US3556204A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Air cooled surface condenser
Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1969-05-26
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Granted: 1971-01-19
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Expires: 1989-05-26
Abstract
Abstract An air-cooled surface condenser has a supply of cooling air which is varied in accordance with the temperature of the condensate to thereby diminish the possibilities of freezeup at below normal ambient temperatures. The condenser has at least two downflow tubes and one reflux tube with the tubes so arranged that the cooling air travels first over the reflux tube and then sequentially over the first and second downflow tubes, and with the tubes being of such dimensions that condensate is formed in the reflux tube. With this arrangement the air supply can be varied in response to drop in condensate temperature at the first downflow tube and thus assure that the air, before reaching those portions of the first downflow tube where condensate has formed, has a temperature which has been elevated by the latent heat of condensation within the reflux tube.
Inventors
- 👤 Manfred F Dehne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:55
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28B; F28B1/00; F28B1/06; F28B2001/065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
An air cooled surface condenser of the type in which the cooling airflow is varied in response to temperature changes in the condenser tubes in order to render the condenser operable at below maximum cooling air temperatures, the condenser having: first and second downflow tube means communicating at their top ends with a source of vapor and communicating at their bottom ends with a condensate collecting chamber; reflux tube means communicating at the bottom end thereof with said collecting chamber and said first and second downflow tube means and communicating at its top end with an exit passage from the condenser; airflow generating means operable to provide a cooling airflow across said two downflow tube means and said reflux tube means; said tube means being so positioned relative to each other and with respect to the direction of airflow that the cooling air initially impinges on said reflux tube means, thereafter impinges on said first downflow tube means and subsequently impinges on said second downflow tube means; and temperature change sensing means positioned to sense temperature changes within the condenser and operably connected to said flow generating means to cause said generating means to vary said airflow in response to such temperature changes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
An air cooled surface condenser of the type in which the cooling airflow is varied in response to temperature changes in the condenser tubes in order to render the condenser operable at below maximum cooling air temperatures, the condenser having: first and second downflow tube means communicating at their top ends with a source of vapor and communicating at their bottom ends with a condensate collecting chamber; reflux tube means communicating at the bottom end thereof with said collecting chamber and said first and second downflow tube means and communicating at its top end with an exit passage from the condenser; airflow generating means operable to provide a cooling airflow across said two downflow tube means and said reflux tube means; said tube means being so positioned relative to each other and with respect to the direction of airflow that the cooling air initially impinges on said reflux tube means, thereafter impinges on said first downflow tube means and subsequently impinges on said second downflow tube means; and temperature change sensing means positioned to sense temperature changes within the condenser and operably connected to said flow generating means to cause said generating means to vary said airflow in response to such temperature changes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
95 words
A condenser according to claim 1 wherein: said first and second downflow tube means and said reflux tube means are so dimensioned as to cause condensation to be completed within said reflux tube means as well as within said first downflow tube means at relatively low cooling air temperatures; said temperature change sensing means positioned to sense temperature changes in the condensate of said first downflow tube means; and wherein said flow generating means diminishes said cooling airflow in response to a decrease in said first downflow tube means condensate temperature below a predetermined temperature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
132 words
A condenser according to claim 2 wherein said first and second downflow tube means and said reflux tube means are generally of equal length and extend generally parallel to each other between a top header and a bottom header of the condenser and being arranged at an angle to the horizontal, with said top header having an inlet chamber and an exit chamber and with said inlet chamber including means for communication with said source of vapor and with said two downflow tube means, and with said exit chamber being provided with exit port means to permit escape of the noncondensables from the condenser; and with said bottom header being provided with said condensate collecting chamber which is in communication with said two downflow tube means and with said reflux tube means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
A condenser according to claim 3 wherein said reflux tube means has a plurality of reflux tubes which are aligned in succession with respect to said cooling airflow, and wherein the number of reflux tubes equals the sum of the tubes contained in said first and second downflow tube means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
A condenser according to claim 4 wherein a separate condensate collecting means is provided at the exit of said first downflow tube means, said separate collecting means intercepting the condensate of said first downflow tube means; wherein, said temperature change sensing means is positioned to sense the condensate temperature in said separate collecting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
87 words
A condenser according to claim 1 wherein said temperature change sensing means is operative to control said airflow generating means such that the level of complete condensation in said reflux tube means overlaps the level of complete condensation in said first downflow tube means so that the temperature of the cooling air impinging on said first downflow tube means below said complete condensation level will have been raised by passage over the portion of said reflux tube means below said complete condensation level of said reflux tube.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-18 | 1974-07-20 | 1975-01-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-18 | 1978-07-20 | 1979-01-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-18 | 1982-07-20 | 1983-01-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |