US3887002A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Air-cooled heat exchanger with after-condenser
Assignee: Lummus Technology LLC
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Filing: 1974-01-28
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Granted: 1975-06-03
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Expires: 1994-01-28
Abstract
Abstract An air-cooled heat exchanger having U-tubes for condensing and/or cooling vapors such as steam. The main section of the exchanger comprises a plurality of U-tubes, each connected at one end to an inlet manifold and at the other end to a collection manifold for receiving liquid. Cooling air flows cocurrently with the condensing or cooling vapor, thus preventing sub-cooling or freezing. A second section comprises additional U-tubes, for cooling and/or condensing uncondensed vapors from the main section. A Utube of the second section is connected to each of the condensing collecting manifolds of the first section. In a preferred embodiment, the second section of U-tubes is located in the same plane as the main section, and adjacent to the vapor inlet to the main section.
Inventors
- 👤 Willem Schoonman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 18:59
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28B; F28B1/00; F28B1/06; F28B9/00; F28B9/10; F28B2001/065; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S165/00; Y10S165/184; Y10S165/197; Y10S165/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
In an air-cooled heat exchanger for condensing vapors, having a main condensing section comprising a first outer plurality of U-shaped tubes having upstream legs connected to a vapor inlet manifold and downstream legs connected to a first condensate manifold, a first inner plurality of U-shaped tubes connected at one end to a vapor inlet manifold and at the other end to a second condensate manifold, and means for directing air to flow over the external surfaces of the tubes, the improvement comprising an after-condensing section comprising third and fourth condensate manifolds, a second outer plurality of U-shaped tubes connected at one end to the second condensate manifold and at the other end to the third condensate manifold, a second inner plurality of U-shaped tubes having upstream legs connected to the first condensate manifold and downstream legs connected to the fourth manifold, the second inner plurality of U-shaped tubes being located within the space enclosed within the second outer plurality of U-shaped tubes, means for draining condensate from the third and fourth condensate manifolds, means for condensate vapor from the second outer and inner pluralities of U-shaped tubes, the tubes being so disposed that the same air stream passes over the external surfaces of the tubes of the first and second inner and outer pluralities.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
214 words
In an air-cooled heat exchanger for condensing vapors, having a main condensing section comprising a first outer plurality of U-shaped tubes having upstream legs connected to a vapor inlet manifold and downstream legs connected to a first condensate manifold, a first inner plurality of U-shaped tubes connected at one end to a vapor inlet manifold and at the other end to a second condensate manifold, and means for directing air to flow over the external surfaces of the tubes, the improvement comprising an after-condensing section comprising third and fourth condensate manifolds, a second outer plurality of U-shaped tubes connected at one end to the second condensate manifold and at the other end to the third condensate manifold, a second inner plurality of U-shaped tubes having upstream legs connected to the first condensate manifold and downstream legs connected to the fourth manifold, the second inner plurality of U-shaped tubes being located within the space enclosed within the second outer plurality of U-shaped tubes, means for draining condensate from the third and fourth condensate manifolds, means for condensate vapor from the second outer and inner pluralities of U-shaped tubes, the tubes being so disposed that the same air stream passes over the external surfaces of the tubes of the first and second inner and outer pluralities.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
214 words
In an air-cooled heat exchanger for condensing vapors, having a main condensing section comprising a first outer plurality of U-shaped tubes having upstream legs connected to a vapor inlet manifold and downstream legs connected to a first condensate manifold, a first inner plurality of U-shaped tubes connected at one end to a vapor inlet manifold and at the other end to a second condensate manifold, and means for directing air to flow over the external surfaces of the tubes, the improvement comprising an after-condensing section comprising third and fourth condensate manifolds, a second outer plurality of U-shaped tubes connected at one end to the second condensate manifold and at the other end to the third condensate manifold, a second inner plurality of U-shaped tubes having upstream legs connected to the first condensate manifold and downstream legs connected to the fourth manifold, the second inner plurality of U-shaped tubes being located within the space enclosed within the second outer plurality of U-shaped tubes, means for draining condensate from the third and fourth condensate manifolds, means for condensate vapor from the second outer and inner pluralities of U-shaped tubes, the tubes being so disposed that the same air stream passes over the external surfaces of the tubes of the first and second inner and outer pluralities.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
214 words
In an air-cooled heat exchanger for condensing vapors, having a main condensing section comprising a first outer plurality of U-shaped tubes having upstream legs connected to a vapor inlet manifold and downstream legs connected to a first condensate manifold, a first inner plurality of U-shaped tubes connected at one end to a vapor inlet manifold and at the other end to a second condensate manifold, and means for directing air to flow over the external surfaces of the tubes, the improvement comprising an after-condensing section comprising third and fourth condensate manifolds, a second outer plurality of U-shaped tubes connected at one end to the second condensate manifold and at the other end to the third condensate manifold, a second inner plurality of U-shaped tubes having upstream legs connected to the first condensate manifold and downstream legs connected to the fourth manifold, the second inner plurality of U-shaped tubes being located within the space enclosed within the second outer plurality of U-shaped tubes, means for draining condensate from the third and fourth condensate manifolds, means for condensate vapor from the second outer and inner pluralities of U-shaped tubes, the tubes being so disposed that the same air stream passes over the external surfaces of the tubes of the first and second inner and outer pluralities.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second outer and inner pluralities of U tubes are disposed in a triangular pitch arrangement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a means for gravity drainage of liquid from each of the pluralities of tubes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second inner and outer pluralities of U-tubes are located adjacent to point of introduction of vapor into the vapor inlet manifold.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the up-stream and down-stream legs respectively of the first inner and outer pluralities of U-shaped tubes are located in the same plane as the up-stream and down-stream legs respectively of the second outer and inner pluralities of U-shaped tubes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
82 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for removing uncondensed vapors from the second inner and outer pluralities of U-shaped tubes comprises a first substantially straight tube connected to thE third condensate manifold and a second substantially straight tube connected to the fourth condensate manifold, said straight tubes overlaying and being substantially perpendicular to the U-shaped tubes and being so disposed as to be contacted by the air stream subsequent to its passing over the external surfaces of the U-shaped tubes.
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) | 1978-06-02 | 1978-12-02 | 1979-06-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-02 | 1982-12-02 | 1983-06-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-02 | 1986-12-02 | 1987-06-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |