Patents by Inventor Nikolai Zoubkov

Nikolai Zoubkov has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8573022
    Abstract: The invention relates to enhanced heat transfer surfaces and methods and tools for making enhanced heat transfer surface. Certain embodiments include a boiling surface that include a plurality of primary grooves, protrusions and secondary grooves to form boiling cavities. The boiling surface may be formed by using a tool for cutting the inner surface of a tube. The tool has a tool axis and at least one tip with a cutting edge and a lifting edge. Methods for making a boiling surface are also disclosed, including cutting through the inner surface of a tube to form primary grooves, then cutting and lifting the inner surface to form protrusions and secondary grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Wieland-Werke AG
    Inventors: Petur Thors, Nikolai Zoubkov
  • Patent number: 8302307
    Abstract: A method of forming a plurality of protrusions on the inner surface of a tube to reduce tube side resistance and improve overall heat transfer performance. The method includes cutting through ridges on the inner surface of the tube to create ridge layers and lifting the ridge layers to form the protrusions. In this way, the protrusions are formed without removal of metal from the inner surface of the tube, thereby eliminating debris which can damage the equipment in which the tubes are used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Wolverine Tube, Inc.
    Inventors: Petur Thors, Nikolai Zoubkov
  • Publication number: 20100088893
    Abstract: A method of forming a plurality of protrusions on the inner surface of a tube to reduce tube side resistance and improve overall heat transfer performance. The method includes cutting through ridges on the inner surface of the tube to create ridge layers and lifting the ridge layers to form the protrusions. In this way, the protrusions are formed without removal of metal from the inner surface of the tube, thereby eliminating debris which can damage the equipment in which the tubes are used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: WOLVERINE TUBE, INC.
    Inventors: Petur Thors, Nikolai Zoubkov
  • Patent number: 7637012
    Abstract: A method of forming a plurality of protrusions on the inner surface of a tube to reduce tube side resistance and improve overall heat transfer performance. The method includes cutting through ridges on the inner surface of the tube to create ridge layers and lifting the ridge layers to form the protrusions. In this way, the protrusions are formed without removal of metal from the inner surface of the tube, thereby eliminating debris which can damage the equipment in which the tubes are used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Wolverine Tube, Inc.
    Inventors: Petur Thors, Nikolai Zoubkov
  • Patent number: 7509828
    Abstract: An improved tool assembly for enhancing the surface of a heat transfer tube is provided. The tool assembly includes rods having cutting tips and positioned in rod guides which are slidably positioned in shafts provided in a tool holder. In an equilibrium state, the cutting tips do not extend from the tool holder. When a force is applied to the rod guides, the rod guides move in a first direction along the shafts in the tool holder, resulting in exposure of the cutting tips which enhance the tube surface. When the force is removed from the rod guides, the rod guides move along the shafts in a direction opposite the first direction to retract the cutting tips within the tool holder. In this way, the cutting tips are protected when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Wolverine Tube, Inc.
    Inventors: Petur Thors, Nikolai Zoubkov
  • Patent number: 7311137
    Abstract: The invention relates to enhanced heat transfer surfaces and methods and tools for making enhanced heat transfer surface. Certain embodiments include a boiling surface that include a plurality of primary grooves, protrusions and secondary grooves to form boiling cavities. The boiling surface may be formed by using a tool for cutting the inner surface of a tube. The tool has a tool axis and at least one tip with a cutting edge and a lifting edge. Methods for making a boiling surface are also disclosed, including cutting through the inner surface of a tube to form primary grooves, then cutting and lifting the inner surface to form protrusions and secondary grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Wolverine Tube, Inc.
    Inventors: Petur Thors, Nikolai Zoubkov
  • Publication number: 20070234871
    Abstract: The invention relates to enhanced heat transfer surfaces and methods and tools for making enhanced heat transfer surface. Certain embodiments include a boiling surface that include a plurality of primary grooves, protrusions and secondary grooves to form boiling cavities. The boiling surface may be formed by using a tool for cutting the inner surface of a tube. The tool has a tool axis and at least one tip with a cutting edge and a lifting edge. Methods for making a boiling surface are also disclosed, including cutting through the inner surface of a tube to form primary grooves, then cutting and lifting the inner surface to form protrusions and secondary grooves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Petur Thors, Nikolai Zoubkov
  • Publication number: 20070124909
    Abstract: An improved heat transfer tube and a method of formation thereof. The inner surface of the tube is enhanced with a plurality of protrusions that reduce tube side resistance and improve overall heat transfer performance. The protrusions create additional paths for fluid flow within the tube and thereby enhance turbulence of heat transfer mediums flowing within the tube. This increases fluid mixing to reduce the boundary layer build-up of the fluid medium close to the inner surface of the tube, such build-up increasing the resistance and thereby impeding heat transfer. The protrusions also provide extra surface area for additional heat exchange. The method of this invention includes using a tool, which can easily be added to existing manufacturing equipment, having a cutting edge to cut through ridges on the inner surface of the tube to create ridge layers and a lifting edge to lift the ridge layers to form the protrusions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Applicant: WOLVERINE TUBE, INC.
    Inventors: Petur Thors, Nikolai Zoubkov
  • Publication number: 20060213346
    Abstract: An improved tool assembly for enhancing the surface of a heat transfer tube is provided. The tool assembly includes rods having cutting tips and positioned in rod guides which are slidably positioned in shafts provided in a tool holder. In an equilibrium state, the cutting tips do not extend from the tool holder. When a force is applied to the rod guides, the rod guides move in a first direction along the shafts in the tool holder, resulting in exposure of the cutting tips which enhance the tube surface. When the force is removed from the rod guides, the rod guides move along the shafts in a direction opposite the first direction to retract the cutting tips within the tool holder. In this way, the cutting tips are protected when not in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Inventors: Petur Thors, Nikolai Zoubkov
  • Publication number: 20050145377
    Abstract: The invention relates to enhanced heat transfer surfaces and methods and tools for making enhanced heat transfer surface. Certain embodiments include a boiling surface that include a plurality of primary grooves, protrusions and secondary grooves to form boiling cavities. The boiling surface may be formed by using a tool for cutting the inner surface of a tube. The tool has a tool axis and at least one tip with a cutting edge and a lifting edge. Methods for making a boiling surface are also disclosed, including cutting through the inner surface of a tube to form primary grooves, then cutting and lifting the inner surface to form protrusions and secondary grooves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Inventors: Petur Thors, Nikolai Zoubkov
  • Publication number: 20040069467
    Abstract: An improved heat transfer tube and a method of formation thereof. The inner surface of the tube is enhanced with a plurality of protrusions that reduce tube side resistance and improve overall heat transfer performance. The protrusions create additional paths for fluid flow within the tube and thereby enhance turbulence of heat transfer mediums flowing within the tube. This increases fluid mixing to reduce the boundary layer build-up of the fluid medium close to the inner surface of the tube, such build-up increasing the resistance and thereby impeding heat transfer. The protrusions also provide extra surface area for additional heat exchange. The method of this invention includes using a tool, which can easily be added to existing manufacturing equipment, having a cutting edge to cut through ridges on the inner surface of the tube to create ridge layers and a lifting edge to lift the ridge layers to form the protrusions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Petur Thors, Nikolai Zoubkov