US3877245A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Air conditioner having tempering and moisture control means
Assignee: Rovac Corp
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Filing: 1973-11-30
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Granted: 1975-04-15
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Expires: 1993-11-30
Abstract
Abstract An air conditioning system based upon use of a vane type compressor-expander and which includes means for tempering and drying the air discharged into the conditioned space as well as reducing any noise caused by the vanes. The air containing ice particles is conducted into a filter formed of porous, thermally conductive material, preferably sintered metal. The filter is thermally coupled to the ambient air so that it is maintained above freezing temperatures so that ice particles entrapped by the filter are converted into liquid moisture which is drained away. The discharge surface of the filter element is, in one embodiment of the invention, subjected to a flow of ambient air which not only warms the filter element but which mixes with the cold air being discharged therefrom to form a tempered air mix which is vented into the space. In another embodiment of the invention the filter is thermally coupled to the ambient by means of conductive fins. Flow of ambient air for tempering purposes is induced by an auxiliary fan, but in one embodiment of the invention the compressor-expander is provided with inlet and outlet conduits which are adjacent to one another with a filter in the outlet conduit which is thermally coupled to ambient air flowing through the inlet conduit and with provision for adjusting a degree of coupling.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas C Edwards
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 19:13
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F5/00; F24F5/0085; F24F3/00; F24F3/12; F24F3/14; F24F5/0007; F24F2003/144
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
In an air conditioning system for use in a warm ambient, the combination comprising a compressor-expander having an output port for producing a stream of supercooled air having finely divided ice particles entrained therein, means coupled to the output port and defining a vent, a filter element interposed in the stream between the output port and the vent and of such mesh as to collect substantially all of the ice particles while allowing the cold dry air to pass through to the vent, thermal transmission means coupled to the ambient for transmitting heat therefrom to the filter to melt the ice particles collected therein, means for draining from the filter the collected moisture, and means associated with the vent for mixing the cold dry air in predetermined proportion with ambient air to form a tempered mix which is discharged from the vent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
In an air conditioning system for use in a warm ambient, the combination comprising a compressor-expander having an output port for producing a stream of supercooled air having finely divided ice particles entrained therein, means coupled to the output port and defining a vent, a filter element interposed in the stream between the output port and the vent and of such mesh as to collect substantially all of the ice particles while allowing the cold dry air to pass through to the vent, thermal transmission means coupled to the ambient for transmitting heat therefrom to the filter to melt the ice particles collected therein, means for draining from the filter the collected moisture, and means associated with the vent for mixing the cold dry air in predetermined proportion with ambient air to form a tempered mix which is discharged from the vent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
125 words
In an air conditioning system for use in a warm ambient, the combination comprising a compressor-expander having an output port for producing a stream of supercooled air having finely divided ice particles entrained therein, means coupled to the output port and defining a vent, a filter element interposed in the stream between the output port and vent, the filter element being in the form of a layer of thermally conductive material having fine pores extending therethrough to collect substantially all of the ice particles while allowing passage of cold air to the vent, thermal transmission means coupled to the ambient for transmitting heat therefrom to the conductive filter to melt the ice particles collected therein, and means for draining from the filter the collected moisture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
125 words
In an air conditioning system for use in a warm ambient, the combination comprising a compressor-expander having an output port for producing a stream of supercooled air having finely divided ice particles entrained therein, means coupled to the output port and defining a vent, a filter element interposed in the stream between the output port and vent, the filter element being in the form of a layer of thermally conductive material having fine pores extending therethrough to collect substantially all of the ice particles while allowing passage of cold air to the vent, thermal transmission means coupled to the ambient for transmitting heat therefrom to the conductive filter to melt the ice particles collected therein, and means for draining from the filter the collected moisture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
147 words
In an air conditioning system for use in a warm ambient, the combination comprising a compressor-expander having an output port producing a stream of supercooled air having finely divided ice particles entrained therein, means coupled to the output port and defining a vent, a filter element interposed in the stream between the output port and the vent, the filter element being in the form of a layer of sintered metal having pores extending therethrough for collecting substantially all of the ice particles while allowing passage of cold dry air to the vent, thermal transmission means coupled to the ambient for transmitting heat therefrom to the filter to raise the temperature of the latter to a point above freezing thereby to melt the ice particles collected therein while aT the same time reducing the temperature of the ambient, and means for draining from the filter the collected moisture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
147 words
In an air conditioning system for use in a warm ambient, the combination comprising a compressor-expander having an output port producing a stream of supercooled air having finely divided ice particles entrained therein, means coupled to the output port and defining a vent, a filter element interposed in the stream between the output port and the vent, the filter element being in the form of a layer of sintered metal having pores extending therethrough for collecting substantially all of the ice particles while allowing passage of cold dry air to the vent, thermal transmission means coupled to the ambient for transmitting heat therefrom to the filter to raise the temperature of the latter to a point above freezing thereby to melt the ice particles collected therein while aT the same time reducing the temperature of the ambient, and means for draining from the filter the collected moisture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
158 words
In an air conditioning system for use in a warm ambient, the combination comprising a compressor-expander having an output port for producing a stream of supercooled air having finely divided ice particles entrained therein, means coupled to the output port for defining a vent, a hollow porous filtering element of thermally conductive material interposed in the stream between the output port and the vent for allowing passage of cool relatively dry air from the surface of the filtering element while collecting the entrained ice particles, means including a fan associated with the vent for directing ambient air onto the downstream side of the filtering element for warming the surface of the element to convert the ice particles to liquid moisture and for mixing of the ambient air thus directed with the cool dry air in predetermined proportion to form a tempered mix which is discharged from the vent, and means for draining the liquid moisture from the filter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
158 words
In an air conditioning system for use in a warm ambient, the combination comprising a compressor-expander having an output port for producing a stream of supercooled air having finely divided ice particles entrained therein, means coupled to the output port for defining a vent, a hollow porous filtering element of thermally conductive material interposed in the stream between the output port and the vent for allowing passage of cool relatively dry air from the surface of the filtering element while collecting the entrained ice particles, means including a fan associated with the vent for directing ambient air onto the downstream side of the filtering element for warming the surface of the element to convert the ice particles to liquid moisture and for mixing of the ambient air thus directed with the cool dry air in predetermined proportion to form a tempered mix which is discharged from the vent, and means for draining the liquid moisture from the filter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
128 words
In an air conditioning system for use in a warm ambient, the combination comprising a compressor-expander having an output port producing a stream of supercooled air having finely divided ice particles entrained therein, a porous filter element connected to the output port and of such mesh as to pass cold dry air while collecting the particles in the stream, a plenum enclosing the filter, the plenum having an inlet opening for ambient air and having a vent, and means including a fan for drawing ambient air into the inlet opening and onto the filter for conveying heat to the filter sufficiently to melt any ice particles thereon and for mixing with the cold dry air from the filter so that a tempered mix is discharged through the vent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
128 words
In an air conditioning system for use in a warm ambient, the combination comprising a compressor-expander having an output port producing a stream of supercooled air having finely divided ice particles entrained therein, a porous filter element connected to the output port and of such mesh as to pass cold dry air while collecting the particles in the stream, a plenum enclosing the filter, the plenum having an inlet opening for ambient air and having a vent, and means including a fan for drawing ambient air into the inlet opening and onto the filter for conveying heat to the filter sufficiently to melt any ice particles thereon and for mixing with the cold dry air from the filter so that a tempered mix is discharged through the vent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
172 words
In an air conditioning system for use in a warm ambient, the combination comprising a compressor-expander having an output port for producing a stream of supercooled air having finely divided ice particles entrained therein, a filter element connected to the outlet port, said filter element having walls formed of porous thermally conductive metal to pass cold dry air while trapping the ice particles, a plenum surrounding the filter element, the plenum having an inlet opening and a vent, means including a fan for drawing ambient air through the inlet opening into the plenum, the filter element being so located with respect to the inlet opening that a portion of the ambient air passes adjacent the filter element to maintain the temperature thereof above the freezing point so that the ice particles are converted to liquid moisture and so that the ambient air is mixed with the cold dry air from the filter to form a tempered mix which passes through the vent, and means for draining the collected moisture from the filter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
172 words
In an air conditioning system for use in a warm ambient, the combination comprising a compressor-expander having an output port for producing a stream of supercooled air having finely divided ice particles entrained therein, a filter element connected to the outlet port, said filter element having walls formed of porous thermally conductive metal to pass cold dry air while trapping the ice particles, a plenum surrounding the filter element, the plenum having an inlet opening and a vent, means including a fan for drawing ambient air through the inlet opening into the plenum, the filter element being so located with respect to the inlet opening that a portion of the ambient air passes adjacent the filter element to maintain the temperature thereof above the freezing point so that the ice particles are converted to liquid moisture and so that the ambient air is mixed with the cold dry air from the filter to form a tempered mix which passes through the vent, and means for draining the collected moisture from the filter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
147 words
In an air conditioning system for use in a warm ambient, the combination comprising a compressor-expander having an output port producing a stream of supercooled air having finely divided ice particles entrained therein, a filter element in the form of a porous enclosure connected to the output port, a plenum surrounding the filter element and having an inlet opening and a vent, means including a fan for drawing ambient air into the inlet opening for warming the filter and for mixing with the cold air discharged from the filter to provide a tempered mix which is discharged through the vent, the filter being formed by a layer of porous metal having pores within the range of 0.5 and 1000 microns and the inside of the plenum being surfaced with acoustic insulating material so as to absorb any sonic pulsations emanating at the output port of the compressor-expander.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
147 words
In an air conditioning system for use in a warm ambient, the combination comprising a compressor-expander having an output port producing a stream of supercooled air having finely divided ice particles entrained therein, a filter element in the form of a porous enclosure connected to the output port, a plenum surrounding the filter element and having an inlet opening and a vent, means including a fan for drawing ambient air into the inlet opening for warming the filter and for mixing with the cold air discharged from the filter to provide a tempered mix which is discharged through the vent, the filter being formed by a layer of porous metal having pores within the range of 0.5 and 1000 microns and the inside of the plenum being surfaced with acoustic insulating material so as to absorb any sonic pulsations emanating at the output port of the compressor-expander.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination as claimed in claim 7 in which an adjustable by-pass is providing for bypassing a portion of the air from the output port of the compressor-expander into the plenum thereby to control the moisture content of the tempered mix.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
157 words
In an air conditiOning system for use in a warm ambient, the combination comprising a compressor-expander having an output port producing a stream of supercooled air having finely divided ice particles entrained therein, a filter in the form of a hollow cylinder having walls made of porous thermally conductive metal, means for coupling the filter to the output port, a plenum surrounding the filter and having an inlet opening and a vent, means including a fan for drawing ambient air through the inlet opening into the plenum for maintaining the filter element above the freezing temperature and for mixing with the cold dry air passing through the filter to form a tempered mix which is discharged through the vent, the filter having a by-pass port with means for adjustably covering the port so that a predetermined amount of moisture-laden air is passed into the plenum thereby to control the humidity of the mix discharged through the vent.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
157 words
In an air conditiOning system for use in a warm ambient, the combination comprising a compressor-expander having an output port producing a stream of supercooled air having finely divided ice particles entrained therein, a filter in the form of a hollow cylinder having walls made of porous thermally conductive metal, means for coupling the filter to the output port, a plenum surrounding the filter and having an inlet opening and a vent, means including a fan for drawing ambient air through the inlet opening into the plenum for maintaining the filter element above the freezing temperature and for mixing with the cold dry air passing through the filter to form a tempered mix which is discharged through the vent, the filter having a by-pass port with means for adjustably covering the port so that a predetermined amount of moisture-laden air is passed into the plenum thereby to control the humidity of the mix discharged through the vent.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
114 words
In an air conditioning system for use in a warm ambient, the combination comprising a compressor-expander having an output port producing a stream of supercooled air having finely divided ice particles entrained therein, a filter having a porous thermally conductive wall, a plenum surrounding the filter for receiving the air passing through the filter and having a vent opening, the filter having thermally conductive fins extending outwardly therefrom into the ambient air for conducting heat from the ambient air to the filter to melt any ice particles which may adhere to the inner wall of the filter thereby to maintain the porous openings free of ice, and means for draining moisture from the filter.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
114 words
In an air conditioning system for use in a warm ambient, the combination comprising a compressor-expander having an output port producing a stream of supercooled air having finely divided ice particles entrained therein, a filter having a porous thermally conductive wall, a plenum surrounding the filter for receiving the air passing through the filter and having a vent opening, the filter having thermally conductive fins extending outwardly therefrom into the ambient air for conducting heat from the ambient air to the filter to melt any ice particles which may adhere to the inner wall of the filter thereby to maintain the porous openings free of ice, and means for draining moisture from the filter.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination as claimed in claim 10 in which the fins are in contact with the filter element and extend outwardly therefrom through the plenum and into the ambient region.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination as claimed in claim 10 in which the fins are in the form of a corrugated surface in which the valleys of the corrugations are in thermal contact with the wall of the filter element.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
138 words
In an air conditioning system for use in a warm ambient, the combination comprising a compressor-expander having an inlet port and an adjacent outlet port, adjacent conduits connected to the respective ports, the outlet port having a moisture separator in the form of a filter formed of thermally conductive porous material having pores which are sufficiently fine so as to entrap ice particles entrained in supercooled air flowing from the output port, a thermal conductor interposed in the inlet conduit and extending into thermal engagement with the filter for conducting heat from the ambient air flowing through the inlet conduit to the filter for melting any entrained ice particles which might otherwise clog the filter, means for draining away from the filter the collected moisture, and means for venting the cold dry air which passes through the filter.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
138 words
In an air conditioning system for use in a warm ambient, the combination comprising a compressor-expander having an inlet port and an adjacent outlet port, adjacent conduits connected to the respective ports, the outlet port having a moisture separator in the form of a filter formed of thermally conductive porous material having pores which are sufficiently fine so as to entrap ice particles entrained in supercooled air flowing from the output port, a thermal conductor interposed in the inlet conduit and extending into thermal engagement with the filter for conducting heat from the ambient air flowing through the inlet conduit to the filter for melting any entrained ice particles which might otherwise clog the filter, means for draining away from the filter the collected moisture, and means for venting the cold dry air which passes through the filter.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
185 words
In an air conditioning system for use in a warm ambient, the combination comprising a compressor-expander having an input port and an output port, adjacently positioned input and output conduits respectively connected to the input and output ports, a filter element interposed in the output conduit, said filter element being in the form of an enclosure having a wall formed of porous thermally conductive material, the filter having a thermally conductive fin which extends from the surface of the filter and which is coupled to the ambient air flowing through the inlet conduit so that a portion of the heat in the ambient air is thermally conducted to the filter serving to raise the temperature of the filter to a point above the freezing point so that any entrained ice particles in the air from the output port and striking the inner wall of the filter are melted to prevent clogging of the pores with ice particles, means for draining any moisture collected in the filter, and a vent at the end of the output conduit for venting the air which passes through the filter.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
185 words
In an air conditioning system for use in a warm ambient, the combination comprising a compressor-expander having an input port and an output port, adjacently positioned input and output conduits respectively connected to the input and output ports, a filter element interposed in the output conduit, said filter element being in the form of an enclosure having a wall formed of porous thermally conductive material, the filter having a thermally conductive fin which extends from the surface of the filter and which is coupled to the ambient air flowing through the inlet conduit so that a portion of the heat in the ambient air is thermally conducted to the filter serving to raise the temperature of the filter to a point above the freezing point so that any entrained ice particles in the air from the output port and striking the inner wall of the filter are melted to prevent clogging of the pores with ice particles, means for draining any moisture collected in the filter, and a vent at the end of the output conduit for venting the air which passes through the filter.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination as claimed in claim 14 in which means are proVided for dividing the inlet conduit into two channels only one of which is thermally coupled to the filter element and including means for proportioning the air between the two channels.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination as claimed in claim 14 in which means are provided at the vent for mixing ambient air with the cold dry air to produce a tempered mix discharged from the vent.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
52 words
The combination as claimed in claim 5 in which the filter includes an electrical heating element and in which means are provided for energizing the heating element coincidentally with a build up in back pressure within the filter element so that the heating element assists in the melting of collected ice particles.
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) | 1978-04-14 | 1978-10-14 | 1979-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-14 | 1982-10-14 | 1983-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-14 | 1986-10-14 | 1987-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |