US3598131A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steam collection system for dishwashing machines
Assignee: Adamation Inc
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Filing: 1969-08-12
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Granted: 1971-08-10
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Expires: 1989-08-12
Abstract
Abstract A system for collecting and condensing steam from dishwashers to recover the heat of condensation and to reduce the humidity in the dishwashing room. Steam is drawn from the dishwasher by a blower into a duct, and through a body of porous material against which sprays of water are directed. Condensed moisture is collected by a baffled sump and returned to a supply of rinse water, or otherwise utilized to recover the heat of condensation of the steam. The airflow leaving the blower is discharged into the room at a reduced level of humidity.
Inventors
- 👤 Clyde R Weihe Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:10
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47L; A47L15/00; A47L15/24; A47L15/241; A47L15/42; A47L15/4291; B; B08; B08B; B08B15/00; F; F24; F24F; F24F7/00; F24F7/04; F24F7/06; F24F7/065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A dishwashing machine comprising: tunnel means forming at least one rinse compartment; first means for spraying hot steam-generating water into said rinse compartment; a collection tank arranged beneath and opening into said rinse compartment to collect water draining therefrom; a steam collection system comprising a duct connected in gas flow communication with said rinse compartment to receive a flow of gas therefrom, a blower arranged in said duct to draw a flow of gas therethrough, said duct having a discharge outlet arranged to exhaust said flow of gas from said blower, a body of porous material interposed in said duct for passage of said flow of gas therethrough and providing an enlarged surface area for condensation of moisture thereon, second means for spraying water onto said body to aid in condensing moisture thereon, and sump means constructed and arranged for collecting condensed moisture draining from said body, said sump means being connected to discharge collected moisture into said rinse compartment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
A dishwashing machine comprising: tunnel means forming at least one rinse compartment; first means for spraying hot steam-generating water into said rinse compartment; a collection tank arranged beneath and opening into said rinse compartment to collect water draining therefrom; a steam collection system comprising a duct connected in gas flow communication with said rinse compartment to receive a flow of gas therefrom, a blower arranged in said duct to draw a flow of gas therethrough, said duct having a discharge outlet arranged to exhaust said flow of gas from said blower, a body of porous material interposed in said duct for passage of said flow of gas therethrough and providing an enlarged surface area for condensation of moisture thereon, second means for spraying water onto said body to aid in condensing moisture thereon, and sump means constructed and arranged for collecting condensed moisture draining from said body, said sump means being connected to discharge collected moisture into said rinse compartment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A dishwashing machine as recited in claim 1, said tunnel means being subdivided to form a further rinse compartment, together with third means for spraying water into said further rinse compartment, said third spraying means being connected to draw a supply of water from said collection tank associated with said first-mentioned rinse compartment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
130 words
A dishwashing machine as recited in claim 2, together with a further steam collection system comprising a further duct connected in gas flow communication with said further rinse compartment to receive a flow of gas therefrom, a further blower arranged in said further duct to draw a flow of gas therethrough, said further duct having a discharge outlet arranged to exhaust said flow of gas from said further blower, a further body of porous material interposed in said further duct for passage of said flow of gas therethrough and providing an enlarged surface area for condensation of moisture thereon, further means for spraying water onto said further body to aid in condensing moisture thereon, and further sump means constructed and arranged for collecting condensed moisture draining from said further body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system as recited in claim 1, in which said second spraying means are arranged between said body and said discharge outlet to spray streams of water against said body in opposite direction to the flow of gas through said duct.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system as recited in claim 1, together with baffle means and sump means constructed and arranged for collecting condensed moisture draining from said body and preventing reverse flow thereof through said inlet in a reverse direction to said flow of gas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as recited in claim 1, in which said duct forms a gas flow passage extending with a vertical component of direction upwardly from said inlet to said outlet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system as recited in claim 6, together with baffle means arranged within said duct beneath said body and above said inlet to prevent flow of condensed moisture through said inlet in a reverse direction to said flow of gas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as recited in claim 7, together with sump means arranged within said duct beneath said baffle means to collect condensed moisture draining from said body onto said baffle means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system as recited in claim 6, in which said second spraying means are arranged above said porous body in said duct to direct streams of water downwardly against said porous body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system as recited in claim 1, together with a further body of porous material arranged in said duct in serial gas flow relation to said first-mentioned body and spaced therefrom in the direction of gas flow.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as recited in claim 1, in which said porous body comprises expanded polyurethane foam.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as recited in claim 11, in which said porous body is coated with polyvinyl chloride.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as recited in claim 1, in which said porous body extends over substantially the entire cross-sectional area of said duct.
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) | 1974-08-09 | 1975-02-08 | 1975-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-09 | 1979-02-08 | 1979-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-09 | 1983-02-08 | 1983-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |