Pump and heat exchanger
A pump includes an impeller with impeller blades that extend radially outward. The pump may further include a pump housing that may surround a radial perimeter of the impeller. Furthermore, the pump housing may include an inlet opening in fluid communication with the impeller and a discharge channel. The pump may further include a heat exchanger supported within the pump housing between the inlet opening and at least one connection port. of the pump housing. The heat exchanger may include one or more tubing coils that extend around an axis.
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The present disclosure relates to a heat exchanger and, more particularly, to a heat exchanger for pumps.
BACKGROUNDPumps heat the fluid they pump, particularly gas. In many applications, removing some of the heat that a pump adds to fluid improves the operation of the device that the pump supplies. For example, cooling the air a turbomachine discharges can improve the operation of the engine that it supplies. To cool the discharge of a pump, a heat exchanger is often plumbed between the outlet of the pump and the system the pump supplies.
In many applications, however, space constraints complicate or prevent using plumbing to connect a heat exchanger between the outlet of a pump and the system it supplies. For example, in a multi-stage turbocharging system, limited space may preclude plumbing a heat exchanger between the outlet of a first compressor and the inlet of a second compressor.
At least one pump design enables cooling the pumped fluid without plumbing a heat exchanger between the outlet of the pump and the device it supplies. For example, U.S. Patent Application No. 2004/0055740 (“the '740 application”) shows a rotary compressor with a ring-shaped heat exchanger in the housing of the rotary compressor. The heat exchanger is disposed between a compressor wheel of the rotary compressor and an outlet of the housing, such that fluid discharged by the compressor wheel flows across the heat exchanger before leaving the housing. The heat exchanger includes ring-shaped tanks on its ends and numerous tubes extending axially between, and connecting, the ring-shaped tanks. A connection between each tube and each ring-shaped tank is effected by a tight mechanical fit between the tube and a tube slot and, optionally, solder or braze metal.
Although the rotary compressor of the '740 application includes a heat exchanger for cooling the pumped fluid, the design includes disadvantages. Applying solder or braze metal at the numerous connections between the ring-shaped tanks and the tubes requires significant labor. Each of the connections between the ring-shaped tanks and the tubes presents a risk of developing a fluid leak. The housing of the rotary heat exchanger restricts physical access to the heat exchanger, which may complicate repairing any fluid leaks that the numerous connections develop.
The pump and heat exchanger of the present disclosure solves one or more of the problems set forth above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONOne disclosed embodiment includes a pump that may include an impeller with impeller blades that extend radially outward. The pump may further include a pump housing that surrounds a radial perimeter of the impeller. Additionally, the pump housing may include an inlet opening in fluid communication with the impeller and a discharge channel. The pump may further include a heat exchanger supported within the pump housing between the inlet opening and at least one connection port of the pump housing. The heat exchanger may include one or more tubing coils that extend around an axis.
Another embodiment relates to a method of constructing a heat exchanger. The method may include forming a first section of tube assembly, including bending a ribbon parallel to its major surfaces multiple times around a fixture to form the ribbon into multiple fins. Additionally, forming the first section of tube assembly may include securing the ribbon around a first section of tube with the fins formed by the ribbon extending from the first section of tube.
Another embodiment relates to an assembly that may include a first set of helical tubing coils that may extend in a series in a first direction along a central axis. The assembly may further include a second set of helical tubing coils that may extend in a series in a second direction along the central axis. At least some of the tubing coils of the second set of helical tubing coils may extend between at least some of the tubing coils of the first set of helical tubing coils. As a result, at least some of the tubing coils of the first set of helical tubing coils may be disposed in alternating positions along the central axis with at least some of the tubing coils of the second set of helical tubing coils.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Pump housing 12 may support impeller 14 and allow rotation of impeller 14 around an impeller rotation axis 18. Pump housing 12 may define an inlet opening 20. Pump housing 12 may also define a discharge channel 22 that may extend from adjacent a radial perimeter 24 of impeller 14 to one or more connection ports 26, 28. Inlet opening 20 may be in fluid communication with connection ports 26, 28 through discharge channel 22. Pump housing 12 may also surround radial perimeter 24 of impeller 14. In other words, with the exception of any openings defined by any connection ports 26, 28, pump housing 12 may enclose radial perimeter 24 of impeller 14 in directions parallel to impeller rotation axis 18 and directions perpendicular to impeller rotation axis 18.
As is best shown in
Discharge channel 22 is not limited to the configuration shown in
As best shown by
Connection ports 26, 28 are not limited to the configurations illustrated in
Impeller 14 includes impeller blades 38 that extend radially away from impeller rotation axis 18. Impeller blades 38 may extend straight out from impeller rotation axis 18, or impeller blades 38 may extend radially away from impeller rotation axis 18 in a slanted or curved manner.
Heat exchanger 16 may reside within pump housing 12 between inlet opening 20 and one or more connection ports 26, 28. For example, heat exchanger 16 may reside in discharge channel 22. Heat exchanger 16 may reside within annular space 32. Heat exchanger 16 may include one or more tubing coils 58 that extend around impeller rotation axis 18. Tubing coil, as the term is used herein, refers to a length of tubing that extends one full loop around an axis. As best shown in
Heat exchanger 16 is not limited to the configuration shown in
Pump housing 43 may support first impeller 45 and second impeller 47 and allow rotation of first impeller 45 and second impeller 47 around an impeller rotation axis 51. Pump housing 43 may define an inlet opening 53. Pump housing 43 may also define a discharge channel 55 that may extend from adjacent a radial perimeter 57 of first impeller 45 to one or more connection ports 59, 61. Inlet opening 53 may be in fluid communication with connection ports 59, 61 through discharge channel 55. Pump housing 43 may also surround radial perimeter 57 of first impeller 45. In other words, with the exception of any openings defined by any connection ports 59, 61, pump housing 43 may enclose radial perimeter 57 of first impeller 45 in directions parallel to impeller rotation axis 51 and directions perpendicular to impeller rotation axis 51. Similarly, pump housing 43 may surround a radial perimeter 87 of second impeller 47.
As is best shown in
Discharge channel 55 is not limited to the configuration shown in
Additionally, discharge channel 55 may include chambers of other shapes, such as elliptical or rectangular, in addition to, or in place of, annular chamber 67. Furthermore, annular chamber 67 may be defined at some other place along impeller rotation axis 51. For example, annular chamber 67 may connect to and surround radial inlet slot 65.
As best shown by
Connection ports 59, 61 are not limited to the configurations illustrated in
First impeller 45 and second impeller 47 include impeller blades 75 that extend radially away from impeller rotation axis 51. Impeller blades 75 may extend straight out from impeller rotation axis 51, or impeller blades 75 may extend away from impeller rotation axis 51 in a slanted or curved manner.
Heat exchanger 16 may reside within pump housing 43 between inlet opening 53 and one or more connection ports 59, 61. For example, heat exchanger 16 may reside in discharge channel 55 between first impeller 45 and second impeller 47 along flow paths 63. Heat exchanger 16 may be disposed in annular chamber 67. Tubing coils 58 of heat exchanger 16 may extend around impeller rotation axis 51. As is best shown in
Each heat exchanger section 44 may include a tube assembly 39, including tube 54 and fins 56 joined thereto, and spacers 46 on opposite sides of tube assembly 39. As is best shown by
Each spacer 46 may attach to fins 56 of one or more tube assemblies 39. Each spacer 46 may spiral substantially parallel to an adjacent tube assembly 39, radially outwardly around central axis 48. Each spacer 46 between adjacent tube assemblies 39 may attach to fins 56 of both of the adjacent tube assemblies 39, thereby attaching adjacent tube assemblies 39 to one another. Tube assemblies 39 may be connected to one another in such a manner that they spiral radially outward substantially parallel to one another. Additionally, ends 60 of tubes 54 may be disposed adjacent one another, and ends 62 of tubes 54 may be disposed adjacent one another. Manifold 50 may connect to ends 60 of tubes 54. Similarly, manifold 52 may connect to ends 62 of tubes 54.
Heat exchanger 42 is not limited to the configuration shown in
According to certain embodiments, pump 10 or pump 41 may include heat exchanger 42. For example, heat exchanger 42 could be mounted within annular chamber 32 of pump 10 in place of heat exchanger 16. Heat exchanger 42 may reside within discharge channel 22 with tubing coils 58 extending around impeller rotation axis 18. Additionally, heat exchanger 42 could be mounted within annular chamber 67 of pump 41 in place of heat exchanger 16. Heat exchanger 42 may reside within discharge channel 55 with tubing coils 58 extending around impeller rotation axis 51.
Heat exchanger 64 is not limited to the configuration shown in
Consistent with certain disclosed embodiments, pump 10 or pump 41 may include heat exchanger 64. For example, heat exchanger 64 may reside within annular chamber 32 of pump 10 in place of heat exchanger 16. Heat exchanger 64 may reside within discharge channel 22 with tubing coils 70, 74 extending around impeller rotation axis 18. Additionally, heat exchanger 64 may reside within annular chamber 67 of pump 41 in place of heat exchanger 16. Heat exchanger 64 may reside within discharge channel 55 with tubing coils 70, 74 extending around impeller rotation axis 51.
Consistent with certain disclosed embodiments, pump 10 or pump 41 may include heat exchanger 80. For example, heat exchanger 80 may reside within annular chamber 32 of pump 10 in place of heat exchanger 16. Heat exchanger 80 may reside within discharge channel 22 with tubing coils 70, 74 extending around impeller rotation axis 18. Additionally, heat exchanger 80 may reside within annular chamber 67 of pump 41 in place of heat exchanger 16. Heat exchanger 80 may reside within discharge channel 55 with tubing coils 70, 74 extending around impeller rotation axis 51.
One or more spacers 46 may attach to fins 56 and extend substantially parallel to tube 54. Spacers 46 may attach to edges 82 on opposite sides of tube 54. Spacers 46 may have rectangular cross-sections, as is shown in
Tube 54, fins 56, and spacers 46 are not limited to the configuration shown in
Pump 10 and pump 41 have potential application in any system requiring movement of fluid where heating or cooling of the fluid discharged from the pump is desired.
Pump 10 may be operated by rotating impeller 14 about impeller rotation axis 18. When impeller 14 is rotated, impeller blades 38 pump fluid into discharge channel 22. Discharge channel 22 routes the pumped fluid along flow paths 31 to connection ports 26, 28. As the fluid flows through pump housing 12, the pumped fluid flows across tubing coils 58 or 70 and 74 of any heat exchangers 16, 42, 64, or 80 residing within discharge channel 22. Consistent with certain embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in
Pump 41 may be operated by rotating first impeller 45 about impeller rotation axis 51. When first impeller 45 is rotated, impeller blades 75 pump fluid into discharge channel 55. Discharge channel 55 routes the pumped fluid along flow paths 63 to connection ports 59, 61. If second impeller 47 is rotated around impeller rotation axis 51, it may accelerate the pumped fluid out of second-impeller chamber 69 through portions of discharge channel 55 between second-impeller chamber 69 and connection port 59. As the pumped fluid flows through pump housing 43, the pumped fluid flows across tubing coils 58 or 70 and 74 of any heat exchangers 16, 42, 64, or 80 residing within discharge channel 55. Consistent with certain embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in
The disclosed embodiments of heat exchangers 16, 42, 64, and 80 provide a high surface area to cooler volume ratio, while presenting low risk of developing fluid leaks. By extending continuously around a respective axis 18, 48, 51, or 66, each tubing coil 58, 70, or 74 of heat exchangers 16, 42, 64, or 80 provides a long cooling surface without leak-prone connections. Moreover, consistent with certain embodiments, tube 54 may extend multiple times around a respective axis 18, 48, 51, or 66, forming multiple tubing coils 58, 70, or 74 without leak prone connections therebetween. Because heat exchangers 16, 42, 64, and 80 present low risks of developing fluid leaks, they may be mounted in pump housing 12 or pump housing 43 without causing a need to frequently disassemble pump housing 12 or pump housing 43 to repair leaks.
Additionally, the configurations of heat exchangers 16, 42, 64, and 80 enable cost-effective methods of manufacturing them.
A method of bending ribbon 84 multiple times around a fixture to form ribbon 84 into fins 56, is not limited to the embodiments described above in connection with
After ribbon 84 is bent multiple times around a fixture to form ribbon 84 into fins 56, ribbon 84 may be joined to tube 54 to form tube assembly 39. When ribbon 84 has been bent around a fixture other than tube 54, ribbon 84 may be removed from the fixture and slid over tube 54. When ribbon 84 has been bent around tube 54, ribbon 84 is positioned around tube 54 following bending of ribbon 84. Once ribbon 84 has been bent into fins 56 and positioned around tube 54, ribbon 84 may be joined to tube 54 by adhesive bonding, metallic bonding, or by expanding tube 54 to create an interference fit with ribbon 84.
Tube 54 may be expanded to create an interference fit with ribbon 84 by drawing a mandrel (not shown) through an interior of tube 54.
A method of joining fins 56 to tube 54 is not limited to the embodiments described above in connection with
As is shown in
As is shown in
Methods other than those described above in connection with
As fixture 110 and chuck 112 rotate, guide 114 may also control the position of outer portion 116 of tube assembly 39 with respect to an axis 120 of fixture 110 to control the shape of coils 118. For example, while fixture 110 rotates, guide 114 may hold outer portion 116 of tube assembly 39 in one position with respect to axis 120 to form coils 118 in radially outwardly extending spirals. Alternatively, while fixture 110 rotates, guide 114 may move outer portion 116 of tube assembly 39 with respect to axis 120 to form coil 118 in an axially-extending helix.
A method of bending tube assembly 39 is not limited to the embodiments described above in connection with
The methods described above in connection with
During bending of tube 54 and fins 56 multiple times within a plane, a sheet 128 of material, such as cardboard, stiff paper, plastic, or metal, may be temporarily disposed between fins 56 of radially-adjacent spiral coils of tube assembly 39 to prevent radial overlap of fins 56 of radially-adjacent spiral coils of tube assembly 39. As can be seen in
Using the process described above, additional tube assemblies 39 may be bent into radially-outwardly extending spirals including tubing coils 58 that spiral radially outwardly. Spacers 46 may be formed in spirals of substantially the same shape as tubing coils 58 of each tube assembly 39 so bent. As
A method of manufacturing heat exchanger 42 is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, tube assembly 39 may be bent into spiral coils prior to forming straight edges 82 on fins 56, such as by cutting fins 56 with cutting tool 98, or bending fins 56 with ram 106. Additionally, instead of perimeter 126 of the cross-section of fixture 110 having the shape of one rotation of a spiral, fixture 110 may have cross-sections of other shapes, such as circular. Additionally, heat exchanger 42 may be constructed using tools and/or fixtures other than those mentioned above.
Additionally, the methods described above in connection with
Methods of manufacturing heat exchangers 64 and 80 are not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, the components of heat exchangers 64 and 80 may be formed and attached to one another in different manners and orders than is described above. Additionally, heat exchangers 64 and 80 may be constructed using tools and/or fixtures other than those mentioned above.
Once a heat exchanger, such as heat exchanger 16, heat exchanger 42, heat exchanger 64, or heat exchanger 80 is constructed, it may be installed in pump housing 12 between inlet opening 20 and connection port 26 or in pump housing 43 between inlet opening 53 and connection port 59. For example, a manufacturer may install heat exchanger 16 or 42 in pump housing 12 with tubing coils 58 extending around impeller rotation axis 18. Consistent with certain embodiments a manufacturer may install heat exchanger 64 or heat exchanger 80 in pump housing 12 with first set of helical tubing coils 70 and second set of helical tubing coils 74 extending around impeller rotation axis 18. Furthermore, a manufacturer may install heat exchanger 16 or 42 in pump housing 43 with tubing coils 58 extending around impeller rotation axis 51. Consistent with certain embodiments a manufacturer may install heat exchanger 64 or heat exchanger 80 in pump housing 43 with first set of helical tubing coils 70 and second set of helical tubing coils 74 extending around impeller rotation axis 51.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the pump, heat exchanger and manufacturing methods without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Other embodiments of the pump, heat exchanger and manufacturing methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the pump, heat exchanger and manufacturing methods disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A pump, comprising:
- an first impeller with impeller blades that extend radially outward;
- a pump housing surrounding a radial perimeter of the first impeller and including an inlet opening in fluid communication with the first impeller and a discharge channel; and
- a heat exchanger supported within the pump housing between the inlet opening and at least one connection port of the pump housing, wherein the heat exchanger includes one or more tubing coils that extend around an axis.
2. The pump of claim 1, wherein the pump housing allows rotation of the first impeller around an impeller rotation axis, the heat exchanger is disposed within the discharge channel, and the axis around which the one or more tubing coils of the heat exchanger extend is the impeller rotation axis.
3. The pump of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger further includes:
- a first tube that forms at least one of the tubing coils;
- a second tube that forms at least one of the tubing coils;
- wherein a first end of the first tube is disposed adjacent a first end of the second tube; and
- wherein a second end of the first tube is disposed adjacent a second end of the second tube.
4. The pump of claim 3, wherein the heat exchanger further includes:
- a first manifold connected to the first end of the first tube and the first end of the second tube; and
- a second manifold connected to the second end of the first tube and the second end of the second tube.
5. The pump of claim 3, wherein at least one tubing coil formed by the first tube is a spiral tubing coil and at least one tubing coil formed by the second tube is a spiral tubing coil.
6. The pump of claim 1, wherein:
- a first section of tube assembly includes one of the tubing coils with fins joined thereto;
- a second section of tube assembly includes another of the tubing the tubing coils with fins joined thereto;
- the first section of tube assembly and the second section of tube assembly extend substantially parallel to one another with fins of the first section of tube assembly extending toward the second section of tube assembly and fins of the second section of tube assembly extending toward the first section of tube assembly; and
- a spacer extending between and substantially parallel to the first section of tube assembly and the second section of tube assembly attaches to fins of the first section of tube assembly and to fins of the second section of tube assembly.
7. The pump of claim 1, wherein at least one of the tubing coils is a helical tubing coil.
8. The pump of claim 1, wherein:
- the tubing coils include a first set of helical tubing coils that extend in series in a first direction along a central axis;
- the tubing coils include a second set of helical tubing coils that also extend in series in the first direction along a central axis;
- a first end of the first set of tubing coils is connected to a first end of the second set of helical tubing coils; and
- at least a portion of the first set of helical tubing coils and at least a portion of the second set of helical tubing coils extend along a same portion of the central axis.
9. The pump of claim 8, wherein:
- a second end of the first set of helical tubing coils is connected to a first tube ending;
- a second end of the second set of helical tubing coils is connected to a second tube ending; and
- the first tube ending and the second tube ending are disposed adjacent one another.
10. The pump of claim 9, wherein at least some tubing coils of the first set of helical tubing coils extend between at least some tubing coils of the second set of helical tubing coils, such that at least some of the tubing coils of the first set of helical tubing coils are disposed in alternating positions with at least some of the tubing coils of the second set of helical tubing coils, along the central axis.
11. The pump of claim 8, at least some tubing coils of the first set of helical tubing coils extend between at least some tubing coils of the second set of helical tubing coils, such that at least some of the tubing coils of the first set of helical tubing coils are disposed in alternating positions with at least some of the tubing coils of the second set of helical tubing coils, along the central axis.
12. The pump of claim 2, further comprising:
- a second impeller disposed within the discharge channel and rotatable around the impeller rotation axis.
13. The pump of claim 12, wherein the heat exchanger is disposed between the radial perimeter of the first impeller and the second impeller along flow paths defined by the discharge channel.
14. The pump of claim 13, wherein the discharge channel defines flow paths from adjacent the radial perimeter of the first impeller to at least one connection port, and wherein radially-outer portions of the one or more tubing coils are disposed closer, along the flow paths, to the radial perimeter of the first impeller than are radially-inner portions of the one or more tubing coils.
15. The pump of claim 2, wherein the discharge channel defines flow paths from adjacent the radial perimeter of the first impeller to the at least one connection port, and wherein radially-outer portions of the one or more tubing coils are disposed closer along the flow paths to the radial perimeter of the first impeller than are radially-inner portions of the one or more tubing coils.
16. A method of constructing a heat exchanger, comprising:
- forming a first section of tube assembly by: bending a ribbon parallel to its major surfaces multiple times around a fixture to form the ribbon into multiple fins; and securing the ribbon around a first section of tube with the fins extending from the first section of tube.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein bending the ribbon includes bending the ribbon into a helix around the fixture.
18. The method of claim 16, fuirther including:
- forming straight edges on the fins.
19. The method of claim 16, further including:
- forming a series of straight edges on the fins by cutting off outer portions of the fins in a manner such that the straight edges are aligned with one another in a direction of a center axis around which the ribbon extends.
20. The method of claim 16, further including:
- forming a series of straight edge on the fins by bending over outer portions of the fins in a manner such that the straight edges are aligned with one another in a direction of a center axis around which the ribbon extends.
21. The method of claim 16, further including:
- forming a series of straight edges on the fins, wherein the straight edges are aligned with one another in a direction of a center axis around which the ribbon extends; and
- mounting a spacer to the series of straight edges on the fins.
22. The method of claim 16, further including:
- forming a series of straight edges on the fins, wherein the straight edges are aligned with one another in a direction of a center axis around which the ribbon extends;
- bending the first section of tube assembly parallel to the series of straight edges;
- bending a spacer into a shape such that at least a portion of the spacer and at least a portion of the first section of tube of the first tube assembly have substantially the same shape; and
- mounting a first side of the spacer to the first series of straight edges substantially parallel to a portion of the first section of tube.
23. The method of claim 22, further including:
- forming a second section of tube assembly by joining fins to a second section of tube, wherein the fins attached to the second section of tube have a series of straight edges aligned with one another in an axial direction of the second section of tube;
- bending at least a portion of the second section of tube assembly, parallel to the straight edges on the fins of the second section of tube assembly, and into a shape such that at least a portion of the second section of tube assembly and at least a portion of the spacer have substantially the same shape; and
- attaching the straight edges of the fins of the second tube assembly to a second side of the spacer, opposite the first side of the spacer, such that at least a portion of the second section of tube extends substantially parallel to at least a portion of the first section of tube.
24. The method of claim 16, further including:
- installing the first section of tube assembly in a pump housing of a pump between an inlet opening and a connection port of the pump housing.
25. The method of claim 24, further including:
- prior to installing the first section of tube assembly in the pump housing, bending the first section of tube assembly to form at least one tubing coil; and
- wherein installing the first section of tube assembly in the pump housing includes installing the first section of tube assembly within a discharge channel disposed between the inlet opening and the connection port of the pump housing with the at least one tubing coil extending around an impeller rotation axis of the pump.
26. The method of claim 16, further including:
- forming a first series of straight edges on the fins, wherein the straight edges are aligned with one another in a direction of a center axis around which the ribbon extends; and
- forming a second series of straight edges, parallel to the first series of straight edges, on the fins on a side of the center axis opposite the first series of straight edges.
27. The method of claim 26, further including:
- mounting a first spacer to the first series of straight edges; and
- mounting a second spacer to the second series of straight edges.
28. The method of claim 16, further including:
- forming a series of straight edges on the fins of the first section of tube assembly, wherein the straight edges are aligned with one another in a direction of a center axis around which the ribbon extends; and
- after forming the first section of tube assembly, bending the first section of tube assembly multiple times in a plane to form at least a portion of the first section of tube into a first tubing coil; forming a second section of tube assembly by; attaching fins to a second section of tube, wherein the fins attached to the second section of tube have a series of straight edges aligned with one another in an axial direction of the second section of tube;
- bending the second tube assembly multiple times in a plane to form at least a portion of the second section of tube into a second tubing coil having substantially the same shape as the first tubing coil formed by the first section of tube;
- forming a spacer with at least a portion of the spacer having a shape substantially the same as the first tubing coil formed by the first section of tube and the second tubing coil formed by the second section of tube;
- attaching the first section of tube assembly to the spacer by attaching the straight edges of the fins of the first section of tube assembly to a first side of the spacer such that the first tubing coil extends substantially parallel to the portion of the spacer having substantially the same shape as the first tubing coil; and
- attaching the second section of tube assembly to the spacer by attaching the straight edges of the fins of the second section of tube assembly to a second side of the spacer such that the second tubing coil extends substantially parallel to the portion of the spacer having substantially the same shape as the second tubing coil.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein attaching the first section of tube assembly to the spacer and attaching the second section of tube assembly to the spacer includes stacking the first section of tube assembly, the spacer, and the second section of tube assembly on a fixture.
30. The method of claim 16, wherein the fixture is the first section of tube.
31. An assembly, comprising:
- a first set of helical tubing coils that extend in series in a first direction along a central axis;
- a second set of helical tubing coils that also extend in series in the first direction along the central axis; and
- wherein at least some of the tubing coils of the second set of helical tubing coils extend between at least some of the tubing coils of the first set of helical tubing coils, such that at least some of the tubing coils of the first set of helical tubing coils are disposed in alternating positions along the central axis with at least some of the tubing coils of the second set of helical tubing coils.
32. The assembly of claim 31, wherein:
- a first section of tube assembly includes at a least a portion of the first set of helical tubing coils with fins attached thereto;
- a second section of tube assembly includes at least a portion of the second set of helical tubing coils with fins attached thereto;
- at least a portion of the fins of the first section of tube assembly extend toward the second section of tube assembly;
- at least a portion of the fins of the second section of tube assembly extend toward the first section of tube assembly; and
- a spacer extends between and substantially parallel to the first section of tube assembly and the second section of tube assembly and attaches to fins of the first section of tube assembly and the second section of tube assembly.
33. The assembly of claim 32, wherein:
- a first end of the first set of helical tubing coils and a first end of the second set of helical tubing coils are fluidly connected;
- a second end of the first set of helical tubing coils is fluidly connected to a first tube ending;
- a second end of the second set of helical tubing coils is fluidly connected to a second tube ending; and
- the first tube ending and the second tube ending are disposed adjacent one another.
34. The assembly of claim 31, wherein:
- a first end of the first set of helical tubing coils and a first end of the second set of helical tubing coils are fluidly connected;
- a second end of the first set of helical tubing coils is fluidly connected to a first tube ending;
- a second end of the first set of helical tubing coils is fluidly connected to a second tube ending; and
- the first tube ending and the second tube ending are disposed adjacent one another.
35. The assembly of claim 31, further including:
- an impeller with impeller blades that extend radially outward;
- a pump housing surrounding a radial perimeter of the impeller and including an inlet opening in fluid communication with the impeller and a discharge channel that extends from adjacent the radial perimeter of the impeller to at least one connection port; and
- wherein the first set of helical tubing coils and the second set of helical tubing coils are disposed within the pump housing between the inlet opening and the at least one connection port.
36. The assembly of claim 35, wherein the first set of helical tubing coils and the second set of helical tubing coils extend around the impeller rotation axis.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 1, 2005
Publication Date: Dec 7, 2006
Applicant:
Inventors: Kristen Heins (Lowpoint, IL), Jiubo Ma (Dunlap, IL), Rohit Paramatmuni (Peoria, IL), Kent Bates (Chillicothe, IL)
Application Number: 11/141,001
International Classification: F04B 53/00 (20060101);