Furnace and cold air return systems

Claim 1

A method of extracting heat from a heat source exhausting heated gases adjacent a forced air circulating heating system, said forced air system having at least one cold air return duct and a hot air circulation duct positioned adjacent one another, comprising the steps of: establishing a heat extraction chamber communicating between the cold air return duct and the hot air circulation duct, flowing the exhaust gases from the heat source substantially horizontally through the heat extraction chamber (back and forth) sequentially at a plurality of vertically spaced apart levels therein through a plurality of vertically spaced apart banks of heat exchanging tubes, moving from lower to higher levels in said banks, flowing cold air from the cold air return duct into the lower portion of said chambeR, dividing the cold air input flow into the heat extraction chamber therewithin into as many parts as there are banks of heat exchange tubes and flowing same upwardly in a separated set of vertically spaced apart, individual flows, one flow through each one of said banks, exhausting the then heated air from the heat extraction chamber overhead therefrom into the hot air duct, and venting the exhaust gases after passing same through the topmost bank of heat exchange tubes,

Claim 2

A method of extracting heat from a heat source exhausting heated gases adjacent a forced air circulating heating system, said forced air system having at least one cold air return duct and a hot air circulation duct positioned adjacent one another, comprising the steps of: establishing a heat extraction chamber communicating between the cold air return duct and the hot air circulation duct, flowing the exhaust gases from the heat source substantially horizontally through the heat extraction chamber (back and forth) sequentially at a plurality of vertically spaced apart levels therein through a plurality of vertically spaced apart banks of heat exchanging tubes, moving from lower to higher levels in said banks, flowing cold air from the cold air return duct into the lower portion of said chambeR, dividing the cold air input flow into the heat extraction chamber therewithin into as many parts as there are banks of heat exchange tubes and flowing same upwardly in a separated set of vertically spaced apart, individual flows, one flow through each one of said banks, exhausting the then heated air from the heat extraction chamber overhead therefrom into the hot air duct, and venting the exhaust gases after passing same through the topmost bank of heat exchange tubes,

Claim 3

A method of extracting heat from a heat source exhausting heated gases adjacent a forced air circulating heating system, said forced air system having at least one cold air return duct and a hot air circulation duct positioned adjacent one another, comprising the steps of: establishing a heat extraction chamber communicating between the cold air return duct and the hot air circulating duct, flowing the exhaust gases from the heat source substantially horizontally through the heat extraction chamber (back and forth) sequentially at at least two discrete vertically spaced apart levels therewithin through at least two vertically spaced apart banks of heat exchange tubes moving from lower to higher levels in said banks, flowing cold air from the cold air return duct into the lower portion of said chamber, dividing the cold air input flow into the heat extraction chamber therewithin into at least two parts and flowing same upwardly in at least two vertically spaced apart, separated individual flows one flow through each one of said banks of heat exchange tubes, exhausting the then heated air from said heat extraction chamber overhead therefrom into the hot air duct, and venting the exhaust gases from the heat source after passing same through the top most bank of said heat exchange tubes.

Claim 4

A method of extracting heat from a heat source exhausting heated gases adjacent a forced air circulating heating system, said forced air system having at least one cold air return duct and a hot air circulation duct positioned adjacent one another, comprising the steps of: establishing a heat extraction chamber communicating between the cold air return duct and the hot air circulating duct, flowing the exhaust gases from the heat source substantially horizontally through the heat extraction chamber (back and forth) sequentially at at least two discrete vertically spaced apart levels therewithin through at least two vertically spaced apart banks of heat exchange tubes moving from lower to higher levels in said banks, flowing cold air from the cold air return duct into the lower portion of said chamber, dividing the cold air input flow into the heat extraction chamber therewithin into at least two parts and flowing same upwardly in at least two vertically spaced apart, separated individual flows one flow through each one of said banks of heat exchange tubes, exhausting the then heated air from said heat extraction chamber overhead therefrom into the hot air duct, and venting the exhaust gases from the heat source after passing same through the top most bank of said heat exchange tubes.

Claim 5

A method of extracting heat from a heat source exhausting heated gases adjacent a forced air circulating heating system, said forced air circulating heating system having at least one cold air return duct and a hot air circulation duct positioned adjacent one another, comprising the steps of: establishing a heat extraction chamber communicating between the cold air return duct and the hot air circulating duct, flowing the exhaust gases from the heat source substantially horizontally through the heat extraction chamber (back and forth) sequentially at at least three disparate vertically spaced apart levels therein through at least three vertically spaced apart banks of heat exchange tubes, moving from lower to higher levels in said banks, flowing cold air from the cold air return duct into the lower portion of said chamber, dividing the cold air input flow into the heat extraction chamber therewithin into at least two parts and flowing same upwardly in at least two vertically spaced apart, separate individual flows one flow through each of the two lowermost banks of heat exchanging tubes, exhausting the then heated air from said extraction chamber overhead therefrom into the hot air duct, and venting the exhaust gases after passing same through the topmost banks of heat exchange tubes.

