JP2013520637A - Heat exchanger fins, heat exchanger assemblies, and methods of using heat exchanger fins - Google Patents

Abstract

Blade heat exchanger fins, blade heat exchanger tube assemblies, and methods of using heat exchanger fins are provided.
A blade fin (10) includes a collar (12) and a radiating portion (20) extending radially from a central axis (14) of the collar (12). The radiating portion (20) is attached to the base region (22) adjacent to the collar (12), and a first set and a second set of radially extending from the base region (22). With blades (24, 26). Each blade (24, 26) has a span axis (32) that intersects the central axis (14) of the collar (12). Each of the first set of blades (24) is inclined about the span axis (32) and has radial edges (36) arranged axially spaced from each other, and the second set of blades (26) ) Are not inclined with respect to the span axis (32). The plurality of blades (24) constituting the first set are arranged between the plurality of blades (26) constituting the second set.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to heat exchangers, and more particularly to fins that are attached to a heat exchanger tube to facilitate heat transfer in the tube.

Heat exchangers are used in various industrial fields to transfer heat between various solids and fluids. For example, in the automobile industry, heat exchangers are used for air conditioning systems (condensers and evaporators), engine cooling systems (radiators), temperature control systems (heater cores), and the like. One of the structures of heat exchangers used for condensers and evaporators in the automobile industry is a structure including a plurality of parallel tubes connected between a pair of manifolds to form parallel flow paths. The ends of these tubes are typically formed in their respective manifolds by metallurgical techniques such as brazing, soldering, welding, etc. and are connected to tube ports generally in the form of holes or slots.

  Many heat exchangers to maximize the surface area through which heat is transferred between fluid (gas and / or liquid) flowing outside the heat exchanger tube and fluid (gas and / or liquid) flowing inside Then, the fin tube structure is adopted. In this structure, a large number of tubes are in thermal communication with fins having a large surface area. One of the fins having such a structure has a shape of a flat panel having a plurality of openings, and a plurality of parallel tubes are inserted into the openings of the flat panel. Another type of fin has a sinusoidal center shape, which is located between a pair of adjacent tubes. In either case, the resulting fin tube assembly is typically oriented with the fin edges facing the fluid, such as the atmosphere, flowing between the tubes. That is, the fins are oriented perpendicular to the axis of the tube to which they are attached.

  Alternatively, fins have been proposed that extend radially from a single heat exchanger tube. For example, there are a spiral fin that can be integrally formed on the outer surface of the tube, and a disk-shaped fin that is formed separately and then arranged outside the tube. Examples of disk shaped fins include US Pat. No. 4,538,677, US Pat. No. 5,337,807, US Pat. No. 5,617,916, US Pat. No. 6,234,245, US Pat. No. 7,418,848, US Pat. As is clear from these documents, the disk-shaped fin has various shapes such as a corrugated shape, a spiral shape, and a rib shape, and these shapes are formed in a fin having a continuous circular outer periphery. Some disk-shaped fins have a blade structure, and individual segments extend radially from the center axis of the disk. These segments are generally uniform in size and shape and are positioned so that they lie completely on the plane of the disk, or project from the plane of the disk, such as propellers and turbine blades. Is deformed.

US Patent No. 4,538,677 US Pat. No. 5,337,807 US Pat. No. 5,617,916 US Pat. No. 6,234,245 U.S. Pat. No. 7,418,848 U.S. Pat. No. 7,743,821

  The present invention relates to a blade heat exchanger fin, a heat exchanger tube assembly fitted with the blade heat exchanger fin, and a method of using the blade heat exchange fin for transferring thermal energy between fluids. I will provide a.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the blade heat exchanger fin includes a tube-shaped collar having a central axis, an inner surface and an outer surface, and a radiating portion extending radially from the central axis of the collar. The radiating portion includes a base region adjacent to the collar and a blade attached to the base region and extending in the radial direction. The base region forms a base plane that intersects the central axis of the collar. The blades form an annular array composed of a first set and a second set of blades. The annular array forms a discontinuous perimeter of blade heat exchange fins separated by a gap between the first and second sets of blades. Each of the first and second sets of blades has a span axis that intersects the central axis of the collar. Further, each of the first set of blades has a radial edge located on both sides axially spaced from each other by tilting about the span axis, and each of the second set of blades is It is not inclined with respect to the span axis and has radial edges located on both sides without being axially separated from each other. The plurality of blades constituting the first set are arranged between the plurality of blades constituting the second set.

  In a second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of the blade heat exchanger fins are attached to a heat exchanger tube to form a heat exchanger tube assembly. The collar of each blade heat exchanger fin is fitted on the outer surface of the heat exchanger tube. In addition, the heat exchanger tube assembly may include one or more non-blade heat exchanger fins that fit over the outer surface of the heat exchanger tube.

  Another aspect of the invention is a method of using the multiple heat exchanger fins to transfer thermal energy between fluids. In this method, the respective collars of the blade heat exchanger fins are fitted on the outer surface of the heat exchanger tube, and the blade heat exchanger fins are installed on the heat exchanger tube. Flowing a first fluid through an internal passage formed inside the tube and flowing a second fluid to pass between the blades of the blade heat exchanger fins on the heat exchanger tube; Have. Further, the heat exchanger tube assembly can be provided with one or more non-blade heat exchange fins that can be fitted on the outer surface of the heat exchanger tube, and a second fluid can flow around it. It is.

  The technical effects of the present invention include the use of the blade heat exchanger fins, whether they are used alone or in combination with one or more non-blade heat exchanger fins. Compared to other cooling fins, the heat transfer efficiency of the heat exchanger tube is significantly enhanced. In particular, by combining a plurality of blades that are inclined around the respective pitch axes and a plurality of blades that are not inclined, the effect of blocking the flow of fluid around the tube is not generated, and the effect around the heat exchanger tube is reduced. It can promote heat diffusion and enhance heat transfer. In addition, the combined use of bladed and non-bladed fins can increase the structural strength of the fins, but this effect is particularly noticeable when solid debris collides with heat exchanger tubes. This is useful when there is a possibility of damage by high pressure fluid.

FIG. 1 is a view of a blade-type disk-shaped fin according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the axial direction. FIG. 2 is a side view of the blade-type disk-shaped fin shown in FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the blade-type disk-shaped fin shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an axial view of a non-blade disk-shaped fin used in combination with the blade-type disk-shaped fin shown in FIGS. FIG. 5 is a side view of the non-blade disk-shaped fin shown in FIG. FIG. 6 shows a heat exchanger tube in which the blade-type disk-shaped fins shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and the non-blade-type disk-shaped fins shown in FIGS. 4 to 5 are alternately arranged to form a fin array. 6 is a fixing device that is used for assembling the blade-type disk-shaped fin shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and can be used for assembling the non-blade-type disk-shaped fin shown in FIGS. FIG.

  1 to 3 show a blade heat exchanger fin 10. The illustrated blade-type fin includes blades 24 and 26 that extend radially outward from the central axis and form the outer periphery 20 of the fin 10. The fin 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is generally disc-shaped and has a substantially circular outer periphery 28, and is also described as a disk-shaped fin. However, the outer periphery 28 of the fin 10 is not necessarily circular. Further, in FIGS. 1 to 3, the blade type fin 10 has a tube-like collar 12 that forms the central axis 14 of the fin 10. In the following description, the central axis 14 is a reference in the case of the axial direction, the radial direction, and the circumferential direction. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the collar 12 is cylindrical and forms a cylindrical inner surface 16 and an outer surface 18. However, the term “tubular” is not limited to a circular cross section, and includes other non-circular shapes such as a cross section having a straight line.

