Finned tube arrangement for heat exchangers

• US 4,691,766 A
• Filed: 02/14/1986
• Issued: 09/08/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dieter Wurz, Paul Paikert
• Original Assignee: Dieter Wurz, Paul Paikert
• Inventors: Wurz, Dieter, Paikert, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Davis, Jr., Albert W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ford, John K.
• Application Number:
  US06/829,160
• Time in Patent Office: 571 Days
• Field of Search: 165/151, 165/111, 165/113, 165/133, 165/172, 165/171, 165/903, 165/124, 165/900
• US Class Current: 165/135
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 1/12 the means being only outside the tubular element
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 13/06 by affecting the pattern of flow of the heat-exchange media F28F13/003 takes precedence; static flow control means in header boxes F28F9/026
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2265/28 for preventing noise
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 165/90 Cooling towers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 165/903 Convection

Abstract

In finned tube arrangements for cooling a medium which flows in the finned tubes by a second medium which flows outside of the finned tubes and transversely thereof, flow guide elements are positioned at the inflow side and/or at the outflow side of the finned tube arrangement to reduce the pressure loss and, possibly, increase the heat transfer coefficient.

Claims

1. In a finned tube heat exchanger assembly including a plurality of parallel tubes each having a plurality of longitudinally-spaced, radially-extending annular fins mounted concentrically thereon, thereby to afford heat transfer between a first fluid medium flowing through the tubes and a second medium flowing externally thereof,

the improvement which comprises

(a) a plurality of first flow guide members arranged parallel to said finned tubes and in the inflow and outflow paths of said second fluid medium with respect to said finned tubes;

and

(b) a plurality of second flow guide members arranged transversely of said finned tubes and said first flow guide members in the inflow and outflow paths of said second medium with respect to said finned tubes, said first and second flow guide members arranged in the inflow path defining generally a lattice for directing said second medium across said tubes in a direction normal to the axes thereof;

(c) said first flow guide members each having a symmetrical streamlined configuration relative to a center plane extending in the lengthwise direction thereof and each of said second flow guide members having an airfoil configuration including a first portion of maximum thickness and a second blade portion of minimum thickness arranged on opposite sides of said tubes, said first and second portions being curved to provide each of said second flow guide members with a generally S-shaped configuration, whereby when said second medium is directed toward said second flow guide member first portions, said second medium is directed by said first portions across said tubes in a direction normal to the axis thereof and by said portions to an outlet.

2. A finned tube assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the distance in the direction of tube length between adjacent ones of said second flow guide members is in the range of from 1 to 5 times the diameter of said tubes.

3. A finned tube arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein said flow guide members are constructed of hollow members covered with a layer of sound-dampening synthetic plastic material to dampen noise.

4. A finned tube arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein said flow guide members are made of noise dampening material comprising foamed synthetic plastic material.