US4063588A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reversible heat exchanger or regenerator systems
Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals Inc
•
Filing: 1976-01-27
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Granted: 1977-12-20
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Expires: 1996-01-27
Abstract
Abstract A heat exchanger or regenerator system useable in an air separation plant to minimize infiltration of air into the low pressure nitrogen stream comprising a heat exchanger (regenerator) having at least one flow path for the reversing heat exchange fluids, which flow path has at each end, an inlet branch and an outlet branch, wherein each branch has two series connected valves with a vent pipe between each pair of valves. Fluid flow through the vent pipe is controlled, e.g. by remotely actuable switch valves.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Michael Thorogood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:20
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25J; F25J5/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S165/00; Y10S165/092; Y10S165/10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/4238; Y10T137/4245; Y10T137/4259
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A reversible heat exchanger or regenerator system comprising a heat exchanger or regenerator having at least one flow path for the reversing heat exchange fluids, which flow path has at each end, an inlet branch and an outlet branch, wherein each branch is provided with two valves arranged in series, a vent pipe in communication with the branch between the two valves and means for controlling the flow of fluid through said vent pipe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
A reversible heat exchanger or regenerator system comprising a heat exchanger or regenerator having at least one flow path for the reversing heat exchange fluids, which flow path has at each end, an inlet branch and an outlet branch, wherein each branch is provided with two valves arranged in series, a vent pipe in communication with the branch between the two valves and means for controlling the flow of fluid through said vent pipe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for controlling the flow of fluid in said vent pipe comprises an orifice.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for controlling the flow of fluid in said vent pipe comprises a valve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valves in each branch at one end of said heat exchanger or regenerator comprise a switch valve and a check valve downstream of said switch valve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the valves in each branch at the other end of said heat exchanger or regenerator are check valves.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US2734565A
Cited
US2886483A
Cited
US3251408A
Cited
US3375672A
Cited
US3466884A
Cited
US3586487A
Cited
US3770050A
Cited
US3846986A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-12-19 | 1981-06-20 | 1981-12-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-12-19 | 1985-06-20 | 1985-12-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-12-19 | 1989-06-20 | 1989-12-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |