Patent US4687049A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4687049A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermally reversible heat exchange unit and method of using same
Assignee: Ergenics Inc
•
Filing: 1986-11-14
•
Granted: 1987-08-18
•
Expires: 2006-11-14
Abstract
Abstract A thermally reversible heat exchange unit and method of use comprising an elongated outer jacket, at least one interior heat transfer surface and heat exchange fluid flowing therebetween in plug fashion.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter M. Golben
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:33
CPC Classifications
C; C01; C01B; C01B3/00; C01B3/0005; F; F25; F25B; F25B17/00; F25B17/12; F28; F28D; F28D7/00; F28D7/10; F28D7/106; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A30/00; Y02A30/27; Y02B; Y02B30/00; Y02B30/62; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/32; Y02P; Y02P20/00; Y02P20/10; Y02P20/129
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A thermally reversible heat exchange unit comprising an elongated tubular jacket having a predetermined length and an inner wall of predetermined diameter, said jacket having an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end, an elongated tubular metal heat transfer surface positioned in the jacket essentially longitudinally of said jacket and substantially equal in length to the length of said jacket, there being a space within the inner wall of said jacket configured to permit a heat exchange liquid to flow between the inner wall of said jacket and said heat transfer surface and wherein the ratio of said length of said jacket to its inside diameter is greater than 50 to 1, whereby to permit a flow of successive portions of miscible heat exchange liquid of differing temperatures between said inlet and said outlet while retaining a substantial difference in temperatures at the interface between successive ones of said liquid portions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A thermally reversible heat exchange unit comprising an elongated tubular jacket having a predetermined length and an inner wall of predetermined diameter, said jacket having an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end, an elongated tubular metal heat transfer surface positioned in the jacket essentially longitudinally of said jacket and substantially equal in length to the length of said jacket, there being a space within the inner wall of said jacket configured to permit a heat exchange liquid to flow between the inner wall of said jacket and said heat transfer surface and wherein the ratio of said length of said jacket to its inside diameter is greater than 50 to 1, whereby to permit a flow of successive portions of miscible heat exchange liquid of differing temperatures between said inlet and said outlet while retaining a substantial difference in temperatures at the interface between successive ones of said liquid portions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A heat exchange unit as in claim 1 further comprising at least one metal tube, and wherein any one of said at least one elongated heat transfer surface is the exterior surface of said at least one metal tube, said tube extending from said jacket in leak proof sealing configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A heat exchange unit as in claim 2 wherein said at least one tube is a hydride container made of hydrogen resistant metal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A heat exchange unit as in claim 3 wherein said hydride container contains an essentially coaxial spring defining a central hydrogen gas space and confining metallic hydride former against the tube wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A heat exchange unit as in claim 1 wherein the ratio of the length of said jacket to its effective inside diameter is at least about 140 to 1.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A heat exchange unit as in claim 1 wherein the ratio of the length of said jacket to its effective inside diameter is greater than 140 to 1.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of using a thermally reversible heat exchange unit comprising an elongated tubular jacket having a predetermined length and an inner wall of predetermined diameter, said jacket having an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end, an elongated tubular metal heat transfer surface positioned in the jacket essentially longitudinally of the jacket and substantially equal in length to the length of said jacket, there being a space within the inner wall of said jacket, configured to permit a heat exchange liquid to flow between the inner wall of said jacket and said heat transfer surface and wherein the ratio of said length of said jacket to its inside diameter is greater than 50 to 1, said method comprising the steps of continuously forcing heat exchange liquid into said inlet and out said outlet, alternately at a high entering temperature and at a low entering temperature, at a specific flow rate great enough to obtain plug flow of said heat exchange liquid through said jacket.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of using a thermally reversible heat exchange unit comprising an elongated tubular jacket having a predetermined length and an inner wall of predetermined diameter, said jacket having an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end, an elongated tubular metal heat transfer surface positioned in the jacket essentially longitudinally of the jacket and substantially equal in length to the length of said jacket, there being a space within the inner wall of said jacket, configured to permit a heat exchange liquid to flow between the inner wall of said jacket and said heat transfer surface and wherein the ratio of said length of said jacket to its inside diameter is greater than 50 to 1, said method comprising the steps of continuously forcing heat exchange liquid into said inlet and out said outlet, alternately at a high entering temperature and at a low entering temperature, at a specific flow rate great enough to obtain plug flow of said heat exchange liquid through said jacket.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 7 wherein said specific flow rate is greater than 0.5 LPM/cm 2 .
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 7 wherein said specific flow rate is at least 2.25 LPM/cm 2 .
Claim 12
Independent Claim
171 words
A method of using a thermally reversible heat exchange unit comprising an elongated tubular jacket having a predetermined length and an inner wall of predetermined diameter, said jacket having an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end, an elongated tubular metal heat transfer surface positioned in the jacket essentially longitudinally of the jacket and substantially equal in length to the length of said jacket, there being a space within the inner wall of said jacket configured to permit a heat exchange liquid to flow between the inner wall of said jacket and said heat transfer surface and wherein the ratio of the length of said jacket to its effective inside diameter is at least about 140 to 1, said method comprising the steps of continuously forcing heat exchange liquid into said inlet and out said outlet, alternately at a high entering temperature and at a low entering temperature, at a specific flow rate great enough to obtain plug flow of said heat exchange liquid through said jacket.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
171 words
A method of using a thermally reversible heat exchange unit comprising an elongated tubular jacket having a predetermined length and an inner wall of predetermined diameter, said jacket having an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end, an elongated tubular metal heat transfer surface positioned in the jacket essentially longitudinally of the jacket and substantially equal in length to the length of said jacket, there being a space within the inner wall of said jacket configured to permit a heat exchange liquid to flow between the inner wall of said jacket and said heat transfer surface and wherein the ratio of the length of said jacket to its effective inside diameter is at least about 140 to 1, said method comprising the steps of continuously forcing heat exchange liquid into said inlet and out said outlet, alternately at a high entering temperature and at a low entering temperature, at a specific flow rate great enough to obtain plug flow of said heat exchange liquid through said jacket.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 10 wherein said specific flow rate is greater than 0.5 LPM/cm 2 .
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 10 wherein said specific flow rate is at least 2.25 LPM/cm 2 .
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) | 1990-08-17 | 1991-02-16 | 1991-08-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-08-17 | 1995-02-16 | 1995-08-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-08-17 | 1999-02-16 | 1999-08-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |