US4864831A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ice storage refrigerating apparatus of direct contact type
Assignee: Kajima Corp
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Filing: 1988-07-11
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Granted: 1989-09-12
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Expires: 2008-07-11
Abstract
Abstract An ice storage refrigerating apparatus of direct contact type comprises a closed crystallizer tank containing water therein and a refrigerant circulating system. A refrigerant consisting essentially of a hydrocarbon having four carbon atoms and/or a hydrocarbon having five carbon atoms is brought into direct contact with the water contained in the crystallizer tank to form ice in sherbet form which is used for heat exchange to provide chilled water used for air conditioning.
Inventors
- 👤 Toshiyuki Hino
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:34
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25D; F25D16/00; F24; F24F; F24F5/00; F24F5/0007; F24F5/0017; F25B; F25B2315/00; F25B2315/003; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
An ice storage refrigerating apparatus of direct contact type comprising a gastight crystallizer tank enclosing therein water and a refrigerant substantially insoluble to the water, a condenser disposed in an upper space of said crystallizer tank and cooled by an external refrigerator for condensing said refrigerant, and sprinkler means disposed in said upper space for sprinkling the liquid pumped out from the bottom part of said crystallizer tank and fed through conduit means, said refrigerant dropping in liquid form from said condenser and said liquid pumped out from the bottom part of said crystallizer tank being mixed together on the liquid level in said crystallizer tank to form ice in particle form.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
An ice storage refrigerating apparatus of direct contact type comprising a gastight crystallizer tank enclosing therein water and a refrigerant substantially insoluble to the water, a condenser disposed in an upper space of said crystallizer tank and cooled by an external refrigerator for condensing said refrigerant, and sprinkler means disposed in said upper space for sprinkling the liquid pumped out from the bottom part of said crystallizer tank and fed through conduit means, said refrigerant dropping in liquid form from said condenser and said liquid pumped out from the bottom part of said crystallizer tank being mixed together on the liquid level in said crystallizer tank to form ice in particle form.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
An ice storage refrigerating apparatus of direct contact type according to claim 1, wherein a heat exchanger for deriving coolness is disposed midway of said conduit means through which said liquid pumped out from the bottom part of said crystallizer tank is fed to said sprinkler means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
An ice storage refrigerating apparatus of direct contact type according to claim 2, wherein the open upper end of said conduit means is located so that it is exposed above the water level at the beginning of ice making operation but is submerged in the water at the end of the ice making operation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
An ice storage refrigerating apparatus of direct contact type according to claim 2, wherein a seed crystal introduction port is provided at a suitable position of said conduit means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
An ice storage refrigerating apparatus of direct contact type according to claim 1, wherein said sprinkler means is disposed beneath said condenser but above the liquid level in said crystallizer tank.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
An ice storage refrigerating apparatus of direct contact type according to claim 1, wherein said sprinkler means is disposed beneath the liquid level in said crystallizer tank.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
An ice storage refrigerating apparatus of direct contact type according to claim 6, wherein baffle means is disposed between said condenser and the liquid level in said crystallizer tank.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
An ice storage refrigerating apparatus of direct contact type according to claim 7, wherein a chilled water heat exchanger for deriving coolness is independently disposed in said crystallizer tank.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
An ice storage refrigerating apparatus of direct contact type according to claim 6, wherein the open upper end of said conduit means is shaped in the form of a T having lateral openings.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1992-09-11 | 1993-03-13 | 1993-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-09-11 | 1997-03-13 | 1997-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-09-11 | 2001-03-13 | 2001-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |