F28B STEAM OR VAPOUR CONDENSERS (condensation of vapours B01D5/00; steam engine plants having condensers F01K; liquefaction of gases F25J; details of heat-exchange and heat-transfer arrangements of general application F28F)
Description
F28B covers apparatus and systems designed to condense steam or other vapors into liquid form through heat exchange processes. The subclass encompasses condenser designs for power generation cycles, refrigeration systems, industrial processes, and related applications where vapor condensation is required. Specific technologies include surface condensers, contact condensers, air-cooled condensers, and specialized designs for vacuum or atmospheric pressure operation. Related heat exchangers for non-condensation applications are classified under F28D and other sibling classes within F28.
Filing statistics
CPC subclass F28B recorded 5,264 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 314 in 2013 to 544 in 2023 (+73%), peaking at 805 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class F28 are VALEO SYSTEMES THERMIQUES (1,945 applications), MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION (1,518 applications) and MAHLE INTERNATIONAL (1,120 applications).
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
6 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
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- F28B 1/00 Condensers in which the steam or vapour is separate from the cooling medium by walls, e.g. surface condenser
- F28B 11/00 Controlling arrangements with features specially adapted for condensers (control arrangements in general G05)
- F28B 3/00 Condensers in which the steam or vapour comes into direct contact with the cooling medium
- F28B 5/00 Condensers employing a combination of the methods covered by main groups F28B1/00 and F28B3/00; Other condensers
- F28B 7/00 Combinations of two or more condensers, e.g. provision of reserve condenser
- F28B 9/00 Auxiliary systems, arrangements, or devices
Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class F28, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- VALEO SYSTEMES THERMIQUES FR 1,945
- MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION JP 1,518
- MAHLE INTERNATIONAL DE 1,120
- ALFA LAVAL SE 1,085
- HANON SYSTEMS KR 939
- DENSO CORPORATION JP 900
- LG ELECTRONICS KR 861
- HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND US 795
- DAIKIN INDUSTRIES JP 608
- DENSO CORPORATION 537