GB1596538A

GB1596538A - Heat exchangers having means for maintaining turbulence members within heat exchange tubes

Info

Publication number: GB1596538A
Application number: GB51698/77A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Chausson Usines SA
Current assignee: Chausson Usines SA
Priority date: 1977-01-20
Filing date: 1977-12-12
Publication date: 1981-08-26
Also published as: IT1091733B; BE861972A; ES233250Y; IT7819117A0; FR2378252B1; DE2755723A1; ES233250U; FR2378252A1; DE2755723C2

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO HEAT EXCHANGERS HAVING MEANS FOR MAINTAINING TURBULENCE MEMBERS WITHIN HEAT EXCHANGE TUBES (71) We, SOCIETE ANONYME DES USINES CHAUSSON, a company duly organised under the laws of France, of 35, rue Malakoff, Asnieres, Hauts de Seine, France, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- The present invention relates to heat exchangers and more especially to the heat exchangers comprising heat exchange tubes running into end plates, the tubes receiving turbulence members for improving the heat exchange between a fluid flowing in the tubes and the surrounding air. Generally, the end plates are covered by header boxes.

It is necessary in these types of heat exchangers to provide means for maintaining the turbulence members within the heat exchange tubes.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a heat exchanger comprising heat exchange tubes mounted at one end in sockets of flexible material secured to or forming part of an end plate of the heat exchanger thereby obtaining a tight connection between the end plate and the outer walls of the tubes, turbulence members within the tubes, and means for preventing end-wise movement of the turbulence members out of the tubes, characterised in that said means are situated at positions on or beyond the outwardly-facing surface of the end plate, are secured to or formed by the tubes, the sockets or the end plate, and are so arranged that they partially close paths having a cross-section corresponding to that of the tube bores and extending through the tube ends and the end plate.

Said means may comprise a portion of a reduced cross-section formed by the ends of the tubes themselves.

Alternatively, said means may comprise at least one protuberance or bar extending transversely across the edge of the tube ends at least at one position on the edge.

Embodiments of heat exchangers of the invention are shown by way of non-restrictive examples in the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a partial cross-sectional elevation showing one form of the means for maintaining the turbulence members in heat exchange tubes of a heat exchanger according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a partial cross-sectional elevation similar to Fig. 1 and illustrating another embodiment; Fig. 3 is a plan view taken along line 111-111 of Fig. 2; Figs. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional elevations similar to Fig. 2 showing a variant of the embodiment of Fig. 2 in two characteristic positions; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional elevation similar to Fig. 2 of another variant; Fig. 7 is a plan top view relating to Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a plan view of another variant; and Fig. 9 is a longitudinal cross-section taken along line IX-IX of Fig. 8.

Referring now to the drawings, 1 designates an end plate of a heat exchanger which comprises tubes 2 for the circulation of a fluid, the tubes 2 being of a round crosssection. The end plate 1 is relatively thick, for example several millimeters thick, and the tightness between this end plate and outer wall of each tube 2 is provided by profiled sockets 3 formed from a plate 4 made of a flexible material.

Each tube 2 is provided inside with a turbulence member 5 and, to prevent this member from going out of the tube, the tube ends 2a are slightly reduced in diameter as shown in Fig. 1 so that the mouthpiece or opening 2b of the tube is smaller than the turbulence member 5.

The reduced diameter portion 2a facili tates also introducing each tube 2 in the profiled socket 3.

In the example of Fig. 1, the plate 4 is represented below the end plate 1 but it could also be placed above said end plate.

Figs. 2 and 3 show a first variant according to which it is not necessary that the tubes 2 be of a reduced diameter at their ends to retain the turbulence members 5 contained therein.

In this embodiment, each profiled socket 3 formed from the plate 4 delimits at its free end boss 6 integral with a small bar 7 of a very small width which extends across the end of the corresponding tube 2.

Figs. 4 and 5 show a slight variant of the embodiment of Fig. 2. According to these figures, in order to facilitate placing the profiled sockets 3 in the end plate 1. these profiled sockets have an outer cylindrical surface of substantially uniform diameter over their whole height (apart from optional groove 9), but they are shaped inside to delimit a tapered wall 8 and the socket 3 comprises, as previously, at its free end, a small bar 7a which, when at rest as shown in Fig. 4, is substantially U-shaped.

When the tubes 2 are introduced, as illustrated in Fig. 4, in the direction of the arrow f, to progressively occupy the position illustrated in Fig. 5, the socket 3, besides being applied against the wall of the end plate 1, is caused to enlarge above said end plate to form a rim 6a similar to that of Fig.

2, so that the bar 7a is slightly stretched and/or slightly bent and partially closes the entry to the mouthpiece or opening of the tube.

To facilitate enlargement of the socket, it is advantageous that the socket has a groove 9 at the upper wall of the end plate 1.

Figs. 6 and 7 show another variant according to the invention which is more particularly intended to be carried into effect with metal end plates la of a small thickness, which form collars 10 to delimit the tube passages.

In this embodiment, the profiled sockets 3 are formed as described above from the plate 4 made of a flexible material and which extends on the top of the end plate la. The plate 4 is formed, opposite each socket 3, with two studs 11 between which the small bar 7 extends. The studs 11 could be alternatively constituted by ring-shaped elements similar to the sockets 3.

Figs. X and 9 show another variant according to which the plate 4, made of a flexible material and formed with the profiled sockets 3. is provided from place to place with sets of two lingers 12 aligned with each row of tubes 2. When the tubes are positioned, a continuous bar 13 of small cross-section is locked between the various sets of fingers 12. The length of the bars 13 is, for example, slightly less than the distance between the end walls 14 of a header box 15 which afterwards covers the end plate 1. The fingers 12 are advantageously shaped to delimit a housing for the locking of the bars 13, for example, they can be shaped like spools to have a groove or they may delimit a staple.

The invention is not restricted to the embodiments shown and described in detail for various modifications can be applied thereto without departing from its scope as defined in the appended claims. Especially, the bridging bars 7 formed by the profiled sockets 3 can be replaced by short elements protruding above the mouthpiece of the tubes 2 to form abutments preventing the sliding of the turbulence members 5 without impeding the passage of the fluid which has to circulate in the tubes.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A heat exchanger comprising heat exchange tubes mounted at one end in sockets of flexible material secured to or forming part of an end plate of the heat exchanger thereby obtaining a tight connection between the end plate and the outer walls of the tubes, turbulence members within the tubes, and means for preventing endwise movement of the turbulence members out of the tubes, characterized in that said means are situated at positions on or beyond the outwardly-facing surface of the end plate, are secured to or formed by the tubes, the sockets or the end plate, and are so arranged that they partially close paths having a cross-section corresponding to that of the tube bores and extending through the tube ends and the end plate.

2. A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that said means comprise a portion of a reduced cross-section formed by the ends of the tubes themselves.

3. A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that said means comprise at least one protuberance or bar extending transversely across the edge of the tube ends at least at one position on the edge.

4. A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 1 or claim 3, characterized in that said sockets have bosses on the outwardly-facing surface of the end plate and said means are formed by or secured to the bosses.

5. A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 4, characterized in that said bosses have the shape of a flange and support a bar, comprising said means, extending substantially along a diameter of said flange.

6. A heat exchanger as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said sockets have a tapered inner wall.

7. A heat exchanger as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the sockets are formed from a moulded plate made of a flexible material.

8. A heat exchanger as set forth in claim

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. tates also introducing each tube 2 in the profiled socket 3. In the example of Fig. 1, the plate 4 is represented below the end plate 1 but it could also be placed above said end plate. Figs. 2 and 3 show a first variant according to which it is not necessary that the tubes 2 be of a reduced diameter at their ends to retain the turbulence members 5 contained therein. In this embodiment, each profiled socket 3 formed from the plate 4 delimits at its free end boss 6 integral with a small bar 7 of a very small width which extends across the end of the corresponding tube 2. Figs. 4 and 5 show a slight variant of the embodiment of Fig. 2. According to these figures, in order to facilitate placing the profiled sockets 3 in the end plate 1. these profiled sockets have an outer cylindrical surface of substantially uniform diameter over their whole height (apart from optional groove 9), but they are shaped inside to delimit a tapered wall 8 and the socket 3 comprises, as previously, at its free end, a small bar 7a which, when at rest as shown in Fig. 4, is substantially U-shaped. When the tubes 2 are introduced, as illustrated in Fig. 4, in the direction of the arrow f, to progressively occupy the position illustrated in Fig. 5, the socket 3, besides being applied against the wall of the end plate 1, is caused to enlarge above said end plate to form a rim 6a similar to that of Fig. 2, so that the bar 7a is slightly stretched and/or slightly bent and partially closes the entry to the mouthpiece or opening of the tube. To facilitate enlargement of the socket, it is advantageous that the socket has a groove 9 at the upper wall of the end plate 1. Figs. 6 and 7 show another variant according to the invention which is more particularly intended to be carried into effect with metal end plates la of a small thickness, which form collars 10 to delimit the tube passages. In this embodiment, the profiled sockets 3 are formed as described above from the plate 4 made of a flexible material and which extends on the top of the end plate la. The plate 4 is formed, opposite each socket 3, with two studs 11 between which the small bar 7 extends. The studs 11 could be alternatively constituted by ring-shaped elements similar to the sockets 3. Figs. X and 9 show another variant according to which the plate 4, made of a flexible material and formed with the profiled sockets 3. is provided from place to place with sets of two lingers 12 aligned with each row of tubes 2. When the tubes are positioned, a continuous bar 13 of small cross-section is locked between the various sets of fingers 12. The length of the bars 13 is, for example, slightly less than the distance between the end walls 14 of a header box 15 which afterwards covers the end plate 1. The fingers 12 are advantageously shaped to delimit a housing for the locking of the bars 13, for example, they can be shaped like spools to have a groove or they may delimit a staple. The invention is not restricted to the embodiments shown and described in detail for various modifications can be applied thereto without departing from its scope as defined in the appended claims. Especially, the bridging bars 7 formed by the profiled sockets 3 can be replaced by short elements protruding above the mouthpiece of the tubes 2 to form abutments preventing the sliding of the turbulence members 5 without impeding the passage of the fluid which has to circulate in the tubes. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A heat exchanger comprising heat exchange tubes mounted at one end in sockets of flexible material secured to or forming part of an end plate of the heat exchanger thereby obtaining a tight connection between the end plate and the outer walls of the tubes, turbulence members within the tubes, and means for preventing endwise movement of the turbulence members out of the tubes, characterized in that said means are situated at positions on or beyond the outwardly-facing surface of the end plate, are secured to or formed by the tubes, the sockets or the end plate, and are so arranged that they partially close paths having a cross-section corresponding to that of the tube bores and extending through the tube ends and the end plate.

8. A heat exchanger as set forth in claim

7, characterized in that said sockets extend from the inwardly-facing surface of the moulded plate and said means comprise studs or rings protruding from the outwardly-facing surface of the moulded plate.

9. A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 8, characterized in that the studs are constituted by sets of fingers retaining a bar of a length only slightly smaller than the distance separating two opposite walls of a header box covering the end plate of the heat exchanger.

10. A heat exchanger including means for maintaining turbulence members within heat exchange tubes of the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger being substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.