US4519960A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Expanded metal saddle tower packing
Assignee: Glitsch Inc
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Filing: 1983-03-10
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Granted: 1985-05-28
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Expires: 2003-03-10
Abstract
Abstract Tower packing elements adapted for dumped packing and employed to effect vapor-liquid contact in vapor-liquid contact columns for the purposes of bringing about mass and heat transfer between the liquid and vapor phases. Each packing element is of the saddle variety and is arcuately formed about orthogonal notional axes. The body of the saddle comprises expanded metal; that is, metal that has been perforated, lanced, and/or expanded by stretching along oppositely oriented axes. Also disclosed are methods of forming a segmented, semi-toroidal tower packing element from metal which has been expanded, as well as from metal which has been slitted, and which is expanded at the same time as it is formed into a saddle shape. In this manner, the advantages of metal in tower dump packing can be utilized in a saddle configuration maximizing vapor-liquid contact and efficiency of the mass and heat transfer.
Inventors
- 👤 B. Layton Kitterman
- 👤 Donald L. Glaspie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:33
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01J; B01J19/00; B01J19/30; B01J2219/00; B01J2219/30; B01J2219/302; B01J2219/30203; B01J2219/30215; B01J2219/30276; B01J2219/3028; B01J2219/304; B01J2219/30408; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S261/00; Y10S261/72; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/4935; Y10T29/49366; Y10T29/49396; Y10T29/496; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/12; Y10T428/12361
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
A dump packing element for use in vapor-liquid contact columns adapted for the flow of fluids therethrough and a turbulent interface therein, said element comprising: a semi-toroidal body of expanded metal formed from a slotted material blank having first and second sidewall curvatures formed about orthogonal notional axes to comprise a bi-directionally curved lattice of interconnected lands and segmented holes therebetween; said semi-toroidal body being deformed across said orthogonal nontional axes to comprise an expanded metal body of varying magnitudes of lateral expansion and a variably expanded lattice of interconnected lands and segmented holes therebetween adapted for receiving the flow of fluid therethrough and imparting turbulence thereto; said first orthogonal axis comprising a central notional axial element of an inner anular portion of said semi-toroidal body; said second orthogonal axis comprising a semi-circular, notional axial element of said lattice generally orthogonal to said first axis of said semi-toroidal body; said slots of said material blank being formed generally orthogonally to said second orthogonal axis and expanded generally in the direction thereof, said magnitude of expansion varying relative to said central notional axial element; and said interconnected lands of said curved lattice terminating in oppositely disposed, arrays of perimeter teeth adapted for matingly engaging segmented holes of adjacent packing elements in a vapor-liquid contact column to secure said engagment during fluid flow through the variably expanded holes therein and affording fluid transfer therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
232 words
A dump packing element for use in vapor-liquid contact columns adapted for the flow of fluids therethrough and a turbulent interface therein, said element comprising: a semi-toroidal body of expanded metal formed from a slotted material blank having first and second sidewall curvatures formed about orthogonal notional axes to comprise a bi-directionally curved lattice of interconnected lands and segmented holes therebetween; said semi-toroidal body being deformed across said orthogonal nontional axes to comprise an expanded metal body of varying magnitudes of lateral expansion and a variably expanded lattice of interconnected lands and segmented holes therebetween adapted for receiving the flow of fluid therethrough and imparting turbulence thereto; said first orthogonal axis comprising a central notional axial element of an inner anular portion of said semi-toroidal body; said second orthogonal axis comprising a semi-circular, notional axial element of said lattice generally orthogonal to said first axis of said semi-toroidal body; said slots of said material blank being formed generally orthogonally to said second orthogonal axis and expanded generally in the direction thereof, said magnitude of expansion varying relative to said central notional axial element; and said interconnected lands of said curved lattice terminating in oppositely disposed, arrays of perimeter teeth adapted for matingly engaging segmented holes of adjacent packing elements in a vapor-liquid contact column to secure said engagment during fluid flow through the variably expanded holes therein and affording fluid transfer therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The packing element as set forth in claim 1 wherein said oppositely disposed arrays of perimeter teeth are formed in substantially semi-circular patterns, disposed in generally parallel spaced relationship.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The packing element as set forth in claim 2 wherein said teeth of said array comprise relatively sharp ends of said expanded metal lattice, interconnected one to the other for affording fluid flow therebetween.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The packing element as set forth in claim 1 wherein said interconnected lands are twisted relative to said orthogonal notional axes for exposing the flow of fluid therealong to a concommitant passage of vapor through said plurality of holes therebetween.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The packing element as set forth in claim 1 wherein said array of perimeter teeth comprise an arc having an angle which subtends on the order of 140°.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The packing element as set forth in claim 1 wherein said array of perimeter teeth comprise an arc having an angle which subtends on the order of 180°.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The packing element as set forth in claim 1 wherein said array of perimeter teeth comprise an arc having an angle which subtends on the order of 90°.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
The packing element as set forth in claim 1 wherein said semi-toroidal body further comprises an intermediate body portion being formed with a radially extending knee protruding inwardly from said intermediate curved lattice for separating packing elements inadvertently nested one against the other for facilitating the passage of fluid therebetween.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The packing element as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lattice expands outwardly in opposite directions from an intermediate body portion along said second notional axis to terminate in said opposed arrays of perimeter teeth.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
The packing element as set forth in claim 9 wherein said perimeter teeth comprise ends of said expanded metal lattice terminated with a sufficiently narrow cross section to be received into holes of a lattice of adjacent packing elements within a vapor-liquid contact tower for structurally interconnecting said packing elements one to the other and providing a liquid flow path thereacross.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
160 words
Improved dump packing elements of the saddle variety utilized in vapor-liquid contact columns adapted for the flow of fluids therethrough and a turbulent interface therein, said elements each comprising individual, semi-toroidal bodies adapted for stacking one against another in random orientation for theflow of liquid and vapor thereacross, wherein the improvement comprises said semi-toroidal body being constructed of expanded metal formed from a slotted material blank which is, deformed across orthogonal notional axes to comprise an expanded metal body of varying magnitudes of lateral expansion and a variably expanded lattice of interconnnected lands and segmented holes therebetween adapted for receiving the flow of fluid therethrough and imparting turbulence thereto, and said interconnected lands of said curved lattice terminating in oppositely disposed arrays of perimeter teeth adapted for matingly engaging segmented holes of adjacent semi-toroidal bodies and forming a structural connection therebetween to secure said engagement during fluid flow through said variably expanded holes therein and a fluid transfer path thereacross.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
160 words
Improved dump packing elements of the saddle variety utilized in vapor-liquid contact columns adapted for the flow of fluids therethrough and a turbulent interface therein, said elements each comprising individual, semi-toroidal bodies adapted for stacking one against another in random orientation for theflow of liquid and vapor thereacross, wherein the improvement comprises said semi-toroidal body being constructed of expanded metal formed from a slotted material blank which is, deformed across orthogonal notional axes to comprise an expanded metal body of varying magnitudes of lateral expansion and a variably expanded lattice of interconnnected lands and segmented holes therebetween adapted for receiving the flow of fluid therethrough and imparting turbulence thereto, and said interconnected lands of said curved lattice terminating in oppositely disposed arrays of perimeter teeth adapted for matingly engaging segmented holes of adjacent semi-toroidal bodies and forming a structural connection therebetween to secure said engagement during fluid flow through said variably expanded holes therein and a fluid transfer path thereacross.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The packing element as set forth in claim 11 wherein said oppositely disposed arrays of perimeter teeth are formed in substantially semi-circular patterns, disposed in generally parallel spaced relationship.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The packing element as set forth in claim 12 wherein said teeth of said array comprise relatively sharp ends of said expanded metal lattice, interconnected one to the other for affording fluid flow therebetween.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
The packing element as set forth in claim 11 wherein said interconnected lands are twisted relative to said orthogonal notional axes for exposing the flow of fluid there-along to a concommitant passage of vapor through said plurality of apertures therebetween.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The packing element as set forth in claim 11 wherein said array of perimeter teeth comprise an arc having an angle which subtends on the order of 140°.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The packing element as set forth in claim 11 wherein said array of perimeter teeth comprise an arc having an angle which subtends on the order of 180°.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The packing element as set forth in claim 11 wherein said array of perimeter teeth comprise an arc having an angle which subtends to the order of 90°.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
50 words
The packing element as set forth in claim 11 wherein said semi-toroidal body further comprises an intermediate body portion being formed with a radially extending knee protruding inwardly from said intermediate curved lattice for separating packing elements inadvertently nested one against the other for facilitating the passage of fluid therebetween.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
The packing element as set forth in claim 11 wherein said lattice expands outwardly and in opposite directions from an intermediate body portion along said second notional axis to terminate in said opposed arrays of perimeter teeth.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
