U.S. patent application number 12/663266 was filed with the patent office on 2010-07-22 for fluid storage containers with baffles.
This patent application is currently assigned to AUBURN UNIVERSITY. Invention is credited to Jeyhoon M. Khodadadi.
Application Number | 20100180836 12/663266 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40130093 |
Filed Date | 2010-07-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100180836 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Khodadadi; Jeyhoon M. |
July 22, 2010 |
FLUID STORAGE CONTAINERS WITH BAFFLES
Abstract
A fluid storage container with a baffle controls the heat
absorption percentage of the container. Fluid that is heated
adjacent to the surface of a container rises replacing colder fluid
which sinks downward, regardless of the baffle. This behavior is
able to lead to onset of oscillations in the temperature and flow
fields. Due to blockage effect of a thin baffle, multi-cell
recirculating vortex structures are observed. The number and
strength of these vortices depend on the position and length of the
baffle. For certain placements and lengths of the baffle, the time
rate of the rise of the bulk temperature is increased or
decreased.
Inventors: |
Khodadadi; Jeyhoon M.;
(Auburn, AL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HAVERSTOCK & OWENS LLP
162 N WOLFE ROAD
SUNNYVALE
CA
94086
US
|
Assignee: |
AUBURN UNIVERSITY
Auburn
AL
|
Family ID: |
40130093 |
Appl. No.: |
12/663266 |
Filed: |
June 11, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
June 11, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US08/07484 |
371 Date: |
March 30, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60934635 |
Jun 15, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
122/19.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F17C 2223/0161 20130101;
F17C 2201/0104 20130101; F17C 2260/023 20130101; F17C 2221/033
20130101; F17C 1/00 20130101; F17C 2201/0128 20130101; F17C
2203/0639 20130101; F17C 2201/0157 20130101; F17C 2270/05 20130101;
F17C 2223/033 20130101; F24H 1/205 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
122/19.1 |
International
Class: |
F24H 9/00 20060101
F24H009/00 |
Claims
1. A system comprising: a. a container for storing a fluid; and b.
a baffle within the container, the baffle configured for
controlling heat absorption in the fluid.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein controlling heat absorption in the
fluid includes increasing heat absorption in the fluid.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein controlling heat absorption in the
fluid includes decreasing heat absorption in the fluid.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the container comprises one of a
cylindrical and a spherical shape.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein the container and the baffle
comprise a conductive material.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein the container and the baffle
comprise steel.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein the baffle comprises one of a ring
shape and an extension of a wall of the container.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein the baffle comprises a length of
approximately 0.25 of the diameter of the container.
9. The system of claim 1 wherein the baffle is positioned with one
of an angle of 30.degree., 60.degree., 90.degree., 120.degree. and
150.degree..
10. The system of claim 1 wherein the baffle is positioned
proximate to the bottom of the container.
11. The system of claim 1 wherein the baffle is movable.
12. The system of claim 1 wherein the baffle is foldable.
13. A method of providing heated water comprising: a. filling a
storage container with water, the storage container including an
internal baffle; and b. heating the storage container and the
baffle to heat the water.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the container comprises one of a
cylindrical and a spherical shape.
15. The method of claim 13 wherein the container and the baffle
comprise a conductive material.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the container and the baffle
comprise steel.
17. The method of claim 13 wherein the baffle comprises one of a
ring shape and an extension of a wall of the container.
18. The method of claim 13 wherein the baffle comprises a length of
approximately 0.25 of the diameter of the container.
19. The method of claim 13 wherein the baffle is positioned with
one of an angle of 30.degree., 60.degree., 90.degree., 120.degree.
and 150.degree..
20. The method of claim 13 wherein the baffle is positioned
proximate to the bottom of the container.
21. An apparatus comprising: a. a cylindrical storage container for
storing a fluid; and b. a ring-shaped baffle within the container,
the baffle configured for increasing heat absorption in the fluid,
wherein the container and the baffle comprise a conductive
material.
22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the baffle comprises a length
of approximately 0.25 of the diameter of the container.
23. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the conductive material
comprises steel.
24. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the baffle is positioned with
one of an angle of 30.degree., 60.degree., 90.degree., 120.degree.
and 150.degree..
25. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the baffle is positioned
proximate to the bottom of the container.
26. A water heater comprising: a. a container for storing a fluid;
b. a heating element positioned below the container for heating the
fluid within the container; and c. a baffle within the container,
the baffle configured for increasing heat absorption in the
fluid.
27. The water heater of claim 26 further comprising a cold water
inlet and a hot water outlet coupled to the container, the cold
water inlet for receiving cold water into the container and the hot
water outlet for releasing hot water from the container.
28. The water heater of claim 26 wherein the container and the
baffle comprise a conductive material.
29. The water heater of claim 28 wherein the container and the
baffle comprise steel.
30. The water heater of claim 26 wherein the baffle comprises one
of a ring shape and an extension of a wall of the container.
31. The water heater of claim 26 wherein the baffle comprises a
length of approximately 0.25 of the diameter of the container.
32. The water heater of claim 26 wherein the baffle is positioned
with one of an angle of 30.degree., 60.degree., 90.degree.,
120.degree. and 150.degree..
33. The water heater of claim 26 wherein the baffle is positioned
proximate to the bottom of the container.
34. A method of controlling heat absorption in a fluid comprising:
a. inputting fluid into a storage container, the storage container
including an internal baffle; and b. controlling heat absorption of
the fluid with the baffle.
35. The method of claim 34 wherein the container comprises one of a
cylindrical and a spherical shape.
36. The method of claim 34 wherein the container and the baffle
comprise a conductive material.
37. The method of claim 36 wherein the container and the baffle
comprise steel.
38. The method of claim 34 wherein the baffle comprises one of a
ring shape and an extension of a wall of the container.
39. The method of claim 34 wherein the baffle comprises a length of
approximately 0.25 of the diameter of the container.
40. The method of claim 34 wherein the baffle is positioned with
one of an angle of 30.degree., 60.degree., 90.degree., 120.degree.
and 150.degree..
41. The method of claim 34 wherein the baffle is positioned
proximate to the bottom of the container.
42. A system for storing and transporting liquid natural gas
comprising: a. a container for storing the liquid natural gas; and
b. a baffle within the container, the baffle configured for
reducing heat absorption in the liquid natural gas.
43. The system of claim 42 wherein the container comprises one of a
spherical shape, a polygonal cross section shape, a membrane design
and a Moss.TM. design.
44. The system of claim 42 wherein the container and the baffle
comprise a conductive material.
45. The system of claim 44 wherein the container and the baffle
comprise steel.
46. The system of claim 42 wherein the baffle comprises an
extension of a wall of the container.
47. The system of claim 42 wherein the baffle is positioned with
one of an angle of 30.degree., 60.degree., 90.degree., 120.degree.
and 150.degree..
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/934,635, filed Jun. 15, 2007 and
entitled FLUID STORAGE CONTAINERS WITH BAFFLES; which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all
purposes.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of fluid
containers. More specifically, the present invention relates to the
field of fluid containers containing a baffle for controlling heat
absorption.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The demand for energy in general, and natural gas in
particular, has been steadily rising over the past decades.
Furthermore, the price of energy, has been rapidly increasing over
the past few years. With these trends in mind, products which
utilize less energy are always welcomed by consumers.
[0004] Natural gas-fired water heaters are simple units that store
part of the energy released by burning of the fuel inside an
insulated tank that is filled with water. A superior water heater
is able to absorb a greater percentage of the thermal energy
liberated by the burning of natural gas, and at the same time,
exhibit low heat losses to the environment. Lowering heat losses
through insulating the storage tank is widely practiced and
promoted. Attempts to increase the heat absorption by the storage
tank have been pursued through introducing helical swirl tapes to
promote convective and radiative modes of heat exchange. Ways of
improving heat absorption and preventing heat loss are continuously
sought after objectives.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A fluid storage container with a baffle controls the heat
absorption percentage of the container. Fluid that is heated
adjacent to the surface of a container rises replacing colder fluid
which sinks downward, regardless of the baffle. This behavior is
able to lead to onset of oscillations in the temperature and flow
fields. Due to blockage effect of a thin baffle, multi-cell
recirculating vortex structures are observed. The number and
strength of these vortices depend on the position and length of the
baffle. For certain placements and lengths of the baffle, the time
rate of the rise of the bulk temperature is increased or
decreased.
[0006] In one aspect, a system comprises a container for storing a
fluid and a baffle within the container, the baffle configured for
controlling heat absorption in the fluid. Controlling heat
absorption in the fluid includes increasing heat absorption in the
fluid. Alternatively, controlling heat absorption in the fluid
includes decreasing heat absorption in the fluid. The container
comprises one of a cylindrical and a spherical shape. The container
and the baffle comprise a conductive material. The container and
the baffle comprise steel. The baffle comprises one of a ring shape
and an extension of a wall of the container. In some embodiments,
the baffle comprises a length of approximately 0.25 of the diameter
of the container. In some embodiments, the baffle is positioned
with one of an angle of 30.degree., 60.degree., 90.degree.,
120.degree. and 150.degree.. The baffle is positioned proximate to
the bottom of the container. The baffle is movable. The baffle is
foldable, thus allowing the appropriate degree of control of heat
transfer that may depend on the liquid level maintained in the
container.
[0007] In another aspect, a method of providing heated water
comprises filling a storage container with water, the storage
container including an internal baffle and heating the storage
container and the baffle to heat the water. The container comprises
one of a cylindrical and a spherical shape. The container and the
baffle comprise a conductive material. The container and the baffle
comprise steel. The baffle comprises one of a ring shape and an
extension of a wall of the container. In some embodiments, the
baffle comprises a length of approximately 0.25 of the diameter of
the container. In some embodiments, the baffle is positioned with
one of an angle of 30.degree., 60.degree., 90.degree., 120.degree.
and 150.degree.. The baffle is positioned proximate to the bottom
of the container.
[0008] In another aspect, an apparatus comprises a cylindrical
storage container for storing a fluid and a ring-shaped baffle
coupled within the container, the baffle configured for increasing
heat absorption in the fluid, wherein the container and the baffle
comprise a conductive material. In some embodiments, the baffle
comprises a length of approximately 0.25 of the diameter of the
container. The conductive material comprises steel. In some
embodiments, the baffle is positioned with one of an angle of
30.degree., 60.degree., 90.degree., 120.degree. and 150.degree..
The baffle is positioned proximate to the bottom of the
container.
[0009] In another aspect, a water heater comprises a container for
storing a fluid, a heating element positioned below the container
for heating the fluid within the container and a baffle within the
container, the baffle configured for increasing heat absorption in
the fluid. The water heater further comprises a cold water inlet
and a hot water outlet coupled to the container, the cold water
inlet for receiving cold water into the container and the hot water
outlet for releasing hot water from the container. The container
and the baffle comprise a conductive material. The container and
the baffle comprise steel. The baffle comprises one of a ring shape
and an extension of a wall of the container. In some embodiments,
the baffle comprises a length of approximately 0.25 of the diameter
of the container. In some embodiments, the baffle is positioned
with one of an angle of 30.degree., 60.degree., 90.degree.,
120.degree. and 150.degree.. The baffle is positioned proximate to
the bottom of the container.
[0010] In another aspect, a method of controlling heat absorption
in a fluid comprises inputting fluid into a storage container, the
storage container including an internal baffle and controlling heat
absorption of the fluid with the baffle. The container comprises
one of a cylindrical and a spherical shape. The container and the
baffle comprise a conductive material. The container and the baffle
comprise steel. The baffle comprises one of a ring shape and an
extension of a wall of the container. In some embodiments, the
baffle comprises a length of approximately 0.25 of the diameter of
the container. In some embodiments, the baffle is positioned with
one of an angle of 30.degree., 60.degree., 90.degree., 120.degree.
and 150.degree.. The baffle is positioned proximate to the bottom
of the container.
[0011] In another aspect, a system for storing and transporting
liquid natural gas comprises a container for storing the liquid
natural gas and a baffle within the container, the baffle
configured for reducing heat absorption in the liquid natural gas.
In some embodiments, the container comprises one of a spherical
shape, a polygonal cross section shape, a membrane design and a
Moss.TM. design. The container and the baffle comprise a conductive
material. The container and the baffle comprise steel. The baffle
comprises an extension of a wall of the container. In some
embodiments, the baffle is positioned with one of an angle of
30.degree., 60.degree., 90.degree., 120.degree. and
150.degree..
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic drawing of a baffle placed on
the inner wall of a spherical container.
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates pseudosteady-state streamline patterns
and temperature contours with an isothermal baffle placed at
various locations for varying Rayleigh (Ra) numbers.
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a graph of the dependence of the Nusselt
number on the location of the baffle, .theta..sub.b.
[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross section view of a water heater
with a baffle of an embodiment in accordance with the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the baffle of an embodiment
in accordance with the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of a method of utilizing a
storage container with a baffle to efficiently provide heated water
of an embodiment in accordance with the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 7 illustrates a spherical liquid natural gas container
for storing and transporting liquid natural gas.
[0019] FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart of a method of utilizing a
storage container with a baffle to efficiently control the heat
absorption of a fluid of an embodiment in accordance with the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] A storage tank with a baffle is able to control heat
absorption into a fluid. For example, heat absorption is able to be
increased so that less energy is required to heat water, or heat
absorption is lessened so that a cooled fluid such as liquid
natural gas is able to remain at the appropriate temperature for a
longer period of time. The flow of the fluid is modified such as
generating vortices by the baffle so that heat is more or less
efficiently transferred into the fluid.
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic drawing of a thin baffle 102
placed on the inner wall of a spherical container 100 with a
diameter D. In some embodiments, the baffle 102 is an extended
surface of the wall of the container 100. The baffle 102 and the
wall of the spherical container 100 have high thermal conductivity.
In effect, the temperature of the baffle 102 is the same as that of
the wall of the spherical container 100, thus termed isothermal.
The baffle 102 with a length l makes a right angle with the inner
surface of the spherical container 100 and is positioned at polar
angle .theta..sub.b. In some embodiments, the baffle 102 is part of
a cone with its apex coinciding with the center of the spherical
container 100. The flow and thermal fields are dictated by the
Rayleigh (Ra) number, Prandtl (Pr) number, length of the baffle and
its polar angle position. It has been found that the Pr number has
little effect on the results. The Ra number, dimensionless length
of the baffle (L=l/D) and polar angle position, .theta..sub.b, have
been varied to determine the best results.
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates pseudosteady-state streamline patterns
and temperature contours with an isothermal baffle (L=0.25) placed
at various locations for varying Rayleigh (Ra) numbers. The Ra
number variations include: 10.sup.4, 10.sup.5, 10.sup.6 and
10.sup.7, and the baffle's position variations include:
.theta..sub.b=30.degree., 90.degree. and 150.degree.. With the
baffle positioned near the top at .theta..sub.b=30.degree. (left
column), the increase of the Ra number brings about stronger
convection and fluid flow within the clockwise rotating vortex as
indicated by the denser packing of the streamlines next to the
surface. This is accompanied by lifting of the eye of the vortex
and its migration outward. For the highest Ra number used, two
vortices occupy the top hemisphere. For this case, the top
hemisphere is partially stratified with stable constant-temperature
layers occupying it, whereas the thermal field within the bottom
hemisphere is heavily affected by the stronger rotating vortex that
occupies it. The flow fields for the cases with the longest baffle
positioned near the bottom at .theta..sub.b=150.degree. (right
column) exhibit many of the features with the baffle located at
.theta..sub.b=30.degree., but in reverse in addition to the
appearance of another counter clockwise rotating vortex for a wide
range of Ra numbers. It should be understood that the angle of the
baffle can be any appropriate angle and is not limited to any
specific angle described herein for illustrative purposes. The
appearance of this counter clockwise rotating vortex is directly
linked to the isothermal surface of the baffle and the resultant
extra heat released into the fluid from this surface. A
recirculating vortex that occupies the small space between the
baffle and the symmetry line of the sphere is generally confined to
the lower hemisphere for all the Ra numbers and more dramatically
in the vicinity of the symmetry axis for the higher Ra numbers.
Extremely pronounced modifications of the temperature fields are
observed for the high Ra number cases showing that the
stratifications are generally eliminated, and the extra heat added
to the sphere is transported inside by a counter clockwise rotating
vortex that is positioned next to the top surface of the
baffle.
[0023] The overall effects of the complex flow and thermal fields
shown in FIG. 2 on the heat absorption ability of the system
described provide evidence that the baffle within the storage
container significantly affects the efficiency of heat absorption.
The heat absorption rate is measured by the Nusselt number and its
dependence on the position of the baffle (.theta..sub.b) with a
thin isothermal baffle of different lengths (L=0.05, 0.10 and 0.25)
for Ra=10.sup.7 is presented in FIG. 3. The reference case (the
dashed line) is that of a sphere without a baffle. The short
baffles tended to degrade the heat absorption by the fluid in the
sphere. The 0.25 baffle when placed near the bottom of the sphere
increased the amount of heat absorbed by the fluid by 103 percent.
It should be understood that the length of the baffle can be any
appropriate length and is not limited to any specific length
described herein for illustrative purposes.
[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross section view of a water heater
400 with a baffle 430 of an embodiment in accordance with the
present invention. For the most part, the water heater 400 is a
standard water heater with the addition of the baffle 430. In some
embodiments, the water heater 400 is cylindrically shaped and in
some embodiments, the water heater 400 is spherically shaped. The
water heater includes a cold water inlet 402 where cold water is
received. In some embodiments, a water meter 404 is used to measure
the water received. The water goes to a storage tank 424 of the
water heater 400 to be heated. To heat the cold water, a burner 412
is included in the water heater 400. The burner 412 is positioned
below where the water is stored so that the burner 412 heats the
water from beneath. Hot air from the burner 412 travels up a
heating pipe 428 which also heats the water. The burner 412
receives gas through a natural gas inlet 406. In some embodiments,
a gas flow meter 408 monitors the flow of the gas into the burner
412. An air inlet 414 is included in the water heater 400 to
provide the burner oxygen to properly burn the gas. In some
embodiments, a drain valve 416 is included in case the water heater
400 needs to be drained. In some embodiments, a relief valve 418 is
also included in the water heater 400. A thermostat 410 measures
the water temperature, and in conjunction with the gas inlet 406
provides the burner 412 with the appropriate amount of gas to
achieve the desired temperature. The water heater 400 also includes
an exhaust pipe 420 coupled to the heating pipe 428 for allowing
the exhaust of the burner 412 to escape. A hot water outlet 422 is
where the hot water exits the water heater 400 (e.g. to sinks,
showers and bathtubs through pipes in a person's house).
[0025] The baffle 430 is coupled inside the storage tank 424 of the
water heater 400, and in some embodiments, to the heating pipe 428
to help conduct heat to the water in the storage tank 424. In some
embodiments, the baffle 430 is circular, a thin piece of material
or another shape. In some embodiments, more than one baffle is
contained within the storage container. The baffle 430 comprises a
conductive material such as steel. In some embodiments, the
thickness of the baffle 430 is as thin as possible while still
maintaining structural soundness. In some embodiments, the baffle
is positioned at an angle such as 30.degree., 60.degree.,
90.degree., 120.degree. or 150.degree.. The location of the baffle
is able to be located near the bottom of the container, near the
middle of the container or near the top of the container.
[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the baffle 430 of an
embodiment in accordance with the present invention. As described
above, the baffle 430 is ring-shaped in some embodiments. In some
embodiments, the ring-shaped baffle 430 is configured to fit around
the heating pipe 428 (FIG. 4). Thus, the inner diameter of the
baffle 430 is sized accordingly. The outer diameter is sized such
that the length between the inner diameter and the outer diameter
maximizes the heat absorption of the water.
[0027] FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of a method of utilizing a
storage container with a baffle to efficiently provide heated water
of an embodiment in accordance with the present invention. In the
step 600, the storage container with the baffle is at least
partially filled with a fluid such as water to be heated. In the
step 602, the storage container and baffle are heated. In some
embodiments, heating occurs by burning gas at the bottom of the
storage container where the flames of the burning gas directly
contact the storage container. The heat is conducted through the
storage container and into the water as well as the baffle.
Additionally, hot air travels up a heated air pipe which is in
contact with the baffle further heating the baffle which provides
additional heat to the water. Furthermore, the baffle provides the
fluid flow described above which further enhances heat absorption
by the water.
[0028] In addition to a baffle within a water heater to improve
heat absorption, there are many other applications for a container
with a baffle. In general, a baffle is able to assist in
controlling heat absorption. Instead of a baffle being used for
heating a fluid more quickly, the baffle is also able to be used to
prevent a fluid from heating quickly. Baffles within containers are
able to be used in any industry, including, but not limited to,
water heaters, and storage and transportation of liquid natural gas
and liquid hydrogen.
[0029] FIG. 7 illustrates a spherical liquid natural gas container
700 for storing and transporting liquid natural gas. The container
700 includes one or more baffles which control the heat absorption
of the liquid natural gas. Specifically, the baffles are configured
to lessen or minimize the heat absorption by the liquid natural gas
to prevent boiloff, thus allowing more of the liquid natural gas to
remain. The spherical shape illustrated in FIG. 7 is for
illustrative purposes. In some embodiments, the container 700 is
able to be a polygonal cross section shape, a membrane design or a
Moss.TM. design.
[0030] FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart of a method of utilizing a
storage container with a baffle to efficiently control the heat
absorption of a fluid. In the step 800, the storage container with
the baffle is at least partially filled with a fluid. In the step
802, the baffle controls the heat absorption of the fluid. In some
embodiments, if the fluid is heated, the baffle increases the heat
absorption as described above. In some embodiments, if it is
desired that the fluid temperature not rise quickly, the baffle
will decrease the heat absorption of the fluid.
[0031] Furthermore, the shape, size, angle, orientation, material
and any other feature of the baffle is not limited to those
described above. As long as the desired effect is achieved, the
baffle is able to be configured in any manner. For example, instead
of a steel baffle, the baffle is able to comprise a low conducting
material, such as a hard plastic which has similar qualities as
steel. Moreover, the qualities of the container are not limited to
those described above. For example, the shape of the container is
able to be cylindrical, spherical, polygonal cross section or any
other shape.
[0032] In some embodiments, the baffle is movable and/or
configurable. For example, the baffle is able to be made of a
material with a specific buoyancy so that the baffle rises and
falls as desired. In another example, the baffle is foldable so
that the length of the baffle is variable, thus allowing the
appropriate degree of control of heat transfer that may depend on
the liquid level maintained in the container. Other implementations
such as a motor-driven baffle are able to be implemented so that
the baffle is configurable. These implementations are able to be
used to change the position, length, angle, orientation or any
other quality of the baffle.
[0033] For clarity, the baffle within the container is able to be
implemented regardless of the quantity of fluid in the container.
For example, although water heaters are filled entirely or almost
entirely with water; liquid natural gas containers usually are 75%
filled. The baffle within either container still controls the heat
absorption as desired.
[0034] To utilize a storage container such as a water heater with a
baffle, a user need not perform different actions compared with a
storage container without a baffle. For example, if a user has a
water heater with a baffle within his house, when the user turns on
hot water for washing dishes or taking a shower, the user simply
turns the hot water handle/lever and hot water comes out of the
faucet. These actions are no different than if the hot water heater
did not have a baffle.
[0035] In operation, a storage container with a baffle is able to
control heat absorption such as to heat water more quickly and
efficiently, thus saving time and energy. The baffle transfers
additional heat to the water as well as allows the proper flow of
the fluid to increase heat absorption into the water. If a user
chooses to take a long shower, the hot water heater with baffle is
able to heat the water quickly enough to provide hot water for a
longer period of time. Additionally, since the water is heated more
efficiently, less energy such as gas is used, thus decreasing
wasted energy and saving the user money. For other applications
such as liquid natural gas storage and transport, the baffle
reduces boiloff by reducing heat absorption of the liquid natural
gas. Depending on the application, the baffle within the container
is able to control heat absorption as desired.
[0036] The present invention has been described in terms of
specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the
understanding of principles of construction and operation of the
invention. Such reference herein to specific embodiments and
details thereof is not intended to limit the scope of the claims
appended hereto. It will be readily apparent to one skilled in the
art that other various modifications may be made in the embodiment
chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope
of the invention as defined by the claims. Specifically, it should
be understood that the angle of the baffle can be any appropriate
angle and is not limited to any specific angle described herein for
illustrative purposes. Further, it should also be understood that
the length of the baffle can be any appropriate length and is not
limited to any specific length described herein for illustrative
purposes.
* * * * *