Temperature adjustable airflow device

Abstract

A temperature adjustable airflow device includes a vortex tube having a high pressure gas inlet and cooled and heated outlets. A mixing chamber is provided having first and second ends, one gas inlet end at the first end and a gas outlet end at the second end, and an intermediate gas inlet end between the first and second ends. A high pressure inlet conduit is connected to the high pressure gas inlet of the vortex tube and to the gas inlet of the mixing chamber. The cooled or the heated vortex tube outlet is connected to the intermediate gas inlet end, the mixing chamber mixing high pressure gas with cooled or heated gas, respectively, from the vortex tube to enhance the pressure of the cooled or heated gas emanating from the vortex tube. The arrangement allows cooled or heated gas from the vortex tube to be output for a given application at a higher pressure that would normally be available.

1 . Temperature adjustable airflow device comprises a vortex tube having a high pressure gas inlet and cooled and heated outlets; a mixing chamber having first and second ends, one gas inlet end at said first end and a gas outlet end at said second end, and an intermediate gas inlet end between said first and second ends, a high pressure inlet conduit connected to said high pressure gas inlet of said vortex tube and to said gas inlet end of said mixing chamber, and said cooled vortex tube outlet being connected to said intermediate gas inlet end, said mixing chamber mixing high pressure gas with cooled gas from said vortex tube to enhance the pressure of cooled gas emanating from said vortex tube. 
   
   
       2 . Device as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a gas valve for adjusting the pressure of gas entering said high pressure gas inlet of said mixing chamber. 
   
   
       3 . Device as defined in  claim 2 , further comprising indicator means for providing an indication of the pressure of the gas entering said high pressure gas inlet of said mixing chamber. 
   
   
       4 . Device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said mixing chamber is in the form of an elongated cylindrical member having a length l, and said gas outlet end at said second end being spaced from said intermediate gas inlet end at distance within the range of 0.1 l-0.5 l. 
   
   
       5 . A device as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said distance is approximately 0.3 l. 
   
   
       6 . A device as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said distance is approximately 1.5-2.0 inches. 
   
   
       7 . A device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said intermediate gas inlet end is arranged to introduce a cooled gas flow from said vortex tube into said mixing chamber at an angle α<90° in relation to a longitudinal axis of said mixing chamber. 
   
   
       8 . A device as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the gas flows introduced into said gas inlet at said first end and said intermediate gas inlet are introduced along directions defining an angle α less than 90°. 
   
   
       9 . A device as defined in  claim 8 , wherein a is approximately 45°. 
   
   
       10 . Device as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising means for pre-cooling high pressure gas entering said vortex tube high pressure has inlet. 
   
   
       11 . Device as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said pre-cooling means includes heat transfer means for cooling the high pressure gas entering said vortex tube with gas cooled by said vortex tube. 
   
   
       12 . Device as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said heat transfer means comprises a pre-cooling chamber, at least a portion of a conduit feeding high pressure gas to said vortex high pressure gas inlet extending through said pre-cooling chamber, cooled gas from said gas outlet end of said mixing chamber being directed into said pre-cooling chamber prior to being used to cool an object, whereby said gas form said outlet of said mixing chamber cooling said at least a portion of said conduit to pre-cool high pressure gas before it is directed into said vortex tube. 
   
   
       13 . Device as defined in  claim 12 , wherein a tube or conduit connects said mixing chamber gas outlet end at said second end to an inlet to said pre-cooling chamber. 
   
   
       14 . Device as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said pre-cooling chamber is formed of thermally insulated material. 
   
   
       15 . Device as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said pre-cooling chamber is formed of plastic. 
   
   
       16 . Device as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said pre-cooling chamber is formed of a material having a low thermal conductivity. 
   
   
       17 . Device as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said at least one portion of said conduit is formed of a material having high thermal conductivity. 
   
   
       18 . Device as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said at least one portion of said conduit has an enhanced surface area to promote heat transfer. 
   
   
       19 . Device as defined in  claim 18 , wherein said conduit portion has longitudinal ribs to enhance surface area. 
   
   
       20 . Device as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said pre-cooling chamber is sealed to prevent escape of cooled gas entering from said mixing chamber except through said gas outlet of said pre-cooling chamber for cooling an object.