DEVICE FOR HEATING FLUIDS

Abstract

A device for heating fluids by employing a rotor-housing mechanism. The device comprises a rotor assembly comprising a cylindrical rotor attached to a shaft with an annular space defined therebetween, a multiplicity of oblique bores disposed on the surface the rotor, a closely conforming cylindrical housing enclosing the rotor air tightly. The housing is defined by a cylindrical wall with first and second end-sealing plates sealing the opposite ends of the wall. The device further comprises an inlet and an outlet for the ingress and egress of a fluid from in and out of the housing respectively. A motive means, such as an electric motor, is connected to the shaft. A fluid received within the housing is primarily subjected to fluid hammer effect and for increasing the temperature thereof substantially.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to devices for heating fluids and more particularly to those that employ rotor-stator mechanism or rotor-housing mechanism to make said ends meet.

Many cases are known in the art to have set a precedent in this regard. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,090 to Griggs discloses an apparatus or device for heating fluids. The device comprises a cylindrical rotor riding a shaft driven by an external power means. The rotor is essentially a solid cylinder featuring a plurality of bores on the surface thereof. The rotor is received within a device housing, the interior surface of which conforms closely to the outer surface of the rotor. A fluid received within the housing is subjected to relative motion between the rotor and the housing, as a result of which, the temperature of the fluid is substantially elevated. The bores increase the effectiveness and the efficiency of the device greatly. However, the solid cylindrical rotor, as compared against a hollow one, is slower and consumes a lot of energy. Also, the solid cylindrical rotor, as a result of its sides being closed, fails to produce suction force in order to draw fluid into the housing.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,424,797 to Perkins discloses a heating device comprising a cylindrical housing within which a concentric rotor body is rotably journalled. The rotor body is essentially a hollow cylinder with both ends closed. An annular space is defined between the rotor body and housing. A drive means is disclosed for effecting relative rotation between the housing and the rotor. The rotation of the rotor body causes a liquid circulating in the annular space to heat up substantially. Similar to the Griggs' invention, the rotor here too fails to produce suction force for drawing fluid into the annular space.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,737 to Newman discloses a friction heater comprising a stator into which a rotor extends such that the inner wall of the stator engages the outer wall of the rotor. The heat generated by the rotation of the rotor relative the stator is transferred to a wall of a tank which contains a quantity of fluid to be heated as the outer surface of the stator is in contact a surface of the tank. A major drawback in the Newman's invention is the constant contact between the rotor and stator which results in excessive wear. Also, there exists a lot of structural distinction between the Newman's invention and the present one.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for heating fluids in a thermodynamically efficient manner using cavitations.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide such a device which is light and simple in construction.

It is a still further objective of the present invention to provide such a device which is capable of generating suction force.

It is a still further objective of the present invention to provide such a device which heats fluids by subjecting them to fluid hammer effect.

It is a still further objective of the present invention to provide such a device which can also be used for mixing thick and viscous fluids.

It is a still further objective of the present invention to provide such a device which can also be used for generating nano-particles.

It is also an objective of the present invention to provide such a device which can also be used as a reactor for accelerating reaction speed, and more specifically in the context of bio-diesel fuel production.

Yet another objective of the present invention to provide such a device which can also be used for destroying microorganism shells.

These and other objects and advantages of the embodiments herein will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a partially cutaway perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the rotor of the preferred embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an end-sealing plate of the preferred embodiment according to the present invention.

Appendix shows various chemical reactions that can be performed in the reactor for the production of bio-diesel fuel.

Table. 1 depicts the chemical structures of the fatty acids that are used in bio-diesel fuel production.

Table. 2 shows fatty oil percentages of natural oils that are used in bio-diesel fuel production.

FIGURES—REFERENCE NUMERALS

• 10 Device
• 12 Rotor
• 14 Shaft
• 16 Solar pedal
• 18 Oblique bore
• 20 Stand
• 22 Housing
• 24 First end-sealing plate
• 26 Second end-sealing plate
• 28 Circular platform
• 30 Hole
• 32 Halter bolt and nut
• 34 First axial bore
• 36 Bearing
• 38 Oil seal
• 40 Inlet port
• 42 Outlet port

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, a reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which the specific embodiments that may be practiced is shown by way of illustration. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that the logical, mechanical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Referring to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of an device for heating fluids is illustrated and generally indicated as 10 in FIGS. 1 through 4. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the preferred embodiment of the device 10 comprises a rotor assembly comprising a cylindrical rotor 12 attached to a shaft 14. More particularly, the rotor 12 is rigidly secured to the shaft 14 by solar pedals 16. The shaft may be formed of forged steel, cast or ductile iron, or other materials as desired. One end of the shaft is connected to a motive means such as an electric motor.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, the rotor 12 is essentially a hollow cylinder with the opposite ends thereof being open. The diameter of the rotor 12 is greater than its length. The rotor 12 may be formed of aluminum, steel, iron or other metal or alloy as appropriate. The surface of the rotor 12 features a multiplicity of thorough oblique bores 18, which are aligned and regularly spaced. The dimensions of the oblique bores 18 may be adjusted to optimize efficiency and effectiveness of the device 10 for heating various fluids. An annular space is defined between the shaft 14 and the rotor 12.

Again referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the preferred embodiment of the device 10 further comprises a stator or a housing 22 for enclosing the rotor 12, where the interior surface of the housing 22 conforms closely to the surface of the rotor 12. The clearance between the rotor 12 and the housing 22 may be adjusted depending on the parameters of the fluid involved, rotational speed of the rotor 12, and so on. The housing 22 is essentially a closed hollow cylinder comprising a cylindrical wall and a pair of circular end-sealing plates, viz., first and second end-sealing plates, 24 and 26, whose diameter is greater than that of the cylindrical wall. The housing 22 rests on a stand 20.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the interior surface of each plate 24 and 26 features a stepped concentric circular platform 28, whose diameter is equal to the internal diameter of the cylindrical wall. Each platform 28 is snugly received within an open side of the cylindrical wall as each plate 24 and 26 is secured to cylindrical wall. Further, each plate comprises a plurality of holes 30 located along the circumference thereof. Alignment of the holes 30 on the first plate 24 with those on the second 26 is ensured as the plates 24 and 26 are fitted into the opposite open sides of the cylindrical wall. Once aligned, the plates 24 and 26 are fastened together by halter bolt and nut mechanism 32 as shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the first and second plates 24 and 26 comprise first and second axial bores respectively. The first axial bore 34 is located on the platform 28 and extends substantially half the thickness of the plate 24. A bearing 36 is received within the first axial bore 34 within which, one end of the shaft 14 is rotably journalled. The second axial bore is thorough, and is adapted to receive the shaft 14 there through. An oil seal 38 is employed at the second axial bore so as to prevent any leakages of fluid therefrom. The first and second plates, 24 and 26, further comprise inlet and outlet ports 40 and 42 respectively; the ports 40 and 42 for the ingress and egress of a fluid from in and out of the housing 22 respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, the ports 40 and 42 are disposed in a diagonally opposing relation.

Fluid, for instance, water is received within the housing 22 and subsequently within the annular space through the inlet port 40. When the device 10 is powered, the rotor 12, on account of the centrifugal force that is generated, forces the water in the housing 22 away from the shaft 14 and towards the interior surface of the rotor 12 and the housing 22. The centrifugal force also acts a suction force which draws water within the housing 22. The water reaching the interior surface of the rotor 12 is driven towards the interior surface of the housing 24 through the oblique bores 18. The oblique bores 18, as opposed to radial bores, cause the water particles to travel more distance. The water particles discharged from oblique bores 18 collide with the interior surface of the housing 24 thereby being subjected to fluid or water hammer effect. The repeated collisions of the water particles discharged from the oblique bores 18 further intensify the water hammer effect, which causes a substantial rise in the temperature and the pressure of the water.

In addition to the rise of temperature due to the water hammer effect, the creation of shock waves in the water due to the centrifugal action, the creation of water cavities in the oblique bores 18, and the agitation of the water subjected to the relative motion between the rotor 12 and the housing 22 further add to the effect, and as a result of it, the temperature and the pressure of water exiting the housing through the outlet port 42 are even more elevated.

The device 10 can also be used as a reactor for accelerating reaction speed. For instance, in bio-diesel fuel production, usually a catalyst is used to expedite the reaction between alcohol and oil—typically herbal oil. The catalyst fast-tracks the reaction by breaking the typically large oil particles into smaller ones, which is necessary for the alcohol to react with the oil. However, when oil and alcohol are treated in the device, the agitation the oil is subjected to causes the same to break into smaller particles. A catalyst may also be introduced along with the oil and alcohol into the reactor to further speed up the process, but this is generally not required. Also, a lot of time can be saved if the output of one reactor is used as an input for another, with a storage tank disposed between two consecutive reactors. Finally, upon filtering impurities such as glycerin, a bio-diesel fuel of high purity can be obtained. Some of the reactions that can be performed in the reactor are shown in the Appendix. The reactions are between alcohol and fatty acids, which are typically contained within herbal oils. Table 1 primarily depicts the chemical structures of some of the fatty acids, whereas Table 2 shows some of the natural oils with their fatty oil percentages.

The device 10, apart from being a heater and a reactor, can also be used for fluid miscibility, nano-particle generation, destruction of microorganism shells, and even for liquid pasteurization.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Although the embodiment herein are described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the invention with modifications. However, all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claims.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the embodiments described herein and all the statements of the scope of the embodiments which as a matter of language might be said to fall there between.

Claims

1. A device comprising: (a) a rotor assembly comprising a shaft, a cylindrical rotor attached to a shaft, and an annular space defined between the shaft and the rotor;(b) a multiplicity of oblique bores disposed on the surface the rotor; and(c) a housing enclosing the rotor air tightly, the housing comprising at least one inlet port and at least one outlet port for the ingress and egress of a fluid respectively;

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a circumferential wall with an interior surface thereof conforming closely to the surface of the rotor, and first and second end-sealing plates for sealing the opposite open sides of the wall, the first and second plates being parallel to each other.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the wall is substantially cylindrical.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the inner surface of each plate comprises a stepped platform which is to be snugly received within a side of the wall as each plate is secured thereto.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the platform is circular.

6. The device of claim 2, wherein the plates, upon secured to the opposite sides of the wall, are fastened to each other by halter bolt and nut mechanism.

7. The device of claim 2, wherein the inner surface of the first sealing plate comprises a first axial bore for receiving a bearing, which, in turn, receives one end of the shaft, the first axial bore extending substantially half the thickness of the plate.

8. The device of claim 2, wherein the second sealing place comprises a thorough second axial bore for the receiving the shaft.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the second axial bore comprises an oil seal around its circumference for preventing any leakage thereat.

10. The device of claim 2, wherein the at least one inlet port and the at least one outlet port are located on the first and second plates respectively.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the rotor is connected to the shaft by solar pedals.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the diameter of the rotor is greater than its length.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is powered by a motive means and comprises a heater, a mixer, a reactor, and a nano-particle generator.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the motive means comprises an electric motor.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one inlet port and the at least one outlet port comprise one inlet port and one outlet port respectively.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the oblique bores are aligned and regularly spaced.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the fluid is water and comprises oil and alcohol.

18. A device comprising: (a) a rotor assembly comprising a cylindrical rotor attached to a shaft with an annular space defined therebetween;(b) a multiplicity of oblique bores disposed on the surface the rotor;(c) a cylindrical housing enclosing the rotor air tightly, the housing comprising a cylindrical circumferential wall and a first and second end-sealing plates for sealing the opposite open sides of the wall, the interior surface of the housing conforming closely to the outer surface of the rotor;(d) at least one inlet port for the ingress of a fluid into the housing and subsequently into the annular space;(e) at least one outlet port for the egress of the fluid from the housing; and(f) a motive means connected to the shaft, the motive means disposed outside of the housing.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the plates, upon secured to the opposite sides of the wall, are fastened to each other by halter bolt and nut mechanism.

20. The device of claim 18, wherein the inner surface of each plate comprises a circular stepped platform which is to be snugly received within a side of the wall as each plate is secured thereto, and the inner surface of the first sealing plate comprises a first axial bore for receiving a bearing, which, in turn, receives one end of the shaft, the first axial bore extending substantially half the thickness of the plate, and wherein the second sealing place comprises a thorough second axial bore for receiving shaft.