Patent US4510920A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4510920A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Heat exchanger mat
Assignee: New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
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Filing: 1983-12-19
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Granted: 1985-04-16
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Expires: 2003-12-19
Abstract
Abstract An improved heat exchanger mat and a method of dislodging and retrieving the mat from the bottom of a solar pond without disturbing an established thermal gradient. The mat is separated from the pond bottom by the injection of a dislodging medium between the mat and the bottom of the pond. When the pond contains a liner, the dislodging medium is injected between the mat and the pond liner. The mat (10) utilizes a dual conduit network of one integral conduit (12) for the flow of heat exchanger fluid and a second integral conduit (26) for the flow of dislodging medium. The dislodging medium enters the dislodging conduit via an inlet (28) and exits through a plurality of outlets (30) located on the underside of the mat. The medium, as it exits, forces the mat upward and frees it from the bottom of the pond. Once the dislodging medium has separated the mat from the pond bottom, attached retrieval cords (20) are used to remove the mat by drawing it up the side of the pond.
Inventors
- 👤 Gunnar E. Walmet
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:47
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S10/00; F24S10/10; F24S10/13; C; C12; C12M; C12M21/00; C12M21/02; C12M41/00; C12M41/12; C12M41/18; C12M41/24; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
An improved heat exchanger mat for placement upon the bottom surface of a solar pond comprising: a flexible membrane having a first conduit for the reception, circulation and discharge of a heat exchanging fluid, a second conduit for the reception and discharge of a dislodging medium, said conduit having a plurality of outlets opening on one side of the membrane; and means for withdrawing the mat from the solar pond without disturbing the thermal gradient within the pond.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
An improved heat exchanger mat for placement upon the bottom surface of a solar pond comprising: a flexible membrane having a first conduit for the reception, circulation and discharge of a heat exchanging fluid, a second conduit for the reception and discharge of a dislodging medium, said conduit having a plurality of outlets opening on one side of the membrane; and means for withdrawing the mat from the solar pond without disturbing the thermal gradient within the pond.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the flexible membrane comprises a top and bottom layer sealed to form the first and second conduit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the flexible membrane is made of a non-corrosive material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein the non-corrosive material is polymeric.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein the non-corrosive material is elastomeric.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the means for withdrawing the mat comprises means for drawing the mat edgewise along the bottom surface of the pond and out of the solar pond.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 1 further comprising a dislodging medium comprising brine.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein the brine has substantially the same salt concentration as liquid near the bottom surface of the solar pond.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
61 words
A method for removing a heat exchanger mat from its operative position on the bottom surface of a solar pond without disturbing the thermal gradient within the pond comprising the steps of: separating the mat from the bottom surface of the pond by introducing medium under the mat; and drawing the mat along said bottom surface and out of the pond.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
61 words
A method for removing a heat exchanger mat from its operative position on the bottom surface of a solar pond without disturbing the thermal gradient within the pond comprising the steps of: separating the mat from the bottom surface of the pond by introducing medium under the mat; and drawing the mat along said bottom surface and out of the pond.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the step of separating further comprises: providing the mat with a conduit having an inlet and a plurality of outlets; introducing medium through the inlet; and forcing the mat upward to an adjacent, nonabutting position with respect to the bottom surface, by discharging the medium through the outlets downward towards the bottom surface of the pond.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
76 words
Solar pond apparatus comprising: a repository for fluid; a liner located along the bottom of the repository, the liner having a first surface exposed to said fluid; fluid in the repository, said fluid exhibiting a thermal gradient when exposed to solar energy; heat exchanger means located within the fluid repository adjacent the first surface of the liner; and means for extracting the heat exchanger means from the repository without disturbing the thermal gradient in the fluid.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
76 words
Solar pond apparatus comprising: a repository for fluid; a liner located along the bottom of the repository, the liner having a first surface exposed to said fluid; fluid in the repository, said fluid exhibiting a thermal gradient when exposed to solar energy; heat exchanger means located within the fluid repository adjacent the first surface of the liner; and means for extracting the heat exchanger means from the repository without disturbing the thermal gradient in the fluid.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the extracting means comprises: first means for separating the heat exchanger means from the first surface of the liner; and second means for displacing the heat exchanger means along said first surface and out of the repository.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the heat exchanger means comprises a mat including a flexible membrane having a conduit for the reception, circulation and discharge of a heat exchanging fluid; and wherein said first means comprises means for introducing medium between the first surface of the liner and the mat for separating them from one another.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the fluid in the repository comprises a salt solution, the concentration of salt in said solution varying with depth; and wherein said medium comprises a salt solution having a concentration of salt substantially the same as the fluid near the bottom of the repository.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention of claim 13 wherein the means for introducing medium comprises the membrane having a second conduit for the reception and discharge of a dislodging medium, said conduit having a plurality of outlets opening on one side of the membrane.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention of claim 13 wherein the means for introducing medium comprises the liner having a conduit for reception and discharge of a dislodging medium, said conduit having a plurality of perforations located on said first surface of the liner.
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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) | 1988-04-15 | 1988-10-15 | 1989-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-04-15 | 1992-10-15 | 1993-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-04-15 | 1996-10-15 | 1997-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |