Folded coil tube spacer

A bent-tube heat exchanger;

• the heat exchanger comprising:
• a folded region consisting of a plurality of tubes folded in half that form bent tubes in a coil-like configuration having a flattened cross-section and at least one spacer device:
• wherein each tube forms two parallel flow channels with open ends that extend from the folded region through a core of the heat exchanger;
• the core of the heat exchanger comprises the parallel flow channels and a plurality of fins that extend between the parallel flow channels in the core in order to provide for heat transfer;
• and
• one or more manifolds that form an inlet and outlet for fluid flow within the heat exchanger;
• each of the open ends of the parallel flow channels being in fluid communication with the one or more manifolds;
• wherein the spacer device provides and maintains a separation between the bent tubes in the coil-like configuration of the folded region;
• the spacer device comprising:
• a spine;
• and
• a plurality of fingers that protrude from one side of the spine, wherein the number of fingers is less than the number of bent tubes in the folded region,
• wherein a slot is located between the fingers that are adjacent to one another, the slot forming an L-shape or T-shape where the fingers protrude from the spine;
• wherein the plurality of fingers are fit between the bent tubes in the coil-like configuration and held in place by exerting a force against the bent tubes;
• wherein the spacer device is made of one or more soft plastic or hard rubber materials having a hardness in the range of about 5 to about 85 (Shore A durometer) or less than 45 (Shore D durometer).