US4547130A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Capillary input for pumps
Assignee: Aavid Thermacore Inc
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Filing: 1984-02-13
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Granted: 1985-10-15
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Expires: 2004-02-13
Abstract
Abstract A condensation collector for accumulating liquid for input to a pump. The collector is a device which is independent of gravity for feeding a pump collecting condensate from a vapor system. A decreasing cross section condenser is cooled to the dew point of the vapor with which it is in contact, and the interior of the collector can be a highly wettable surface or be lined with a capillary material. The collector itself has a narrow region so that as it approaches the pump input it also acts as a capillary pump. Condensed liquid is therefore fed into the pump by the collector regardless of the absence of gravity.
Inventors
- 👤 George Y. Eastman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 04:11
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04B; F04B53/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
An apparatus for supplying liquid to a pump from a vapor environment without the aid of gravity comprising: a pump for moving liquid; a collector comprising an enclosed volume the collector outlet being attached to and opening into the input of the pump and the collector input being open to a vapor environment, the collector outlet being of such dimensions so as to act as a capillary feeding liquid to the input of the pump and so as to cause collected liquid to bridge the cross section of the collector outlet without the aid of gravity; cooling means attached to the collector and capable of cooling the inside of the collector to cause vapor from the vapor environment to condense within the collector; and transport means to transport liquid from the point of condensation within the collector to the collector outlet.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
141 words
An apparatus for supplying liquid to a pump from a vapor environment without the aid of gravity comprising: a pump for moving liquid; a collector comprising an enclosed volume the collector outlet being attached to and opening into the input of the pump and the collector input being open to a vapor environment, the collector outlet being of such dimensions so as to act as a capillary feeding liquid to the input of the pump and so as to cause collected liquid to bridge the cross section of the collector outlet without the aid of gravity; cooling means attached to the collector and capable of cooling the inside of the collector to cause vapor from the vapor environment to condense within the collector; and transport means to transport liquid from the point of condensation within the collector to the collector outlet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus for supply of liquid to a pump as in claim 1 wherein the collector is constructed with a conical inner surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus for supply of liquid to a pump as in claim 1 wherein the transport means is a capillary layer upon the collector inner surface, with the capillary layer extending into the collector outlet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus for supply of liquid to a pump as in claim 1 wherein the cooling means are liquid cooling pipes attached to the collector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus for supply of liquid to a pump as in claim 1 wherein the collector is located within the vapor environment and the exterior surfaces of the collector are covered with thermal insulating material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus for supply of liquid to a pump as in claim 1 wherein the transport means is a wettable inner surface of the collector.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus for supply of liquid to a pump as in claim 1 wherein the cooling means are fins attached to the collector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus for supply of liquid to a pump as in claim 1 wherein the collector comprises a group of capillary tubes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus for supply of liquid to a pump as in claim 1 wherein the collector configuration is a flared pipe.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for supplying liquid to a pump from a vapor environment without the aid of gravity comprising: condensing liquid onto the inside surface of a collector, the input of which is open to the vapor environment and the output of which is attached to and feeding the pump, the collector output being formed to act as a capillary feeding liquid to the input of the pump and to cause collected liquid to bridge the cross section of the collector output without the aid of gravity; and transporting the condensed liquid from the area of condensation to the collector output by the use of a capillary pumping means.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for supplying liquid to a pump from a vapor environment without the aid of gravity comprising: condensing liquid onto the inside surface of a collector, the input of which is open to the vapor environment and the output of which is attached to and feeding the pump, the collector output being formed to act as a capillary feeding liquid to the input of the pump and to cause collected liquid to bridge the cross section of the collector output without the aid of gravity; and transporting the condensed liquid from the area of condensation to the collector output by the use of a capillary pumping means.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for supplying liquid to a pump from a vapor environment without the aid of gravity comprising: condensing liquid onto the inside surface of a collector, the input of which is open to the vapor environment and the output of which is attached to and feeding the pump, the collector output being formed to act as a capillary feeding liquid to the input of the pump and to cause collected liquid to bridge the cross section of the collector output without the aid of gravity; and transporting the condensed liquid from the area of condensation to the collector output by the use of a wettable inner surface of the collector.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for supplying liquid to a pump from a vapor environment without the aid of gravity comprising: condensing liquid onto the inside surface of a collector, the input of which is open to the vapor environment and the output of which is attached to and feeding the pump, the collector output being formed to act as a capillary feeding liquid to the input of the pump and to cause collected liquid to bridge the cross section of the collector output without the aid of gravity; and transporting the condensed liquid from the area of condensation to the collector output by the use of a wettable inner surface of the collector.
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) | 1988-10-14 | 1989-04-15 | 1989-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-10-14 | 1993-04-15 | 1993-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-10-14 | 1997-04-15 | 1997-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |