Abstract A tube-type heat exchanger wherein a fin member, including a central core portion and a plurality of fins extending radially therefrom, is located within a tube such that the fins have a close interference fit with the inner wall of the tube. The core portion is composed of a plurality of axially spaced segments, and the fins bridge a space between and interconnect adjacent segments. The space between adjacent segments establishes communication across the core portion between flow paths bounded radially of the core portion by the tubular member and fins. The core portion is segmented subsequent to extrusion forming of the fin member by directing a cutting member into engagement with the core portion along a line extending transversely of the fin member.
Inventors
👤 Charles E Drake
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-10-29 13:53
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28F; F28F1/00; F28F1/10; F28F1/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
In a heat exchange tube construction including an outer tubular member, and an internal fin member disposed within and extending axially of said tubular member, said fin member having a central core portion and a plurality of fins joined to and extending radially from said core portion, said fins being elongated axially of said core portion and each being radially outwardly bounded by an outer edge portion, said fin outer edge portions being joined to an inner surface of said tubular member for providing an intimate heat-conductive engagement between said fin member and said tubular member, the improvement wherein: said core portion is composed of a plurality of axially spaced segments, and said fins bridge a space between and interconnect adjacent segments, said space between adjacent segments establishing communication across said core portion between flow paths bounded radially of said core portion by said tubular member and said fins.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a heat exchange tube construction including an outer tubular member, and an internal fin member disposed within and extending axially of said tubular member, said fin member having a central core portion and a plurality of fins joined to and extending radially from said core portion, said fins being elongated axially of said core portion and each being radially outwardly bounded by an outer edge portion, said fin outer edge portions being joined to an inner surface of said tubular member for providing an intimate heat-conductive engagement between said fin member and said tubular member, the improvement wherein: said core portion is composed of a plurality of axially spaced segments, and said fins bridge a space between and interconnect adjacent segments, said space between adjacent segments establishing communication across said core portion between flow paths bounded radially of said core portion by said tubular member and said fins.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The improvement in a heat exchange tube according to claim 1, wherein portions of said fins bridging said space are radially inwardly bounded by free inner edge portions, said inner edge portions defining notches opening towards said space and having radial dimensions less than the radial dimension of their associated fins.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement in a heat exchange tube according to claim 1, wherein said core portion and said fins are integrally formed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improvement in a heat exchange tube according to claim 3, wherein said fins are spiraled relative to the longitudinal axis of said fin member.