Patent US3548352A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3786643A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vortex tube
Assignee: Owatonna Tool Co
•
Filing: 1973-01-02
•
Granted: 1974-01-22
•
Expires: 1993-01-02
Abstract
Abstract A vortex tube for converting pressure air to hot and cold air fractions and constructed of a body and cap assembled together with the cap and body forming a vortex chamber and a surrounding plenum chamber with a cold air passage extending outwardly from the cap and an elongate hot air passage extending outwardly of the body with the parts formed of plastic and shaped to provide a plug fit with each other and mounting an annular air filter screen therebetween and with a nozzle and valve unit threaded onto an end of the body providing for a plurality of control positions whereby either maximum cold air may be emitted from the unit or high temperature air can be emitted from the other end of the unit.
Inventors
- 👤 R Anderson
- 👤 W Andrist
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 10:23
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B9/00; F25B9/02; F25B9/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A vortex tube for separating compressed air into hot and cold fractions comprising, a body and a cap in assembled relation and having means to define a vortex chamber and a plenum chamber, a series of air channels extending between said plenum chamber and the vortex chamber and entering tangentially of said vortex chamber, said cap having a cold air passage extending from the vortex chamber to the exterior of said tube, said body having an elongate passage extending from the vortex chamber for the entire length thereof, and a nozzle and valve unit having a flow restricting orifice and an air exhaust passage, said unit being mounted on an end of said body for movement between one position causing all air flowing in said elongate passage to pass through said flow restricting orifice to any of a plurality of positions where air may flow through said air exhaust passage at a controlled rate greater than through said flow restricting orifice.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
A vortex tube for separating compressed air into hot and cold fractions comprising, a body and a cap in assembled relation and having means to define a vortex chamber and a plenum chamber, a series of air channels extending between said plenum chamber and the vortex chamber and entering tangentially of said vortex chamber, said cap having a cold air passage extending from the vortex chamber to the exterior of said tube, said body having an elongate passage extending from the vortex chamber for the entire length thereof, and a nozzle and valve unit having a flow restricting orifice and an air exhaust passage, said unit being mounted on an end of said body for movement between one position causing all air flowing in said elongate passage to pass through said flow restricting orifice to any of a plurality of positions where air may flow through said air exhaust passage at a controlled rate greater than through said flow restricting orifice.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
A vortex tube as defined in claim 1 wherein said nozzle and valve unit is cup-shaped and threaded onto an end of said body, said air exhaust passage being in a side wall of the unit, and said nozzle and valve unit having an internal wall engaging an end of said body in said one position to block air flow to said air exhaust passage and cause air to flow through said flow restricting orifice.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A vortex tube aS defined in claim 1 wherein said nozzle and valve unit is of molded plastic and a metal insert therein defines said flow restricting orifice.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A vortex tube as defined in claim 1 wherein ssaid nozzle and valve unit has an insulating sleeve extending therefrom and in spaced surrounding relation with a part of said body having said elongate passage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
152 words
A vortex tube for separating compressed air into hot and cold fractions comprising, a body and a cap in assembled relation and having means to define a vortex chamber and a plenum chamber, a series of air channels extending between said plenum chamber and the vortex chamber and entering tangentially of said vortex chamber, said cap having a cold air passage extending from the vortex chamber to the exterior of said tube, said body having an elongate passage extending from the vortex chamber for the entire length thereof, said body having a central recess and said cap having a central plug section fitted into said recess, an air inlet in said body leading to said plenum chamber, and an annular air filter screen in said plenum chamber having one end seated in a groove in said body and the other end seated in a groove in the plug section of said cap.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
152 words
A vortex tube for separating compressed air into hot and cold fractions comprising, a body and a cap in assembled relation and having means to define a vortex chamber and a plenum chamber, a series of air channels extending between said plenum chamber and the vortex chamber and entering tangentially of said vortex chamber, said cap having a cold air passage extending from the vortex chamber to the exterior of said tube, said body having an elongate passage extending from the vortex chamber for the entire length thereof, said body having a central recess and said cap having a central plug section fitted into said recess, an air inlet in said body leading to said plenum chamber, and an annular air filter screen in said plenum chamber having one end seated in a groove in said body and the other end seated in a groove in the plug section of said cap.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
100 words
A vortex tube as defined in claim 5 wherein said elongate body passage terminates at an end of the body, a cup-shaped nozzle and valve unit threaded onto an end of the body and having a transverse wall with a restricted flow passage concentric with said elongate body passage, and a non-restricted air exhaust passage in a perimetral wall of said unit, said unit having one position wherein said transverse wall engages the end of the body and blocks air flow to said non-restricted air exhaust passages and a plurality of other positions controlling air flow to said latter passage.
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) | 1977-01-21 | 1977-07-23 | 1978-01-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-21 | 1981-07-23 | 1982-01-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-21 | 1985-07-23 | 1986-01-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |