Heat exchange – With agitating or stirring structure
Reexamination Certificate
2002-12-09
2004-01-13
McKinnon, Terrell (Department: 3743)
Heat exchange
With agitating or stirring structure
C165S166000, C165S916000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06675878
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to heat exchangers, and more particularly to heat exchangers of the type having a plurality of heat exchange units in stacked relation as used, for example, in oil coolers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known to provide the heat exchange units of heat exchangers with internal turbulators to improve the heat transfer characteristics of the heat exchanger. In general, the turbulators cause the fluid flowing through the heat exchange units to flow in a turbulent manner, thereby enhancing the heat transfer characteristics of the heat exchanger. Further, it is common for the turbulators to provide additional heat conductive paths through periodic contact points with the walls of the heat exchange units, thereby further increasing heat transfer within the heat exchanger.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,732,921 to Hillicki, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 3,743,011 to Frost; U.S Pat. No. 3,734,135 to Mosier; U.S. Pat. No. 3,763,930 to Frost; U.S. Pat. No.4,360,055 to Frost; U.S. Pat. No. 4,561,494 to Frost; U.S. Pat. No. 4,967,835 to Lefeber; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,078,209 to Kerkman, et al. disclose heat exchangers having heat exchange units with turbulators therein. These heat exchangers have proven to be extremely successful, particularly in applications such as cooling the lubricating oil of an internal combustion engine. The disclosed structures are relatively simple in design, inexpensive to fabricate and readily serviceable when required. Nonetheless, there is a continuing desire to provide additional advantages in heat exchanger structures, including, for example, improved heat transfer characteristics, improved pressure drop characteristics, decreased weight and size, etc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the principal object of the invention to provide a new and improved turbulator for use in the heat exchange unit of heat exchangers, and more specifically, to provide a turbulator that increases the heat transfer capabilities of the heat exchanger and/or decreases the pressure drop through the heat exchanger, thereby allowing for reduction in the size and weight of a heat exchanger employing the turbulator.
According to one facet of the invention, a lanced and offset turbulator for use in a heat exchanger is provided. The turbulator includes a sheet of material. The sheet includes a plurality of strand-like rows of alternating crests and valleys. The crests and valleys in each row are offset with respect to the crests and valleys in any immediately adjacent row. Each of the rows has an interface with any immediately adjacent row. The interfaces are perforated so that valleys in each row are in fluid communication with immediately adjacent crests in any immediately adjacent row and crests in each row are in fluid communication with any immediately adjacent valleys in any immediately adjacent row. The plurality of rows are divided into at least two groups which together define a herringbone pattern of the crests and valleys.
According to one facet of the invention, all the rows are parallel to each other.
According to one facet of the invention, the rows in one group of the at least two groups are at an acute angle with the rows of another group of the at least two groups of rows.
According to one facet of the invention, a lanced and offset turbulator for use in a heat exchanger is provided. The turbulator includes a sheet of material. The sheet includes a plurality of strand-like rows of alternating crests and valleys. The crests and valleys in each row are offset with respect to the crests and valleys in any immediately adjacent row. Each of the rows has an interface with any immediately adjacent row. The interfaces are perforated so that valleys in each row are in fluid communication with immediately adjacent crests in any immediately adjacent row and crests in each row are in fluid communication with any immediately adjacent valleys in any immediately adjacent row. The valleys are arranged to define a first series of parallel channels at an acute angle with the rows, and the crests are arranged to define a first series of parallel ridges at the acute angle with the rows.
According to another facet of the invention, the valleys are arranged to define a second series of parallel channels, the crests are arranged to define a second series of parallel ridges, and the first and second series of channels and ridges together define a herringbone pattern of the channels and ridges and the crests and valleys.
In one embodiment, the invention is incorporated in a heat exchanger including a heat exchange unit. The heat exchange unit includes a first surface spaced generally parallel to a second surface to define a flow chamber, a flow inlet spaced from a flow outlet, and a generally planar lanced and offset turbulator in the flow chamber. The turbulator includes a sheet of material. The sheet has the plurality of strand-like rows of alternating crests and valleys, with the crests and valleys in each row being offset with respect to the crests and valleys in any immediately adjacent row. Each of the rows has an interface with any immediately adjacent row. The interfaces are perforated so that valleys in each row are in fluid communication with immediately adjacent crests and any immediately adjacent row and crests in each row are in fluid communication with immediately adjacent valleys in any immediately adjacent row. The valleys are arranged to define a first series of parallel channels at an acute angle to a line defined by the shortest distance between the flow inlet and the flow outlet. The crests are arranged to define a first series of parallel ridges at the acute angle to the line defined by the shortest distance between the flow inlet and the flow outlet.
According to one facet of the invention, the first series of parallel channels and the first series of parallel ridges are perpendicular with the rows.
According to one facet of the invention, the first series of parallel channels and the first series of parallel ridges are non-perpendicular with the rows.
According to one facet of the invention, the rows are parallel to the line defined by the shortest distance between the flow inlet and the flow outlet.
Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
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European Examination Report.
Barfknecht Robert J.
Dalmia Ajay K.
Gilner Brian P.
Grippe Frank M.
Haasch James T.
McKinnon Terrell
Modine Manufacturing Company
Wood Phillips Katz Clark & Mortimer
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