US3055642A - Combination heating and cooling shelf - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 25, 1962 G. R. cox ETAL COMBINATIONHEATING AND COOLING SHELF Filed July ll, 1958 5 www 1r a. we@ al nm C 0 @.J M

THE /R A TTORNE YS Filed July 11, 1958, Ser. No. 747,960 4 Claims. (Cl. 257-241) This invention relates to a heat transfer device such as a shelf or plate `and more particularly to a combination heating and cooling shelf having a plurality of Huid iiow paths or chambers therein.

The common type of heating shelf is generally a flat, hollow rectangular platen, which consists of a cast or otherwise fabricated casing which may or may not be provided with baffles for dividing fluids. Such devices are ordinarily used in the chemical or any allied industrial process for the purpose of transferring heat to or from various materials placed thereon. In practice, heat transfer is accomplished by placing pans or trays loaded with the material to be heated or cooled on the so-called heating shelf.

This general or ordinary type of heating shelf, is provided with a single passage, through which either heating or cooling uid may flow. Such a heat transfer device is not completely satisfactory since it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to satisfactorily control the temperature of the shelf, and to maintain it at such Varying degrees of temperature as may be desired.

Another disadvantage with such a structure is that while two different fluid mediums may be singly or simultaneously delivered to a single, i.e., the same fluid passage. Such procedure may result in undesirable or even detrimental contamination of both fluids.

The ordinary type of dual heating shelf possesses the further disadvantage of not providing the maximum possible efficiency, since a substantial portion heat transfer surface of the shelf may not be exposed to direct contact with the heating or cooling fluid medium. That is to say, such shelves may be so formed that the adjacent portions of the heat transfer wall are not subjected to direct contact of the heating or cooling Huid medium.

An object of our invention is to provide a combination heating and cooling device which overcomes the disadvantages above enumerated;

An additional object of our invention is to provide a combination heating and cooling shelf, wherein substantially the entire area of one surface of the cover plate is in direct contact with such heating or cooling iiuid medium as is delivered to the shelf.

A further object of our invention is to provide a heat transfer shelf having two separate fluid paths formed therein such that different uid mediums may be employed alternately or in some cases simultaneously, without reducing the effectiveness ofthe shelf or without contaminating either fluid.

Other objects and advantages will be made apparent by the following description of the now preferred embodiment of our invention as disclosed by the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of an embodiment of the invention disclosing the fluid passages formed therein and the direction of Huid ow therethrough.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional elevation taken along the broken line II-II of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged cross-section in elevation taken along the broken line III- III of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a diagrammatic sectional view ona reduced scale of the shelf taken on a plane immediately below the top cover plate of the shelf, the dot-dash arrows associated therewith indicating the flow of uid ite rates latent O 3,055,642 Patented Sept.` 25, 1962 ICC FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of the lower portion of the shelf with the top cover and the structural parts secured thereto removed, the full line arrows associated therewith disclosing the direction of flow of fluid medlilum through a circuitous passage formed within the s elf.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention broadly consists of a hollow shelf-like structure, the interior of which is provided with two systems of fluid passages, each system so arranged that the fluid medium delivered to it and passing therethrough contacts with at least one of the extended surfaces of the structure and, therefore, may contribute to either the delivery of heat to or the extraction of heat from that surface. In addition, the two systems of passages are so arranged that each may supplement the other in producing variations in the temperature of one of the extended surfaces of the heat transfer structure. The further description of the invention will also disclose that one or the other of the two systems of passage may be alone effective in producing the desired temperature condition in one of the extended surfaces of the structure.

From the foregoing it will also be apparent that -a still further object of the invention is to produce a relatively simple and inexpensive heat transfer structure which may -be formed of either cast metal or fabricated metal parts and which includes in its make-up two independent systems of uid passages, each of which is so arranged with relation to one wall of the structure that the fluid traversing each system moves in direct contact with the same extended surface of the structure.

In `describing the invention we have used the term fluid passage to indicate a passage for either a gas or a liquid. Referring to the drawings, the combination heating and cooling shelf is generally designated by the numeral 10 and includes in its make-up a flat, top plate or cover 11 preferably of rectangular shape. Each of two edges of the cover 11 is shown as provided with an integral downwardly extending ange which is secured to a bottom plate 13 and, as shown, these flanges may form either the side walls 12 or the end walls 14 of the shelf. The side and end walls may, however, be conveniently formed by separate plates or strips, and all such plates may be secured together by welding so as to forma uid tight structure.

As illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 4, one end wall 14 is provided with a fluid inlet 16, located adjacent to one lateral edge of the shelf, and a complementary fluid outlet 17 is located adjacent the other lateral edge of the shelf. An additional uid inlet 18 is shown as provided in the end wall 14, inwardly offset from inlet 16, and its complementary duid outlet 19 is shown Vin the end plate and is inwardly offset from outlet 17.

A longitudinally extending inlet header 20 is located within the shelf 10 adjacent the top plate 11 and along one side of the shelf. The iluid inlet 16 communicates with this header 20. Likewise a longitudinally extending outlet header 21 is located within the shelf 10, adjacent the top plate 11. It, however, is located on the side of the shelf opposite to that along which the header 20 extends. The fluid outlet port 17 communicates with the header 21. As shown in FIGURE 2, each header is Iformed between the cover 11 and one side wall 12 of the shelf, by an angle bar 20 which is secured along its edges, preferably by welding, to both cover 11 and a side wall 12. A plurality of channel shaped members 23 extend in parallel, spaced relationship transversely across the interior of the shelf. As shown, each member 23 is secured along its lateral edges to the top plate or cover 11. of the shelf and encloses a iluid passage which communicates at one end with the inlet header 20 and at the other end with the outlet header Z1. Thus the iluid medium supplied to the inlet header 20 through the inlet port 16 ilows in parallel streams through the transversely extending iluid passages formed by the channel members 23 and enters the outlet header 21 from which it is delivered through the outlet port 17. Thus the inlet header 20, the outlet header 21, and the transversely extending passages formed by the cover 11 and the individual channels 23, constitute a system of iluid passages through which the iluid medium moves in direct contact with the top plate 11 of the shelf.

Spaced, longitudinally extending baille bars 24a, 24h, and 24C are located within the interior chamber of the shelf and each contacts with the top or cover plate 11 and the base plate 13. The bars extend in parallel spaced relationship and are so arranged that each of the bars 24a and 24C is secured at one end to the end wall 14 of the shelf, whereas the other end of each of these two bars is spaced a substantial distance from the opposite end wall 14 of the shelf. One end of the central baille bar 24h is secured to the end wall 14 of the shelf, whereas the other end of that bar is spaced a substantial distance from the end wall 14. Each of the bars is so formed that it extends across but contacts with each of the channel shaped members 23 and is secured throughout its length to the base plate 13 and is also secured at spaced points along its length to the cover plate 11.

This arrangement of baille bars produces a cireuitous passageway within the shelf, one end of which communicates with the aforementioned inlet port 1S and the other end of which communicates with the previously mentioned outlet port 19. The solid line arrows shown in FIGURE 1 designate the ilow of iluid medium entering the interior of the shelf through the port 1S and passing through the passage formed within the shelf between the plates 11 and 13 by the baille bars 24a, 2.4b, and 24e. The full line arrows disclosed in FIGURE l indicate the direction of ilow of iluid media through a cireuitous passage formed between the top and bottom plates of the shelf by the baflle bars. The arrows shown by dot-dash lines indicate the ilow of iluid medium entering said header through the port 16, passing through the transversely extending channels 23, and leaving the shelf through said header 21 and the outlet port 17. As clearly shown by the drawings, the iluid medium entering the port 16 moves through the interior of the shelf in direct contact with the inner surface of the cover plate 11. The drawings also disclose that the uid entering the port 18, and leaving the shelf through the port 19, contacts the inner surface of the plate 11 as it moves through the cireuitous passage formed by the baille bars 24a, 24h and 24e and the plates 11 and 13.

A plurality of supporting stay blocks 25 are located within the cireuitous passageway between, and are secured to both the cover plate 11 and base plate 13. These blocks 25 provide added strength and rigidity to the shelfltl. The blocks 25, like the baille bars 24a, 24h, and 24C, are preferably secured to the cover plate by means of plug welds 26 and to the bottom plate 13 as by a iillet welding operation.

The shelf here described and illustrated, is not similar to a heat exchanger but is either a heating or cooling shelf so constructed that the upper surface thereof may be maintained at a desired temperature according to the temperature of the fluid or iluids delivered to the interior passages of the shelf. An advantage of the construction disclosed is that each of the circulated iluids delivered to the shelf contacts a substantial portion of the platen area of the surface employed in either heating or cooling material placed on the shelf. This is particularly important where such material is to be heated 0r cooled under vacuum.

In the drawings We have disclosed piping P communieating with the port 16 for delivering iluid medium to the header 20. The piping is shown as provided with a valve v for controlling the ilow of iluid into the header. Likewise, the port 1S communicates with piping P through which iluid medium may be delivered to the cireuitous passage formed within the shelf by reason of the location of the baille bars between the plates 11 and 13. This piping is also provided with a control valve v. It is, therefore, apparent that iluid medium may be delivered to one or the other of the ports 16 and 13 or may be delivered simultaneously to both such ports. In addition, the ilow through each piping P and P' may be valvecontrolled so that the temperature of the shelf may be accurately controlled and particularly during operations in which a heating iluid is delivered to one system of passages within the shelf and a cooling iluid is delivered to the other system of such passages.

The procedure employed in producing the shelf when it is fabricated from metal parts involves separately completing the upper or cover portion of the shelf and the base portion thereof. As previously stated, the cover portion includes the cover plate 11 and side walls 12 of the shelf. As illustrated the side walls may be formed by bending the lateral edge portions of the plate 11 at right angles to the major portion of the plate. As shown in the drawings the headers 20 and 21 are `formed by securing angle bars 2G to the plate 11 by welding one edge of cach such bar to the inner extended surface of the plate 11 and by welding the other edge of each bar to the adjacent side wall 12. of the shelf. It is, of course, apparent that before welding each angle bar 20 to the plate 11, it is notched so as to cooperate with the channel members 23 in the formation of the transversely extending iluid delivery passages which communicate with both headers 20 and 21.

The next step in formation of the upper portion o-f the shelf involves securing the channel members 23 to the inner surface of the plate 11 and also to the notched edges of the angle ybars Ztl. This is preferably done by welding both longitudinal edges of each channel member 23 to the inner face of the plate 11 and by welding the end edges of each channel to the edges of one of the notches formed in each of the angle bars 20 which contribute to the formation of the headers 20 and 21. In this way iluid tight passages are formed within the interior of the shelf, i.e., between the plates 11 and channel members 23. As previously stated, each channel member 23 is of such depth dimension as to provide a space of appreciable depth between it and the inner surface of the bottom plate 13.

At some convenient time the plate 11 is drilled or punched to prepare for the plug welding operations employed in connection with each of the baille bars 24a, 2411, and 2li-c, and each of the stay blocks 25 to the cover plate 11. Operations such as outlined complete the formation of the upper portion of the shelf.

In constructing the lower portion of the shelf, the bottom plate 13 is, of course, cut to a size substantially equal to that of the upper plate 11 and the end portions of the plate 13 may be bent at right angles to the extended surface of that plate so as to form the end walls 14 and 14 of the shelf. The baille bars24a, Zeb, and 24e and the stay block 25 are positioned on the upper surface of the plate 13 and then secured thereto preferably by illlet welding operations. The plate 13 is then placed in contact with the lower edges of the lateral walls 12 formed on the upper plate 11 and with the baille bars and stay blocks in contact with the inner face of the plate 11. It, however, is noted that each of the baille bars 24 is previously notched so that it engages and closely fits around the lower and lateral surfaces of all but one of the channel members 23. In addition, one end of each of the baille bars 24a and 24C is also previously secured to the innersurface of the end wall 14' preferably by a welding operation and one end of the batiie bar 24h is likewise previously secured to the inner face of the end wall 14.

The bottom plate `13 may then be edge welded along its lateral edges -to the lateral walls 12 formed on the plate 11 and the turned up end portions thereof (end walls 14 and 14') may then -be welded to the end edges ot the upper plate 11 and the end edges of the walls 12 formed by the down turned portions of the plate 11. The final step in completing the shelf is the plug welding operation which secures each of the stay blocks and the baiiie bars to the upper plate 11. This is accomplished by the plug welds 26 in which welding material is placed in the apertures in the cover plate 11 in adhering contact with the plate 11 and also one or another of the stay blocks or with one or another of the batlle bars. It will, of course, be understood that all the welding operations are so performed as to provide fluid tight joints. It will also be apparent that instead of bending the upper plate 11 to form the side walls 12 and instead of bending the bottom plate 13 to form the end walls 14 and 14', separate metal strips may be preliminarily welded to the plate 11 in the positions occupied by the side walls 12 indicated -by the drawings land similarly separate metal strips may be Welded to the lower or base plate 13 to form the end walls 14 and 14. It will, of course, be understood that no matter how the end walls are formed on the plate 13, each is secured to one end of one or more bal'lie bars by a welding operation before the upper and lower portions of the shelf are secured together.

iWhile I have illustrated and described but one embodiA ment of my invention it will be apparent that various changes, additions and modications may be made in the structural details of the shelf.

iWhat we claim is:

l. A heat transfer apparatus including in its make-up rectangular top and bottom plates of equal size and shape and extending in spaced parallel relationship to each other and each constituting an enclosing wall of Aa chamber located between them, and having a right angle llange of equal size and shape extending along each of two opposed edges thereof with each such ange engaging and secured to a separate unflanged edge of the other plate; a plurality of channel members secured to one such plate and extending in spaced parallel relationship thereacross and forming therewith ya plurality of separate tluid passages located within and extending across such chamber; an inlet passage formed within such chamber and extending at an angle to and communicating with each of said prior mentioned passages; lan outlet passage formed within such chamber spaced from said inlet passage and extending at an `angle to, and communicating with each of Said diuid passages; a plurality of spaced parallel 'baffle bars located within said chamber, each spaced from and extending in parallel relationship to adj acent bars `and across and at right angles to at least some of ysaid channel mem-- bers and each secured to both of lsaid plates and forming with other baille bars a circuitous passage located within said chamber and having an inlet port located at one end thereof yand an outlet port located at the other end thereof, and a separate inlet and a separate outlet port communicating respectively with said inlet and said outlet passages.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim l wherein, a plurality of stay blocks are securely positioned in a spaced relation with each other between inner surfaces of said top and bottom plates and in a spaced relation with said channel members and said bathe bars, the one plate has spaced-apart openings therein in alignment with said stay blocks, and plug welds extend from the openings to secure said stay blocks to the one plate.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim l wherein, the one plate has spaced-apart openings therein in alignment With said metal bars, and plug welds extend from the openings and secure said baille bars to the one plate.

4. Apparatus providing a heat transfer shelf which comprises, a pair of top and bottom plates of substantially equal size and shape extending in a spaced parallel relation with each other land each constituting an enclosed wall of a chamber located between them, parallel side and end flanges extending at right angles between the inner sides of the top and bottom plates and secured along edges of the plates to define a fluid-receiving chamber therebetween; angle bars secured 'along opposite sides of one plate and along said side lianges with apexes of said angle bars in a cooperating spaced relation with respect to said side anges, said angle bars extending to and being connected with said end flanges to define closed-end side passageways with the one plate along said side flanges, said side passageways being closed-oli with respect to the chamber; a plurality of channel members extending in a substantially parallel cross relationship along the inner surface of the one plate between and at substantially right angles to said angle bars and `delining with the inner surface of -the one plate and with said angle bars, cross passageways open to `and communicating at their ends with the side passageways defined by said angle bars; said cross passageways being closed-ofi with respect to the chamber, metal bar means notched to bypass said channel members and being secured in a substantially parallel -and spaced relation with respect to said angle bars and between inner surfaces of said top and bottom plates and defining circuitous passageways within the enclosing chamber, uid inlet and outlet ports located adjacent opposite sides of the enclosing chamber, a separate lluid inlet connected to one of said side passageways, and a separate fluid outlet connected to the other of said side passageways.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 952,723 yBender Mar. 22, 1910 1,700,498 Hughes Ian. 29, 1929 1,710,818 |Fosbury Apr. 30, 1929 2,43 6,390 Kleist Feb. 24, 1948 2,638,754 Kleist May 19, 1953 2,796,239 Holmes et al. June 18, 1957

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