Patent US4452300A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4452300A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for the exchange of heat between liquid and air and an apparatus for carrying the method into effect
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-11-24
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Granted: 1984-06-05
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Expires: 2001-11-24
Abstract
Abstract Heat exchange between liquid (1) and air (2) is effected by causing the liquid (1) to flow, in the form of a liquid film (5) spreading under capillary action, between pairs (3) of vertically oriented band-shaped thin membranes (4a and 4b) held together by adhesive forces in the liquid film (5). The air flow (2) preferably is conducted in counterflow with the liquid flow (1) in gaps (6) surrounding the pairs of membranes (3). Exchange of heat between liquid and air occurs through the membrane walls (4a, 4b). The membranes (4a and 4b) preferably consist of a thin plastic film, for example matted polyester film.
Inventors
- 👤 Sten O. Zeilon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:51
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28B; F28B1/00; F28B1/06; F28D; F28D3/00; F28D9/00; F28D9/0087; F28F; F28F21/00; F28F21/06; F28F21/065; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S165/00; Y10S165/905
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for the exchange of heat between a liquid and air, said method comprising: (a) providing at least two independent, band-shaped thin membranes suspended vertically and independently of each other, (b) positioning opposite surfaces of said membranes in closely spaced relationship, (c) uniformly supplying a liquid between the upper portions of the membranes and along the width thereof to flow between the membranes by gravity and form a liquid film that spreads under capillary action to hold the membranes by the adhesive forces in the liquid film, (d) conducting air into contact with the surfaces of said membranes that face away from each other, and (e) collecting the liquid from the lower part of the space between said membranes.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for the exchange of heat between a liquid and air, said method comprising: (a) providing at least two independent, band-shaped thin membranes suspended vertically and independently of each other, (b) positioning opposite surfaces of said membranes in closely spaced relationship, (c) uniformly supplying a liquid between the upper portions of the membranes and along the width thereof to flow between the membranes by gravity and form a liquid film that spreads under capillary action to hold the membranes by the adhesive forces in the liquid film, (d) conducting air into contact with the surfaces of said membranes that face away from each other, and (e) collecting the liquid from the lower part of the space between said membranes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air is conducted in a direction opposite to the direction of flow of the liquid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, including the step of periodically supplying heated liquid between the membranes for removing any coatings of frost on the outer surfaces of the membranes.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
110 words
An apparatus for effecting heat exchange between liquid and air, said apparatus comprising: at least two independent, band-shaped thin membranes suspended vertically and independently of one another, the opposite surfaces of which membranes are disposed in spaced relationship at a slight distance away from one another to receive therebetween a liquid film that spreads under capillary action, means for supplying and uniformly distributing a liquid in the upper part of the space between said membranes, means for collecting the liquid from the lower part of said space between said membranes, and means for conducting the air into contact with the surfaces of said membranes that face away from one another.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
110 words
An apparatus for effecting heat exchange between liquid and air, said apparatus comprising: at least two independent, band-shaped thin membranes suspended vertically and independently of one another, the opposite surfaces of which membranes are disposed in spaced relationship at a slight distance away from one another to receive therebetween a liquid film that spreads under capillary action, means for supplying and uniformly distributing a liquid in the upper part of the space between said membranes, means for collecting the liquid from the lower part of said space between said membranes, and means for conducting the air into contact with the surfaces of said membranes that face away from one another.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the upper part of the space between the membranes is connected to an open supply vessel and a flow-controlling throttle is provided for uniformly supplying liquid between the membranes along the entire width thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the liquid contacting surfaces of the membranes that face one another have a low surface tension relative to the liquid.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as claimed in claims 4 or 5, wherein said membranes comprise a plastic film whose surface intended to contact the liquid has been chemically or mechanically processed to provide a low surface tension.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
74 words
An apparatus as claimed in claims 4 or 5, wherein the membranes are formed of an outer endless film loop which is hung from a pipe forming the supply vessel, and an inner endless film loop which is supported within the outer film loop, such that the outwardly facing surfaces of the parts of the inner loop and the inwardly facing surfaces of the parts of the outer loop form pair of spaced membranes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the lower end of said outer loop is oblique, such that the lowermost edge of the loop, after suspension thereof, is inclined towards one or the other long side of the loop in order to conduct liquid to said collecting means.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as claimed in claims 4 or 5, including means for stopping the liquid flow periodically and means for supplying heated liquid for removing any coatings of frost on the outer surfaces of the membranes.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-06-05 | 1987-12-05 | 1988-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-06-05 | 1991-12-05 | 1992-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-06-05 | 1995-12-05 | 1996-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |