Heat exchange – Line connected conduit assemblies
Patent
1981-11-30
1985-09-24
Richter, Sheldon J.
Heat exchange
Line connected conduit assemblies
165151, 165172, 165DIG13, F28F 132
Patent
active
045427860
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
DESCRIPTION
1. Technical Field
The invention relates to a heat exchanger core and, more particularly, to the relative orientation of tubes, having an elongated cross-sectional configuration, in the core.
2. Background Art
In the use of a heat exchanger, heat dissipation characteristics can be maximized by maintaining a proper flow of fluid across all portions of the heat exchanger core.
For example, work vehicles often provide limited space in which to position a heat exchanger to cool engine oil or coolant or hydraulic fluid. One solution is to utilize a folded core heat exchanger which positions cores of the heat exchanger at angles relative to one another or in a zigzag pattern. This provides more heat transfer surface area for a given width in which to place the cores. Such an application is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,076,072 which issued to Bentz on Feb. 28, 1978.
The use of the folded core heat exchangers does, however, result in different air flow characteristics through the core because of the folded or zigzag arrangement of the cores. Also, because of the space limitations which restrict the size of the folded core heat exchanger, it is desirable to more efficiently utilize the entire surface area of a core to maximize the thermal efficiency of the cores.
One solution is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,034,804 which issued to Meijer et al on July 12, 1977. In this patent the hydraulic diameter and lengths of the tubes are specifically selected to increase the cooling capacity of the disclosed radiator. However, even with such a radiator, air flow can sometimes be substantially blocked from flowing through the fins and about the tubes in portions of the core. Such problems generally result from mounting brackets, covers or the arrangement of the fins or tubes themselves blocking or restricting the optimum pathway of the air through the heat exchanger.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, a heat exchanger core has a plurality of tubes extending through a plurality of fins. Each of the tubes has an elongated cross-sectional configuration defining a major axis. The major axis of a preselected one of the tubes defines an angle with an axis of the core. The major axes of preselected other ones of the tubes each define angles with the core axis greater than the angle of the preselected one of the tubes.
In another aspect of the present invention, a heat exchanger core has a plurality of tubes extending through a plurality of fins. A fluid stream oriented in a flow direction is utilized by the heat exchanger. A major axis of a preselected one of the tubes defines an angle relative to the flow direction. Major axes of the other tubes define angles relative to the flow direction greater than the flow direction angle of the preselected one of the tubes.
The heat exchanger efficiency is improved by positioning the tubes in the core at relatively varied angles. The different angles improve fluid flow through certain portions of the heat exchanger core by reducing the pressure drop or fluid flow restriction through the heat exchanger core in order to better utilize the heat transfer surface area of the core as well as to help purge debris from the heat exchanger.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of the present invention as incorporated on a folded core heat exchanger such as might be used on a work vehicle;
FIG. 2 illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 1 at a relatively compact fold angle;
FIG. 3 illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 1 at a relatively wide fold angle; and
FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of another embodiment of the present invention as incorporated on a single core such as might be typical of cores assembled to form a folded core heat exchanger.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Referring to FIG. 1, a top view of a heat exchanger 10 is shown which includes a first core 12 having a first plurality of st
REFERENCES:
patent: 1996691 (1935-04-01), Tenney
patent: 2006649 (1935-07-01), Modine
patent: 4034804 (1977-07-01), Meijer et al.
patent: 4076072 (1978-02-01), Bentz
patent: 4144933 (1979-03-01), Asselman et al.
80/01104, 5-80, WO, Heston et al.
83/01997, 6-83, WO, Anders.
Caterpillar Tractor Co.
Richter Sheldon J.
Woloch Anthony N.
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