Louvered fin heat exchanger
US5722485A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 17, 1994 |
| Grant date | Mar 3, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 17, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S165/503
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An improved louvered fin heat exchanger having plural fins arranged in substantially parallel, closely spaced relation and a plurality of heat transfer tubes passing through aligned openings in the fins is disclosed. Each fin includes a plurality of first and second louvers which intersect a nominal plane of the fin at respective first and second angles such that the first louvers are in diverging relationship with the second louvers on one side of the fin and in converging relationship with the second louvers on an opposite side of the fin, thereby providing a bi-directional louver configuration. Each fin further includes a plurality of collars defining the respective fin openings. Each collar has a substantially cylindrical portion and two distinct base portions on one side of the fin which defines two distinct recesses on an opposite side of the fin. Each substantially cylindrical collar is adapted to engage the one of the recessed portions of an adjacent fin collar to facilitate alignment of the fins during assembly. The louvered fin of the present invention is particularly well-suited to accommodate smaller diameter (e.g., on the order of 5/16 inch) heat exchanger tubes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.