US3877514A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heat exchanger valve system
Assignee: Hayden Trans-Cooler Inc
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Filing: 1972-06-19
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Granted: 1975-04-15
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Expires: 1992-06-19
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates generally to heat exchangers, and in particular to a valve system for routing and proportioning the fluid flow through one or more flow paths in heat exchange apparatus according to pressure differential in the apparatus as determined by such factors as fluid temperatures and hence viscosity, and fluid flow rate from the source. Heat exchange apparatus conventionally embodies one or more tubular heat exchange units each having a peripheral array of heat transfer fins defining the fluid flow channels, with a hollow core that is normally closed off against fluid flow. According to the present invention, valve means is disposed within such hollow core and arranged to allow passage therethrough of a portion of the fluid that would normally be required to pass through the peripheral channels, to allow an overall increase in fluid flow with improved heat exchange performance when a large fluid flow volume is available, to accommodate increased fluid viscosity resulting from low temperatures and thereby providing a thermostatic control by diverting a portion of the fluid to a channel of reduced heat exchange effectiveness, and generally increasing the flexibility of the system. Also disclosed herein is a novel spring diaphragm valve element which has particular utility in controlling the fluid flow through such heat exchanger core, but which has general application in the control of fluid flow through a passage.
Inventors
- 👤 Theodore A Beck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 14:28
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28F; F28F27/00; F28F27/02; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7722; Y10T137/7771
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
Heat exchange unit which comprises an elongated central tubular core, a plurality of elongated generally longitudinally arranged, circumferentially spaced heat transfer fins extending generally radially outwardly from said core, both sides of each of said fins being concavely curved in the general radial direction throughout substantially their entire radial width with their outer edges being thicker than inner portions thereof and an elongated, tubular shell peripherally engaged about and in heat conducting abutting relationship with the outer edges of said fins, said core, fins and shell defining a plurality of fluid flow channels between adjacent pairs of the fins, said central tubular core defining bypass flow conduit means extending generally longitudinally therethrough, with the ends of said channel means being in fluid communication with the respective ends of said conduit means, and bypass valve means in said conduit means, said channel means being adapted to conduct heat transfer fluid in normal heat exchange flow through said unit, and said valve means having at least one operative condition wherein it is adapted to bypass a portion of said fluid from said channel means through said conduit means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
Heat exchange unit which comprises an elongated central tubular core, a plurality of elongated generally longitudinally arranged, circumferentially spaced heat transfer fins extending generally radially outwardly from said core, both sides of each of said fins being concavely curved in the general radial direction throughout substantially their entire radial width with their outer edges being thicker than inner portions thereof and an elongated, tubular shell peripherally engaged about and in heat conducting abutting relationship with the outer edges of said fins, said core, fins and shell defining a plurality of fluid flow channels between adjacent pairs of the fins, said central tubular core defining bypass flow conduit means extending generally longitudinally therethrough, with the ends of said channel means being in fluid communication with the respective ends of said conduit means, and bypass valve means in said conduit means, said channel means being adapted to conduct heat transfer fluid in normal heat exchange flow through said unit, and said valve means having at least one operative condition wherein it is adapted to bypass a portion of said fluid from said channel means through said conduit means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
Heat exchange apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said bypass valve means has a normally substantially closed operative condition wherein substantially all of said fluid flowing through the unit flows in normal heat exchange flow through said channel means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
Heat exchange apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said bypass valve means is ambi-directional, being adapted to open either way from its said closed operative condition to allow said fluid to flow in either direction through said bypass conduit means, whereby said heat exchange unit is adapted to be connected in a heat exchange system without regard to the direction of fluid flow therethrough.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
Heat exchange apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said bypass valve means is pressure responsive.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
Heat exchange apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said fluid channel means has better heat transfer characteristics than said bypass conduit means, and said bypass valve means is temperature responsive to generally open increased amounts to reduce overall heat transfer from the fluid in response to reduced fluid temperatures, whereby said valve means provides generally thermostatic fluid temperature control in use of said heat exchange apparatus for fluid cooling.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
Heat exchange apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said bypass valve means is normally substantially closed and is pressure responsive to progressively open in response to progressive pressure increases.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
Heat exchange apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said bypass valve means is normally substantially closed and has a snap-action pressure responsive opening characteristic wherein said valve means is adapted to snap open to allow substantial fluid flow when the pressure on the valve means rises above substantially a predetermined value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
Heat exchange apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said valve means comprises a spring sheet diaphragm having slit means therein defining resiliently deflectable pressure responsive flap means in the diaphragm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
Heat exchange apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said diaphragm is mounted in said bypass flow conduit means by peripheral engagement thereof in internal groove means in said hollow core.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
Heat exchange apparatus as defined in claim 1, which comprises a plurality of said tubular heat exchange units operatively interconnected, said plurality of units being arranged to have common fluid inlet means and common fluid outlet means.
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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 |