Flattened fluid conduits for use in heat exchangers and other systems, and associated methods of manufacture and use
AssigneeCerro Flow Products LLC
InventorsSean E. Walker, Steven L. Baue, Forrest Nixon
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Flattened fluid conduits for use in heat exchangers and other systems, and associated methods of manufacture and use are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the fluid conduit for use in heat exchangers can be manufactured by inserting two or more inner tubes into a circular or at least partially circular barrier tube and at least partially flattening at least some length of the assembly. The heat exchanger conduit can include one or more void spaces within the barrier tube and adjacent to the inner tubes which serve to contain any leaks in the inner tubes and vent any leaks to the atmosphere.
Claims24
A heat exchanger conduit comprising:
- a barrier tube;
- and
- a plurality of fluid-carrying inner tubes nested within the barrier tube, wherein each individual inner tube is in contact with at least one other individual inner tube to create a plurality of isolated voids between the inner tubes and the barrier tube.
A heat exchanger comprising:
- an outer sleeve;
- a flattened barrier tube disposed within the outer sleeve to define a fluid space therebetween;
- and
- a plurality of flattened inner tubes nested within the barrier tube, wherein each individual inner tube is in contact with the barrier tube and at least one adjacent inner tube.
A method of manufacturing a heat exchanger conduit comprising:
- disposing a plurality of first tubes within a second tube;
- and
- flattening at least a portion of the second tube whereby each individual tube of the plurality of first tubes contacts the second tube and at least one other individual first tube to create at least one isolated void between the plurality of first tubes and the second tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.