Heat transfer tube for air conditioner application

Abstract

A heat transfer tube and a heat exchanger incorporating at least one heat transfer tube are provided. The heat transfer tube and the heat exchanger are optimized for use within an air conditioner (which is configured to operate only in a cooling mode). The heat transfer tube includes a tube body with an interior surface and an exterior surface. The tube body defining an outer diameter (Do) and a wall thickness (WT), wherein a ratio (WT / Do) the wall thickness (WT) to the outer diameter (Do) is between 0.061 and 0.071. The heat transfer tube includes multiple pluralities of adjacent helical fins protruding circumferentially around the interior surface of the tube body at respective helix angles. The multiple pluralities are separated by one or more transition area(s).

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 199,017 filed Dec. 2, 2020, the contents of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]The invention relates generally to heat transfer tubes for use in heat exchangers. In particular, the invention relates to a heat transfer tube that is configured to optimize its use within a heat exchanger for an air conditioner.[0003]An air conditioner is a type of vapor compression system that is only capable of providing cooling (e.g., as opposed to a heat pump with is capable of switching between a heating mode and a cooling mode by reversing the flow of refrigerant). Vapor compression systems (e.g., air conditioners, heat pumps, etc.) commonly include a compressor to both move and increase the pressure of the refrigerant, two heat exchangers (one indoor heat exchanger and one outdoor heat exchanger) to transfer heat to or from the refrigerant, and at le...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a heat transfer tube for cooling applications that includes a tube body with a helical fin design. The tube has a ratio of wall thickness to outer diameter (WT / Do) between 0.061 and 0.071. The helical fins are arranged in two groups, with a transition area between them. Each helical fin has crosshatches that define its angle, depth, pitch, and width. The heat transfer tube also includes a non-fin weld area on the interior surface of the tube body. The design of the heat transfer tube provides improved cooling efficiency and a smooth transition between the two groups of helical fins. The technical effects of the heat transfer tube include improved cooling efficiency, reduced wall thickness, and a smooth transition between the two groups of helical fins.

Problems solved by technology

However, in recent years, the industry has started to move from copper to aluminum, primary due to the fluctuating, often high, price of copper relative to aluminum.

Aluminum, and alloys thereof, have inherently different mechanical properties that historically have limited its ability to be manufactured.

In addition, due to the properties of the aluminum, historically, aluminum heat transfer tubes have a thicker tube wall (relative to tubes made of copper), which causes a smaller internal diameter, resulting in an increased pressure drop.

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