US3559722A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for two-phase heat exchange fluid distribution in plate-type heat exchangers
Assignee: ALBRAZE INTERNATIONAL Inc
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Filing: 1969-09-16
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Granted: 1971-02-02
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Expires: 1989-09-16
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for heat exchanging a gaseous fluid and a liquid fluid with a third heat exchange fluid by a plate-type heat exchanger in a manner permitting variations of the gaseous mass flow rate relative to the liquid mass flow rate without relative maldistribution of the two fluid phases within the heat exchanger passages. Between the plates within the heat exchanger core, the gaseous and liquid fluids are separately distributed across the width of the heat exchanger. Only after the gaseous and liquid fluids have been thus uniformly distributed within the passages are they combined and passed in heat exchange relation with the third heat exchange fluid. The problems associated with relative maldistribution of the two fluid phases which normally accompany conventional arrangements for distributing a two-phase fluid across the width of a plate-type heat exchanger are thus avoided. Four embodiments of the invention are described and shown.
Inventors
- 👤 James J Schauls
- 👤 Franklin D Duncan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:26
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25J; F25J5/00; F25J5/002; F28; F28D; F28D9/00; F28D9/0062; F28D9/0068; F25J2290/00; F25J2290/32; F25J2290/42; F28D21/00; F28D2021/0019; F28D2021/0033; F28F; F28F2250/00; F28F2250/10; F28F2250/104
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
340 words
A plate-type heat exchanger apparatus comprising: first and second elongated metallic plates of generally similar peripheral configuration contraposed in face-to-face spaced relationship; first sealing means sealingly connecting said elongated metallic plates along the peripheral margins thereof thereby enclosing with said first and second elongated metallic plates a generally flat elongated plenum; a platelike partition interleaved with said first and second elongated metallic plates adjacent at least one end of said plenum aNd being generally coincident with a plane spaced from said first and second elongated metallic plates bisecting said plenum at said one end into first and second spacial layers; said partition extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of said elongated plenum substantially to said first sealing means thereby defining within one of said spacial layers a first passage intermediate said partition and said first elongated metallic plate and within the other of said spacial layer a second a passage intermediate said partition and said second elongated plate; said first sealing means defining a first inlet to said first passage adjacent said one end of said plenum for admitting one of a first gaseous phase and a second liquid phase heat exchange fluids; said first sealing means defining a second inlet to said second passage adjacent said one end of said plenum for admitting the other of said gaseous phase and liquid phase heat exchange fluids; said first sealing means further defining at the other end of said plenum a first outlet from said plenum; first distributor means in one of said first and second passages abutting one face of said partition for substantially uniformly distributing one of said first and second heat exchange fluids respectively from one of said first and second inlets within said one passage substantially across the width of said plenum; a transfer passage means within said plenum for combining said one uniformly distributed heat exchange fluid with the other of said first and second fluids, and means defining a third passage disposed in heat exchange relation with the combined first and second heat exchange fluids.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
340 words
A plate-type heat exchanger apparatus comprising: first and second elongated metallic plates of generally similar peripheral configuration contraposed in face-to-face spaced relationship; first sealing means sealingly connecting said elongated metallic plates along the peripheral margins thereof thereby enclosing with said first and second elongated metallic plates a generally flat elongated plenum; a platelike partition interleaved with said first and second elongated metallic plates adjacent at least one end of said plenum aNd being generally coincident with a plane spaced from said first and second elongated metallic plates bisecting said plenum at said one end into first and second spacial layers; said partition extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of said elongated plenum substantially to said first sealing means thereby defining within one of said spacial layers a first passage intermediate said partition and said first elongated metallic plate and within the other of said spacial layer a second a passage intermediate said partition and said second elongated plate; said first sealing means defining a first inlet to said first passage adjacent said one end of said plenum for admitting one of a first gaseous phase and a second liquid phase heat exchange fluids; said first sealing means defining a second inlet to said second passage adjacent said one end of said plenum for admitting the other of said gaseous phase and liquid phase heat exchange fluids; said first sealing means further defining at the other end of said plenum a first outlet from said plenum; first distributor means in one of said first and second passages abutting one face of said partition for substantially uniformly distributing one of said first and second heat exchange fluids respectively from one of said first and second inlets within said one passage substantially across the width of said plenum; a transfer passage means within said plenum for combining said one uniformly distributed heat exchange fluid with the other of said first and second fluids, and means defining a third passage disposed in heat exchange relation with the combined first and second heat exchange fluids.