Heat exchange apparatus

Claim 2

Heat exchange apparatus comprising in combination: a plurality of ring-like, disc-shaped closed containers each adapted to hold a first material, said containers being disposed in a stacked array with each container being spaced from an adjacent container, to form a first passageway between adjacent containers, the center portion of each said ring-like container defining a conduit generally perpendicular to the plane of the disc in conduit relationship with said first passageway to form thereby a continuous passage of a fluid through said apparatus, and in conduit relationship with each of the other said perpendicular conduits in said other discs to form a second passageway therewith and with each said first passageway, and bonnet means for directing said fluid radially and inwardly through said passageways and then out of said apparatus, thereby to achieve an efficient heat transfer between said fluid and said first material, there being in said containers heat storage material as said first material.

Claim 3

An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said containers each have a plano-convex shape.

Claim 4

An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said containers each have a concavo-convex shape.

Claim 5

An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said containers each have a double convex shape.

Claim 6

An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein each said container is symmetrical about the plane of said disc.

Claim 7

An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the inner annular portion of said containers is roughened to increase the surface area for contact by said fluid.

Claim 8

An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein each said container has formed therein inwardly extending, radially directed fins for providing a heat-conductive path from the interior of said container to the exterior.

Claim 9

An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said bonnet means includes an annular chamber about the periphery of said containers, the inner portion of said chamber defining perforations therein to admit said second fluid, said chamber also having an inlet.

Claim 10

An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said perforations have varying sized openings which increase as a function of the circumferential distance from said inlet.

Claim 11

An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said bonnet means includes an annular chamber about the periphery of said containers, the inner portion of said chamber defining perforations therein to admit said second fluid, said chamber also having an inlet.

Claim 12

An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said perforations have varying openings which increase as a function of the circumferential distance from said inlet.

Claim 13

An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said containers are in the shape of discs having parallel faces.

Claim 14

An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said containers have a thickness which varies inversely as a function of radius.

Claim 15

An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said containers have external fins disposed on at least one face extending perpendicularly to the plane of the disc and spiral-like in configuration, thereby to create a vortex in the in-flowing air in the central portion of the containers.

Claim 16

Heat exchange apparatus comprising in combination: a plurality of ring-like, disc-shaped closed containers having therein a first, contained material and each having an annulus whose thickness varies inversely as a function of its radius, said containers being disposed in a stacked array with each container being spaced from its adjacent containers to form first passageways between adjacent containers; the center portion of each ring-like container defining a conduit generally perpendicular to the plane of the disc in conduit relationship with respective first passageways, and in conduit relationship with each of the other said perpendicular conduits in said other discs to form second passageways therewith, and bonnet means for flowing a second material radially and inwardly through said passageways and then out through said apparatus, thereby to achieve an efficient heat transfer between said contained material and said flowing material, there being in said containers heat storage material as said first material.

Claim 17

Heat exchange apparatus comprising in combination: a plurality of ring-like, disc-shaped closed containers having therein a first, contained material and each having an annulus whose thickness varies inversely as a function of its radius, said containers being disposed in a stacked array with each container being spaced from its adjacent containers to form first passageways between adjacent containers; the center portion of each ring-like container defining a conduit generally perpendicular to the plane of the disc in conduit relationship with respective first passageways, and in conduit relationship with each of the other said perpendicular conduits in said other discs to form second passageways therewith, and bonnet means for flowing a second material radially and inwardly through said passageways and then out through said apparatus, thereby to achieve an efficient heat transfer between said contained material and said flowing material, there being in said containers heat storage material as said first material.