US 4,381,762 A · Friction furnace

Abstract

A friction furnace having a casing and containing a plurality of orifice plates disposed therein. The orifice plates are of two types arranged in alternating order throughout the casing; each type of orifice plate, however, having an annular ring disposed radially inward from its periphery which contains a plurality of radially disposed passages. The first type of orifice plate contains a plurality of transverse passages disposed between its periphery and annular ring whereas the second type of orifice plate contains a plurality of transverse passages disposed entirely within the diameter of its annular ring. An adjusting means is provided for varying the number of orifice plates contained within the casing. Fluid is circulated throughout the friction furnace through and around the orifice plates by a pump; and, a heat exchanger is provided in fluid communication with the furnace to transfer the heat of the circulating fluid to a directionally controlled flow of air.

Claims5

Dependent claims

A friction furnace comprising:

a casing, including an input endcap including a fluid inlet and an output endcap including a fluid outlet;
a plurality of orifice plates disposed within said casing, each of said orifice plates being in peripheral, non-sealing contact with said casing and having an annular ring disposed radially inward from the periphery of said orifice plate, said annular ring containing a plurality of radially disposed passages therethru;
and
an adjusting means for varying the number of said orifice plates contained within said casing, said adjusting means including:
an adjusting assembly including an adjusting nut and a threaded spacer threadably connected to said inlet endcap;
an adapter plate having an annular ring disposed at its periphery and containing a plurality of transverse passages disposed between its annular ring and its centerpoint, said adapter plate being disposed within said casing such that its annular ring is in contact with said outlet endcap.

3 more elements

A friction furnace comprising:

a casing, including an input endcap including a fluid inlet and an output endcap including a fluid outlet;
a plurality of orifice plates disposed within said casing, each of said orifice plates being in peripheral, non-sealing contact with said casing and having an annular ring disposed radially inward from the periphery of said orifice plate, said annular ring containing a plurality of radially disposed passages therethru;
an adjusting means for varying the number of said orifice plates contained within said casing;
means for pumping a fluid in a circuit throughout said friction furnace;
said pumping means comprising:
a pump;
a motor, operably connected to said pump;
and
a fluid reservoir disposed upstream of said pump and in fluid communication therewith;
a heat exchanger fluidly connected to said friction furnace and said pumping means;
said heat exchanger comprising:
a heating chamber wherein said heating chamber is comprised of:
an air inlet;
an air outlet;
and
an adjustable baffle assembly disposed between said air inlet and said air outlet and enclosing said heating coil;
a blower means for displacing air in a controlled path through said heating chamber;
and
a heating coil disposed within said heating chamber and fluidly connected to said friction furnace and said pumping means.

16 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Friction furnace

Life of this patent

Friction furnace

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims5