Automotive oil cooler
First Claim
1. In a submerged oil cooler for automotive vehicles comprising a hollow inner length of tubing through which engine coolant may flow and an outer length of tubing sealed at its ends to the inner tubing and having an inner surface which cooperates with the outer surface of the inner length of tubing to define a generally annular flow passage for oil which may pass through inlet and outlet fittings at opposed ends of the cooler, the improvement wherein said inner length of tubing includes a helically convoluted outer surface and said outer length of tubing includes a plurality of generally axially extending flutes which engage said helically convoluted outer surface, the crests of said flutes being periodically transversely indented along the axial length thereof to a depth less than the depth of the flutes.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Submerged oil cooler for automotive vehicles requires only two principal parts but can provide more heat transfer at a lower pressure drop than conventional oil coolers which utilize three principal parts. In a preferred embodiment, an outer tube having a plurality of longitudinal flutes which are periodically transversely indented is press fit over an inner tube having a helically finned outer surface. The tubes are sealed at their ends so as to define an extended annular flow channel for oil between the tubes, while permitting engine coolant in which the cooler is submerged to flow through the inner tube. A modified arrangement substitutes corrugated tube for the finned inner tube with a resulting cost saving in material but with a small increase in pressure drop and a small loss in heat transfer efficiency.
-
Citations
10 Claims
- 1. In a submerged oil cooler for automotive vehicles comprising a hollow inner length of tubing through which engine coolant may flow and an outer length of tubing sealed at its ends to the inner tubing and having an inner surface which cooperates with the outer surface of the inner length of tubing to define a generally annular flow passage for oil which may pass through inlet and outlet fittings at opposed ends of the cooler, the improvement wherein said inner length of tubing includes a helically convoluted outer surface and said outer length of tubing includes a plurality of generally axially extending flutes which engage said helically convoluted outer surface, the crests of said flutes being periodically transversely indented along the axial length thereof to a depth less than the depth of the flutes.
Specification