US3603380A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gas distribution system for effecting heat exchange
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-06-09
•
Granted: 1971-09-07
•
Expires: 1989-06-09
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure provides a distribution system including a method and apparatus for effecting heat exchange between a gaseous medium and a charge of material. The charge of material is placed in a heat-exchange zone at a location which provides a circulation space around the entire charge. The supply of heatexchange gas medium is introduced into the gas circulation space at a location adjacent the charge. The gas medium is cycled in a continuous flow throughout the charge of material. A substantially uniform exchange effect is obtained by providing suitable supply and exhaust opening structures to effect equalization of the quantity of gas passing through and affected by the pressure drop in circulation spaces, turbulences, conversion of velocity pressure into static pressure, etc. The system of this disclosure includes an apparatus to effect the method of heat exchange. A specific embodiment of the apparatus includes adjustable structures which control the size of the openings for supplying and exhausting the gas medium.
Inventors
- 👤 Sabastien S Corhanidis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 14:14
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28F; F28F9/00; F28F9/02; F28F9/026; F28F9/0265; F25; F25D; F25D17/00; F25D17/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of distributing gas for effecting heat exchange comprising: a. placing a charge of material into a heat-exchange zone, b. providing a supply of heat-exchange gas medium, c. introducing quantities of the supply of heat-exchange gas medium forming a cyclic flow into the heat-exchange zone along tWo opposing sides of the charge at first and second corresponding edges thereof, d. the quantities introduced along said first edge being larger than the quantities along said second edge, and e. exhausting quantities of heat-exchange gas medium out of the heat-exchange zone along said two opposing sides of the charge at third and fourth corresponding edges thereof, f. the quantities exhausted along said third edge being larger than the quantities exhausted along said fourth corresponding edge, g. said larger introduced quantities being on the same side of the charge as the smaller exhausted quantities and said larger exhausted quantities being on the same side of the charge as the smaller introduced quantities.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of distributing gas for effecting heat exchange comprising: a. placing a charge of material into a heat-exchange zone, b. providing a supply of heat-exchange gas medium, c. introducing quantities of the supply of heat-exchange gas medium forming a cyclic flow into the heat-exchange zone along tWo opposing sides of the charge at first and second corresponding edges thereof, d. the quantities introduced along said first edge being larger than the quantities along said second edge, and e. exhausting quantities of heat-exchange gas medium out of the heat-exchange zone along said two opposing sides of the charge at third and fourth corresponding edges thereof, f. the quantities exhausted along said third edge being larger than the quantities exhausted along said fourth corresponding edge, g. said larger introduced quantities being on the same side of the charge as the smaller exhausted quantities and said larger exhausted quantities being on the same side of the charge as the smaller introduced quantities.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said charge of material is permeable to a flow of gas medium whereby quantities of heat-exchange medium introduced along said first edge of the charge move through the permeable charge and are exhausted along said third edge of the charge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said charge of material is impermeable to a flow of gas medium thereby preventing movement of heat-exchange medium through the charge and said flow of heat-exchange medium moves from the first inlet edge to the fourth exhaust edge and from the second inlet edge to the third exhaust edge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said heat-exchange gas medium is a refrigerant.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
219 words
The method of distributing heat-exchange gas medium around a charge of material located in a heat-exchange zone comprising the steps of: a. providing a circulation space above, below and on at least two opposing sides of the charge of material, b. introducing a supply of heat-exchange gas medium into the gas circulation space above the charge, c. directing a cyclic flow of quantities of gas medium into the heat-exchange zone, d. quantities being directed from the portion of the circulation space above the charge and introduced downwardly along opposing sides of the charge, e. the quantities of gas being introduced downwardly from the circulation space along a first inlet side of the heat-exchange zone are larger than the quantities of gas medium being introduced downwardly from the circulation space above the charge along a second inlet side, and f. quantities of said gas medium being directed from along said opposing sides of the heat-exchange zone and exhausted into a portion of the circulation space below the charge of material, g. the quantities of gas medium being exhausted along the first exhaust side of the heat-exchange zone are larger than the quantities of gas being exhausted along a second exhaust side, h. said first inlet side being located diagonally with respect to said first exhaust side across said heat-exchange zone.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
219 words
The method of distributing heat-exchange gas medium around a charge of material located in a heat-exchange zone comprising the steps of: a. providing a circulation space above, below and on at least two opposing sides of the charge of material, b. introducing a supply of heat-exchange gas medium into the gas circulation space above the charge, c. directing a cyclic flow of quantities of gas medium into the heat-exchange zone, d. quantities being directed from the portion of the circulation space above the charge and introduced downwardly along opposing sides of the charge, e. the quantities of gas being introduced downwardly from the circulation space along a first inlet side of the heat-exchange zone are larger than the quantities of gas medium being introduced downwardly from the circulation space above the charge along a second inlet side, and f. quantities of said gas medium being directed from along said opposing sides of the heat-exchange zone and exhausted into a portion of the circulation space below the charge of material, g. the quantities of gas medium being exhausted along the first exhaust side of the heat-exchange zone are larger than the quantities of gas being exhausted along a second exhaust side, h. said first inlet side being located diagonally with respect to said first exhaust side across said heat-exchange zone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method as defined in claim 5 wherein said charge of material is permeable to a flow of gas medium whereby quantities of heat-exchange medium introduced along said first inlet side of the charge move through the permeable charge and are exhausted along said first exhaust side of the charge.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method as defined in claim 5 wherein said charge of material is impermeable to a flow of gas medium thereby preventing movement of heat-exchange medium through the charge and said flow of heat-exchange medium moves along the opposing sides of the charge forming a jacket therearound.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as defined in claim 5 wherein said heat-exchange gas medium is a refrigerant.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method as defined in claim 5 wherein said supply introduction step includes the steps of recycling heat-exchange medium from the circulation space below the charge to the circulation space located above the charge and regenerating the gas medium during the recycling step.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as defined in claim 9 wherein said regenerating step includes cooling the gas medium before supplying it to said gas-circulation space above the cHarge.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as defined in claim 9 wherein said regenerating step includes heating the gas medium before supplying it to said circulation space above the charge.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
192 words
The method of distributing gas for effecting heat-exchange comprising: a. placing a charge of material into a heat-exchange zone, b. providing a circulation space including a supply portion, heat-exchange zone portions disposed on opposing sides of the heat-exchange zone and an exhaust portion, c. introducing a supply of heat-exchange gas medium into said supply portion of said space, d. directing quantities of the heat-exchange gas medium in a cyclic flow from the supply portion to the heat-exchange zone portions disposed along the sides of the charge and from said heat-exchange zone portions to the exhaust portion, e. the quantities of gas medium introduced from the supply portion along a first inlet side of the heat-exchange zone are larger than the quantities of gas medium introduced from the supply portion along a second inlet side of the heat-exchange zone, and f. the quantities of gas medium exhausted along a first exhaust side of the heat-exchange zone being larger than the quantities of the gas exhausted along a second exhaust side of the heat-exchange zone, g. said first inlet side being located diagonally across said heat-exchange zone with respect to said first exhaust side.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
192 words
The method of distributing gas for effecting heat-exchange comprising: a. placing a charge of material into a heat-exchange zone, b. providing a circulation space including a supply portion, heat-exchange zone portions disposed on opposing sides of the heat-exchange zone and an exhaust portion, c. introducing a supply of heat-exchange gas medium into said supply portion of said space, d. directing quantities of the heat-exchange gas medium in a cyclic flow from the supply portion to the heat-exchange zone portions disposed along the sides of the charge and from said heat-exchange zone portions to the exhaust portion, e. the quantities of gas medium introduced from the supply portion along a first inlet side of the heat-exchange zone are larger than the quantities of gas medium introduced from the supply portion along a second inlet side of the heat-exchange zone, and f. the quantities of gas medium exhausted along a first exhaust side of the heat-exchange zone being larger than the quantities of the gas exhausted along a second exhaust side of the heat-exchange zone, g. said first inlet side being located diagonally across said heat-exchange zone with respect to said first exhaust side.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method as defined in claim 12 wherein said charge of material is permeable to a flow of gas medium whereby said cyclic flow of gas is directed through the permeable charge and is exhausted into the exhaust portion on a side opposite to where it was introduced.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method as defined in claim 12 wherein said charge of material is impermeable to a flow of gas medium thereby preventing movement of heat-exchange medium through the charge and said cyclic flow of heat-exchange medium moves around said impermeable charge of material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method as defined in claim 12 wherein the supply portion of the circulation space is located above the charge of material, the heat-exchange portions are located along vertical sides of the charge, and the exhaust portion is located below the charge of material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as defined in claim 12 wherein said heat-exchange gas medium is a refrigerant.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
143 words
An apparatus for effecting heat exchange between a gas medium and a charge of material comprising: a. means forming a heat-exchange zone, b. first inlet means located on a first side of the heat-exchange zone and second inlet means located on a second opposing side of said heat-exchange zone for providing an incoming flow of heat-exchange gas medium into the heat-exchange zone, c. said first inlet means having a lower resistance to flow into the heat-exchange zone than said second inlet means, and d. first exhaust means located on said first side of the heat-exchange zone and second exhaust means located on said second opposing side of the heat-exchange zone for providing an outgoing flow of heat-exchange gas medium from the heat-exchange zone, e. said second exhaust means having a lower resistance to flow from the heat-exchange zone than said first exhaust means.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
143 words
An apparatus for effecting heat exchange between a gas medium and a charge of material comprising: a. means forming a heat-exchange zone, b. first inlet means located on a first side of the heat-exchange zone and second inlet means located on a second opposing side of said heat-exchange zone for providing an incoming flow of heat-exchange gas medium into the heat-exchange zone, c. said first inlet means having a lower resistance to flow into the heat-exchange zone than said second inlet means, and d. first exhaust means located on said first side of the heat-exchange zone and second exhaust means located on said second opposing side of the heat-exchange zone for providing an outgoing flow of heat-exchange gas medium from the heat-exchange zone, e. said second exhaust means having a lower resistance to flow from the heat-exchange zone than said first exhaust means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein said heat-exchange zone forming means includes an insulated enclosure and means for supporting said charge of material within said heat-exchange zone.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
71 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein said heat-exchange zone forming means includes an insulated enclosure and ceiling means located in spaced relationship from the top of the insulated enclosure forming a circulation space therebetween and a means is provided to supply gas medium into the space between the ceiling means and the insulated enclosure, said first and second inlet means being located along opposing sides of said ceiling means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 19 wherein the first and second Inlet means includes openings located along the sides of the insulated enclosure, said inlet openings having varying size of cross-sectional area along the length of the sides of the insulated enclosure.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
63 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein said first and second inlet means includes openings located along the ceiling means on opposing sides of the insulated enclosure, said inlet openings along a first ceiling side of said insulated enclosure having a greater size in cross-sectional area than the inlet openings located along the oppositely disposed second ceiling side of said insulated enclosure.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 19 wherein said first and second inlet means includes openings located along the ceiling means on opposing sides of the insulated enclosure, said inlet openings including a plurality of divider members to form various sized inlet-opening sections along the length of first and second sides of the insulated enclosure,
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein said heat-exchange zone forming means includes an insulated enclosure and means for supporting the charge of material in spaced relationship from the insulated enclosure forming a circulation space therebetween, said first and second exhaust means being located along opposing sides of said charge supporting means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 23 wherein said first and second exhaust means includes openings located along the charge-supporting means on opposing sides of the insulated enclosure, said exhaust openings having a varying size of cross-sectional area along the length of the side of the insulated enclosure.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 24 wherein said exhaust openings include a plurality of divider members to form various sized opening sections along the length of the first and second opposing sides of the insulated enclosure.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
61 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 23 wherein said first and second exhaust means includes openings located along the charge-supporting means on opposing sides of the insulated enclosure, said exhaust openings along a first side of said insulated enclosure having a greater size in cross-sectional area than the exhaust openings located along an oppositely disposed second side of said insulated enclosure.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein said heat-exchange zone-forming means includes an insulated enclosure and means for maintaining a flow space between the charge of material and said opposing sides of the enclosure.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
104 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein said heat-exchange zone forming means includes an insulated enclosure, ceiling means located in spaced relationship from the top of the insulated enclosure forming a circulation space therebetween, and means for supporting the charge of material in spaced relationship from the insulated enclosure forming a circulation space therebetween, means is provided to supply gas medium into the space between the ceiling means and the insulated enclosure, said first and second inlet means being located along opposing sides of said ceiling means, and said first and second exhaust means being located along opposing sides of said charge-supporting means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
136 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 28 wherein said first and second inlet means includes openings located along the ceiling means on opposing sides of the insulated enclosure, said inlet openings located along a first side of the insulated enclosure having a greater size in cross-sectional area than the inlet openings located along the second opposed side of the insulated enclosure, said first and second exhaust means includes openings located along the charge-supporting means on opposing sides of the insulated enclosure, said exhaust openings along a first side of said insulated enclosure having a greater size in cross-sectional area than the exhaust openings located along a second opPosed side of said insulated enclosure, said larger inlet openings being located on a side of said enclosure across the heat-exchange zone diagonally opposite to said larger exhaust openings.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 28 wherein said insulated enclosure includes means to mount said insulated enclosure onto a vehicle.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 28 wherein said gas-medium supply means includes an inlet-means supply opening and a gas-medium blower means, said inlet means supply opening being located above said gas-medium blower means to introduce heat-exchange gas medium into the circulation space above the charge of material and located between the ceiling means and the insulated enclosure.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 31 wherein said gas-medium supply means includes means to regenerate the gas medium before recycling same into said heat-exchange zone.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 32 wherein said regenerating means includes gas-medium cooling means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 32 wherein said regenerating means includes gas-medium heating means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
73 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein said heat-exchange zone-forming means includes an insulated enclosure, ceiling means located in spaced relationship from the top of the insulated enclosure forming a circulation space therebetween and a first damper means extending between said ceiling means and the top of the charge to substantially prevent the gas medium from passing transversely across the heat-exchange zone between the top of the charge and the ceiling means.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
167 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein said heat-exchange zone-forming means includes an insulated enclosure, ceiling means located in spaced relationship from the top of the insulated enclosure forming a circulation space therebetween, first and second damper means, and a means is provided to supply gas medium into the space between the ceiling means and the insulated enclosure along a supply side of the enclosure, said first damper means extending between said ceiling means and the top of said charge to substantially prevent the gas medium from passing transversely across the heat-exchange zone between the top of the charge and the ceiling means, said second damper means extending between the end of the enclosure opposite the supply side of the enclosure and the side of the charge of material to substantially prevent transverse movement of said gas medium between the end of the charge and said end of the enclosure, said first and second inlet means being located along said opposing sides of the ceiling means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
153 words
In a vehicle for transporting goods, a gas distribution system for providing a heat-exchange effect between a gaseous medium and a charge of material comprising: a. means forming a heat-exchange zone, b. first inlet means located on a first side of the heat-exchange zone and second inlet means located on a second opposing side of said heat-exchange zone for providing an incoming flow of heat exchange gas medium into the heat-exchange zone, c. said first inlet means having a lower resistance to flow into the heat-exchange zone than said second inlet means, and d. first exhaust means located on said first side of a heat-exchange zone and second exhaust means located on said second opposing side of the heat-exchange zone for providing an outgoing flow of heat-exchange gas medium from the heat-exchange zone, e. said second exhaust means having a lower resistance to flow from the heat-exchange zone than said first exhaust means.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
153 words
In a vehicle for transporting goods, a gas distribution system for providing a heat-exchange effect between a gaseous medium and a charge of material comprising: a. means forming a heat-exchange zone, b. first inlet means located on a first side of the heat-exchange zone and second inlet means located on a second opposing side of said heat-exchange zone for providing an incoming flow of heat exchange gas medium into the heat-exchange zone, c. said first inlet means having a lower resistance to flow into the heat-exchange zone than said second inlet means, and d. first exhaust means located on said first side of a heat-exchange zone and second exhaust means located on said second opposing side of the heat-exchange zone for providing an outgoing flow of heat-exchange gas medium from the heat-exchange zone, e. said second exhaust means having a lower resistance to flow from the heat-exchange zone than said first exhaust means.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
30 words
In a vehicle as defined in claim 37 wherein said heat-exchange zone forming means includes an insulated enclosure and means for supporting said charge of material within said heat-exchange zone.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
106 words
In a vehicle as defined in claim 37 wherein said heat-exchange zone forming means includes an insulated enclosure, ceiling means located in spaced relAtionship from the top of the insulated enclosure forming a circulation space therebetween, and means for supporting the charge of material in spaced relationship from the insulated enclosure forming a circulation space therebetween, and a means is provided to supply gas medium into the space between the ceiling means and the insulated enclosure, said first and second inlet means being located along opposing sides of said ceiling means, said first and second exhaust means being located along opposing sides of said charge-supporting means.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
137 words
In a vehicle as defined in claim 39 wherein said first and second inlet means includes openings located along the ceiling means on opposing sides of the insulated enclosure, said inlet openings located along a first side of the insulated enclosure having a greater size in cross-sectional area than the inlet openings located along the second opposed side of the insulated enclosure, said first and second exhaust means includes openings located along the charge-supporting means on opposing sides of the insulated enclosure, said exhaust openings along a first side of said insulated enclosure having a greater size in cross-sectional area than the exhaust openings located along a second opposed side of said insulated enclosure, said larger inlet openings being located on the side of said enclosure across the heat-exchange zone diagonally opposite to said larger exhaust openings.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2553471A
Cited
US3261650A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-06 | 1975-03-08 | 1975-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-06 | 1979-03-08 | 1979-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-06 | 1983-03-08 | 1983-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |