Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
  • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
  • F28F1/00—Tubular elements; Assemblies of tubular elements
  • F28F1/02—Tubular elements of cross-section which is non-circular
  • F28F1/022—Tubular elements of cross-section which is non-circular with multiple channels
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
  • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
  • F28F1/00—Tubular elements; Assemblies of tubular elements
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
  • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
  • F28F1/00—Tubular elements; Assemblies of tubular elements
  • F28F1/10—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses
  • F28F1/12—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses the means being only outside the tubular element
  • F28F1/14—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses the means being only outside the tubular element and extending longitudinally
  • F28F1/16—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses the means being only outside the tubular element and extending longitudinally the means being integral with the element, e.g. formed by extrusion
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
  • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
  • F28F1/00—Tubular elements; Assemblies of tubular elements
  • F28F1/10—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses
  • F28F1/12—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses the means being only outside the tubular element
  • F28F1/14—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses the means being only outside the tubular element and extending longitudinally
  • F28F1/22—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses the means being only outside the tubular element and extending longitudinally the means having portions engaging further tubular elements
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
  • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
  • F28F1/00—Tubular elements; Assemblies of tubular elements
  • F28F1/10—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses
  • F28F1/12—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses the means being only outside the tubular element
  • F28F1/14—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses the means being only outside the tubular element and extending longitudinally
  • F28F1/16—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses the means being only outside the tubular element and extending longitudinally the means being integral with the element, e.g. formed by extrusion
  • F28F1/18—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses the means being only outside the tubular element and extending longitudinally the means being integral with the element, e.g. formed by extrusion the element being built-up from finned sections
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
  • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
  • F28F2215/00—Fins
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
  • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
  • F28F2215/00—Fins
  • F28F2215/08—Fins with openings, e.g. louvers

Definitions

• the subject matter disclosed herein relates to heat exchangers. More specifically, the subject disclosure relates to tube and fin configuration for heat exchangers.
• Micro-channel heat exchangers have represented the typical construction of heat exchangers for, for example, automotive and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) applications, for several years. These heat exchangers are finding wider application in residential and even aerospace HVAC products due to their compactness, relatively low cost, and reduced refrigerant charge when compared to other heat exchanger configurations.
• HVAC heating, ventilation and air conditioning
• a heat exchanger includes a plurality of tubes positioned substantially transverse to a direction of airflow through the heat exchanger and arranged in a plurality of tube rows extending substantially along the direction of airflow.
• the heat exchanger further includes a plurality of webs substantially integral to two or more tubes of the plurality of tubes, each web extending between and connected to adjacent tubes of the plurality of tubes.
• At least one web has an enhanced surface such as a louver, tab, or vortex generator, (the main claim should be the combination of the tube, web, and surface enhancements. We may have a configuration with round tubes with some form of web surface enhancement. I don't believe this is covered in the claims)
• a heat exchanger includes a plurality of tubes positioned substantially transverse to a direction of airflow through the heat exchanger and arranged in a plurality of tube rows extending substantially along the direction of airflow. At least one tube of the plurality of tubes includes two or more fluid-conveying pathways. A plurality of webs are substantially integral to two or more tubes of the plurality of tubes. Each web extends between and is connected to adjacent tubes of the plurality of tubes.
• a heat exchanger includes a plurality of tubes positioned substantially transverse to a direction of airflow through the heat exchanger and arranged in a plurality of tube rows extending substantially along the direction of airflow.
• a plurality of webs are substantially integral to at least two tubes of the plurality of tubes. Each web extends between and is connected to adjacent tubes of the plurality of tubes.
• a plurality of tabs are located at the plurality of webs substantially transverse to the airflow to generate vortices in the airflow.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an integral tube and fin heat exchanger
• FIG. 2 is an embodiment of an integral tube and fin heat exchanger having elliptical tubes
• FIG. 3 is an embodiment of an integral tube and fin heat exchanger having airfoil- shaped tubes
• FIG. 4 is an embodiment of an integral tube and fin heat exchanger having web louvers
• FIG. 5 is an embodiment of an integral tube and fin heat exchanger having multiple web louvers
• FIG. 6 is an embodiment of an integral tube and fin heat exchanger having multiple fluid pathways per tube
• FIG. 7 is another embodiment of an integral tube and fin heat exchanger having multiple fluid pathways per tube
• FIG. 8 is yet another embodiment of an integral tube and fin heat exchanger having multiple fluid pathways per tube;
• FIG. 9 is still another embodiment of an integral tube and fin heat exchanger having multiple fluid pathways per tube;
• FIG. 10 is an embodiment of an integral tube and fin heat exchanger including web tabs
• FIG. 11 is a schematic of vortex flow through an embodiment of an integral tube and fin heat exchanger
• FIG. 12 is another embodiment of an integral tube and fin heat exchanger including web tabs
• FIG. 13 is another schematic of vortex flow through an embodiment of an integral tube and fin heat exchanger.
• FIG. 14 is another embodiment of a heat exchanger 10.
• the heat exchanger 10 is a micro-channel heat exchanger (MCHX).
• MCHX micro-channel heat exchanger
• the heat exchanger 10 has an integrated tube-fin structure where a plurality of tubes 12 are arranged with a plurality of webs 14 extending between adjacent tubes 12 of the plurality of tubes 12, and acting as fins in this structure.
• the webs 14 in some embodiments are substantially integral to the tubes 12.
• a refrigerant flow 16 for example, a liquid or two phase refrigerant, is flowed through the plurality of tubes 12.
• any selected liquid, gas, or two-phase fluid may be flowed through the plurality of tubes 12 for the purposes of heat transfer.
• the plurality of tubes 12 are arranged in rows 18.
• An airflow 20 flows across the plurality of tubes 12 and the plurality of webs 14 such that thermal energy is transferred between the airflow 20 and the refrigerant flow 16 via the tube 12 and web 14 structure.
• a direction of the airflow 20 is substantially perpendicular to the refrigerant flow 16.
• the tubes 12 have a cross-section that improves air flow 20 and thus heat transfer between the airflow 20 and the heat exchanger 10.
• the cross-section of the tubes 12 are elliptical or may be airfoil shaped as shown in FIG. 3. Elliptic or airfoil shapes reduce the wake size behind the tubes 12, which decreases pressure drop and improves heat transfer.
• the webs 14 include a plurality of louvers 22 formed in the webs 14 which extend into the airflow 20.
• the louvers 22 may be formed by, for example, a punching operation which cuts the web 14 on three sides of the louver 22 and folds the louver 22 into position, resulting in a web opening 24 in the web 14.
• the louvers 22 each have a louver face 42 which is aligned substantially parallel to the airflow 20.
• the webs 14 may be configured with multiple rows of multiple louvers 22 between adjacent tubes 12. Utilizing louvers 22 and web openings 24 allows for reduction in material and refrigerant volume compared to a conventional micro-channel heat exchanger and allows for drainage of condensate through the web openings 24 to reduce condensate/ice buildup and/or corrosion.
• the webs 14 between adjacent tubes 12 are substantially equal in web length 26. It is to be appreciated, however, that the web length 26 may vary as desired.
• the tubes 12 in a first row 18a of tubes 12 can be offset or staggered relative to an adjacent second row 18b of tubes 12 along a length 30 of the heat exchanger 10 to allow for a more compact structure and to increase heat transfer between the airflow 20 and the refrigerant flow 16.
• FIG. 6 some embodiments it is desired to increase a distance between the tubes 12 or reduce the number of tubes 12 because heat transfer via the webs 14 is highly effective. Further, reducing a number of tubes 12 reduces necessary connections of tubes 12 to a header (not shown) which distributes refrigerant flow 16 to the tubes 12. A reduction of the number of tubes 12 alone, however, increases a refrigerant flow pressure drop for the same capacity and flow rates. Further, a reduction of the number of tubes 12 combined with an increase in the cross-sectional area of the tubes 12 to increase flow capacity, results in a reduction in heat transfer due to an increase in a hydraulic diameter of the tubes 12 and a reduction in a total refrigerant side heat transfer area.
• FIGs. 6-8 address this problem by providing multiple smaller refrigerant pathways 32 in each tube 12 of the plurality of tubes 12.
• two, three, or four pathways 32 may be arranged in each tube 12 to decrease the pressure drop compared to a similar-sized tube 12 with a single pathway while increasing the heat transfer capability of the tube 12 and reducing connections to the header. While it is possible to include more than four pathways 32 in the tube 12, the heat transfer effectiveness of the additional pathways will be decreased since heat conduction from innermost pathways will be limited compared to the outermost pathways.
• louvers 22 may be utilized with these multi-pathway 32 configurations to increase heat transfer and to provide condensate drainage through the web openings 24.
• the heat exchanger 10 may include vortex generators, for example, tabs 34 disposed along the web 14.
• the tabs 34 are oriented across the airflow 20, as shown schematically in FIG. 11, in order to generate streamwise votices 36 in the airflow 20 as the airflow passes along the web 14.
• the presence of vortices 36 can increase heat transfer between the web 14 and the airflow 20.
• the tabs 34 are triangular in shape, or may be other shapes, for example, trapezoidal, or asymmetrically polygonal, or the like, to generate the desired vortices 36.
• the tabs 34 may be disposed in rows 40 extending along a tube length 38, with multiple rows, for example, two or three rows of tabs 34 between adjacent tubes 12.
• the positions of tabs 34 in a first row 40a may be staggered relative to the positions of tabs 34 in a second row 40b, or may be aligned, depending on the vortex 36 desired.
• tabs 34 are aligned such that a tab tip 42 of the tabs 34 faces the same direction, while in other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 12, tab tips 42 of tabs 34 or rows of tabs 34 may face opposing directions. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, tabs 34 may be located and oriented to boost a strength of the vortices 36 along the web 14.
• the webs 14 may not be substantially planar, but may be a wave or ruffle shape to further have a desired effect on the airflow 20, such as increased vortex generation.
• the wavy web 14 may be utilized in conjunction with the louvers 22, and/or tabs 34.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Thermal Sciences (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Geometry (AREA)
• Heat-Exchange Devices With Radiators And Conduit Assemblies (AREA)

Priority Applications (4)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=46022655

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Cited By (9)

Families Citing this family (14)

Citations (7)

Family Cites Families (10)

• 2012
  • 2012-04-11 US US14/111,077 patent/US20140027098A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2012-04-11 EP EP12717951.3A patent/EP2697589B1/de active Active
  • 2012-04-11 ES ES12717951T patent/ES2834434T3/es active Active
  • 2012-04-11 CN CN201280018452.1A patent/CN103477177B/zh active Active
  • 2012-04-11 WO PCT/US2012/032984 patent/WO2012142070A1/en not_active Ceased

Patent Citations (7)

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