Abstract: A vertical support structure includes a mounting plate and a support member. The support member extends vertically along a vertical axis and has a pair of vertically-elongated panel integrally connected together in a form of an angle iron to define a vertically-extending L-shaped channel between outside edges of the pair of panels. A top edge of the support member and a bottom edge of the support member are disposed vertically apart from and extend horizontally parallel to one another. The support member has a slot formed therethrough. The slot is disposed between the top and bottom edges and extends horizontally between the outside edges. The slot is sized to slidably receive the mounting plate and the mounting plate occupying the slot is connected to the support member such that the mounting plate projects perpendicularly from the support member and away from the L-shaped channel.

Abstract: A liquid distribution system for an evaporative heat rejection system that includes a heat transfer surface is disclosed. The liquid distribution system includes a plurality of liquid conduits adapted to transport liquid for distribution over the heat transfer surface, and each liquid conduit having at least one orifice. At least a first orifice in a first conduit and a second orifice in a second conduit are positioned such that when the liquid is transported under a predetermined pressure thought the conduits, the liquid is emitted from the first and second orifices in first and second streams, respectively, that collide at a collision site, thus causing liquid to be scattered from the collision site and distributed over the heat transfer surface.

Abstract: A splash bar includes a tubular splash bar body in a form of a lattice structure that has a plurality of openings formed therethrough. The splash bar body is positioned centrally along and about an imaginary three-dimensional coordinate system having a lengthwise axis defining a lengthwise direction, a widthwise axis defining a widthwise direction and a heightwise axis defining a heightwise direction with the lengthwise axis, the widthwise axis and the heightwise axis being oriented perpendicularly relative to one another. The splash bar body defines a hollow passageway extending in the lengthwise direction and has a top portion, a bottom portion disposed generally opposite the top portion and a pair of opposing side portions interconnecting respective ones of the bottom and top portions with the top and bottom portions spanning the opposing side portions. The top portion is generally upwardly arcuate in shape as viewed in cross-section.

Abstract: A dimension sensor is used in conjunction with a tube and includes a body member and at least one detector element. The body member has an inner surface defining an opening sized to receive the tube. The at least one detector element is connected to the body member and has a detector portion extending into the opening. When the tube is received in the opening, the detector portion is initially disposed apart from the tube. A method using the dimension sensor stops expansion of the tube expanding from a pre-expanded state to a desired expanded state. A pumping device is actuated to pressurize a fluid by an amount sufficient to cause the tube to expand from the pre-expanded state to the desired expanded state. When the tube expands to the desired expanded state, the pumping device deactivates thereby stopping expansion of the tube at the desired expanded state.

Abstract: A high-frequency, low-amplitude corrugated fin for a heat exchanger assembly includes a plate member that extends horizontally and vertically to define a reference plane. The plate member has a plurality of conduit portions, a first and second series of corrugated segments formed in the plate member. The first and second series of corrugated segments undulate generally equidistantly relative to and from the reference plane as viewed in cross-section. The plurality of conduit portions is inter-dispersed throughout the plate member among the first and second series of corrugated segments. Each one of the first series of corrugated segments extends at a first angle relative to horizontal and each one of the second series of corrugated segments extend at a second angle relative to horizontal such that individual adjacent ones of the first and second series of corrugated segments form at least a generally chevron-shaped configuration as viewed in plan view.

Abstract: A high-frequency, low-amplitude corrugated fin for a heat exchanger assembly includes a plate member that extends horizontally and vertically to define a reference plane. The plate member has a plurality of conduit portions, a first and second series of corrugated segments formed in the plate member. The first and second series of corrugated segments undulate generally equidistantly relative to and from the reference plane as viewed in cross-section. The plurality of conduit portions is inter-dispersed throughout the plate member among the first and second series of corrugated segments. Each one of the first series of corrugated segments extends at a first angle relative to horizontal and each one of the second series of corrugated segments extend at a second angle relative to horizontal such that individual adjacent ones of the first and second series of corrugated segments form at least a generally chevron-shaped configuration as viewed in plan view.

Abstract: A heat exchanger apparatus includes an inlet header, an inlet connection connected to the inlet header, an outlet header, an outlet connection connected to the outlet header and a plurality of serpentine tube bodies. The plurality of serpentine tube bodies interconnect and are in communication with the inlet header and outlet header. Each serpentine tube body has a plurality of straight tube sections and a plurality of U-shaped return bend sections. Each one of the straight tube sections and each one of the return bend sections have an elliptically-shaped cross-sectional configuration. The plurality of serpentine tube bodies are arranged in a juxtaposed manner with consecutive ones of the serpentine tube bodies contacting each other at a point defining a series of stacked common planes disposed parallel with one another.

Abstract: A dimension sensor is used in conjunction with a tube and includes a body member and at least one detector element. The body member has an inner surface defining an opening sized to receive the tube. The at least one detector element is connected to the body member and has a detector portion extending into the opening. When the tube is received in the opening, the detector portion is initially disposed apart from the tube. A method using the dimension sensor stops expansion of the tube expanding from a pre-expanded state to a desired expanded state. A pumping device is actuated to pressurize a fluid by an amount sufficient to cause the tube to expand from the pre-expanded state to the desired expanded state. When the tube expands to the desired expanded state, the pumping device deactivates thereby stopping expansion of the tube at the desired expanded state.

Abstract: A fin is disclosed for use in a heat exchanger coils including tube segments extending through the fin. The fin includes a corrugated sheet of material having a plurality of major corrugations, about 8 to about 24 corrugations per inch (2.54 cm), each major corrugation being a peak or a valley with an amplitude “h” at the peaks or the valleys perpendicular to a reference major plane equally bisecting the major corrugations, and a width “w”; a plurality of orifices; a collar perpendicular to the reference major plane and extending from the sheet around each of the orifices; and a generally flat area that is generally parallel to or generally coextensive with the reference major plane and that surrounds each collar. The major corrugations have angled walls extending from at least one of the peaks and valleys to the generally flat areas adapted to create a vortex when air travels over the fin. A ratio of “h” to “w” is about 0.32 to about 0.7.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coil assembly for use in an evaporative parallel flow or counterflow heat exchanger wherein the heat exchanger comprises a conduit oriented in a vertical direction through which external heat exchange fluids flow in a generally vertical direction, the coil assembly being mountable within the conduit, the coil assembly comprising inlet and outlet manifolds and a plurality of tubes connecting the manifolds, the tubes including bights and segments extending generally horizontally across the conduit and connected to at least one bight, the bights being oriented vertically and connecting segments of the tube at different levels within the conduit, the bights of adjacent tubes being in contact with each other, the segments having a generally elliptical cross sectional shape such that the segments of adjacent tubes are spaced from each other in a direction generally normal to the flow direction.

Abstract: A wet deck fill sheet is disclosed for use in making a wet deck fill for use in evaporative counterflow heat exchangers. One aspect of the sheet is that it includes transverse corrugations formed in at least one of the top and bottom edges of the sheet. Another aspect is the provision of a staggered array of substantially vertical spacers extending from one face of the sheet to space the sheet a predetermined distance from an adjacent sheet in the wet deck fill. The spacers are aligned to provide for substantially equalized air flow along the length of the sheet in a horizontal direction between the sheets as the air travels upward through the deck. Another aspect of the invention includes providing in the sloping walls of the major face corrugations formed in the fill sheets a plurality of substantially horizontal air turbulence increasing and water spreading means to increase the interaction of air and water to provide improved thermal performance.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus for removing mist from a mist laden air stream comprising:a. a plurality of stacked blades mounted in blade holding means, each blade having an inlet side and an outlet side and being stacked to allow the mist laden air stream to flow between the blades;b. impact means disposed on a surface of each blade against which the mist and air impacts for removing mist from the air stream; andc. pressure drop reducing means disposed on the outlet side of each blade for reducing the pressure drop of the air stream across the blades.The impact means is an integrally formed curved arch against which the mist laden air impacts to form drops and down which the drops flow. The pressure drop reducing means is an angled lip which extends along the length of the blade from the outlet edge of the blade.