SERPENTINE-TYPE SERVICEABLE HEAT EXCHANGER AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME

Abstract

A heat exchanger for a heat exchange operation such as sensible heat exchange, evaporation and condensation, and more particularly, a serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger where a heat exchanger coil which guides a heat transfer medium for a heat exchange is formed in a serpentine shape, and a method for manufacturing the same. The serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger includes a heat exchanger coil having a plurality of linear coils disposed in parallel, and a connection coil disposed between the two neighboring linear coils and fittedly-coupled to the linear coils such that a serpentine-type inner passage is formed as the linear coils are connected to each other by the connection coil; and a frame having an edge forming portion which forms an edge such that the heat exchanger coil is installed therein, and a supporting portion which supports the heat exchanger coil installed in an edge formed by the edge forming portion.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a heat exchanger for a heat exchange operation such as sensible heat exchange, evaporation and condensation, and more particularly, to a serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger where a heat exchanger coil which guides a heat transfer medium for a heat exchange is formed in a serpentine shape, and a method for manufacturing the same.

2. Background of the Invention

A heat exchanger serves to heat or cool a heat transfer medium (e.g., cooling water, hot water, a refrigerant, etc.) by a heat exchange operation using air, water, etc. This heat exchanger is mainly applied not only to an air conditioner for home and a refrigerator, but also to a cooling tower which cools cooling water by heat-exchanging with outdoor air so that the cooling water used in a condenser for an industrial freezer can be re-used.

The heat exchanger has various structures according to a usage purpose, a capacity, etc. Actually, a cooling tower requiring a large capacity adopts the following serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger.

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger in accordance with the conventional art.

As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger has a configuration in which a heat exchanger coil 10 which guides a heat transfer medium is formed in a serpentine shape, and the heat exchanger coil 10 is supported by a frame 20. The heat exchanger coil 10 may be integrally manufactured by extrusion molding, or may be manufactured by bending a long coil connected as one by welding (bonding), etc., in the form of a serpentine.

However, the conventional serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger may have the following problems.

Firstly, if corrosion occurs in the heat exchanger coil 10, a corrosion layer is generated in the heat exchanger coil 10. This may lower a heat exchange performance, and may severely shorten the lifespan of the heat exchanger coil 10. This may cause the heat exchanger coil 10 to be replaced by a new one with a predetermined period. Especially, in a case that a heat transfer medium inside the heat exchanger coil 10 is discharged for prevention of freezing in winter, the inside of the heat exchanger coil 10 is open when discharging the heat transfer medium and re-filling a heat transfer medium. In this case, the inside of the heat exchanger coil 10 may be drastically corroded due to reactions with oxygen. Accordingly, the inside of the heat exchanger coil 10 as well as the outside of the heat exchanger coil 10 has to be prevented from being corroded.

Since the heat exchanger applied to a cooling tower, etc. has a large capacity, it is not easy to maintain and repair the heat exchanger, and high costs are required to maintain and repair the heat exchanger. Furthermore, the heat exchanger coil 10 has to be entirely maintained/repaired and replaced.

However, the heat exchanger coil 10 having undergone zinc galvanizing and anticorrosion coating cannot undergo a welding process, a bending process, etc. for manufacture in a serpentine shape, due to damages of the zinc galvanizing and anticorrosion coating. Once the heat exchanger coil 10 has been completed, it is impossible to perform zinc galvanizing and anticorrosion coating with respect to the inside of the heat exchanger coil 10 due to a long serpentine shape of the heat exchanger coil 10. Besides, the heat exchanger coil 10 is welded in a state of being positioned on a steel bar 22 of the frame 20. Accordingly, the heat exchanger coil 10 cannot undergo zinc galvanizing and anticorrosion coating, and a welded part of the heat exchanger coil 10 is easily corroded. This may cause the conventional serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger to be very vulnerable to corrosion.

To solve the problems, have been proposed the following methods for preventing corrosion of the heat exchanger coil 10.

If the heat exchanger is a water cooled type in which a heat transfer medium is a fluid, the heat exchanger does not operate in winter but operates only in summer. Accordingly, not only a heat transfer medium, but also an antifreeze solution such as ethylene glycol and an anticorrosive agent are injected into the heat exchanger coil 10.

However, the injection of the antifreeze solution and the anticorrosive agent may result in increase of initial investments costs, and periodic injections thereof may increase maintenance and repair costs. Furthermore, when the antifreeze solution and the anticorrosive agent are replaced by new ones, waste materials may occur and the waste materials may result in environmental destruction.

If an antifreeze solution and an anticorrosion agent each having a small specific heat are injected to the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger has a lowered efficiency than in a case when no antifreeze solution and no anticorrosion agent have been injected. In order to prevent the lowering of efficiency, the heat exchanger has to be designed to have a larger capacity. However, if the capacity of the heat exchanger increases, a circulation amount of the heat transfer medium also increases, resulting in increase of a pump capacity and a driving power of a motor of a cooling fan. This may cause drastic increases of initial investment costs and driving costs.

Accordingly, required are methods capable of more efficiently preventing corrosion of the heat exchanger coil 10.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an aspect of the detailed description is to provide a serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger capable of allowing the inside as well as the outside to easily undergo zinc galvanizing, anticorrosion coating, etc., and a method for manufacturing the same.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of this specification, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger, the heat exchanger comprising: a heat exchanger coil having a plurality of linear coils disposed in parallel, and a connection coil disposed between the two neighboring linear coils and fittedly-coupled to the linear coils such that a serpentine-type inner passage is formed as the linear coils are connected to each other by the connection coil; and a frame having an edge forming portion which forms an edge such that the heat exchanger coil is installed therein, and a supporting portion which supports the heat exchanger coil installed in an edge formed by the edge forming portion.

The connection coil may be bent in a horseshoe shape.

The connection coil may include a body portion which forms an inner passage of the heat exchanger coil, and a joint integrally provided at the body portion so as to be fittedly-coupled to the linear coils in a separable manner. The joint may include a body extending from the body portion, configured to accommodate the linear coils therein, and having an inclination portion of which diameter is gradually decreased toward the joint from the body portion; stopping members formed in an arc shape of the same size, separated from each other in a circumferential direction of the body, and configured to lock or unlock the linear coils accommodated in the body while moving along the inclination portion of the body; and a shaft-direction elastic member configured to elastically support the stopping members toward the joint from the body portion.

The supporting portion may be formed in plurality in a lengthwise direction of the linear coils.

The supporting portion may be fixed to the edge forming portion, or may be detachably coupled to the edge forming portion.

The supporting portion may have a groove or a hole for mounting the linear coils.

The supporting portion may be configured as a plate in which the hole is formed in plurality.

The holes of the supporting portion may be formed by punching the plate in a direction where the linear coils are inserted, and by protruding the punched parts.

The protruded punched parts of the supporting portion may be cut in plurality so as to be separated from each other along the circumference of the hole.

A bush may be interposed between the hole of the supporting portion and the linear coils.

The frame may include a first header and a second header connected to two ends of the heat exchanger coil, respectively, and configured to guide introduction and discharge of a heat transfer fluid. The first header and the second header may be fittedly-coupled to the heat exchanger coil by the joint.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of this specification, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is also provided a method for manufacturing a serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger, the method comprising: a plating or coating step of performing a plating or coating process by immersing a frame into a plating solution or a coating solution in a state that a plurality of linear coils have been installed at the frame such that the linear coils are supported by a supporting portion of the frame; and a heat exchanger coil completion step of completing a heat exchanger coil by fittedly-coupling a connection coil to the linear coils installed at the frame.

The present invention may have the following advantages. However, the present invention may be implemented with any of the following advantages.

Firstly, the heat exchanger coil may be configured as the linear coils and the connection coil in a separate manner. This may allow a plating or coating process in a state that only the linear coils have been installed at the frame. Accordingly, an inner circumferential surface of the linear coils as well as an outer circumferential surface may be easily plated or coated.

Secondly, the heat exchanger coil may be configured as the linear coils and the connection coil in a separate manner, and may be implemented as a serviceable anticorrosion coil. This may facilitate separation of the heat exchanger coil. Accordingly, the heat exchanger coil may be partially maintained/repaired and replaced.

Thirdly, the linear coils and the connection coil of the heat exchanger coil may be fittedly-coupled to each other rather than being welded to each other. This may prevent damages of plating or coating of the linear coils.

Fourthly, the groove or hole for mounting the linear coils may be formed at the supporting portion of the frame. This may allow an installation position of the linear coils to be determined, and may prevent shaking of the linear coils.

Fifthly, the hole of the supporting portion of the frame may be protruded by punching. This may allow the linear coils to be supported more stably. The protruded hole may serve as a spring for absorbing vibrations and impacts of the heat exchanger coil. Especially, the protruded punched parts of the supporting portion of the frame may be cut in plurality so as to be separated from each other in a circumferential direction of the hole. This may allow a characteristic of the spring to be more enhanced.

Sixthly, the bush may be interposed between the hole of the supporting portion of the frame and the linear coils. Accordingly, the bush may serve as a spring. Furthermore, in a case that the frame and the linear coils are formed of different materials, may be prevented corrosion of the heat exchanger coil due to a contact between the heterogeneous materials, etc.

Further scope of applicability of the present application will become more apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger in accordance with the conventional art;

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of a serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a view taken along direction of the arrow of ‘A’ in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view taken along direction of the arrow of ‘B’ in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a coupled state of a serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a joint of a serpentine-type heat exchanger coil according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a detachable state of a serpentine-type heat exchanger coil according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a frame of a serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a front view of a supporting portion of a frame of a serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a supporting portion of a frame of a serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line ‘C-C’ in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a supporting portion of a frame of a serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger according to still another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a supporting portion of a serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a front view of a supporting portion of a serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger according to still another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of a heat exchanger coil of a serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Description will now be given in detail of the exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the sake of brief description with reference to the drawings, the same or equivalent components will be provided with the same reference numbers, and description thereof will not be repeated.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 16, a serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the present invention may comprise a heat exchanger coil 100 formed in a serpentine shape and configured to guide a heat transfer medium, and a frame 200 configured to support the heat exchanger coil 100.

The heat exchanger coil 100 includes a plurality of linear coils 110 disposed in parallel, and a connection coil 120 disposed between the two neighboring linear coils 110 and fittedly-coupled to the linear coils 110 such that a serpentine-type inner passage 102 is formed as the linear coils 110 are connected to each other by the connection coil 120.

The heat exchanger coil 100 may be installed at one frame 200 in plurality in one direction with a space therebetween. And, the plurality of linear coils 110 of one heat exchanger coil 100 may be disposed in parallel in line in a direction different from a spaced direction of the heat exchanger coils 100, e.g., in up and down direction as shown.

The connection coil 120 may include a body portion 130 which forms the inner passage 102 of the heat exchanger coil 100 so as to be fittedly-coupled to the linear coils 110, and a joint 140 integrally provided at two ends of the body portion 130 so as to be fittedly-coupled to the linear coils 110.

The joint 140 may be configured as follows so that the connection coil 120 can be fittedly-coupled to the linear coils 110 with a sealed state, and so that the connection coil 120 and the linear coils 110 can be separated from each other.

That is, the joint 140 may include a body 142 integrally connected to the body portion 130, a stopping member 144, a radius-direction elastic member 145, a shaft-direction elastic member 146, a cover member 147, a sealing 148 and an annular ring 149. The body 142 has a cavity for accommodating the linear coils 110 therein. And, the body 142 may have a ring-shaped groove portion 142a having a diameter larger than that of the inner passage 102 of the body portion 130 of the connection coil 120 along an inner circumferential wall, and an inclination portion 142b. A diameter of the inclination portion 142b of the body 142 may be gradually increased or decreased toward the joint 140 from the body portion 130 of the connection coil 120. The stopping member 144 is configured to stop movements of the linear coils 110 accommodated in the body 142. The stopping member 144 has an outer circumferential surface inclined in correspondence to the inclination portion 142b, and moves along the inclination portion 142b. The stopping member 144 is formed to have an arc shape of the same size, and is formed in three separated from each other for a stabilized structure. A plurality of ring-shaped saw-teeth 144a inclined in an introduction direction of the linear coils 110 may be formed on an inner circumferential surface of the stopping member 144. The radius-direction elastic member 145 for elastically supporting the stopping member 144 in a radius direction may be implemented as a ring or a sealing having a predetermined diameter. The shaft-direction elastic member 146 is configured to elastically supporting the stopping member 144 in a shaft direction, e.g., an introduction direction of the linear coils 110 or an opposite direction thereto. The cover member 147 may be implemented as a ring having an inner diameter for fitted-insertion of the linear coils 110. The cover member 147 may be provided with a tool insertion groove 147a so that a tool 160 for inserting the stopping member 144 can be inserted into the body 142.

The connection coil 120 and the linear coils 110 may be fittedly-coupled by the joint 140 as follows.

As shown in FIG. 8, the tool 160 is inserted into the body 142 of the joint 140, thereby inserting the stopping member 144 of the joint 140 into the connection coil 120. Then, the linear coils 110 are fittedly-inserted into the body 142 of the joint 140.

Since the stopping member 144 of the joint 140 has been inserted into the connection coil 120, the linear coils 110 can be easily fittedly-inserted into the body 142 of the joint 140 without being interfered by the stopping member 144 of the joint 140. Once the tool 160 is drawn out after the linear coils 110 have been fittedly-inserted into the body 142 of the joint 140, the stopping member 144 of the joint 140 moves to the outside of the connection coil 120 by an elastic resilience of the shaft-direction elastic member 146 of the joint 140. As a result, the stopping member 144 may be closely adhered to the linear coils 110 to make the linear coils 110 in a locked state as shown in FIG. 6. This may allow the connection coil 120 and the linear coils 110 to be firmly fittedly-coupled to each other with a sealed state.

Next, the connection coil 120 and the linear coils 110 may be separated from each other as follows.

As shown in FIG. 8, the tool 160 is inserted into the body 142 of the joint 140 through the tool insertion groove 147a of the cover member 147 of the joint 140, so that the stopping member 144 of the joint 140 is inserted into the connection coil 120. As a result, the stopping member 144 of the joint 140 is separated from the linear coils 110, so that the locked state of the linear coils 110 by the stopping member 144 of the joint 140 is released. This may allow the linear coils 110 to be separated from the connection coil 120.

The connection coil 120 may be formed in any shape. However, it is advantageous for the connection coil 120 to have a bent shape like a horseshoe as shown, so that a flow resistance of a heat transfer medium can be minimized.

The frame 200 may have an edge forming portion 210 which forms an edge so that the heat exchanger coil 100 can be installed therein, and a supporting portion 220 which supports the heat exchanger coil 100 installed in an edge formed by the edge forming portion.

The edge forming portion 210 of the frame 200 may be have a parallelepiped structure as shown. However, the edge forming portion 210 may have various structures.

Preferably, the supporting portion 220 of the frame 200 is formed in plurality in a lengthwise direction of the linear coils 110 so as to stably support the linear coils 110. More preferably, as shown, the supporting portion 220 of the frame 200 is configured to support two ends of the linear coils 110 at least in a lengthwise direction of the linear coils 110. If the linear coils 110 are long, the supporting portion 220 of the frame 200 may be added by one or more so as to support a middle part of the linear coils 110 in a lengthwise direction of the linear coils 110.

The supporting portion 220 may be fixed to the edge forming portion 210 by welding, etc., or may be detachably coupled to the edge forming portion 210 in a bolt coupling manner, or in a slide fitting manner, etc.

The supporting portion 220 may be configured to support the linear coils 110 by itself. Alternatively, the supporting portion 220 may be provided with a groove 222 or a hole 224 for mounting the linear coils 110 as shown. In this case, as the linear coils 110 are mounted to the groove 222 or the hole 224 of the supporting portion 220, installation positions of the linear coils 110 are determined under guide of the supporting portion 220. This may prevent shaking of the linear coils 110, and may allow the linear coils 110 to maintain an arranged state.

As shown in FIGS. 9 to 13 and FIG. 5, the supporting portion 220 may be implemented as a plate 220A having a plurality of holes 224. In this case, the supporting portion 220 may be implemented as a plate 220A of a size large enough to cover or partition one surface of the edge forming portion 210 so that all of the linear coils 110 can be mounted thereto.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the hole 224 of the supporting portion 220 may be formed by punching the plate 220A in a direction where the linear coils 110 are inserted, and by protruding the punched parts 226. Due to the protruded punched parts 226 of the supporting portion 220, the linear coils 110 may be supported more stably. In a case that the plate 220A is formed of a material such as aluminum or plastic having a low strength in a thin thickness, the protruded punched parts 226 of the supporting portion 220 the protruded punched parts 226 of the supporting portion 220 may on the heat exchanger coil 100 to be absorbed. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12, the protruded punched parts 226 of the supporting portion 220 may be cut in plurality along the circumference of the hole 224 of the supporting portion 220. This may enhance a spring characteristic. As the protruded punched parts 226 of the supporting portion 220 can be widened, the linear coils 110 may be easily fittedly-inserted into the hole 224. And, as the protruded punched parts 226 of the supporting portion 220 are closely adhered to the linear coils 110, the linear coils 110 may be supported more stably.

As shown in FIG. 13, a bush 230 may be interposed between the holes 224 of the supporting portion 220 and the linear coils 110. The bush 230 may be formed of a material such as plastic or rubber so as to serve as a spring.

As shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the supporting portion 220 configured as the plate 220A may be integrally formed. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 15, the supporting portion 220 may be formed in plurality so as to be separated from each other based on the hole 224. Under this configuration, the supporting portion 220 may be alternately arranged with the linear coils 110.

As shown in FIG. 14, the supporting portion 220 may be installed in plurality in up and down directions of the edge forming portion 210 so as to support the linear coils 110, and may be configured as a steel bar 220B having the groove 222.

The frame 200 may be installed with a first header 300 and a second header 310. The first header 300 is connected to one of two ends of the heat exchanger coil 100, and is configured to guide introduction of a heat transfer medium into the heat exchanger coil 100. And, the second header 310 is connected to another of the two ends of the heat exchanger coil 100, and is configured to guide discharge of a heat transfer medium from the heat exchanger coil 100.

Each of the first header 300 and the second header 310 may be provided with a plurality of coil connection openings so as to be connected to the plurality of heat exchanger coils 100, and may be fittedly-coupled to the plurality of heat exchanger coils 100.

For fitted-coupling between the first and second headers 300, 310 and the heat exchanger coils 100, the coil connection openings of the first header 300 and the second header 310 may be integrally provided with joints such as the joint 140 of the connection coil 120. Alternatively, the first header 300 and the second header 310 may be coupled to the heat exchanger coils 100 by coupling that the joint 140 of the connection coil 120 is formed at two sides.

Hereinafter, will be explained a method for manufacturing the serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger according to the present invention.

Firstly, a plurality of linear coils 110 are installed at a frame so that the linear coils 110 can be supported by a supporting portion 220 of the frame 200.

Then, the frame 200 having the linear coils 110 installed thereat is immersed in a plating solution or a coating solution for prevention of corrosion, so that an inner circumferential surface of the linear coils 110 as well as an outer circumferential surface can be integrally plated or coated. Here, the plurality of linear coils 110 may be uniformly plated or coated since they are supported by the frame 200. When the linear coils 110 are fittedly-inserted into the holes of the supporting portion 220 of the frame 200 after being plated or coated, the plating or coating of the linear coils 110 may be peeled off due to interference between the linear coils 110 and the supporting portion 220 of the frame 200. However, in the present invention, the linear coils 110 are plated or coated in a state of being supported by the frame 200. This may prevent the plating or coating of the linear coils 110 from being damaged.

After the plating or coating, the connection coil 120 is fittedly-coupled to the linear coils 110 installed at the frame 200, respectively. As a result, the heat exchanger coil 100 is completed. Here, the linear coils 110 and the connection coil 120 are coupled to each other in a fitted-coupling manner, rather than by welding. This may prevent the plating or coating of the linear coils 110 from being damaged. And, this may allow the linear coils 110 to be easily separated from or re-coupled to the connection coil 120 for maintenance/repair and replacement of the heat exchanger coil 100. The connection coil 120 may be separately plated or coated in advance for prevention of corrosion, etc.

Even if the connection coil 120 is bent in a horseshoe shape, an inner circumferential surface of the connection coil 120 as well as an outer circumferential surface may be easily plated or coated due to a short length of the connection coil 120.

Then, the heat exchanger coil 100 is fittedly-coupled to the first header 300 and the second header 310. As a result, the serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger may be completed.

Referring to FIG. 16, a serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger according to another embodiment of the present invention may comprise linear coils 110, a connection coil 120 bent in a horseshoe shape, and a joint 1000 fittedly-coupled to the connection coil 120 and the linear coils 110 in a separable manner so that the connection coil 120 and the linear coils 110 are integrally connected to each other. The joint 1000 may include a body portion 1100 formed in a pipe shape so that the connection coil 120 and the linear coils 110 can be fittedly-inserted into two ends thereof, and a joint portion 1200 corresponding to the joint of the connection coil of FIGS. 1-15 for fitted-coupling to the connection coil 120 and the linear coils 110. Another embodiment has the same or similar configuration as/to the configurations of the aforementioned embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-15, and thus detailed explanations thereof will be omitted.

The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present disclosure. The present teachings can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. This description is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The features, structures, methods, and other characteristics of the exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined in various ways to obtain additional and/or alternative exemplary embodiments.

As the present features may be embodied in several forms without departing from the characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger, the heat exchanger comprising:

a heat exchanger coil having a plurality of linear coils disposed in parallel, and a connection coil disposed between the two neighboring linear coils and fittedly-coupled to the linear coils such that a serpentine-type inner passage is formed as the linear coils are connected to each other by the connection coil; and

a frame having an edge forming portion which forms an edge such that the heat exchanger coil is installed therein, and a supporting portion which supports the heat exchanger coil installed in an edge formed by the edge forming portion.

2. The serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the connection coil is bent in a horseshoe shape.

3. The serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the connection coil is bent in a horseshoe shape, and

wherein the heat exchanger further comprises a joint fittedly-coupled to the connection coil and the linear coils in a separable manner such that the connection coil and the linear coils are integrally connected to each other.

4. The serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the connection coil includes:

a body portion which forms an inner passage of the heat exchanger coil; and a joint integrally provided at the body portion so as to be fittedly-coupled to the linear coils in a separable manner, and

wherein the joint includes:

a body extending from the body portion, configured to accommodate the linear coils therein, and having an inclination portion of which diameter is gradually decreased toward the joint from the body portion;

stopping members formed in an arc shape of the same size, spaced from each other in a circumferential direction of the body, and configured to lock or unlock the linear coils accommodated in the body while moving along the inclination portion of the body; and

a shaft-direction elastic member configured to elastically support the stopping members toward the joint from the body portion.

5. The serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the supporting portion is formed in plurality in a lengthwise direction of the linear coils.

6. The serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the supporting portion is fixed to the edge forming portion or is detachably coupled to the edge forming portion, and

wherein the supporting portion has a groove or a hole for mounting the linear coils.

7. The serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger of claim 6, wherein the supporting portion is configured as a plate in which the hole is formed in plurality.

8. The serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger of claim 7, wherein the holes of the supporting portion are formed by punching the plate in a direction where the linear coils are inserted, and by protruding the punched parts.

9. The serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger of claim 8, wherein the protruded punched parts of the supporting portion are cut in plurality along the circumference of the hole.

10. The serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger of claim 7, wherein a bush is interposed between the hole of the supporting portion and the linear coils.

11. The serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a first header and a second header connected to two ends of the heat exchanger coil, respectively, and configured to guide introduction and discharge of a heat transfer fluid, and

wherein the first header and the second header are fittedly-coupled to the heat exchanger coil by the joint.

12. The serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein the connection coil includes:

a body portion which forms an inner passage of the heat exchanger coil; and

a joint integrally provided at the body portion so as to be fittedly-coupled to the linear coils in a separable manner, and

wherein the joint includes:

a body extending from the body portion, configured to accommodate the linear coils therein, and having an inclination portion of which diameter is gradually decreased toward the joint from the body portion;

stopping members formed in an arc shape of the same size, spaced from each other in a circumferential direction of the body, and configured to lock or unlock the linear coils accommodated in the body while moving along the inclination portion of the body; and

a shaft-direction elastic member configured to elastically support the stopping members toward the joint from the body portion.

13. The serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger of claim 12, wherein the supporting portion is fixed to the edge forming portion or is detachably coupled to the edge forming portion, and

wherein the supporting portion is configured as a plate in which the hole for mounting the linear coils is formed in plurality.

14. The serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger of claim 13, wherein the holes of the supporting portion are formed by punching the plate in a direction where the linear coils are inserted, and by protruding the punched parts.

15. The serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger of claim 14, wherein the protruded punched parts of the supporting portion are cut in plurality along the circumference of the hole.

16. The serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger of claim 13, wherein a bush is interposed between the hole of the supporting portion and the linear coils.

17. The serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger of claim 12, wherein the connection coil is bent in a horseshoe shape.

18. The serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger of claim 12, wherein the connection coil is bent in a horseshoe shape, and

wherein the heat exchanger further comprises a joint fittedly-coupled to the connection coil and the linear coils in a separable manner such that the connection coil and the linear coils are integrally connected to each other.

19. A method for manufacturing the serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger of claim 1, the method comprising:

a plating or coating step of performing a plating or coating process by immersing a frame into a plating solution or a coating solution in a state that a plurality of linear coils have been installed at the frame such that the linear coils are supported by a supporting portion of the frame; and

a heat exchanger coil completion step of completing a heat exchanger coil by fittedly-coupling a connection coil to the linear coils installed at the frame.

20. A method for manufacturing the serpentine-type serviceable heat exchanger of claim 12, the method comprising:

a plating or coating step of performing a plating or coating process by immersing a frame into a plating solution or a coating solution in a state that a plurality of linear coils have been installed at the frame such that the linear coils are supported by a supporting portion of the frame; and

a heat exchanger coil completion step of completing a heat exchanger coil by fittedly-coupling a connection coil to the linear coils installed at the frame.