U.S. patent application number 12/877035 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-30 for heat exchanger tube having integrated thermoelectric devices.
Invention is credited to Lakhi Nandlal Goenka.
Application Number | 20100326092 12/877035 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39027799 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-30 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20100326092 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Goenka; Lakhi Nandlal |
December 30, 2010 |
HEAT EXCHANGER TUBE HAVING INTEGRATED THERMOELECTRIC DEVICES
Abstract
A heat exchanger for a vehicle is shown, wherein the heat
exchanger includes a plurality of tubes having integrated
thermoelectric devices disposed thereon to facilitate heat transfer
between the tubes and an atmosphere surrounding the tubes.
Inventors: |
Goenka; Lakhi Nandlal; (Ann
Arbor, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
2040 MAIN STREET, FOURTEENTH FLOOR
IRVINE
CA
92614
US
|
Family ID: |
39027799 |
Appl. No.: |
12/877035 |
Filed: |
September 7, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11497695 |
Aug 2, 2006 |
7788933 |
|
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12877035 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
62/3.7 ;
29/890.045 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28F 13/16 20130101;
B60H 1/00328 20130101; F28D 1/05316 20130101; B60H 1/00478
20130101; Y10T 29/49377 20150115; F28D 7/16 20130101; B60H 1/00557
20130101; F25B 21/02 20130101; H01L 35/30 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/3.7 ;
29/890.045 |
International
Class: |
F25B 21/02 20060101
F25B021/02; B23P 15/26 20060101 B23P015/26 |
Claims
1. A heat exchanger comprising: at least one fluid channel; a
plurality of hollow tubes, each of the plurality of tubes having a
wall, a first end, and a spaced apart second end, wherein a hollow
interior portion of each of the plurality of tubes is in fluid
communication with the at least one fluid channel; a plurality of
thermoelectric devices, each of the plurality of thermoelectric
devices comprising a first heat transfer surface and a second heat
transfer surface, wherein the first heat transfer surface of each
of the plurality of thermoelectric devices is in thermal
communication with at least a portion of the wall of at least one
of the plurality of tubes; and a plurality of heat exchanger fins,
each of the plurality of heat exchanger fins in thermal
communication with the second heat transfer surface of at least one
of the plurality of thermoelectric devices, wherein the plurality
of heat exchanger fins are configured to substantially increase a
surface area of thermal communication between the plurality of
thermoelectric devices and a working fluid flowing outside the
plurality of hollow tubes beyond the surface area of thermal
communication of the heat exchanger without the plurality of heat
exchanger fins.
2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, further comprising a control
system in electrical communication with the plurality of
thermoelectric devices, the control system configured to control a
direction of electric current delivered to the plurality of
thermoelectric devices.
3. The heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein the control system is
configured to control a variable electric current delivered to the
plurality of thermoelectric devices.
4. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
plurality of thermoelectric devices is disposed around the wall of
at least one of the tubes.
5. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the hollow interior
portion of the plurality of tubes is configured to convey a first
fluid, and the heat exchanger is configured to convey a second
fluid outside the plurality of tubes.
6. The heat exchanger of claim 5, wherein the first fluid is a
liquid, and the second fluid is a gas.
7. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is a
flat tube heat exchanger.
8. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is a
cross flow heat exchanger.
9. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is a
shell and tube heat exchanger.
10. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is a
counter flow heat exchanger.
11. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the control system is
configured to control the direction of the electric current
delivered to the plurality of thermoelectric devices in order to
select between a first mode, in which thermal energy is transferred
from the wall to the plurality of heat exchanger fins, and a second
mode, in which thermal energy is transferred from the plurality of
heat exchanger fins to the wall.
12. A method of manufacturing a heat exchanger, the method
comprising: providing a plurality of hollow tubes, each of the
plurality of tubes having a wall, a first end, and a spaced apart
second end, wherein a hollow interior portion of each of the
plurality of tubes is in fluid communication with the at least one
fluid channel; providing a plurality of thermoelectric devices,
each of the plurality of thermoelectric devices comprising a first
heat transfer surface and a second heat transfer surface; placing
the first heat transfer surface of each of the plurality of
thermoelectric devices is in thermal communication with at least a
portion of the wall of at least one of the plurality of tubes; and
providing a plurality of heat exchanger fins; placing each of the
plurality of heat exchanger fins in thermal communication with the
second heat transfer surface of at least one of the plurality of
thermoelectric devices, wherein the plurality of heat exchanger
fins are configured to substantially increase a surface area of
thermal communication between the plurality of thermoelectric
devices and a working fluid flowing outside the plurality of hollow
tubes beyond the surface area of thermal communication of the heat
exchanger without the plurality of heat exchanger fins.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising operatively
connecting a control system to the plurality of thermoelectric
devices, the control system configured to control a direction of
electric current delivered to the plurality of thermoelectric
devices.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the control system is
configured to control a variable electric current delivered to the
plurality of thermoelectric devices.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein at least one of the plurality
of thermoelectric devices is disposed around the walls of the
tubes.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein the plurality of heat exchanger
fins extend radially outwardly from outer surfaces of the
thermoelectric devices.
17. The method of claim 12, wherein the hollow interior portion of
the plurality of tubes is configured to convey a first fluid, and
the heat exchanger is configured to convey a second fluid outside
the plurality of tubes.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first fluid is a liquid,
and the second fluid is a gas.
19. The method of claim 12, wherein the heat exchanger is one of a
flat tube heat exchanger, a cross flow heat exchanger, a shell and
tube heat exchanger, and a counter flow heat exchanger.
20. The method of claim 12, wherein the control system is
configured to control the magnitude of the electric current
delivered to the at least one thermoelectric device in order to
select a heating and cooling capacity of the at least one
thermoelectric device.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 11/497,695, filed Aug. 2, 2006, titled HEAT EXCHANGER TUBE
HAVING INTEGRATED THERMOELECTRIC DEVICES, the entire contents of
which are incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this
specification.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger tube and
more particularly to a heat exchanger tube having integrated
thermoelectric devices to increase a thermal efficiency of the heat
exchanger.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] An air-cooled fin-type heat exchanger is very well known.
Heat exchangers are used for changing the temperature of various
working fluids, such as an engine coolant, an engine lubricating
oil, an air conditioning refrigerant, and an automatic transmission
fluid, for example. The heat exchanger typically includes a
plurality of spaced apart fluid conduits or tubes connected between
an inlet tank and an outlet tank, and a plurality of heat
exchanging fins disposed between adjacent conduits. Air is directed
across the fins of the heat exchanger by a cooling fan or a motion
of a vehicle, for example. As the air flows across the fins, heat
in a fluid flowing through the tubes is conducted through the walls
of the tubes, into the fins, and transferred into the air.
[0006] One of the primary goals in heat exchanger design is to
achieve the highest possible thermal efficiency. Thermal efficiency
is measured by dividing the amount of heat that is transferred by
the heat exchanger under a given set of conditions (amount of
airflow, temperature difference between the air and fluid, and the
like) by the theoretical maximum possible heat transfer under those
conditions. Thus, an increase in the rate of heat transfer under a
given set of conditions results in a higher thermal efficiency.
[0007] Typically, to improve thermal efficiency, the airflow must
be improved and/or a pressure drop through the heat exchanger must
be reduced. Improved heat exchanger performance can be accomplished
by forming the fins and/or louvers on the fins at a predetermined
angle in a manner also well known in the art. Pressure drop is
associated with the change in airflow direction caused by the
louvered fins. A higher air pressure drop can result in a lower
heat transfer rate. Various types of fin and louver designs have
been disclosed in the prior art with the object of increasing the
heat exchanger efficiency by making improvements in the fins,
louvers, and airflow pattern.
[0008] Examples of these prior art fin and louver designs include
an addition of fin rows in order to increase the amount of air
encountered by the heat exchanger. Other designs include louvers
formed at an angle to the fin wall, rather than square to the fin
wall. Further, the prior art discloses heat exchangers with
multiple changes of airflow direction. Air flows through the
louvers until a middle transition piece or turnaround rib is
reached. The air then changes direction and flows through exit
louvers to exit the heat exchanger. Fin design continues to play an
important role in increasing heat exchanger efficiency.
[0009] A thermoelectric device can be used to transfer heat between
fluids, such as from air flow to a fluid in a fluid conduit, for
example. The thermoelectric device includes a hot side and a cold
side, wherein one of the hot side and the cold side is in
communication with each of the fluids. A heat transfer efficiency
of the thermoelectric device decreases as a difference in
temperature between the hot side and the cold side thereof
increases.
[0010] It would be desirable to produce a tube for a heat exchanger
having an integrated thermoelectric device whereby a thermal
efficiency of the heat exchanger is maximized.
SUMMARY
[0011] Harmonious with the present invention, a tube for a heat
exchanger having an integrated thermoelectric device whereby a
thermal efficiency of the heat exchanger is maximized has
surprisingly been discovered.
[0012] In one embodiment, a tube for a heat exchanger comprises a
hollow conduit having a wall, a first end, and a spaced apart
second end; and a thermoelectric device in thermal communication
with the wall of the conduit to facilitate heat transfer between a
first fluid in the conduit and a second fluid outside of the
conduit.
[0013] In another embodiment, a heat exchanger comprises at least
one heat exchanger tank; a hollow tube having a wall, a first end,
and a spaced apart second end, the tube in fluid communication with
the at least one heat exchanger tank; a thermoelectric device in
thermal communication with the wall of the tube; and a heat
exchanger fin in thermal communication with the thermoelectric
device.
[0014] In another embodiment, a heat exchanger comprises at least
one heat exchanger tank; a plurality of hollow tubes, each tube
having a wall, a first end, and a spaced apart second end, the
tubes in fluid communication with the at least one heat exchanger
tank and adapted to convey a first fluid; a plurality of heat
exchanger fins disposed adjacent the tubes and in thermal
communication with a second fluid; and a plurality of
thermoelectric devices, at least one thermoelectric device disposed
between the tubes and the fins to facilitate heat transfer
therebetween.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The above, as well as other objects and advantages of the
invention, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art
from reading the following detailed description of a preferred
embodiment of the invention when considered in the light of the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is an end sectional view of a tube for a heat
exchanger in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is an end sectional view a heat exchanger using the
tube of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of a tube for a heat
exchanger in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;
and
[0019] FIG. 4 is a front sectional view of a heat exchanger in
accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] The following detailed description and appended drawings
describe and illustrate various exemplary embodiments of the
invention. The description and drawings serve to enable one skilled
in the art to make and use the invention, and are not intended to
limit the scope of the invention in any manner.
[0021] FIG. 1 shows a cylindrical tube 10 for a heat exchanger 40
illustrated in FIG. 2. The tube 10 has an outer wall 12 with a
substantially circular cross-sectional shape. Other cross-sectional
shapes can be used as desired. The wall 12 is preferably formed
from copper or steel; however, other materials may be used to form
the wall 12 without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention. The wall 12 forms a hollow interior portion 14.
[0022] A thermoelectric device (TED) 16 surrounds and is in thermal
communication with the wall 12. The TED 16 includes a first heat
transfer surface 18 and a second heat transfer surface 20. The
first heat transfer surface 18 is in thermal communication with the
wall 12. The second heat transfer surface 20 is in thermal
communication with a plurality of fins 22 surrounding the TED
16.
[0023] The TED 16 is in electrical communication with a control
system (not shown). The control system controls an electric current
sent to the TED 16. When a current is delivered in one direction,
one of the first heat transfer surface 18 and the second heat
transfer surface 20 generates thermal energy and the other of the
first heat transfer surface 18 and the second heat transfer surface
20 absorbs thermal energy. When the current is reversed, the one of
the first heat transfer surface 18 and the second heat transfer
surface 20 which was generating thermal energy now absorbs thermal
energy, and the other of the first heat transfer surface 18 and the
second heat transfer surface 20 now generates thermal energy. When
the current is increased, a heating and cooling capacity of the TED
16 is increased. Likewise, when the current is decreased, the
heating and cooling capacity of the TED 16 is decreased.
[0024] The TED 16 may be any conventional device such as: those
produced by Marlow Industries, Inc. of Dallas, Tex.; the
thermoelectric systems described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,539,725 to
Bell; a quantum tunneling converter; a Peltier device; a thermo
ionic module; a magneto caloric module; an acoustic heating
mechanism; a solid state heat pumping device; and the like; for
example; or any combination of the devices listed above. Although a
single thermoelectric device is shown, it is understood that
additional thermoelectric devices can be used, as desired.
[0025] In use, a first fluid (not shown) is caused to flow through
the hollow interior portion 14 of the tube 10. The first fluid can
be any conventional fluid such as air or a coolant such as a
water-glycol coolant, for example. The first fluid contains thermal
energy which is transferred to the wall 12. Current is supplied to
the TED 16, which causes the first heat transfer surface 18 of the
TED 16 to absorb thermal energy from the wall 12. Simultaneously,
the second heat transfer surface 20 of the TED 16 generates thermal
energy. The thermal energy generated by the second heat transfer
surface 20 of the TED 16 is transferred to the fins 22. A second
fluid (not shown) is caused to flow across and contact the fins 22.
The second fluid can be any conventional fluid such as air, for
example. The thermal energy transferred from the second heat
transfer surface 20 of the TED 16 to the fins 22 is transferred to
the second fluid.
[0026] FIG. 3 shows a tube 60 for a heat exchanger (not shown)
having a first wall 62, a second wall 64, a fluid inlet 66, and a
fluid outlet 68. The tube 60 shown is a flat tube for use in a flat
tube heat exchanger. However, tubes having other shapes and for use
in other types of heat exchangers, such as cross flow heat
exchangers, shell and tube heat exchangers, or counter flow heat
exchangers, for example, can be used as desired without departing
from the scope and spirit of the invention. The walls 62, 64 are
preferably formed from copper or steel. However, other materials
may be used to form the walls 62, 64 as desired. The first wall 62,
the second wall 64, and a pair of side walls (not shown) cooperate
to form a hollow interior portion 70.
[0027] A first thermoelectric device (TED) 72 is disposed adjacent
to and is in thermal communication with the first wall 62. The
first TED 72 includes a first heat transfer surface 74 and a second
heat transfer surface 76. The first heat transfer surface 74 is in
thermal communication with the first wall 62. The second heat
transfer surface 76 is in thermal communication with a plurality of
fins 78 disposed adjacent to the first TED 72.
[0028] A second thermoelectric device (TED) 80 is disposed adjacent
to and is in thermal communication with the second wall 64. The
second TED 80 includes a first heat transfer surface 82 and a
second heat transfer surface 84. The first heat transfer surface 82
is in thermal communication with the second wall 64. The second
heat transfer surface 84 is in thermal communication with a
plurality of fins 86 disposed adjacent to the second TED 80.
[0029] The TEDs 72, 80 may be any conventional devices such as:
those produced by Marlow Industries, Inc. of Dallas, Tex.; the
thermoelectric systems described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,539,725 to
Bell; a quantum tunneling converter; a Peltier device; a thermo
ionic module; a magneto caloric module; an acoustic heating
mechanism; a solid state heat pumping device; and the like; for
example; or any combination of the devices listed above. Although
two thermoelectric devices are shown, it is understood that a
single or additional thermoelectric devices can be used, as
desired. Further, it is understood that the side walls of the tube
60 may include additional TEDs if desired. If the side walls of the
tube include additional TEDs, a plurality of fins can be disposed
adjacent the TEDs as desired.
[0030] The first TED 72 and the second TED 80 are in electrical
communication with a control system (not shown). The control system
controls an electric current sent to the TEDs 72, 80. When a
current is delivered in one direction, one of the first heat
transfer surfaces 74, 82 and the second heat transfer surfaces 76,
84 generates thermal energy and the other of the first heat
transfer surfaces 74, 82 and the second heat transfer surfaces 76,
84 absorbs thermal energy. When the current is reversed, the one of
the first heat transfer surfaces 74, 82 and the second heat
transfer surfaces 76, 84 which was generating thermal energy now
absorbs thermal energy, and the other of the first heat transfer
surfaces 74, 82 and the second heat transfer surfaces 76, 84 now
generates thermal energy. When the current is increased, a heating
and cooling capacity of the TEDs 72, 80 is increased. Likewise,
when the current is decreased, the heating and cooling capacity of
the TEDs 72, 80 is decreased.
[0031] In use, a first fluid (not shown) is caused to flow through
the hollow interior portion 70 of the tube 60. The first fluid can
be any conventional fluid such as air or a coolant such as a
water-glycol coolant, for example. The first fluid contains thermal
energy which is transferred to the first wall 62 and the second
wall 64. Current is supplied to the TEDs 72, 80, which causes the
first heat transfer surfaces 74, 82 of the TEDs 72, 80 to absorb
thermal energy from the first wall 62 and the second wall 64.
Simultaneously, the second heat transfer surfaces 76, 84 of the
TEDs 72, 80 generate thermal energy. The thermal energy generated
by the second heat transfer surfaces 76, 84 of the TEDs 72, 80 is
transferred to the fins 78, 86. A second fluid (not shown) is
caused to flow across and contact the fins 78, 86. The second fluid
can be any conventional fluid such as air, for example. The thermal
energy transferred from the second heat transfer surfaces 76, 84 of
the TEDs 72, 80 to the fins 78, 86 is transferred to the second
fluid.
[0032] FIG. 4 shows a heat exchanger 100 in accordance with another
embodiment of the invention. The heat exchanger 100 includes a
first header 102 and a spaced apart second header 104. A plurality
of cylindrical tubes 106 are disposed between the first header 102
and the second header 104. The tubes have walls 108 with a
substantially circular cross-sectional shape. Other cross-sectional
shapes can be used as desired. The walls 108 are preferably formed
from copper or steel. However, other materials may be used to form
the walls 108 without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention. The walls 108 form hollow interior portions 110 and
include a fluid inlet 107 and a fluid outlet 109.
[0033] A thermoelectric device (TED) 112 surrounds and is in
thermal communication with each of the walls 108. Each TED 112
includes a first heat transfer surface 114 and a second heat
transfer surface 116. The first heat transfer surface 114 is in
thermal communication with the wall 108 of the corresponding tube
106. The second heat transfer surface 116 is in thermal
communication with a plurality of fins 120 disposed between each
adjacent tube 106.
[0034] Each TED 112 is in electrical communication with a control
system (not shown). The control system controls an electric current
sent to the TED 112. When a current is delivered in one direction,
one of the first heat transfer surface 114 and the second heat
transfer surface 116 generates thermal energy and the other of the
first heat transfer surface 114 and the second heat transfer
surface 116 absorbs thermal energy. When the current is reversed,
the one of the first heat transfer surface 114 and the second heat
transfer surface 116 which was generating thermal energy now
absorbs thermal energy and the other of the first heat transfer
surface 114 and the second heat transfer surface 116 now generates
thermal energy. Additionally, when the current is increased, a
heating and cooling capacity of the TED 112 is increased. Likewise,
when the current is decreased, the heating and cooling capacity of
the TED 112 is decreased.
[0035] The TEDs 112 may be any conventional devices such as: those
produced by Marlow Industries, Inc. of Dallas, Tex.; the
thermoelectric systems described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,539,725 to
Bell; a quantum tunneling converter; a Peltier device; a thermo
ionic module; a magneto caloric module; an acoustic heating
mechanism; a solid state heat pumping device; and the like; for
example; or any combination of the devices listed above. Although a
single thermoelectric device is shown disposed adjacent each of the
tubes 106, it is understood that additional thermoelectric devices
can be used, as desired.
[0036] In use, a first fluid (not shown) is caused to flow from the
second header 104 through the fluid inlets 107 into the hollow
interior portions 110 of the tubes 106. The first fluid can be any
conventional fluid such as air or a coolant such as a water-glycol
coolant, for example. The first fluid contains thermal energy which
is transferred to the walls 108. Current is supplied to each TED
112, which causes the first heat transfer surface 114 of each TED
112 to absorb thermal energy from the wall 108 of the corresponding
tube 106. Simultaneously, the second heat transfer surface 116 of
each TED 112 generates thermal energy. The thermal energy generated
by the second heat transfer surface 116 of each TED 112 is
transferred to the fins 120. A second fluid (not shown) is caused
to flow across and contact the fins 120. The second fluid can be
any conventional fluid such as air, for example. The thermal energy
transferred from the second heat transfer surface 116 of each TED
112 to the fins 120 is transferred to the second fluid. The first
fluid flows out of the fluid outlets 109 and into the first header
102.
[0037] From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in
the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this
invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof,
can make various changes and modifications to the invention to
adapt it to various usages and conditions.
* * * * *