Abstract: A stacked plate heat exchanger (10) has flow passages for three different fluids formed between the plates (18, 20). Passages for the third fluid (W) are adjacent to both sides of each passage for the first fluid (R1) and each passage for the second fluid (R2). The passages are formed using only two plate surface configurations (18, 20), and proper sealing of adjacent plates at the ports (26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36) forming the inlet and outlet conduits for the three fluids is achieved by configuring the areas around the ports (26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36) to define a system of annular platforms (40, 42, 44, 48, 50, 52, 56, 58). For improved heat transfer when the heat exchanger (10) is mounted in the horizontal position, baffles (134, 136) may be formed in the passages for the first (R1) and second (R2) fluids to control and direct the flow of the fluids.

Abstract: A fuel handling system for an internal combustion engine having a vapor separator for receiving fuel from a remote tank and a pump for delivering the fuel under high pressure to a fuel injector of the engine while providing vapor separation. The separator has an inlet for receiving fuel from the tank, an outlet for enabling fuel to be removed and delivered to the engine, at least one return for enabling fuel not used by the engine to be returned to the separator, and a vent for removing fuel vapor from a gas dome above a pool of liquid fuel within the separator. The inlet has a valve controlled by a float in the reservoir for admitting fuel to maintain the level of liquid fuel in the separator. To retard foaming and excessive vaporization of liquid fuel in the separator, the separator has a perforate baffle between any return and the liquid fuel pool. To prevent any stream of returned fuel, vapor and/or air from impinging against the fuel pool, the baffle preferably has a plurality of through-openings which enable liquid fuel to pass through the baffle to the pool while deflecting any return stream away from the fuel pool. The baffle preferably extends outwardly to the separator sidewall for preventing any return stream from passing around the baffle and directly impinging against the liquid fuel while at least slightly pressurizing gas below the baffle for controlling vapor venting to the engine.

Abstract: A method of cooling a heat source includes the steps of (1) positioning a thermally conductive base in contact with the heat source, the base having a plurality of fins which define a plurality of channels, (2) generating an initial flow of fluid, (3) positioning a baffle in the path of the initial flow of fluid so as to create a primary flow of fluid and a secondary flow of fluid, (4) directing the primary flow of fluid against the plurality of fins so as to form a quantity of spent fluid which is advanced into the channels, (5) directing the secondary flow of fluid into the plurality of channels so as to force the quantity of spent fluid out of the plurality of channels, and (6) repositioning the baffle from a first position to a second position to change the magnitude of the primary flow of fluid. An apparatus for cooling a heat source which splits an initial flow of fluid into a primary flow of fluid and a secondary flow of fluid is also disclosed.

Abstract: A dome assembly for a single annular combustor of a gas turbine engine is disclosed as having a first dome wall in flow communication with compressed air supplied to the combustor, the first dome wall including a central opening therein and at least one cooling passage therethrough. A baffle is spaced downstream of and connected to the first dome wall at radially outward and inward ends, the baffle also including a central opening therein. A second dome wall defining the central opening in the first dome wall is provided which extends upstream of the first dome wall. A venturi is located within the central opening of the first dome wall, with the venturi including a flange extending radially outward from the central opening, wherein the second dome wall is connected to the flange at an upstream end. A flare cone is located within the central opening of the baffle and radially outward of the venturi, wherein a substantially radial passage is provided between the venturi flange and the flare cone, the radial passage having a swirler located therein. Accordingly, a chamber is formed by the first dome wall, the second dome wall, the baffle, the venturi, and the flare cone, the chamber being in flow communication with the compressed air entering the combustor by means of the cooling passage in the first dome wall, whereby the compressed air impinges on the baffle, circulates in the chamber, and exits through the swirler. In addition, a circumferential row of cooling passages is preferably located in the baffle adjacent the flare cone and rows of cooling passages are also located at both the radially outward and inward ends of the baffle.

Abstract: A tip shroud (30) comprising a segmented annular shroud (32), each segment comprising a first arcuate member (38) having a first radially inner surface (42) and a circumferentially extending channel (44) extending radially outward therefrom, and a second arcuate member (40) received within the channel in spaced relation to the first arcuate member thereby defining a circumferentially extending passage (60) therebetween, and a plurality of baffles (62) located in the passage, each baffle extending from the first arcuate member to the second arcuate member.

Abstract: A separation apparatus, particularly for separating two fluids having different densities or specific gravities, is described. The apparatus is provided with a baffle arrangement (22) located within cylindrical housing (3) comprising a plurality of conical-shaped baffles having sloping wall surfaces (24). The conical baffles may be arranged in a nested or stacked relationship or may be connected together to form a continuous helix. A convection current is set up within the apparatus such that one part of the flow is through the baffles in the direction from the base of the conical baffles to the centrally located aperture and the other part of the flow is along the interior walls of the apparatus in a gap between the peripheral edge of the base of the conical baffles and the interior wall. The material to be separated is discharged from the apparatus through a high level outlet acting as an overflow weir.

Abstract: Pressure fluctuations and rates of energy dissipation have been measured for sinusoidal oscillatory flow of light oil in a tube equipped with a series of wall baffles. A laboratory shell-and-tube heat exchanger was fitted with a single length of 1.0 m, 12 mm internal diameter tubing containing 55 orifice-type wall baffles. The frequency of oscillation was varied in the range 3 to 14 Hz, and the amplitudes (centre to peak) in the range 1 to 6 mm. The pressure/time characteristics show that the pressure variation leads the velocity variation by a phase angle which decreases as frequency is increased. The power dissipation measured for oscillatory flow agrees with the well-known quasi-steady model at large amplitudes, but at lower amplitudes and higher frequencies the predictions of quasi steady theory are exceeded by a significant degree. A new flow model is proposed, based on acoustic principles and the concept of eddy viscosity. The model contains two adjustable parameters; the mixing length (approximately equal to the orifice diameter), and a correction factor for the fluid inertia. This model is able to predict the dynamic pressure response and the overall power dissipation rate with reasonable accuracy

Abstract: A heat exchanger of the multi-flow type is provided with baffle members which are adapted to impart a zigzagging flow to the heat-exchange fluid in motion inside a flat tube and define, in conjunction with the inner wall of the flat tube, a flow path of a cross-sectional area having an equivalent diameter in the range of 0.4 to 1.5 mm. This heat exchanger excels in heat exchange ability and in facility of manufacture and assemblage.

Abstract: An approximate steady-state method is devised for computing the flow field in a baffled, impeller-stirred tank reactor. The flow field in a cylindrical tank with a 45° pitched-blade impeller rotating at 100 rpm and four stationary rectangular side-wall baffles is simulated using a new approximate steady-state approach. The method provides an alternative to a full unsteady Navier-Stokes simulation. The new steady-state analysis involves accurately defining the geometry of the mixing tank using a multiblock grid technique. The flow is solved from a rotating frame of reference for a single position of the impeller relative to the side-wall baffles. The steady-state numerical results are then spatially averaged and compared with time-averaged data obtained experimentally using laser Dopler velocimetry (LDV). Spatially averaged numerical predictions obtained using this approximate steady-state method for the radial and axial velocity components agree well with the LDV data. The predicted magnitude of the tangential velocity component, however, is higher than the experimentally measured values. Closer agreement of the tangential velocities with experimental values is obtained using a finer grid and it is found that a relatively fine grid is needed for accurately predicting the tangential velocity magnitude. Use of this approximate steady-state method allows designers of mixing vessels to obtain flow-field results for baffled vessels much more efficiently than using full unsteady Navier-Stokes simulations.

Abstract: We report experimental data of mass transfer of oxygen into yeast resuspension in a pulsed baffled bioreactor. The bioreactor consists of a 50-mm-diameter column with the presence of a series of either wall (orifice) or central (disc) baffles or a mixture of both where fluid oscillation can also be supermposed during the experiments. Air bubbles are sparged into the bottom of the pulsed baffled bioreactor, and the kinetics of liquid oxygen concentration in the yeast solution is followed using a dissolved oxygen probe with a fast response time of 3 s together with the dynamic gassing-out technique. Among the three different baffle geometries investigated, the orifice baffles gave the highest and sharpest increase in the oxygen transfer rate, and the trends in the kLa measurements are consistent with the fluid mechanics observed within both the systems and previous work. In addition, we have also compared the kLa values with those obtained in a stirred tank; an 11% increase in the KLa is reported. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Abstract: Rhizopus oligosporus grew better on wheat bran in a rotating drum when baffles were fitted. The maximum O2 uptake rates for the baffled and unbaffled runs were 9.0 and 5.7 mmol/min.kg initial dry substrate respectively. The RQ remained at 1.0 throughout the baffled run but varied between 1.0 and 1.2 for the unbaffled run.

Abstract: A baffle cooling arrangement for wall parts includes a wall having a wall part to be cooled, a carrier having an inner and an outer surface, the inner surface of the carrier being arranged at a distance from the wall part, and multiple baffle tubes are provided. The baffle tubes each have an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet ends of the baffle tubes are arranged over an area on the outer surface of the carrier and the outlet ends of the baffle tubes are directed toward the wall part, the tubes extending into a space between the inner surface of the carrier and the wall part.

Abstract: An air directing baffle for a random orbit sander. The baffle includes a main body portion forming an annular opening, a pair of neck portions extending approximately circumferentially opposite from one another, and a pair of recessed portions formed in each of the neck portions. The neck portions extend into airflow registration with a plurality of exhaust slots formed in a shroud rotatably disposed at a lower portion of a housing of the sander. The annular opening is adapted to fit over a boss portion protruding from a lower face surface of the housing of the sander to thus permit the baffle to be rotated freely relative to the housing. The recessed portions in each of the neck portions of the baffle inwardly engage with a pair of inwardly protruding shoulder portions formed in an interior area of the shroud. The interengagement of the baffle with the shroud permits the neck portions of the baffle to be maintained in alignment with the exhaust slots in the shroud as the shroud is rotated by a user during operation of the sander. Thus, the baffle is free to rotate relative to the housing but not relative to the shroud itself. The baffle serves to more effectively direct a cooling airflow drawn in by a fan through inlet slots in a top member associated with the housing such that the airflow is more directly exhausted from the interior area of the shroud. The design of the baffle further does not complicate the assembly of the sander 10 or otherwise add significantly to the overall cost of the sander.

Abstract: A shell and tube heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a shell side fluid and a tube side fluid has a longitudinally extending shell, a longitudinally extending tube bundle and one or more baffles positioned within the shell for directing the shell side fluid to flow across the tube bundle. One or more valves is also provided within the shell of the heat exchanger. Each valve is operable between a first position and a second position and co-operates with a baffle for adjusting the flow of shell side fluid through the shell side of the exchanger. Each of the valves is controlled by an external actuator.

Abstract: A theoretical model was developed to evaluate the reduction of structure-borne noise that is generated by a line force applied on an infinite plate using an air-voided elastomeric baffle. The vibrating plate is covered with an elastomeric baffle layer to reduce the noise generated by the structural vibration. The vibrating plate is perfectly bonded to the elastomeric baffle layer. The outer surfaces of the vibrating plate and the elastomeric baffle are in contact with air and water, respectively. The analysis for modeling is based on the theory of elasticity and pertinent boundary conditions. Effects of various parameters such as baffle layer dimensions and material properties on the noise reduction are presented.

Abstract: A refrigerator having a cabinet defining a first compartment and a second compartment separated from each other by a divider wall wherein the divider wall has an air passage for communicating between the first and second compartments. A baffle is positioned within the air passage and is positionable in an open or closed position for selectively opening and closing the air passage. A motor drives a cam which is coupled to the baffle such that rotation of the cam operates to selectively move the baffle to the open or closed position. A thermostat senses temperature within the fresh food compartment. First and second switches selectively energize the motor such that the baffle may be opened when the thermostat indicates the fresh food compartment requires cooling and closed when the thermostat indicates the fresh food compartment does not require cooling, respectively. The baffle of the present invention further includes a first plate having an aperture therethrough defining an opening through which refrigerated air may pass, and a second plate movable relative to the first plate and including an aperture therethrough defining an opening through which refrigerated air may pass. Both the second plate and first plate aperture includes chamfered edges for forming a sharp edge periphery on the facing plate surfaces such that frost build up on the baffle may be removed by the chamfered edges provided on the periphery of the apertures.

Abstract: A refrigerator having a cabinet defining a first compartment and a second compartment separated from each other by a divider wall wherein the divider wall has an air passage for communicating between the first and second compartments. The refrigerator further includes an evaporator disposed in the first compartment, a compressor fluidly connected with the evaporator for moving refrigerant therethrough, and an evaporator fan for moving air over the evaporator. A first thermostat senses temperature within the first compartment and a second thermostat senses temperature within the second compartment. An evaporator fan and baffle control system is provided including a baffle disposed within the air passage and being positionable in an open or closed position for selectively opening and closing the air passage. A switch is operatively associated with the baffle for connecting the first thermostat and the evaporator fan in series with a power supply when the baffle is in the closed position and for further connecting the second thermostat and the evaporator fan in series with the power supply when the baffle is in the open position. The baffle control system includes a cam driven by a baffle motor wherein the cam is coupled to a baffle for moving the baffle between an open and closed position. A plurality of switches, operated by the cam, are provided for controlling the energization of the motor such that the baffle is opened when the fresh food compartment requires cooling and the baffle is closed when the fresh food compartment does not require cooling.

Abstract: A heat exchanger of the finned tube (34) type in which the tubing (34) is formed in a single, continuous length which is bent into a zigzagged or serpentine shape (22) and then inserted through elongated slots (16) formed in a series of fin plates (15)

Abstract: A method and apparatus for indirectly heating a mixed phase stream by contact with a boiling surface located on the inside of the plurality of heat exchange tubes. Improved vaporization of the stream is achieved by equalizing the liquid distribution and the ratio of liquid and vapor entering each tube to overcome poor boiling film heat transfer. The invention uses a means for subdividing the flow entering the heat exchanger into a plurality of streams with each of the divided streams discharging directly into a heat exchange tube. The means for dividing the stream can include baffle arrangements or plugs providing pressure drop at the inlets to the tubes. This method and apparatus is particularly useful in contactors for the sulfuric acid catalyzed alkylation of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A smoker insert for a gas barbecue comprises a drip pan designed to be supported by the lower grate of a gas barbecue, and a vertical baffle extending from the drip pan upwards to subdivide the cooking compartment. The drip pan is sized to fit on about 1/2 of the lower grate area so that the baffle subdivides the cooking compartment about in half. The baffle occupies a very substantial portion of the cross-section of the cooking compartment so that the side and top edges of the baffle are close to the inner surfaces of the lower shell and the closed barbecue lid. By this arrangement, a small clearance is provided around the drip pan and the baffle, between the insert and the inner surfaces of the lower shell and closed lid. A flame suppressor is provided to control flames and flame-ups.

Abstract: A high pressure blower assembly includes a spiral-type blower housing, impeller wheel and a baffle arrangement disposed proximate the inlet of the blower housing The baffle arrangement includes a first baffle segment extending from the inlet into the inner periphery of the impeller wheel, a second baffle segment having a generally curved portion that terminates at an apex region located proximate the cut-off point of the blower housing, and a generally curved third baffle segment, disposed proximate the impeller wheel, that joins the second baffle segment

Abstract: A polycondensation reactor for processing low viscosity polyester or another polymer into relatively highly viscosity polymer comprises a substantially cylindrical horizontal reactor vessel with a polymer inlet and a polymer outlet adjacent its opposite ends and a vapour exhaust opening in the upper side of the vessel at its outlet end. A polymer agitator is rotated axially within the chamber and includes plural alternating annular overflow and underflow baffles and multiple perforated film-forming screens disposed therebetween in parallel spaced relation to one another. The overflow baffles are in periphery polymer-sealing relation to the vessel while the underflow baffles have multiple underflow recesses in their outer peripheries, whereby the baffles define a tortuous polymer flow path alternately through their respective polymer overflow and underflow openings to control residence time, distribution and viscosity growth as the polymer flows between the baffles. The baffles and screens are integrally fixed coaxially at their outer peripheries by axially extending wiper bars. Aligned openings in the baffles and screens along the rotational axis of the agitator provide for free flow of volatiles to the exhaust opening.

Abstract: A vented loudspeaker system is provided which has at least one active driver (38 or 39) and a port opening (41) in a speaker cabinet (33). Disks or baffle plates (43 and 44) are mounted a predetermined distance from and perpendicular to the port opening, resulting in a vented system achieving an equivalent performance as would result from a flared, ducted port, but with several performance advantages and simpler construction. Flow guides (45 and 46) can be provided concentric to the port and attached to the disks or baffle plates and extending back into the port to block areas of stagant air and enhance laminar air flow.

Abstract: The effects of the geometrical parameters of non-standard baffles on heat transfer coefficient were experimentally studied for agitated vessels equipped with a Rushton disc turbine, pitched-blade turbine and propeller. The following geometrical parameters of the baffles were tested: number J, width B, length L and distance p between the lower edge of the baffle and the bottom of the vessel. Measurements were carried out in accordance with a second-order rotatable experimental design. The results of the investigations have been approximated analytically.

Abstract: A housing for a direct-indirect lighting fixture having a light baffle in the bottom opening of the fixture is fabricated from a unitary extruded part having a baffle plate integrally interconnecting sidewall portions and a central housing structure for the lighting fixture housing. The baffle plates are provided with a suitable aperture pattern by means of a punching process.