US1950500A

US1950500A - Radiator fin

Info

Publication number: US1950500A
Application number: US606224A
Authority: US
Inventors: Loprich John; Gillean Charles
Original assignee: LOPRICH
Current assignee: LOPRICH
Priority date: 1932-04-19
Filing date: 1932-04-19
Publication date: 1934-03-13
Anticipated expiration: 1951-03-13

Description

March 13, 1934. J, LQPRlCH Er AL 1,950,500

RADIATOR FIN Filed April i9. 1952 2 sheets-sheet 1 March 13, 1934. J. LOPRlCH E T AL 1,950,500

RADIATOR FIN Filed April 19. 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JLM@- JDN DIDI-Lch. CYAPLES ELLLEAN.

Patented Mar. 13, 1934 UNITED STATES RADIATOR FIN John Loprich and Charles Gillean, Los Angeles, Calif.; said Gillean assignor to said Loprich Application April 19, 1932, Serial No. 606,224

16 Claims.

This invention relates to water cooling apparatus, and more especially to radiators or" the type commonly used upon automotive vehicles for cooling the water which circulates about the combustion chambers of an internal combustion engine.

An object of the invention is to provide certain improvements in radiator construction, which are adapted to increase the eiciency thereof in the dissipation of heat.

One of the more detailed objects is to provide an improved type of spacing fin between the water tube members of a radiator, which presents a greatly increased number of areas of Contact between each spacing plate and the water tube members between which it is positioned, as compared with more conventional spacing ns.

Another object is to provide a spacing iin having a relatively large number of areas of contact between itself and its associated water tube members, the efficiency of which in the dissemination of heat is further enhanced by integrally uniting the iin to the water tube members at all points of contact therebetween.

A further object is a provide a spacing n as described, which is adapted to present a large number of cutting edges to the stream of air iiowing through the radiator, and wherein the cutting edges extend from portions of the iin which engage the water tube members, the purpose being to position the cutting edges as close as possible to those portions of the radiator from which it is desired to conduct heat.

A further object is to provide an improved type of water tube construction for radiators of the general'class indicated hereinabove.

A still further object is to provide a novel method of manufacturing a radiator, whereby the spacing fin is integrally joined to the water tube members at all points of contact therebetween, and whereby the plates of which each water tube member is composed are integrally joined at all points of contact, thereby yielding a unitary construction in the ultimate radiator, and one which is of maximum eiciency in conducting heat from the water tube members to the ns or spacing plates.

The invention possesses other objects and advantageous features, some of which, with those enumerated, will be set forth in the following description of the inventions particular embodiment which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of the specification.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a portion of a radiator construction embodying the principles of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse Vertical sectional view taken through two opposed water tube members and the associated portion of a spacing plate disposed therebetween. The plane of section is indicated by the line 2 2 of Fig. 1, and the direction of View by the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but taken upon the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, with the direction of view as indicated. The plane on which this view is taken cuts the water tube members between tubes thereof.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view, which may be considered as a horizontal section taken upon the line 4 4 of Fig. 3, with the direction of View as indicated.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the water tube members forming a portion of the radiator construction of Fig. 1. A portion of the figure is broken away to reduce its length.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged horizontal sectional View taken upon the line 5-5 of Fig. 5, with the direction of view as indicated.

The preferred embodiment of the radiator construction of the present invention comprises a plurality of spaced

Water tube members

6, 7, 8, etc., and a spacing fin or cooling plate 9 disposed within the space 11 between each two adjacent tube members. Preferably all of the water tube members are of identical construction, and one of them, say the tube member 6, has been illustrated in detail upon Figs. 4 and 5. It comprises a pair of'

opposed plates

12 and 13, composed preferably, of copper, because of the ductility of this material and its high coefcient of heat conductivity. Each plate is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending corrugations 14. The corrugations 14 of each plate protrude from a common side thereof, leaving the other side smooth, save for the longitudinally extending grooves 16 which are formed when the metal oi which the plate is composed, is 106 pressed from the plane of the remainder of the plate to define the corrugations 14. The plates l2 and 13 are disposed in face-to-ace relationship, i. e., with the faces having the grooves 16 therein abutting each other and with the grooves 105` 16 in registry with each other, so that one groove 16 of one plate cooperates with the corresponding groove oi the other plate to dene a Water passage 17 between the two plates and extending longitudinally thereof.

The two plates 12 v110 and 13 make contact with each other along their

lateral edges

18 and 19, and also between each two adjacent water passages 17, as indicated at 21. Preferably the grooves 16 are straight throughout their entire length, thereby yielding straight water passages 17 adapted to conduct a greater volume of water than would be the case if they were not straight and of the same cross sectional area.

The passages 17 of the tube members are positively separated from each other by tinning those faces 22 of the

plates

12 and 13 which are to be placed in abutment with each other, as by applying solder 23 thereto, and after the plates have been placed in face-to-face abutment as hereinabove described, they are heated to a temperature above the melting point of the solder 23, so that the solder carried by the two plates is permitted to fuse. Hence, after the plates have been permitted to cool they will be rmly soldered together wherever they make contact with each other, i. e., along their

lateral edges

18 and 19 and at the lines of contact 21 between each two adjacent passages 17. Preferably, soldering acid is applied to the surfaces before the plates are assembled, to assist in the proper fusion of the solder after the plates are heated. This process of constructing the water tube members and integrally uniting the

plates

12 and 13 thereof, is performed as a portion of the process of building the entire radiator core assembly, as will be described hereinbelow.

Flanges

24 and 26 are provided at the upper andlower ends, respectively, of each

plate

12, 13, these flanges extending to the same side of the plate as that toward which the corrugations 14 protrude. The iianges of the two

plates

12 and 13 cooperate'with each other to

denne headers

27 and 28 at the ends of the associated Water tube member, and the headers of all the

water tube members

6, 7, 8 cooperate witlr each other to define substantially continuous headers at the upper and lower ends, respectively, of the radiator core through which the water passages 17 extend, as clearly shown upon Fig. 1. For this purpose we prefer that the

flanges

24 and 26 of one of the plates, say the plate 13, of each water tube member be provided with an offset ange 29 adapted to engage the under surface of the header of the next adjacent tube member adjacent the edge thereof, as best shown upon 7rigs. 1, 2, and 3.

In accordance with conventional practice, the water or other fluid to be cooled is caused to flow Ythrough the water tube passages 17, and, on

account of its contact with the material of which the tube members are composed, transmit its heat by conduction to the tube members. One of the objects of the present invention is to provide means for eficiently disseminating the heat thus accumulated by the water` tube members, and itis for this purpose that the spacing iin or plate 9 of the present invention has been designed. As stated hereinabove, one of these -plates 9 is disposed within the space l1 between each two adjacent water tube members, and inasmuch as they all are of identical construction, it will suice for the purpose of the present disclosure to describe but one of them.

Each of the ns 9 is formed from a strip of metal, preferably copper, and is formed preferably by suitable stamping dies soas to present a plurality of major corrugations 36 which eX- tend transversely of the strip, i. e., perpendicularly withrespect to the corrugations 14 of the water tube members. The corrugated 1in 9 divides the associated space 11 into triangularshaped air cells 33, as clearly shown upon Fig. 1. The corrugations 36 correspond in depth to the spacing between adjacent water tube members, the result being that the crests 37 of the major corrugations engage the water tube members adjacent the

lateral edges

18 and 19 thereof, and between each two adjacent water passages 17.

In registry with each of the corrugations 14 of the tube members on each. side of the fin, the crests 37 of the major corrugations 36 are indented or reversely bent, thereby providing restrikes or minor corrugations 39, each of which corresponds substantially in length to the overall width of the oorrugations 14 in the water tube members. The space between each two adjacent restrikes 39 in each of the major corrugations 36 corresponds to the distance between the bases of two adjacent corrugations 14, the result being that the substantially V-shaped tongue 41 which is left between each two adjacent restrikes 39, is adapted to engage the associated water. tube member between water tubes 17 thereof throughout the entire length of that tongue (measured in a direction parallel to the corrugations 36). Thus it may be seen that the crests 37 of the major corrugations 36 of each n 9 engage one of the associated water tube members, say the member 6 (see Fig. 2), whereas the crests 42 of the restrikes 39 engage the other associated tube member 7 (see Fig'. 2). Moreover, the crest 37 of the major corrugations engage only those portions of the associated water tube member within which the corrugations 14 are not formed, i. e., along the

edges

18 and 19 of the water tube members and between the tubes 17 thereof, whereas the crests 42 of the restrikes 39 engage the opposite water tube member, but upon the crests ofthe longitudinally extending corrugations 14 in that water tube member, whereby the water tubes or passages 17 are defined. In other words, the crests 37 of all the corrugations 36 on one side of the iin 9 lie in a common plane, and the crests 42 of all the restrikes 39 also lie within a common` plane, which, however, is spaced inwards slightly from the crests 37 of the major corrugations on that samevside of the iin, as clearly illustrated upon Fig. 3. Preferably the

crests

37 and 42 of the major corrugations 36 and the restrikes 39, respectively, are flattened slightly as indicated at 43 and 44, respectively,

thereby establishing areas, instead of lines, of

contact between the iin and the water tube members.

Inasmuch as the corrugations 36 and restrikes 39 are formed by n ieans of suitabledies, it is desirable to provide means for facilitating removal of the stripfrom 'the diesupon its completion. For this purpose a'slight indentation 46 is provided in the crest 420i each restrike 39, which serves to draw the

ends

47 and 48 of the restrike toward each other when the indentation 46 is formed. Accordingly, the

ends

47 and 48 of the restrike are drawnaway from the ends of the depression in the die into "which the restrike is forced during the forming process, the result being that removal of the restrike 39 Vfrom the depression is materially facilitated. The indentation being very small, it does not substantially reduce the contact area between the restrike 42 and the water tube. Another advantage of the depressions 46 is that when they are` formed they cause a slight shoulder 49 to be extended into the V-shaped trough which is donned by the restrike, and this shoulder is engaged by the stream of air owing through the radiator. Hence the relatively large number of shoulders 49 thus provided are adapted to assist in breaking up the smooth flow of air through the radiator', throwing the air across the associated air cell 38, and. causing it to impinge with greater force against the water tube member upon the opposite side of the air cell, or against another portion of the associated iin 9.

Each restrike 39 is severed from the remainder of the n 9 along its ends 47 and 48, the result being that each of the tongues 41 'is also severed from the remainder of the plate along its ends 51 and 52. That end, say the end 47, of each restrike, and that end, say the end 51, of each tongue, which are toward the front of the radiator, are accordingly presented as cutting edges to the stream of air flowing through the radiator, and the presence of the relatively large number of cutting edges further enhances the efciency of the radiator in disseminating heat from the water within the passages 17. Although devices of this general character are commonly called radiators, their maximum cooling efficiency is attained not by radiation but by convection, i. e., the displacement of warm air from adjacent a heated surface by cold air. For example, the air which is closely adjacent a given portion of the radiator fin becomes warmed by heat transmitted thereto presumably both by conduction and by radiation, and is then displaced by cold air, which in turn is also heated by heat delivered thereto by the same portion of the n. No matter how the air receives its heat from the n, the trans- `ference of heat from the n to the air will soon cease without convection, i. e., if the heated air is not displaced by cold air, so that the air immediately adjacent any given portion of the fin is at a lower temperature than the n itself. However, the rate at which heat is transferred from the n to the air may be increased if greater reliance is placed upon conduction than upon radiation, and it is for this reason that the large number of

cutting edges

47 and 51 enhance the eiciency of our radiator construction in disseminating heat. Wherever one of these cutting edges is provided the air, in rushing through the radiator, strikes against the metal of the fin, making a so-called wiping contact with the nn, permitting the n to transmit heat by conduction to the air which is thus brought into actual engagement therewith. The shoulders 49 serve substantially the same purpose, inasmuch as wherever one of these shoulders is provided the air will impinge more strongly thereagainst than would be the case if the n were not provided with some means for interrupting the smooth now of air along and parallel to its surface.

In view of the fact that each of the restrikes 39, and also each of the tongues 4l, is of substantially V-shaped configuration, and furthermore engages one of the water tube members along the point of the V, it becomes apparent that the cutting edges 47 and 51 of the restrikes 39 and tongues 41, respectively, extend away from the associated water tube member and from portions of the fin, which make actual contact with that water tube member. Accordingly, those portions of the iin which are most eicient in transmitting heat to the air are disposed most closely adjacent the water tube members, the result being that the greatest quantity of heat which is transmitted from the water tube members to the air is required to flow through a minimum distance in the metal of which the iin is composed, and by virture of the large number of corrugations 36 and restrikes 42, the crests of which contact the water tube, practically each particle of metal of the 1in 9 is used most eii'- ciently in cooling the water in the tubes. This is another of the important features which materially enhances the eiciency of our radiator construction.

The high efciency in dissemination of heat which is attained by means of the improved fin construction hereinabove described, makes it possible to use water tubes wherein the water travels in straight paths from one end of the radiator to the other. This permits a greater quantity of water to travel through the radiator in a given time than would be the case were water tubes of the same cross sectional area employed, but which were other than straight. It is common practice to employ water tube members wherein the water is caused to flow in zigzag paths in moving through the radiator, so as to reduce the rate of motion of the water, and thereby make it possible for a greater quantity of heat to be transmitted from the water to the cooling members in a given time. This necessitates, however, a larger quantity of water or a larger radiator in order to effect the absorption of a given number of heat units in a given time. Another disadvantage of having the crooked water passages is that it interferes seriously with cleaning the water tubes, which can be effected most eiciently by thrusting rods or wires through the tubes. Of course, this is impossible if the tubes are other than straight 1161 or substantially so.

It is preferred that every point of contact between each fin 9 and the associated water tube members be made as eicient as possible in the conduction of heat. For this purpose each n is preferably integrally jointed as by soldering to its associated water tube members at every point of contact therebetween. The method whereby this is accomplished is to have one or both contacting surfaces of the iin and 125,`

water tube member tinned before the radiator is assembled, and to heat the assembly to a temperature in excess of the melting point of the solder, so as to actually fuse the n to the water tube members at every point of contact.

This is most easily done at the same time that the two

plates

12 and 13 of each water tube member are fused to each other. Accordingly, it is preferred that a radiator construction embodying the principles of the present invention be assembled by using

plates

12 and 13 for the

water tube members

6, 7, 8, etc., which are tinned upon both surfaces. The fins 9 may be tinned or not, depending upon' existing conditions. The radiator construction is assembled by placing two

plates

12 and 13 in abutment with each other with their grooves 16 in registry, and then placing a iin 9 against one side of the water tube member thus developed. Another water tube member is then placed against the opposite side of the iin, this second water tube member being also assembled from two

plates

12 and 13. A second fm is then laid against this water tube member, and so on until a radiator construction of the desired Width has 151).

f prepare the metal for soldering.

been developed. The assembly is then placed in a suitable clamp and is preferably dipped in soldering acid to clean the contacting portions of the fins and water tube members, and thus The assembly is then removed from the soldering acid and permitted to drain, and then heated to a temperature higher than the melting point of the solder used in tinning. This causes the solder to fuse the

plates

12 and 13 of each water tube member together along every area of contact therebetween, and also to fuse each iin 9 to the associated water tube members along every area of contact therebetween. Hence, after the assembly has been permitted to cool, a unitary assembly has been developed wherein each of the water tubes 17 of each

member

6, 7, 8, etc., is positively separated from the other water tubes 17, and wherein the two

plates

12 and 13 of each tube member are integrally united, and wherein all the iins 9 also are integrally united to the

tube members

6, 7, S, etc., upon each side thereof. This not only yields a radiator construction of maximum physical strength, but it also materially increases the coefficient of heat conductivityl of each of the joints between the iins and the water tube members.

It is to be understood that the details of the invention as herein disclosed, are subject to alteration within the spirit or scope of the appended claims.

We claim: l

1. In a radiator construction, a pair of spaced water tube members having longitudinally eX- tending corrugations protuding into the space therebetween, and a corrugated spacing nn disposed in said space, portions of the crest of each corrugation of said nn engaging one of said tube members between the corrugations of that tube member and other portions ot each corrugation of said fin being deflected inwards forming restrikes, the crests of said restrikes engaging the crests of the corrugations of the other of said tube members.

2. In a radiator construction, a pair or" spaced water tube members having longitudinally eX- tending corrugations protruding into the space therebetween, and a corrugated spacing fin disposed in said space, portions of the crest of each lcorrugation of said fin being integrally joined to one of said tube members between the corrugations of that tube member and other portions of said corrugations of said iin being deected inwards forming restrikes, the crest of said restrikes being integrally joined to the crests of the corrugations of the other of said tube members.

. 3. In a radiator construction, a pair of spaced water tube members having longitudinally extending corrugations protruding into the space therebetween, and a spacing n disposed within said space and having transversely extending corrugations, the crests of the corrugations of said n being deiiected inwards deiining re.- strikes at intervals substantially equal to the spacing between corresponding portions of the corrugations of said tube members, the crest of each of said restrikes engaging the crest of a corrugation of the tube member most distant from the crest ofthe corrugation in l.which said restrike is formed.

4. In a radiator construction, a pair of spaced water tube members having longitudinally extending corrugations protruding into the space therebetween, and a spacing. iin disposed within said space and having transversely extending corrugations, the crests of the corrugations of said iin being deflected inwards defining restrikes at intervals substantially equal to the spacing between corresponding portions of the corrugations of said tube members, the crest of each of said restrikes engaging and being integrally joined to the crest of a corrugation of the tube member most distant from the crest of the corrugation in which said restrike is formed.

5. In a radiator construction, a pair of spaced water tube members having longitudinally extending corrugations protruding into the space therebetween, and a spacing n disposed within said space and having transversely extending corrugations, the crests of the corrugations of said iin being deiiected inwards deining restrikes at intervals substantially equal to the spacing between corresponding portions of the corrugations of said tube members, the crest of each of said restrikes engaging the crest of a'cerrugation of the tube member most distant from the crest of the corrugation in which said restrike is formed, and the restrikes formed in each or the corrugations of said rin being spaced from each other, leaving tongues engaging the associated tube member between the corrugations of that tube member.

6. In a radiator construction, a pair of spaced water tube members having longitudinally eX- tending corrugations protruding into thespace therebetween, and a spacing fin disposed within said space and having transversely extending corrugations, the crests of the corrugations of said iin being deiiected inwards dening restrikes .at intervals substantially equal t0 the spacing between corresponding portions of the corrugations of said tube members, the crest of each of said restrikes engaging the crest of a corrugation or" the tube member most distant from the crest of the'corrugation in which said restrike is formed, and the restrikes formed in each of the corrugations of said fin being spaced from each other, leaving tongues engaging the associated tube member between each two adjacent corrugations or that tube member.

7. In a radiator construction, a pair of spaced water tube members having longitudinally extending corrugations protruding into the space therebetween, and` a' spacing n disposedA within said spaceiand having transversely extending corrugations, the crests or the corrugations of said fin being deflected inwards dening restrikes at intervals substantially equal to the spacing between corresponding portions of the corrugations of said tube members, the crest of each of said restrikes engaging the crest of acorrugation of the. tube member most distant from the crest of the corrugation in which said restrike is formed, and the restrilres formed in each of the corrugations of said iin being spaced from. each other, leaving tongues engaging the strikes at intervals substantially equal to the spacing between corresponding portions of the corrugations of said tube members, the crest of each of said restrikes engaging the crest of a corrugation of the tube member most distant from the crest of the corrugation in which said restrike is formed, and the restrikes formed in each of the corrugations of said iin being spaced from each other, leaving tongues engaging the associated tube member between the corrugations of that tube member, said tongues and restrikes being severed from each other along their ends, thereby presenting cutting edges to air flowing through the corrugations of said iin, said cutting edges extending from portions ci said fin which make contact with said tube members.

9. In a radiator construction, a pair of spaced water tube members having longitudinally eX- tending corrugations protruding into the space therebetween, and a spacing iin disposed within said space and having transversely extending corrugations, the crests of the corrugations of said iin being deected inwards dening restrikes at intervals substantially equal to the spacing between corresponding portions of the corrugations of said tube members, the crest of each of said restrikes engaging the crest of a corrugation of the tube member most distant from the crest of the corrugation in which said restrike is formed, and the restrikes formed in each of the corrugations of said nn being spaced from each other, leaving tongues engaging the associated tube member between the corrugations of that tube member, said tongues and restrikes being severed from each other along their ends, thereby presenting cutting edges to air flowing through the corrugations oi said n, said cutting edges extending from portions of said fin which make contact with said tube members and said fin and tube members being integrally joined at all points of contact therebetween.

10. In a radiator construction, a pair of spaced water tube members having straight longitudinally extending corrugations protruding into the space therebetween, and a corrugated spacing iin disposed in said space, portions of the crests of the corrugations of said iin engaging one of said tube members between the corrugations of that tube member and other portions of the corrugations of said iin being deiiected inwards forming restrikes, the crests of said restrikes engaging the crests of the corrugations of the other of said tube members.

1l. In a radiator, means providing substantially straight water tubes, and separating fins disposed between said tubes and having transversely extending corrugations, said corrugations having restrikes, the crests of said corrugations and said restrikes being joined to the means providing said water tubes, and the crests of said restrikes having indentations extending transversely with respect thereto and drawing the ends of each restrike toward each other.

12. A radiator construction comprising spacing water tube members, each of said water tube Vmembers having beads projecting therefrom into the space between said members, a 1in comprising a strip of metal corrugated transversely with respect to said beads, the crest of each of said corrugations engaging one of said members between the beads thereof and being reversely bent at intervals equal to the width of said beads, thereby forming a minor corrugation engaging the outermost portions or" the beads ci the opposite water tube member.

13. A radiator construction comprising a rst set of water tube members, a second set of water tube members arranged in one plane and parallel to the nrst set and forming an air channel therebetween, each water tube member having beads projecting therefrom into the air channel, a fin made of a strip of metal corrugated transversely with respect to said sets of water tube members and forming two sets of crests, each set of crests being arranged in a vertical plane and parallel to the other set of crests, one set of crests engaging the rst set of water tube members between the beads thereof, the other set of crests being reversely bent at intervals equal to the width of the spacing between said beads thereby forming minor corrugations disposed in registry with the beads of the rst set of water tube members, the crests of said minor corrugations engaging said beads.

14. In a radiator construction, a set of water tube members having outwardly projecting beads thereon, a transversely corrugated sheet metal fin disposed thereagainst having two sets of crests, one set oi crests engaging a water tube member between the beads thereon and the other set of crests having reversely bent portions engaging the water tube member across the beads thereon.

15. In a radiator construction, a set of water tube members having outwardly projecting beads thereon, a transversely corrugated sheet metal n disposed thereagainst having two sets of crests, one set of crests engaging a water tube member between the beads thereon and the other set of crests having reversely bent por-y tions engaging the water tube member across the beads thereon, the reversely bent portions being severed at their sides.

16. A radiator construction comprising two spaced sets of water tube members, each set having beads projecting into the air channel between the sets, and at least one iin in the channel, said nn being transversely corrugated forming two sets of major crests, one set of major crests engaging a water tube member between the beads thereon, and having reversely bent portions opposite the beads which are severed at their sides, the other set of major crests having portions opposite said beads reversely bent and severed at their sides forming minor crests engaging said beads between the nrst mentioned set of major crests.

JOHN LOPRICI-I. CHARLES GILLEAN.