Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02855112 2014-06-25
TITLE: METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR COOLING FLUID
FIELD
[0001] The disclosed embodiments relate to the field of fluid
coolers, and to methods
and apparatus for cooling fluids.
INTRODUCTION
[0002] In the dental and medical fields, among others, equipment may
be sterilized
using a sterilizer. Some sterilizers, such as cassette and chamber autoclaves,
use high
temperature steam to sterilize equipment. At least some of these apparatus
include an
outlet for the disposal of exhaust steam or hot liquid fluid.
[0003] Disposing of exhaust steam or hot liquid directly into a sewer or
drain pipe is
prohibited in many municipalities. In many cases, steam or hot liquid must be
cooled to a
liquid no hotter than 65 C before it can be legally discharged into a sewer or
drain pipe.
Moreover, many municipalities impose strict backflow prevention policies for
protecting
potable water from contamination.
SUMMARY
[0004] In a first aspect, there is a fluid cooler comprising a
container for a liquid
transfer medium. The container may include first and second hot fluid inlets,
first and
second cooled liquid outlets, a cooling liquid inlet, and a cooling liquid
outlet. A first conduit
may extend within the container and fluidly couple the first hot fluid inlet
to the first cooled
liquid outlet. A second conduit may extend within the container and fluidly
couple the
second hot fluid inlet to the second cooled liquid outlet. A third conduit may
extend within
the container and fluidly couple the cooling liquid inlet to the cooling
liquid outlet. The first,
second, and third conduits may be positioned to be at least partially
submerged in the liquid
transfer medium when the container contains the liquid transfer medium.
[0005] In some embodiments, the container may include a removable lid, and
at
least one of the first and second hot fluid inlets, the first and second
cooled liquid outlets,
the cooling liquid inlet, and the cooling liquid outlet may be located in the
removable lid.
[0006] In some embodiments, the fluid cooler may further comprise a
thermally
sensitive flow regulator fluidly coupled to the third conduit.
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[0007] In some embodiments, the flow regulator may include a valve
operated by a
thermally sensitive actuator.
[0008] In some embodiments, the flow regulator may positioned within
the container
such that the flow regulator is at least partially submerged when the
container contains the
liquid transfer medium.
[0009] In some embodiments, at least one of the first, second and
third conduits may
be at least partially coiled.
[0010] In some embodiments, one conduit of the first, second, and
third conduits
may include a coiled portion defining an interior volume; and at least one
other of the first,
second and third conduits may extend through the interior volume.
[0011] In some embodiments, the container may have a top, and a
bottom. Each of
the first, second, and third conduits may include a coiled portion. The coiled
portion of the
third conduit may be closer to the top of the container than the coiled
portions of the first
and second conduits.
[0012] In some embodiments, the fluid cooler may further comprise a
discharge
conduit which may extend exterior the container and may have a first end
fluidly coupled to
the cooling liquid outlet.
[0013] In some embodiments, the discharge conduit may include a
second end
exposed to open air.
[0014] In another aspect, there is a fluid cooler core comprising a
container lid
having an inward facing side, a hot fluid inlet, a cooled liquid outlet, a
cooling liquid inlet,
and a cooling liquid outlet. A first conduit may extend from the inward facing
side and
fluidly couple the hot fluid inlet to the cooled liquid outlet. A second
conduit may extending
from the inward facing side and fluidly couple the cooling liquid inlet to the
cooling liquid
outlet. When the container lid closes an opening to a container, the first and
second
conduits may extend into the container.
[0015] In some embodiments, the fluid cooler core may further
comprise a thermally
sensitive flow regulator fluidly coupled to the second conduit.
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[0016] In some embodiments, the flow regulator may include a valve
operated by a
thermally sensitive actuator.
[0017] In some embodiments, at least one of the first and second
conduits is at least
partially coiled.
[0018] In some embodiments, one conduit of the first and second conduits
may
include a coiled portion defining an interior volume, and the other of the
first and second
conduits may extend through the interior volume.
[0019] In some embodiments, each of the first and second conduits
may include a
coiled portion, and the coiled portion of the second conduit may be closer to
the lid than the
coiled portion of the first conduit.
[0020] In some embodiments, the container lid may include a second
hot fluid inlet,
and a second cooled liquid outlet, and a third conduit may extend from the
inward facing
side and fluidly couple the second hot fluid inlet to the second cooled liquid
outlet.
[0021] In another aspect, there is a method of condensing gas. The
method may
comprise directing a flow of cold liquid through a first conduit, the first
conduit being at least
partially submerged in a liquid transfer medium, to cool the liquid transfer
medium; and
directing a flow of hot gas through a second conduit, the second conduit being
at least
partially submerged in the liquid transfer medium, to condense the flow of
steam into a flow
of cold liquid condensate.
[0022] In some embodiments, directing a flow of cold liquid may comprise
directing a
flow of cold water from a municipal supply line through the first conduit. The
method may
further comprise discharging the flow of cold liquid into a municipal drain
through open air.
[0023] In some embodiments, directing a flow of cold liquid may
comprise directing a
flow of cold water from a municipal supply line through the first conduit. The
method may
further comprise discharging the flow of cold liquid into a municipal drain
through one or
more of a double check-valve and a reduced pressure zone assembly.
[0024] In some embodiments, the method may further comprise
regulating the flow
rate of cold liquid with a thermally sensitive flow regulator at least
partially submerged in the
liquid transfer medium.
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[0025] In some embodiments, directing the flow of steam may comprise
directing a
flow of steam discharged from a sterilizer through the second conduit.
[0026] In some embodiments, the method may further comprise
directing a second
flow of steam through a third conduit, the third conduit being at least
partially submerged in
the liquid transfer medium, to condense the second flow of steam into a second
flow of cold
liquid condensate.
DRAWINGS
[0027] FIG. 1 shows a schematic of a fluid cooler fluidly coupled to
a hot fluid source,
in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a fluid cooler, in accordance
with at least
one embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the fluid cooler of FIG. 2,
in accordance
with at least one embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 4 shows a side elevation view of a fluid cooler core in
accordance with at
least one embodiment;
[0031] FIG. 5 shows a schematic of a fluid cooler fluidly coupled to
a first and second
hot fluid source, in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[0032] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a fluid cooler, in
accordance with at least
one embodiment;
[0033] FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the fluid cooler of FIG. 6, in
accordance
with at least one embodiment;
[0034] FIG. 8 shows a side view of a fluid cooler core, in
accordance with at least
one embodiment;
[0035] FIG. 9 shows a flowchart illustrating a method of cooling
fluid, in accordance
with at least one embodiment; and
[0036] FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of a fluid cooler including
conduits having
a serpentine portion, in accordance with at least one embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS
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[0037] The terms "an embodiment," "embodiment," "embodiments," "the
embodiment," "the embodiments," "one or more embodiments," "some embodiments,"
and
"one embodiment" mean "one or more (but not all) embodiments of the present
invention(s)," unless expressly specified otherwise.
[0038] The terms "including," "comprising" and variations thereof mean
"including but
not limited to," unless expressly specified otherwise. A listing of items does
not imply that
any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified
otherwise. The
terms "a," "an" and "the" mean "one or more," unless expressly specified
otherwise.
[0039] A description of an embodiment with several components in
communication
with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the
contrary a
variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of
possible
embodiments of the present invention.
[0040] When a single element is described herein, it will be readily
apparent that
more than one element may be used in place of the single element. Similarly,
where more
than one element is described herein, it will be readily apparent that a
single element may
be used in place of the more than one element.
[0041] Reference is first made to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 shows a
schematic of a fluid
cooler 100 fluidly coupled to a hot fluid source 102, in accordance with at
least one
embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of fluid cooler 100, in accordance
with at
least one embodiment. FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of fluid cooler 100, in
accordance
with at least one embodiment.
[0042] In the example shown, fluid cooler 100 includes a hot fluid
inlet 104 fluidly
coupled by a hot fluid conduit 106 to hot fluid source 102. Fluid cooler 100
is shown further
including a cooled liquid outlet 108 fluidly coupled by a cooled liquid
conduit 110 to a drain
pipe 112. As shown, exhaust hot fluid from hot fluid source 102 is directed
through hot fluid
conduit 106 to fluid cooler 100. As used herein, and in the claims, a fluid is
either liquid or
steam, and a hot fluid has a temperature greater than a cooled liquid.
Further, as used
herein, and in the claims, steam refers to any gas which changes phase from
gas to liquid
at atmospheric pressure and a temperature in the range of 50 C to 200 C. In
one example,
steam is water vapor having a temperature above 100 C.
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[0043] In use, at least one embodiment of fluid cooler 100 cools the
exhaust hot fluid
from hot fluid source 102 (and if the hot fluid is steam then condenses it)
into a cooled
liquid which is then discharged through cooled liquid outlet 108 and cooled
liquid conduit
110 into drain pipe 112. In at least some cases, the cooled liquid has a
temperature at
discharge of less than or equal to 65 C.
[0044] In some examples, hot fluid source 102 is a cassette
autoclave which uses
steam for sterilizing equipment, such as dental and medical equipment for
example, and
exhausts steam into hot fluid conduit 106. However, in alternative
embodiments, hot fluid
source 102 is any apparatus which outputs hot fluid and that can be fluidly
coupled to fluid
cooler 100. In some examples, hot fluid source 102 is a steam oven, a steam
washer, a
steam drier, or a washer/disinfector. In some cases, hot fluid discharged from
hot fluid
source 102 has a temperature between 85 C and 300 C.
[0045] Fluid cooler 100 is shown including a container 114 for a
liquid transfer
medium 116. Container 114 can take any form which can house a volume of
liquid.
Generally, container 114 includes one or more walls which cooperate to contain
a volume
of liquid. FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate an example container 114 shaped as a
generally cuboid
bottle. In alternative examples, container 114 is generally cylindrical or
spherical. In some
embodiments, container 114 includes one or more deformable walls, like a bag.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 3, container 114 as shown includes an upper
opening 117.
In the example shown, fluid cooler 100 includes a lid 118 for selectively
closing opening
117. Optionally, lid 118 includes one or more openings 119. Opening 119 may
permit gas
pressure inside of container 114 to equalize, and may permit liquid 116 to
exit (e.g. during
an overflow). In some examples, lid 118 includes one or more retention members
(e.g.
threads or latches, not shown) for mating with one or more retention members
135 (e.g.
threads or notches) provided on container 114. In some examples, lid 118
includes a
sealing element (e.g. a gasket) that is urged against container 114 by lid 118
to enhance a
liquid-tight seal between lid 118 and container 114.
[0047] Fluid cooler 100 in some alternative embodiments (not shown)
does not
include a lid 118. In one example, container 114 includes an opening 117 that
remains
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uncovered during use. In another example, container 114 does not include
opening 117
and is permanently sealed from the outside atmosphere.
[0048] Referring again to FIGS. 1 to 3, container 114 can be made of
any suitable
material. In some examples, container 114 is made of one or more of glass,
metal, plastic,
wood, and rubber. In the example shown, container 114 includes an at least
partially
transparent material, such as transparent glass or transparent plastic. This
may permit the
liquid transfer medium 116 to be visible from outside of container 114 for
monitoring the
level and quality (e.g. coloration) of the liquid transfer medium 116. An
excess or
deficiency of liquid transfer medium 116, or a change in coloration of liquid
transfer medium
116 may be indicative of a problem (e.g. a leaking container 114, or a leaking
conduit
inside container 114).
[0049] In the example shown, fluid cooler 100 further includes a
cooling liquid inlet
120 and a cooling liquid outlet 122. As shown, cooling liquid inlet 120 is
fluidly coupled to a
cooling liquid source 124. In some examples, cooling liquid source 124 is a
municipal cold
water supply line or any other source of cold liquid. In some cases, cooling
liquid from
cooling liquid source 124 has a temperature between 0 C and 50 C.
[0050] As shown, fluid cooler 100 includes a cooling liquid conduit
126, and a cooling
conduit 128. Cooling liquid conduit 126 is shown fluidly coupling cooling
liquid inlet 120
and cooling liquid outlet 122. Cooling conduit 128 is shown fluidly coupling
hot fluid inlet
104 and cooled liquid outlet 108.
[0051] During the use of at least one embodiment of fluid cooler
100, cooling liquid
from cooling liquid source 124 enters fluid cooler 100 by cooling liquid inlet
120 and flows
through cooling liquid conduit 126 to cooling liquid outlet 122. Similarly,
hot fluid from hot
fluid source 102 enters by hot fluid inlet 104, and flows through cooling
conduit 128 in
which the hot fluid is cooled (and condensed if the hot fluid is steam) to a
cooled liquid
which exits at cooled liquid outlet 108.
[0052] As shown, each of cooling liquid conduit 126, and cooling
conduit 128 is at
least partially submerged in liquid transfer medium 116. At least some of the
cooling liquid
flowing through cooling liquid conduit 126 provides a heat sink, which draws
heat from the
hot fluid inside cooling conduit 128. The heat from the cooling conduit 128
transfers
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through liquid transfer medium 116 and into cooling liquid conduit 126. In
operation, the
temperature of a given volume of hot fluid, inside cooling conduit 128, may
fall as heat is
lost to the cooling liquid inside of cooling liquid conduit 126. Where the hot
fluid is steam,
and the temperature falls below a threshold temperature, the steam changes
phase to
liquid condensate. The temperature of a given volume of the condensate, inside
cooling
conduit 128, may further fall as heat is lost from the condensate to the
cooling liquid in
cooling liquid conduit 126.
[0053] Generally, the rate of heat transfer from the hot fluid
inside cooling conduit
128, to the cooling liquid inside cooling liquid conduit 126 depends on, among
other things,
the temperature difference between the cooling liquid and the hot fluid, and
the physical
properties of the conduits 126, 128 and the liquid transfer medium 116.
Conduits 126 and
128 can be made of any suitable material. In some examples, conduits 126 and
128 are
made of one or more of metals (e.g. copper, aluminum, or stainless steel),
plastics, and
ceramics (e.g. glass, or porcelain). Further, conduits 126 and 128 can have
any suitable
cross-sectional shape for transporting fluids, such as a circular, rectangular
or triangular
shape for example.
[0054] Liquid transfer medium 116 can be any suitable liquid. In
some examples,
liquid transfer medium 116 is potable water. Alternatively, liquid transfer
medium 116 can
be a gel, an oil, or any other suitable liquid having desired characteristics.
[0055] In the example shown, fluid cooler 100 includes a thermally
sensitive flow
regulator 130 operable to control the flow rate of cooling liquid through
cooling liquid
conduit 126 based on one or more of a temperature inside container 114, and a
temperature of liquid transfer medium 116. This may permit an efficient
control of cooling
water usage, while preserving the performance of fluid cooler 100 (e.g.
maintaining a
discharge of cooled fluid at a temperature at or below a target temperature).
In some
examples, flow regulator 130 is at least partially submerged in liquid
transfer medium 116
for responding to the temperature of liquid transfer medium 116. In at least
one
embodiment, flow regulator 130 includes a valve 130A operated by a thermally
sensitive
actuator 130B. The thermally sensitive actuator may gradually or stepwise move
the valve
between open and closed, or toggle the valve between open and closed, in
response to a
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sensed fluid temperature (e.g. of the liquid transfer medium 116 in which it
is at least
partially submerged).
[0056] In at least one embodiment, fluid cooler 100 includes a
cooling liquid
discharge conduit 132 coupled to cooling liquid outlet 122. In the example
shown, cooling
liquid discharge conduit 132 directs cooling liquid from cooling liquid outlet
122 to a sink
134. In alternative embodiments, cooling liquid outlet 122 can direct cooling
liquid to
anywhere, such as a basin, a bottle, a floor drain, or onto the ground outside
for example.
[0057] Fluid cooler 100, as shown, is configured to lessen the
possibility of dirty
cooled liquid contaminating cooling liquid source 124. As shown, cooled liquid
conduit 110
is fluidly coupled to a drain for disposing of cooled liquid from hot fluid
source 102 into the
drain. Moreover, the conduits which transport dirty hot fluid and cooled
liquid (hot fluid
conduit 106, cooling conduit 128 and cooled liquid conduit 110) are shown
fluidly isolated
from the conduits which transport cooling liquid (e.g. potable water) from
cooling liquid
source 124 (cooling liquid conduit 126 and cooling liquid discharge conduit
132).
[0058] In the example shown, two conduit walls (e.g. of conduits 126 and
128) and
liquid transfer medium 116 separates the dirty hot fluid and cooled liquid
from the cooling
liquid and liquid source 124. This may help reduce the possibility of the
dirty hot fluid and
cooled liquid from contaminating the cooling liquid source 124. For example,
if cooling
liquid conduit 126 were to rupture, then cooling liquid source 124 could
become exposed to
liquid transfer medium 116 (which may be potable water), but conduit 128 could
continue to
isolate the dirty hot fluid and cooled liquid therein from contaminating
cooling liquid source
124. Similarly, if cooling conduit 128 were to rupture and contaminate liquid
transfer
medium 116, then cooling liquid conduit 126 could continue to isolate the
cooling liquid
source 124 from the contaminated liquid transfer medium 116.
[0059] As shown, cooling liquid discharge conduit 132 includes a free end
136 for
discharging cooling liquid into sink 134. In the example shown, free end 136
is exposed to
open air. This may lessen the possibility of drain 138 backing up and
contaminating
cooling liquid source 124 through free end 136. In some examples, there is a
bracket 140
mountable to a tabletop 142 adjacent a sink, bottle, basin or other reservoir,
for directing
cooling liquid discharge conduit 132 into the sink, bottle, basin or other
reservoir.
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[0060]
As shown, bracket 140 includes a first end 144, for penetrating a
tabletop and
having a first bore 146 for receiving cooling liquid discharge conduit 132.
Bracket 140 is
also shown including a second end 148 having a second bore 150 for receiving
free end
136 of cooling liquid discharge conduit 132. In some examples, first end 144
includes any
one or more retentive elements for securing to tabletop 142. In the example
shown, first
end 144 includes a cylindrical threaded portion 152 and a nut 154 which
cooperate with a
flange 156 to clamp bracket 140 onto tabletop 142. In alternative embodiments,
the
retentive element(s) of first end 144 includes one or more of snaps, magnets,
thumbscrews, hooks, loops, straps, buckles, or any other suitable retentive
element.
[0061]
In at least some examples, first bore 146 and second bore 150 are
substantially parallel. Cooling liquid discharge conduit 132, in some
examples, extends
through first and second bores 146 and 150, such that the direction of cooling
liquid flow
through first bore 146 (e.g. up) is approximately opposite to the direction of
cooling liquid
flow through second bore 150 (e.g. down).
[0062]
In alternative embodiments (not shown), cooling liquid discharge conduit 132
is physically coupled to drain 138 by another backflow prevention device, such
as a double
check-valve, or a reduced pressure zone assembly.
[0063]
In the example shown, cooled liquid conduit 110 includes a thermal shut-
off
valve 158. Thermal shut-off valve 158 closes conduit 110 to the flow of fluid
in response to
detecting a fluid temperature above a threshold. This may prevent fluid above
a certain
temperature from entering drain pipe 112, which might otherwise be a
contravention of
municipal law, safety standards or design parameters. Generally, a failure of
fluid cooler
100 (e.g. container 114 leaks liquid transfer medium 116, flow regulator 130
malfunctions,
or cooling liquid source 124 shuts off) can give rise to a discharge of fluid
through cooled
liquid conduit 110 above the threshold at which thermal shut-off valve 158
closes conduit
110. This may subsequently trigger an abnormal cycle fault condition in the
hot fluid source
102, causing hot fluid source 102 to stop exhausting hot fluid.
[0064]
Cooling liquid conduit 126 and cooling conduit 128 are shown extending
within container 114. In the example shown, cooling liquid conduit 126
includes a coiled
portion 160, and cooling conduit 128 includes a coiled portion 162. Coiled
portions 160 and
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162 may provide long path lengths and large surface areas for heat transfer to
occur
between cooling conduit 128 and cooling liquid conduit 126. However, in
alternative
examples, one or both of conduits 126 and 128 has a short path length and is
free of coiled
portions.
[0065] In at least some embodiments, coiled portions 160 and 162 are
arranged in
spaced relation within container 114, as shown by way of example in FIG. 1. In
other
embodiments, coiled portion 160 and 162 are arranged in nested relation, as
shown by way
of example in FIGS. 2 and 3. Nesting coiled portions 160 and 162 may enhance
heat
transfer between coiled portions 160 and 162. In the examples shown in FIGS. 2
and 3,
coiled portion 162 of cooling conduit 128 is nested inside coiled portion 160
of cooling liquid
conduit 126. As shown, coiled portion 160 defines an interior volume through
which coiled
portion 162 extends. In alternative embodiments (not shown), coiled portion
160 is nested
inside coiled portion 162 and extends through an interior volume defined by
coiled portion
162.
[0066] FIG. 4 shows a side view of a fluid cooler core 164 in accordance
with at least
some embodiments. In the example shown, fluid cooler core 164 is a component
of fluid
cooler 100 (see FIG. 3). As shown, fluid cooler core 164 includes lid 118 in
which inlets
and outlets 104, 108 (obscured from view), 120 and 122 are located, and to
which conduits
126 and 128 are connected. In some examples, fluid cooler core 164 is a
unitary assembly
including lid 118 which can be secured to any container having a compatible
opening. This
may permit embodiments of fluid cooler 100 to be formed by combining fluid
cooler core
164 with different sized or shaped containers 114. This may also permit
container 114 to
be easily replaced if container 114 becomes worn or damaged. In some cases, a
user may
use a fluid cooler core 164 with a compatible container that they already own.
[0067] Referring again to FIGS. 1 to 3, in alternative embodiments (not
shown), one
or more of inlets and outlets 104, 108, 120 and 122 are located on a wall of
container 114
other than a removable lid 118. In some examples, one or more of inlets and
outlets 104,
108, 120, and 122 are located on a side wall or a bottom wall of container
114.
[0068] In at least some embodiments, fluid cooler 100 includes a
plurality of cooling
liquid circuits (e.g. a second cooling liquid inlet, a second cooling liquid
conduit, and a
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second cooling liquid outlet) each coupled to the same or different cooling
liquid source(s).
Similarly, in at least some embodiments, fluid cooler 100 includes a plurality
of cooling
circuits (e.g. a second hot fluid inlet, a second cooling conduit, and a
second cooled liquid
outlet) each coupled to the same or different hot fluid source(s) and drain
pipe(s).
[0069] Reference is now made to FIGS. 5 to 8. In at least some embodiments,
an
element shown in any of FIGS. 5 to 8, which is labeled by the same reference
numeral as a
previously described element shown in any of FIGS. 1 to 4, is generally
analogous to that
previously described element. Furthermore, in at least some embodiments, an
element
shown in any of FIGS. 5 to 8 which is labeled by a reference numeral suffixed
"b" is
generally analogous to the element shown in any of FIGS. 1 to 4 labeled by the
same
reference numeral, without the suffix "b".
[0070] FIG. 5 shows a schematic of a fluid cooler 166 fluidly coupled
to hot fluid
source 102 and a second hot fluid source 102b, in accordance with at least one
embodiment. In at least some embodiments, fluid cooler 166 has features that
are
generally analogous to fluid cooler 100, and in addition includes a second
cooling circuit
(e.g. a second hot fluid inlet, a second cooling conduit, and a second cooled
liquid outlet).
FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of fluid cooler 166, in accordance with at
least one
embodiment. FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of fluid cooler 166, in accordance
with at
least one embodiment. FIG. 8 shows a side view of a fluid cooler core 168, in
accordance
with at least one embodiment. In at least some embodiments, fluid cooler core
168 has
features that are generally analogous to fluid cooler core 164, and in
addition includes a
second cooling circuit.
[0071] FIG. 5 shows fluid cooler 166 including a second cooling
circuit which cools
hot fluid from a second hot fluid source 102b into cooled fluid and discharges
the cooled
fluid into drain pipe 112. As shown, hot fluid source 102 is fluidly coupled
by second hot
fluid conduit 106b to second hot fluid inlet 104b, and a second cooling
conduit 128b fluidly
couples second hot fluid inlet 104b to second cooled liquid outlet 108b. A
second cooled
liquid conduit 110b is shown fluidly coupling second cooled liquid outlet 108b
to drain pipe
112. Second cooled liquid conduit 110b is also shown including optional second
thermal
shutoff valve 158b. In at least some embodiments (not shown), second cooled
liquid
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conduit 110b is fluidly coupled to a second drain pipe, or other reservoir
other than drain
pipe 112 to which cooled liquid conduit 110 is connected.
[0072] In at least some embodiments, one or more of conduits 126,
128 and 128b
includes a coiled portion. In the example shown, cooling liquid conduit 126
includes coiled
portion 160, cooling conduit 128 includes coiled portion 162, and second
cooling conduit
128b includes a coiled portion 162b. Coiled portions 160, 162, and 162b may
provide long
path lengths and large surface areas for heat transfer to occur between
cooling liquid
conduit 126 and conduits 128 and 128b.
[0073] In some alternative embodiments, one or more of conduits 126,
128, and
128b follow a shaped path other than a coil to provide a long path length.
FIG. 10
illustrates an example embodiment in which each of conduits 126, 128, and 128b
include a
planar serpentine portion. In the example shown, the serpentine portion of
conduits 128,
and 128b are nested with and surround the serpentine portion of conduit 126,
which may
enhance heat transfer. In alternative embodiments, some or all of conduits
126, 128, and
128b do not include a coiled, serpentine or otherwise shaped portion.
[0074] FIGS. 6 and 7 show embodiments of fluid cooler 166 including
nested cooling
liquid and cooling conduits 126, 128, and 128b. In the example shown, coiled
portions 162
and 162b of cooling conduits 128 and 128b are nested inside coiled portion 160
of cooling
liquid conduit 126. As shown, coiled portion 160 defines an internal volume
through which
coiled portion 162 and 162b extend. Further, coiled portion 162b of cooling
conduit 128b is
shown nested inside coiled portion 162 of cooling conduit 128. As shown,
coiled portion
162 defines an internal volume through which coiled portion 162b extends.
[0075] FIG. 8 shows fluid cooler core 168 including a second cooling
circuit (second
hot fluid inlet 104b, second cooled liquid outlet 108b, and second cooling
conduit 128b). As
described above in connection with fluid cooler core 164, fluid cooler core
168 includes a lid
118 which in some embodiments can be secured to a compatible bottle to form a
fluid
cooler (e.g. fluid cooler 166).
[0076] FIGS. 1 to 4 show example embodiments in which coiled portion
160 of
cooling liquid conduit 126 extends upwardly further than coiled portion 162 of
cooling liquid
conduit 126, when the embodiment is oriented in a working upright position.
Similarly,
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FIGS. 5 to 8 show example embodiments in which coiled portion 160 of cooling
liquid
conduit 126 extends upwardly further than coiled portions 162 and 162b of
cooling conduits
128 and 128b. In some examples, such as those shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, and 6 to
8, the
coiled portion 160 of cooling liquid conduit 126 is positioned closer to an
upper lid 118 than
the coiled portion(s) 162 (and 162b) of cooling conduit(s) 128 (and 128b). In
at least some
cases, this may induce liquid transfer medium 116 to circulate in the
direction of arrow 170
(see FIGS. 2 and 6).
[0077] In some cases, the liquid transfer medium 116 present in the
upper region of
container 114, where coiled portion 160 of cooling liquid 126 extends past
coiled portion(s)
162 (and 162b), has a lower temperature and therefore slightly higher density.
This can
cause the liquid transfer medium 116 in this upper region to flow by gravity
downwardly.
Similarly, in some cases the liquid transfer medium 116 present in the lower
region, where
coiled portion(s) 162 (and 162b) extends, has a higher temperature than the
aforementioned upper region and therefore also a slightly lower density than
the
aforementioned upper region. This can cause the liquid transfer medium 116 in
this lower
region to flow upwardly by buoyancy.
[0078] An induced circulation, such as for example in the direction
of arrow 170, may
in some cases further enhance the transfer of heat from cooling conduit(s) 128
(and 128b)
to cooling liquid conduit 126. In alternative embodiments, a fluid cooler or
fluid cooler core
does not include a structure which induces a flow of liquid transfer medium.
In some
examples (not shown), the coiled portion(s) 162 (and 162b) extends above the
coiled
portion 160, and/or the coiled portion 160 extends below the coiled portion(s)
162 (and
162b).
[0079] FIG. 9 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 900 of cooling
fluid, in
accordance with at least one embodiment. For clarity of illustration, method
900 is
described below with reference to fluid coolers 100 and 166. However, method
900 is not
limited to the use of fluid coolers 100 and 166, and can be practiced using
any suitable
apparatus. Further the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 illustrates the steps of
method 900
organized in a particular order. However, method 900 is not limited to the
steps ordered as
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CA 02855112 2014-06-25
shown, and in some embodiments of method 900 some steps are practiced in a
different
order and some steps are practiced simultaneously.
[0080] At 902, a flow of hot fluid (e.g. hot fluid discharged from
hot fluid source 102)
is directed through cooling conduit 128, which is at least partially submerged
in liquid
transfer medium 116 (e.g. potable water). In some examples, the flow of hot
fluid is
intended for a regulated drain (e.g. a municipal drain) into which hot fluid
is prohibited.
Accordingly, in some cases the flow of hot fluid can be cooled (and condensed
if the hot
fluid is steam) to a cooled liquid, and discharged into the drain (e.g. drain
pipe 112) at a
permissible temperature. In some embodiments, a second flow of hot fluid (e.g.
discharged
from a second hot fluid source 102b) is directed through a second cooling
conduit 128b,
which is at least partially submerged in liquid transfer medium 116.
[0081] At 904, a flow of cooling liquid (e.g. cold water) from
cooling liquid source 124
(e.g. a municipal cold water supply line) is directed through cooling liquid
conduit 126,
which is at least partially submerged in liquid transfer medium 116. In at
least some cases,
the cooling liquid provides a heat sink to induce a transfer of heat from the
flow of hot fluid
in cooling conduit 128 across liquid transfer medium 116 to the cooling liquid
inside cooling
liquid conduit 126.
[0082] In some examples, the flow of cooling liquid is regulated by
a thermally
sensitive flow regulator 130 that is at least partially submerged in the
liquid transfer medium
116. In some examples, the flow regulator 130 alters the flow rate of the
cooling liquid in
response to the temperature of the liquid transfer medium 116. In one example,
when the
temperature of the liquid transfer medium 116 falls, the flow regulator 130
reduces the flow
rate of cooling liquid (e.g. by constricting the passage of cooling liquid
through cooling liquid
conduit 126), and when the temperature of the liquid transfer medium 116 again
rises, the
flow regulator 130 increases the flow rate of cooling liquid (e.g. by
unconstricting the
passage of cooling liquid through cooling liquid conduit 126).
[0083] At 906, the flow of hot fluid is cooled, by the loss of heat
to liquid transfer
medium 116 and cooling liquid inside cooling liquid conduit 126, into a flow
of cooled liquid.
In at least some cases, the temperature of the flow of cooled liquid is
reduced to a
temperature at which the cooled liquid is permitted (e.g. by law, safety
standards, or design
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CA 02855112 2014-06-25
parameters) to be discharged into a drain (e.g. drain pipe 112). In some
embodiments, the
second flow of hot fluid is similarly cooled, by a loss of heat to liquid
transfer medium 116
and cooling liquid inside cooling liquid conduit 126, into a second flow of
cooled liquid.
[0084] At 908, the cooled liquid is discharged from the cooling
conduit 128. In some
cases, the cooled liquid is discharged directly into drain pipe 112.
Alternatively, the cooled
liquid is discharged into a storm drain, a floor drain, a basin or bottle.
[0085] At 910, the cooling liquid is discharged from cooling liquid
conduit 126. In
some cases, the cooling liquid is discharged directly into drain 138.
Alternatively, the
cooling liquid is discharged into a storm drain, a floor drain, a basin or a
bottle. In some
embodiments, the cooling liquid is discharged through open air into drain 138.
This may
prevent a backup of drain 138 from contaminating the cooling liquid source
which is fluidly
coupled to cooling liquid conduit 126 from which the cooling liquid is being
discharged.
[0086] While the above description provides examples of the
embodiments, it will be
appreciated that some features and/or functions of the described embodiments
are
susceptible to modification without departing from the principles of operation
of the
described embodiments. Accordingly, what has been described above has been
intended
to be illustrative of the invention and non-limiting and it will be understood
by persons
skilled in the art that other variants and modifications may be made without
departing from
the scope of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto. The scope
of the
claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments and examples, but
should be
given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.
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