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 1 including a second distributor means in the other of said first and second passages abutting the other face of said partition for substantially uniformly distributing the other of said first and second heat exchange fluids respectively from the other of said first and second inlets within said other passage substantially across the width of said plenum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 2 wherein the sum of the thicknesses of said first distributor means, said second distributor means, and said partition substantially equal the thickness of said plenum.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said distributor means includes a corrugated metallic sheet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 4 wherein the crest of said corrugated metallic sheet extended transversely of the longitudinal axis of said plenum and wherein said metallic sheet is perforated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said third passage is disposed within said second spacial layer and wherein said partition has approximately the same length as said first and second elongated metallic plates whereby said third passage is separated from said first spacial layer; and second sealing means disposed within said second spacial layer extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of said plenum for sealing separating said second passage from said third passage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 6 wherein said transfer passage is disposed intermediate said second inlet and said second sealing means with respect to said longitudinal axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 6 wherein said second inlet is disposed intermediate said transfer passage and said second sealing means with respect to said longitudinal axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said transfer passage extends through said partition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 9 wherein said transfer passage is substantially the full width of said plenum.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 10 wherein said partition is comprised of two metallic plates disposed in end-to-end spaced relationship wherein the space therebetween defined defines said transfer passage. 12 The apparatus as defined by claim 9 wherein the longitudinal axis of said plenum is vertical; and wherein said transfer passage is disposed in the lOwer portion of said partition.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 12 wherein said second inlet to said second passage is s disposed below said transfer passage.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 12 wherein said inlet to said second passage is disposed above said transfer passage.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
84 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 1 including a third elongated metallic plate of generally similar peripheral configuration to said first and second elongated metallic plates contraposed in face-to-face spaced relationship with said second elongated metallic plate externally of said plenum; said first sealing means further sealingly connecting said second and third elongated metallic plates along the peripheral margins thereof whereby said third passage is defined therebetween; said first sealing means defining an inlet and an outlet respectively to and from said third passage.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 15 including a second partition within said plenum interleaved with said first partition and second elongated metallic plate whereby the opposing faces of said second passage are defined by said first and second partitions.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
180 words
A method of heat exchange including the steps of: providing a supply of gaseous phase heat exchange fluid; providing a supply of liquid phase heat exchange fluid; introducing the fluid of one of said phases into a first layer of a multilayer heat exchanger; distributing said introduced fluid of said one phase within said first layer substantially uniformly substantially across the width of said heat exchanger; passing the substantially uniformly distributed fluid of said one phase through the remainder of said first layer; simultaneously introducing the fluid of the other of said phases into a second layer adjacent said first layer; distributing said introduced fluid of said other phase within said second layer substantially uniformly substantially across the width of said heat exchanger; and transferring the substantially uniformly distributed fluid of said other phase from said second layer to said first layer while substantially maintaining its uniform distribution substantially across the width of said heat exchanger whereby the gaseous and liquid phases are substantially uniformly combined substantially across the width of a heat exchanger independently of their relative mass flows.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
180 words
A method of heat exchange including the steps of: providing a supply of gaseous phase heat exchange fluid; providing a supply of liquid phase heat exchange fluid; introducing the fluid of one of said phases into a first layer of a multilayer heat exchanger; distributing said introduced fluid of said one phase within said first layer substantially uniformly substantially across the width of said heat exchanger; passing the substantially uniformly distributed fluid of said one phase through the remainder of said first layer; simultaneously introducing the fluid of the other of said phases into a second layer adjacent said first layer; distributing said introduced fluid of said other phase within said second layer substantially uniformly substantially across the width of said heat exchanger; and transferring the substantially uniformly distributed fluid of said other phase from said second layer to said first layer while substantially maintaining its uniform distribution substantially across the width of said heat exchanger whereby the gaseous and liquid phases are substantially uniformly combined substantially across the width of a heat exchanger independently of their relative mass flows.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
239 words
A method of heat exchanging a first heat exchange fluid with a gaseous phase heat exchange fluid and liquid phase heat exchange fluid including the steps of: providing a first supply of liquid phase heat exchange fluid; providing a second supply of gaseous phase heat exchange fluid; providing a third supply of a third heat exchange fluid; introducing the fluid of one of said phases into a first layer of a multilayer heat exchanger; distributing said introduced fluid of said one phase within said first layer substantially uniformly substantially across the width of said heat exchanger; introducing the fluid of the other of said phases into a second layer adjacent said first layer; distributing said introduced fluid of said other phase within said second layer substantially uniformly substantially across the width of said heat exchanger; transferring the substantially uniformly distributed fluid of one of said phases from one of the first and second layers and diffusing it into the substantially uniformly distributed fluid of the other phase from the other of the first and second layers while substantially maintaining its uniform distribution substantially across the width of said heat exchanger whereby the gaseous and liquid phases are substantially uniformly combined substantially across the width of a heat exchanger independently of their relative mass flow rates; and passing the substantially uniformly distributed combined gaseous and liquid phase heat exchange fluids in heat exchange relation with said third heat exchange fluid.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
239 words
A method of heat exchanging a first heat exchange fluid with a gaseous phase heat exchange fluid and liquid phase heat exchange fluid including the steps of: providing a first supply of liquid phase heat exchange fluid; providing a second supply of gaseous phase heat exchange fluid; providing a third supply of a third heat exchange fluid; introducing the fluid of one of said phases into a first layer of a multilayer heat exchanger; distributing said introduced fluid of said one phase within said first layer substantially uniformly substantially across the width of said heat exchanger; introducing the fluid of the other of said phases into a second layer adjacent said first layer; distributing said introduced fluid of said other phase within said second layer substantially uniformly substantially across the width of said heat exchanger; transferring the substantially uniformly distributed fluid of one of said phases from one of the first and second layers and diffusing it into the substantially uniformly distributed fluid of the other phase from the other of the first and second layers while substantially maintaining its uniform distribution substantially across the width of said heat exchanger whereby the gaseous and liquid phases are substantially uniformly combined substantially across the width of a heat exchanger independently of their relative mass flow rates; and passing the substantially uniformly distributed combined gaseous and liquid phase heat exchange fluids in heat exchange relation with said third heat exchange fluid.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as defined by claim 18 wherein said one phase is the gaseous phase and said other phase is the liquid phase.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as defined by claim 18 wherein said one phase is the liquid phase and said other phase is the gaseous phase.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as defined by claim 18 wherein the combined gaseous and liquid phase fluids are passed generally upwardly through said other of said first and second layers.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
204 words
A method of operating a plate-type heat exchanger having a plurality of substantially parallel spaced plates defining therebetween a plurality of relatively thin but wide passages including the steps of: passing a gas into a first of said relatively thin but wide passages formed by said plates; spreading said gas out in said first passage over substantially the full width of said plates forming said first passage; passing a liquid into a second of said relatively thin but wide passages formed by said plates; spreading said liquid out in said second passage over substantially the full width of said plates forming said second passage; passing the thus spread gaseous and liquid fluids in substantially a common direction within their respective passages and passing one of said gaseous and liquid fluids beyond an edge of one of said plates forming one of a said first and second passages into the other of said gaseous and liquid fluids in the other of said passages for uniform intimate mixing of the gaseous and liquid fluids across the full width of said other passage; and passing the resulting mixture of gas and liquid in heat exchange relation via one of said plates with a third heat exchange fluid.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
204 words
A method of operating a plate-type heat exchanger having a plurality of substantially parallel spaced plates defining therebetween a plurality of relatively thin but wide passages including the steps of: passing a gas into a first of said relatively thin but wide passages formed by said plates; spreading said gas out in said first passage over substantially the full width of said plates forming said first passage; passing a liquid into a second of said relatively thin but wide passages formed by said plates; spreading said liquid out in said second passage over substantially the full width of said plates forming said second passage; passing the thus spread gaseous and liquid fluids in substantially a common direction within their respective passages and passing one of said gaseous and liquid fluids beyond an edge of one of said plates forming one of a said first and second passages into the other of said gaseous and liquid fluids in the other of said passages for uniform intimate mixing of the gaseous and liquid fluids across the full width of said other passage; and passing the resulting mixture of gas and liquid in heat exchange relation via one of said plates with a third heat exchange fluid.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
203 words
A method of operating a plate-type heat exchanger having a plurality of substantially parallel spaced plates defining therebetween a plurality of relatively thin but wide passages including the steps of: passing a gas into a first of said relatively thin but wide passages formed by said plates; spreading said gas out in said first passage over substantially the full width of said plates forming said first passage; passing a liquid into a second of said relatively thin but wide passages formed by said plates; spreading a said liquid out in said second passage over substantially the full width of said plates forming said second passage; passing the thus spread gaseous and liquid fluids in substantially opposite directions within their respective passages and passing one of said gaseous and liquid fluids beyond an edge of one of said plates forming one of said first and second passages into the other of said gaseous and liquid fluids in the other of said passages for uniform intimate mixing of the gaseous and liquid fluids across the full width of said other passage; and passing the resulting mixture of gas and liquid in heat exchange relation via one of said plates with a third heat exchange fluid.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
203 words
A method of operating a plate-type heat exchanger having a plurality of substantially parallel spaced plates defining therebetween a plurality of relatively thin but wide passages including the steps of: passing a gas into a first of said relatively thin but wide passages formed by said plates; spreading said gas out in said first passage over substantially the full width of said plates forming said first passage; passing a liquid into a second of said relatively thin but wide passages formed by said plates; spreading a said liquid out in said second passage over substantially the full width of said plates forming said second passage; passing the thus spread gaseous and liquid fluids in substantially opposite directions within their respective passages and passing one of said gaseous and liquid fluids beyond an edge of one of said plates forming one of said first and second passages into the other of said gaseous and liquid fluids in the other of said passages for uniform intimate mixing of the gaseous and liquid fluids across the full width of said other passage; and passing the resulting mixture of gas and liquid in heat exchange relation via one of said plates with a third heat exchange fluid.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
177 words
A plate-type heat exchanger comprising: a plurality of substantially parallel closely spaced plates defining therebetween a plurality of relatively thin but wide passages; one of said plates being common to a first and second passage adjacent to each other; said one plate having an edge in fluid communication with each of said first and second passages; said first passage having a gas inlet; means within said first passage downstream of said edge for distributing gas entering said gas inlet uniformly across the width of said first passage; said second passage having a liquid inlet; means within said second passage downstream of said edge for distributing liquid entering said liquid inlet uniformly across the width of said second passage whereby said gaseous and liquid fluids are uniformly mixed as they pass beyond said edge of said one plate; and a third passage for conducting a third heat exchange fluid in heat exchange relation with the mixture of gas and liquid fluids. 25 The apparatus as defined by claim 24 wherein said edge extends transversely to said first passage.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 24 wherein said edge extends substantially across the full width of said first and second passages.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 24 wherein said edge is lower than said gas inlet to a said first passage.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 24 wherein said gas distributing means and said liquid distributing means abut opposite faces of said one plate.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 24 wherein said edge is the peripheral edge of said plate.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 29 including a second plate having a peripheral edge parallel to and spaced from said first edge, the space between said edges conducting one of said gaseous and liquid fluids into the other of said gaseous and liquid fluids.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus ad as defined by claim 30 wherein said one plate and said second plate are coplanar.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 29 wherein said one plate and said second plate are noncoplanar.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-01 | 1974-08-03 | 1975-02-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-01 | 1978-08-03 | 1979-02-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-01 | 1982-08-03 | 1983-02-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |