Liquid to liquid heat exchanger for a marine engine cooling system
A liquid to liquid heat exchanger for a marine engine cooling system disposes a tube bundle within a non-metallic shell, provides a thermostat within an integral portion of the shell, uses bolts that both push and pull respective end caps when rotated, and in one embodiment provides an integral deaeration reservoir to remove entrained gases from a liquid of a closed cooling system.
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally related to a heat exchanger and, more particularly, to a heat exchanger for a marine engine in which heat is exchanged between a coolant flowing within a closed cooling system and water drawn from a body of water and subsequently returned to that body of water after passing through the heat exchanger.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many types of heat exchangers are known to those skilled in the art for use in marine engine cooling systems. Although some marine engine cooling systems are open loop systems which circulate water, drawn from a body of water in which a marine vessel is operating, through all cooling passages of the propulsion system, other systems incorporate partially closed loop systems which circulate a coolant, such as ethylene glycol, through certain cooling passages of an engine and use water drawn from the body of water to remove heat from the coolant of the closed portion of the system. Those partially closed cooling systems typically incorporate liquid to liquid heat exchangers.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,360,350, which issued to Grover on Nov. 23, 1982, describes a hollow keel heat exchanger for marine vessels. The marine vessel has a hull with a hollow keel, generally of a non-metallic material, and an engine cooled by a closed loop, fresh water circulating cooling system. The keel is formed as a hollow keel chamber which has entry and exit apertures for circulating sea water through the chamber. A portion of the fresh water cooling system passes through the hollow keel chamber in heat exchange relation to the sea water providing a simple and efficient heat exchanger for cooling the engine.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,520,868, which issued to Grawey on Jun. 4, 1985, describes a heat exchanger. It has a plurality of longitudinally extending tubes disposed within a shell and includes an elastomeric end plate and means for compressing the elastomeric end plate and expanding the plate in the longitudinal direction and internal vibration-damping baffle plates. It avoids the problems of the prior art by providing an end wall assembly for a heat exchanger wherein an elastomeric end plate is mounted under compression in only a direction transversed to the tubes passing through the plate. The elastomeric end plate is not restrained in a longitudinal direction with respect to the tubes and as a result of the transversely applied compression force, the end plate is expanded in the longitudinal direction.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,643,249, which issued to Grawey on Feb. 17, 1987, describes a heat exchanger baffle plate. The baffle plate has a plurality of openings for receiving a plurality of longitudinally extending tubes and is disposed within a shell and is constructed of a vibration damping material.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,293, which issued to Clarke et al. on Jun. 23, 1987, describes a marine air conditioning heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is intended for use in a marine air conditioning system and is configured to provide the maximum possible heat transfer surface for the air being conditioned. The refrigerant coils and associated fins form the heat exchanger banks as usual, but instead of a single vertical bank, two banks are positioned at an angle to each other.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,004,042, which issued to McMorries et al. on Apr. 2, 1991, discloses a closed loop cooling system for a marine engine. A marine power system has closed loop cooling and includes a marine engine having a cooling fluid passage defined therethrough through which a cooling fluid stream may pass. A shell and tube heat exchanger has a tube side flow path and a shell side flow path defined therein. Cooling fluid conduits connect the cooling fluid passage from the marine engine to the tube side flow path so that the cooling fluid stream from the engine is directed through the tube side flow path of the heat exchanger. A raw water supply system directs a raw water stream from a body of water through the shell side flow path and then back to the body of water. The heat exchanger includes an outer housing and a tube bundle receiver in the outer housing. The outer housing is comprised of a shell and first and second end caps. The tube bundle includes a plurality of straight parallel tubes held between two spaced bundle bases. The housing and the bundle bases are constructed of non-metallic corrosion resistant materials. The tubes are constructed of metallic materials suitable for efficient heat transfer. The tubes are arranged in a plurality of substantially similar groups, each group being located in one of a plurality of cross-sectional areas.
The patents described above are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in the description of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA liquid to liquid heat exchanger for a marine engine cooling system, made in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, comprises a non-metallic shell comprising first and second end caps which are attached to a cylindrical portion of the non-metallic shell, a tube bundle disposed within the non-metallic shell, wherein the tube bundle comprises a plurality of tubes. The internal cavities of the plurality of tubes are connected in fluid communication with each other to define a first path for a first liquid. The non-metallic shell and the tube bundle are configured to cooperate with each other to define a second path for a second liquid which directs the second liquid to flow in thermal contact with outer surfaces of the plurality of tubes and which causes the first and second liquids to be disposed in thermal communication with each other.
One embodiment of the present invention further comprises a first bolt which extends through a portion of the first end cap and is attached in threaded engagement with the tube bundle. The first bolt is configured to urge the first end cap toward the cylindrical portion of the non-metallic shell when the first bolt is rotated into the threaded engagement with the tube bundle and to urge the first end cap away from the cylindrical portion of the non-metallic shell when the first bolt is rotated out of threaded engagement with the tube bundle.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second path is connectable in fluid communication with an internal cooling jacket of the marine engine. The second liquid can comprise an ethylene glycol mixture. The first path in a preferred embodiment of the present invention is connectable in fluid communication with a pump for drawing water from a body of water in which the marine engine is operated.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it further comprises a second bolt which extends through a portion of the second end cap and is attached in threaded engagement with a tube bundle. The second bolt is configured to urge the second end cap toward the cylindrical portion of the non-metallic shell when the second bolt is rotated into threaded engagement with the tube bundle and to urge the second end cap away from the cylindrical portion of the non-metallic shell when the second bolt is rotated out of threaded engagement with the tube bundle.
In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first and second bolts are configured to fail in torsional shear upon an application of a predetermined magnitude of torque to a head of either bolt. The first and second bolts are rotatably attached to the first and second end caps, respectively, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The bolts are free to rotate relative to their associated end cap but are restricted from moving axially, in a direction parallel to the centerline of the bolts, relative to their associated end caps.
In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, a thermostat is disposed in thermal communication with the second liquid and in serial association with the second path. A thermostat is disposed within a thermostat housing which is attached to the non-metallic shell. The thermostat housing is attached to a conduit which is formed as an integral portion of the non-metallic shell. A first flange is formed as an integral part of the conduit and shaped to be attached to a second flange which is formed as an integral part of the thermostat housing.
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a deaeration reservoir is formed as an integral part of the non-metallic shell. The deaeration reservoir is connected in fluid communication with the second path in order to direct a portion of the second liquid through the deaeration reservoir.
The present invention will be more fully and completely understood from a reading of the description of the preferred embodiment in conjunction with the drawings, in which:
Throughout the description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, like components will be identified by like reference numerals.
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For convenience in evacuating the air from the second fluid circuit during the filling process, an opening 96 is provided at the top portion of the cylindrical shell. A plug 97 is provided to close the opening. A bypass conduit 99, shown in
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Although the present invention has been described with particular specificity and illustrated to show a plurality of embodiments, it should be understood that alternative embodiments are also within its scope.
Claims
1. A liquid to liquid heat exchanger for a marine engine cooling system, comprising:
- a nonmetallic shell comprising first and second end caps which are attached to a cylindrical portion of said nonmetallic shell;
- a tube bundle disposed within said nonmetallic shell, said tube bundle comprising a plurality of tubes, the internal cavities of said plurality of tubes being connected in fluid communication with each other to define a first path for a first liquid, said nonmetallic shell and said tube bundle being configured to cooperate with each other to define a second path for a second liquid which directs said second liquid to flow in thermal contact with outside surfaces of said plurality of tubes and which causes said first and second liquids to be disposed in thermal communication with each other;
- a first bolt which extends through a portion of said first end cap and is attached in threaded engagement with said tube bundle, said first bolt being configured to urge said first end cap toward said cylindrical portion when said first bolt is rotated into said threaded engagement with said tube bundle and to urge said first end cap away from said cylindrical portion when said first bolt is rotated out of said threaded engagement with said tube bundle, said first bolt being configured to fail in torsional shear at a preselected location upon an application of a predetermined magnitude of torque to a head of said bolt, said preselected location being axially displaced from said tube bundle; and
- wherein said bolt has a groove therein at said preselected location, and axially spaced from the location of said threaded engagement.
2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein:
- said groove is a failure groove;
- said bolt has one or more other sealing grooves therein each receiving a respective O-ring; and
- said failure groove has a greater depth than each of said one or more sealing grooves.
3. The heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein:
- said one or more sealing grooves are axially spaced between said failure groove and said location of said threaded engagement, such that said failure groove is on one axial side of said one or more sealing grooves, and said location of said threaded engagement is on the other distally opposite axial side of said one or more sealing grooves, such that upon torsional shear failure at said failure groove at said preselected location, the sealing at said one or more sealing grooves and their respective O-rings remains intact.
4. The heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein:
- said first path is connectable in fluid communication with a pump for drawing water from a body of water in which said marine engine is operated.
5. The heat exchanger of claim 1, further comprising:
- a second bolt which extends through a portion of said second end cap and is attached in threaded engagement with said tube bundle, said second bolt being configured to urge said second end cap toward said cylindrical portion when said second bolt is rotated into said threaded engagement with said tube bundle and to urge said second end cap away from said cylindrical portion when said second bolt is rotated out of said threaded engagement with said tube bundle.
6. (canceled)
7. The heat exchanger of claim 5, wherein:
- said first and second bolts are rotatably attached to said first and second end caps, respectively.
8. The heat exchanger of claim 1, further comprising:
- a thermostat disposed in thermal communication with said second liquid and in serial association with said second path, said thermostat being disposed within a thermostat housing which is attached to said nonmetallic shell.
9-20. (canceled)
21. A liquid to liquid heat exchanger for a marine engine cooling system, comprising:
- a nonmetallic shell comprising first and second end caps which are attached to a cylindrical portion of said nonmetallic shell;
- a tube bundle disposed within said nonmetallic shell, said tube bundle comprising a plurality of tubes, the internal cavities of said plurality of tubes being connected in fluid communication with each other to define a first path for a first liquid, said first path being connectable in fluid communication with a pump for drawing water from a body of water in which said marine engine is operated, said nonmetallic shell and said tube bundle being configured to cooperate with each other to define a second path for a second liquid which directs said second liquid to flow in thermal contact with outside surfaces of said plurality of tubes and which causes said first and second liquids to be disposed in thermal communication with each other, said second path being connectable in fluid communication with an internal cooling jacket of said marine engine;
- a thermostat disposed in thermal communication with said second liquid and in serial association with said second path, said thermostat being disposed within a thermostat housing which is attached to said nonmetallic shell, said thermostat housing being attached to a conduit which is formed as an integral portion of said nonmetallic shell, a first flange being formed as an integral part of said conduit and shaped to be attached to a second flange which is formed as an integral part of said thermostat housing;
- a first bolt which extends through a portion of said first end cap and is attached in threaded engagement with said tube bundle, said first bolt being configured to urge said first end cap toward said cylindrical portion when said first bolt is rotated into said threaded engagement with said tube bundle and to urge said first end cap away from said cylindrical portion when said first bolt is rotated out of said threaded engagement with said tube bundle, said first bolt being configured to fail in torsional shear at a preselected location on said first bolt upon an application of a predetermined magnitude of torque to a head of said bolt, said preselected location being axially displaced from said tube bundle;
- a second bolt which extends through a portion of said second end cap and is attached in threaded engagement with said tube bundle, said second bolt being configured to urge said second end cap toward said cylindrical portion when said second bolt is rotated into said threaded engagement with said tube bundle and to urge said second end cap away from said cylindrical portion when said second bolt is rotated out of said threaded engagement with said tube bundle, said first and second bolts are rotatably attached to said first and second end caps, respectively; and
- wherein said bolt has a groove therein at said preselected location and axially spaced from the location of said threaded engagement, said groove is a failure groove, said bolt has one or more other sealing grooves therein each receiving a respective O-ring, said failure groove has a greater depth than each of said one or more sealing grooves, said one or more sealing grooves are axially spaced between said failure groove and said location of said threaded engagement, such that said failure groove is on one axial side of said one or more sealing grooves, and said location of said threaded engagement is on the other distally opposite axial side of said one or more sealing grooves, such that upon torsional shear failure at said failure groove at said preselected location, the sealing at said one or more sealing grooves and their respective O-rings remains intact.
22. A liquid to liquid heat exchanger for a marine engine cooling system, comprising:
- a nonmetallic shell comprising first and second end caps which are attached to a cylindrical portion of said nonmetallic shell;
- a tube bundle disposed within said nonmetallic shell, said tube bundle comprising a plurality of tubes, the internal cavities of said plurality of tubes being connected in fluid communication with each other to define a first path for a first liquid, said first path being connectable in fluid communication with a pump for drawing water from a body of water in which said marine engine is operated, said nonmetallic shell and said tube bundle being configured to cooperate with each other to define a second path for a second liquid which directs said second liquid to flow in thermal contact with outside surfaces of said plurality of tubes and which causes said first and second liquids to be disposed in thermal communication with each other;
- a deaeration reservoir formed as an integral part of said nonmetallic shell, said deaeration reservoir being connected in fluid communication with said second path to direct a portion of said second liquid through said deaeration reservoir;
- a thermostat disposed in thermal communication with said second liquid and in serial association with said second path, said thermostat being disposed within a thermostat housing which is attached to said nonmetallic shell, said second path is connectable in fluid communication with an internal cooling jacket of said marine engine, said second liquid comprising ethylene glycol;
- a first bolt which extends through a portion of said first end cap and is attached in threaded engagement with said tube bundle, said first bolt being configured to urge said first end cap toward said cylindrical portion when said first bolt is rotated into said threaded engagement with said tube bundle and to urge said first end cap away from said cylindrical portion when said first bolt is rotated out of said threaded engagement with said tube bundle, said first bolt being configured to fail in torsional shear at a preselected location on said first bolt upon an application of a predetermined magnitude of torque to a head of said bolt, said preselected location being axially displaced from said tube bundle;
- a second bolt which extends through a portion of said second end cap and is attached in threaded engagement with said tube bundle, said second bolt being configured to urge said second end cap toward said cylindrical portion when said second bolt is rotated into said threaded engagement with said tube bundle and to urge said second end cap away from said cylindrical portion when said second bolt is rotated out of said threaded engagement with said tube bundle, said first and second bolts being rotatably attached to said first and second end caps, respectively;
- a first bolt which extends through a portion of said first end cap and is attached in threaded engagement with said tube bundle, said first bolt being configured to urge said first end cap toward said cylindrical portion when said first bolt is rotated into said threaded engagement with said tube bundle and to urge said first end cap away from said cylindrical portion when said first bolt is rotated out of said threaded engagement with said tube bundle;
- a second bolt which extends through a portion of said second end cap and is attached in threaded engagement with said tube bundle, said second bolt being configured to urge said second end cap toward said cylindrical portion when said second bolt is rotated into said threaded engagement with said tube bundle and to urge said second end cap away from said cylindrical portion when said second bolt is rotated out of said threaded engagement with said tube bundle, said first and second bolts being rotatably attached to said first and second end caps, respectively; and
- at least one of said bolts has a groove therein at said preselected location and axially spaced from the location of said threaded engagement, said groove is a failure groove, said one bolt has one or more other sealing grooves therein each receiving a respective O-ring, said failure groove has a greater depth than each of said one or more sealing grooves, said one or more sealing grooves are axially spaced between said failure groove and said location of said threaded engagement, such that said failure groove is on one axial side of said one or more sealing grooves, and said location of said threaded engagement is on the other distally opposite axial side of said one or more sealing grooves, such that upon torsional shear failure at said failure groove at said preselected location, the sealing at said one or more sealing grooves and their respective O-rings remains intact.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 11, 2006
Publication Date: Apr 8, 2010
Applicant:
Inventors: Matthew W. Jaeger (Stillwater, OK), Brian D. Simpson (Yale, OK), Ritchie C. Griffin (Bradenton, FL)
Application Number: 11/484,171
International Classification: F01P 3/20 (20060101); B63H 21/38 (20060101); F28D 15/00 (20060101); F28F 9/00 (20060101); F28F 9/013 (20060101);