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Heat exchanger tube assembly

a technology of heat exchanger tube and heat exchanger fin, which is applied in the direction of heat exchange apparatus, spacing means, light and heating apparatus, etc., can solve the problems of compromising the heat exchange between the tube and the fin, introducing other problems, and affecting the heat exchange effect of the tub

Inactive Publication Date: 2005-04-07
GLENTEN
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention is a heat exchanger tube assembly comprising a tube with a plurality of fins mounted thereto at spaced intervals along its length, each fin having at least one aperture through which the tube is received, each fin having an integral spacer to define the spaced interval from an adjacent fin, the spacer extending from the rim of the aperture generally transversely to the fin to provide an inner surface profiled to contact and cooperate with the external surface of the tube to enhance heat transfer from the tube to the fin. The fins are formed of the same material as the tube, and the thermally-conductive medium occupies a region between the external surface of the tube and the inner surface of the spacer to enhance heat transfer. The fins are resistant to permanent deformation under conditions typically encountered by a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger tube assembly is covered with a corrosion-resistant material, such as zinc or zinc alloy. The method of manufacturing the heat exchanger tube assembly involves mounting a plurality of fins to a tube and bonding them with a thermally-conductive medium, each fin having at least one aperture through which the tube is received, each fin having an integral spacer to define the spaced interval from an adjacent fin, and covering the fins and tube with a corrosion-resistant material. The invention provides improved heat transfer and durability of the heat exchanger."

Problems solved by technology

However, their use introduces other problems.
Galvanic corrosion tends to occur as a result of the dissimilarity in the metals.
Such galvanic corrosion gives rise to oxides which are poor conductors of heat and which thus compromises the heat transfer between the tubes and fins.
A further disadvantage, is the relative softness of those metals and thus the vulnerability of the fins to damage, particularly from impact such as during cleaning with a high pressure hose.
Moreover, those metals oxidise and / or perish over time in harsh operating conditions.

Method used

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Examples

Experimental program
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Effect test

first embodiment

[0037] The heat exchanger tube assembly 10 is shown at FIGS. 1 and 2 and comprises a tube 12 and a plurality of fins 14 mounted to the tube 12. The tube is typically made from steel due to the robust properties provided by that material which enable it to withstand harsh environments. In particular, it has the ability to resist fatigue when subject to vibration, provided the system is designed appropriately. As well, it is able to withstand substantial knocks, impacts and the like.

[0038] Each fin 14 has an aperture 16 through which the tube 12 is received and is also provided with a spacer 20 on an axial face thereof. In other embodiments, such spacers may be provided on both axial faces of each fin. The spacers 20, which are located between adjacent fins 14, maintain a regular spacing between those fins 14 along the tube 12. The fins 14 are formed of generally the same material which, in the case of this embodiment, is steel.

[0039] A detailed view of a fin 14 of the type used in ...

fourth embodiment

[0057] The assembly 100 is formed from the desired number of units 40 prior to hot-dipping. As can be seen at FIG. 6, the tubes 12 in that assembly 100 need not be coplanar, thus enabling the configuration of the assembly 100 to be adjusted so as to conform with space restrictions and / or the layout of adjacent equipment. Indeed, the ability to interlink tubes with the fins in this manner enables novel heat exchanger configurations to be devised. FIG. 8 illustrates a fourth embodiment which shows an arrangement 110 providing a group of 8 tubes 12 which are disposed in a octagonal configuration and interlinked with fins 14. As there are no end tubes, such a configuration has a high degree of inherent rigidity requiring little additional support. As well, such a configuration allows the cooling fluid to be either supplied or withdrawn from a direction parallel to the tubes 12, rather than transverse to them, which may be beneficial in certain applications.

[0058] Once that configuration...

second embodiment

[0059] An advantage offered by this embodiment, and shared by the second embodiment, is the stiffening effect which is created along the axis between the pairs of adjacent tubes 12′ and 12″ as a result of their being tied together by the fins 14′. Such a stiffening effect is also realised along the axis between the pairs of adjacent tubes 12′ and 12″ as a result of their being tied together by the fins 14′ and also the fins 14″. The fins 14′ and 14″ thus offer lateral restraint to tubes 12′ and 12″ throughout the assembly 100, thus possibly reducing vibration, both of the assembly 100 and in the heat exchanger generally and increasing the life of the heat exchanger. Moreover, it can be seen that the tube which is second-from-right in FIG. 5 is, advantageously, laterally restrained in two different axes, those axes extending between that tube and the tubes to its left and right (which are not coplanar) respectively.

[0060] As an alternative to the unit 40 shown in FIG. 7, units compri...

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PUM

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Abstract

A heat exchanger tube assembly 10 comprising a tube 12 having a plurality of fins 14 mounted thereto at spaced intervals along its length, each fin 14 having at least one aperture 16 through which the tube 12 is received, each fin 14 having an integral spacer 20 to define the spaced interval from an adjacent fin, the spacer 20 extending from the rim of the aperture 16 generally transversely to the fin 14 to provide an inner surface profiled to contact and cooperate with the external surface of the tube 12 to enhance heat transfer from the tube 12 to the fin 14, the spacer 20 being bonded to the tube 12 by a thermally-conductive medium.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger tube suitable to be incorporated into a heat exchanger, as well as a method of manufacturing such a heat exchanger tube. BACKGROUND ART [0002] Heat exchangers are utilised in a broad range of applications where it is necessary to transfer heat to or from a particular item of equipment, such as an air compressor, air conditioning unit, booster or engine. [0003] A typical heat exchanger commonly used in air or gas heating and cooling applications such as those identified above is that of the “cross-flow” type. Such exchangers generally comprise an arrangement of tubes through which a first fluid is passed and across which a second fluid (often a gas) is passed. [0004] A particular type of cross-flow exchanger comprises an arrangement of tubes, each of which is provided with a plurality of fins along, and extending generally transverse to, its length. Where the heat exchanger is being utilised to cool the e...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): F28F1/30F28F1/32
CPCF28F1/32F28F2240/00F28F21/082
Inventor HALL, PETER DAVID
Owner GLENTEN