Wound Layered Tube Heat Exchanger
AssigneeModine Grenada LLC
InventorOlli Pekka Naukkarinen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A wound tube heat exchanger 10 article that receives a heat exchange fluid and its method of manufacture. The exchanger 10 has one or more layers 12 of a tube 14. In one embodiment, the tube surface is bare. In other embodiments, the outside tube surface is enhanced to produce turbulence. At least some of the layers 12 have an ovate oblong configuration. A pair of opposing linear runs 16,18 is connected by a pair of opposing curved sections 20,22. In some embodiments, the layers are circular, oval or rectangular with radiused corners. An elongate spacer member 24 has forwardly 26 and rearwardly 28 facing edges. Defined within those edges are engagement surfaces 30 that detachably retain the opposing linear runs 16,18.
Claims24
A heat exchanger that transfers thermal energy between an internal heat exchange fluid that flows within the exchanger and an external heat exchange fluid in thermal communication with the internal heat exchange fluid, the heat exchanger comprising:
- one or more layers of a tube within which the internal heat exchange fluid passes;
- at least some of the one or more layers having an oblong ovate configuration with a pair of opposing linear runs that are connected by a pair of opposing curved sections;
- and
- a spacer member that extends angularly in relation to the linear runs, the spacer member having forwardly and rearwardly facing edges, the edges defining engagement surfaces that detachably retain the opposing linear runs.
A heat exchanger assembly comprising:
- a single layer of a tube within which heat exchange fluid passes;
- and
- a multiple layer heat exchanger having a tube in common with the single layer so that differing heat exchange characteristics are presented by the single and multiple layers in the assembly.
A heat exchanger that transfers thermal energy between an internal heat exchange fluid that flows within the exchanger and an external heat exchange fluid in thermal communication with the internal heat exchange fluid, the heat exchanger comprising:
- one or more layers of a tube within which the internal heat exchange fluid passes;
- at least some of the one or more layers having a uniform bend radius;
- and
- a spacer member that extends angularly in relation to the one or more layers, the spacer member having forwardly and rearwardly facing edges, the edges defining engagement surfaces that detachably retain the outside diameter of the tube.
A method of making a heat exchanger for transferring thermal energy comprising the steps of:
- providing an elongate mandrel;
- and
- winding a continuous length of a tube around the mandrel so as to prepare windings, each having an oblong ovate configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.