초록 ▼

An improved heat exchanger (60) includes plural relatively flat conduits (62) adapted to accommodate passage of heat transfer fluid therethrough. Each conduit (62) has inlet and outlet openings, a supply channel (100) communicating with the corresponding inlet opening to direct heat transfer fluid f

An improved heat exchanger (60) includes plural relatively flat conduits (62) adapted to accommodate passage of heat transfer fluid therethrough. Each conduit (62) has inlet and outlet openings, a supply channel (100) communicating with the corresponding inlet opening to direct heat transfer fluid flowing through the corresponding inlet opening into the corresponding conduit (62), a drain channel (102) communicating with the corresponding outlet opening to direct heat transfer fluid out of the corresponding conduit (62) through the corresponding outlet opening, and plural heat transfer channels (92) communicating between the supply and drain channels (100, 102) to direct heat transfer fluid therebetween in a generally transverse direction relative to respective major axes of the supply and drain channels (100, 102). The supply and drain channels (100, 102) each have a substantially greater length and cross-sectional area than the length and cross-sectional area of each heat transfer channel (92). Heat transfer between the fluid inside the conduit (62) and an external fluid, such as air, flowing through the heat exchanger (60) occurs for the most part as heat transfer fluid flows through the heat transfer channels (92) of the conduits (62).

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A heat exchanger having at least one conduit of non-circular cross-section adapted to accommodate passage of heat transfer fluid therethrough and support means for supporting said conduit, said conduit having a major dimension and a minor dimension, inlet and outlet openings, a sup

[ We claim:] [1.] A heat exchanger having at least one conduit of non-circular cross-section adapted to accommodate passage of heat transfer fluid therethrough and support means for supporting said conduit, said conduit having a major dimension and a minor dimension, inlet and outlet openings, a supply channel extending generally along said major dimension and communicating with said inlet opening to direct heat transfer fluid flowing through said inlet opening into said conduit, a drain channel extending generally along said major dimension and communicating with said outlet opening to direct heat transfer fluid out of said conduit through said outlet opening, and plural heat transfer channels, each of which extends generally along said minor dimension between said supply channel and said drain channel, said major dimension being substantially greater than said minor dimension, such that each heat transfer channel has a relatively short length compared to a length of said conduit along said major dimension, at least one of said heat transfer channels having a hydraulic diameter of less than about 0.105 inch. [16.] In a heat exchanger, a conduit of non-circular cross-section adapted to accommodate passage of heat transfer fluid therethrough, said conduit having a major dimension and a minor dimension, inlet and outlet openings, a supply channel extending generally along said major dimension and communicating with said inlet opening to direct heat transfer fluid flowing through said inlet opening into said conduit, a drain channel extending generally along said major dimension and communicating with said outlet opening to direct heat transfer fluid out of said conduit through said outlet opening, and plural heat transfer channels, each of which extends generally along said minor dimension between said supply channel and said drain channel, said major dimension being substantially greater than said minor dimension, such that each heat transfer channel has a relatively short length compared to a length of said conduit along said major dimension, at least one of said heat transfer channels having a hydraulic diameter of less than about 0.105 inch. The conduit of claim 16 wherein said supply channel and said drain channel each having a substantially greater cross-sectional area than each of said heat transfer channels. The conduit of claim 16 wherein said conduit is a relatively flat tube. The conduit of claim 18 wherein said supply channel and said drain channel are located on respective opposed sides of said tube and extend substantially the entire major dimension of said tube. [33.] A heat exchanger having plural conduits of non-circular cross-section adapted to accommodate passage of heat transfer fluid therethrough and support means for supporting said conduits, each of said conduits having a major dimension and a minor dimension, inlet and outlet openings, a supply channel extending generally along said major dimension and communicating with said inlet opening to direct heat transfer fluid flowing through said inlet opening into said conduit, a drain channel extending generally along said major dimension and communicating with said outlet opening to direct heat transfer fluid out of said conduit through said outlet opening, and plural heat transfer channels, each of said heat transfer channels extending generally along said minor dimension between said supply channel and said drain channel, said major dimension being substantially greater than said minor dimension, such that each heat transfer channel has a relatively short length compared to a length of said conduit along said major dimension, said heat exchanger further including plural serpentine fins extending between and joined to adjacent ones of said conduits.