  The fin 10 has a radiating portion 20 that surrounds the collar 12 and extends radially from the central axis 14 of the collar 12. The base region 22 preferably forms or is disposed on a plane that intersects the central axis 14 of the collar 12 at a right angle, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the radiating unit 20 is also shown to be perpendicular to the central axis 14, but a configuration that intersects the central axis 14 at an angle other than 90 degrees may be employed. Furthermore, the radiating portion 20 can be conical with respect to the central axis 14. The radiating portion 20 includes a base region 22 adjacent to and surrounding the collar 12, and blades 24 and 26 extend radially from the base region 22. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the collar 12 and the radiating portion 20 (including the base region 22 and the blades 24 and 26) are integrally formed in a one-piece structure, but the collar 12 and the radiating portion 20 are formed separately. It is possible to assemble the fin 10 and this is also within the scope of the present invention. In addition, the blades 24 and 26 can be formed separately and attached to the base region 22.

  The blades 24, 26 are arranged on the fin 10 to form an annular array. Hereinafter, the case where the blades 24 and 26 constitute two blade sets will be described. However, it is possible to add another blade set, which is also within the scope of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the blades 24, 26 are arranged in an alternating pattern. That is, each of the blades 24 is circumferentially disposed between the pair of blades 26 (each of the blades 26 is disposed circumferentially between the pair of blades 24). The blades 24, 26 are arranged with a gap therebetween through a radial gap 30, forming a pair of radial edges 36, 38 located on either side of each. Since the gap 30 exists, the outer periphery 28 of the blade type fin 10 is discontinuous, and the adjacent blades 24 and 26 are separated by the gap 30.

  Each of the blades 24 and 26 has a span shaft 32. Here, the span axis 32 of each blade 24, 26 is preferably equidistant from the radial edges 36, 38 of the blades 24, 26. Each span axis 32 coincides with the radial direction 34 of the radiating portion 20 of the fin 10. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the span axis 32 of the blades 24, 26 is also located in the plane formed by the base region 22 and is therefore orthogonal to the central axis 14 of the collar 12. However, it is not necessary for the span axis 32 of the blades 24 and 26 to be perpendicular to the central axis 14. For example, the radiating portion 20 has a conical shape or intersects the central axis 14 at an angle other than 90 degrees. In this case, the span axis 32 is inclined with respect to the central axis 14.

  The blade 24 is inclined about the span axis 32 (rotating around the span axis 32), like the blades of a propeller and a turbine, whereas the blade 26 is not inclined (of the span axis 32). Not rotating around). Each blade 26 is entirely located within a plane formed by the base region 22. In FIG. 1, the joint between the base region 22 and the blade 24 is formed by a linear crease 40 that crosses the radius 34 of the radiating portion 20 at an angle other than a right angle. 1-3, the span axis 32 of the blade 24 is located in the plane formed by the base region 22, but the radial edges 36 of the blade 24 are axially spaced from each other. To position. As apparent from FIG. 2, since the span axis 32 of the blade 24 is located in the plane of the base region 22, the radial edge 36 of the blade 24 is located on both sides of the base plane.

  The blade-type fin 10 of the type shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 can be used in combination with various other fins, but at least a plurality of fins to be combined have the structure shown in FIGS. It is preferable to adopt. As shown in FIG. 6, these fins 10 are installed in a heat exchanger tube 72 to form a heat exchanger tube assembly 70. The collar 12 of each bladed fin 10 is fitted on the outer surface 74 of the tube 72, but the central axis 14 of the collar 12 preferably coincides with the central axis 80 of the tube 72.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the tube assembly 70 further includes a plurality of non-blade heat exchanger fins 50 of the type shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, with the fins 10 and 50 having a linear array on the tube 72. Form. Here, the term “non-blade type” is used to distinguish the fin 50 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 from the fin 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. Does not have radial elements separated by directional gaps. This is in contrast to the fin 10 comprising radial blades 24, 26 separated by a radial gap 30. As is apparent from FIGS. 4 and 5, the non-blade fin 50 has a collar 52 that forms the central axis 54 of the fin 50 and a radial extension from the central axis 54 of the collar 52 to provide a continuous (ie, The radiation part 60 which forms the outer periphery 62 (not divided by a clearance gap) is provided. Similar to the fin 10 of FIGS. 1-3, the radiating portion 60 of the non-blade fin 50 is shown as intersecting at right angles to the central axis 54 but may take other angles with respect to the central axis. It can also be conical. As apparent from FIG. 6, the collar 52 of the non-blade fin 50 is fitted on the outer surface 74 of the tube 72, and its central axis 54 coincides with the central axis 80 of the tube 72.

  As is clear from FIG. 6, the non-blade fins 50 are disposed between the pair of blade fins 10. Although the heat transfer performance of the tube assembly 70 tends to slightly decrease due to the presence of the non-blade fins 50, the structure shown in FIG. 6 increases the durability of the fins 10 and consequently the durability of the entire tube assembly 70. It will increase the sex. In particular, in applications where the tube assembly 70 may be impacted by solid debris, high pressure fluid, or the like, such as an automotive heat exchanger, the non-blade fin 50 supports the adjacent blade fin 10. To play a role.

  Furthermore, the tube assembly 70 shown in FIG. 6 is assembled together with the manifold 82, and one end of the tube 72 is inserted into the port 84 of the manifold 82. The opposite end of tube 72 is similarly inserted into the port of the second manifold. In use, fluid (gas or liquid) flowing through the manifold 82 passes through a passage 78 formed by the inner wall 76 of the tube 72. When the second fluid (gas or liquid) flows around the outside of the tube 72 and passes through the fins 10, 50, in particular the blades 24, 26 of the bladed fin 10, the fluid in the tube 72 During this period, heat transfer occurs. Due to the presence of the blades 24, 26, in particular the blades 24, 26 pointing in different directions, there is a greater turbulation in the second fluid flow, which results in a second Heat transfer between the fluid and the fins 10, 50 is facilitated.

  The angle at which the blade 24 tilts (rotates) with respect to the center of each span axis 32 affects the heat transfer efficiency and also affects the pressure drop of the flow through the fins 10, 50. Maximizing the angle of rotation increases turbulence and promotes heat transfer, but at the same time increases the pressure drop of the flow through the fins 10,50. On the other hand, when the rotation angle is minimal, the pressure drop of the flow through the fins 10 and 50 can be reduced, but the turbulence is also reduced and the heat transfer effect of the tube assembly 70 is also reduced. In FIG. 2, the rotation angle of the blade 24 is about 60 degrees with respect to the span axis 32. In general, a suitable rotation angle range is from about 30 degrees to 90 degrees, more preferably from about 45 degrees to 75 degrees.

  The fin 10, the fin 50, and the tube 72 can be formed of various materials. In particular, an aluminum alloy widely used in heat exchangers can be mentioned, but is not limited thereto. Depending on the size and shape of the fin 10, fin 50 and tube 72 and the type of material forming them, the fin 10 and fin 50 may be interference fit and / or brazed, soldered, welded, etc. The tube 72 is fixed by an adhesion method including a metal bonding technique. FIG. 7 illustrates one assembly method using the fixed assembly 100. The securing assembly 100 includes a fin receiving subassembly 102 comprised of two complementary fin receiving members 104, 106, a tube receiving subassembly 108 comprised of two complementary tube receiving members 110, 112, and two complementary And a fin mounting subassembly 114 composed of fin mounting members 116 and 118. The fin receiving members 104, 106 include complementary channels 120 that merge to form a cavity sized to receive the array of fins 10 and fins 50. Similarly, the tube receiving members 110, 112 include complementary channels 122 that merge to form a cavity sized to receive one end of the tube 72. Also, the fin attachment members 116, 118 include complementary channels 124 that merge to form a cavity sized to accommodate the other end of the tube 72. Further, the fin installation members 116 and 118 include a complementary semi-cylindrical portion 126 formed by combining plungers having a size that can be accommodated in the cavity formed by the fin housing members 104 and 106. This plunger is for pushing the fin 10 and the fin 50 onto the tube 72 and holding the fin 10 and the fin 50 on the tube 72 by an interference fit. In addition, in order to fix and assemble the fin 10 and the fin 50 on the tube 72, other fixing devices and methods can be used.

  Optimal cross-section, size, length of tube 72, optimal cross-section, size, length of blade 24 and blade 26, and optimal number and placement of fins 10 and 50 on tube 72 use tube assembly 70 To be determined according to the specific application. In addition to use in air conditioning equipment such as condensers and evaporators, the present invention can also be used for engine cooling systems (radiators), temperature control systems (heater cores), oil coolers, exhaust gas heat exchangers, etc. The application is not limited to these.

  Thus far, specific embodiments have been described, but other forms may be employed. The scope of the invention is limited only by the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Blade type heat exchanger fin 12 Collar 14 Color central axis 16 Collar inner surface 18 Collar outer surface 20 Radiation part 22 Base area 24 Blade 26 Blade 28 Fin outer periphery 30 Gap 32 Span shaft 34 Radial direction 36 Radial edge 38 Radial edge 40 Fold 50 Nonblade heat exchanger fin 52 Collar 54 Collar center shaft 60 Radiator 62 Fin outer periphery 70 Heat exchanger tube assembly 72 Heat exchanger tube 74 Heat exchanger tube outer surface 80 Heat exchanger tube center shaft 82 Manifold 84 Port

Claims (21)

A heat exchanger fin comprising a tube-shaped collar having a central axis, an inner surface and an outer surface, and a radiating portion extending radially from the central axis of the collar,
The radiating portion has a base region adjacent to the collar, and a blade attached to the base region and extending in a radial direction;
The base region forms a plane transverse to the central axis of the collar;
The blades form an annular array composed of a first set and a second set of blades, and the outer periphery of the heat exchanger fins is not allowed due to a gap between the first set of blades and the second set of blades. It is continuous
Each of the first set and the second set of blades has a span axis that intersects the central axis of the collar;
Each of the first set of blades has radial edges located on both sides, spaced axially apart from each other by tilting about the span axis,
Each of the second set of blades is not inclined with respect to the span axis and has radial edges located on both sides without being axially separated from each other.
The plurality of blades constituting the first set are arranged between the plurality of blades constituting the second set.
Blade heat exchanger fins.   The thermal blade exchanger fin of claim 1, wherein the base plane is perpendicular to the central axis of the collar.   The blade according to claim 1, wherein the span axis of each of the first set and the second set of blades is perpendicular to the central axis of the collar and coincides with a radial direction of the radiating portion. Type heat exchanger fins.   The blade-type heat exchanger fin according to claim 1, wherein the radial edges of the first set of blades are located on both sides of the base plane.   The blade heat exchanger fin according to claim 1, wherein the radial edges of a second set of blades are located in the base plane.   The blade heat exchanger fin according to claim 1, wherein the span axis of each of the first set of blades is located in the base plane.   The blade heat exchanger fin according to claim 1, wherein each of the second set of blades lies entirely within the base plane.   The blade heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein each of the first set of blades is connected to the base region via a linear fold that intersects the radial direction of the radiating portion at a non-perpendicular angle. fin.   The blade heat exchanger fin of claim 1, wherein each of the first set of blades is disposed between a pair of blades making up the second set of blades.   By being attached to the heat exchanger tube, it forms at least one of a plurality of heat exchange fins constituting the heat exchanger tube assembly together with the heat exchanger tube, and the collar is an outer surface of the heat exchanger tube. The blade type heat exchanger fin according to claim 1, which is externally fitted to the blade. A heat exchanger tube assembly, wherein a plurality of blade heat exchanger fins according to claim 10 are attached to the heat exchanger tube,
A collar fitted on the outer surface of the heat exchanger tube, a central axis coinciding with the central axis of the heat exchanger tube, a radiating portion extending radially from the collar and having a continuous outer periphery A heat exchanger tube assembly further comprising non-blade heat exchanger fins disposed between the pair of blade heat exchanger fins.   The heat exchanger tube assembly of claim 11, wherein the heat exchanger tube is assembled with a pair of manifolds, wherein both ends of the heat exchanger tube are received in respective ports of the manifold. A method for using a plurality of blade heat exchanger fins according to claim 1, comprising:
By attaching the respective collars of the blade heat exchanger fins to the outer surface of the heat exchanger tube, these heat exchanger fins are attached to the heat exchanger tube,
Flowing a first fluid through an internal passage formed inside the heat exchanger tube;
Flowing a second fluid through the blade heat exchanger fins on the heat exchanger tube;
A method of using a blade heat exchanger fin, comprising the steps of:   A collar fitted on the outer surface of the heat exchanger tube, a central axis coinciding with the central axis of the heat exchanger tube, a radiating portion extending radially from the collar and having a continuous outer periphery The blade heat exchanger of claim 13, further comprising attaching a plurality of non-blade heat exchanger fins to be disposed between the pair of blade heat exchanger fins. How to use fins. A heat exchanger fin comprising a collar having a tube shape and having a central axis, an inner surface and an outer surface, and a radiating portion extending radially from the central axis of the collar,
The radiating portion has a base region adjacent to the collar, and a blade attached to the base region and extending in a radial direction;
The base region forms a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the collar;
The blades form an annular array composed of a first set and a second set of blades, and the outer periphery of the heat exchanger fins is discontinuous due to a gap between the first set and the second set of blades. And
Each of the first and second sets of blades has a span axis that intersects the central axis of the collar at a right angle and coincides with the radial direction of the radiating portion;
Each of the first set of blades has respective span axes of the first set of blades located in the plane formed by the base region, and edges on both radial sides of the first set of blades are Are inclined about the span axis so as to be axially separated from each other and located on both sides of the base plane;
Each of the second set of blades is not inclined with respect to the span axis and is entirely located in the plane formed by the base region;
Each of the first set of blades is disposed between a pair of second set of blades, a blade heat exchanger fin.   The blade heat exchanger of claim 15, wherein each of the first set of blades is connected to the base region via a linear fold that intersects the radial direction of the radiating portion at a non-perpendicular angle. fin.   By being attached to the heat exchanger tube, it constitutes at least one of a plurality of heat exchange fins constituting a heat exchanger tube assembly together with the heat exchanger tube, and the collar has a central axis of the collar. The blade-type heat exchanger fin according to claim 16, which is fitted on the outer surface of the heat exchanger tube so as to coincide with the central axis of the heat exchanger tube. A heat exchanger tube assembly, wherein a plurality of blade heat exchanger fins according to claim 17 are attached to the heat exchanger tube,
A collar fitted on the outer surface of the heat exchanger tube, a central axis coinciding with the central axis of the heat exchanger tube, a radiating portion extending radially from the collar and having a continuous outer periphery A heat exchanger tube assembly further comprising a plurality of non-blade heat exchanger fins, each disposed between a pair of said blade heat exchanger fins.   The heat exchanger tube assembly of claim 18, wherein the heat exchanger tube is assembled with a pair of manifolds, wherein both ends of the heat exchanger tube are received in respective ports of the manifold. A method for using a plurality of blade heat exchanger fins according to claim 15 comprising:
Each of the blade heat exchanger fins is fitted on the outer surface of the heat exchanger tube so that the central axis of the collar coincides with the central axis of the heat exchanger tube. Attach the fins to this heat exchanger tube,
Flowing a first fluid through an internal passage formed inside the heat exchanger tube;
Flowing a second fluid through the blade heat exchanger fins on the heat exchanger tube;
A method of using a blade heat exchanger fin, comprising the steps of:   A collar fitted on the outer surface of the heat exchanger tube, a central axis coinciding with the central axis of the heat exchanger tube, a radiating portion extending radially from the collar and having a continuous outer periphery 21. The blade heat exchanger of claim 20, further comprising attaching a plurality of non-blade heat exchanger fins to be disposed between the pair of blade heat exchanger fins. How to use fins.

Images