Patent Application
20250146756
The disclosed subject matter relates generally to a heat exchanger. More particularly, the disclosed subject matter relates to a heat exchanger having bent tubes that are arranged different planes.
Current heat exchangers include series of metal straight tubes through which cold or hot fluid passes, and air, generated by a fan, is passed over the tubes to enable heat exchange between the fluid passing through the tubes and the air. However, the existing heat exchangers include one or more dead zones that either do not receive air generated by the fan or receive reduced air flow, leading a reduction in the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchangers.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a heat exchanger is disclosed. The heat exchanger includes an inlet header, an outlet header, and a plurality of coaxially arranged bent tubes extending from the inlet header to the outlet header. At least one of the plurality of bent tubes being non-coplanar relative to at least one of remaining bent tubes.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a heat transfer system is disclosed. The heat transfer system includes a fan and a heat exchanger arranged upstream or downstream of the fan relative to a direction of air flow generated by the fan. The heat exchanger includes an inlet header, an outlet header, and a plurality of coaxially arranged bent tubes extending from the inlet header to the outlet header. At least one of the plurality of bent tubes being non-coplanar relative to at least one of remaining bent tubes.
In accordance with yet a further embodiment of the present disclosure a heat exchanger is disclosed. The heat exchanger includes an inlet header, an outlet header arranged diametrically opposite to the inlet header, and a plurality of coaxially arranged bent tubes extending from the inlet header to the outlet header. At least one of the plurality of bent tubes being non-coplanar relative to at least one of remaining bent tubes and a cross-sectional area of the inlet header varies along a length of the inlet header.
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
A few inventive aspects of the disclosed embodiments are explained in detail below with reference to the various figures. Exemplary embodiments are described to illustrate the disclosed subject matter, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a number of equivalent variations of the various features provided in the description that follows. Embodiments are hereinafter described in detail in connection with the views and examples of
Referring to
As shown, the plurality of bent tubes 120 is arranged coaxially to each other and extend from the inlet header 122 to the outlet header 124. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the bent tubes 120 is in the form an arc of a circle having a first end connected to the inlet header 122 and a second end connected to the outlet header 124. As shown, the plurality of bent tubes 120 includes a first tube group 130 arranged on a first side of the inlet header 122 and the outlet header 124 and a second tube group 132 arranged on a second side of the inlet header 122 and the outlet header 124, with the inlet header 122 and the outlet header 124 arranged opposite, for example, diametrically opposite, to each other such that a central longitudinal axis 136 of the inlet header 122 and a central longitudinal axis 138 of the outlet header 124 are aligned with each other. Although, the inlet and outlet headers 122, 124 are shown to be arranged diametrically opposite to each other, it may be appreciated that the inlet header 122 and the outlet header 124 are arranged side by side and in such a case, the plurality of bent tubes 120 include only one tube group, for example, the first tube group 130. Also, in some embodiments, although the inlet header 122 and the outlet header 124 are arranged opposite to each other, it may be envisioned that the inlet header 122 and the outlet header 124 are arranged such that the central longitudinal axis 136 of the inlet header 122 and the central longitudinal axis 138 of the outlet header 124 are arranged at an offset from each other.
Further, as best shown in
Also, it may be appreciated that the first tube group 130 and second tube group 132 are identical to each other in construction, structure, and assembly. As illustrated in
Further, the inlet header 122 defines a plurality of inlet ports 142 at junctions of the bent tubes 120 with the inlet header 122 to enable a flow of the coolant to the bent tubes 120 from the inlet header 122. Similarly, the outlet header 124 defines a plurality of outlet ports 144 at the junctions of the bent tubes 120 with the outlet header 124 to enable an exit of the coolant from the bent tubes 120 to the outlet header 122. In an embodiment, cross-sectional areas of the inlet ports 142 and/or the outlet ports 144 vary along the length of the inlet header 122 and the outlet header 124 and correspond to the cross-sectional areas, sizes, or diameters of the bent tubes 120. Additionally, or optionally, each of the plurality of bent tubes 120 may include plurality of fins (not shown) improve the heat transfer. In some embodiments, the inner surface of each of the bent tubes 120 may be made rough or smooth or corrugated or rifled etc., to control the flow regime and the heat transfer.
Referring to
The heat exchanger 102, 102′ improve the overall heat transfer efficiency compared to traditional heat exchangers at the heat exchanger 102, 102′ have increased effective fan-swept area relative to the traditional heat exchangers. Also, the bent tubes 120, 120′ are arranged such that the restriction to the air flow passing through the bent tubes 120, 120′ is minimized, leading to increased heat exchange efficiency.
The foregoing description of embodiments and examples has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the forms described. Numerous modifications are possible in light of the above teachings. Some of those modifications have been discussed and others will be understood by those skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best illustrate certain principles and various embodiments as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The scope of the invention is, of course, not limited to the examples or embodiments set forth herein, but can be employed in any number of applications and equivalent devices by those of ordinary skill in the art. Rather it is hereby intended the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto.
