Patent US3921708A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3921708A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heat exchanger and method of operation thereof
Assignee: Ygnis SA
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Filing: 1973-06-21
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Granted: 1975-11-25
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Expires: 1993-06-21
Abstract
Abstract A heat exchanger wherein the element under internal pressure is a thin walled flexible tube whose inner and outer surfaces have the form of corrugations with supporting means which act to limit the expansion of the flexible tube to prevent deflection from the longitudinal axis.
Inventors
- 👤 Lothar P Brenner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 06:43
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28D; F28D7/00; F28D7/02; F28D7/022; F24; F24D; F24D3/00; F24D3/08; F24D3/082; F28F; F28F9/00; F28F9/007; F28F9/013
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A heat exchanger for transferring heat between a medium inside an element and a medium outside the element comprising: a heat exchange element in the form of a tube whose inner and outer surfaces have the form of corrugations, said tube having a wall thickness thin enough to allow flexibility of the tube upon the occurrence of pressure differentials in either medium; and supporting means for limiting the freedom of movement in all directions and for allowing deformation of the tube to an extent sufficient to permit cleaning of the surfaces of the flexible tube upon the occurrence of pressure differentials in either medium, said supporting means only allowing deformation of said tube within the elastic range of the tube material; wherein said supporting means comprises: an outer cylinder; an inner cylinder; a helical rib connected between said outer cylinder and said inner cylinder to form a helical passageway therewith, wherein said heat exchange element passes through, said passageway; and spacing elements connected to said rib and said outer cylinder for limiting the degree of freedom of movement of the heat exchange element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
A heat exchanger for transferring heat between a medium inside an element and a medium outside the element comprising: a heat exchange element in the form of a tube whose inner and outer surfaces have the form of corrugations, said tube having a wall thickness thin enough to allow flexibility of the tube upon the occurrence of pressure differentials in either medium; and supporting means for limiting the freedom of movement in all directions and for allowing deformation of the tube to an extent sufficient to permit cleaning of the surfaces of the flexible tube upon the occurrence of pressure differentials in either medium, said supporting means only allowing deformation of said tube within the elastic range of the tube material; wherein said supporting means comprises: an outer cylinder; an inner cylinder; a helical rib connected between said outer cylinder and said inner cylinder to form a helical passageway therewith, wherein said heat exchange element passes through, said passageway; and spacing elements connected to said rib and said outer cylinder for limiting the degree of freedom of movement of the heat exchange element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A hot water heater in accordance with claim 1 wherein said spacing elements include continuous projections on both sides of said helical rib, between the portion thereof connected to said inner and outer cylinders.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A hot water heater in accordance with claim 1 wherein said spacing elements include projections connected to said outer cylinder and inwardly projecting therefrom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A hot water heater in accordance with claim 3 wherein said outer cylinder has a continuous helical corrugation therearound and said spacing element projections are held in said corrugation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A hot water heater in accordance with claim 1 wherein said spacing elements secure said heat exchange element within said passageway with sufficient play to allow water to also pass through said passageway.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A hot water heater in accordance with claim 1 wherein said spacing elements are electrochemically neutral.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A hot water heater in accordance with claim 1 wherein said outer cylinder, at least in the vicinity of one of its ends, is provided with openings therein for allowing gas to escape and for producing an additional thermal flow.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A hot water heater in accordance with claim 3 wherein said spacing elements further include set screw means for adjusting the distance said projections project inwardly from said outer cylinder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A hot water heater in accordance with claim 1 wherein said outer cylinder is made of a material with good heat conducting properties.
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) | 1978-11-24 | 1979-05-26 | 1979-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-24 | 1983-05-26 | 1983-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-24 | 1987-05-26 | 1987-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |