Patent US4295342A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4295342A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heat exchange method using natural flow of heat exchange medium
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1979-07-10
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Granted: 1981-10-20
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Expires: 1999-07-10
Abstract
Abstract Heat exchange is effected in a simple and economical manner by allowing natural flow, i.e., without mechanical compressors, pumps, etc., of a heat exchange fluid such as a conventional refrigerant liquid between two heat exchangers which are exposed to air at different temperatures. The two heat exchangers, which may conveniently take the form of fin-tube heat exchangers, for example, are arranged with one end at a higher elevation than the other, the upper ends of the two exchangers being connected in direct communication and the lower ends being likewise connected. As the refrigerant liquid absorbs heat and evaporates in the heat exchanger exposed to the warmer air the vapor travels through the upper connecting line to the other heat exchanger, where it rejects heat and is condensed, the liquid flows through the lower connecting line back to the first heat exchanger, and so on, with heat exchange between the two air streams or masses occurring during the natural, continuous flow of the refrigerant in gaseous and liquid form.
Inventors
- 👤 James Parro
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 22:21
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F12/00; F24F12/001; F24F12/002; F24F12/003; F25; F25B; F25B23/00; F25B23/006; F25B25/00; F28; F28D; F28D15/00; F28D15/02; F28D15/0266; F25B2400/00; F25B2400/04; F25B2400/0401; F28F; F28F2200/00; F28F2200/005; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B30/00; Y02B30/52; Y02B30/56; Y10; Y10S; Y10S165/00; Y10S165/909
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
A method of reducing energy losses in heating and cooling an enclosed room while ventilating said room with outside air at a temperature below that of said room during heating cycles and above that of said room during cooling cycles by reversible heat exchange between room air and outside air, comprising: (a) providing a pair of continuous heat exchange coils each having an upper and a lower end and a plurality of substantially horizontal portions therebetween; (b) placing the upper ends of said coils at a vertical level substantially higher than the lower ends of each coil; (c) connecting said upper ends for direct communication therebetween and connecting said lower ends for direct communication therebetween; (d) charging said coils with a heat exchange liquid to a level substantially above the lower ends and below the upper ends of both of said coils; and (e) contacting one of said coils with room air and the other with outside air, whereby refrigerant is evaporated from said one coil when room air is warmer than outside air, and vice versa, thereby increasing the pressure in the coil from which refrigerant is evaporated and causing refrigerant to flow to the other coil giving up heat to the air at the lowest temperature.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
208 words
A method of reducing energy losses in heating and cooling an enclosed room while ventilating said room with outside air at a temperature below that of said room during heating cycles and above that of said room during cooling cycles by reversible heat exchange between room air and outside air, comprising: (a) providing a pair of continuous heat exchange coils each having an upper and a lower end and a plurality of substantially horizontal portions therebetween; (b) placing the upper ends of said coils at a vertical level substantially higher than the lower ends of each coil; (c) connecting said upper ends for direct communication therebetween and connecting said lower ends for direct communication therebetween; (d) charging said coils with a heat exchange liquid to a level substantially above the lower ends and below the upper ends of both of said coils; and (e) contacting one of said coils with room air and the other with outside air, whereby refrigerant is evaporated from said one coil when room air is warmer than outside air, and vice versa, thereby increasing the pressure in the coil from which refrigerant is evaporated and causing refrigerant to flow to the other coil giving up heat to the air at the lowest temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
85 words
The method according to claim 1 and including the further steps of: (a) forming first and second openings in a wall of said room through which air may flow between the inside and outside of said room; (b) positioning one of said coils in said first opening and the other of said coils in said second opening; and (c) forcing circulation of air into said room from the outside through one of said openings and out of said room through the other of said openings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said openings are spaced by a substantial distance.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method according to claim 1 and including the further steps of connecting said upper ends for direct communication through either of two separate, upper lines and placing a refrigerant compressor in one of said upper lines, and connecting said lower ends for communication through either of two separate, lower lines and placing a refrigerant expansion device in one of said lower lines.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 4 and including the further step of placing valve means in the other of both said upper and lower lines, and providing means for simultaneously opening and closing said valves.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
212 words
A reversible heat exchange system for reducing energy losses in heating or cooling an enclosed room while ventilating said room with outside air at a temperature below that of said room during heating cycles and above that of said room during cooling cycles, said system comprising: (a) wall means separating the interior and exterior of said room; (b) first and second openings in said wall means through both of which air may flow between the interior and exterior of said room; (c) first and second heat exchangers respectively arranged in said first and second openings and each including a continuous coil having upper and lower ends and a plurality of substantially horizontal portions therebetween; (d) first and second lines connecting said upper and lower ends, respectively, of said first and second heat exchanger coils for direct communication therebetween; (e) a heat exchange liquid with which said coils are charged to a level substantially above said lower ends and below said upper ends thereof; and (f) means for causing air to flow through said first opening from the exterior to the interior of said room, passing over said first heat exchange coil, and through said second opening from the interior to the exterior of said room, passing over said second heat exchange coil.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
212 words
A reversible heat exchange system for reducing energy losses in heating or cooling an enclosed room while ventilating said room with outside air at a temperature below that of said room during heating cycles and above that of said room during cooling cycles, said system comprising: (a) wall means separating the interior and exterior of said room; (b) first and second openings in said wall means through both of which air may flow between the interior and exterior of said room; (c) first and second heat exchangers respectively arranged in said first and second openings and each including a continuous coil having upper and lower ends and a plurality of substantially horizontal portions therebetween; (d) first and second lines connecting said upper and lower ends, respectively, of said first and second heat exchanger coils for direct communication therebetween; (e) a heat exchange liquid with which said coils are charged to a level substantially above said lower ends and below said upper ends thereof; and (f) means for causing air to flow through said first opening from the exterior to the interior of said room, passing over said first heat exchange coil, and through said second opening from the interior to the exterior of said room, passing over said second heat exchange coil.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention according to claim 6 wherein said means for causing air to flow comprises a pair of fans respectively arranged to direct air through said first and second openings.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention according to claims 6 or 7 wherein said heat exchangers are of the fin-tube type.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention according to claim 6 wherein said openings are spaced by a substantial distance.
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) | 1984-10-19 | 1985-04-20 | 1985-10-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-10-19 | 1989-04-20 | 1989-10-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-10-19 | 1993-04-20 | 1993-10-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |