Serially Connected Tube Sections Patents (Class 165/150)
  • Patent number: 6688380
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a corrugated metal sheet comprising a first side having a plurality of first troughs alternating with a plurality of first peaks, and a second side having a plurality of second troughs alternating with a plurality of second peaks, each trough being formed by a pair of walls, each wall separating the first side from the second side and extending from a first peak to a second peak, the troughs and peaks extending in parallel and defining a longitudinal direction. Each first peak is formed with at least one depression, the depressions in respective peaks being aligned to form at least one tube-receiving channel extending transversely to the longitudinal direction. Each depression has a contact surface formed in the first side and extending laterally over each adjacent first trough. A tube section is received in each tube-receiving channel in substantially conforming contact with the contact surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Aavid Thermally, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald B. Lavochkin, Bradley R. Whitney
  • Publication number: 20040003915
    Abstract: A fin tube heat exchanger. The fin tube heat exchanger comprises: a first tube row including a plurality of tubes; and a second tube row including a second plurality of tubes. The first and second tube rows includes a slab portion respectively in contiguous parallel relation with the counterpart slab portion of the other tube row. Each of the first and second tube rows includes a respective first and second spread portion wherein the first and second spread portions are in diverging non-contacting relation with respect to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Glen F. Shippy, Jeffrey C. Marks, Allen E. Swaw
  • Publication number: 20040000396
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a corrugated metal sheet comprising a first side having a plurality of first troughs alternating with a plurality of first peaks, and a second side having a plurality of second troughs alternating with a plurality of second peaks, each trough being formed by a pair of walls, each wall separating the first side from the second side and extending from a first peak to a second peak, the troughs and peaks extending in parallel and defining a longitudinal direction. Each first peak is formed with at least one depression, the depressions in respective peaks being aligned to form at least one tube-receiving channel extending transversely to the longitudinal direction. Each depression has a contact surface formed in the first side and extending laterally over each adjacent first trough. A tube section is received in each tube-receiving channel in substantially conforming contact with the contact surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Applicant: A AVID Thermalloy, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald B. Lavochkin, Bradley R. Whitney
  • Patent number: 6640885
    Abstract: A condenser coil assembly is described and methods for forming such a device. The condenser assembly maximizes heat transfer surface area within a reduced volumetric area without significantly increasing the static pressure on the condenser fan system. The coil assembly is made up of a coil element through which refrigerant is transmitted and a plurality of wires that are affixed to the coil element to assist in dissipating heat from the coil element. The coil element is formed into a compact three-layer arrangement by first bending the coil element into a flat, zig-zag configuration. Secondly, the zig-zag shape is folded in a transverse direction to create three folds or flaps that are essentially equal in length. It is preferred that rounded bars be used to assist in creating the folds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventor: James H. Jenkins, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20030159814
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat exchanger in a refrigerator having, a simple structure and improved performance. The present invention includes refrigerant tubes for refrigerant flow, and a plurality of straight fins having lengths different from each other fitted to the refrigerant tubes at fixed intervals in parallel to each other by means of through holes formed therein, the heat exchanger having sections of different fin intervals, wherein a section with the smallest fin intervals has a size being 75% of a total size or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Jong Min Sin, Bong Jun Choi, Cheol Hwan Kim, Seong Hai Jeong, Young Hwan Ko, Young Jeong, Sam Chul Ha
  • Publication number: 20030121647
    Abstract: A heat exchanger and manufacturing method thereof, include a plurality of radiating pins which are aligned at a predetermined interval and a plurality of refrigerant tubes which are positioned to be penetrated among the radiating pins and through which refrigerant passes. In addition, the refrigerant tubes are mutually connected by the connection pipes, inflow/discharge pipes are respectively connected with the refrigerant tubes of one side, and connection portions of the refrigerant tubes and connection pipes and connection portions of the inflow/discharge pipes and the refrigerant tubes are simultaneously joined by a melting processing. Accordingly, the heat exchanger can reduce a manufacturing process and cost, by simultaneously joining a connection portion of the refrigerant tubes and connection pipes and connection portion of the inflow pipe and discharge pipe, by a melting processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventor: Jin-Sug Roo
  • Publication number: 20030102112
    Abstract: A flattened tube heat exchanger having a flattened tube with first and second ends and a length therebetween. The tube has at least one passageway, opposite first and second heat transfer surfaces, and is shaped into a predetermined configuration with portions of the heat transfer surfaces being adjacent to other portions of the heat transfer surfaces and being spaced apart with a space existing between each of the adjacent portions. At least one heat transfer fin is conductively attached to one of the first or second heat transfer surfaces and extends along a portion of the length of the tube. A portion of the at least one heat transfer fin extends from the heat transfer surface into at least one of the spaces between adjacent portions of the heat transfer surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: David W. Smithey, Robert E. Utter
  • Patent number: 6561263
    Abstract: A heat exchange device comprises two arrays of tubes through which flow two respective fluids. The device comprises a common support plate for the two arrays, which has a first portion provided with holes to act as a header plate for a first array and a second portion provided with openings for receiving in a forced fit manner the tubes of a second array with curved connectors. In one embodiment of the invention one array contains an engine cooling fluid and the other array contains a refrigerant fluid of an air-conditioning circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Valeo Thermique Moteur
    Inventors: Michel Potier, Philippe Le Gauyer
  • Patent number: 6557373
    Abstract: An automobile climate control system having a liquid dispersing device to allow coolant to flow. The system also utilizes a heat exchanger to cool the liquid. A manifold block handles the transfer of coolant between the coolant dispersing device and the heat exchanger. The manifold block is in communication with the heat exchanger and the coolant dispersing device; and at least one clasp connects the manifold block to the heat exchanger. A fitting clasp made from the clad material couples the heat exchanger to the at least one clasp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Newfield Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Minoru Nitta
  • Patent number: 6557372
    Abstract: Two differently sized condensers are positioned at respective opposite ends of a refrigerating unit. Other elements, such as a compressor and evaporator, are accommodated between the condensers. Each condenser includes a fan and a serpentine pipe defining a passageway in thermal contact with a plurality of heat transfer fins. The first larger condenser receives the gaseous phase of the refrigerant. As it changes to a liquid phase, the refrigerant passes into the second smaller condenser. The passageway of the second condenser is also smaller in diameter than in the first condenser. The smaller diameter passageway in the second condenser compensates for decrease in volume of the condensing refrigerant, permitting higher velocity flow of liquid refrigerant through the pipe for maintaining a good heat transfer coefficient. The condensers and fans also make efficient use of space inside the unit housing, enabling the size of the unit to be decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toru Ozawa, Milos Vujicic
  • Patent number: 6554059
    Abstract: In a ceiling embedded type indoor unit for an air conditioner, an wind sound is reduced while preventing a beat sound of blowers with keeping a high air conditioning capacity. In the ceiling embedded type indoor unit provided with a U-shaped heat exchanger which is placed in a casing embedded in a ceiling and is constituted by two side portions and a bottom portion connecting the side portions at one end side, blowers arranged in an inner space of the heat exchanger, a decorative panel mounted to a lower surface of the casing and having two elongated air outlet ports in correspondence to the side portions of the heat exchanger and an air suction port formed between the air outlet ports, and a control apparatus, the control apparatus controls so that the number of rotation of the blower near a valley portion of the U-shaped heat exchanger becomes high and the number of rotation of the blower near the open end of the U-shaped heat exchanger becomes low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiki Hata, Takashi Sano, Shinichi Kosugi
  • Patent number: 6550273
    Abstract: In an air conditioner using a flammable refrigerant of the present invention, an inner diameter of a liquid-side connecting pipe is reduced to less than 42.5% of that of a gas-side connecting pipe. By reducing the inner diameter of the pipe in which a liquid refrigerant of the air conditioner is reduced, it is possible to reduce the amount of refrigerant to be charged into the system without decreasing the capacity and the efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Fujitaka, Yoshinori Kobayashi, Riko Tachigori
  • Patent number: 6546999
    Abstract: A flat tube for use in a heat exchanger includes a reversal bend section connected between parallel extending tube sections. The reversal bend section extends from a plane of the tube sections by a distance less than a width of the tube sections. The tube sections can be straight or serpentine. A plurality of the flat tubes can be stacked and connected to collector tubes to form a heat exchanger for use as an evaporator in a vehicle air conditioning system. Corrugated ribs are positioned between adjacent flat tubes for increased heat conduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernd Dienhart, Hans-Joachim Krauss, Hagen Mittelstrass, Karl-Heinz Staffa, Christoph Walter, Jochen Schumm
  • Patent number: 6536512
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchanger block having a row of heat exchanger walls (1f, 1g) which are arranged at a distance from one another and define intervening heat-exchange medium flow chambers (1c, 3) for a first and a second heat-exchange medium, and a plurality of spaced thermally conductive rods (2) which extend all the way through the row of heat exchanger walls (1f, 1g) and the intervening heat-exchange medium flow chambers (1c, 3). The heat exchanger walls are formed by flat-tube sections (1) which are arranged at a distance from one another in the direction of the row and the interiors (1c) of which form first heat-exchange medium flow chambers, and the flat-tube interspaces (3) of which form second heat-exchange medium flow chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Behr GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Josef Kern
  • Patent number: 6516873
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for a multi-stage air compressor. The heat exchanger includes several cooling chambers. Each cooling chamber is configured to receive compressed air from one of the compressor stages. A cooling tube is positioned to carry cooling fluid through each of the cooling chamber sequentially. The cooling chambers are also positioned in series so that heated fluid leaving the outlet of a first cooling chamber enters the inlet of a second cooling chamber after passing through an additional compressor stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventor: Ronald L. Haugen
  • Publication number: 20030006027
    Abstract: A condenser coil assembly is described and methods for forming such a device. The condenser assembly maximizes heat transfer surface area within a reduced volumetric area without significantly increasing the static pressure on the condenser fan system. The coil assembly is made up of a coil element through which refrigerant is transmitted and a plurality of wires that are affixed to the coil element to assist in dissipating heat from the coil element. The coil element is formed into a compact three-layer arrangement by first bending the coil element into a flat, zig-zag configuration. Secondly, the zig-zag shape is folded in a transverse direction to create three folds or flaps that are essentially equal in length. It is preferred that rounded bars be used to assist in creating the folds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventor: James H. Jenkins
  • Publication number: 20030000686
    Abstract: A fin for a heat exchanger coil assembly and a method of manufacturing the fin is provided. The fin includes a heat transfer enhancement pattern which appears sinusoidal in shape. The base wavy pattern of the enhancement pattern includes two wavelengths within each tube row and includes seven discrete segments. Six of the seven segments are circular arc segments. The seventh segment comprises two linear segments which form a condensate channel. The segments are arranged in a particular order at specific distances offset (above and below) from a leading edge nominal air streamline (LENAS) by a fraction of a nominal fin pitch Pf. The LENAS is related to the “normal” base wavy pattern used in other fins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Applicant: York International Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas A. Kester
  • Patent number: 6488080
    Abstract: An integrated refrigerator evaporator having a plurality of pipes and fins is manufactured by injection molding with plastics. According to the present invention, pipes and fins are molded by plastic plates, and a heat exchanger is formed by molding the pipes and fins into a series of “S” shapes. A first bending section formed by the heat exchanger, which is molded in a series of “S” shapes, is inserted into a mold main body to manufacture a header cap. A first header cap is manufactured by injected melted plastic material body into the mold main body under the state of covering the mold main body with a mold cap. The first header cap is engaged with a first header main body having a refrigerant inlet and outlet. The refrigerator evaporator according to the present invention results in a relatively lower product cost than the evaporator composed of a metal substance, as well as a high recyclability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Tae Hee Lee, Jang Seok Lee, Sang Wook Lee, Se Yoon Oh
  • Patent number: 6484796
    Abstract: A heat-exchanger tube block is disclosed having at least two header tubes (6, 7), which are C-shaped in cross section and each of which has a continuous longitudinal slot (10, 11). Flat tubes (2a, 2b) are inserted into the header-tube longitudinal slots. A cover-plate element (12) is provided which has a plurality of C-shaped openings and is fitted over one end of the at least two header tubes, so that the header tubes respectively fit into one of the openings and are secured in a fluid-tight manner. The tube-block can be used, for example, in an evaporator of CO2 air-conditioning installations for a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Behr GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Walter Demuth, Martin Kotsch, Hans-Joachim Krauss, Hagen Mittelstrass, Harald Raiser, Jochen Schumm, Michael Sickelmann, Karl-Heinz Staffa, Christoph Walter
  • Patent number: 6460372
    Abstract: A refrigerated merchandiser (100) includes an upright, open-front, insulated cabinet (110) defining a product display area (125) connected in airflow communication with a compartment (120) via an air circulation circuit (122, 114, 116). The flow of refrigerant through the coils (46) of evaporator (40) is arranged to configure the evaporator (40) as a “thermodynamically counterflow” heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Kwok Kwong Fung, Robert Hong Leung Chiang, Eugene Duane Daddis, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020129928
    Abstract: A vehicle header tank of the type in which most or all of the header tank is metal and brazed concurrently with the rest of the core includes a simplified oil cooler structure integrated with the tank and brazed concurrently with the rest of the core. A section of tubing similar to the radiator coolant flow tubes passes into and out of the header tank through a pair of slots with a geometry similar to that in the regular slotted tank header plate that accommodates the coolant flow tubes. Consequently, the oil cooler tube can be installed in leak proof fashion inside the header tank concurrently with the main core braze operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: John Milton Tepas, Henry Earl Beamer
  • Publication number: 20020112849
    Abstract: A heat-exchanger tube block is disclosed having at least two header tubes (6, 7), which are C-shaped in cross section and each of which has a continuous longitudinal slot (10, 11). Flat tubes (2a, 2b) are inserted into the header-tube longitudinal slots. A cover-plate element (12) is provided which has a plurality of C-shaped openings and is fitted over one end of the at least two header tubes, so that the header tubes respectively fit into one of the openings and are secured in a fluid-tight manner. The tube-block can be used, for example, in an evaporator of CO2 air-conditioning installations for a motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Applicant: BEHR GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Walter Demuth, Martin Kotsch, Hans-Joachim Krauss, Hagen Mittelstrass, Harald Raiser, Jochen Schumm, Michael Sickelmann, Karl-Heinz Staffa, Christoph Walter
  • Patent number: 6425261
    Abstract: In a condenser for an air-conditioning system, in particular for an air-conditioning system of a motor vehicle, there is provision for a collector (15) to be formed from a plurality of series-connected tubes (18) which extend between header tubes (10, 11) and the cross section of which is a multiple of the cross section of the flat tubes (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Behr GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Roland Burk, Hagen Mittelstrass, Karl-Heinz Staffa
  • Patent number: 6394076
    Abstract: An engine charge air cooler system including a charge air compressing system, a refrigerant cycling system, and a charge air cooling apparatus for transferring heat from the compressed charge air of the charge air compressing system to the refrigerant fluid of the refrigerant cycling system. The charge air cooling apparatus comprises a housing with a charge air passage for charge air moving through the housing. A plurality of fins are positioned in the charge air passage. A fluid tube is provided in the housing and passes through each of the fins in a plurality of locations. Preferably, the refrigerant compressor of the system is adapted to also compress a separate flow of refrigerant fluid for an air conditioning system of the vehicle in addition to the refrigerant fluid of the system of the invention. A heating element may be provided in the interior of the housing, and may be selectively heatable for preventing accumulated moisture from freezing in the interior of the housing in sub-freezing temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Duane L. Hudelson
  • Patent number: 6382310
    Abstract: A heat exchanger comprising: a plurality of longitudinally extending tubes grouped into at least first, second and third passes; the tubes in the first pass being serially connected with tubes in the second pass; the tubes in the second pass being serially connected with tubes in the third pass; and wherein the number of tubes in the first pass is greater than the number of tubes in the third pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: American Standard International Inc.
    Inventor: Sean A. Smith
  • Patent number: 6349761
    Abstract: A fin-tube heat exchanger with a vortex generator is disclosed. The heat exchanger includes at least one heat transfer tube extending therethrough. A vortex generator is formed on the fin and includes a plurality of protuberance ribs projected from the fin and centralized with the heat transfer tube. An air flow inlet is defined between adjacent two of the protuberance ribs and an air flow outlet is defined between other adjacent two of the protuberance ribs. The air flow is guided from the air flow inlet, through channels defined between the vortex generator and the at least one heat transfer tube, and passes out of the air flow outlet, thereby speeding the air flow and promoting the heat transfer efficiency of a stagnation area behind the tube, and generating vortexes at the protuberance ribs and the air flow outlet for draining outer air into the surface for better air mixing and promoting the heat transfer efficiency of the fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Min-Sheng Liu, Chi-Chung Wang, Jane-Sunn Liaw, Yu-Juei Chang
  • Patent number: 6321832
    Abstract: An automotive radiator has an integrated air-liquid cooled oil cooler incorporated directly into the radiator core and header tanks. A pair of nested oil cooler tubes, nested in a general U shape, has parallel upper and lower lengths running through the top and bottom of the basic core, spaced within the same header plates as the standard coolant tubes. Intermediate parallel lengths of the oil cooler tubes run through the center lengthwise of one longer header tank. A shorter header tank allows the upper and lower lengths of the oil cooler tubes to run through its header plate with clearance from its tank ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Anh Le
  • Publication number: 20010013408
    Abstract: Disclosed an integrated refrigerator evaporator having a plurality of pipes and fins which is manufactured by injection molding with plastics. According to the present invention, pipes and fins are molded by means of at least one plastic plates, and a heat exchanger is formed by molding the pipes and fins in a series of “S” shape. A first bending section formed by the heat exchanger, which is molded in a series of “S” shape, is inserted into a mold main body to manufacture a header cap. A first header cap is manufactured by injecting melted plastic material body into the mold main body under the state of covering a mold cap. The first header cap is engaged with a first header main body comprising the first header cap and the refrigerant inlet and outlet. The refrigerator evaporator according to the present invention results in a relatively lower product cost than the evaporator composed of a metal substance as well as a high recyclability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Inventors: Tae Hee Lee, Jang Seok Lee, Sang Wook Lee, Se Yoon Oh
  • Patent number: 6253567
    Abstract: An ice thermal storage type air conditioner includes an outdoor unit 14 equipped with a compressor 12 and an outdoor heat exchanger 13, an indoor unit 17 equipped with an indoor heat exchanger 16 and an expansion valve 18b, and an ice thermal storage tank 5. The ice thermal storage tank is equipped with a heat exchanger exchanger used as a condenser when the accumulated heat is used. The heat exchanger has a pipe-shaped heat transfer tube 1 and a plate-shaped fin 2 installed to the heat transfer tube. The fin is installed vertically, and a plurality of rows of the heat transfer tubes and the fins are arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Imanari, Toshihiko Fukushima, Sachio Sekiya, Katsumi Matsubara, Kenji Tokusa, Yoshihiko Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 6253839
    Abstract: A method of making an evaporator and the resultant evaporator. The resultant evaporator comprises a continuous serpentine tube having an inlet and an outlet. The serpentine tube includes at least one column of parallel tube runs. Each tube run is defined by at least one reverse bend. The column of parallel tube runs has an overall length defined by the distance between the outermost tube runs. The evaporator further comprises a plurality of inner fins attached to the individual tubes. Each inner fin extends between two tube runs defined by opposite ends of a reverse bend. The inner fins have a length less than the overall length the column of tube runs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Scot Reagen, Jeff Sensmeier
  • Patent number: 6173767
    Abstract: A pressure relief device mounts to heat exchange coils having fluid flowing therethrough. A base has an orifice formed therethrough extending through an orifice in the coil to the interior of the coil. A cover attaches to the base with bolts or other attachment means. A diaphragm strip inserts between the cover and the base to close off the orifice in the base. An o-ring or other gasket may also be utilized to seal the structure. When a rupture through the diaphragm occurs due to pressure buildup, the diaphragm strip may be advanced to reclose the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: SGCM Partnership, L.P.
    Inventor: Douglas Kennon
  • Patent number: 6142220
    Abstract: A finned heat exchanger includes a plurality of elongated fins which are arranged at a predetermined interval in parallel with one another such that air flows between neighboring ones of the fins in a predetermined direction. A plurality of heat transfer tubes which contain refrigerant passing therethrough are orthogonally inserted through the fins so as to be arranged in a plurality of columns on the fins. When the finned heat exchanger is operated for condensation, the heat transfer tubes are provided in two paths in the vicinity of an inlet for the refrigerant and are provided in one path in the vicinity of an outlet for the refrigerant, such that the heat transfer tubes of the one path occupy about 5 to 30% of all the heat transfer tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Motegi, Shoichi Yokoyama, Osamu Aoyagi
  • Patent number: 6085529
    Abstract: A heat exchanger comprising a precooler and reheater core adjacent a chiller core, first heat transfer passages extending through both cores through which incoming air passes in a first direction, second heat transfer passages extending through the chiller core through which coolant passes in heat exchange relationship with incoming air and perpendicular to the first direction, and third heat transfer passages extending through the precooler and reheater core through which cooled air from the chiller core passes in heat exchange relationship with the incoming air and perpendicular to the first direction. A manifold contiguous with both cores conducts chilled air from the chiller core to the third set of heat transfer passages.Incoming air is chilled in the chiller core and thereafter exchanges heat with the incoming air in the precooler and reheater core to precool the incoming air to form water droplets and to raise the temperature of the chilled air to a usable temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: American Precision Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Galus, David F. Fijas
  • Patent number: 5983998
    Abstract: An evaporator of an air conditioner has front and rear sections, and heat-exchanging pipes comprised of first, second, and third independent refrigerant passages. In the first passage, refrigerant enters a first row of a front line of the rear section, circulates completely through the rear section, and then exits from a second row of the front line of the rear section. In the second passage, refrigerant enters a first row of the front line of the front section, circulates through an upper portion of the front section, and then exits from a first row of the rear line of the front section. In the third passage refrigerant enters a fifth row of the front line of the front section, circulates through a lower portion of the front section, and then exits from a seventh row of the rear line of the front section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong-wug Kim
  • Patent number: 5954125
    Abstract: A multi-row heat exchanger includes tube holding devices positioned at the ends of the rows of heat exchange elements in the multi-row heat exchanger. One of the tube holding devices is fixedly secured to the tubes of each row of heat exchange elements. The other tube holding device is secured to the tubes of only one row of heat exchange elements. The latter tube holding device includes a slotted opening for receiving unsecured ends of the tubes in the other row of heat exchange elements. A process for forming the above multi-row heat exchanger is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Carlo Mantegazza, Alfonso Citarella, Massimo Assi, Roberto Cazzaniga
  • Patent number: 5875837
    Abstract: A highly efficient liquid cooled, two phase heat exchanger includes a plurality of plate-like flattened tubes (22) in spaced, side-by-side relation. Header plates (10, 12) are located at the ends of the plate-like flattened tubes (22) and receive the same in sealed relation. Tanks (14, 16) are sealed to each of the header plates (10, 12). A liquid inlet (18) is provided to one of the tanks 14 while a liquid outlet (20) is provided to one of the tanks (16). A plurality of flattened serpentine tubes (40) in side-by-side relation are provided and each has a plurality of generated parallel, straight runs (42) located between its ends. A pair of headers (30,32) receive the ends of the serpentine tubes (40) and are in generally parallel relation. Each of the plate-like flattened tubes (22) is in nested relation between two adjacent straight runs (42) of the serpentine tubes (40) in heat exchange relation therewith and each of the serpentine tubes (40) is located between the header plates (10, 12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Gregory G. Hughes
  • Patent number: 5845505
    Abstract: A heat exchanger comprising a precooler and reheater core adjacent a chiller core, first heat transfer passages extending through both cores through which incoming air passes in a first direction, second heat transfer passages extending through the chiller core through which coolant passes in heat exchange relationship with incoming air and perpendicular to the first direction, and third heat transfer passages extending through the precooler and reheater core through which cooled air from the chiller core passes in heat exchange relationship with the incoming air and perpendicular to the first direction. A conduit conducts chilled air from the chiller core to the third set of heat transfer passages.Incoming air is chilled in the chiller core and thereafter exchanges heat with the incoming air in the precooler and reheater core to precool the incoming air to form water droplets and to raise the temperature of the chilled air to a usable temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: American Precision Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Galus, David F. Fijas
  • Patent number: 5799725
    Abstract: A coil assembly for use in a heat exchanger having air flowing in a predetermined direction. The coil assembly comprises a plurality of parallel linear tubes, a plurality of return tubes interconnecting the linear tubes, and a plurality of fins. Each linear tube has a central portion with an elliptical cross-section and two end portions with round female sockets having circular cross-sections. Each return tube has two end portions with circular cross-sections. Each end portion of a return tube fits into a round female socket of a linear tube regardless of the orientation of the major axes of the linear tubes. The major axis of the elliptical cross-section resides at an oblique angle with respect to the direction of air flow. Each fin comprises a planar sheet of a heat-conductive material with a plurality of holes. The central portion of a linear tube extends through each hole. Each fin securely contacts each linear tube extending therethrough such that heat transfer therebetween is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Evapco International, Inc.
    Inventors: Wilson E. Bradley, Jr., Richard P. Merrill, George R. Shriver, Robert S. Weinreich
  • Patent number: 5743111
    Abstract: A heat exchanger, as mounted on the outdoor unit or indoor unit of an air conditioner system, is formed with a plurality of passages for a refrigerant. To this heat exchanger, there is connected a refrigerant distributor for distributing the refrigerant to the individual passages or for collecting the distributed refrigerant. This refrigerant distributor is constructed by soldering two corrugated plate members to form a refrigerant conduit between the corrugations. Before these plate members are soldered, the refrigerant conduit is either partially constricted to form a throttle portion or partially bulged to form a filter portion by fitting a filter member in the bulging portion when the plate members are soldered. Thus, the refrigerant distributor can set the diversion of the refrigerant to a predetermined ratio by the simple device while reducing the space and lowering the cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunji Sasaki, Atsuhiro Kobayashi, Hideki Okuzono, Futoshi Kawamura, Masahiro Ito, Hiroyasu Yoneyama, Kazuhisa Yagi
  • Patent number: 5730212
    Abstract: A refrigerant condenser is set so that, if its condensation distance is L, the equivalent diameter of a tube having a linearly configured passage for the purpose of heat exchange is de (each dimension being in units of mm), and the number of times the direction change of the linearly configured passage for the purpose of heat exchange change is N, with de.ltoreq.1.15 and the relationship L=(N+1)W=400+1,180 de to 700+1,180 de satisfied, a high heat exchange efficiency is achieved. In this refrigerant condenser, it is possible to use a single long winding tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michiyasu Yamamoto, Ken Yamamoto, Ryouichi Sanada
  • Patent number: 5725047
    Abstract: A heat exchanger comprises a cooling frame including first and second frame portions that releasably engage fin material. In one embodiment of the heat exchanger, first and second frame portions are movable with respect to each other. A fin module, which can include fragile or pliant fin material secured to a more robust strip of material, is positionable between the first and second frame portions. A tension device, such as a spring or a spacing controller, urges the frame portions together to bind the fin module between the frame portions. Releasing tension or urging the frame portions in an opposite direction releases the fin module. The fin module can also be retained within the cooling frame with one or more clips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Lytron Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert R. Lopez
  • Patent number: 5720186
    Abstract: A heat exchanger which, in one embodiment, includes an elongate tube having a plurality of straight tube segments and a plurality of bent tube segments to form a generally oval spiral configuration is described. The straight tube segments form opposite sides of the exchanger, and the straight tube segments are configured to be located substantially perpendicular to a direction of air flow. A space is formed between the exchanger opposite sides, and the cross-sectional area of the space between the exchanger opposite sides continuously decreases from a first end of the exchanger to a second end of the exchanger. An end straight tube segment substantially extends over, or substantially covers or closes, an opening between opposing tube segments at the exchanger second end. A plurality of heat exchange fins project outwardly from the elongate tube. Due to its general shape, the above described heat exchanger sometimes is referred to herein as a pyramid exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Paul Kenneth Brown, James Murel Wheatley
  • Patent number: 5704123
    Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly of the side-entry type includes at least one fin set and an elongated heat exchanger tube having a collapsed sidewall extending substantially the length of the tube which permits the bending of the elongated heat exchanger tube at the return bend portions and permits expansion of the elongated tube to engage the fin set. Method and apparatus for making the elongated heat exchanger tube having the collapsed sidewall substantially extending the length of the tube as well as methods of making heat exchanger assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Peerless of America, Incorporated
    Inventors: Roger Paulman, A. Todd McKay
  • Patent number: 5699675
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to settle an unbalanced refrigerant flow in a heat exchanger thereby to improve a heat exchanging efficiency. In a heat exchanger having a refrigerant conduit provided through a plurality of fins, the refrigerant conduit is divided into a plurality of sets, each consisting of a plurality of parallel conduits, and parallel conduits of a set are put in communication with each other at ends thereof and in communication, through a single passage, with ends of parallel conduits of another set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshitake Nagai, Yonezo Ikumi, Takahide Kakinuma, Norio Sawada, Koji Sato, Masato Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5697546
    Abstract: Heater coils usually intended primarily for the handling of low pressure heating fluid such as hot water from an engine cooling system are converted to use with elevated pressure hydraulic fluid by tying the inlet and outlet of said coil together with a sturdy structural frame, usually in the form of a plate provided with threaded fittings on one side for connection to hydraulic lines and having the ends of the tubing secured by brazing or other hot metal fusion welding to the rear of the reinforcing plate in alignment with the orifices through the plate. The plate also serves as a safety shield in case of failure of the radiator coils or connections and can also be advantageously applied to radiator coils formed especially for hydraulic heating coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Inventor: Albert Brian Cicioni
  • Patent number: 5682944
    Abstract: A refrigerant condenser is set so that, if its condensation distance is L, the equivalent diameter of a tube having a linearly configured passage for the purpose of heat exchange is de (each dimension being in units of mm), and the number of times the direction change of the linearly configured passage for the purpose of heat exchange change is N, with de.ltoreq.1.15 and the relationship L=(N+1)W=400+1,180 de to 700+1,180 de satisfied, a high heat exchange efficiency is achieved. In this refrigerant condenser, it is possible to use a single long winding tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michiyasu Yamamoto, Ken Yamamoto, Ryouichi Sanada
  • Patent number: 5664555
    Abstract: A forced air, wall heater includes a heat exchanger which has a plurality of tubes. Each of the tubes include substantially parallel aligned runs and at least one return section between adjacent runs. The return section is aligned generally perpendicular with each of the plurality of runs. The heater also includes a blower positioned for blowing air directly toward the return section to maximize the mass flow rate of air over the return section. At least two of the runs are offset both laterally and in the direction of air flow with respect to each other. The ordering of tubes differs in at least two positions within the exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Empire Comfort Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lloyd R. Maschhoff, Thomas D. Vaughn
  • Patent number: 5613554
    Abstract: A contoured A-coil heat exchanger is provided which enhances cooling capacity of the heat exchanger by increasing the volume rate of airflow therethrough. The two slabs of the A-coil each have discrete upper and lower sections, with the upper section of each slab having a greater number of rows of tubes than the lower section thereof, so that the lower section of each slab is narrower than the corresponding upper section. Therefore, the condensate collecting channel of a drain pan used with the heat exchanger can be made commensurately narrower because the channel need only be wide enough to accommodate the lower sections with fewer tube rows than the upper sections. The narrower channel allows the area of the drain pan central opening to be larger for a given size drain pan, thereby increasing the volume rate of airflow through the central opening and through the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Heatcraft Inc.
    Inventors: George B. Bull, James E. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 5540276
    Abstract: A heat exchanger of the finned tube type in which the tubing is formed in a single, continuous length which is bent into a zigzagged or serpentine shape and then inserted through elongated slots formed in a series of fin plates. The invention provides for the production of heat exchangers in which the spacing between tube passes through the heat exchanger, and so the flow pattern of the refrigerant, may be varied to meet the design considerations of the particular heat exchanger application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Brazeway, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael B. Adams, Milan Virsik
  • Patent number: RE35742
    Abstract: A condenser apparatus includes a pair of headers provided in parallel with each other; a plurality of tubular elements whose opposite ends are connected to the headers; and fins provided in the air paths between one tube and the next. Each of the headers is made of a cylindrical pipe of aluminum. At least one of the headers is internally divided by a partition into at least two groups of coolant passageways, thus enabling the flow of coolant to make at least one U-turn in the header. The partition extends into the header through a slit in the header. Each of the tubular elements is made of a flat hollow tube of aluminum. The opposite ends of the tubular elements are inserted into slits produced in the headers so that they are liquid-tightly secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Showa Aluminum Corporation
    Inventors: Ryoichi Hoshino, Hironaka Sasaki, Takayuki Yastuake