U.S. patent number 3,648,767 [Application Number 05/020,525] was granted by the patent office on 1972-03-14 for temperature control tube.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Thermo-Dynamics, Inc.. Invention is credited to Joseph C. Balch.
United States Patent |
3,648,767 |
Balch |
March 14, 1972 |
TEMPERATURE CONTROL TUBE
Abstract
An apparatus for extraction of heat from selected matter by
circulating a coolant in heat-exchanging relationship with the
matter as well as to a removed region where the coolant material is
cooled; it is proposed to employ enclosure shape which is divided
into heat rise and cold drop sections such that a coolant filling
the enclosure will maintain a circulatory, heat-exchanging flow in
response to the natural heat differential existing between the
matter adjacent opposite ends of the enclosure.
Inventors: |
Balch; Joseph C. (Fairbanks,
AK) |
Assignee: |
Thermo-Dynamics, Inc. (Seattle,
WA)
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Family
ID: |
26693557 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/020,525 |
Filed: |
March 18, 1970 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
656255 |
Jul 26, 1967 |
3472314 |
|
|
|
865351 |
Oct 10, 1969 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
165/104.19;
62/260; 62/438; 166/901; 62/434; 165/45 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24T
10/30 (20180501); F28D 15/00 (20130101); F24T
10/40 (20180501); Y10S 166/901 (20130101); Y02E
10/10 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F28D
15/00 (20060101); F28d 015/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;165/106,45,105
;62/438,434,260 ;166/DIG.1 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Davis, Jr.; Albert W.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application is a divisional filing of U.S. Pat.
application Ser. No. 656,255, filed July 26, 1967, now U.S. Pat.
No. 3,472,314, granted Oct. 14, 1969, in the name of Joseph C.
Balch for "Temperature Control Tube," and is also a divisional
filing of U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 865,351, filed Oct. 10,
1969, now abandoned, in the name of Joseph C. Balch, and entitled
"Temperature Control Tube."
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Apparatus for freezing or maintaining a body of matter in a
frozen state, comprising:
an upper hollow member forming an upper enclosure;
a lower hollow member forming a lower enclosure and shaped to
define a chamber substantially completely enclosed by said lower
enclosure;
a rigid extension means joining said upper and lower
enclosures;
insulative means filling said rigid extension means;
first conduit means extending from the upper end of said lower
member and enclosure through said insulative means and upward to
terminate near the upper end of said upper enclosure;
second conduit means extending from the lower end of said upper
member and enclosure through said insulative means and downward to
terminate near the lower end in said lower enclosure; and
fluent coolant substantially filling said conduit means and upper
and lower members and being capable of circulating through said
first and second conduits in response to temperature differential
existing as between said upper and lower members and
enclosures.
2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and wherein means are applied
to the upper hollow member and upper enclosure for force cooling
said fluent coolant material.
3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and wherein a plurality of
cooling fins are disposed about the exterior of said upper hollow
member for radiating heat from said upper enclosure.
4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and wherein said upper hollow
member is corrugated with a plurality of undulations formed
therearound.
5. Apparatus for freezing or maintaining a body of matter in a
frozen state, comprising:
an upper hollow member forming an upper enclosure;
a chamber;
a lower enclosure shaped similar to said chamber and surrounding
said chamber to define a circulation space therebetween;
an insulative enclosure which is shaped to surround said lower
enclosure in spaced relation to define a space therebetween
generally completely around said lower enclosure;
insulative material filling said space inside said insulative
enclosure;
extension means disposed between said upper hollow member and said
insulative enclosure, said extension means including insulative
material to insulatively separate said upper hollow member from
said lower enclosure;
first conduit means extending from the upper end of said upper
enclosure downward through said extension means into said lower
enclosure to terminate within the upper reaches of said circulation
space;
second conduit means extending from the lower end of said upper
enclosure through said extension means into said lower enclosure to
terminate at the lower reaches of said air circulation space;
and
fluent coolant substantially filling said upper enclosure, said
first and second conduit means and said circulation space such that
fluid circulation is effected in response to temperature
differential existing between said upper hollow member and said
lower enclosure circulation space.
6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 and wherein means are applied
to said hollow member and upper enclosure for force cooling said
fluent coolant material.
7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 and wherein a plurality of
cooling fins are disposed about the exterior of said upper hollow
member for radiating heat away from said upper enclosure.
8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 and wherein said upper hollow
member is corrugated with a plurality of undulations formed
therearound.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to passive-type heat exchange
apparatus, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, it
relates to improved freeze tube apparatus for use in maintaining
bodies of matter at a desired temperature and/or state of
solidification or fluidity.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The prior art includes various types of heat exchange apparatus
which serves the basic function of moving a heat absorbing coolant
material from a first position where heat is removed to a second
cooling position where the excess heat is released or somehow
eliminated from the closed system. Such systems are a necessary
component of the various types of apparatus for air conditioning,
refrigeration, and many other household and industrial
applications. There are still other prior teachings which are
directed to utilizing earth or water bodies, naturally occurring,
constant temperature sources, as a heat absorbing or condensing
medium in various types of heat exchange apparatus. In the main,
these are directed to various types of heat pumps which include
rather extensive surface apparatus but which may employ wells or
other earthen masses as heat transfer elements in the refrigeration
cycle. It has also been proposed to insert a freezing pipe in the
ground for the purpose of forming a frost wall as an aid in the
excavation of shafts down through the earth. This application also
requires extensive surface apparatus for the purpose of heat
exchange and the refrigerative cycling of coolant through the
subterranean pipe formation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention contemplates a passive-type heat exchange
apparatus wherein a tubelike enclosure member is compartmented by
insulative structure such that a coolant contained within the
enclosure will circulate in desired heat exchanging relationship in
response to temperature differential between the upper and lower
ends of the enclosure. In a more limited aspect, the invention
consists of an upper and lower enclosure member rigidly secured
together but spaced by an insulative partition, and further
including an insulated heat rise conduit leading through the
insulative partition to the upper end of the upper enclosure, and
an insulated cold drop conduit leading through the insulative
partition to the lower end of the lower enclosure, and a selected
coolant substantially fills the upper and lower enclosures and
circulates therethrough in migratory flow in response to
thermo-syphonic action which occurs in response to temperature
changes.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a
passive, self-regulating heat exchange apparatus.
It is also an object of the invention to provide such a passive
heat exchange apparatus which can be permanently positioned to
freeze unstable earth formation, such as the permafrost laver in
arctic and subarctic regions, to enable the formations to support
various types of structures such as building foundations,
transmission line towers, bridge pilings, etc.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
self-regulating heat exchange device which can be permanently
disposed in piled or bulk-stored agricultural products such as
grains, sugar beets, ensilage and other forms of organic matter
which may otherwise be damaged by self-generating temperatures.
Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide such a
passive, heat-exchanging apparatus which is constructed of sturdy
yet inexpensive material to employ selected coolants from a group
of commonly available substances, and which can be positioned and
left permanently or for long periods of time in an operative,
heat-exchanging relationship.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident from
the following detailed description when read in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a preferred or basic embodiment of the invention shown in
vertical section as disposed in an earth medium;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of alternative structure employed with
the device of FIG. 1;
FIGS. 3A and 3B depict attachment structure which is used to
convert the device of FIG. 1 for use as a load-bearing pile;
FIG. 4 is an alternative embodiment of the invention shown in
vertical cross section;
FIG. 5 is still another alternative embodiment of the present
invention in vertical section;
FIG. 6 illustrates alternative structure which may be utilized in
such as the embodiment of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 shows an adaptive element for inclusion in the various
structures of the invention; and
FIG. 8 is a vertical section showing another alternative form of
the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BASIC EMBODIMENT
As shown in FIG. 1, a temperature control tube 10 is divided into a
first or upper enclosure 12 and a second or lower enclosure 14. The
temperature control tube 10 is formed by an elongated casing 16 and
having upper and lower closed ends 18 and 20 and being sealingly
partitioned into upper and lower enclosures 12 and 14 by means of
an insulative partition or block 22.
The insulative block 22 may be formed from one of various
insulative materials and shaped to fit the cross-sectional
configuration of casing 16 so that a reasonably fluid-tight block
is imposed. Insulative block 22 is formed with a first hole 24
therethrough, and a first conduit or heat rise tube 26 is rigidly
secured therein to extend upward to the top of first enclosure 12.
Similarly, a second, oppositely disposed hole 28 through insulative
block 22 receives a second conduit or cold drop tube 30 in secure
engagement and cold drop tube 30 extends downward to the lower
reaches of the second enclosure 14. The first and second conduits
26 and 30 are preferably formed of an insulative material, i.e.,
plastic tubing, selected ceramics, or such, and their respective
inside diameters are selected in accordance with the coolant
viscosity to provide desired fluid valving action as will be
further described below. The vertical holes 24 and 28 are disposed
on opposite sides of insulative block 22 to enable most
advantageous circulatory flow and the respective upper surface 32
and lower surface 34 of insulative block 22 may be but are not
necessarily dished toward the respective holes 28 and 24 in the
direction of fluid flow.
The casing 16 may be formed of various materials which exhibit good
heat conductivity. For example, if the temperature control tube 10
were to be used as a load-bearing pile the casing 16 would
necessarily have to be formed of heavy, structurally sturdy
material such as heavy gauge steel and, on the other hand, use of
the temperature control tube 10 in a non-load-bearing capacity
would enable the use of very light materials in forming casing 16.
Casing 16 may also be formed in interchangeable sections as
depicted in FIG. 1. The lower enclosure 14 is formed by a lower
tube member 36 having its upper end formed for connection by means
of tapered surface 38 and threads 40. The upper enclosure 12 is
similarly formed by means of tube member 42 having a mating taper
44 and a threaded connector 46 retained thereon. The insulative
conduit 26 may or may not be designed to be slidingly constructed
from a lower portion 48 and an upper portion 50 having an enlarged
connector portion 52. In any event, the temperature control tube 10
can be formed by connection of upper tube member 42 to lower tube
member 36 with sealed connection being made through threaded
connector 46 and threads 40, and including sealing compound, cement
or whatever.
The temperature control tube 10 may include a fill hole 54 as
formed by a threaded nipple 56 and sealing cap 58 for the purpose
of filling the upper and lower enclosures 12 and 14 with a selected
coolant 59. Also, if it is found to be necessary, fill hole 54 will
suffice for periodically checking the coolant level within the
unit. Any of various coolants may be used and some which have been
found to operate to good advantage are: ethylene glycol, gasoline,
kerosens, diesel fuel and Stoddard solvent. There are no doubt many
other suitable coolants which can be employed for specific
applications within pre-set temperature ranges. Also, the upper
portion of casing 16 may be formed to have cooling fins 60 disposed
therearound in varying number, depending upon the design
applications.
In operation, the temperature control tube 10 is placed in the
earth or other such matter 64 to about the level of the threaded
coupling connector 46. In the event that temperature control tube
10 is employed for refrigeration of a permafrost soil layer, i.e.,
earth 64 being a permafrost strata, an insulative layer 68 may be
applied to cover surface 66. In some arctic and subarctic regions
the insulative layer 68 may be comprised of the tundra or such
related matter. The lower end of casing 16 may be of any length
which is suitable for its particular application. Thus, when used
as a building piling to provide footing in the permafrost layer a
shorter temperature control tube 10 of heavier construction will be
utilized and, if the temperature control tube 10 were employed to
reduce the heat within a pile of sugar beets, it would be formed
from a much longer casing 16, especially lower tubing member 36,
and there would be little requirement for heavy, load-bearing
structure.
Thus, the temperature control tube 10 is placed in operative
position and the coolant 59 is introduced through fill hole 54 to
substantially fill the casing 16, i.e., the coolant level brought
up to the level of fill hole 54 is sufficient to submerge the upper
outlet of upper conduit 26 while allowing a small but ample
expansion space 70. Heat, as shown by white arrows 72, will be
conducted through lower tubing member 36 to be absorbed by the
coolant 59 and heat it up, as shown by the black-to-white arrow 74,
such that it starts to rise through the heat rise or first conduit
26. At the same time, the coolant 59 contained in upper enclosure
12 undergoes heat change in response to the cold temperature of the
outside air, as shown by black arrows 76, as conducted through
cooling fins 60 and upper tubing member 42. Cooling of the coolant
59, as depicted by the white-to-black arrow 78, then results in a
downward migration of coolant through the cold drop or second
conduit 30. The circulatory flow of coolant 59 will then continue
at varying rates, depending upon the temperature differential
existing between the upper and lower ends of casing 16, and the
temperature control tube 10 will continually remove heat from the
earth or such matter 64 to maintain it in a frozen or reduced
temperature state.
The selection of a coolant is influenced somewhat by considerations
for the viscosity of the coolant material throughout a
predetermined temperature range which will apply for a given freeze
tube application. Further, and also in accordance with the
viscosity characteristics, it may be desirable to regulate the
inside diameter of the heat rise tube 26 and the cold drop tube 30
or at least to regulate their entry sides at respective dished
surfaces 32 and 34 of insulative block 22, such that their
respective resistances to coolant flow will yield a desired
valving-type action.
FIG. 2 depicts an alternative use of temperature control tube 10
which may be employed for certain applications requiring more
extreme heat changes. Thus, a cooling enclosure 80 is installed in
relatively sealed relationship around the upper end of casing 16
which may or may not include cooling fin 60. A conventional form of
heat pump 82 is then employed to apply cooled fluid flow through
input line 84 with heat absorbing circulation through enclosure 80,
as depicted by black arrow 86, black-to-white arrow 88 and the
white arrow 90 depicting the warmed circulation for return through
line 92 to the heat pump 82. Thus, the coolant flow within casing
16 proceeds with a much increased cooling rate as effected by heat
exchange between the coolant 59 and the inner confines of cooling
enclosure 80. With forced cooling or increasing of the temperature
differential between upper and lower enclosures this embodiment may
have application in boggy terrain and hot climates.
The attachments of FIGS. 3A and 3B may be employed on such as
temperature control tube 10 for certain applications, particularly
for load-bearing pile applications. Thus, an upper plate 94 of
predetermined gripping configuration is formed with a collar 96
secured thereon for the purpose of being received down over the top
of the similarly shaped casing 16. FIG. 3B shows a bottom or
footing plate 96 having a similar collar 97 secured thereon and
disposed to be received over the lower end of a temperature control
tube 10. The footing plate 96 may be shaped in various
configurations to suit particular applications and the securing
collars 95 and 97 may be supplied with suitable fastening devices
to assure their secure affixture to the temperature control tube
10.
Referring now to FIG. 4, a different form of heat control tube 100
is constructed from a unitary casing 102 having a closed upper end
104 and a closed lower end 106. The casing 102 may be formed of any
heat-conducting material, the structural rigidity fitting the
application, and it may be designed to be a particular length as
dictated by usage. In insulative block 108 is formed of insulative
material, e.g., plastic, rubber or such, and inserted in
compartmenting, secure affixure across the casing 102. Insulative
block 108 is shaped to have a pair of outwardly disposed holes 114
and 116 and a centrally disposed hole 118 through which coolant
flow takes place. Thus, a pair of heat rise conduits 120 and 122
are formed of insulative material and rigidly inserted through
respective outer holes 114 and 116. A cold drop tube 124 is
similarly rigidly connected through the central hole 118 to extend
downward to the lower end of lower enclosure 112. The insulative
block 108 may but need not necessarily have its upper surface
dished centrally toward the entrance orifice 128 of the cold drop
tube 124. The underside of insulative block 108 may if desired be
formed as two generally semi-circular dished areas 130 and 132
which taper toward respective entry orifices 134 and 136 of heat
rise tubes 120 and 122. The insulative block 108 may also take
other forms such as round with conventional flat ends.
A fill hole 138 closed by a sealable screw cover 140 provides an
opening whereby coolant can be introduced and measured within the
temperature control tube 100. Such additional structure as cooling
fins, heat pump cooling apparatus, etc., may also be utilized with
the temperature control tube 100.
The operation of temperature control tube 100 is similar to that
for temperature control tube 10 (FIG. 1). The casing 102 may be
inserted in the medium to be cooled up to a predetermined length
while leaving a portion exposed in the cooler surrounds, e.g., the
upper portion denoted approximately by arrow 142. A selected
coolant 144 may then be introduced through fill hole 138, assuring
that the coolant level exceeds the upper openings of heat rise
tubes 120 and 122. Thereafter, heat absorbed through casing 102 by
coolant 144 in the lower enclosure 112 will start an upward
migration of coolant, as shown by black-to-white arrows 146 which
are undergoing a warming situation, and the warmed coolant 144
gives off heat to the cooler surrounds through the casing 102
(adjacent arrow 142) and the coolant migrates downward as depicted
by the white-to-black arrows 148. The circulation of coolant fluid
then continues at a rate controlled by temperature differential
between the upper and lower ends of heat control tube 100. This is,
the cooled coolant or black arrow 150 flow proceeds downward
through orifice 128 and the cold drop tube 124 whereupon it absorbs
heat until the coolant 144 rises upward through the entrance
orifices 134 and 136 through the heat rise tubes 120 and 122. The
heat control tube 100 is sufficiently sealed that no loss of
coolant will occur over a very long period of time and the
temperature control tube 100 can be left to carry out its
self-regulated cooling function permanently in whatever its
application.
FIG. 5 illustrates still another form of the invention which allows
for a non-freeze zone along its length. The embodiment of FIG. 5
finds particular application as footing for utility poles,
transmission line towers, etc. which must be strung across tide
water bays or inlets. The non-freeze zone thus provides a length
about which water, including its tide change range, can circulate
without upsetting the temperature differential utilized by the
freeze tube components. Thus, a temperature control tube 160
comprises an upper enclosure 162 and a lower enclosure 164 which
are insulatively separated to form a freeze zone 166 of some
selected length.
The upper enclosure 162 may be formed by an upper casing 168 having
upper closed end 170 and lower closed end 172 and an insulative
member or block 174 is shaped to be seated about the bottom closed
end 172 to insulate the upper enclosure 162 from the non-freeze
zone 166. The lower enclosure 164 is formed from a casing 176
having upper closed end 178 and lower closed end 180. An insulative
member or block 182 is secured within the upper end of lower
enclosure 164.
A pair of oppositely disposed holes 184 and 186 are provided in
parallel alignment through the lower closed end 172 and upper
insulative member 174 while a similar pair of oppositely disposed
holes 188 and 190 are placed through upper closed end 178 and lower
insulative member 182. The holes 184-190 provide coolant flow
connection between the upper enclosure 162 and the lower enclosure
164.
Thus, a first conduit or heat rise tube 192 is disposed to pass
from the upper end of lower enclosure 164 through holes 190,
non-freeze zone 166 and holes 186 to terminate at the upper end of
upper enclosure 162. A second conduit or cold drop tube 194 is
disposed to pass from the lower end of upper enclosure 162 through
holes 184, non-freeze zone 166 and holes 188 to terminate near the
lower end of lower enclosure 164. The respective first and second
conduits 192 and 194 are each sealingly retained in their
respective ones of feed-through holes 184-190. The first and second
conduits 192 and 194 may be formed of suitable insulative material
such as plastic, rubber or ceramic materials, and structural
rigidity of required amount may be provided by metal tubes 196 and
198 which are rigidly secured between the upper casing 186 and
lower casing 176. A fill hole 200 sealable by a screw can 202 may
be provided to introduce and maintain a required amount of a
selected coolant fluid 204. The upper and lower enclosures can be
offset from each other if desired and insulation of conduits 192
and 194 can be internal or external.
Operation of the temperature control tube 160 is the same as for
the previous embodiments. The particular construction of
temperature control tube 160 allows its use for supporting
structures over water covered areas, the lower casing 176 can be
imbedded in an earth formation below the water bottom and its
cooling action will serve to freeze or solidify the surrounding
earth medium to provide continual support for the loading
structure. The design of the temperature control tube 160 will then
allow that the non-freeze zone 166 extend through the water layer
to support the upper casing 168 in the air or equivalent cooling
surrounds.
When the coolant 204 is maintained at a sufficiently high level
above the upper opening of heat rise tube 192, the naturally
existing temperature differential along the temperature control
tube 130 will set up the circulatory coolant migration. The coolant
flow will circulate at a rate which is determined by the amount of
temperature differential. Thus, heat (white arrow 206) will be
absorbed from the matter surrounding lower casing 176 to heat up
the coolant in enclosure 164 to cause a flow upward through heat
rise conduit 192 while cooling air or such (block arrow 208)
effects cooling of the coolant 204 contained within upper enclosure
168 such that it flows downward through the cold drop tube 194.
FIG. 6 illustrates some alternative structure which may be combined
with the embodiment of FIG. 5. First, the lower enclosure 164 may
be formed from a corrugated casing 176a having the similar upper
and lower closed-ends 178 and 180. The corrugated casing 176a may
be formed to have a plurality of horizontally folded corrugations
for the purpose of multiplying or enlarging the amount of heat
absorbing surface. Second, the non-freeze zone 166 can be provided
with still further insulating properties by enclosing the first and
second conduits 192 and 194 within an insulated packing 210 such as
foam plastic, cellular rubber or such, and a central casing member
212 can then be provided to encase and protect the insulating
member 210 while providing requisite structural rigidity. Central
casing portion 212 may be rigidly secured as by welding to upper
closed end 178 of casing member 176a as well as to a counterpart
upper casing (not shown).
FIG. 7 shows the manner in which an adaptive element can be
included within the various forms of heat control tube to vary the
heat exchange pattern. Thus, as shown with heat control tube 100
(FIG. 4) for example, a sleeve 214 formed from selected insulated
material is positioned just below the insulative or neutral zone.
This can serve to provide a central non-freeze zone 216 similar to
that provided for in FIGS. 5 and 6 and the space above and below
the insulated zone 216 will still remain active and functioning in
the thermo-syphonic cycle.
FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative form of temperature control tube
220 which is utilized in combination with a freeze chamber 222. The
temperature control unit 220 can be positioned with its lower
portion disposed at same predetermined distance within an earth
medium 224 such that the freeze chamber 222 and any contents
therein can be maintained in a frozen state continually and for an
extended period of time. Thus, the freeze chamber 222 may contain
various forms of matter for cold storage, e.g., vegetable matter,
human tissue, bodies in suspended animation, etc., and the passive
nature of the temperature control unit 220 allows the contents of
freeze chamber 222 to be maintained frozen for indefinite long
periods of time without need for oversight or periodic
maintenance.
The temperature control unit 220 consists of an outer casing 226
which consists of a tubular, vertical neck portion 228 which
extends downward and flares into an enlarged storage portion 230.
The upper end 232 of tubular portion 228 may be formed to have a
plurality of horizontally folded corrugations 234 to increase the
area through which a coolant 236 is exposed to the cooling effects
of the surrounds (black arrow 233). The top of tube portion 228 is
then closed off by a suitable plate 240 secured thereover, plate
240 being fitted with a fill hole 242 and a sealing cap 244. An
intermediate casing 246 which is similar in shape but of less
volume than storage portion 230 of casing 226 is disposed within
storage portion 230 such that it provides a clearance space 248
therebetween. The freeze chamber 222 is formed from an inner casing
249 which is shaped similar to but smaller than the intermediate
chamber 246 such that it can be disposed therein while providing a
circulation or clearance space 250 therebetween. A plurality of rod
supports 253 may be employed to suspend freeze chamber 222
coaxially within the intermediate chamber 246.
The outer clearance space 248 is filled with a suitable insulated
material 254, e.g., expanded polystyrene, or various others of the
plastics and cellular rubber compounds, and the body of insulative
material 254 is extended upward within a portion 256 of the tubular
casing 228 which remains below the surface of the earth medium 224.
An insulative block 258 is then secured across the tubular casing
228 to define the upper enclosure 260 thereabove. The insulative
block; 258 may be inserted in tight abutment down against the foam
plastic or such filler 254 and its upper surface 262 may be dished
out and downwardly tapered toward the downward flowing entry
orifice 264 in the manner of previous embodiments.
A first conduit or heat rise tube 266 is inserted to extend from
the upper reaches of circulation space 252 upward through the
insulation filler 254 and insulative block 258 to terminate at the
upper end of upper enclosure 260. A second conduit or cold drop
tube 268 is led downward through insulative block 258 and
insulative filler 254 into the circulation space 252 whereupon it
is bent around the freeze chamber or inner casing 249 and
terminated at the lowest point within circulation space 252. Once
again, the first and second conduits 266 and 268 may be formed from
suitable heat insulative material as is well known in the related
plastics forming art.
In operation, the temperature control unit 220 can be positioned in
an earth medium; the depth of positioning of casing portion 230
depending upon the annual ambient soil and air temperatures which
exist in the particular regions. The body or matter to be
maintained frozen is placed in freeze chamber 222 and coolant 236
is introduced until the temperature control unit 220 is very nearly
full as shown in FIG. 7. Thereafter, heat is continually absorbed
from the matter within freeze chamber 222 as shown by white arrows
270 and this absorption causes heat-up of coolant 236 and upward
flow through heat rise tube 266. Circulation is further aided by
cooling of coolant within upper enclosure 260 by means of
surrounding cool air or such (black arrow 238) and this, in turn,
results in downward migration of the coolant through the second
conduit or cold drop tube 268. Once the circulation of coolant is
enabled, the system will operate continually at varying rates
depending upon the temperature differential which exists between
the immediate surround of the upper enclosure 260 and the lower
enclosure or circulating space 252.
The foregoing discloses a novel passive-type temperature control
unit which is capable of freezing and/or maintaining frozen
unstable ground such that it renders it capable of supporting
various structures. The device also has the ability to stop water
seepage through its localized placement in earth-filled reservoir
dams, coffer dams, etc. It is contemplated too that the present
invention will be used to freeze ice bridges across muskeg for road
beds and rail beds and also to freeze pads or platform-type
formations for well-drilling rigs. In addition to these many
freezing applications the device is capable of advantageous use at
other different temperature ranges such as when used to cool the
internal, highly pressed bulk of piled agricultural products which
might otherwise be damaged by self-generated temperatures.
Changes may be made in the combination and arrangement of elements
as heretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the
drawings: it being understood that changes may be made in the
embodiments disclosed without departing from the spirit and scope
of the invention as defined in the following claims.
* * * * *