U.S. patent application number 13/158752 was filed with the patent office on 2011-11-24 for thermal fluid temperature converter.
Invention is credited to Darica Jean Ann Cullen, Fredrick Thomas Cullen.
Application Number | 20110284185 13/158752 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44971475 |
Filed Date | 2011-11-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110284185 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cullen; Fredrick Thomas ; et
al. |
November 24, 2011 |
THERMAL FLUID TEMPERATURE CONVERTER
Abstract
A thermal fluid temperature converter uses temperature from a
thermal fluid to preheat or precool incoming air prior to entering
a household/workplace/building/appliance. The thermal fluid
temperature converter includes a hollow housing, a filter placed
inside the hollow housing, and a temperature exchanger placed
inside the hollow housing. The temperature exchanger is adapted to
receive a thermal fluid that circulates through the coils. The air
enters the hollow housing, interchanges temperature with the
thermal fluid circulating through the coils, and leaves the hollow
housing as a heated air or a cooled air.
Inventors: |
Cullen; Fredrick Thomas;
(Pahrump, NV) ; Cullen; Darica Jean Ann; (Pahrump,
NV) |
Family ID: |
44971475 |
Appl. No.: |
13/158752 |
Filed: |
June 13, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61415683 |
Nov 19, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
165/104.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 1/00075 20190201;
F24F 1/0029 20130101; F28F 9/001 20130101; F28F 2280/02 20130101;
F28D 1/024 20130101; F28D 1/0477 20130101; F28F 19/01 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/104.11 |
International
Class: |
F28D 15/00 20060101
F28D015/00 |
Claims
1. A thermal fluid temperature converter comprising: a hollow
housing having walls, an inlet port, and an outlet port; a filter
placed inside the hollow housing; a temperature exchanger placed
inside the hollow housing, the temperature exchanger having an
intake port, an exit port, and coils; wherein the temperature
exchanger is adapted to receive a thermal fluid, wherein the
thermal fluid circulates through the coils; and wherein air is
adapted to enter the hollow housing, transfer thermal energy with
the thermal fluid circulating through the coils, and leaves the
hollow housing as a heated air or a cooled air.
2. The thermal fluid temperature converter according to claim 1,
further including a slot on the hollow housing to insert or remove
the temperature exchanger.
3. The thermal fluid temperature converter according to claim 1,
further including a slot on the hollow housing to insert or remove
the filter.
4. The thermal fluid temperature converter according to claim 2,
further including a protector to cover the slot.
5. The thermal fluid temperature converter according to claim 1,
further including an insulation layer placed around the walls of
the hollow housing.
6. The thermal fluid temperature converter according to claim 1,
further including a fan operatively connected to the hollow
housing.
7. The thermal fluid temperature converter according to claim 1,
wherein the thermal fluid temperature converter is portable.
8. A method for preheating or precooling incoming air prior to
entering a household appliance, the method comprising the steps of:
circulating the incoming air through a thermal fluid temperature
converter comprising a hollow housing having walls, an inlet port,
and an outlet port; a filter placed inside the hollow housing; a
temperature exchanger placed inside the hollow housing, the
temperature exchanger having an intake port; an exit port, and
coils; circulating a thermal fluid through the coils of the
temperature exchanger; transferring temperature between the thermal
fluid and the incoming air by directing the air over the coils; and
wherein the incoming air leaves the hollow housing as a warmer air
or cooler air.
9. The method according to claim 7, further including a fan
operatively connected to the hollow housing.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S.
Provisional Application No. 61/415,683 filed Nov. 19, 2010, the
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to an energy
conservation device. More particularly, the present invention
relates to a device for utilizing temperature of a thermal fluid
for warming or cooling incoming air prior to entering a household
appliance.
[0003] Currently, the rising cost of energy is creating a need for
consumers to reduce energy expenses. Various attempts have been
made to improve the efficiency of household appliances by reducing
energy consumption. Unfortunately, the known devices and systems do
not provide a simple, dependable, and efficient way of preheating
or precooling air prior to entering the household appliance.
[0004] As can be seen, there is a need for an energy conservation
device that efficiently preheats or precools the air prior to
entering a household appliance system in order to conserve
energy.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In one aspect of the present invention, a thermal fluid
temperature converter having a hollow housing having walls, an
inlet port, and an outlet port; a filter placed inside the hollow
housing; a temperature exchanger placed inside the hollow housing,
the temperature exchanger having an intake port, an exit port, and
coils; the temperature exchanger is adapted to receive a thermal
fluid, the thermal fluid circulates through the coils; and air is
adapted to enter the hollow housing, transfer thermal energy with
the thermal fluid circulating through the coils, and leaves the
hollow housing as a heated air or a cooled air.
[0006] In another aspect of the present invention, a method for
preheating or precooling incoming air prior to entering a household
appliance, the method comprising the steps of circulating the
incoming air through a thermal fluid temperature converter
comprising a hollow housing having walls, an inlet port, and an
outlet port; a filter placed inside the hollow housing; a
temperature exchanger placed inside the hollow housing, the
temperature exchanger having an intake port, an exit port, and
coils; circulating a thermal fluid through the coils of the
temperature exchanger; transferring temperature between the thermal
fluid and the incoming air by directing the air over the coils; the
incoming air leaves the hollow housing as a warmer air or cooler
air.
[0007] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following drawings, description, and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a thermal fluid
temperature converter according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the thermal
fluid temperature converter of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2; and
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the thermal fluid
temperature converter of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The following detailed description is of the best currently
contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the
invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense,
but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general
principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is
best defined by the appended claims.
[0012] Various inventive features are described below that can each
be used independently of one another or in combination with other
features.
[0013] Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally
provide a thermal fluid temperature converter that warms or cools
incoming air prior to entering a household appliance.
[0014] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a thermal fluid temperature converter
10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
The thermal fluid temperature converter 10 includes a hollow
housing 12 having an inlet port 14a and an outlet port 14b. The
hollow housing 12 may be made of heat resistant and non-corrosive
material. In some embodiments, the hollow housing 12 may be made of
stainless steel, heat, plastic, metal, wood, polymer, or composite
material. The size of the hollow housing 12 may depend on the
amount of air to be preheated or precooled. The hollow housing 12
may have a geometrical shape. In some embodiments, the hollow
housing 12 may be square, rectangular, triangular, oval, or
round.
[0015] A filter 26 may be placed inside the hollow housing 12. The
filter 26 may be placed near the inlet port 14a. The filter 26 may
help filter the incoming air. A slot 30 may allow the user to
insert or remove the filter 26 from the hollow housing 12. A
protector 16 may cover the slot 30 to prevent air from escaping the
hollow housing 12.
[0016] A temperature exchanger 18 may be placed inside the hollow
housing 12. The temperature exchanger 18 may include an inlet port
20, an outlet port 22, and coils 24. A slot 31 may allow the user
to insert or remove the temperature exchanger from the hollow
housing 12. The temperature exchanger 18 may be a commercially
available heat exchanger. In some embodiments, the temperature
exchanger 18 may be a counter current heat exchanger.
[0017] An insulation layer 28 may be placed around the walls of the
hollow housing 12. The insulation layer 28 may prevent the loss of
energy. The insulation layer 28 may be removed or fixed to the
walls of the hollow housing 12.
[0018] The thermal fluid temperature converter 10 may be a
standalone device or may be used inline as intake or exhaust from
the household appliance (not shown).
[0019] The air may be drawn into the thermal fluid temperature
converter 10 through the inlet port 14a. Then, the air may pass
through the air filter 26 and through the temperature exchanger 18.
The thermal fluid may enter the temperature exchanger 18 by the
inlet port 20, circulate through the temperature exchanger 18, and
exit the temperature exchanger by the outlet port 22. The thermal
fluid temperature converter 10 may allow the energy to transfer
between the air entering the hollow housing 12 and the thermal
fluid that circulates inside the temperature exchanger 18. When the
thermal fluid is hot, the air entering the hollow housing 12 may
exit warmer than the air entering the hollow housing 12. When the
thermal fluid is cold, the air entering the hollow housing 12 may
exit as may exit cooler than the air entering the hollow
housing.
[0020] Warmed air may be used to feed clothes drying devices, air
heaters, curing devices, air conditioning, or water heaters.
[0021] Temperature controllers (not shown) may be added to the
hollow housing 12 to control the temperature.
[0022] A fan 29 may be operatively connected to the hollow housing
12. The fan 29 may be placed inside or outside the hollow housing
12.
[0023] Dampeners (not shown) may be added to the hollow housing
12.
[0024] The thermal fluid temperature converter 10 may be used in
any condition where the raising or lowering of the air temperature
is required or desired.
[0025] The present invention also relates to a method for
preheating or precooling incoming air prior to entering a household
appliance.
[0026] The thermal fluid temperature converter 10 may be
lightweight and portable. The size of the thermal fluid temperature
converter 10 may be approximately 20 inches in height by 20 inches
in width by 24 inches in depth.
[0027] The hollow housing 12 and the temperature exchanger 18 may
weigh approximately 40 pounds. The thermal fluid temperature
converter 10 may be installed in line of existing
heating/drying/cooling systems.
[0028] In some embodiments, the user may install the thermal fluid
temperature converter 10 in the attic or the garage. The warmer air
in the attic or garage may be introduced through the inlet port 14a
to take advantage of the initial temperature of the air. This
embodiment may help reduce the energy consumption.
[0029] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing
relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *