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US 12,013,191 B2Granted
Coiled spring
AssigneeKatz Water Tech, LLC
InventorsPaul L. Smith, Justin Vinson, Gary P Katz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A spring apparatus that has a section that is predominantly horizontal and a section of the spring that is predominantly vertical. The multiple spring assembly design allows for increased surface area, fluid flow, and improved heat transfer properties. The unique design allows the spring to fit in tight spaces and decreases issues when manufacturing complex spring designs and allows for efficient heat and fluid flow inside a tubular.
Claims23
An apparatus comprising:
- a first coiled spring made from annealed material having an outer circumference and a first cross-section, the first cross-section having a greatest length in a predominantly horizontal direction;
- a second coiled spring made from annealed material having an outer circumference and a second cross-section, the second cross-section having a greatest length in a predominantly vertical direction;
- the first coiled spring and the second coiled spring are cohesively attached to form a spring assembly having a section of the spring assembly having an outer circumference and a third cross-section, the third cross-section greatest length in the predominantly horizontal direction is from the first spring and the greatest length in the predominantly vertical direction is from the second spring, further comprising a pipe wherein the spring assembly is inside the pipe, and wherein the spring assembly third cross-section is capable of fluid flow inside the pipe, wherein the cross-sectional area of the spring assembly is variable along its length.
A method of transferring heat to a fluid, the method comprising;
- a. obtaining a section of pipe suitable for fluid flow and heat transfer;
- b. inserting a spring inside the section of the pipe wherein the spring comprises a first coiled spring made from annealed material having an outer circumference and a first cross-section, the first cross-section having a greatest length in a predominantly horizontal direction, a second coiled spring made from annealed material having an outer circumference and a second cross-section, the second cross-section having a greatest length in a predominantly vertical direction, the first coiled spring and the second coiled spring are cohesively attached to form a spring assembly having a section of the spring assembly having an outer circumference and a third cross-section, the third cross-section greatest length in the predominantly horizontal direction is from the first spring and the greatest length in the predominantly vertical direction is from the second spring, and wherein the spring assembly third cross-section is capable of fluid flow inside the pipe, wherein the cross-sectional area of the spring assembly is variable along its length;
- c. flowing fluid through the section of the pipe using the spring;
- and
- d. transferring heat from an energy source to the fluid flowing on the spring.
2 more elements
A method of flowing fluid through a tubular, comprising:
- a. obtaining a tubular with an internal diameter
- b. obtaining a spring with an external diameter at least equal to the internal diameter of the tubular when the spring is at least partial compressed, and wherein the comprises a first coiled spring made from annealed material having an outer circumference and a first cross-section, the first cross-section having a greatest length in a predominantly horizontal direction, a second coiled spring made from annealed material having an outer circumference and a second cross-section, the second cross-section having a greatest length in a predominantly vertical direction, the first coiled spring and the second coiled spring are cohesively attached to form a spring assembly having a section of the spring assembly having an outer circumference and a third cross-section, the third cross-section greatest length in the predominantly horizontal direction is from the first spring and the greatest length in the predominantly vertical direction is from the second spring, and wherein the spring assembly third cross-section is capable of fluid flow inside the tubular, wherein the cross-sectional area of the spring assembly is variable along its length;
- c. inserting the spring into the internal diameter of the tubular
- d. compressing the spring, wherein at least a portion of the external diameter of the spring contacts the internal diameter of the tubular;
- and
- e. flowing fluid through tubular, wherein at least a portion of the fluid flows on an exterior surface of the spring.
3 more elements
The method of 11 further comprising allowing the lighter vapor to exit the top of the tubular and the heavier contaminates to exit the bottom of the tubular.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.