US3773106A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rotary heat exchangers
Assignee: EIDP Inc
•
Filing: 1971-09-15
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Granted: 1973-11-20
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Expires: 1991-09-15
Abstract
Abstract A rotary heat exchanger comprising an array of closely spaced parallel annular thermally conductive fins mounted coaxially for rotation as a unit and a plurality of thermally conductive heat exchange tubes extending through the fins. The fins are arranged and rotated at a speed to convey a fluid outwardly between the fins and provide optimum heat exchange between said fluid and another fluid in the heat exchange tubes. The heat exchange tubes are constructed to provide substantially maximum area of fluid contact surface interiorly of the tubes to minimize resistance to heat flow between the surface and the fluid in said tubes, and means are provided operable in conjunction with the fins to effect a substantial increase in fluid flow outwardly between the fins. Fluid distributing means is also provided to limit fluid flow through only the number of fins in the array required to provide optimum utilization of the heat exchanger according to the load requirement.
Inventors
- 👤 S Levy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 03:30
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04D; F04D29/00; F04D29/40; F04D29/42; F04D29/44; F04D29/46; F04D29/462; F04D29/464; F04D17/00; F04D17/08; F04D17/16; F04D17/161; F04D29/26; F04D29/28; F04D29/287; F28; F28B; F28B1/00; F28B1/06; F28B1/08; F28D; F28D11/00; F28D11/02; F28D11/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
A rotaty heat exchanger comprising, an array of a plurality of annular fins each having predetermined inner and outer radii disposed coaxially in predetermined spaced parallel relation for rotation as a unit about their common axis and defining interiorly thereof a fluid chamber having a fluid inlet at least at one axial end thereof, a plurality of heat exchange tubes each extending through said plurality of fins axially of the heat exchanger and disposed in radially spaced relation to the common axis circumferentially thereabout, means for introducing and withdrawing a first fluid into and from said heat exchange tubes; means for rotationally driving said plurality of fins and tubes at a predetermined speed of rotation about said common axis correlated to the axial spacing between the fins and the inner and outer radii thereof to convey and accelerate a second fluid from said fluid chamber substantially by viscosity shear forces spirally outward between the adjacent fins substantially to the velocity providing optimum total heat exchange between said second fluid and said first fluid in said heat exchange tubes, and fluid flow augmentation means disposed outwardly of said array of fins and rotatable therewith operable to substantially increase the flow of the second fluid outwardly through the fin array and substantially reduce the resistance to heat flow between the exterior wall surfaces of the heat exchange tubes and said second fluid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
230 words
A rotaty heat exchanger comprising, an array of a plurality of annular fins each having predetermined inner and outer radii disposed coaxially in predetermined spaced parallel relation for rotation as a unit about their common axis and defining interiorly thereof a fluid chamber having a fluid inlet at least at one axial end thereof, a plurality of heat exchange tubes each extending through said plurality of fins axially of the heat exchanger and disposed in radially spaced relation to the common axis circumferentially thereabout, means for introducing and withdrawing a first fluid into and from said heat exchange tubes; means for rotationally driving said plurality of fins and tubes at a predetermined speed of rotation about said common axis correlated to the axial spacing between the fins and the inner and outer radii thereof to convey and accelerate a second fluid from said fluid chamber substantially by viscosity shear forces spirally outward between the adjacent fins substantially to the velocity providing optimum total heat exchange between said second fluid and said first fluid in said heat exchange tubes, and fluid flow augmentation means disposed outwardly of said array of fins and rotatable therewith operable to substantially increase the flow of the second fluid outwardly through the fin array and substantially reduce the resistance to heat flow between the exterior wall surfaces of the heat exchange tubes and said second fluid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A rotary heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fluid flow augmentation means includes annular outwardly projecting flanges at opposite ends of the rotating fin array extending a predetermined distance outwardly beyond the fins.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A rotary heat exchanger as claimed in claim 2 wherein the annular projecting flanges are disposed radially parallel to the fins.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A rotary heat exchanger as claimed in claim 3 wherein the ratio of the diameter of the radial flanges to the outer diameter of the fins is within the range of about 1.2 to about 1.5.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A rotary heat exchanger as clAimed in claim 1 wherein the fluid flow augmentation means includes a plurality of axially extending blades arranged in equally spaced relation circumferentially about the fins.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A rotary heat exchanger as claimed in claim 5 wherein the axial blades are pivotable between an inoperative netural position and an operative position radially of the fins.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A rotary heat exchanger as claimed in claim 6 wherein the axial blades normally are disposed in the neutral position and comprising mechanism operable to pivot the blades to their radial operative position under full load operating conditions of the heat exchanger.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A rotary heat exchanger as claimed in claim 2 wherein the fluid flow augmentation means also includes a plurality of axially extending blades mounted in equally spaced relation circumferentially about the fins.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
