Richard V Christensen

US Patent:

7062913, Jun 20, 2006

Filed:

Dec 15, 2000

Appl. No.:

10/168169

Inventors:

Richard N. Christensen - Upper Arlington OH, US
Jiming Cao - Dublin OH, US
E. Thomas Henkel - Chapel Hill NC, US

Assignee:

The Ohio State University - Columbus OH

International Classification:

F01K 25/08

US Classification:

60651, 60653, 60671, 60679

Abstract:

A heat engine () achieves operational efficiencies by: 1) recovering waste heat from heat engine expander () to preheat heat-engine working fluid, 2) using super-heated working fluid from compressor () to pre-heat heat-engine working fluid, and 3) using reject heat from condenser () and absorber () to heat the heat-engine boiler (). A dual heat-exchange generator () affords continuous operation by using gas-fired heat exchanger () to heat generator () when intermittent heat source (), e. g. , solar, is incapable of heating generator (). The combination of heat engine () and absorption and compression heat transfer devices () allows use of low-temperature heat sources such as solar, bio-mass, and waste heat to provide refrigeration, heating, work output including pumping and heating of subterranean water and electrical generation.

US Patent:

49266594, May 22, 1990

Filed:

Mar 30, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/331675

Inventors:

Richard N. Christensen - Columbus OH
Anthony C. DeVuono - Columbus OH
William H. Wilkinson - Columbus OH
D. Karl Landstrom - Columbus OH

Assignee:

Gas Research Institute - Chicago IL

International Classification:

F25B 1500

US Classification:

62476

Abstract:

A absorption refrigeration system having cooling and heating modes of operation functions with a double-effect or "split" refrigeration cycle having approximately the same refrigerant concentration span in each cycle loop. The system includes a novel direct expansion combined evaporator and absorber assembly with improved heat transfer characteristics and with interchangeable liquid flows accomplished through actuation of a conventional reversing valve. Also, the system is provided with improved recuperative heat exchangers to further increase system energy conversion efficiencies.

US Patent:

56365276, Jun 10, 1997

Filed:

Nov 15, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/558173

Inventors:

Richard N. Christensen - Columbus OH
Stephen E. Petty - Dublin OH

Assignee:

The Ohio State University Research Foundation - Columbus OH

International Classification:

F25B 1500

US Classification:

62476

Abstract:

Apparatus for mass transfer of gas and liquid flowing through passages therein has a vertical enclosure formed in a pair of sheet metal plates sealed together around their periphery and formed to have rows of horizontal passages communicating with columns of vertical passages in and adjacent to a vertical plane defined by flat contiguous areas of the plates between and around the passages. The inner surfaces of the passages have highly wettable areas to substantially maximize transfer of mass and heat. Each horizontal passage is continuous between the vertical passages with which it communicates. In the main portion of the apparatus, the axis of each vertical passage between one horizontal passage and the next lower one passes through the middle of a flat contiguous area between that next lower horizontal passage and the following still lower one and midway between the axes of the two vertical passages on each side of that flat area, so that fluid in the vertical passages divides approximately equally in its vertical flow between each horizontal passage and the next. Vertical passages connecting alternate ends of successive horizontal passages may be added, to provide also a serpentine path for fluid therein. Openings are provided to receive and expel, respectively, fluids that are to be, or have been, absorbed or desorbed.

US Patent:

55333621, Jul 9, 1996

Filed:

Aug 19, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/292843

Inventors:

F. Bert Cook - Columbus OH
Stephen E. Petty - Dublin OH
Howard C. Meacham - Upper Arlington OH
Richard N. Christensen - Columbus OH
Kevin R. McGahey - Fairfax OH

Assignee:

Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc. - Columbus OH

International Classification:

F25B 1500

US Classification:

62476

Abstract:

A refrigeration and heating system in which an absorber (97), condenser (100) and recuperator are placed (107) in a single module (270) and are provided with tube-in-tube or tube-in-cylinder construction with fluted inner tubes. A general purpose, divided-flow, tube-in-cylinder, heat transfer device (400) is used to reduce the pressure drop in the circulating fluid.

US Patent:

50021192, Mar 26, 1991

Filed:

Apr 2, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/503295

Inventors:

Elmo W. Geppelt - Tulsa OK
William H. Poore - Tulsa OK
Richard D. Christensen - Columbus OH

Assignee:

G.P. Industries, Inc. - Tulsa OK

International Classification:

F28F 904

US Classification:

165 79

Abstract:

A header and tube assembly for use in a shell-and-tube type heat exchanger formed of a header plate having a plurality of spaced apart openings therethrough, each opening having a large cross-sectional area in the portion adjacent the header outer surface than the cross-sectional area adjacent the inner surface, a tube received in each of the openings, each tube having an outer end extending at least even with the header outer surface, and a sealer filling each of the openings in the header and surrounding the tube in the openings to thereby secure each tube in a leak-proof arrangement. In one embodiment, each opening in the header is of conical cross-sectional configuration, and in another embodiment, each opening in the header has a smaller cross-sectional portion adjacent the header inner surface dimensioned to snugly receive the tube and a larger cross-sectional portion adjacent the header outer surface to receive the sealer therein.

US Patent:

57044171, Jan 6, 1998

Filed:

Aug 23, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/697716

Inventors:

Richard N. Christensen - Columbus OH
Srinivas Garimella - Kalamazoo MI
Yong Tae Kang - Columbus OH
Michael Garrabrant - Johnstown OH

Assignee:

Gas Research Institute - Chicago IL

International Classification:

B01F 304

US Classification:

165110

Abstract:

A fluid heat exchange apparatus is disclosed that can be used as an absorber in an absorption cooling system. The compact absorber design uses an accordion fin assembly to direct solution downward through the absorber on a plurality of alternatively angled fins. The alternatively angled fins cause the solution to collect at each level against a thermally conductive surface. Each fin includes a plurality of house-shaped perforations that allow the solution to spill over onto the next level fin. The house-shaped perforations also allow the vapor to flow upward in effective counterflow with the solution.

US Patent:

55467601, Aug 20, 1996

Filed:

Jun 7, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/487501

Inventors:

F. Bert Cook - Columbus OH
Stephen E. Petty - Dublin OH
Howard C. Meacham - Upper Arlington OH
Richard N. Christensen - Columbus OH
Kevin R. McGahey - Fairfax VA

Assignee:

Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc. - Columbus OH

International Classification:

F25B 3300

US Classification:

62497

Abstract:

An absorption refrigeration and heating system has helical concentric coils for two generators (80 and 81) and recuperators (86 and 95) on a common axis (232) with a heating unit (84) at the center and allowing the hot combustion gases (245) to circulate in serpentine fashion through separate concentric chambers containing the coils. An absorber (97), condenser (100) and recuperator (107) are placed in a single module (270) and configured with a tube-in-tube or tube-in-cylinder construction with fluted inner tubes. A general purpose, divided-flow, tube-in-cylinder, heat-transfer device (400) is used to reduce the pressure drop in the circulating fluid.

US Patent:

63147521, Nov 13, 2001

Filed:

Dec 17, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/464827

Inventors:

Richard N. Christensen - Columbus OH
Michael A. Garrabrant - Johnstown OH
Roger F. Stout - Columbus OH

Assignee:

The Ohio State University Research Foundation - Columbus OH

International Classification:

F25B 1512

US Classification:

62484

Abstract:

A mass and heat transfer device uses a substantially vertical surface to separating a first fluid space from a second fluid space with the first fluid space containing a downward flowing liquid in at least a partially flooded state and an upward flowing gas contained at least partially within the downward flowing liquid. A fluid distribution surface with one or more apertures is provided within the first fluid space with the apertures controlling the downward passage and distribution of the downward flowing liquid and the upward passage and distribution of the upward flowing gas. A heat transfer fluid is used in the second fluid space for heat transfer with fluids in the first fluid space. The fluid distribution surface can be used in a horizontal, vertical or angled position and in annular, cylindrical, and hexahedral forms. The mass and heat transfer device is especially compact when sheet metal plates and frames are used as enclosures for the first and second fluid spaces and is especially useful when used as absorbers, condensers, desorbers, and evaporators in an absorption refrigeration machine.

Address:

1788 E Main St, Columbus, OH 43205

VIN:

1FTYR10D17PA58458

Make:

FORD

Model:

RANGER

Year:

2007