U.S. patent application number 10/338000 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-26 for heat exchanger.
Invention is credited to Jang, Dong-Yeon, Ko, Cheol-Soo, Oh, Sai-Kee, Oh, Se-Yoon, Sa, Yong-Cheol.
Application Number | 20040035563 10/338000 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31884983 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040035563 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ko, Cheol-Soo ; et
al. |
February 26, 2004 |
Heat exchanger
Abstract
Disclosed is a heat exchanger which reduces a flow loss of air
and increases a heat exchange performance by preventing condensate
water from staying at surfaces of fins. To this end, the heat
exchanger comprises: a plurality of tubes arranged with a
predetermined interval so as to pass a fluid for the heat exchange;
and fins mounted among the tubes for expanding a contact area with
air, wherein the fins are tilted with a predetermined angle so as
to prevent condensate water from staying at the surfaces of the
fins.
Inventors: |
Ko, Cheol-Soo; (Gunpo,
KR) ; Oh, Se-Yoon; (Seoul, KR) ; Oh,
Sai-Kee; (Seoul, KR) ; Sa, Yong-Cheol;
(Anyang, KR) ; Jang, Dong-Yeon; (Siheung,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Family ID: |
31884983 |
Appl. No.: |
10/338000 |
Filed: |
January 8, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/152 ;
62/272 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28F 13/04 20130101;
F28F 1/128 20130101; F28F 17/005 20130101; F28D 1/05383 20130101;
F28D 1/05366 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/152 ;
62/272 |
International
Class: |
F28D 001/02; F25D
021/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 23, 2002 |
KR |
2002-50216 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A heat exchanger comprising: a plurality of tubes arranged with
a predetermined interval so as to pass a fluid for heat exchange;
and fins respectively mounted among the tubes for expanding a
contact area with air, wherein the fins are tilted with a
predetermined angle so as to prevent condensate water from staying
at surfaces of the fins.
2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the fins include plate
portions attached to one side of the tubes with a predetermined
interval; and louvers protruded at upper surfaces of the plate
portions with a predetermined width, in which the louvers are
formed to have a predetermined tilt angle.
3. The heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein the louvers are formed to
have a predetermined tilt angle on the basis of their width
direction.
4. The heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein the louvers are formed to
have a predetermined tilt angle towards a downward direction along
a direction which air flows.
5. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the fins include plate
portions attached to one side of the tubes with a predetermined
interval; and louvers protruded at the upper surfaces of the plate
portions with a predetermined width, in which the plate portions
are formed to have a predetermined tilt angle.
6. The heat exchanger of claim 5, wherein the plate portions are
formed to have a predetermined tilt angle on the basis of their
width direction.
7. The heat exchanger of claim 5, wherein the plate portions are
formed to have a predetermined tilt angle towards a downward
direction along a direction which the air flows.
8. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the fins include plate
portions attached to one side of the tube with a predetermined
interval; and louvers protruded at the upper surfaces of the plate
portions with a predetermined width, in which the plate portions
and the louvers are formed to have predetermined tilt angles on the
basis of their width directions, respectively.
9. The heat exchanger of claim 8, wherein the plate portions and
the louvers are formed to have predetermined tilt angles on the
basis of their width directions.
10. The heat exchanger of claim 8, wherein the plate portions and
the louvers are formed to respectively have predetermined tilt
angles towards a downward direction along a direction which the air
flows.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger, and more
particularly, to a heat exchanger which can smoothly discharge
condensate water generated at the time of a heat exchange.
[0003] 2. Description of the Background Art
[0004] Generally, a heat exchanger is a device for exchanging heat
by contacting two different fluids directly or indirectly and the
heat exchanger is used to a heater, a cooler, an evaporator, a
condenser, and etc.
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger which is
mainly used in a conventional refrigerator.
[0006] The conventional heat exchanger comprises: an inlet pipe 102
for introducing a fluid for heat exchange; tubes 104 connected to
the inlet pipe 102 with a predetermined interval along a
longitudinal direction thereof for passing a refrigerant and
performing a heat exchange; fins 106 mounted among the tubes 104
respectively for expanding a contact area with air passing through
the tubes 104 so as to enhance a heat transmittance performance;
and a discharge pipe 108 connected to the other side end portion of
the tubes 104 for discharging a fluid which completed a heat
exchange.
[0007] The fins 106, as shown in FIG. 2, have plate portions 112
attached to one side surface of the tubes 104 with a predetermined
interval and having a plane shape by being curved several times.
Herein, louvers 114 playing a role of a flow passage of the
condensate water are protruded at the upper surfaces of the plate
portions 112 with a predetermined width.
[0008] The louvers 114, as shown in FIG. 3, are formed in
accordance with that the plate portions 112 are cut with a
predetermined interval and protruded to an upper portions of the
plate portions 112 with a predetermined width. Predetermined slits
116 are formed between the plate portions 112 and the louvers 114.
Through the slits 116, the condensate water is discharged.
[0009] In the conventional heat exchanger, a fluid introduced into
the inlet pipe 102 is distributed to the respective tubes 104 and
collected in the discharge pipe 108 by passing the tubes 104,
thereby being discharged. At this time, the fluid passing through
the tubes 104 and air passing through the fins 106 installed among
the tubes 104 are intercrossed, thereby performing a heat
exchange.
[0010] At the time of heat exchanging of the heat exchanger
condensate water condensed from moisture contained in peripheral
air attaches at the surfaces of the tubes 104 and the fins 106. The
condensate water drops downwardly through the slits 116 between the
plate portions 112 and the louvers 114 and is collected in a drain
pan (not shown), thereby being discharged outwardly.
[0011] However, in the conventional heat exchanger, since the plate
portions and the louvers are respectively formed as a flat form,
the condensate water stays at the upper surfaces of the plate
portions and the louvers . Therefore, air passing through the fins
is prevented from flowing, thereby generating a flow loss. Also, in
accordance with that a film of the condensate water becomes thick
at the surfaces of the plate portions and the louvers , a heat
exchange performance is degraded.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide
a heat exchanger which can reduce a flow loss of air and increase a
heat exchange performance in which condensate water is smoothly
discharged by improving a fin structure and the condensate water is
prevented from staying at a surface of the fin.
[0013] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with
the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly
described herein, there is provided a heat exchanger comprising: a
plurality of tubes arranged with a predetermined interval so as to
pass a fluid for heat exchange; and fins respectively mounted among
the tubes for expanding a contact area with air, in which the fins
are tilted with a predetermined angle so as to prevent condensate
water from staying at the surfaces of the fins.
[0014] The fins of the heat exchanger include plate portions
attached to one side surface of the tubes with a predetermined
interval; and louvers protruded at the upper surfaces of the plate
portions with a predetermined width, in which the louvers are
formed to have a predetermined tilt angle.
[0015] The louvers of the heat exchanger are formed to have a
predetermined tilt angle on the basis of their width direction.
[0016] The louvers of the heat exchanger are formed to have a
predetermined tilt angle towards a downward direction along a
direction which the air flows.
[0017] The fins of the heat exchanger include: plate portions
attached to one side of the tubes with a predetermined interval;
and louvers protruded at the upper surfaces of the plate portions
with a predetermined width, in which the plate portions are formed
to have a predetermined tilt angle.
[0018] The fins of the heat exchanger include: plate portions
attached to one side of the tubes with a predetermined interval;
and louvers protruded at the upper surfaces of the plate portions
with a predetermined width, in which the plate portions and the
louvers are formed to respectively have predetermined tilt angles
on the basis of their width directions.
[0019] The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and
advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from
the following detailed description of the present invention when
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principles of the invention.
[0021] In the drawings:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger in
accordance with the conventional art;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a partial enlargement view of the heat exchanger
in accordance with the conventional art;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG.
2;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger according
to the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a partial enlargement view of the heat exchanger
according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. 5
according to the one preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0028] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the fins according to the
second preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the fins according to the
third preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
[0031] A heat exchanger according to the preferred embodiments will
be explained with reference to attached drawings.
[0032] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the heat exchanger according
to the present invention.
[0033] The heat exchanger according to the present invention
comprises: an inlet pipe 2 for introducing a fluid for heat
exchange; a plurality of tubes 4 connected to the inlet pipe 2 with
a predetermined interval along a longitudinal direction thereof for
passing the fluid introduced into the inlet pipe 2 and performing a
heat exchange; a discharge pipe 6 connected to the other sied end
portion of the tubes 4 for discharging the fluid which completed a
heat exchange; and a plurality of fins 8 mounted among the tubes 4
respectively for expanding a contact area with air passing through
the tubes 4.
[0034] The inlet pipe 2 and the discharge pipe 6 are formed as
cylindrical shapes having predetermined lengths, respectively, and
both end portions of the tubes 4 are respectively connected thereto
with a predetermined interval towards a longitudinal direction
thereof.
[0035] FIG. 5 is a partial enlargement view of the heat exchanger
according to the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view
taken along line V-V of FIG. 5 according to one preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] The fins 8 are attached to one side surfaces of the tubes 4
with a predetermined width as a fold form and include the plate
portions 10 arranged with a predetermined interval.
[0037] Herein, the louvers 12 playing a role of a flow passage by
which the condensate water is discharged are protruded at the upper
surfaces of the plate portions 10 with a predetermined interval.
