US5339640A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heat exchanger for a thermoacoustic heat pump
Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1992-12-23
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Granted: 1994-08-23
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Expires: 2012-12-23
Abstract
Abstract The efficiency of a thermoacoustic device including a gas-filled, elongated resonator tube (10), an acoustic driver (16) and a tube (10) for establishing a standing wave therein, an elongated stack (20) within the tube (10) having opposite (24, 26) spaced from the driver (16) can be increased with first and second heat exchangers (28, 30) in proximity to the stack (20) at each end (24, 26) thereof where each of the heat exchangers comprises at least one tube (56, 70) formed into a plurality of spaced runs (58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82). The tubes (56, 70) have an inlet (96) and an outlet (102) spaced therefrom and fins (94) are bonded to the tubes (56, 70) in the spaces between the runs (58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82).
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Reinke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 07:57
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B9/00; F25B9/14; F25B9/145; F28; F28D; F28D7/00; F28D7/08; F28D7/082; F28D9/00; F28D9/04; F02; F02G; F02G2243/00; F02G2243/30; F02G2243/50; F02G2243/52; F02G2243/54; F25B2309/00; F25B2309/14; F25B2309/1402; F25B2309/1412
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
In a thermoacoustic device, the combination of: gas filled elongated, resonator tube; an acoustic driver in said tube for establishing a standing wave therein; an elongated plate within said tube, said plate having opposite ends spaced from said driver; first and second heat exchangers in proximity to said plate, one at each end thereof; at least one of said heat exchangers comprising a tube bent into a plurality of spaced runs; said tube having an inlet and an outlet spaced therefrom; and fins bonded to said tube in the spaces between said runs; said plate being in a plurality of spaced runs, the spacing between said plate runs defining a first-free flow area for said gas; and the spacing between the tube runs with said fins in place defining a second free-flow area substantially equal to said first free-flow area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
In a thermoacoustic device, the combination of: gas filled elongated, resonator tube; an acoustic driver in said tube for establishing a standing wave therein; an elongated plate within said tube, said plate having opposite ends spaced from said driver; first and second heat exchangers in proximity to said plate, one at each end thereof; at least one of said heat exchangers comprising a tube bent into a plurality of spaced runs; said tube having an inlet and an outlet spaced therefrom; and fins bonded to said tube in the spaces between said runs; said plate being in a plurality of spaced runs, the spacing between said plate runs defining a first-free flow area for said gas; and the spacing between the tube runs with said fins in place defining a second free-flow area substantially equal to said first free-flow area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The thermoacoustic device of claim 1 wherein said tube runs are curved and generally concentric.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The thermoacoustic device of claim 1 wherein there are a plurality of said tubes defining a plurality of generally concentric runs, said inlet and said outlet being common to said plurality of tubes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
127 words
In a thermoacoustic device, the combination of: gas filled elongated, resonator tube; an acoustic driver in said tube for establishing a standing wave therein; an elongated plate within said tube, said plate having opposite ends spaced from said driver; first and second heat exchangers in proximity to said plate, one at each end thereof; at least one of said heat exchangers comprising a tube bent into a plurality of spaced runs; said tube having an inlet and an outlet spaced therefrom; and fins bonded to said tube in the spaces between said runs; said tube runs being curved and generally concentric; there being two said tubes, each bent into a plurality of generally concentric half-circular runs, said inlet and said outlet being common to said two tubes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
127 words
In a thermoacoustic device, the combination of: gas filled elongated, resonator tube; an acoustic driver in said tube for establishing a standing wave therein; an elongated plate within said tube, said plate having opposite ends spaced from said driver; first and second heat exchangers in proximity to said plate, one at each end thereof; at least one of said heat exchangers comprising a tube bent into a plurality of spaced runs; said tube having an inlet and an outlet spaced therefrom; and fins bonded to said tube in the spaces between said runs; said tube runs being curved and generally concentric; there being two said tubes, each bent into a plurality of generally concentric half-circular runs, said inlet and said outlet being common to said two tubes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
141 words
A thermoacoustic heat transfer apparatus comprising: an elongated, gas-filled resonator tube; at least one acoustic driver associated with said tube for establishing a standing wave therein; an elongated heat transfer plate within the tube made up of a plurality of spaced layers of material of relatively poor thermal conductivity, the spacing between said layers defining a free flow area; a heat exchanger core mounted adjacent an end of said plate and including a plurality of runs of flattened tubing adapted to define the liquid side of a heat exchanger; an inlet to said tubing; an outlet from said tubing; said tube runs being separated by spaces; and fins in and spanning said spaces and bonded to said tubing, the area of said spaces less the area occupied by said fins being generally about equal to or greater than said free-flow area.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
141 words
A thermoacoustic heat transfer apparatus comprising: an elongated, gas-filled resonator tube; at least one acoustic driver associated with said tube for establishing a standing wave therein; an elongated heat transfer plate within the tube made up of a plurality of spaced layers of material of relatively poor thermal conductivity, the spacing between said layers defining a free flow area; a heat exchanger core mounted adjacent an end of said plate and including a plurality of runs of flattened tubing adapted to define the liquid side of a heat exchanger; an inlet to said tubing; an outlet from said tubing; said tube runs being separated by spaces; and fins in and spanning said spaces and bonded to said tubing, the area of said spaces less the area occupied by said fins being generally about equal to or greater than said free-flow area.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The heat exchanger of claim 5 wherein said core is generally cylindrical.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The heat exchanger of claim 5 wherein said plurality of runs are defined by separate heat exchanger tubes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The heat exchanger of claim 7 wherein said separate heat exchanger tubes share said inlet and said outlet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The heat exchanger of claim 5 wherein said core has a depth about equal to the length of the path of movement of a parcel of gas within said resonator tube.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The heat exchanger of claim 5 wherein said runs are curved and concentric to be adapted for use with a plate wherein the layers are radially spaced convolutions of a coil.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The heat transfer apparatus of claim 5 wherein the area of said spaces less the area occupied by said fins is generally about equal to or just slightly greater than said free-flow area.
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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) | 1997-08-22 | 1998-02-21 | 1998-08-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-08-22 | 2002-02-21 | 2002-08-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-08-22 | 2006-02-21 | 2006-08-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |