US3447597A

US3447597A - Heat exchanger convector

Info

Publication number: US3447597A
Application number: US687846A
Authority: US
Inventors: John C Mcnabney
Original assignee: Trane Co
Current assignee: Trane US Inc
Priority date: 1967-12-04
Filing date: 1967-12-04
Publication date: 1969-06-03
Anticipated expiration: 1986-06-03

Description

June 3, 1969 J c MCNABNEY 3,447,597

HEAT EXCHANGER CONVECTOR Filed Dec. 4. 1967 Sheet of 2 Fl G. I FIG. 2

FIG. 3 34 FIG. 5

\N. Guam 72 60 FIG. 4

1 as 62 2 68 7O 56 64 INVENTOR. 58 I 60 72 7 JOHN c. MCNABNEY BY c mwwzw;

ATTORNEY June 3, 1969 J. c. M NABNEY HEAT EXCHANGER CONVECTOR Sheet Filed Dec. 4, 1967 FIG.

FIG.

FIG. 9

INVENTOR. JOHN C. -MC NABNEY BY W ATTORNEY United States Patent US. Cl. 165-55 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A baseboard convector having tubular heat exchanger element provided with a plurality of parallel spaced rectangular air contacting fins wherein tabs struck from each comer thereof extend between the fins to form columns merely at the corners thereof for supporting the fins with minimum obstruction to air flowing around said tubular element. The heat exchanger element and fins are supported for sliding movement upon a bracket via a plastic cradle which is attached to the fin tabs. An optional damper mounting arrangement permits the use of either an infinitely adjustable or merely a two position damper for controlling the convection air cur rent over the heat exchanger.

Background of the invention The present invention relates to heat exchangers employing an elongated heat exchanger element such as a tube for conducting either a hot or cold heat exchange fluid. A plurality of fins, in the [form of very thin rec tangular aluminum plates having a central aperture, are mounted via said apertures in parallel relationship spaced longitudinally on the heat exchanger element for conducting heat between surrounding air and said elongated element. The corners of the fins are provided with tabs which extend to and abut adjacent time for providing interfin support. When temperature changes in the heat exchanger element occur, it is well known that the heat exchanger element length will change with these changes in temperature. For this reason it is now common practice to support such heat exchangers for sliding movement in the support area. To this end, various types of nonmetallic guides have been devised to slidably support the fin matrix on a support bracket which will permit the heat exchanger element to expand with little or no expansion noise.

Summary of the invention The instant invention involves a particular plastic cradle for slidably supporting the fin matrix. This cradle may be formed from a single pressure molding with a minimum of material and securely latched onto the fin matrix. The cradle support of the instant invention is particularly adapted to be simply and easily connected to the aforementioned fin tabs. The particular cradle support presents a minimum obstruction to air flowing over the fins and is not easily disconnected from the fins during transport and handling of the heat exchanger. Because the cradle may be formed from a single pressure molding it may be manufactured in large numbers at low cost.

Particularly this invention involves an elongated heat exchanger element; a plurality of generally rectangular fins spaced longitudinally on said element; said fin having a tab at the corners thereof extending between adjacent pairs of fins for maintaining relative spacing therebetween; a plastic slide member adapted to slide on a frame for relative movement therewith in the direction longitudinally of said element; and means connecting said tab to said plastic slide member.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as this specification proceeds to describe the invention in detail with reference to the accompanying darwings wherein like elements have been designated by like numerals throughout and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a transverse vertical section of a baseboard convector incorporating the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of a portion of the baseboard unit of FIGURE 1 with the lower portion of the front cover face removed to disclose the heat exchanger and the novel means for supporting the same;

FIGURE 3 is a plane view of the plastic cradle used in supporting the heat exchanger shown in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a front elevation of the cradle element shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the cradle element taken at line 5-5 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the heat exchanger fin as indicated at line 6-6 of FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the heat exchanger and cradle support taken at line 7-7 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged View similar to FIGURE 1 showing the baseboard damper and adjustment means therefor;

FIGURE 9 is a perspective of a spring clip used to support the baseboard damper zfor infinite adjustment; and

FIGURE 10 is a view similar to FlGU-RE 8 showing an alternative damper adjustment means for the damper thereof.

Now referring to the drawing it will be seen that baseboard convector 10 includes a main body member 12 having vertical rear plate 14- which may be fastened with screws (not shown) or other appropriated means along the foot of a wall in abutting relationship therewith. Main body member 12 has a leg 16 extending from the upper edge of plate 14 horizontally outward from the wall and terminating with a downwardly extending upper flange 18. The lower margin of rear plate 14 is turned outwardly from the wall and terminates with an upwardly projecting lower flange 20. 'It will be appreciated that main body member 12 including plate 14, leg 16 and

flanges

18 and 20 extend in the horizontal direction the full length of the baseboard convector. Only a short segment of this length is shown in FIGURE 2.

Spaced longitudinally along the main body 12 are a plurality of main support brackets 22. For purposes of illustration only one such bracket is shown. Bracket 22 has a mounting portion in the form of a vertically extending strip 24 abutting in falce-to-face relationship with the front side of rear plate 14. The upper and lower portions of strip 24 are angled outwardly from the wall to be resiliently received respectively within the bight areas formed by

flanges

18 and 20. Since strip 22 is locked in position only by its configuration with respect to that of main body 12 and pressure exerted by the resiliency of these members, it will be readily appreciated that bracket 22 may be positioned or removed as desired simply by flexing these members.

Bracket 22 has an upper support leg 26 and a lower support leg 28 each of which is rooted at a vertical edge of strip 22. Each of

legs

26 and 28 lie in a vertical plane to offer minimum resistance to vertical air movement through the baseboard convector. The upper edge of lower leg 28 is provided with a horizontally extending flange 30 the upper surface of which forms a platform upon which the convector heat exchanger element 32 is slidably supported via plastic cradle 34. The forward portion of flange 30 terminates in a flange 36 having an inverted U-shaped cross section.

Upper leg 26 has at its terminal end an upwardly extending protuberance 38. The baseboard convector 10 has a front closing panel 40 which extends the length thereof. The upper edge of panel 40 is provided with an inverted U-shaped flange 42 which overlies and engages protuberance 38 of each of brackets 22. The lower edge of panel 40 is provided with a V-shaped flange 44 which engages the forward leg of flange 36 of each bracket 22. Thus front closing panel 40 is effectively locked in position by flanges 36 and protuberances 38 of brackets 22. Removal of panel 40 may be accomplished simply by flexing the bracket members.

Referring now to the heat exchanger 32 it will be seen that said heat exchanger includes an elongated tubular element 46 extending longitudinally of the convector 10. A plurality of planar parallel spaced fins 48 of generally rectangular configuration are mounted in normal relationship along tube 46 via fin collars 50. A tab 52 has been slit and struck from .the corner of each fin thereby forming a step in the upper and lower edges of the fin at the corners thereof. Tabs 52 extend from the vertical extent of said steps normally toward an adjacent fin in contiguous relationship therewith. The terminal portion of each tab 52 is provided with a narrow flange 54 in face-to-face abutting relationship to the adjacent fin (FIGURE 6). The overall strength and resistance to damage during handling of the heat exchanger element 32 is improved by this intersupporting relationship of the fins. It should be appreciated that the tabs 52 are aligned as to define a continuous support column at each corner of the fin matrix. These tabs do not restrict the air flow at the sides of the fins in the areas designated by numeral 55.

Referring now to the heat exchanger cradle support as illustrated in FIGURES 3, 4, and 7 it will be seen that cradle 34 includes a front portion 56 and a rear portion 58. These portions are identical and description of the front portion will apply equally to the rear portion. Front portion 56 includes an elongated horizontally extending bar 60 of generally rectangular cross section and adapted to slide longitudinally on the upper side of :bracket flange 30. Spaced longitudinally of bar 60 and located adjacent one side thereof are two upstanding rigid columns 62. A second bar 64 extending in parallel relation to bar 60 is connected to the other side of bar 60 via an integrally molded hinge 66. Extending transversely from the side of bar 64 remote from hinge 66 is a pair of pawls 68 which are longitudinally coextensive with columns 62. Each pawl 68 is so formed as to latch into place over the upper end of a column 62 when bar 64 is pivoted with respect 'to bar 60 at hinge 66 thereby leaving a space 70 (FIGURES 4, 5 and 7) encompassed by column 62, bar 60, bar 64 and pawl 68. For purposes of illustration, FIGURES 3 and 4 show the front portion of cradle 34 in the latched position and the rear portion in the unlatched position. The front and rear portions are interconnected by Webs 72 which extend between respective columns 62 of the front and rear portions. All the elements of cradle 34 including hinges 66 are pressure molded as an integral unit.

Cradle 34 is fitted to the underside of the heat exchanger 32. The bar 64 and pawl 68 are pivoted from an unlatched position to a latched position entrapping several of tabs 52 within spaces 70 (see FIGURE 7) whereby cradle 34 is held on heat exchanger 32. It will be noted that the width and spacing of pawls 68, columns 62 and webs 72 is such as to permit these portions of the cradle to be interposed between fins 48. The cradle will not become detached during handling and installation of the heat exchanger.

During operation, the underside of cradle bars 60 presents a smooth low friction surface for sliding on bracket flanges 30 to accommodate the well known longitudinal expansion and contraction of the heat exchanger element in a noiseless manner. Transverse movement of the heat exchanger may be contained by the abutment of the front and rear sides of the cradle 34 against U-shaped flange 36 and a vertically extending raised rib 74 in strip 24 respectively as shown in FIGURE 1.