A rotary heat exchanger as claimed in claim 8 wherein the axial blades normally are disposed in the neutral position and comprising mechanism operable to pivot the blades to their radial operative position under full load operating conditions of the heat exchanger.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
A rotary heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1 comprising flow distributor means in the fluid chamber operable to direct the second fluid from said chamber outwardly through a predetermined number of the fins in the array.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
72 words
A rotary heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1 comprising flow distributor means movable coaxially within the fluid chamber lengthwise of the array of fins to intermediate positions beteen an inner limit position in which the second fluid is directed thereby outwardly through all of the fins and an outer limit position adjacent the fluid inlet in which the second fluid is directed thereby outwardly through a predetermined minimum number of fins.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
73 words
A rotary heat exchanger as claimed in claim 7 comprising flow distributor means movable coaxially within the fluid chamber lengthwise of the array of fins to intermediate positions between an inner limit position in which the second fluid is directed thereby outwardly through all of the fins and an outer limit position adjacent the fluid inlet in which the second fluid is directed thereby outwardly through a predetermined minimum number of the fins.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
73 words
A rotary heat exchanger as claimed in claim 9 comprising flow distributor means movable coaxially within the fluid chamber lengthwise of the array of fins to intermediate positions between an inner limit position in which the second fluid is directed thereby outwardly through all of the fins and an outer limit position adjacent the fluid inlet in which the second fluid is directed thereby outwardly through a predetermined minimum number of the fins.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
A rotary heat exchanger as claimed in claim 12 wherein the mechanism to pivot the blades is actuated by the flow distributor means upon movement thereof to the inner limit position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
A rotary heat exchanger as claimed in claim 13 wherein the mechanism to pivot the blades is actuated by the flow distributor means upon movement thereof to the inner limit position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
94 words
A rotary heat exchanger as claimed in claim 11, comprising, power actuated drive means for moving the flow distributor in opposite directions coaxially lengthwise of the array of fins between said inner and outer limit positions, and control means for actuating said drive means operable automatically in response to variations in the temperature difference of the second fluid before and after discharge through the fins to position the flow distributor to direct the second fluid outwardly through only the number of fins that provide optimum operation of the heat exchanger at the existing load.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
A rotary heat exchanger as claimed in claim 11 wherein the flow distributor is slidably mounted for movement coaxially within the array of fins upon a shaft fixedly supported coaxially in the fluid chamber.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
69 words
A rotary heat exchanger as claimed in claim 12 wherein the mechanism to pivot the blades comprises a radial pUsh rod associated with each blade having geared connection therewith, and cam means is carried by the flow distributor operable upon movement thereof to the inner limit position to engage and actuate said push rods radially outward thereby pivoting the blades from the neutral position to the radial position thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
94 words
A rotary heat exchanger as claimed in claim 12 comprising, power actuated drive means for moving the flow distributor in opposite directions coaxially lengthwise of the array of fins between said inner and outer limit positions, and control means for actuating said drive means operable automatically in response to variations in the temperature difference of the second fluid before and after discharge through the fins to position the flow distributor to direct the second fluid outwardly through only the number of fins that provide optimum operation of the heat exchanger at the existing load.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
69 words
A rotary heat exchanger as claimed in claim 19 wherein the mechanism to pivot the blades comprises, a radial push rod associated with each blade having geared connection therewith, and cam means is carried by the flow distributor operable upon movement thereof to the inner limit position to engage and actuate said push rods radially outward thereby pivoting the blades from the neutral position to the radial position thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
56 words
A rotary heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat exchange tubes are each constructed to provide interiorly thereof a substantially extended and maximized heat exchange surface area for contact by the first fluid in said tubes to substantially minimize resistance to heat flow between said fluid and the internal surfaces of the tubes.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
A rotary heat exchanger as claimed in claim 21, wherein each of the heat exchange tubes comprises a circular tubular member having therein a plurality of longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced inwardly projecting radial fins.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
57 words
A rotary heat exchanger as claimed in claim 22, wherein each of the heat exchange tubes also comprises an insert extending longitudinally therein having leg portions equally spaced and extending radially outward between groups of the fins in the tubes with their outer ends in good thermal conductive engagement with the inner wall surface of the tube.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
54 words
A rotary heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat exchange tubes are disposed at a small acute angle to the rotation axis of the array of fins and are divergent with respect to said axis in the direction axially inward from the inlet to the fluid chamber defined by said fins.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
A rotary heat exchanger as claimed in claim 2, comprising flow distributor means in the fluid chamber operable to direct the second fluid from said chamber outwardly through a predetermined number of the fins in the array.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
72 words
A rotary heat exchanger as claimed in claim 2, comprising flow distributor means movable coaxially within the fluid chamber lengthwise of the array of fins to intermediate positions between an inner limit position in which the second fluid is directed thereby outwardly through all of the fins and an outer limit position adjacent the fluid inlet in which the second fluid is directed thereby outwardly through a predetermined minimum number of fins.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
94 words
A rotary heat exchanger as claimed in claim 26, comprising, power actuated drive means for moving the flow distributor in opposite directions coaxially lengthwise of the array of fins between said inner and outer limit positions, and control means for actuating said drive means operable automatically in response to variations in the temperature difference of the second fluid before and after discharge through the fins to position the flow distributor to direct the second fluid outwardly through only the number of fins that provide optimum operation of the heat exchanger at the existing load.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
35 words
A rotary heat exchanger as claimed in claim 10, wherein the fluid flow augmentation meaNs includes annular radial flanges at opposite ends of the rotating fin array projecting a predetermined distance outwardly beyond the fins.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
35 words
A rotary heat exchanger as claimed in claim 16, wherein the fluid flow augmentation means includes annular radial flanges at opposite ends of the rotating fin array projecting a predetermined distance outwardly beyond the fins.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
35 words
A rotary heat exchanger as claimed in claim 18, wherein the fluid flow augmentation means includes annular radial flanges at opposite ends of the rotating fin array projecting a predetermined distance outwardly beyond the fins.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
101 words
A rotary heat exchanger as claimed in claim 29, wherein the heat exchange tubes are disposed at a small acute angle to the rotation axis of the array of fins and are divergent with respect to said axis in the direction axially inward from the inlet to the fluid chamber defined by said fins, and said heat exchange tubes are each constructed to provide interiorly thereof a substantially extended and maximized heat change surface area for contact by the first fluid in said tubes to substantially minimize resistance to heat flow between said fluid and the internal surfaces of the tubes.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
101 words
A rotary heat exchanger as claimed in claim 30, wherein the heat exchange tubes are disposed at a small acute angle to the rotation axis of the array of fins and are divergent with respect to said axis in the direction axially inward from the inlet to the fluid chamber defined by said fins, and said heat exchange tubes are each constructed to provide interiorly thereof a substantially extended and maximized heat exchange surface area for contact by the first fluid in said tubes to substantially minimize resistance to heat flow between said fluid and the internal surfaces of the tubes.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
30 words
A rotary heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Taylor number determined by the formula NTa d2 w/v is in the range from about 5 to about 7.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
36 words
A rotary heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the heat exchange tubes comprises a longitudinally corrugated continuous inner member sandwiched between and bonded to longitudinally extending inner and outer flat plate members.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
47 words
A rotary heat exchanger as claimed in claim 34, wherein the planes of the inner and outer flat plate member of each of said exchange tubes are disposed parallel to and in the direction of the flow streamline of the second fluid passing outwardly between the fins.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2680007A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-19 | 1977-05-21 | 1977-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-19 | 1981-05-21 | 1981-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-19 | 1985-05-21 | 1985-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |