Patent US3613779A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3613779A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for obtaining high transfer rates in falling water film evaporators and condensers
Assignee: CLINTON E BROWN
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Filing: 1969-10-06
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Granted: 1971-10-19
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Expires: 1989-10-06
Abstract
Abstract Narrow strips of very thin hydrophobic material are arranged in parallel rows on a hydrophilic heat exchange substrate for use in fluid evaporation or condensation. Fluid rivulets of arcuate cross section form on the hydrophilic substrate between the hydrophobic strips, resulting in an improved heat transfer coefficient relative to systems employing a uniform fluid thickness. Increased fluid surface area and vertical motion of the rivulets account in part for the improved coefficient.
Inventors
- 👤 Clinton E Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:50
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28F; F28F13/00; F28F13/18; F28F13/182; F28D; F28D5/00; F28F13/02; F28F25/00; F28F25/02; F28F25/08; F28F2245/00; F28F2245/02; F28F2245/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S165/00; Y10S165/911; Y10S165/913
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A heat exchange element comprising: alternate, contiguous, parallel rows of hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces, the rows of hydrophobic surfaces being wide enough to prevent flooding of them when fluid rivulets are caused to flow on the rows of hydrophilic surfaces yet narrow enough to maximize heat transfer through the heat exchange element, and the rows of hydrophilic surfaces being narrow enough to enable surface tension forces in fluid rivulets, which are caused to flow on the hydrophilic surfaces, to form the rivulets into an arcuate cross section between the rows of hydrophobic surfaces, yet wide enough to maximize heat transfer through the heat exchange element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
A heat exchange element comprising: alternate, contiguous, parallel rows of hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces, the rows of hydrophobic surfaces being wide enough to prevent flooding of them when fluid rivulets are caused to flow on the rows of hydrophilic surfaces yet narrow enough to maximize heat transfer through the heat exchange element, and the rows of hydrophilic surfaces being narrow enough to enable surface tension forces in fluid rivulets, which are caused to flow on the hydrophilic surfaces, to form the rivulets into an arcuate cross section between the rows of hydrophobic surfaces, yet wide enough to maximize heat transfer through the heat exchange element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
A heat exchange element is claimed in claim 1 in which: the rows of hydrophilic surfaCes are spaced portions of a substrate having a continuous hydrophilic surface, and the rows of hydrophobic surfaces are a series of thin, spaced strips of hydrophobic material arranged parallel to one another and bonded to the hydrophilic surface of the substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A heat exchange element as claimed in claim 2 in which: the substrate is metallic and has a high coefficient of thermal conductivity, and the hydrophobic material is metallic. 4.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A heat exchange element as claimed in claim 2 in which: the substrate is metallic and has a high coefficient of thermal conductivity, and the hydrophobic material is nonmetallic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A heat exchange element as claimed in claim 3 in which: the hydrophobic material is gold.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A heat exchange element as claimed in claim 3 in which: the hydrophobic material is palladium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A heat exchange element as claimed in claim 4 in which: the hydrophobic material is a fluorinated hydrocarbon polymer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A heat exchange element is claimed in claim 2 in which: the substrate is in the form of a plane surface plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A heat exchange element as claimed in claim 3 in which: the substrate is in the form of a plane surfaced plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A heat exchange element as claimed in claim 4 in which: the substrate is in the form of a plane surfaced plate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
a heat exchange element as claimed in claim 5, in which: the substrate is in the form of a plane surfaced plate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A heat exchange element as claimed in claim 6, in which: the substrate is in the form of a plane surfaced plate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A heat exchange element as claimed in claim 7, in which: the substrate is in the form of a plane surfaced plate.
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) | 1974-10-18 | 1975-04-19 | 1975-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-18 | 1979-04-19 | 1979-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-18 | 1983-04-19 | 1983-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |