Heat exchange – Radiator core type – Deformed sheet forms passages between side-by-side tube means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-22
2001-01-09
Lazarus, Ira S. (Department: 3743)
Heat exchange
Radiator core type
Deformed sheet forms passages between side-by-side tube means
C165S153000, C165SDIG004
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170566
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to heat exchangers for motor vehicles and, more specifically, to a high performance louvered fin for a heat exchanger in a motor vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is known to provide a louvered fin for a heat exchanger such as an evaporator in a motor vehicle. An example of such a louvered fin is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,168. The louvered fin typically is a corrugated fin having generally planar walls joined in a “V” shape at crests. The louvered fin also has a plurality of louvers bent integrally out of the walls at an angle for the purpose of breaking up airflow over the fins and increasing heat transfer. Further, the louvered fin may have multiple louvers in which the louvers are divided into a pattern of alternating, adjacent sets of louvers to guide airflow in an attempt to induce turbulent flow therein. Commonly, two sets of louvers are used, an entrance set and an exit set separated from one another by a central portion. When air flows over the walls of the louvered fin, the airflow will engage the louvers of the entrance set and be deflected upwardly through the wall at the angle of the entrance set of louvers. Air in the deflected stream flows between a pair of adjacent central portions in two adjacent walls. The air is deflected back through the louvers of the exit set in the same way. It should be appreciated that the airflow has a generally shallow bell curve shape.
Another known louvered fin for a heat exchanger such as an evaporator is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,580,624. In this patent, groups of louvers are sloped alternately or in different combinations on the fin.
Other examples of known fins for heat exchangers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,214,954 and Japanese Patent No. 10-141805. U.S. Pat. No. 3,214,954 discloses a fin roll and Japanese Patent No. 10-141805 discloses a multi-stage fin.
Although the above fins have worked for a heat exchanger, it is desirable to provide a corrugated fin that allows louvers to direct air through the heat exchanger core with minimum turning while maximizing the number of louvers within the airstream for increased heat transfer. It is also desirable to provide a split louver that allows each section of the louver to maintain and direct airflow in a single direction for a minimum drop in airside pressure for increased heat transfer. Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide a louvered fin for a heat exchanger that outperforms conventional louvered fins in both heat transfer and air pressure drop.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention is a high performance louvered fin for a heat exchanger including a base wall extending longitudinally to form a strip having a longitudinal axis. The high performance louvered fin includes a plurality of entrance louvers in the base wall extending outwardly at a predetermined angle in a first direction from the base wall. The high performance louvered fin also includes a plurality of exit louvers in the base wall extending outwardly at a predetermined angle in a second direction from the base wall reversed from the first direction. The entrance louvers and the exit louvers extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis and are spaced laterally. The high performance louvered fin further includes a turnaround rib in the base wall extending laterally and generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis between the entrance louvers and the exit louvers.
One advantage of the present invention is that a high performance louvered fin for a heat exchanger such as an evaporator is provided for a motor vehicle. Another advantage of the present invention is that the high performance louvered fin has louvers that are twisted within its length such that air passing over the two halves of the louver is directed in different directions. Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the high performance louvered fin allows each section of the louver to maintain and direct airflow in a single direction for minimum drop in airside pressure. Still another advantage of the present invention is that the high performance louvered fin provides more louvers within the airstream, thereby increasing heat transfer. A further advantage of the present invention is that the high performance louvered fin can be roll-formed or stamped from a flat sheet of aluminum and subsequently corrugated using packing rolls to form corrugated louvered fins of required fin density. Yet a further advantage of the present invention is that the high performance louvered fin allows the louvers in a corrugated fin to direct air through the core of the heat exchanger with minimum turning while maximizing the number of louvers within the airstream. Still a further advantage of the present invention if that the high performance louvered fin allows for increased heat transfer even as the air-side pressure drop of the core of the heat exchanger is reduced.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood after reading the subsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Blumel Barry W.
Rhodes Eugene G.
Shembekar Ajit R.
Lazarus Ira S.
McKinnon Terrell
Shelton Larry I.
Visteon Global Technologies Inc.
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