US4398595A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vortex generators
Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
•
Filing: 1982-08-30
•
Granted: 1983-08-16
•
Expires: 2002-08-30
Abstract
Abstract The heat transfer coefficient of a tube bundle is improved by providing the bundle with at least one transverse vortex generating member.
Inventors
- 👤 William M. Small
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 02:58
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28F; F28F13/00; F28F13/06; F28F9/00; F28F9/007; F28F9/013; F28F9/0132; F28F9/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
Apparatus comprising: (a). a plurality of parallel tubes arranged to form at least a first and second plurality of parallel tube rows with lanes between adjacent tube rows; (b). a ring surrounding said plurality of tubes in a plane about normal to said plurality of tubes; (c). a plurality of non-supportive vortex generators affixed to and spaced across said ring, forming chords across a first end of said ring, each of said plurality of non-supportive vortex generators extending between two different adjacent tube rows of said first plurality of parallel tube rows; and (d). support means cooperating with the plurality of parallel tubes in the first and the second plurality of parallel tube rows to support the tubes in the first and second plurality of parallel tube rows.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
Apparatus comprising: (a). a plurality of parallel tubes arranged to form at least a first and second plurality of parallel tube rows with lanes between adjacent tube rows; (b). a ring surrounding said plurality of tubes in a plane about normal to said plurality of tubes; (c). a plurality of non-supportive vortex generators affixed to and spaced across said ring, forming chords across a first end of said ring, each of said plurality of non-supportive vortex generators extending between two different adjacent tube rows of said first plurality of parallel tube rows; and (d). support means cooperating with the plurality of parallel tubes in the first and the second plurality of parallel tube rows to support the tubes in the first and second plurality of parallel tube rows.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the support means comprises a plurality of parallel supportive vortex generators extending between adjacent tube rows in at least a portion of the lanes between adjacent tube rows, said parallel supportive vortex generators supporting adjacent tube rows.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the plurality of parallel supportive vortex generators are affixed as chords to the first end of the ring and extend across the tube bundle in at least a portion of the first plurality of lanes not occupied by a non-supportive vortex generator, said plurality of parallel supportive vortex generators forming in combination with said ring and said plurality of non-supportive vortex generators a supportive/non-supportive rod baffle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the plurality of parallel supportive vortex generators are affixed as chords to a second end of the ring and extend across the tube bundle in at least a portion of the first plurality of lanes, said plurality of parallel supportive vortex generators forming in combination with said ring and said plurality of non-supportive vortex generators a supportive/non-supportive rod baffle.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as in any one of claims 1-4 wherein the tube bundle further comprises a plurality of baffles.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as in claim 5 wherein at least one of the baffles is a supportive rod baffle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as in claim 5 wherein the diameter of the non-supportive vortex generators is from about 10 to about 90 percent of the diameter of the supportive vortex generators.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as in claim 5 wherein at least one of the baffles is a plate baffle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as in claim 5 wherein the number of tube rows in each of the first and the second plurality of parallel tube rows is an odd number.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as in claim 9 wherein at least a portion of the plurality of tubes are finned tubes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as in claim 9 wherein the plurality of tubes are arranged in square pitch.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-08-15 | 1987-02-14 | 1987-08-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-08-15 | 1991-02-14 | 1991-08-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-08-15 | 1995-02-14 | 1995-08-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |