US3788392A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Revolving linear tube heat exchanger
Assignee: FMC Corp
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Filing: 1971-07-06
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Granted: 1974-01-29
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Expires: 1991-07-06
Abstract
Abstract A linear tube through which heating fluid flows is mounted to revolve within an elongated tank containing a liquid to be heated. The tube extends longitudinally within the tank and moves transversely in an orbital path with the trailing portion of the tube formed to reduce the tendency for a film of liquid being heated to burn thereon. The tube can be formed in such a manner by either streamlining the transverse surface configuration thereof so that the tube will move through the liquid within the tank with a more nearly unbroken flow thereabout or by insulating the trailing portion of the tube to reduce heat transfer by conduction from the heating fluid within the tube. The tube is supported in a manner so as to remove heating fluid condensate and cause liquid being heated to flow longitudinally within the tank. An arrangement of a multiplicity of tubes for movement through the liquid being heated without elimination of flow thereabout is also provided.
Inventors
- 👤 J Abbott
- 👤 S Mencacci
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 04:22
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28D; F28D11/00; F28D11/02; F28D11/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S165/00; Y10S165/135; Y10S165/139; Y10S165/152; Y10S165/154; Y10S165/155
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
A heat exchanger comprising an elongated tank for receiving a liquid to be heated therein; a pair of hollow rotatable shafts journalled at opposite ends of the tank for rotation about a common longitudinal axis; a first tubular connection projecting from a portion of one of said shafts located within the tank in a direction outward from the common longitudinal axis; a second tubular connection projecting from a portion of the other shaft located within the tank in a direction outward from the common longitudinal axis; and at least one linear tube extending between the first and second tubular connections spaced from and generally parallel with the common longitudinal axis about which said tube revolves in an orbital path upon rotation of said shafts; said hollow rotatable shafts, tubular connections, and tube forming a conduit through which heating fluid flows; said tube having a transverse configuration of generally triangular shape with the apex of the triangle aligned as the leading edge of the tube with reference to motion in said orbital path and said tube being divided longitudinally to form a heating fluid conduit adjacent the leading edge thereof and an air cell adjacent the trailing base portion of the triangle to insulate that portion of the tube from the heating fluid conduit and thereby reduce the tendency for liquid in the tank to burn on the exterior surface of the tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
232 words
A heat exchanger comprising an elongated tank for receiving a liquid to be heated therein; a pair of hollow rotatable shafts journalled at opposite ends of the tank for rotation about a common longitudinal axis; a first tubular connection projecting from a portion of one of said shafts located within the tank in a direction outward from the common longitudinal axis; a second tubular connection projecting from a portion of the other shaft located within the tank in a direction outward from the common longitudinal axis; and at least one linear tube extending between the first and second tubular connections spaced from and generally parallel with the common longitudinal axis about which said tube revolves in an orbital path upon rotation of said shafts; said hollow rotatable shafts, tubular connections, and tube forming a conduit through which heating fluid flows; said tube having a transverse configuration of generally triangular shape with the apex of the triangle aligned as the leading edge of the tube with reference to motion in said orbital path and said tube being divided longitudinally to form a heating fluid conduit adjacent the leading edge thereof and an air cell adjacent the trailing base portion of the triangle to insulate that portion of the tube from the heating fluid conduit and thereby reduce the tendency for liquid in the tank to burn on the exterior surface of the tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
96 words
A heat exchanger as described in claim 1 wherein said first and second tubular connections each have a ring-shaped conduit concentric with one of said hollow rotatable shafts and a plurality of tubular spokes connecting the ring-shaped conduit with the hollow rotatable shafts, said tubular spokes following a spiral curved path from the ring-shaped conduit to the hollow rotatable shaft in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the ring-shaped conduit whereby condensate from heating fluid collecting at the bottom of the ring-shaped conduit can be fed to the hollow rotatable shaft for discharge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A heat exchanger as described in claim 1 wherein said first and second tubular connections each have portions angled to the direction of rotation thereof for propelling liquid within the tank longitudinally thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A heat exchanger as described in claim 2 wherein said tubular spokes are angled to the direction of rotation thereof for propelling liquid longitudinally within the tank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A heat exchanger as described in claim 1 including a multiplicity of tubes extending between said first and second tubular connections at staggered radial spacing from the common longitudinal axis of rotation to maintain unbroken flow of liquid about the tubes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A heat exchanger as described in claim 3 wherein the common longitudinal axis of the rotatable shafts is a vertical line and liquid to be heated flows upward within the tank while heating fluid flows downward through the rotatable shafts, tube and tubular connections.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
209 words
A heat exchanger comprising an elongated tank for receiving a liquid to be heated; a hollow rotatable shaft journalled at one end of said tank for rotation about a longitudinal axis; a tubular connecting portion in communication with and projecting from a portion of the shaft located within the tank in a direction outward from said longitudinal axis; and at least one linear tube communicating with said connecting portion and extending within the tank parallel to but spaced from said longitudinal axis, said tube being arranged to rotate in an orbital path about said longitudinal axis upon rotation of said shaft; said shaft, connecting portion, and tube forming a conduit through which heating fluid may be passed to heat the liquid in said tank; said tube having a wedge-shaped transverse section with the point of the wedge aligned as the leading edge of the tube, with reference to motion in said orbital path, and said tube being divided longitudinally to form a heating fluid conduit adjacent the leading edge thereof and an air cell adjacent the trailing portion of the tube to insulate that portion from the heating fluid conduit and thereby reduce the tendency for liquid in the tank to burn on the exterior surface of the tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
209 words
A heat exchanger comprising an elongated tank for receiving a liquid to be heated; a hollow rotatable shaft journalled at one end of said tank for rotation about a longitudinal axis; a tubular connecting portion in communication with and projecting from a portion of the shaft located within the tank in a direction outward from said longitudinal axis; and at least one linear tube communicating with said connecting portion and extending within the tank parallel to but spaced from said longitudinal axis, said tube being arranged to rotate in an orbital path about said longitudinal axis upon rotation of said shaft; said shaft, connecting portion, and tube forming a conduit through which heating fluid may be passed to heat the liquid in said tank; said tube having a wedge-shaped transverse section with the point of the wedge aligned as the leading edge of the tube, with reference to motion in said orbital path, and said tube being divided longitudinally to form a heating fluid conduit adjacent the leading edge thereof and an air cell adjacent the trailing portion of the tube to insulate that portion from the heating fluid conduit and thereby reduce the tendency for liquid in the tank to burn on the exterior surface of the tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 7 including a plurality of spaced linear tubes communicating with said connecting portion and extending within the tank parallel to but spaced from said longitudinal axis.
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) | 1977-01-28 | 1977-07-30 | 1978-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-28 | 1981-07-30 | 1982-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-28 | 1985-07-30 | 1986-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |