Plastic heat exchange tube

Claim 1

In a heat exchanger, the improvement in a heat exchange tube, comprising: a. an elongated center portion for receiving liquid flow therethrough from an inlet end of the tube to an outlet end, b. an open-ended channel portion spiralling in one direction about said center portion along substantially the entire length thereof with the open end of said channel portion in fluid communication with the interior of said center portion, c. said center and channel portions being integrally formed from plastic so as to be seamlessly joined to each other along said length, d. the height of said channel portion being a least as great as the pitch of the spiral and no greater than two times the pitch, and e. a web portion extending through said center portion so as to impart longitudinal stability to the tube and to turbulently rotate liquid flowing through the tube outwardly into said channel portion, f. said web portion having at least two substantially radially extending legs, g. said radially extending legs spiraling about the axis of said center portion along substantially the entire length of said center portion.