Teardrop-shaped heat exchange tube and its process of manufacture

US5355946A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• MTU Motoren-und Turbinen-Union München GmbH · DE

Inventors

• William Wei · Munich, DE
• Gerhard Pellischek · Wolfratshausen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 4, 1993
• Grant date: Oct 18, 1994
• Expiry date: Oct 4, 2013

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S165/91
• WIPO field: Thermal processes and apparatus
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A matrix of heat exchange tubes in a heat exchanger in which a first fluid flows in the heat exchange tubes and undergoes heat exchange with a second fluid flowing externally on the heat exchange tubes. The tubes have a teardrop shape and are arranged in the matrix in parallel relation in rows in which each tube has a rounded surface at one end and a tapered narrow surface at the other end. The tubes in each row all face in the same direction and the tubes in alternate rows face in opposite directions. The tubes have alternate unequal spacing of distances a.sub.1 and a.sub.2 in successive rows. The tubes can be bent to form a U-shape matrix or a semi-circular matrix. The tubes are each manufactured by filling the space between an inner channel and an outer shell of the tube with a ceramic or metal.