Claim 6

A method of extracting heat from a heat source exhausting heated gases adjacent a forced air circulating heating system, said forced air circulating heating system having at least one cold air return duct and a hot air circulation duct positioned adjacent one another, comprising the steps of: establishing a heat extraction chamber communicating between the cold air return duct and the hot air circulating duct, flowing the exhaust gases from the heat source substantially horizontally through the heat extraction chamber (back and forth) sequentially at at least three disparate vertically spaced apart levels therein through at least three vertically spaced apart banks of heat exchange tubes, moving from lower to higher levels in said banks, flowing cold air from the cold air return duct into the lower portion of said chamber, dividing the cold air input flow into the heat extraction chamber therewithin into at least two parts and flowing same upwardly in at least two vertically spaced apart, separate individual flows one flow through each of the two lowermost banks of heat exchanging tubes, exhausting the then heated air from said extraction chamber overhead therefrom into the hot air duct, and venting the exhaust gases after passing same through the topmost banks of heat exchange tubes.

Claim 8

A method of effectively extracting substantially all of the useful heat from the heat source of a hot air furnace of a forced air heating system in the plenum chamber of said furnace, there being a cold air return duct to said furnace returning cold air from the work space heated and a hot air plenum receiving heated air from the furnace for forced air distribution into the hot air circulation ducts, comprising the steps of: flowing the exhaust gases from the furnace heat source substantially horizontally through the furnace plenum chamber (back and forth) sequentially at a plurality of vertically spaced apart levels therewithin through a plurality of vertically spaced apart banks of heat exchanging tubes extending substantially the entire height of the furnace plenum chamber, said exhaust gases moving from lower to higher levels as they pass from bank to bank of said tubes, flowing cold air from the cold air return duct into a lower portion of said furnace plenum chamber, dividing the cold air input flow into said plenum chamber therewithin into substantially as many parts as there are banks of heat exchange tubes and flowing same upwardly in a separated set of vertically spaced apart, individual flows which pass individually through individual ones of substantially all of said banks, exhausting the then heated air from the furnace plenum chamber overhead therefrom into the hot air plenum of the forced air circulating system, and venting the exhaust gases from the furnace heat source after passing same through the topmost bank of heat exchange tubes.

Claim 9

A method of effectively extracting substantially all of the useful heat from the heat source of a hot air furnace of a forced air heating system in the plenum chamber of said furnace, there being a cold air return duct to said furnace returning cold air from the work space heated and a hot air plenum receiving heated air from the furnace for forced air distribution into the hot air circulation ducts, comprising the steps of: flowing the exhaust gases from the furnace heat source substantially horizontally through the furnace plenum chamber (back and forth) sequentially at a plurality of vertically spaced apart levels therewithin through a plurality of vertically spaced apart banks of heat exchanging tubes extending substantially the entire height of the furnace plenum chamber, said exhaust gases moving from lower to higher levels as they pass from bank to bank of said tubes, flowing cold air from the cold air return duct into a lower portion of said furnace plenum chamber, dividing the cold air input flow into said plenum chamber therewithin into substantially as many parts as there are banks of heat exchange tubes and flowing same upwardly in a separated set of vertically spaced apart, individual flows which pass individually through individual ones of substantially all of said banks, exhausting the then heated air from the furnace plenum chamber overhead therefrom into the hot air plenum of the forced air circulating system, and venting the exhaust gases from the furnace heat source after passing same through the topmost bank of heat exchange tubes.

Claim 11

A method of effectively extracting substantially all of the useful heat from the heat source of a hot air furnace in a forced air heating system in the plenum chamber of said furnace, there being a cold air return duct to said furnace returning cold air from the work space heated and a hot air plenum receiving heated air from the furnace for forced air distribution into the hot air circulation ducts, comprising the steps of: flowing the hot exhaust gases from the furnace heat source combustion chamber substantially horizontally through the furnace plenum chamber (back and forth) sequentially at at least two discrete, vertically spaced apart levels therewithin through at least two vertically spaced apart banks of heat exchange tubes, said exhaust gases moving from lower to higher levels as they pass from bank to bank of said tubes, flowing cold air from the cold air return duct into a lower portion of said furnace plenum chamber, dividing the cold air input flow into said plenum chamber therewithin into at least two parts and flowing same upwardly in at least two separted, vertically spaced apart individual flows which pass individually through at least two of said banks of heat exchange tubes, exhausting the then heated air from said furnace plenum chamber overhead therefrom into the hot air plenum of the forced air circulating system, and venting the exhaust gases from the furnace heat source after passing same through the topmost bank of the said heat exchange tubes.

Claim 12

A method of effectively extracting substantially all of the useful heat from the heat source of a hot air furnace in a forced air heating system in the plenum chamber of said furnace, there being a cold air return duct to said furnace returning cold air from the work space heated and a hot air plenum receiving heated air from the furnace for forced air distribution into the hot air circulation ducts, comprising the steps of: flowing the hot exhaust gases from the furnace heat source combustion chamber substantially horizontally through the furnace plenum chamber (back and forth) sequentially at at least two discrete, vertically spaced apart levels therewithin through at least two vertically spaced apart banks of heat exchange tubes, said exhaust gases moving from lower to higher levels as they pass from bank to bank of said tubes, flowing cold air from the cold air return duct into a lower portion of said furnace plenum chamber, dividing the cold air input flow into said plenum chamber therewithin into at least two parts and flowing same upwardly in at least two separted, vertically spaced apart individual flows which pass individually through at least two of said banks of heat exchange tubes, exhausting the then heated air from said furnace plenum chamber overhead therefrom into the hot air plenum of the forced air circulating system, and venting the exhaust gases from the furnace heat source after passing same through the topmost bank of the said heat exchange tubes.

Claim 13

A method of effectively extracting substantially all of the useful heat from the heat source of a hot air furnace which is part of a forced air circulating heating system, said forced air circulating heating system having at least one cold air return duct to said furnace and a hot air circulation plenum positioned overhead of said furnace to receive air heated therewithin, comprising the steps of: flowing the hot exhaust gases from the furnace heat source combustion chamber substantially horizontally through the furnace plenum chamber (back and forth) sequentially at at least three disparate, vertically spaced apart levels therewithin through at least three vertically spaced apart banks of heat exchanging tubes extending substantially the entire height of the furnace plenum chamber, said exhaust gases moving from the lower to higher levels as they pass from bank to bank of said tubes, flowing cold air from the cold air return duct into a lower portion of said furnace plenum chamber, dividing the cold air input flow into the furnace plenum chamber therewithin into at least two parts and flowing same upwardly in at leat two separate, vertically spaced apart individuAl flows which pass individually through at least the two lowermost banks of heat exchanging tubes, exhausting the then heated air from the furnace plenum chamber overhead therefrom into the hot air plenum of the forced air circulating system, and venting the exhaust gases from the furnace heat source after passing same through the topmost banks of said heat exchange tubes.

Claim 14

A method of effectively extracting substantially all of the useful heat from the heat source of a hot air furnace which is part of a forced air circulating heating system, said forced air circulating heating system having at least one cold air return duct to said furnace and a hot air circulation plenum positioned overhead of said furnace to receive air heated therewithin, comprising the steps of: flowing the hot exhaust gases from the furnace heat source combustion chamber substantially horizontally through the furnace plenum chamber (back and forth) sequentially at at least three disparate, vertically spaced apart levels therewithin through at least three vertically spaced apart banks of heat exchanging tubes extending substantially the entire height of the furnace plenum chamber, said exhaust gases moving from the lower to higher levels as they pass from bank to bank of said tubes, flowing cold air from the cold air return duct into a lower portion of said furnace plenum chamber, dividing the cold air input flow into the furnace plenum chamber therewithin into at least two parts and flowing same upwardly in at leat two separate, vertically spaced apart individuAl flows which pass individually through at least the two lowermost banks of heat exchanging tubes, exhausting the then heated air from the furnace plenum chamber overhead therefrom into the hot air plenum of the forced air circulating system, and venting the exhaust gases from the furnace heat source after passing same through the topmost banks of said heat exchange tubes.

Claim 17

A method of effectively extracting substantially all of the useful heat from the heat source of a hot air furnace of a forced air heating system in the plenum chamber of said furnace, there being a cold air return duct to said furnace returning cold air from the work space heated and a hot air plenum receiving heated air from the furnace for forced air distribution into the hot air circulation ducts, comprising the steps of: flowing the exhaust gases from the furnace heat source substantially horizontally through the furnace plenum chamber (back and forth) sequentially at a plurality of vertically spaced apart levels therewithin through a plurality of vertically spaced apart banks of heat exchanging tubes extending substantially the entire height of the furnace plenum chamber, said exhaust gases moving from the lower to higher levels as they pass from bank to bank of said tubes, flowing cold air from the cold air return duct into an upper portion of said furnace plenum chamber, dividing the cold air input flow into said plenum chamber therewithin into substantially as many parts as there are banks of heat exchange tubes and flowing same downwardly in a separated, vertically spaced apart set of individual flows which pass individually through substantially all of said banks, exhausting the then heated air from a lower part of furnace plenum chamber into the hot air plenum of the forced air circulating system, and venting the exhaust gases from the furnace heat source after passing same through the topmost bank of heat exchange tubes.

Claim 18

A method of effectively extracting substantially all of the useful heat from the heat source of a hot air furnace of a forced air heating system in the plenum chamber of said furnace, there being a cold air return duct to said furnace returning cold air from the work space heated and a hot air plenum receiving heated air from the furnace for forced air distribution into the hot air circulation ducts, comprising the steps of: flowing the exhaust gases from the furnace heat source substantially horizontally through the furnace plenum chamber (back and forth) sequentially at a plurality of vertically spaced apart levels therewithin through a plurality of vertically spaced apart banks of heat exchanging tubes extending substantially the entire height of the furnace plenum chamber, said exhaust gases moving from the lower to higher levels as they pass from bank to bank of said tubes, flowing cold air from the cold air return duct into an upper portion of said furnace plenum chamber, dividing the cold air input flow into said plenum chamber therewithin into substantially as many parts as there are banks of heat exchange tubes and flowing same downwardly in a separated, vertically spaced apart set of individual flows which pass individually through substantially all of said banks, exhausting the then heated air from a lower part of furnace plenum chamber into the hot air plenum of the forced air circulating system, and venting the exhaust gases from the furnace heat source after passing same through the topmost bank of heat exchange tubes.

Claim 19

A method of effectively extracting substantially all of the useful heat from the heat source of a hot air furnace of a forced air heating system in the plenum chamber of said furnace, there being a cold air return duct to said furnace returning cold air from the work space heated and a hot air plenum receiving heated air from the furnace for forced air distribution into the hot air circulation ducts, comprising the steps of: flowing the exhaust gases from the furnace heat source substantially horizontally through the furnace plenum chamber (back and forth) sequentially at a plurality of vertically spaced apart levels therewithin through a plurality of vertically spaced apart banks of heat exchanging tubes extending substantially the entire height of the furnace plenum chamber, said exhaust gases moving from the lower to higher levels as they pass from bank to bank of said tubes, flowing cold air from the cold air return duct into one vertical extremity of said furnace plenum chamber, dividing the cold air input flow into said plenum chamber therewithin into substantially as many parts as there are banks of heat exchange tubes and flowing same in a separated, vertically spaced apart set of individual flows which pass individually through substantially all of said banks in a direction toward the other vertical extremity of the furnace plenum chamber, exhausting the then heated air from the furnace plenum chamber from the opposite vertical extremity thereof into The hot air plenum of the forced air circulating system, and venting the exhaust gases from the furnace heat source after passing same through the topmost bank of heat exchange tubes.

Claim 20

A method of effectively extracting substantially all of the useful heat from the heat source of a hot air furnace of a forced air heating system in the plenum chamber of said furnace, there being a cold air return duct to said furnace returning cold air from the work space heated and a hot air plenum receiving heated air from the furnace for forced air distribution into the hot air circulation ducts, comprising the steps of: flowing the exhaust gases from the furnace heat source substantially horizontally through the furnace plenum chamber (back and forth) sequentially at a plurality of vertically spaced apart levels therewithin through a plurality of vertically spaced apart banks of heat exchanging tubes extending substantially the entire height of the furnace plenum chamber, said exhaust gases moving from the lower to higher levels as they pass from bank to bank of said tubes, flowing cold air from the cold air return duct into one vertical extremity of said furnace plenum chamber, dividing the cold air input flow into said plenum chamber therewithin into substantially as many parts as there are banks of heat exchange tubes and flowing same in a separated, vertically spaced apart set of individual flows which pass individually through substantially all of said banks in a direction toward the other vertical extremity of the furnace plenum chamber, exhausting the then heated air from the furnace plenum chamber from the opposite vertical extremity thereof into The hot air plenum of the forced air circulating system, and venting the exhaust gases from the furnace heat source after passing same through the topmost bank of heat exchange tubes.