GB2044911A

GB2044911A - Tubular heat exchanger element with internal baffle

Info

Publication number: GB2044911A
Application number: GB8008416A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: HIROSS INT CO
Current assignee: HIROSS INT CO
Priority date: 1979-03-23
Filing date: 1980-03-12
Publication date: 1980-10-22
Also published as: SE8002149L; FR2452080A1; DE3008930A1; IT7930668V0

Abstract

A tubular element (1) for heat exchangers comprises, internally, a pair of adjoining longitudinally extending strips (2) having a plurality of diverging fins (5) resiliently adhering to the inner wall of the tubular element (1) and effective to provide a tortuous flow path for the fluid circulated through the tubular element. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Tubular element for heat exchangers, particularly for cooling oil or high viscosity liquids This invention relates to a tubular element for heat exchangers, particularly for cooling oil or high viscosity liquids.

The branch of the art which relates to the manufacture of tube elements for heat exchangers is a broad one and offers innumerable solutions.

However, none of these is, in the Applicant's opinion, completely satisfactory from both the standpoint of economics and operation, and it would appear desirable to make available a tube element for heat exchangers which, by virtue of its structural features, can be advantageously and widely employed in most of conventional heat exchangers.

Confronted with the above situation, this invention sets out to provide a tube element structure for heat exchangers which is highly efficient and of low cost.

Within that general aim, it is possible to arrange for the tubular element of this invention to be of simple construction and composed of a limited number of easily assemblable parts, and to afford for the circulating fluid a large specific heat transfer area and turbulent flow conditions.

According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided a tubular element, particularly for heat exchangers, characterized in that it is provided, internally and all along its longitudinal extension, with at least one diaphragm having a plurality of fins alternatively diverging in opposite directions from said at least one diaphragm and resilientiy adhering to the inner wall of said tubular element.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be more clearly understood by making reference to the following detailed description of a preferred, though not limitative, embodiment of it, as exemplarly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, where: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tube length from which two diaphragms according to the invention are arranged to protrude; Figure2 is a cross-sectional view of said tube; Figure 3 is a longitudinal section through said tube; Figure 4 is a plan view of one diaphragm, shown separately; and Figure 5 is a sectional view of Figure 4, taken along the line V-V.

With reference to the cited figures, the tubular element according to the invention comprises a tube 1, preferably of circular cross-section, which is formed from a material which is well adapted to the transfer of heat, e.g. copper, the tube containing two diaphragms 2, having a substantially longitudinal main extension, which are arranged side-by-side along a diameter of the tube cross-section.

Said diaphragms 2 are in the form of a continuous strip 4, through which fins 5 are die cut along a preferably curved open line, advantageously in the shape of a "C", which leaves the fins attached to the strip 4for a certain length.

Said fins 5 are then bent, in the embodiment shin, all in the same direction for each diaphragm 2, such that when said diaphragms 2 are inserted into the tube 1, said fins 5 are pressed elastically againstthewallsofthetube 1.

Thus, a considerable increase is achieved in the contact surface area between the fluid and metal part of the tube 1 and diaphragms 2, to provide thermal bridges 6 where the fins 5 touch the inner walls of the tube 1. In this manner, the fluid which flows through the tube transmits heat directly to the inner wall of the tube 1 as well as to the diaphragms 2, which in turn transmit the heat absorbed to the tube 1.

The shape of the fins 5, moreover, is such as to create considerably turbulent inner flow conditions for the fluid flowing through the tube 1, and this turbulence is effective to improve the conditions of heat exchange, particularly with viscous fluids such as oil.

The structure is extremely simple, and the diaphragms 2 shown are die cut under a press which will also bend the fins 5 outwardly, simultaneously.

After placing the two diaphragms 2 side-by-side such as to have the fins 5 to protrude from both sides, the diaphragms are inserted into the tube by pulling them from one end, which operation results in an elastic deformation of the fins, which will have one edge 7 curved to match the inside curvature of the tube, thereby a good contact is ensured between the fins 5 and tube 1.

It will be appreciated that this structure is very advantageous, since it provides for a considerable improvement of the thermal exchange rate, owing both to the increased exchange surface area and to the turbulent effect induced within the tube.

Obviously, the materials employed in this embodiment may be any ones, to suit individual requirements.

The dimensions and shapes of the fins may also be adjusted to suit the requirements of individual applications.

Furthermore, the internal arrangement is not limitative, in that the fins 5 of the two diaphragms may be arranged either symmetrically or in any other selected order.

1. A tubular element, particularly for heat exchangers, characterized in that it is provided, internally and all along its longitudinal extension, with at least one diaphragm having a plurality of fins alternatively diverging in opposite directions from said at least one diaphragm and resiliently adhering to the inner wall of said tubular element.

2. Atubular element according to Claim 1, characterized in that there is provided a pair of side-byside diaphragms and that said fins are die cut, directly and along an open line, from a strip forming the middle portion of each said diaphragm.

3. A tubular element according to Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that in everyone of said diaphragms, said fins are all divergent in the same direction.

4. A tubular element according to Claim 1, characterized in that said fins have rounded ends

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Tubular element for heat exchangers, particularly for cooling oil or high viscosity liquids This invention relates to a tubular element for heat exchangers, particularly for cooling oil or high viscosity liquids. The branch of the art which relates to the manufacture of tube elements for heat exchangers is a broad one and offers innumerable solutions. However, none of these is, in the Applicant's opinion, completely satisfactory from both the standpoint of economics and operation, and it would appear desirable to make available a tube element for heat exchangers which, by virtue of its structural features, can be advantageously and widely employed in most of conventional heat exchangers. Confronted with the above situation, this invention sets out to provide a tube element structure for heat exchangers which is highly efficient and of low cost. Within that general aim, it is possible to arrange for the tubular element of this invention to be of simple construction and composed of a limited number of easily assemblable parts, and to afford for the circulating fluid a large specific heat transfer area and turbulent flow conditions. According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided a tubular element, particularly for heat exchangers, characterized in that it is provided, internally and all along its longitudinal extension, with at least one diaphragm having a plurality of fins alternatively diverging in opposite directions from said at least one diaphragm and resilientiy adhering to the inner wall of said tubular element. Further features and advantages of the invention will be more clearly understood by making reference to the following detailed description of a preferred, though not limitative, embodiment of it, as exemplarly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, where: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tube length from which two diaphragms according to the invention are arranged to protrude; Figure2 is a cross-sectional view of said tube; Figure 3 is a longitudinal section through said tube; Figure 4 is a plan view of one diaphragm, shown separately; and Figure 5 is a sectional view of Figure 4, taken along the line V-V. With reference to the cited figures, the tubular element according to the invention comprises a tube 1, preferably of circular cross-section, which is formed from a material which is well adapted to the transfer of heat, e.g. copper, the tube containing two diaphragms 2, having a substantially longitudinal main extension, which are arranged side-by-side along a diameter of the tube cross-section. Said diaphragms 2 are in the form of a continuous strip 4, through which fins 5 are die cut along a preferably curved open line, advantageously in the shape of a "C", which leaves the fins attached to the strip 4for a certain length. Said fins 5 are then bent, in the embodiment shin, all in the same direction for each diaphragm 2, such that when said diaphragms 2 are inserted into the tube 1, said fins 5 are pressed elastically againstthewallsofthetube 1. Thus, a considerable increase is achieved in the contact surface area between the fluid and metal part of the tube 1 and diaphragms 2, to provide thermal bridges 6 where the fins 5 touch the inner walls of the tube 1. In this manner, the fluid which flows through the tube transmits heat directly to the inner wall of the tube 1 as well as to the diaphragms 2, which in turn transmit the heat absorbed to the tube 1. The shape of the fins 5, moreover, is such as to create considerably turbulent inner flow conditions for the fluid flowing through the tube 1, and this turbulence is effective to improve the conditions of heat exchange, particularly with viscous fluids such as oil. The structure is extremely simple, and the diaphragms 2 shown are die cut under a press which will also bend the fins 5 outwardly, simultaneously. After placing the two diaphragms 2 side-by-side such as to have the fins 5 to protrude from both sides, the diaphragms are inserted into the tube by pulling them from one end, which operation results in an elastic deformation of the fins, which will have one edge 7 curved to match the inside curvature of the tube, thereby a good contact is ensured between the fins 5 and tube 1. It will be appreciated that this structure is very advantageous, since it provides for a considerable improvement of the thermal exchange rate, owing both to the increased exchange surface area and to the turbulent effect induced within the tube. Obviously, the materials employed in this embodiment may be any ones, to suit individual requirements. The dimensions and shapes of the fins may also be adjusted to suit the requirements of individual applications. Furthermore, the internal arrangement is not limitative, in that the fins 5 of the two diaphragms may be arranged either symmetrically or in any other selected order. CLAIMS

4. A tubular element according to Claim 1, characterized in that said fins have rounded ends adapted to fit to the inner wall of said tubular element.

5. A tubular element according to Claim 1, characterized in that said fins are mutually arranged such as to create a tortuous path for the flow of the fluid being circulated through said tube.

6. A tubular element, particularly for heat ex changers, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

7. Any novel element, or combination of ele ments, herein described and/or shown in the accom panying drawing, irrespective of whether the pre sent claim is within the scope of, or relates to the same invention as, any of the preceding claims.