The louvers 12 are formed in accordance with that the plate
portions 10 are cut with a predetermined interval and curved
towards an upper direction with a predetermined width. Also, a
slits 16 having a predetermined width are formed between the
louvers 12 and the plate portions 10, thereby discharging the
condensate water and passing air.
[0038] At this time, the louvers 12 are formed as a shape having a
predetermined length perpendicularly to a flow direction of the air
and having a predetermined width along a direction which the air
passes. The louvers 12 are formed to have a predetermined tilt
angle (.theta.1) on the basis of their width direction to prevent
the condensate water from staying at the surfaces of the louvers
12, in which the tilt angle (.theta.1) of the louvers 12 are tilted
downwardly along a direction which air is introduced.
[0039] That is, since the louvers 12 are formed to have a
predetermined tilt angle, the condensate water does not stay at the
surfaces of the louvers 12 and is smoothly discharged towards a
gravitation direction.
[0040] Operations of the heat exchanger according to the preferred
embodiment of the present invention will be explained.
[0041] If a fluid to be heat-exchanged is introduced into the inlet
pipe 2, the fluid passes the tubes 4 connected to the inlet pipe 2
as a longitudinal direction with a predetermined interval and is
intercrossed with external air passing through the fins 8 mounted
among the tubes 4, thereby performing a heat exchange. The fluid
which completed the heat exchange is collected into the discharge
pipe 6 and discharged.
[0042] At the time of heat exchanging of the heat exchanger
according to the present invention, the condensate water condensed
from moisture contained in peripheral air stays at the surfaces of
the tubes 4 and the fins 8. The condensate water moves towards a
down direction by gravitation and is collected in the drain pan
(not shown), thereby being discharged outwardly.
[0043] At this time, since the louvers 12 are formed to have a
predetermined tilt angle towards a downward direction along a
direction which the air flows, the condensate water does not stay
at the surfaces the louvers 12 but drops to a downward direction by
the gravitation. The condensate water is smoothly discharged
through the slits 16 between the louvers 12 and the plate portions
10.
[0044] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the fins according to the
second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0045] The heat exchanger according to the second embodiment of the
present invention has the same construction with that of the first
embodiment except that a structure of the fins is differently
formed.
[0046] That is, the fins 26 of the heat exchanger according to the
second embodiment include the plate portions 20 and the louvers 22
protruded at the upper surfaces of the plate portions 20 with a
predetermined width, in which the plate portions 20 have a
predetermined tilt angle on the basis of their width direction and
the louvers 22 have a flat surface.
[0047] That is, the plate portions 20 are formed to have a
predetermined tilt angle towards a downward direction along a
direction which the air flows, so that the condensate water
attached to the surfaces of the plate portions 20 does not stay at
the surfaces of the plate portions 20 and drops by the gravitation,
thereby being discharged towards a downward direction through the
slits 24 between the plate portions 20 and the louvers 22.
[0048] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the fins according to the
third embodiment of the present invention.
[0049] The heat exchanger according to the third embodiment has the
same structure with that of said embodiment except that a structure
of the fins is different.
[0050] The fins 30 of the heat exchanger according to the third
embodiment include the plate portions 32 and the louvers 34
protruded at the upper surfaces of the plate portions 32 with a
predetermined width, in which the plate portions 32 and the louvers
34 are formed to have predetermined tilt angles on the basis of
their width directions.
[0051] That is, the plate portions 32 are formed to have a
predetermined tilt angle towards a downward direction along a
direction which the air flows and the louvers 34 are also formed to
have a predetermined tilt angle towards a downward direction along
a direction which the air flows, so that the condensate water
attached to the surface of the plate portions 32 does not stay at
the surfaces of the plate portions 32 and drops by the gravitation
and the condensate water attached to the surface of the louvers 34
does not stay at the surfaces of the louvers 34 and drops by the
gravitation, thereby being discharged towards a downward direction
through the slits 36 between the plate portions 32 and the louvers
34.
[0052] The heat exchanger according to the present invention has
the following advantages.
[0053] First, since the plate portions and the louvers of the heat
exchanger are formed to respectively have predetermined tilt angles
on the basis of their width directions, the condensate water
attached to the plate portions and the louvers does not stay at the
surfaces thereof but is smoothly discharged towards a gravitation
direction. Accordingly, air flows smoothly through the slits
between the plate portions and the louvers and through a passage
among the fins.
[0054] Also, since a film of the condensate water is prevented from
being formed at the surfaces of the fins, a heat exchange
performance is increased.
[0055] As the present invention may be embodied in several forms
without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics
thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described
embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing
description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be
construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the
appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that
fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of
such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the
appended claims.
* * * * *