US4602680A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for removing moisture from compressed air
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1985-07-25
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Granted: 1986-07-29
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Expires: 2005-07-25
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for removing moisture from compressed gases such as compressed air, the appparatus being completely self contained and requiring no external power or energy source, nor any source of coolant medium, other than ambient air. The apparatus of the invention comprises a reservoir for containing a volume of liquid, and a heat exchanger connected to the reservoir located beneath the reservoir through which the liquid from the reservoir can circulate. The method of the invention comprises circulating compressed air through the heat exchanger to reduce the temperature of the compressed air and condense moisture therefrom, and circulating water through the heat exchanger from the reservoir to reduce the temperature of compressed air circulated through the heat exchanger.
Inventors
- 👤 William D. Bradford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:26
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/26; B01D53/265; F; F24; F24F; F24F5/00; F24F5/0007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
307 words
A self contained apparatus for cooling and removing moisture from a heated compressed gas which requires no external energy source or coolant source other than ambient air, comprising: a. heat exchanger means for receiving and conveying therethrough a coolant liquid and a compressed gas, and for cooling said compressed gas to a temperature at or below the temperature of the atmosphere into which the compressed gas is discharged, said heat exchanger means having coil means therein for receiving and conveying gas threrethrough, said heat exchanger means having a coolant liquid inlet means connected to first pipe means for receiving and discharging said coolant liquid and a coolant liquid outlet means connected to second pipe means for receiving and discharging said coolant liquid, said heat exchanger means having a top portion and a bottom portion, said coolant liquid outlet means in said heat exchanger means being located in said top portion of said heat exchanger means and said coolant liquid inlet means in said heat exchanger means being located in said bottom portion of said heat exchanger means, and b. reservoir means for containing said coolant liquid, said reservoir means being exposed to ambient air to enable said coolant liquid in said reservoir to be cooled solely by ambient air, said reservoir means being positioned at least 12 inches above said heat exchanger means, said reservoir means having a coolant liquid inlet means connected to said second pipe means and a coolant liquid outlet means connected to said first pipe means for receiving and discharging said coolant liquid, said reservoir means having a top portion and a bottom portion, said coolant liquid outlet means in said reservoir means being located in said bottom portion of said reservoir means, and said coolant liquid inlet means in said reservoir means being located in said top portion of said reservoir means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
307 words
A self contained apparatus for cooling and removing moisture from a heated compressed gas which requires no external energy source or coolant source other than ambient air, comprising: a. heat exchanger means for receiving and conveying therethrough a coolant liquid and a compressed gas, and for cooling said compressed gas to a temperature at or below the temperature of the atmosphere into which the compressed gas is discharged, said heat exchanger means having coil means therein for receiving and conveying gas threrethrough, said heat exchanger means having a coolant liquid inlet means connected to first pipe means for receiving and discharging said coolant liquid and a coolant liquid outlet means connected to second pipe means for receiving and discharging said coolant liquid, said heat exchanger means having a top portion and a bottom portion, said coolant liquid outlet means in said heat exchanger means being located in said top portion of said heat exchanger means and said coolant liquid inlet means in said heat exchanger means being located in said bottom portion of said heat exchanger means, and b. reservoir means for containing said coolant liquid, said reservoir means being exposed to ambient air to enable said coolant liquid in said reservoir to be cooled solely by ambient air, said reservoir means being positioned at least 12 inches above said heat exchanger means, said reservoir means having a coolant liquid inlet means connected to said second pipe means and a coolant liquid outlet means connected to said first pipe means for receiving and discharging said coolant liquid, said reservoir means having a top portion and a bottom portion, said coolant liquid outlet means in said reservoir means being located in said bottom portion of said reservoir means, and said coolant liquid inlet means in said reservoir means being located in said top portion of said reservoir means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said coolant liquid is water and said compressed gas is air.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said reservoir means has a volume of at least 30 gallons.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said reservoir means is a hollow, cylindrical plastic drum.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said heat exchanger means is a hollow cylinder having an inside diameter of at least four inches.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said heat exchanger means is at least 18 inches in length.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein gas filter and pressure regulator means are connected to said heat exchanger means for receiving and filtering said compressed gas which has been conveyed through said heat exchanger means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein water drain means is connected to said gas filter and pressure regulator means to remove water from said gas filter and pressure regulator means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said compressed gas is air and said liquid coolant is water.
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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) | 1989-07-28 | 1990-01-27 | 1990-07-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-07-28 | 1994-01-27 | 1994-07-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-07-28 | 1998-01-27 | 1998-07-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |