US4180130A — Heat exchange apparatus including a toroidal-type…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 323 words

A heat exchange apparatus comprising: a heat exchanger means including a toroidal radiator structure, said toroidal radiator structure including a toroidal radiator core having a plurality of radially extending cooling air passageways formed therethrough, said toroidal radiator structure further including a first radially extending wall and a second radially extending wall axially spaced and substantially parallel with respect to said first wall, said first and second walls substantially defining the axial limits of said toroidal radiator core and an air-receiving plenum chamber disposed radially inwardly of said toroidal radiator core; a rotatable, axial flow fan having a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending impeller blades; a generally annular fan shroud means supported within an opening formed through said first wall and encircling the fan, said fan shroud means including a generally cylindrical, axially extending throat section, an annular, generally radially xtending flat flange section, said flat flange section being spaced radially outwardly and axially in a direction downstream from said throat section and having a radial length substantially equal to the axial length of said cylindrical throat section, said fan shroud means being positioned with respect to said toroidal radiator structure whereby said flat flange section lies substantially in a plane spaced and parallel with respect to said first and second walls, and an annular intermediate section extending between and operatively interconnecting said throat section and said radial flat flange section, said throat section, intermediate section, and radial flat flange section being effective to produce a low pressure region between the air stream flowing over the surface thereof and said surface when the fan is in operation; and an auxiliary heat exchange means mounted on said toroidal radiator structure comprising, an auxiliary radiator structure including an auxiliary radiator core, said auxiliary radiator core having a plurality of cooling air passageways formed therethrough, said air passageways providing air communication between the exterior of said toroidal radiator structure and the interior of said plenum chamber.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 323 words

A heat exchange apparatus comprising: a heat exchanger means including a toroidal radiator structure, said toroidal radiator structure including a toroidal radiator core having a plurality of radially extending cooling air passageways formed therethrough, said toroidal radiator structure further including a first radially extending wall and a second radially extending wall axially spaced and substantially parallel with respect to said first wall, said first and second walls substantially defining the axial limits of said toroidal radiator core and an air-receiving plenum chamber disposed radially inwardly of said toroidal radiator core; a rotatable, axial flow fan having a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending impeller blades; a generally annular fan shroud means supported within an opening formed through said first wall and encircling the fan, said fan shroud means including a generally cylindrical, axially extending throat section, an annular, generally radially xtending flat flange section, said flat flange section being spaced radially outwardly and axially in a direction downstream from said throat section and having a radial length substantially equal to the axial length of said cylindrical throat section, said fan shroud means being positioned with respect to said toroidal radiator structure whereby said flat flange section lies substantially in a plane spaced and parallel with respect to said first and second walls, and an annular intermediate section extending between and operatively interconnecting said throat section and said radial flat flange section, said throat section, intermediate section, and radial flat flange section being effective to produce a low pressure region between the air stream flowing over the surface thereof and said surface when the fan is in operation; and an auxiliary heat exchange means mounted on said toroidal radiator structure comprising, an auxiliary radiator structure including an auxiliary radiator core, said auxiliary radiator core having a plurality of cooling air passageways formed therethrough, said air passageways providing air communication between the exterior of said toroidal radiator structure and the interior of said plenum chamber.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 61 words

A heat exchange apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said axial flow fan is of the suction type, said fan drawing air generally axially from said plenum chamber and discharging the same exteriorly of said toroidal radiator structure, said fan-generated air stream discharged exteriorly of said toroidal radiator structure having a major velocity component in a radial outward direction.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 50 words

A heat exchange apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including air recirculation barrier means contiguous to the air discharge side of said fan for obstructing axial flow of air from the air discharge side toward the air intake side of the fan at the hub region of the fan.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 31 words

A heat exchange apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said auxiliary heat exchanger means is mounted about an opening formed through said second wall of said toroidal radiator structure.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 61 words

A heat exchange apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said axial flow fan is of a suction type, said fan drawing air generally axially from said plenum chamber and discharging the same exteriorly of said toroidal radiator structure, said fan-generated air stream discharged exteriorly of said toroidal radiator structure having a major velocity component in a radial outward direction.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 44 words

A heat exchange apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said auxiliary radiator core is of the flat slab type, and each one of said plurality of cooling air passageways formed through said auxiliary radiator core extends substantially in an axial direction therethrough.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 42 words

A heat exchange apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said auxiliary radiator core is of the toroidal type, each one of said plurality of cooling air passageways formed through said auxiliary radiator core extends substantially in a radial direction therethrough.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 61 words

A heat exchanger apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said axial flow fan is of the blower type, said fan drawing air generally axially from the exterior of said toroidal radiator structure and discharging the same into said plenum chamber, said fan-generated air stream discharged into said plenum chamber having a major velocity component in a radially outward direction.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 50 words

A heat exchange apparatus as set forth in claim 8, including air recirculation barrier means contiguous to the air discharge side of said fan for obstructing axial flow of air from the air discharge side toward the air intake side of the fan at the hub region of the fan.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 91 words

A heat exchange apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein said auxiliary heat exchanger means is mounted within an opening formed through said second wall of said toroidal radiator structure and each one of said plurality of cooling air passageways formed through said auxiliary radiator core extends substantially along an axis spaced and substantially parallel with respect to the rotational axis of the fan; and means for causing a portion of the fan-generated air stream discharged into said plenum chamber to have a major velocity component in an axial direction.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 70 words

A heat exchange apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein said opening formed through said second wall of said toroidal radiator structure in which said auxiliary heat exchanger means is mounted is located so as to position said auxiliary radiator core to be substantially in the path of that portion of the fan-generated air stream discharged into said plenum chamber having a major velocity component in an axial direction.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 90 words

A heat exchange apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein said means for causing a portion of the fan-generated air stream discharged into said plenum chamber to have a major velocity component in an axial direction includes a discontinuity in the continuous annular contour of said fan shroud means, said discontinuity being in the form of an arcuately extending, notched section in said fan shroud means, said notched section being effective to cause that portion of the fan-generated air stream flowing thereover to flow generally in an axial direction.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 209 words

A heat exchange apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said impeller blades have an effective axial width, AW, measured along the rotational axis of the fan between a first plane and a second plane, said planes being axially spaced and parallel with respect to each other and disposed substantially normal to the rotational axis of the fan, said first and second planes extending radially, respectively, through a point on the leading edge of each of the impeller blades at the radially outermost tip region thereof and through a point on the trailing edge of each of the impeller blades at the radially outermost tip region thereof, the radially outermost tip region of each of said impeller blades having a radial length of approximately one third of the radial length of the impeller blade, said fan being axially positioned with respect to said fan shroud means whereby one of said first and second planes is axially spaced from and on either axial side of a radial plane containing a first axial end of said throat section a distance of 0 to 12 percent of AW, and said intermediate section extending between and operatively interconnecting a second axial end of said throat section and said radial flat flange section.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 82 words

A heat exchange apparatus as set forth in claim 13, wherein said auxiliary heat exchanger means is mounted about an opening formed through said second wall of said toroidal radiator structure; and said axial flow fan is of the suction type, said fan drawing air generally axially from said plenum chamber and discharging the same exteriorly of said toroidal radiator structure, said fan-generated air stream discharged exteriorly of said toroidal radiator structure having a major velocity component in a radial outward direction.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 105 words

A heat exchange apparatus as set forth in claim 13, including air recirculation barrier means for obstructing axial flow of air in one direction through the fan at the hub region thereof when the fan is in operation, said air recirculation barrier means including a generally flat and substantially imperforate circular disk, said disk lying generally in a radial plane disposed on the air discharge side of the fan, said disk being axially spaced and substantially parallel with respect to said second radial plane extending radially through a point on the trailing edge of each of the fan impeller blades at the tip region thereof.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 156 words

A heat exchange apparatus as set forth in claim 13, wherein said axial flow fan is of the blower type, said fan drawing air generally axially from the exterior of said toroidal radiator structure and discharging the same into said plenum chamber, said fan-generated air stream discharged into said plenum chamber having a major velocity component in a radial outward direction; and further including air recirculation barrier means for obstructing axial flow of air in one direction through the fan at the hub region thereof when the fan is in operation, said air recirculation barrier means including a generally flat and substantially imperforate circular disk lying generally in a radial plane disposed on the air discharge side of the fan, said disk being axially spaced and substantially parallel with respect to said second radial plane extending radially through a point on the trailing edge of each of the fan impeller blades at the tip region thereof.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 141 words

A heat exchange apparatus as set forth in claim 13, wherein said axial flow fan is of the blower type, said fan drawing air generally axially from the exterior of said toroidal radiator structure and discharging the same into said plenum chamber, said fan-generated air stream discharged into said plenum chamber having a major velocity component in a radially outward direction; said auxiliary heat exchanger means being mounted within an opening formed through said second wall of said toroidal radiator structure and each one of said plurality of cooling air passageways formed through said auxiliary radiator core extends substantially along an axis spaced and substantially parallel with respect to the rotational axis of the fan; and means for causing a portion of the fan-generated air stream discharged into said plenum chamber to have a major velocity component in an axial direction.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 150 words