61 words
The packing element as set forth in claim 19 wherein said perimeter teeth comprise ends of said expanded metal lattice terminated with a sufficiently narrow cross section to be received into holes of a lattice of adjacent packing elements within a vapor-liquid contact tower for structurally interconnecting said packing elements one to the other and providing a liquid flow path thereacross.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
134 words
An improved dump packing bed for vapor-liquid contact columns constructed of individual, semi-toroidal elements adapted for stacking one against another in random orientation for the flow of fluids thereacross and a turbulent interface therein, wherein the improvement comprises said semi-toroidal elements being constructed of expanded metal formed from a slotted material blank deformed across orthogonal notional axes to comprise an expanded metal body of varying lateral expansion and a variably expanded lattice of interconnected lands and segmented holes therebetween adapted for receiving the flow of fluid therethrough and imparting turbulence thereto said interconnected lands of said curved lattice terminating in oppositely disposed arrays of perimeter teeth, and said teeth of said semi-toroidal elements matingly engaging segmented holes of adjacent semi-toroidal elements to secure said engagement during fluid flow through said variably expanded holes therein.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
134 words
An improved dump packing bed for vapor-liquid contact columns constructed of individual, semi-toroidal elements adapted for stacking one against another in random orientation for the flow of fluids thereacross and a turbulent interface therein, wherein the improvement comprises said semi-toroidal elements being constructed of expanded metal formed from a slotted material blank deformed across orthogonal notional axes to comprise an expanded metal body of varying lateral expansion and a variably expanded lattice of interconnected lands and segmented holes therebetween adapted for receiving the flow of fluid therethrough and imparting turbulence thereto said interconnected lands of said curved lattice terminating in oppositely disposed arrays of perimeter teeth, and said teeth of said semi-toroidal elements matingly engaging segmented holes of adjacent semi-toroidal elements to secure said engagement during fluid flow through said variably expanded holes therein.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
The packing bed as set forth in claim 21 wherein said oppositely disposed arrays of perimeter teeth of each semi-toroidal body are formed in substantially semi-circular patterns, disposed in generally parallel spaced relationship.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
34 words
The packing bed as set forth in claim 22 wherein said teeth of said array comprise relatively sharp ends of said expanded metal lattice, interconnected one to the other for affording fluid flow therebetween.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
44 words
The packing bed as set forth in claim 21 wherein said interconnected lands of said semi-toroidal bodies are twisted relative to said orthogonal notional axes for exposing the flow of fluid there-along to a concommitant passage of vapor through said plurality of apertures therebetween.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
32 words
The packing bed as set forth in claim 21 wherein said array of perimeter teeth of said semi-toroidal bodies comprise an arc having an angle which subtends on the order of 140°.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
The packing bed as set forth in claim 21 wherein said array of perimeter teeth of said semi-toroidal bodies comprise an arc having an angle which subtends on the order of 180°.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
The packing bed as set forth in claim 21 wherein said array of perimeter teeth of said semi-toroidal bodies comprise an arc having an angle which subtends on the order of 90°.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
52 words
The packing bed as set forth in claim 21 wherein each of said semi-toroidal bodies further comprises an intermediate body portion being formed with a radially extending knee protruding inwardly from said intermediate curved lattice for separating packing elements inadvertently nested one against the other for facilitating the passage of fluid therebetween.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
37 words
The packing bed as set forth in claim 21 wherein said lattice expands outwardly and in opposite directions from an intermediate body portion along said second notional axis to terminate in said opposed arrays of perimeter teeth.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
44 words
The packing bed as set forth in claim 29 wherein said perimeter teeth comprise ends of said expanded metal lattice terminated with a sufficiently narrow cross section to be received into holes of a lattice of adjacent semi-toroidal bodies within a vapor-liquid contact tower.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
30 words
The packing bed as set forth in claim 30 wherein said perimeter teeth of certain ones of said adjacent semi-toroidal bodies structurally interconnect one with the other within said bed.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
37 words
The packing bed as set forth in claim 30 wherein said perimeter teeth of certain ones of said toroidal bodies engage said segmented apertures of adjacent bodies for structurally interconnecting one with the other within said bed.
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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) | 1988-05-27 | 1988-11-26 | 1989-05-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-05-27 | 1992-11-26 | 1993-05-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-05-27 | 1996-11-26 | 1997-05-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |