Patents by Inventor Petur Thors

Petur Thors 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: 20110139411
    Abstract: A cooling surface for cooling an electronic component, the surface having two sets of fins, each set of fins defining a set of channels, and a number of passageways connecting the sets of channels. The cooling surface can be attached to an electronic component, such as a chip, and refrigerant supplied to at least one of the sets of channels. When the temperature of the electronic component rises, the heat is transferred to the refrigerant in the cooling surface, at least some of which vaporizes to carry heat away from, and facilitate cooling of, the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: WOLVERINE TUBE, INC.
    Inventor: Petur Thors
  • Patent number: 7861408
    Abstract: A cooling surface for cooling an electronic component, the surface having two sets of fins, each set of fins defining a set of channels, and a number of passageways connecting the sets of channels. The cooling surface can be attached to an electronic component, such as a chip, and refrigerant supplied to at least one of the sets of channels. When the temperature of the electronic component rises, the heat is transferred to the refrigerant in the cooling surface, at least some of which vaporizes to carry heat away from, and facilitate cooling of, the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Wolverine Tube, Inc.
    Inventor: Petur Thors
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20080235950
    Abstract: The current invention includes a tube with a helical fin extending from the tube's outer surface. The fins and tube are monolithic, or formed of one part. The fin is continuous and the fin base is essentially straight as it winds around the tube. The fin has a tip opposite the fin base with an essentially straight fin body as viewed between the tip and the base. The fin is bent into concave and convex shapes about the tube wall so the fin tip makes a wavy pattern as it winds around the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Wolverine Tube, Inc.
    Inventors: Petur Thors, Tommy Tyler, Gary Eagleston
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7284325
    Abstract: An improved tool and method for enhancing the surface of a heat transfer tube are provided. The tool, which can be easily added to existing manufacturing equipment, includes cutting bits that may be retracted with a housing. The cutting bits include a cutting edge to cut through the surface of a tube and a lifting edge to lift the surface of the tube to form protrusions. A method for enhancing the inner surface of the tube includes mounting a tool on a shaft, positioning the tool in the tube and causing relative rotation and axial movement between the tube and the tool to cut at least partially through at least one ridge formed along the surface of the tube to form ridge layers and lift the ridge layers to form protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Inventors: Petur Thors, Bruce Kouse, Gerry Minshall
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7254964
    Abstract: An improved heat transfer tube, an improved method of formation and an improved use of such a heat transfer tube is disclosed. The heat transfer tube includes an outer surface with a plurality of radially outwardly extending helical fins, the fins being grooved to define notches, a plurality of channels extending between adjacent fins, at least one nucleate boiling pore formed at the intersection of a notch and a channel. The fins are flattened or pushed down to form a primary nucleate boiling cavity within the at least one nucleate boiling pore; and the tips of the fins are further bent over or flattened to form a secondary nucleate boiling cavity within the at least one nucleate boiling pore. Also disclosed are improved refrigerant evaporator including at least one such boiling tube and a method of making such a boiling tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Wolverine Tube, Inc.
    Inventors: Petur Thors, Tommy Tyler
  • Publication number: 20070157456
    Abstract: An improved tool and method for enhancing the surface of a heat transfer tube are provided. The tool, which can be easily added to existing manufacturing equipment, includes cutting bits that may be retracted with a housing. The cutting bits include a cutting edge to cut through the surface of a tube and a lifting edge to lift the surface of the tube to form protrusions. A method for enhancing the inner surface of the tube includes mounting a tool on a shaft, positioning the tool in the tube and causing relative rotation and axial movement between the tube and the tool to cut at least partially through at least one ridge formed along the surface of the tube to form ridge layers and lift the ridge layers to form protrusions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: Petur Thors, Bruce Kouse, Gerry Minshall
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7178361
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved heat transfer tube, an improved method of formation, and an improved use of such heat transfer tube. The present invention discloses a boiling tube for a refrigerant evaporator that provides at least one dual cavity nucleate boiling site. The present invention further discloses an improved refrigerant evaporator including at least one such boiling tube, and the method of making such a boiling tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Wolverine Tube, Inc.
    Inventors: Petur Thors, Tommy Tyler
  • Publication number: 20060283573
    Abstract: A cooling surface for cooling an electronic component, the surface having two sets of fins, each set of fins defining a set of channels, and a number of passageways connecting the sets of channels. The cooling surface can be attached to an electronic component, such as a chip, and refrigerant supplied to at least one of the sets of channels. When the temperature of the electronic component rises, the heat is transferred to the refrigerant in the cooling surface, at least some of which vaporizes to carry heat away from, and facilitate cooling of, the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Inventor: Petur Thors
  • 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: 20060112535
    Abstract: An improved tool and method for enhancing the surface of a heat transfer tube are provided. The tool, which can be easily added to existing manufacturing equipment, includes cutting bits that may be retracted with a housing. The cutting bits include a cutting edge to cut through the surface of a tube and a lifting edge to lift the surface of the tube to form protrusions. A method for enhancing the inner surface of the tube includes mounting a tool on a shaft, positioning the tool in the tube and causing relative rotation and axial movement between the tube and the tool to cut at least partially through at least one ridge formed along the surface of the tube to form ridge layers and lift the ridge layers to form protrusions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Inventors: Petur Thors, Bruce Kouse, Gerry Minshall
  • Publication number: 20060075773
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved heat transfer tube, an improved method of formation, and an improved use of such heat transfer tube. The present invention discloses a boiling tube for a refrigerant evaporator that provides at least one dual cavity nucleate boiling site. The present invention further discloses an improved refrigerant evaporator including at least one such boiling tube, and the method of making such a boiling tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventors: Petur Thors, Tommy Tyler
  • Publication number: 20060075772
    Abstract: An improved heat transfer tube, an improved method of formation and an improved use of such a heat transfer tube is disclosed. The heat transfer tube includes an outer surface with a plurality of radially outwardly extending helical fins, the fins being grooved to define notches, a plurality of channels extending between adjacent fins, at least one nucleate boiling pore formed at the intersection of a notch and a channel. The fins are flattened or pushed down to form a primary nucleate boiling cavity within the at least one nucleate boiling pore; and the tips of the fins are further bent over or flattened to form a secondary nucleate boiling cavity within the at least one nucleate boiling pore. Also disclosed are improved refrigerant evaporator including at least one such boiling tube and a method of making such a boiling tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventors: Petur Thors, Tommy Tyler