A heat exchange apparatus as set forth in claim 17, wherein said opening formed through said second wall of said toroidal radiator structure in which said auxiliary heat exchanger means is mounted is located so as to position said auxiliary radiator core to be substantially in the path of that portion of the fan-generated air stream discharged into said plenum chamber having a major velocity component in an axial direction; and said means for causing a portion of the fan-generated air stream discharged into said plenum chamber to have a major velocity component in an axial direction includes a discontinuity in the continuous annular contour of said fan shroud means, said discontinuity being in the form of an arcuately extending, notched section in said fan shroud means, said notched section being effective to cause that portion of the fan-generated air stream flowing thereover to flow generally in an axial direction.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 55 words

A heat exchange apparatus as set forth in claim 13, wherein the other one of said first and second planes is axially spaced from and on either axial side of a radial plane containing the juncture of said intermediate section and said radial flat flange section a distance of 0 to 12 percent of AW.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 83 words

A heat exchange apparatus as set forth in claim 19, wherein said intermediate section is radially curved, and wherein the following relationships exist: RF=AW/3 plus or minus 12 percent of AW, CF=AW/3 plus or minus 12 percent of AW, and R equal 2AW/3 plus or minus 12 percent of AW, where RF is the radial length of the radial flat flange section, CF is the axial length of the cylindrical throat section, and R is the radius of curvature of the intermediate section.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 102 words

A heat exchange apparatus as set forth in claim 20, inluding air recirculation barrier means for obstructing axial flow of air in one direction through the fan at the hub region thereof when the fan is in operation, said air recirculation barrier means including a generally flat and substantially imperforate circular disk lying generally in a radial plane disposed on the air discharge side of the fan, said disk being axially spaced and substantially parallel with respect to said second radial plane extending radially through a point on the trailing edge of each of the impeller blades at the tip region thereof.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 65 words

A heat exchange apparatus as set forth in claim 19, wherein said one of said first and second planes is substantially coincident with said radial plane containing a first axial end of said throat section, and said other one of said first and second planes is substantially coincident with said radial plane containing the juncture of said intermediate section and said radial flat flange section.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 141 words

A heat exchange apparatus as set forth in claim 22, wherein said axial flow fan is of the blower type, said fan drawing air generally axially from the exterior of said toroidal radiator structure and discharging the same into said plenum chamber, said fan-generated air stream discharged into said plenum chamber having a major velocity component in a radial outward direction; said auxiliary heat exchanger means being mounted within an opening formed through said second wall of said toroidal radiator structure and each one of said plurality of cooling air passageways formed through said auxiliary radiator core extends substantially along an axis spaced and substantially parallel with respect to the rotational axis of the fan; and means for causing a portion of the fan-generated air stream discharged into said plenum chamber to have a major velocity component in an axial direction.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 150 words

A heat exchange apparatus as set forth in claim 23, wherein said opening formed through said second wall of said toroidal radiator structure in which said auxiliary heat exchanger means is mounted is located so as to position said auxiliary radiator core to be substantially in the path of that portion of the fan-generated air stream discharged into said plenum chamber having a major velocity component in an axial direction; and said means for causing a portion of the fan-generated air stream discharged into said plenum chamber to have a major velocity component in a axial direction includes a discontinuity in the continuous annular contour of said fan shroud means, said discontinuity being in the form of an arcuately extending, notched section in said fan shroud means, said notched section being effective to cause that portion of the fan-generated air stream flowing thereover to flow generally in an axial direction.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 50 words

A heat exchange apparatus as set forth in claim 19, including air recirculation barrier means contiguous to the air discharge side of said fan for obstructing axial flow of air from the air discharge side toward the air intake side of the fan at the hub region of the fan.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 75 words

A heat exchange apparatus as set forth in claim 25, wherein said air recirculation barrier means includes a generally flat and substantially imperforate circular disk lying generally in a plane disposed on the air discharge side of the fan, said disk being axially spaced and substantially parallel with respect to said second radial plane extending radially through a point on the trailing edge of each of the fan impeller blades at the tip region thereof.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1982-12-24	1983-06-25	1983-12-25	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1986-12-24	1987-06-25	1987-12-25	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1990-12-24	1991-06-25	1991-12-25	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Heat exchange apparatus including a toroidal-type radiator

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