Patent US2612053A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4381817A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Wet/dry steam condenser
Assignee: FORSTER WHEELER ENERGY Corp
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Filing: 1981-04-27
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Granted: 1983-05-03
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Expires: 2001-04-27
Abstract
Abstract A wet/dry steam condenser in accordance with the present invention includes two spaced-apart, vertically aligned groups of heat pipes with each group having the lower, evaporator sections of their respective heat pipes exposed to the interior of an associated, longitudinally extending steam-receiving plenum. The upper, condensing section of each heat pipe is provided with fin structures and can be selectively cooled by a fan-induced air flow and/or deluge water supplied from either a flood water trough and/or a spray-head assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Carlo J. Brigida
- 👤 William J. Bow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:45
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28B; F28B1/00; F28D; F28D15/00; F28D15/02; F28D15/0275; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S165/00; Y10S165/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A wet/dry steam condensing apparatus comprising: a plurality of substantially vertically aligned heat pipes, each of said heat pipes having a lower, evaporator section and an upper, condensing section and containing a selected quantity of a heat transfer fluid adapted to transfer heat energy from said evaporator section to said condensing section through a vapor/condensation cycle; a steam receiving plenum adapted to receive steam from a steam source, at least a portion of said evaporator sections of said heat pipes passing through a surface portion of said plenum for exposure to the steam; each of said heat pipes having a finned portion; a flood water trough adapted to selectively receive cooling water and flow the water downwardly onto the finned surfaces of said heat pipes; and a plurality of spray heads adapted to direct a spray of cooling water onto said heat pipes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
A wet/dry steam condensing apparatus comprising: a plurality of substantially vertically aligned heat pipes, each of said heat pipes having a lower, evaporator section and an upper, condensing section and containing a selected quantity of a heat transfer fluid adapted to transfer heat energy from said evaporator section to said condensing section through a vapor/condensation cycle; a steam receiving plenum adapted to receive steam from a steam source, at least a portion of said evaporator sections of said heat pipes passing through a surface portion of said plenum for exposure to the steam; each of said heat pipes having a finned portion; a flood water trough adapted to selectively receive cooling water and flow the water downwardly onto the finned surfaces of said heat pipes; and a plurality of spray heads adapted to direct a spray of cooling water onto said heat pipes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The wet/dry steam condensing apparatus claimed in claim 1 wherein: said heat pipes are arranged in two spaced-apart heat pipe groups, each of said groups associated with a steam plenum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The wet/dry steam condensing apparatus claimed in claims 1 or 2 further comprising: fan means adapted to induce a flow of cooling air across said finned portions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The wet/dry steam condensing apparatus of claim 3 wherein a single fan is associated with two corresponding heat pipe groups.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The wet/dry steam condensing apparatus claimed in claim 3 further comprising: a hood assembly adapted to direct the cooling air flow from said fan means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The wet/dry steam condensing apparatus claimed in claim 1 wherein: said apparatus is arranged in modular form, each of said modules adapted to be connected to one another to constitute a steam condensing system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The wet/dry steam condensing apparatus claimed in claim 1 comprising: a water receiving spill-way positioned relative to said heat pipes to receive at least a portion of the water applied to said heat pipes by said cooling water application means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The wet/dry steam condensing apparatus claimed in claim 7 further comprising: a cooling water recycling system including a water treatment unit adapted to receive water from said spill-way and return said water to said cooling water applications means.
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) | 1986-05-02 | 1986-11-01 | 1987-05-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-05-02 | 1990-11-01 | 1991-05-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-05-02 | 1994-11-01 | 1995-05-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |