EP0701680B1 - Grooved tubes for heat exchangers used in air conditioning and cooling apparatuses, and corresponding exchangers - Google Patents

Abstract

Tube (1) internally grooved by helicoidal ribs (2) having a helix angle of 5 to 50°, an apex angle (alpha) of 30 to 60°. The tube is characterized in that the ribs (2) form a periodic profile comprising at least two ribs of different heights, one designated high (2h) of a height Hh, and the other designated low (2b) of a height Hb, with a ratio Hb/Hh of 0.40 to 0.97, each high rib being bordered by a flat-bottomed groove (3).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of tubes used to manufacture heat exchangers for air conditioning and refrigeration equipment or for any other heating or cooling application, tubes contributing to ensuring the heat exchange between a fluid circulating in these tubes and the atmosphere circulating in said exchangers.
The invention also relates to said exchangers, which generally comprise an assembly of copper, aluminum or steel tubes, generally in pins (straight portions + elbows), and of plates, called fins, in copper or aluminum, in thermal contact with said tubes. and generally perpendicular to said straight portions of the tubes and offering a large exchange surface with said atmosphere.

PRIOR ART

There are already numerous variations of tubes, generally of copper tubes and copper alloys, and of means for improving the heat exchanges between the fluid circulating in the tube and the outside atmosphere.

• rainures spiralées avec un angle d'hélice, par rapport à l'axe du tube compris entre 16° et 35°,
• rainures dont la profondeur est comprise entre 0,1 et 0,6 mm,
• rainures dont le pas est compris entre 0,2 et 0,6 mm,
• rainures à section en "V" d'angle compris entre 50° et 100°. Les figures 2 et 6 de ce brevet illustrent respectivement un échangeur et une portion de profil de tube selon une coupe perpendiculaire à l'axe du tube montrant des rainures en "V" séparées par des nervures en "V" de même angle, dit angle d'apex (alpha).

By way of illustration of these variants, mention may be made of US-A-4,480,684 as well as European applications EP-A-148,609 and EP-A-0 518 312 which describe internally grooved tubes.
In US-A-4 480 684, the grooves are characterized by the combination of the following means:

• spiral grooves with a helix angle, relative to the axis of the tube between 16 ° and 35 °,
• grooves whose depth is between 0.1 and 0.6 mm,
• grooves whose pitch is between 0.2 and 0.6 mm,
• "V" section grooves with an angle between 50 ° and 100 °. Figures 2 and 6 of this patent respectively illustrate a heat exchanger and a tube profile portion in a section perpendicular to the axis of the tube showing "V" grooves separated by "V" ribs of the same angle, called angle apex (alpha).

• le rapport de la profondeur H de ces rainures - ou la hauteur H des nervures - au diamètre intérieur Di du tube est compris entre 0,02 et 0,03,
• l'angle d'hélice de ces rainures est compris entre 7° et 30°,
• le rapport de section transversale S de la rainure par rapport à la profondeur H est compris entre 0,15 et 0,40 mm,
• l'angle d'apex d'une nervure est compris entre 30° et 60°.

European application EP-A-148 609 also describes grooved tubes, the helical grooves of which are of trapezoidal section and the ribs of triangular section, tubes characterized by the combination of the following means:

• the ratio of the depth H of these grooves - or the height H of the ribs - to the internal diameter Di of the tube is between 0.02 and 0.03,
• the helix angle of these grooves is between 7 ° and 30 °,
• the cross-sectional ratio S of the groove relative to the depth H is between 0.15 and 0.40 mm,
• the apex angle of a rib is between 30 ° and 60 °.

Finally, application EP-A-0 518 312 describes a tube as defined in the preamble of claim 1.

PROBLEM

A person skilled in the art has long known the advantage of grooved tubes for increasing the heat exchange between the fluid which circulates inside the tube and the tube itself.
Those skilled in the art know that, for a typical copper tube of 9.52 mm outside diameter, it is preferable to have helical ribs / grooves (helix angle between 10 and 30 °), in number sufficient (from 45 to 65).
However, if these characteristics seem to emerge from an analysis of the prior art by a person skilled in the art, on the other hand, for many other characteristics relating to the precise shape of the ribs and grooves, the prior art does not offer a united image, a homogeneous teaching, towards which the skilled person could go to get suddenly on an exchanger tube with high performance.

Furthermore, in the context of its work to develop compact batteries with improved thermal contact between tubes and fins, the applicant has used means, known in themselves, for bending the grooved tubes of the prior art and for crimp them to the fins, typically using a mandrel circulating inside the tube, so as to cause a slight expansion of the tube against the edge of the orifices of the fins and thus obtain an excellent thermal contact without using expensive welding or soldering techniques.
The Applicant has observed, by examining sections of crimped tubes (standard tube with 60 "V" ribs), crushing of the ribs, which results in a significant reduction in the depth H and in the section S of the groove. : before crimping after crimping H 0.20 mm 0.13mm S 0.060 mm ² 0.024 mm ² (- 60%)

With regard to the heat exchange between the fluid circulating in the tube and the tube itself, the comparative measurements carried out on portions of tubes, before and after crimping, confirmed the deterioration in performance after crimping, due to the decrease 60% of section S.

Thus, the Applicant has come to the conclusion, according to which considering and optimizing the performance of a tube in itself would not be of much use, if one did not also take into account the deformations of the ribs / grooves likely to occur during assembly of tubes and fins.
The Applicant has therefore sought an optimized groove / rib profile taking into account the crimping, and therefore making it possible to limit the harmful effects of the crimping, crimping which has also beneficial effects on the heat exchange between the tube and the fins, and which constitutes an economical assembly technique.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The tube, first object of the invention, intended for the manufacture of heat exchangers by crimping said tube with fins, with an external diameter De of between 3 and 30 mm, is grooved internally by n helical ribs, with n between 35 and 90, helix angle between 5 and 50 °, apex angle (alpha) between 30 and 60 °, and is characterized in that said ribs form a periodic profile comprising at least two ribs , of different height, one called "high" of height Hh, and the other called "low" of height Hb, with an Hb / Hh ratio of between 0.40 and 0.97, each "high" rib being between two flat bottom grooves.

We call the periodic profile the succession of ribs and fins which is reproduced regularly with each step p.

The tests carried out by the applicant have shown that an Hb / Hh ratio, even only slightly less than 1, is already sufficient to obtain a significant effect. However, preferably, this Hb / Hh ratio is between 0.6 and 0.95, the heat exchange capacity of the tube after crimping the fins decreasing outside these limits, and decreasing even more outside the limits 0, 40-0.97.

The solution found comprises, generically, two essential means constituted, on the one hand, by a periodic profile comprising at least two ribs of different height (Hh and Hb), and on the other hand, by the fact that each rib " high "is between two flat bottom grooves having a cross section of area S.

These two elements are essential for the invention, in order to obtain, after crimping the grooved tubes and the fins, tubes whose grooves with a flat bottom have a cross section of area S ′ <S, but of sufficient value to obtain a heat exchange. effective.

Unexpectedly, the applicant observed that the periodic profile according to the invention was favorable with regard to the heat exchange performance after assembly of the tubes (straight and bent parts) and the fins by crimping.
Indeed, the fact of differentiating the ribs by their height, which results in giving them different functions during crimping (the "high" ribs have a "protective" or "sacrificial" function, the "low" ribs being "protected"") did not suggest the results obtained according to the invention.

Thus, the Applicant was not satisfied with optimizing the internal configuration of the tubes considered in themselves by their heat exchange properties (in evaporation or in condensation), it took into consideration both the manufacture of the tubes themselves, as well as that of the corresponding exchangers by assembling tubes and fins using a crimping mandrel. It is in this context that the invention constitutes an effective solution to the problem posed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figures 1a and 1b show a cross section of a grooved tube (1) of the prior art, section perpendicular to the axis of the tube, the clear part of the photo on a black background corresponding to the tube.
In FIG. 1a, the tube (1) has ribs (2) of triangular section and apex angle close to 90 °, forming between them grooves of substantially section triangular.
In FIG. 1b, the ribs (2), of substantially triangular section and with apex angle close to 50 °, form between them grooves of trapezoidal section.

Figure 2 relates to the prior art and corresponds to Figure 1b, after crimping a tube in the fins during the assembly of a battery, with ribs (20) flattened and deformed, the clear part of the photo on a black background corresponding to the tube.

FIG. 3a represents a cross-sectional portion of a grooved tube (1) according to the invention, section perpendicular to the axis of the tube, the light part of the photo on a black background corresponding to the tube. It is formed by an alternation of "high" ribs (2h) and "low" ribs (2b).
Figure 3b is the diagram corresponding to photo 3a, on which are identified the two types of ribs (2h and 2b) of respective height Hh and Hb, the grooves (3) of section having an area S, the outside diameter De and the thickness Ep of the tube (thickness at the bottom of the groove).
The pitch p of said periodic profile indicated by the succession has been indicated: "high" rib (2h) / flat bottom groove (3) / "low" rib (2b) / flat bottom groove (3) / etc ...
This profile can be symbolized by "h / b" where h denotes a "high" rib and b denotes a "low" rib, if the description is limited to the ribs.

Figures 4a and 4b correspond to Figures 3a and 3b, but after crimping the fins and the tube. The rib (2h) (before crimping) has become, after crimping), the trapezoidal rib (20h) of height Hh ', with Hh'<Hh and similarly, the referenced rib (20b) corresponds to the initial rib (2b) , the crimping having practically not altered it (Hb '= Hb).
There is shown in Figure 4b, the new groove (30) whose section has an area S '<S.

Figures 5a to 5c, similar to Figure 4b, show different methods of the invention. The same figures show the profile of the ribs (2h) and (2b) before crimping (in thick line) and the profile of the ribs (20h) and (20b) after crimping (in thin line) with the widths at mid corresponding height Lh and Lb, as well as the areas S and S 'of the sections of the grooves (3) and (30), respectively before and after crimping.
In FIG. 5a, the rib (2h) is trapezoidal, and after crimping, H'h>H'b with H'b = Hb.
In FIG. 5b, the rib (2h) (apex angle of 50 °) is triangular, the rib (2b) (apex angle 30 °) also. After crimping, H'h is close to H'b, with H'b = Hb.
In FIG. 5c, the ribs (2h) and (2b) are triangular. After crimping, H'h is close to H'b and H'b <Hb.

Figures 6a and 6b show, in section along the axis of the grooved tube (1), the crimping of fins (4) using a mandrel (5), respectively before the start of crimping and during crimping.

Figures 7a and 7b schematically represent different profiles according to the invention.
These figures represent a h / b / b type profile, with the conventions defined in FIG. 3b, with, between the two "low" ribs (2b), a trapezoidal groove with a flat bottom in the case of FIG. 7a, and a triangular rib in the case of FIG. 7b. In all cases, each "high" rib (2h) is between two flat bottom grooves (3).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Preferably, said periodic profile comprises the alternation, symbolized by h / b of a "high" rib (2h) and of a "low rib (2b), as shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, or the succession, symbolized by h / b / b, of a "high" rib and two "low" ribs, as shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b.

Among the h / b and h / b / b profiles, the h / b profile is preferred, with alternating "high" (2h) and "low" (2b) ribs, which form grooves (3) between them. flat bottom.

The invention applies to tubes of very different outside diameters from 3 to 30 mm. The height Hh of the "high" ribs will vary with De, but not necessarily proportionally.

In general, to maintain the optimum efficiency of the grooved tubes after crimping, the Hh / De ratio must be between 0.003 and 0.05, and preferably between 0.015 and 0.04.

According to a modality of the invention, said "high" rib (2h) has a substantially triangular section of height Hh. As illustrated in FIGS. 3a and 3b, the expression “substantially triangular section” is understood to mean a section whose apex angle is relatively rounded as shown in particular in FIG. 3a which corresponds to a cross section of a real tube (the one described in l 'example) obtained from a photograph.

According to another embodiment, said "high" rib (2h) has a substantially trapezoidal section of height Hh, as shown in FIG. 5a.

• * une hauteur Hb comprise entre 0,10 et 0,20 mm,
• * une hauteur Hh comprise entre 0,20 et 0,30 mm,
• * un fond plat (sensiblement plat, compte non tenu de la courbure du tube) de longueur comprise entre 0,10 et 0,20 mm, le pas (pas = somme de la longueur du fond plat, plus la demi-base de la nervure "haute", plus la demi-base de la nervure "basse") étant généralement compris entre 0,40 et 0,50 mm pour un tube standard de diamètre intérieur (à fond de rainure) de l'ordre de 8,8 mm.

Dans le cas d'un tube de plus petit diamètre (7 mm par exemple), les hauteurs Hb et Hh, la hauteur Hh en particulier, seraient diminuées (voir les exemples 5 et 6).
En ce qui concerne l'aire S, sa limite inférieure résulte de la nécessité d'avoir un échange thermique suffisamment élevé entre le fluide circulant à l'intérieur du tube et l'atmosphère extérieure.
Par contre, la limite supérieure de l'aire S résulte d'abord de considérations d'ordre géométrique, compte tenu des dimensions habituelles des tubes et du nombre n de nervures (2h, 2b).Preferably, said “low” rib (2b) has a substantially triangular section of height Hb, as can be seen in FIGS. 3a and 3b, and for which the previous remark concerning the interpretation of the expression “substantially triangular "also applies.
It is advantageous, according to the invention, to choose tubes whose said grooves (3) with flat bottom, non-trapezoidal (because Hh> Hb), have a section of area S of between 0.020 and 0.15 mm ² , and preferably of between 0.060 and 0.15 mm ² in the case of a tube with an outside diameter De greater than or equal to 7 , 93 mm, and preferably between 0.020 and 0.070 mm ² in the case of a tube with an outside diameter of less than 7.93 mm.
These values are typically obtained for:

• * a height Hb of between 0.10 and 0.20 mm,
• * a height Hh of between 0.20 and 0.30 mm,
• * a flat bottom (substantially flat, without taking into account the curvature of the tube) of length between 0.10 and 0.20 mm, the pitch (pitch = sum of the length of the flat bottom, plus the half-base of the "high" rib, plus the half-base of the "low" rib) generally being between 0.40 and 0.50 mm for a standard tube of internal diameter (at the bottom of the groove) of the order of 8.8 mm.

In the case of a tube of smaller diameter (7 mm for example), the heights Hb and Hh, the height Hh in particular, would be reduced (see examples 5 and 6).
As far as area S is concerned, its lower limit results from the need to have a sufficiently high heat exchange between the fluid circulating inside the tube and the outside atmosphere.
On the other hand, the upper limit of the area S results first of all from geometrical considerations, taking into account the usual dimensions of the tubes and the number n of ribs (2h, 2b).

A second object of the invention is the heat exchanger formed by crimping fins and grooved tubes according to any one of claims 1 to 9 in which, following the passage of a crimping mandrel inside said tubes for assembling, thanks to an expansion of the tubes under the action of the mandrel, said fins and said tubes, the ribs form a periodic profile comprising at least two ribs of different width, one, called "wide" (20h) , with a trapezoidal section and a high half-width Lh, the other, called "narrow" (20b), with a triangular section or trapezoidal and with a width at mid-height Lb low, with a ratio (Lh-Lb) / Of at least equal to 0.003, the value of Lh-Lb being generally at least equal to 0.03 mm for a tube of outside diameter 9.52 mm.

FIGS. 5a to 5c show the profile of the ribs and grooves before and after crimping: the "high" rib (2h) before crimping becomes the rib (20h) of lesser height after crimping, on the other hand, the "low" rib (2b) becomes the rib (20b) after crimping - by designation symmetry - but it is in fact little modified by crimping (slightly flattened in Figure 5c, unchanged in Figures 5a and 5b).

In the particular case where said "low" groove (2b) has a relatively high height, or, which amounts to approximately the same, when Hh-Hb is low, then, after crimping, said "wide" rib and said "narrow rib" "have substantially the same height (H'h = H'b) and said area section S 'of said flat bottom grooves (30) is trapezoidal.

There is always a reduction in the area S of the section of the grooves (3), area S which becomes S '<S after crimping, but this reduction is limited thanks to the invention. Generally, the section S ′ of said flat bottom grooves (30) has an area between 0.015 and 0.060 mm ² , preferably between 0.35 and 0.60 for a tube of 9.52 mm outside diameter.

EXAMPLES

All the tubes described in the examples were manufactured by a process known per se, using an externally grooved floating mandrel (the grooves and ribs on the outer surface of the mandrel corresponding to the ribs and grooves to be obtained on the inner surface of the tubes) , method of the type described in US Pat. No. 4,373,366.

Examples 1, 3, 5, 6, 8 and 9 are according to the invention, with a tube profile according to Figures 3a / 3b, Examples 2, 4 and 7 being comparative examples according to the prior art.

The tubes of all the examples were made of copper (Cub1-DHP), in accordance with standard NFA 51123 (= ASTM B68 and 280).

EXAMPLES 1 and 2

Internally grooved tubes with an outside diameter De of 9.52 mm and thickness Ep with a groove bottom of 0.30 mm were manufactured. OTHER CHARACTERISTICS EXAMPLE 1 EXAMPLE 2 manufactured tubes (invention) (prior art) Rib height (high rib for example 1) 0.23mm 0.20 mm Height of adjacent rib (low rib for example 1) 0.16mm 0.20 mm Rib apex angle (alpha) 40 ° 50 ° Helix angle (beta) 18 ° 18 ° Number n of ribs 60 60 Area S of a groove section 0.070 mm ² 0.060 mm ²

These types of tubes were then assembled with fins by crimping using a mandrel as shown in Figures 6a and 6b.

Samples of crimped tubes were taken to examine the geometric characteristics of the interior ribs and grooves: CHARACTERISTICS EXAMPLE 1 EXAMPLE 2 after crimping (invention) (prior art) Rib height 0.20 mm 0.13mm ("high"(H'h) for ex. 1) Height of adjacent rib 0.16mm 0.13mm ("low"(H'b) for ex. 1) Rib width at mid-height 0.096 mm 0.25mm Lh (rib 20h for ex. 1) Rib width adjacent to mid-height 0.048 mm 0.25mm Lb (rib 20b for ex. 1) Area S 'of a groove section 0.042 mm ² 0.024 mm ²

Finally, a comparative evaluation of the performance of the tubes of Examples 1 and 2 was carried out, before and after crimping, by measuring the average exchange coefficient (W / m ² .K) in condensation (vapor content = 50% and saturation temperature = 30 ° C), and on evaporation (vapor titer = 30% and saturation temperature = 10 ° C) of a standard chlorofluorocarbon refrigerant (Freon R22 (R)) at a mass speed of 160 kg / m ² .s.

The following values were found: in evaporation in condensation Tube before crimping * according to example 1 9500 W / m ² .K 9400 W / m ² .K * according to example 2 8500 W / m ² .K 9600 W / m ² .K Tubes after crimping * according to example 1 5700 W / m ² .K 5640 W / m ² .K * according to example 2 3400 W / m ² .K 3840 W / m ² .K

The comparison of these values shows that, if the tubes according to the invention are only close to slightly greater than a tube of the prior art taken as a control (respectively in condensation and in evaporation), on the other hand, after crimping, they are clearly superior to a tube of the prior art, whether in condensation or in evaporation, which illustrates all the advantage of the invention.

EXAMPLES 3 and 4

Internally grooved tubes with an outside diameter De of 7 mm and thickness Ep with a groove bottom of 0.25 mm were manufactured. OTHER CHARACTERISTICS EXAMPLE 3 EXAMPLE 4 manufactured tubes (invention) (prior art) Rib height (high rib for example 3) 0.18mm 0.18mm Height of adjacent rib (low rib for example 3) 0.15mm 0.18mm Rib apex angle (alpha) 40 ° 40 ° Helix angle (beta) 18 ° 18 ° Number n of ribs 44 50 Area S of a groove section 0.060 mm ² 0.053 mm ²

These types of tubes were then assembled with fins by crimping using a mandrel as shown in Figures 6a and 6b.

• avant sertissage : performances voisines des tubes selon les exemples 3 et 4.
• après sertissage : performances supérieures des tubes selon l'exemple 3 (invention) par rapport aux tubes selon l'exemple 4 (art antérieur).

These tubes were tested, before and after crimping the fins on the tubes, and the same variations in performance as those noted between the tubes of Example 1 and of Example 2 were observed:

• before crimping: performances close to the tubes according to examples 3 and 4.
• after crimping: superior performance of the tubes according to Example 3 (invention) compared to the tubes according to Example 4 (prior art).

As in the case of Examples 1 and 2, we observe, with the Examples 3 and 4, that the drop in performance resulting from the crimping of the fins on the tubes is less with tubes according to the invention.

EXAMPLES 5, 6 and 7

For examples 5 and 7, internally grooved tubes with an outside diameter De of 9.52 mm and thickness Ep with a groove bottom of 0.30 mm were manufactured.

For example 6, internally grooved tubes with an outside diameter De of 7.93 mm and thickness Ep with a groove bottom of 0.30 mm were manufactured. OTHER CHARACTERISTICS EXAMPLE 5 EXAMPLE 6 EXAMPLE 7 manufactured tubes (invention) (invention) (prior art Rib height (high rib for examples 5 & 6) 0.23mm 0.18mm 0.20 mm Height of adjacent rib (low rib for ex. 5 & 6) 0.16mm 0.15mm 0.20 mm Rib apex angle (alpha) 40 ° 40 ° 40 ° Helix angle (beta) 18 ° 18 ° 18 ° Number n of ribs 54 46 60 Area S (groove section) 0.075 0.061 0.062

Pressure losses (or pressure drops) were measured before and after crimping for a freon flow rate of 110 kg / m ² .s and a mass vapor title of between 10 and 60%. It was found that the pressure drop of the tubes of Examples 5 and 6 according to the invention was, before crimping, less than 15% than that of the tube of Example 7, and, after crimping, less than 13% than that of example 7 tube.

EXAMPLES 8, 9 and 10

Internally grooved tubes were manufactured with an external diameter De of 12.70 mm and thickness Ep at the bottom of the groove 0.36 mm. OTHER CHARACTERISTICS EXAMPLE 8 EXAMPLE 9 EXAMPLE 10 manufactured tubes (invention) (invention) (excluding invention) Rib height (high rib for examples 5 & 6) 0.25mm 0.25mm 0.25mm Height of adjacent rib (low rib for ex. 5 & 6) 0.22mm 0.22mm 0.25mm Rib apex angle (alpha) 50 ° 50 ° 50 ° Helix angle (beta) 18 ° 30 ° 0 ° Number n of ribs 65 65 65 Area S (groove section) 0.089 0.089 0.082

The heat exchange coefficients (W / m ² .K) were carried out as a function of the beta helix angle (18 ° for the test tube 8, 30 ° for the test tube 9 and 0 ° for the test tube 10) of tubes after crimping.
The measurements were carried out in condensation for different values of freon flow rate R22.

Results = value of the heat exchange coefficient in W / m ² .K) Freon flow rate in kg / s Example 8 Example 9 Example 10 0.08 2000 3450 1750 0.10 2700 4300 2150 0.12 3500 4950 2500 0.14 4500 5600 3000 0.16 5000 6400 3500 0.18 5800 7300 4000 0.20 6550 8000 4450

These tests, as well as others carried out with a helix angle greater than 30 °, have shown that, if one wanted to favor the heat exchange coefficient, it was desirable to choose a helix angle at least equal at 30 °, and preferably between 30 and 50 °, the manufacturing speed tending to decrease as a higher helix angle is chosen.
On the other hand, if you want to favor the speed of production, it is preferable to choose a helix angle ranging from 5 to 30 °.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The essential advantage of the invention is therefore to limit the decrease in performance (in particular the exchange coefficient) during the assembly of the tubes and the fins, by crimping, in order to manufacture a heat exchanger.
Thanks to the invention, thanks to the concept of the periodic profile with at least two ribs of different height, one of which "is sacrificed" during crimping to "protect" the lower rib (s), it is therefore possible to use an economical and efficient assembly process while retaining a high exchange capacity for the tube itself.

Furthermore, since the production of tubes according to the invention does not require any means other than the usual means for producing standard grooved tubes, the tube according to the invention therefore does not cost more than a tube according to the prior art .

The grooved tubes according to the invention also have the advantage of being particularly suitable for the manufacture of heat exchangers with crimped fins, without losing their effectiveness compared to the grooved tubes of the prior art in applications which do '' Alter little or no grooves of the starting tubes, for example in exchangers with welded or brazed fins.

It is important to note in particular the very positive effect of the invention on the pressure drop, as shown in Examples 5, 6 and 7.
A clear reduction in the diameter of the tube (outside diameter = 9.52 mm for the tubes of Example 5 and 7.93 mm for the tubes of Example 6) did not lead to a significant increase in the loss of load, contrary to what occurs with the tubes of the prior art.
Furthermore, the reduction in pressure drop observed with the tubes according to the invention compared with the tubes of the prior art, is of great practical interest in reducing the cost, the bulk and the weight of the compressor used in the refrigeration circuit.

Claims (13)

1. A tube (1), intended for manufacturing a heat exchanger by crimping vanes (4) on said tube (1), having an external diameter De of between 3 and 30 mm, being grooved internally with n helical ribs (2), where n is between 35 and 90, with a helix angle of between 5 and 50°, with an apex angle (alpha) of between 30 and 60°, characterised in that said ribs (2) form a periodic profile comprising at least two ribs of different height, the one known as the "tall" rib (2h) being of a height Hh, and the other one known as the "low" rib (2b) being of a height Hb, with a Hb/Hh ratio of between 0.40 and 0.97, each "tall" rib (2h) being disposed between two flat-bottomed grooves (3).
2. A tube according to Claim 1 wherein the Hb/Hh ratio is preferably between 0.6 and 0.95.
3. A tube according to any one of Claims 1 and 2 wherein said periodic profile comprises the alternation, symbolised by h/b, of a "tall" rib (2h) and a "low" rib (2b), or the succession, symbolised by h/b/b, of a "tall" rib and two "low" ribs.
4. A tube according to Claim 3 wherein said periodic profile is constituted by said alternation h/b of "tall" ribs (2h) and low ribs (2b) which form flat-bottomed grooves (3) between them.
5. A tube according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein said "tall" rib (2h) has a height Hh such that Hh/De is between 0.003 and 0.05, and is preferably between 0.015 and 0.04.
6. A tube according to Claim 5 wherein said "tall" rib (2h) is substantially triangular in section and is of a height Hh.
7. A tube according to Claim 5 wherein said "tall" rib (2h) is substantially trapezoidal in section and is of a height Hh.
8. A tube according to any one of Claims 1 to 7 wherein said "low" rib (2b) is substantially triangular in section and is of a height Hb.
9. A tube according to any one of Claims 1 to 6 wherein the section of said flat-bottomed grooves (3) is non-trapezoidal and has an area S of between 0.020 and 0.15 mm², preferably of between 0.060 and 0.15 mm² in the case of a tube of external diameter De which is at least equal to 7.93 mm.
10. A heat exchanger formed by crimping vanes and grooved tubes according to any one of Claims 1 to 9 wherein subsequent to a crimping mandrel passing through the inside of said tubes to assemble said vanes and said tubes, the ribs form a periodic profile comprising at least two ribs of different width, one known as the "wide" rib (20h) being trapezoidal in section and of large width Lh at mid-height, and the other known as the "narrow" rib (20b) being triangular or trapezoidal in section and of small width Lb at mid-height, with a (Lh-Lb)/De ratio which is at least equal to 0.003.
11. An exchanger according to Claim 10 wherein said periodic profile comprises the alternation, symbolised by l/e of one "wide" rib (20h) and one "narrow" rib (20b), or the succession, symbolised by l/e/e of one "wide" rib and two "narrow" ribs.
12. An exchanger according to Claim 11 wherein said "wide" rib (20h) and said "narrow" rib (20b) are substantially the same height (H'h = H'b) and wherein said flat-bottomed grooves (30) have a trapezoidal section of area S'.
13. An exchanger according to Claim 10 wherein the section of said flat-bottomed grooves (30) has an area S' of between 0.015 and 0.060 mm².

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