US4473512A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sanitary steam injection heater
Assignee: PICK HEATERS Inc A CORP OF WIS
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Filing: 1982-09-17
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Granted: 1984-09-25
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Expires: 2002-09-17
Abstract
Abstract A skeletonized piston assembly in which a tube forms a piston shank and an enlarged thin disc has a peripheral edge which provides the piston skirt. A guide disc is spaced from the other disc and guides movement of the piston. Quick release fittings and a removable helical flight assembly adapt the heater for sanitary applications and easy clean-out.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan E. Pick
- 👤 Richard A. Mayo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:46
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28C; F28C3/00; F28C3/06; F28C3/08; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S261/00; Y10S261/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
In a steam injection liquid heater having a heating chamber, inlet means to supply liquid to said heating chamber and a foraminous steam injection tube within said heating chamber for injecting steam jets from the steam injection tube into liquid in said heating chamber to heat the same comprising a cylindrical steam chamber, a piston assembly within the steam chamber and adapted to move along the steam chamber in response to steam pressure and open a variable number of orifices, and means to bias said piston assembly in one direction, the improvement wherein said piston assembly has a shank portion and head disc, said disc having a peripheral surface generally concentric with the interior surface of said cylindrical steam chamber and slightly spaced therefrom to afford pass-through of steam and solids between said peripheral surface and said interior surface of said steam chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
In a steam injection liquid heater having a heating chamber, inlet means to supply liquid to said heating chamber and a foraminous steam injection tube within said heating chamber for injecting steam jets from the steam injection tube into liquid in said heating chamber to heat the same comprising a cylindrical steam chamber, a piston assembly within the steam chamber and adapted to move along the steam chamber in response to steam pressure and open a variable number of orifices, and means to bias said piston assembly in one direction, the improvement wherein said piston assembly has a shank portion and head disc, said disc having a peripheral surface generally concentric with the interior surface of said cylindrical steam chamber and slightly spaced therefrom to afford pass-through of steam and solids between said peripheral surface and said interior surface of said steam chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said piston assembly includes a transversely extending guide disc longitudinally spaced from said head disc and in guiding relationship with said interior surface of said steam chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improvement of claim 2 wherein said guide disc occupies less cross-sectional area than said head disc to permit pass-through of solids which reach the space between said discs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The improvement of claim 2 wherein said shank portion comprises a tube and said guide disc is spaced from the end of said tube, and wherein said means to bias said piston assembly comprises a spring having an end supported on said tube abutting said guide disc.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
126 words
In a steam injection liquid heater having a heating chamber, inlet means to supply liquid to said heating chamber and a foraminous steam injection tube within said heating chamber for injecting steam jets from the steam injection tube into liquid in said heating chamber to heat the same comprising a cylindrical steam chamber, a piston within the steam chamber adapted to move along the steam chamber and open a variable number of orifices, and means to bias said piston in one direction, the improvement comprising a flight assembly having longitudinally spaced end plates interconnected by at least one flight arranged in a generally helical pattern and having a hollow central core, said flight assembly being axially slidable over said injection tube and within said heating chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
126 words
In a steam injection liquid heater having a heating chamber, inlet means to supply liquid to said heating chamber and a foraminous steam injection tube within said heating chamber for injecting steam jets from the steam injection tube into liquid in said heating chamber to heat the same comprising a cylindrical steam chamber, a piston within the steam chamber adapted to move along the steam chamber and open a variable number of orifices, and means to bias said piston in one direction, the improvement comprising a flight assembly having longitudinally spaced end plates interconnected by at least one flight arranged in a generally helical pattern and having a hollow central core, said flight assembly being axially slidable over said injection tube and within said heating chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The improvement of claim 5 wherein said piston has a laterally extending flange with a peripheral surface which forms the piston skirt, and wherein said piston skirt has a relatively small axial dimension compared with its lateral extent.
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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) | 1987-09-25 | 1988-03-26 | 1988-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-09-25 | 1992-03-26 | 1992-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-09-25 | 1996-03-26 | 1996-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |