US4493364A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Frost control for space conditioning
Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
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Filing: 1981-11-30
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Granted: 1985-01-15
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Expires: 2001-11-30
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and process for frost control for the ambient air heat exchanger of a space conditioning apparatus. The ambient air heat exchanger is immersed in a fluidized bed enhancing the heat transfer and physically reducing frost formation. In a preferred embodiment, the fluidized bed is supported by a support bed of non-fluidized solid particles. In one of the embodiments the particulate beds may be desiccant materials. The space conditioning apparatus and method of frost control of this invention permits smaller ambient air heat exchangers and accommodates greater transient conditions due to the enhanced heat transfer and physical prevention of ice formation resulting from the fluidized bed.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert A. Macriss
- 👤 Jaroslav Wurm
- 👤 Vincent M. Huang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 13:55
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28F; F28F19/00; F28F19/006; F28D; F28D13/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
In a space conditioning apparatus having a low temperature outdoor ambient air heat exchange evaporator in a heating mode, the improvement of said low temperature evaporator comprising: substantially vertical duct means defining a confined passage for said air; support means extending substantially across said passage; a plurality of fluidizable solid particles comprising a fluidizable bed supported on top of said support means; blower means capable of fluidizing said fluidizable bed with said low temperature outdoor ambient air; and extended surface heat exchange means immersed in said fluidizable bed and connected to said space conditioning system to provide passage of heat exchange medium of said space conditioning apparatus therethrough.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
In a space conditioning apparatus having a low temperature outdoor ambient air heat exchange evaporator in a heating mode, the improvement of said low temperature evaporator comprising: substantially vertical duct means defining a confined passage for said air; support means extending substantially across said passage; a plurality of fluidizable solid particles comprising a fluidizable bed supported on top of said support means; blower means capable of fluidizing said fluidizable bed with said low temperature outdoor ambient air; and extended surface heat exchange means immersed in said fluidizable bed and connected to said space conditioning system to provide passage of heat exchange medium of said space conditioning apparatus therethrough.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The space conditioning apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fluidizable solid particles are alumina.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The space conditioner apparatus of claim 1 wherein said support means comprises a plurality of non-fluidizable solid particles comprising a support bed on top of a distributor means for supporting said non-fluidizable support bed and for admitting and distributing said ambient air throughout said fluidizable bed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The space conditioning apparatus of claim 3 wherein said non-fluidizable solid support particles are glass.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The space conditioning apparatus of claim 3 additionally having a coarse mesh screen separating said support bed from said distributor means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The space conditioning apparatus of claim 3 wherein said non-fluidized support bed has a depth of about 0.1 inch to about 0.5 inch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The space conditioning apparatus of claim 6 wherein said non-fluidized support bed has a depth of about 0.25 inch to about 0.40 inch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The space conditioning apparatus of claim 3 wherein said non-fluidizable solid particles have mean particle diameters of about 0.5 to about 1.5 millimeters.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The space conditioning apparatus of claim 8 wherein said non-fluidizable solid particles have mean particle diameters of about 0.7 to about 0.85 millimeters.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The space conditioning apparatus of claim 3 wherein the ratio of mean particle diameters of said non-fluidizable solid particles to said fluidizable solid particles is about 1 to about 10.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The space conditioning apparatus of claim 10 wherein said ratio of mean particle diameters is about 2.8 to about 4.8.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The space conditioning apparatus of claim 3 wherein said non-fluidizable solid support particles are ceramic solids.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The space conditioning apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fluidizable bed has a depth, when in the fluidized state, of about 0.25 to about 2 inches.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The space conditioning apparatus of claim 13 wherein said fluidizable bed has a depth, when in the fluidized state, of about 0.5 to about 0.75 inches.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The space conditioning apparatus of claim 3 wherein said fluidizable bed has a depth, when in the fluidized state, of about 0.25 to about 2 inches.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The space conditioning apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fluidizable solid particles have mean particle diameters of about 0.06 to about 0.60 millimeters.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The space conditioning apparatus of claim 16 wherein said solid particles have mean diameters of about 0.20 to about 0.30 millimeters.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The space conditioning apparatus of claim 3 wherein said fluidizable solid particles have mean particle diameters of about 0.06 to about 0.60 millimeters.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The space conditioning apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fluidizable solid particles are silica.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The space conditioning apparatus of claim 3 wherein said fluidizable solid particles are selected from the group consisting of silica and alumina.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The space conditioning apparatus of claim 1 wherein said extended surface heat exchange means is a fin-tube heat exchange means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The space conditioning apparatus of claim 3 wherein said extended surface heat exchange means is a fin-tube heat exchange means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The space conditioning apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fluidizable solid particles are solid desiccant particles.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The space conditioning apparatus of claim 23 wherein said space conditioning apparatus is a heat pump.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
The space conditioning apparatus of claims 1 or 3 or 5 or 6 or 8 or 10 or 12 or 13 or 16 or 19 or 21 or wherein said space conditioning apparatus is a heat pump.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of frost control on a low temperature outdoor ambient air heat exchanger functioning as an evaporator in the heating mode of a space conditioning apparatus comprising: passing heat exchange medium of said space conditioning apparatus through an extended surface heat exchanger, said extended surface heat exchanger immersed in a fluidizable bed; and passing said low temperature outdoor ambient air in thermal exchange relation to said heat exchanger at sufficient velocity to fluidize said bed thereby enhancing heat exchange between said heat exchange medium and ambient air and reducing tendency of frost formation by physical vibration and abrasive action.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of frost control on a low temperature outdoor ambient air heat exchanger functioning as an evaporator in the heating mode of a space conditioning apparatus comprising: passing heat exchange medium of said space conditioning apparatus through an extended surface heat exchanger, said extended surface heat exchanger immersed in a fluidizable bed; and passing said low temperature outdoor ambient air in thermal exchange relation to said heat exchanger at sufficient velocity to fluidize said bed thereby enhancing heat exchange between said heat exchange medium and ambient air and reducing tendency of frost formation by physical vibration and abrasive action.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said ambient air is passed through a plurality of non-fluidizable solid particles comprising a support bed on top of a distributor means for supporting said non-fluidizable support bed and for admitting and distributing said ambient air throughout said fluidizable bed.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said ambient air is additionally passed through a coarse mesh screen separating said support bed from said distributor means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said non-fluidized support bed has a depth of about 0.1 inch to about 0.5 inch.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the ratio of mean particle diameters of said non-fluidizable solid particles to said fluidizable solid particles is about 1 to about 10.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said non-fluidizable solid support particles are ceramic solids.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said fluidizable bed has a depth, when in the fluidized state, of about 0.25 to about 2 inches.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said fluidizable solid particles have mean particle diameters of about 0.06 to about 0.60 millimeters.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said fluidizable solids particles are silica.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said extended surface heat exchange means is a fin-tube heat exchange means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said fluidizable solid particles are solid desiccant particles.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
33 words
The method of claims 26 or 27 or 28 or 29 or 30 or 31 or 32 or 33 or 34 or 35 or wherein said space conditioning apparatus is a heat pump.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 36 wherein said space conditioning apparatus is a heat pump.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said space conditioning apparatus is a heat pump.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said non-fluidizable solid support particles are glass.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said fluidizable solid particles are alumina.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
127 words
In a space conditioning apparatus having a low temperature outdoor ambient air heat exchanger, the improvement comprising: substantially vertical duct means defining a confined passage for said air; support means extending substantially across said passage comprising a plurality of non-fluidizable solid desiccant particles comprising a support bed on top of a distributor means for supporting said non-fluidizable support bed and for admitting and distributing said ambient air throughout said fluidizable bed; a plurality of fluidizable solid particles comprising a fluidizable bed supported on top of said support means; blower means capable of fluidizing said fluidizable bed; and extending surface heat exchange means immersed in said fluidizable bed and connected to said space conditioning system to provide passage of heat exchange medium of said space conditioning system therethrough.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
127 words
In a space conditioning apparatus having a low temperature outdoor ambient air heat exchanger, the improvement comprising: substantially vertical duct means defining a confined passage for said air; support means extending substantially across said passage comprising a plurality of non-fluidizable solid desiccant particles comprising a support bed on top of a distributor means for supporting said non-fluidizable support bed and for admitting and distributing said ambient air throughout said fluidizable bed; a plurality of fluidizable solid particles comprising a fluidizable bed supported on top of said support means; blower means capable of fluidizing said fluidizable bed; and extending surface heat exchange means immersed in said fluidizable bed and connected to said space conditioning system to provide passage of heat exchange medium of said space conditioning system therethrough.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
16 words
The space conditioning apparatus of claim 42 wherein said space conditioning apparatus is a heat pump.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
16 words
The space conditioning apparatus of claim 42 wherein said fluidizable solid particles are solid desiccant particles.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
16 words
The space conditioning apparatus of claim 44 wherein said space conditioning apparatus is a heat pump.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of frost control on a low temperature outdoor ambient air heat exchanger functioning as an evaporator in the heating mode of a space conditioning apparatus comprising: passing heat exchange medium of said space conditioning apparatus through an extended surface heat exchanger, said extended surface heat exchanger immersed in a fluidizable bed; and passing said low temperature outdoor ambient air in thermal exchange relation to said heat exchanger through a plurality of non-fluidizable solid desiccant particles comprising a support bed on top of a distributor means for supporting said non-fluidizable support bed and for admitting and distributing said ambient air throughout said fluidizable bed at sufficient velocity to fluidize said bed thereby enhancing heat exchange between said heat exchange medium and ambient air and reducing tendency of frost formation by physical vibration and abrasive action.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of frost control on a low temperature outdoor ambient air heat exchanger functioning as an evaporator in the heating mode of a space conditioning apparatus comprising: passing heat exchange medium of said space conditioning apparatus through an extended surface heat exchanger, said extended surface heat exchanger immersed in a fluidizable bed; and passing said low temperature outdoor ambient air in thermal exchange relation to said heat exchanger through a plurality of non-fluidizable solid desiccant particles comprising a support bed on top of a distributor means for supporting said non-fluidizable support bed and for admitting and distributing said ambient air throughout said fluidizable bed at sufficient velocity to fluidize said bed thereby enhancing heat exchange between said heat exchange medium and ambient air and reducing tendency of frost formation by physical vibration and abrasive action.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 46 wherein said space conditioning apparatus is a heat pump.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 46 wherein said fluidizable solid particles are solid desiccant particles.
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) | 1988-01-15 | 1988-07-16 | 1989-01-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-01-15 | 1992-07-16 | 1993-01-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-01-15 | 1996-07-16 | 1997-01-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |