooling section and a warm exit stream is withdrawn. The hot exit stream and the warm exit stream are cross-exchanged to smooth out the temperature variations which reduce the size and operating cost of producing the chilled stream.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 1997Date of Patent: June 23, 1998Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Constante P. Tagamolila, Stephen R. Dunne
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Patent number: 5746064Abstract: An electrochemical heat exchanger including a housing, at least one electrochemical cell within the housing with a first electrode and a hydrogen electrode at least partially immersed in a liquid electrolyte, and positive and negative terminals of the electrochemical cell connected through the housing to respective positive and negative ends of a power supply. The housing includes a gas space which is in communication with a heat exchange chamber. The heat exchange chamber can be a flexible chamber capable of expanding in response to an increase in pressure in the electrochemical cell and contracting in response to a decrease in pressure in the electrochemical cell or it can be a conduit whereby an element to be cooled is placed in thermal contact with either hydrogen gas or a liquid coolant.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1997Date of Patent: May 5, 1998Assignee: Borst, Inc.Inventor: Boris Tsenter
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Patent number: 5732569Abstract: This invention seeks to provide an adsorption type air cooler, which has high COP and is capable of stable operation for long time. In the prior art, when vapor coolant produced through heat exchange with load water in a coolant tank functioning as an evaporator is adsorbed in an adsorbent heat exchanger, cooling water for removing the heat of adsorption is circulated at a constant temperature and a constant flow rate determined by normal environment.According to the invention as claimed in claim 1, the temperature and flow rate of cooling water for removing the heat of adsorption are controlled artificially according to the cold output of load water by utilizing heated cooling water after the removal of the heat of adsorption or heat source water, etc.According to the invention as claimed in claim 1, a coolant tank and a load heat exchanger unit are provided as separate units.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 1996Date of Patent: March 31, 1998Assignee: Mayekawa Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaru Sanada, Makota Yamamoto, Fujio Komatu, Makoto Fujii
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Patent number: 5729988Abstract: A heat pump using zeolite as an adsorbent wherein thermal energy from adsorbent zeolite in one hermetically sealed space is used to heat desorbing zeolite located in another hermetically sealed space, such heat being conveyed by heat exchanger conduits containing a heat transfer fluid which, before heating the desorbed zeolite, has its temperature increased to within a range of about 200.degree. F. (93.degree. C.) to 400.degree. F. (205.degree. C.) by a gas flame or other heat source, the adsorption and desorption phases being changed between the zeolites in each cycle by reversing the fluid flow in the conduits. Cooling and heating for a building or other purposes are provided through the condenser and evaporator respectively for the working gas (water) which is desorbed and adsorbed into the zeolites.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 1988Date of Patent: March 24, 1998Inventor: Dimiter I. Tchernev
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Patent number: 5718125Abstract: A solenoid operated valve for supplying a liquid refrigerant has an inlet port, or outlet port and a valve port therebetween, the outlet port having a restricted opening equal to or smaller than the opening of the valve port, a capillary tube in the outlet port, and a passageway between the valve port and the outlet port having a small volume capable of substantially preventing expansion of liquid refrigerant.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1996Date of Patent: February 17, 1998Assignee: Rocky ResearchInventors: Dennis M. Pfister, Charles M. Byrd, Tom Rand
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Patent number: 5692381Abstract: A chiller for chilling a quantity of fluid in a vessel comprises an adsorbent for receiving and adsorbing under pressure a quantity of gas; sealing means for sealing adsorbed gas in said adsorbent and releasing means for releasing adsorbed gas from said adsorbent in a controlled manner such that the action of desorption causes a reduction in the temperature of the adsorbent and gas which acts to chill the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1996Date of Patent: December 2, 1997Assignee: The BOC Group plcInventor: Michael E. Garrett
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Patent number: 5666819Abstract: An apparatus capable of providing rapid cooling and/or freezing comprises a cabinet or container having a cooling chamber, one or more reactors each containing a complex compound formed by adsorbing a polar gas on a metal salt, in which the polar gas is alternately adsorbed and desorbed on the complex compound, and in which the complex compound is formed by restricting the volumetric expansion and controlling the density during adsorption of the polar gas on the metal salt, whereby the complex compound is capable of adsorbing said polar gas at a rate of greater than 15 moles per mole hour of the complex compound in about 20 minutes or less, a condenser for condensing the polar gas, an evaporator thermally exposed to the cooling chamber for providing cooling therein, and conduits and one or more valves for directing said polar gas from the one or more reactors to the condenser, from the condenser to the evaporator and from the evaporator to the one or more reactors.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 1996Date of Patent: September 16, 1997Assignee: Rocky ResearchInventors: Uwe Rockenfeller, Lance D. Kirol
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Patent number: 5664427Abstract: An apparatus capable of providing rapid cooling and/or freezing comprises a cabinet or container having a cooling chamber, one or more reactors each containing a complex compound formed by adsorbing a polar gas on a metal salt, in which the polar gas is alternately adsorbed and desorbed on the complex compound, and in which the complex compound is formed by restricting the volumetric expansion and controlling the density during adsorption of the polar gas on the metal salt, whereby the complex compound is capable of adsorbing said polar gas at a rate of greater than 15 moles per mole hour of the complex compound in about 20 minutes or less, a condenser for condensing the polar gas, an evaporator thermally exposed to the cooling chamber for providing cooling therein, and conduits and one or more valves for directing said polar gas from the one or more reactors to the condenser, from the condenser to the evaporator and from the evaporator to the one or more reactors.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1994Date of Patent: September 9, 1997Assignee: Rocky ResearchInventors: Uwe Rockenfeller, Lance D. Kirol
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Patent number: 5661986Abstract: A reagent (26) combines exothermically with a cold refrigerating fluid exiting a refrigerating evaporator during a refrigeration cycle, then releases the refrigerating fluid endothermically once it has been heated to a sufficiently high temperature by means of a heating element (17) during a regeneration cycle during which the released refrigerating fluid condenses in a pressurized tank. The reagent is confined inside stainless steel walls (29, 31, 34) which prevent it from swelling. These walls include perforated tubes (34) lining channels (32) in which the mass exchanges take place during the combining and separating reactions. The heating element (17) is fitted in a central cavity (46). An air flow (54), which is interrupted during regeneration, evacuates the heat of the combining reaction by means of fins (56). The invention prevents the block of reagent from distorting and becoming progressively inoperative over repeated cycles.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1995Date of Patent: September 2, 1997Assignee: SofrigamInventor: Gilles Labranque
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Patent number: 5628205Abstract: A refrigerator and/or freezer incorporates one or more reactors containing a complex compound of a metal salt and a polar gas adsorbed thereon in which the volumetric expansion of the complex compound is restricted during adsorption, and which reactors comprise one or reaction chambers having a maximum means mass diffusion path length of less than about 15 mm, and/or a maximum thermal diffusion path length of less than 1.5 mm.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 1995Date of Patent: May 13, 1997Assignee: Rocky ResearchInventors: Uwe Rockenfeller, Lance D. Kirol
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Patent number: 5623987Abstract: A system and method is provided whereby exhaust gases from a cold started internal combustion engine are rapidly brought to catalytic combustion conditions. Specifically, a closed system of a low pressure metal hydride heat exchanger and a high pressure metal hydride heat exchanger is provided which, upon engine ignition, effectuates hydrogen flow from the high pressure alloy exchanger to the low pressure alloy exchanger with rapid heating of the low pressure alloy due to hydrogen occlusion, and with the further provision that the heated low pressure hydride alloy exchanger is in heat exchange relationship with the cold started engine exhaust gases or the vehicle catalytic converter and provides heat necessary for initiation of catalytic combustion of pollutants in the said exhaust gases.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1995Date of Patent: April 29, 1997Assignee: Ergenics, Inc.Inventors: P. Mark Golben, John E. Fox
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Patent number: 5619866Abstract: An (n)th adsorber and (n+1)th adsorber among a plurality of adsorbers in an adsorption process are connected thermally in series, and adsorbent of the (n)th adsorber which is a previous stage is cooled by adsorption of refrigerant by adsorbent of the (n+1)th adsorber which is a subsequent stage. That is to say, adsorbent of a first-stage adsorber on the left-hand side which adsorbs vapor of refrigerant such as water which exits from an evaporator is strongly cooled by adsorption of vapor from refrigerant such as water which flows through a cooling pipe by adsorbent of a second-stage adsorber on the right-hand side, large adsorption capacity is imparted by a reduction in temperature, and as a result, the evaporator demonstrates large refrigeration capacity. Consequently, a compact adsorptive type refrigeration apparatus which demonstrates large refrigeration capacity while having a compact adsorber and using a comparatively small quantity of adsorbent is provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 1995Date of Patent: April 15, 1997Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideaki Sato, Shin Honda, Seiji Inoue, Hiroshi Tanaka, Tadayoshi Terao
