Compact fluid heat exchanger

Claim 1

A tubular type heat exchanger comprising: elongated first and second header tanks extending vertically adjacent one another in substantially parallel relation; inlet and outlet fittings on opposite ends of the first of said header tanks for the passage of fluid into and out of the heat exchanger; partition means in the interior of said first header tank dividing said header tank into an inlet portion and an outlet portion; a plurality of U-shaped tubes extending in generally horizontal planes between said tanks; each U-shaped tube having parallel elongated portions interconnected at one end by a curved portion, with the other ends of elongated portions being integrally joined to said first and second header tanks, respectively to resist relative bending movement therebetween, whereby fluid flows from said inlet portion of said first header tank through a portion of said U-shapeD tubes into the interior of said second header tank and then through another portion of said U-shaped tubes to the outlet portion of said first header tank; said parallel elongated portions of said tubes being stacked in vertical columns; the elongated portions of alternate tubes extending from said header tank from an elevational view being offset horizontally from upper and lower adjacent elongated portions, thereby forming spaces between said tubes to produce an undulating fluid pass; individual collar members having a rectangular shape attached to each elongated portion of said U-shaped tube and being in substantial coplanar relationship to one another when said tubes are at a uniform temperature; the edges of said rectangular collar members being separated a predetermined distance from corresponding edges of adjacent collar members for preventing binding engagement therebetween when said collars thermally expand in response to exposure of fluid having a temperature of about 2,500* F.; said coplanar collar members being located adjacent said free ends of said U-shaped tubes to space said elongated tube portions; said collar separation being sufficient to prevent binding engagement between said individual collar members to allow individual and unequal axial movement of said elongated tube portions caused by nonuniform temperature exposure of said tubes to fluid.