Heat exchanger
AssigneeState of OR. Acting By and Through the State Board of Higher Edu. on Behalf of the University of OR.
InventorsG. Brown, Thomas Northcutt, Jeffrey Kline
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A heat exchanger according to certain embodiments includes an outer portion formed of at least one inflatable cell and an inner portion. The inflatable cell has inner and outer surfaces that are separated from each other and at least partially support the outer portion when inflated. The outer portion defines a first interior passage configured to convey fluid. The inner portion is positioned within the outer portion, the inner portion defining a second interior passage configured to convey fluid.
Claims47
A heat exchanger, comprising:
- an outer portion formed by at least one inflatable cell, the inflatable cell having inner and outer surfaces that are separated from each other and at least partially support the outer portion when inflated, the outer portion defining a first interior passage configured to convey fluid;
- and
- an inner portion positioned within the outer portion, the inner portion defining a second interior passage configured to convey fluid.
A heat exchanger, comprising:
- an enclosed outer portion formed of a collapsible material;
- and
- an enclosed inner portion positioned within the outer portion, the inner portion being at least partially constructed of a thin membrane capable of transmitting at least sensible heat,
- wherein a space between the outer and inner portions defines an outer passage configured to transport air in a first direction, and the inner portion defines a separate interior passage configured to transport air in a second direction opposite the first direction, and
- wherein the outer portion and the inner portion are dimensioned to create a flow friction that is less than or substantially equal to 0.05 inches of water per one-hundred feet of path length of the heat exchanger.
A heat exchanger, comprising:
- an outer tube substantially constructed from a flexible, nonpermeable polymer;
- an inner tube substantially constructed from a vapor-permeable material, the inner tube defining an interior passage configured to convey fluid in a first direction, the inner tube being positioned within the outer tube;
- and
- an annular passage defined between the inner tube and the outer tube and configured to convey fluid in a second direction opposite the first direction.
A method of utilizing unused space within or adjacent a building for exchanging heat, comprising:
- providing a tube-in-tube heat exchanger with inner and outer tubes, the outer tubes being formed of multiple inflatable air cells;
- connecting an end of the inner tube to an inlet of a ventilation system for the building;
- connecting an end of the outer tube to an outlet of the ventilation system;
- and
- inflating the air cells of the tube-in-tube heat exchanger in an unused space in the building.
A heat exchanger, comprising:
- an enclosed outer portion formed of a collapsible material;
- and
- an enclosed inner portion positioned within the outer portion, the inner portion being at least partially constructed of a thin membrane capable of transmitting at least sensible heat,
- wherein a space between the outer and inner portions defines an outer passage configured to transport air, and the inner portion defines a separate interior passage also configured to transport air, and
- wherein the outer portion and the inner portion are dimensioned to create an exchanger area/face area per unit length that is less than or substantially equal to 99 ft−1.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.