Metal-to-metal heat exchanger for recreational vehicle

Claim 2

The structure according to claim 1, including; a flow tube extending through one conduit port and into the interior of the conduit, the flow tube being arranged to increase the circulation path of radiator water through the conduit in order to increase the heat transfer capacity between the conduit and container.

Claim 3

The structure according to claim 3, wherein; the flow tube extends over 90 percent of the end-to-end distance of the conduit.

Claim 4

The structure according to claim 4, including; a second flow tube coupled in fluid communication to the other conduit port.

Claim 5

The structure according to claim 1, wherein: the container has a closed end and an open end for receiving the conduit; and the conduit has a closed end arranged adjacent the container closed end and a second end that forms the fluid inlet and exit ports.

Claim 6

The structure according to claim 6, wherein: the container is of tubular cross section; a mounting flange is joined to the container open end; the conduit is of tubular cross section and has a length substantially equivalent with that of the container, and the leakage gap is of annular configuration.

Claim 7

A vehicle heat exchange system for simultaneously heating potable liquid from a potable liquid source and cooling radiator water circulating through the vehicle radiator circuit, the system comprising: a. a tank having inlet and exit lines for admitting and discharging potable liquid; b. a metal container having a closed end and an open end, the container being mounted to and projecting into the tank and arranged in heat exchange relationship with the tank; c. a vehicle radiator flow line segment; d. a metal conduit coupled to the radiator vehicle flow line segment and having an inlet port for admitting radiator water and an exit port for discharging radiator water, the conduit being positioned within the container and in metal-to-metal heat exchange relationship therewith throughout the major portion of its length; e. a flow tube extending through one conduit port and into the interior of the conduit, the flow tube being arranged to increase the circulation path of radiator water through the conduit in order to increase the heat transfer capacity between the conduit and container; and f. means defining a leakage gap between the container and conduit for conducting any radiator water that might leak from a portion of the conduit positioned within the container to a location outwardly of the container, the average width of the leakage gap being between 0.002 inches and 0.005 inches.

Claim 8

The structure according to claim 8, wherein; the flow tube extends over 90 percent of the end-to-end distance of the conduit.

Claim 9

The structure according to claim 9, including: a tank for conducting potable liquid, the metal container being mounted to the tank so that the major portion of the conduit projects into the tank and the leakage gap terminates outwardly of the tank; and wherein, when relatively high vehicle radiator water is circulated through the conduit and relatively cool potable is circulated through the tank the heat exchange relationship between the conduit and container simultaneously causes the potable water to become heated while the radiator liquid becomes cooled.