Referring now to FIGURES l, 2, 8, 9 and 10 it will be seen that the upper support leg 26 of bracket 22 has an upwardly extending protuberance 76 on the upper side intermediate the ends thereof. Protuberance 76 has a flat upwardly forwardly inclined rear edge 78 and a downwardly forwardly inclined front edge 80. Protuberance 76 has a through-going circular aperture 82.

The elongated space between upper flange 18 and U- shaped flange 42 constitutes the air discharge outlet for the baseboard convector 10. The amount of air passing through this space is controlled by an elongated damper 84 arranged within this discharge outlet. The longitudinal edges of damper 84 are each provided with

U-shaped flanges

86 and 88.

The damper 84 as shown in FIGURES 1 and 8 is supported by a spring clip 90. Spring clip 90 has a central loop portion 92 the terminal ends 94 and 96 of which are retained within the

U-shaped flanges

86 and 88 respectively. By simply compressing the loop 92, clip 90 may be inserted or removed from its position within the

flanges

86 and 88 of damper 84. The central loop portion has a U-shaped ear 98 which extends in a plane normal to damper 84. One leg of the U-shaped ear 98 has a project ment 100 extending toward the other leg and is received in aperture 82 when protuberance 76 is received in the bight portion of ear 98. Clip 90 and thus damper 84 may accordingly be manually pivoted at projectment 100 in aperture 82. The resilient legs of U-shaped ear 98 exert suflicient frictional pressure of protuberance 76 to hold damper 84 in any position to which it may be adjusted. The dash-dot-dot line position of damper 84 in FIGURE 8 is merely one of an infinite number of adjusted positions.

FIGURE 10 shows a modified alternative damper arrangement. Damper 84 is the same as that shown in FIGURE 8; however, spring clip 90 is not included. Damper 84 of FIGURE 10 may be alternatively positioned in the wide open position resting by gravitational force on edge 78 of protuberance 76 as shown in dashdot-dot line (FIGURE 10) or in the closed position resting by gravitational force on edge of protuberance 76 as shown in full line. Thus, because protuberance 76 is provided with pivot center aperture 82 between

inclined edges

78 and 80, it may be utilized in the alternative to support a two position damper or an infinitely adjustable damper, whichever the consumer may prefer.

Having now described in detail the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is contemplated that many changes may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention which is limited only by the claims.

I claim:

1. A heat exchanger apparatus comprising in combination: an elongated heat exchanger element; a plurality of generally rectangular fins spaced longitudinally on said element; said fins having a tab at the corners thereof extending between adjacent pairs of fins for maintaining relative spacing therebetween; a plastic slide member adapted to slide on a bracket for relative movement therewith in the direction longitudinally of said element; and means connecting at least one of said tabs to said plastic slide member.

2. The apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said connecting means is an annulus circumscribing one of said tabs.

3. The apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said connecting means is an annulus extending between adjacent pairs of said fins, extending between said element and said tab, and circumscribing said tab.

4. The apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said connecting means includes a hinge.

5. The apparatus as defined by claim 4 wherein said hinge and said slide member are an integral plastic mold- 111g.

6. The apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said connecting means includes a hinge and latch for locking said connecting means on said tab.

7. A heat exchanger apparatus comprising in combination: an elongated tube; a plurality of fins spaced longitudinally on said tube; said fins having a tab at the corners thereof extending between adjacent pairs of fins for maintaining relative spacing therebetween; and a plastic cradle for slidably supporting said fins on a support bracket, said cradle comprising: a slide portion for sliding on a bracket; an upstanding column extending from said slide portion; and a pawl pivotally connected to said slide portion and arranged to interferingly engage a portion of said column upon pivotal movement of said pawl toward said column; whereby said column, said slide portion, and said pawl may be connected to form an annulus about said tab for holding said slide portion on said fin tab.

8. A heat exchanger apparatus comprising in combination: an elongated tube; a plurality of fins spaced longitudinally on said tube; said fins having a tab at the corners thereof extending between adjacent pairs of fins for maintaining relative spacing therebetween; and a plastic cradle for slidably supporting said fins on a support bracket, said cradle comprising a pair of slide bars adapted to slide on the surface of a bracket; each slide bar having a pair of upstanding columns extending from said slide bars; a second bar pivotally connected to each of said slide bars and extending longitudinally of said tube; a pair of spaced webs connecting said slide bars, and a pair of pawls connected to each of said second bars arranged to interferingly engage said columns upon pivotal movement of said second bars toward said columns whereby said columns, said slide bars, said second bars and said pawls may be connected to form a plurality of annuli circumscribing said tabs for holding said cradle to said fin tabs.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1966 Person et a1. 16555 8/1966 Sinclair l--55 US. Cl. X.R.