Three-layer condenser
AssigneeMaytag Corporation
InventorJames H. Jenkins, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A condenser coil assembly is described and methods for forming such a device. The condenser assembly maximizes heat transfer surface area within a reduced volumetric area without significantly increasing the static pressure on the condenser fan system. The coil assembly is made up of a coil element through which refrigerant is transmitted and a plurality of wires that are affixed to the coil element to assist in dissipating heat from the coil element. The coil element is formed into a compact three-layer arrangement by first bending the coil element into a flat, zig-zag configuration. Secondly, the zig-zag shape is folded in a transverse direction to create three folds or flaps that are essentially equal in length. It is preferred that rounded bars be used to assist in creating the folds.
Claims6
A condenser coil assembly made according to the following method:
- taking an elongated condenser coil having a first coil end and a second coil end and being capable of carrying a refrigerant fluid from the first coil end to the second coil end;
- bending the condenser coil into an accordion shaped configuration comprising a plurality of first U-shaped bends, a plurality of second U-shaped bends and a plurality of approximately parallel straight run sections, each of the straight run sections extending between one of the first U-shaped bends and one of the second U-shaped bends, the accordion shaped configuration lying in a single X-Y plane;
- attaching a plurality of elongated first fins to the condenser coil on one side of the single X-Y plane and a plurality of elongated second fins on the side of the single X-Y plane, the elongated first and second fins both extending in a direction perpendicular to the straight run sections of the condenser coil;
- positioning an elongated first rod and an elongated second rod on opposite sides of the X-Y plane and extending parallel to one another and perpendicular to the straight run sections;
- making a first fold line by folding the X-Y plane in a first rotational direction about the first rod, the first rod having an outer curved surface of a radius sufficient to permit the refrigerant fluid to flow through the coil around the first fold line;
- making a second fold line by folding the X-Y plane in the same first rotational direction about the second rod, the second rod having an outer curved surface of a radius sufficient to permit the refrigerant fluid to flow though the coil around the second fold line, whereby the first and second fold line form the single X-Y plane into three overlying layers lying in separate planes;
- the outer most of said layers being spaced apart by a distance substantially less than four times said radius.
A method for making a condenser configuration comprising:
- taking an elongated condenser coil having a first coil end and a second coil end and being capable of carrying a refrigerant fluid from the first coil end to the second coil end;
- bending the condenser coil into an accordion shaped configuration comprising a plurality of first U-shaped bends, a plurality of second U-shaped bends and a plurality of approximately parallel straight run sections, each of the straight run sections extending between one of the first U-shaped bends and one of the second U-shaped bends, the accordion shaped configuration lying in a single X-Y plane;
- attaching a plurality of elongated first fins to the condenser coil one side of the single X-Y plane and a plurality of elongated second fins on the opposite side of the single X-Y plane, the elongated first and second fins both extending in a direction perpendicular to the straight run sections of the condenser coil;
- positioning an elongated first rod and an elongated second rod on opposite sides of the X-Y plane and extending parallel to one another and perpendicular to the straight run sections;
- making a first fold line by folding the X-Y plane in a first rotational direction about the first rod, the first rod having an outer curved surface of a radius sufficient to permit the refrigerant fluid to flow through the coil around the first fold line;
- making a second fold line by folding the X-Y plane in the same first rotational direction about the second rod, the second rod having an outer curved surface of a radius sufficient to permit the refrigerant fluid to flow through the coil around the second fold line, whereby the first and second fold lines form the single X-Y plane into three overlying layers lying in separate planes;
- the outermost of said three layers being spaced apart by a distance substantially less than four times said radius.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.