US2010180836A1PendingUtilityA1

Fluid storage containers with baffles

38
Assignee: UNIV AUBURNPriority: Jun 15, 2007Filed: Jun 11, 2008Published: Jul 22, 2010
Est. expiryJun 15, 2027(~0.9 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Jeyhoon M. Khodadadi
F17C 2270/05F17C 2201/0157F17C 2203/0639F24H 1/205F17C 2221/033F17C 2223/033F17C 2201/0128F17C 2260/023F17C 2201/0104F17C 2223/0161F17C 1/00
38
PatentIndex Score
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Cited by
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References
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Claims

Abstract

A fluid storage container with a baffle controls the heat absorption percentage of the container. Fluid that is heated adjacent to the surface of a container rises replacing colder fluid which sinks downward, regardless of the baffle. This behavior is able to lead to onset of oscillations in the temperature and flow fields. Due to blockage effect of a thin baffle, multi-cell recirculating vortex structures are observed. The number and strength of these vortices depend on the position and length of the baffle. For certain placements and lengths of the baffle, the time rate of the rise of the bulk temperature is increased or decreased.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . A system comprising:
 a. a container for storing a fluid; and   b. a baffle within the container, the baffle configured for controlling heat absorption in the fluid.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein controlling heat absorption in the fluid includes increasing heat absorption in the fluid. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein controlling heat absorption in the fluid includes decreasing heat absorption in the fluid. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the container comprises one of a cylindrical and a spherical shape. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the container and the baffle comprise a conductive material. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the container and the baffle comprise steel. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the baffle comprises one of a ring shape and an extension of a wall of the container. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the baffle comprises a length of approximately 0.25 of the diameter of the container. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the baffle is positioned with one of an angle of 30°, 60°, 90°, 120° and 150°. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the baffle is positioned proximate to the bottom of the container. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the baffle is movable. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the baffle is foldable. 
   
   
       13 . A method of providing heated water comprising:
 a. filling a storage container with water, the storage container including an internal baffle; and   b. heating the storage container and the baffle to heat the water.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the container comprises one of a cylindrical and a spherical shape. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the container and the baffle comprise a conductive material. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the container and the baffle comprise steel. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the baffle comprises one of a ring shape and an extension of a wall of the container. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the baffle comprises a length of approximately 0.25 of the diameter of the container. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the baffle is positioned with one of an angle of 30°, 60°, 90°, 120° and 150°. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the baffle is positioned proximate to the bottom of the container. 
   
   
       21 . An apparatus comprising:
 a. a cylindrical storage container for storing a fluid; and   b. a ring-shaped baffle within the container, the baffle configured for increasing heat absorption in the fluid, wherein the container and the baffle comprise a conductive material.   
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the baffle comprises a length of approximately 0.25 of the diameter of the container. 
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the conductive material comprises steel. 
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the baffle is positioned with one of an angle of 30°, 60°, 90°, 120° and 150°. 
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the baffle is positioned proximate to the bottom of the container. 
   
   
       26 . A water heater comprising:
 a. a container for storing a fluid;   b. a heating element positioned below the container for heating the fluid within the container; and   c. a baffle within the container, the baffle configured for increasing heat absorption in the fluid.   
   
   
       27 . The water heater of  claim 26  further comprising a cold water inlet and a hot water outlet coupled to the container, the cold water inlet for receiving cold water into the container and the hot water outlet for releasing hot water from the container. 
   
   
       28 . The water heater of  claim 26  wherein the container and the baffle comprise a conductive material. 
   
   
       29 . The water heater of  claim 28  wherein the container and the baffle comprise steel. 
   
   
       30 . The water heater of  claim 26  wherein the baffle comprises one of a ring shape and an extension of a wall of the container. 
   
   
       31 . The water heater of  claim 26  wherein the baffle comprises a length of approximately 0.25 of the diameter of the container. 
   
   
       32 . The water heater of  claim 26  wherein the baffle is positioned with one of an angle of 30°, 60°, 90°, 120° and 150°. 
   
   
       33 . The water heater of  claim 26  wherein the baffle is positioned proximate to the bottom of the container. 
   
   
       34 . A method of controlling heat absorption in a fluid comprising:
 a. inputting fluid into a storage container, the storage container including an internal baffle; and   b. controlling heat absorption of the fluid with the baffle.   
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the container comprises one of a cylindrical and a spherical shape. 
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the container and the baffle comprise a conductive material. 
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the container and the baffle comprise steel. 
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the baffle comprises one of a ring shape and an extension of a wall of the container. 
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the baffle comprises a length of approximately 0.25 of the diameter of the container. 
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the baffle is positioned with one of an angle of 30°, 60°, 90°, 120° and 150°. 
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the baffle is positioned proximate to the bottom of the container. 
   
   
       42 . A system for storing and transporting liquid natural gas comprising:
 a. a container for storing the liquid natural gas; and   b. a baffle within the container, the baffle configured for reducing heat absorption in the liquid natural gas.   
   
   
       43 . The system of  claim 42  wherein the container comprises one of a spherical shape, a polygonal cross section shape, a membrane design and a Moss™ design. 
   
   
       44 . The system of  claim 42  wherein the container and the baffle comprise a conductive material. 
   
   
       45 . The system of  claim 44  wherein the container and the baffle comprise steel. 
   
   
       46 . The system of  claim 42  wherein the baffle comprises an extension of a wall of the container. 
   
   
       47 . The system of  claim 42  wherein the baffle is positioned with one of an angle of 30°, 60°, 90°, 120° and 150°.

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