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Patent number: 5598721Abstract: A heating system incorporates one or more reactors containing a complex compound of a metal salt and a polar gas adsorbed thereon in which the volumetric expansion of the complex compound is restricted during adsorption and which reactors comprise one or more reaction chambers having a maximum mean mass diffusion path length of less than about 15 mm, and/or a maximum thermal diffusion path length of less than 1.5 min.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 1995Date of Patent: February 4, 1997Assignee: Rocky ResearchInventors: Uwe Rockenfeller, Lance D. Kirol
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Patent number: 5535817Abstract: A desiccant cooling apparatus and process using a solid adsorbent and refrigerant wherein the solid adsorbent is selected from the group consisting of zeolite Y-45 zeolite Y-85, a low cerium rare earth exchanged Y-84 and a rare earth exchanged LZ-210, and the adsorbent is bonded directly to the heat exchange tubes within the device by a novel slip coating process resulted in significant improvements in thermal efficiency and overall performance.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1995Date of Patent: July 16, 1996Assignee: UOPInventor: Stephen R. Dunne
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Patent number: 5529709Abstract: An improved absorption cycle apparatus and system using aqueous solutions of metal salts selected from the group consisting of alkali metal hydroxides, nitrites, and alkaline earth and transition metal hydroxides, halides, thiocyanates, and mixtures thereof between about 14% and about 30%, by weight, of said metal salt, of an organic compound selected from the group consisting of alcohols, glycerol, glycols, polyglycols, alkaline glycol ethers, aliphatic amines and alkanol amines.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 1994Date of Patent: June 25, 1996Assignee: Gas Research InstituteInventor: Uwe Rockenfeller
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Patent number: 5526648Abstract: The invention relates to a sorption method for air-conditioning vehicles, especially electric vehicles, and a device for working the method. To achieve rapid cooling or heating by means of vehicle air conditioning while achieving improved manufacturing, cost, and weight advantages, it is proposed that the sorption unit, composed of a storage container with sorbent, a supply container with sorbate, and a steam duct connecting the containers with one another, is evacuated only to perform an adsorption process employing a vacuum pump and is vented for desorption. The sorbent located in the storage container is traversed by hot air for desorption, said air, moistened with sorbate after passing through, being vented to the environment past the supply container after flowing through a vent line that branches off the steam duct.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 1994Date of Patent: June 18, 1996Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AGInventors: Jurgen Wertenbach, Gunter Abersfelder
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Patent number: 5522228Abstract: The invention relates especially to a process for the production of cold, comprising at least one stage of adsorption of carbon dioxide by an adsorbent solid substance and at least one stage of desorption of the carbon dioxide adsorbed in the said adsorbent substance, in which the said adsorbent substance comprises activated carbon fibers or an active charcoal and has a specific surface of at least 700 m.sup.2 /g and an external specific surface of at least 0.005 m.sup.2 /g.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1994Date of Patent: June 4, 1996Assignee: Manufactures de Vetements Paul Boye S.A.Inventors: Andre Guillot, Alain Marty, Patrice Pelletier, Bernard Spinner, Philippe Boye
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Patent number: 5518069Abstract: Apparatus and method for storing and providing heat or cold whereby during a desorption phase, steam-like operating medium is desorbed as a result of a temperature increase of sorption medium. The steam-like operating medium condenses in an operating medium container. After the desorption phase, an additional amount of heat is provided and the liquid operating medium as well as the sorption medium are maintained at a relatively high temperature. Afterward, the heat is withdrawn and the sorption medium is permitted to receive steam-like operating medium and release sorption heat. When cold is to be generated, the liquid operating medium and the sorption medium are permitted to cool off to an ambient temperature and not further heated.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 1994Date of Patent: May 21, 1996Assignee: Zeo-TechInventors: Peter Maier-Laxhuber, Jorn Schwarz
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Patent number: 5507158Abstract: A device for indirect cold production for a compression, absorption, adsorption or chemical refrigerating system comprises an evaporator in heat exchange relationship with the fluid to be cooled in one or more condensers, themselves in direct heat exchange relationship with the evaporator or the refrigeration circuit reactor, circulation between the evaporator and the condenser being established by gravity flow using a phase change fluid and separate vapour and liquid pipes.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 1994Date of Patent: April 16, 1996Assignee: Elf AquitaineInventor: Jacques Bernier