Power plants – Motive fluid energized by externally applied heat – Including heat – steam – or compressed gas storage means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-30
2001-09-04
Nguyen, Hoang (Department: 3748)
Power plants
Motive fluid energized by externally applied heat
Including heat, steam, or compressed gas storage means
C060S670000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06282903
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The invention pertains to devices for steam-powered systems. More particularly, the invention relates to devices for improving the efficiency of condenser operations for steam-powered systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The central principle utilized by the invention relates to a reduction in the size of an outlet orifice from a steam-powered device. By passing the outlet steam through such a reduced size orifice and permitting the steam to expand into a larger pipe or vessel downstream from the orifice, the steam will be cooled and condensed to a liquid state. Various devices have been developed using a reduced size outlet orifice to control and affect the flow of a stream through a pipe.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,105,721 issued to Schliebe incorporates a reduced size orifice in a venturi T-fitting in order to aerate a stream of water being recirculated in a swimming pool water filtration and heating system.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,822,592 issued to Siegel et al., employs a replaceable orifice member inserted in a passage of a head flow meter to induce a differential pressure that is sensed by a pressure capsule.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,676,470, issued to Streitz utilizes a reduced size orifice as an expansion valve and flow regulator between the compressor and the evaporator of a refrigerating system. The orifice design facilitates sufficient back pressure to reduce velocity refrigerant intake through the orifice resulting in substantially balanced or equilibrium condition after the system once reaches normal operating temperature, holding the temperature constant near normal for longer periods of time, reducing the frequency of operation of the compressor.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,867,876 issued to Clark employs a reduced size orifice in an eductor in which an operating medium of liquid under pressure flows through the orifice to produce a high velocity jet which is used to entrain granular material, such as sand, and to project the same into a body consisting of a mouth, a tapered discharge nozzle or throat-piece and outlet chamber.
While other variations exist, the above-described inventions involving reduced size orifices are typical of those encountered in the prior art. It is an objective of the present invention to provide a means to rapidly cool the outlet flow from a steam-powered device. It is a further objective to cool this outlet flow to the point where the steam will be quickly condensed to a liquid. It is a still further objective of the invention to reduce the required length of condensing piping needed to return the steam to a liquid state. It is yet a further objective to provide the above-described capabilities in an inexpensive and durable device that is capable of extended duty cycles and that may be easily repaired and maintained.
While some of the physical characteristics of the present invention are disclosed in the prior art, none of the inventions found include the expanding of steam to reduce its temperature to facilitate its conversion from steam to condensate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A condenser augmentation device for a steam-powered system providing the desired features may be constructed from the following components. A boiler is provided. The boiler includes a condensate inlet, a pressure vessel, a means for heating the pressure vessel, means for controlling the heating, means for maintaining a steady flow of steam from the boiler, and a steam outlet. A steam driven device including a steam inlet and an exhaust outlet is provided. The steam inlet is connected to the steam outlet of the boiler. The exhaust outlet is of a first predetermined cross-section. A choke having an inlet end, an outlet end and a second cross-section is attached at its inlet end to the exhaust outlet of the steam driven device.
A condensing line is provided. The condensing line has an inlet end, an outlet end and a third predetermined cross-section. The condensing line is connected at its inlet end to the outlet end of the choke and is connected at its outlet end to the condensate inlet of the boiler. The third predetermined cross-section is larger than the second cross-section. A working fluid is provided. The working fluid is located within the pressure vessel of the boiler and is capable of being heated to a vapor stage in the pressure vessel. The working fluid is capable of being converted to a liquid condensate in the condensing line after powering the steam-driven device and passing through the choke.
The choke includes means of reducing the second cross-section to a size substantially smaller than the first and third predetermined cross-sections. The choke causes the working fluid vapor to cool and to condense by causing it to flow through the smaller second cross-section at a reduced volume but at a rate of speed to expand the vapor in the condensing line.
In a variant of the invention, the means of reducing the second cross-section to a size substantially smaller than the first and third predetermined cross-sections includes a removable choke plate. The choke plate is sized and shaped to fit sealably within the choke between the inlet end and the outlet end. The choke plate includes an orifice having a cross-section substantially smaller than the first and third predetermined cross-sections.
In a further variant, the means of reducing the second cross-section to a size substantially smaller than the first and third predetermined cross-sections includes an adjustable choke plate. The adjustable choke plate is located within the choke between the inlet end and the outlet end and is capable of varying the second cross-section between a first size and a second size. The adjustable choke plate is manually controllable by means of a threaded shaft. The shaft has an upper end and a lower end, and is attached at its lower end to an upper end of the choke plate. A sealed, threaded nut is attached to the choke and threadedly engages the shaft. An operating handle is fixedly attached to the upper end of the shaft.
When the handle is turned in a first direction the adjustable choke plate will change the second cross-section toward the first size and when the handle is turned in a second direction the adjustable choke plate will change the second cross-section toward the second size.
In yet a further variant of the invention, the adjustable choke plate is remotely controllable. In still a further variant, the adjustable choke plate is controlled by an electric solenoid. In a final variant the adjustable choke plate is controlled by an electrical stepping motor.
An appreciation of the aims and objectives of the present invention and an understanding of it may be achieved by referring to the accompanying drawings and the detailed description of a preferred embodiment.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1867876 (1932-07-01), Clark
patent: 2676470 (1954-04-01), Streitz
patent: 3822592 (1974-07-01), Siegel et al.
patent: 4570443 (1986-02-01), Specht
patent: 4873829 (1989-10-01), Williamson
patent: 5092127 (1992-03-01), Miller
Beehler & Pavitt
Belasco David A.
Nguyen Hoang
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