Vapor-liquid contact grid

Claim 2

A vapor-liquid contact grid apparatus which comprises: (a) a plurality of grid members positioned in a generally upright and generally parallel, spaced-apart relationship defining a vapor passageway between the upright grid members, (i) the grid members composed of a thin, upright grid element, (ii) vanes derived from the grid members and extending transversely outwardly into the vapor passageway from the upright grid members, and (iii) vanes being paired into a plurality of longitudinally spaced sections, so that the vanes of each section are positioned one above the other along the longitudinal length of the grid members, at least one vane of each pair extending outwardly from one side and at least one vane of each pair extending outwardly from the other side to define an opening therebetween, and the vanes of each section separated longitudinally from each adjacent section by upright rib elements of the grid members, the vanes generally of a significantly greater longitudinal length of the grid members than the rib elements therebetween; (b) a plurality of connectors composed of thin, upright strip elements extending between the grid members, the connectors positioned in a generally spaced-apart and parallel relationship; and (c) means to secure the connectors to the grid members at the rib elements, to form at least one layer of a vapor-liquid grid composed of grid members and connectors in a fixed, spaced-apart relationship.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the connectors extend generally perpendicular to the upright grid elements.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the vanes extend in a generally curved fashion, with one of the vanes curved downwardly in one section and the other of the vanes curved generally upwardly in the same section, and the vanes of each section alternating in position along the longitudinal length of the grid elements.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the vanes have serrated edges, so as to form a plurality of drip points.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the vanes have perforations, so as to form a plurality of drip points.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the vertical height of the connectors is substantially less than the vertical height of the upright grid members.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means to secure the connectors to the grid members comprises: (a) a plurality of open slots at the rib elements extending inwardly a short distance from the outer edges of the grid members; and (b) the edges of the connectors positioned in the open slots of the grid members, to form at least one layer of fixed, spaced-apart grid members and connectors.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the open slots of the grid members are positioned in alternating sequence on the upper and lower edges of the grid members.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of layers of the grid members and the connectors.

Claim 11

A vapor-liquid grid apparatus which comprises: (a) a plurality of grid members positioned in a generally vertical, upright and generally parallel, spaced-apart relationship, defining a vapor passageway between the upright grid members, the grid members composed of (i) a thin, upright grid element, (ii) vanes derived from the grid member and extending transversely outwardly into the vapor passageway from the upright grid element, (iii) the vanes being paired into a plurality of longitudinally spaced sections, so that the vanes of each section are positioned one above the other along the longitudinal length of the grid members, one vane of each pair extending outwardly from one side and the other vane of each pair extending outwardly from the other side to define an opening therebetween, (iv) the vanes of each section separated longitudinally from each adjacent section by upright rib elements of the grid members, the vanes generally of a significantly longer longitudinal length of the grid member than the rib elements therebetween, (v) the vanes having a series of serrations along their edges which extend into the vapor passageway and form a plurality of drip points, and (vi) the grid elements further characterized by a plurality of open slots at the rib elements extending inwardly a short distance from each outer edge thereof; and (b) a plurality of connectors composed of thin, upright strip elements extending between the grid members and positioned in a generally, spaced-apart and generally parallel relationship, the vertical height of the connectors being substantially less than the vertical height of the upright grid members, and the edges of the connectors positioned in the open slots of the grid elements, to form at least one grid layer of the vapor-liquid grid apparatus composed of grid members and connectors in fixed spaced apart relationship.

Claim 12

A vapor-liquid grid apparatus which comprises: (a) a plurality of grid members positioned in a generally vertical, upright and generally parallel, spaced-apart relationship, defining a vapor passageway between the upright grid members, the grid members composed of (i) a thin, upright grid element, (ii) vanes derived from the grid member and extending transversely outwardly into the vapor passageway from the upright grid element, (iii) the vanes being paired into a plurality of longitudinally spaced sections, so that the vanes of each section are positioned one above the other along the longitudinal length of the grid members, one vane of each pair extending outwardly from one side and the other vane of each pair extending outwardly from the other side to define an opening therebetween, (iv) the vanes of each section separated longitudinally from each adjacent section by upright rib elements of the grid members, the vanes generally of a significantly longer longitudinal length of the grid member than the rib elements therebetween, (v) the vanes having a series of serrations along their edges which extend into the vapor passageway and form a plurality of drip points, and (vi) the grid elements further characterized by a plurality of open slots at the rib elements extending inwardly a short distance from each outer edge thereof; and (b) a plurality of connectors composed of thin, upright strip elements extending between the grid members and positioned in a generally, spaced-apart and generally parallel relationship, the vertical height of the connectors being substantially less than the vertical height of the upright grid members, and the edges of the connectors positioned in the open slots of the grid elements, to form at least one grid layer of the vapor-liquid grid apparatus composed of grid members and connectors in fixed spaced apart relationship.