U.S. patent application number 12/823161 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-30 for spacer, fixing structure and heat exchanger.
This patent application is currently assigned to PALOMA INDUSTRIES, LTD.. Invention is credited to Yoshio Ando.
Application Number | 20100326639 12/823161 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42941977 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100326639 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ando; Yoshio |
December 30, 2010 |
SPACER, FIXING STRUCTURE AND HEAT EXCHANGER
Abstract
A spacer includes a plane portion and at least one positioning
portion. The plane portion is interposed between two pipe arrays
stacked one another. Each of the two pipe arrays is formed by
arranging at least one pipe along a plane which crosses a stacking
direction of the two pipe arrays. The at least one positioning
portion positions the at least one pipe in at least one of the two
pipe arrays on the plane portion.
Inventors: |
Ando; Yoshio; (Aichi,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WESTMAN CHAMPLIN & KELLY, P.A.
SUITE 1400, 900 SECOND AVENUE SOUTH
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402
US
|
Assignee: |
PALOMA INDUSTRIES, LTD.
Aichi
JP
|
Family ID: |
42941977 |
Appl. No.: |
12/823161 |
Filed: |
June 25, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/144 ;
165/163; 165/178; 165/186 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28F 2240/00 20130101;
F28F 9/013 20130101; F28D 7/02 20130101; F28F 2275/205 20130101;
F28D 1/0472 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/144 ;
165/178; 165/163; 165/186 |
International
Class: |
F28D 1/047 20060101
F28D001/047; F28F 9/007 20060101 F28F009/007; F28F 99/00 20060101
F28F099/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 25, 2009 |
JP |
2009-151220 |
Claims
1. A spacer comprising: a plane portion interposed between two pipe
arrays stacked one another, each of the two pipe arrays being
formed by arranging at least one pipe along a plane which crosses a
stacking direction of the two pipe arrays; and at least one
positioning portion that positions the at least one pipe in at
least one of the two pipe arrays on the plane portion.
2. The spacer according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
positioning portion is formed to protrude from the plane portion in
at least one of two spots sandwiching an axis line of the at least
one pipe.
3. The spacer according to claim 2, wherein the at least one
positioning portion is formed by denting the plane portion from one
surface of the plane portion toward the other surface in the at
least one spot.
4. The spacer according to claim 3, wherein the at least one
positioning portion includes a through hole which penetrates the at
least one positioning portion.
5. The spacer according to claim 4, wherein the plane portion is
arranged between the two pipe arrays such that the at least one
positioning portion protrudes in a direction of gravity.
6. The spacer according to claim 1, wherein at least part of an end
portion of the spacer extending along the plane portion is
bent.
7. A fixing structure comprising: at least one spacer including: a
plane portion interposed between two pipe arrays stacked one
another, each of the two pipe arrays being formed by arranging at
least one pipe along a plane which crosses a stacking direction of
the two pipe arrays; and at least one positioning portion that
positions the at least one pipe in at least one of the two pipe
arrays on the plane portion; and a clamping portion that clamps the
at least one spacer together with a pipe group, the pipe group
including at least the two pipe arrays.
8. The fixing structure according to claim 7, wherein at least one
positioning portion is formed to protrude from the plane portion in
at least one of two spots sandwiching an axis line of the at least
one pipe.
9. The fixing structure according to claim 8, wherein the plane
portion includes at least one through hole which penetrates at
least one of the plane portion and the at least one positioning
portion, in a position off the at least one pipe positioned on the
plane portion by the at least one positioning portion, and the
clamping portion includes a pair of clamping members, the at least
one spacer being arranged together with the pipe group between the
pair of clamping members; and at least one connecting member that
interconnects the pair of clamping members through the at least one
through hole.
10. A heat exchanger comprising: a pipe group that is formed by at
least two pipe arrays stacked one another, each of the at least two
pipe arrays being formed by arranging at least one heat-transfer
pipe along a plane which crosses a stacking direction of the at
least two pipe arrays; and at least one spacer that includes a
plane portion arranged between two pipe arrays in the at least two
pipe arrays and at least one positioning portion that positions the
at least one heat-transfer pipe in at least one of the two pipe
arrays on the plane portion.
11. The heat exchanger according to claim 10, wherein the at least
one positioning portion is formed to protrude from the plane
portion in at least one of two spots sandwiching an axis line of
the at least one heat-transfer pipe.
12. The heat exchanger according to claim 10, further comprising a
clamping portion that clamps the at least one spacer together with
the pipe group.
13. The heat exchanger according to claim 12, wherein the plane
portion includes at least one through hole which penetrates at
least one of the plane portion and the at least one positioning
portion, in a position off the at least one heat-transfer pipe
positioned on the plane portion by the at least one positioning
portion, and the clamping portion includes: a pair of clamping
members, the at least one spacer being arranged together with the
pipe group between the pair of clamping members; and at least one
connecting member that interconnects the pair of clamping members
through the at least one through hole.
14. The heat exchanger according to claim 10, wherein the at least
one heat-transfer pipe is shaped so as to surround a predetermined
space.
15. The heat exchanger according to claim 10, wherein the at least
one heat-transfer pipe is arranged to form a space for air passage
around the at least one heat-transfer pipe.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent
Application No. 2009-151220 filed Jun. 25, 2009 in the Japan Patent
Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to a technique of stacking a
plurality of pipe arrays including at least one pipe arranged along
a predetermined plane.
[0003] For example, in a heat exchanger disclosed in Unexamined
Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-151473, a plurality of pipe
arrays including a plurality of pipes arranged along a
predetermined plane are stacked. Intervals between the adjacent two
pipe arrays are controlled using a control member made of a wire
rod.
SUMMARY
[0004] Since the above-described control member is a wire rod, the
intervals between the pipe arrays can be maintained but intervals
between or positions of the respective pipes in the pipe arrays
cannot be properly maintained.
[0005] In one aspect of the present invention, it is preferable
that not only the intervals between stacked plurality of pipe
arrays but a position of at least one pipe in each of the plurality
of pipe arrays can be properly maintained.
[0006] A first aspect of the invention provides a spacer including
a plane portion and at least one positioning portion. The plane
portion is interposed between two pipe arrays stacked one another.
Each of the two pipe arrays is formed by arranging at least one
pipe along a plane which crosses a stacking direction of the two
pipe arrays. The at least one positioning portion positions the at
least one pipe in at least one of the two pipe arrays on the plane
portion.
[0007] In the spacer constituted as such, when the plane portion is
arranged between the two pipe arrays, the at least one pipe in the
at least one of the two pipe arrays can be positioned on the plane
portion. Therefore, not only the intervals between the stacked two
pipe arrays but also the position of the at least one pipe in the
at least one of the two pipe arrays can be properly maintained.
[0008] The at least one positioning portion may be formed in any
manner in order to position the at least one pipe in the at least
one of the two pipe arrays on the plane portion.
[0009] The at least one positioning portion may be formed, for
example, to protrude from the plane portion in at least one of two
spots sandwiching an axis line of the at least one pipe.
[0010] In this case, the intervals between the two pipe arrays can
be maintained with the spacer interposed between the two pipe
arrays. Also, the position of the at least one pipe in the at least
one of the two pipe arrays can be properly maintained by the at
least one positioning portion protruding from the plane portion of
the spacer.
[0011] The at least one positioning portion as above may be formed
in any manner. For example, the at least one positioning portion
may be formed as a member attached to the plane portion, a member
formed by cutting and raising the plane portion, or a member
integrally formed with the plane portion.
[0012] More particularly, the at least one positioning portion may
be formed by denting the plane portion from one surface of the
plane portion toward the other surface in the at least one
spot.
[0013] In this case, the at least one positioning portion can be
formed by easy processing such as denting the plane portion. The
spacer can be easily formed from a mere plate-like member.
[0014] In the at least one positioning portion formed by denting
the plane portion, a through hole may be formed which penetrates
the at least one positioning portion.
[0015] In this case, fluid such as ambient air and moisture flow
through the through hole. Thus, retention of the fluid can be
restricted.
[0016] In case that such through hole is formed, the plane portion
may be arranged between the two pipe arrays such that the at least
one positioning portion protrudes in a direction of gravity.
[0017] This allows positioning of the at least one pipe which is
located below the spacer. Moreover, it becomes easy for moisture
inside the at least one positioning portion to be discharged
downward from the through hole.
[0018] At least part of an end portion of the spacer extending
along the plane portion may be bent. This allows improvement in
bending strength of the spacer.
[0019] There is no specific limitation in which direction to bend
the at least part of the end portion of the spacer. For example,
the at least part of the end portion of the spacer may be bent in
the same direction as or opposite direction to the direction in
which the at least one positioning portion protrudes.
[0020] A second aspect of the invention provides a fixing structure
including at least one spacer and a clamping portion. The at least
one spacer includes a plane portion and at least one positioning
portion. The plane portion is interposed between two pipe arrays
stacked one another. Each of the two pipe arrays is formed by
arranging at least one pipe along a plane which crosses a stacking
direction of the two pipe arrays. The at least one positioning
portion positions the at least one pipe in at least one of the two
pipe arrays on the plane portion. The clamping portion clamps the
at least one spacer together with a pipe group. The pipe group
includes at least the two pipe arrays.
[0021] According to the fixing structure as such, the at least one
spacer can maintain the intervals between the two pipe arrays, and
also fixes the pipe group while properly maintaining the position
of the at least one pipe in the at least one of the two pipe
arrays.
[0022] The at least one positioning portion may be formed in any
manner in order to position the at least one pipe in the at least
one of the two pipe arrays on the plane portion. The at least one
positioning portion may be formed, for example, to protrude from
the plane portion in at least one of two spots sandwiching an axis
line of the at least one pipe.
[0023] In this case, the intervals between the two pipe arrays can
be maintained with the spacer interposed between the two pipe
arrays. Also, the position of the at least one pipe in the at least
one of the two pipe arrays can be properly maintained by the at
least one positioning portion protruding from the plane portion of
the spacer.
[0024] The plane portion may include at least one through hole
which penetrates at least one of the plane portion and the at least
one positioning portion, in a position off the at least one pipe
positioned on the plane portion by the at least one positioning
portion.
[0025] In this case, the clamping portion may include a pair of
clamping members and at least one connecting member. Between the
pair of clamping members, the at least one spacer is arranged
together with the pipe group. The at least one connecting member
interconnects the pair of clamping members through the at least one
through hole.
[0026] In the fixing structure as such, the spacer is interposed
between the two pipe arrays, the pipe group is arranged between the
pair of clamping, members, and the pair of clamping members are
connected to each other by the at least one connecting member
through the at least one through hole. Thereby, the pipe group can
be fixed.
[0027] The spacer in the fixing structure according to the second
aspect may be constituted in the same manner as the spacer
according to the first aspect.
[0028] A third aspect of the invention provides a heat exchanger
including a pipe group and at least one spacer. The pipe group is
formed by at least two pipe arrays stacked one another. Each of the
at least two pipe arrays is formed by arranging at least one
heat-transfer pipe along a plane which crosses a stacking direction
of the at least two pipe arrays. The at least one spacer includes a
plane portion and at least one positioning portion. The plane
portion is arranged between two pipe arrays in the at least two
pipe arrays. At least one positioning portion positions the at
least one heat-transfer pipe in at least one of the two pipe arrays
on the plane portion.
[0029] The at least one positioning portion may be formed in any
manner in order to position the at least one heat-transfer pipe in
the at least one of the two pipe arrays on the plane portion. The
at least one positioning portion may be formed, for example, to
protrude from the plane portion in at least one of two spots
sandwiching an axis line of the at least one heat-transfer
pipe.
[0030] The heat exchanger as such may further include a clamping
portion that clamps the at least one spacer together with the pipe
group.
[0031] The plane portion may include at least one through hole
which penetrates at least one of the plane portion and the at least
one positioning portion, in a position off the at least one
heat-transfer pipe positioned on the plane portion by the at least
one positioning portion.
[0032] In this case, the clamping portion may include a pair of
clamping members and at least one connecting member. Between the
pair of clamping members, the at least one spacer is arranged
together with the pipe group. The at least one connecting member
interconnects the pair of clamping members through the at least one
through hole.
[0033] In the heat exchanger constituted as such, the same
operation and effect as the spacer of the first aspect or the
fixing structure of the second aspect can be obtained.
[0034] The at least one heat-transfer pipe may be shaped so as to
surround a predetermined space.
[0035] The at least one heat-transfer pipe may be arranged to form
a space for air passage around the at least one heat-transfer
pipe.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] The present invention will be described hereinafter by way
of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0037] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of appearance of a heat
exchanger according to an embodiment;
[0038] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the heat
exchanger;
[0039] FIG. 3A is a bottom view of a spacer;
[0040] FIG. 3B is a side view of the spacer;
[0041] FIG. 4A is a front view of one longitudinal end side of the
heat exchanger seen from a direction indicated by an arrow A in
FIG. 1, the front view being rotated 90.degree.
counterclockwise;
[0042] FIG. 4B is a top view of the one longitudinal end side of
the heat exchanger seen from a direction indicated by an arrow B in
FIG. 1;
[0043] FIG. 4C is a side view of the one longitudinal end side of
the heat exchanger seen from a direction indicated by an arrow C in
FIG. 1; and
[0044] FIG. 4D is a bottom view of the one longitudinal end side of
the heat exchanger seen from a direction indicated by an arrow D in
FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0045] (1) Overall Constitution of Heat Exchanger
[0046] Referring to FIG. 1, a heat exchanger 1 includes a plurality
of heat-transfer pipes (hereinafter, simply referred to as "pipes")
2. Each of these pipes 2 is shaped so as to surround a
predetermined space, and spaced out from each other so that a space
for air passage is formed around each of these pipes 2.
[0047] More particularly, in the present embodiment, these pipes 2
are arranged in parallel to each other and shaped so as to
helically surround a rectangular parallelepiped. With the plurality
of pipes 2 arranged and shaped as such, a pipe group constituted
from a plurality of pipe arrays stacked in an up and down direction
in the figure is formed around the space. The plurality of pipe
arrays are constituted from the plurality of pipes 2 arranged along
a plurality of planes which cross the stacking direction of the
pipe arrays.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 2, on both longitudinal end sides of the
pipe group, spacers 3 are interposed between the respective
adjacent pipe arrays. The spacers 3 maintain intervals between the
adjacent pipe arrays and intervals between the pipes 2 in the
respective pipe arrays.
[0049] As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, each of the spacers 3 includes
a plane portion 33 and a plurality of positioning portions 31 which
protrude from the plane portion 33.
[0050] The spacer 3 is a plate-like member shaped into a triangular
plane, which includes a bent portion 35 and a convex portion 37.
The bent portion 35 is formed by bending a section extending from
one side of the member. The convex portion 37 is formed along two
sides other than the one side forming the bent portion 35. In the
present embodiment, the convex portion 37 protrudes from one
surface of the spacer 3 facing upward (hereinafter, referred to as
a "first surface") in a state that the spacer 3 is interposed
between the pipe arrays, and the bent portion 35 is bent toward the
other surface facing downward (hereinafter, referred to as a
"second surface").
[0051] The positioning portions 31 position the respective pipes 2
located along the second surface of the spacer 3 interposed between
the pipe arrays. More particularly, each of the positioning
portions 31 protrudes in a direction away from the second surface
in one of two spots sandwiching an axis line of each of the pipes
2, thereby to position each of the pipes 2 (see FIGS. 4A to
4D).
[0052] Also, these positioning portions 31 respectively protrude in
the direction of the pipes 2 by denting at least one of two spots
sandwiching the axis line of each of the pipes 2 in the plane
portion 33 toward the pipes 2. In the present embodiment, side
surfaces of the positioning portions 31 slope so as to reduce
cross-sectional area of positioning portions 31 toward the
protruding direction. As a result, the positioning portion 31 is in
the form of a cone as a whole.
[0053] In the present embodiment, the six positioning portions 31
are arranged along an outer edge of a triangle according to the
shape of the spacer 3. These positioning portions 31 position each
of the pipes 2 in at least one of two spots sandwiching the axis
line of each of the pipes 2.
[0054] Moreover, in a protruding end of each of the positioning
portions 31, a through hole 39 is formed which penetrates in a
thickness direction of the spacers 3.
[0055] The spacers 3, as shown in FIG. 2, are fixed to the pipe
group by a pair of clamping members 4 and 5 and bar-like connecting
members 6. The clamping members 4 and 5 clamp the pipe group in a
stacking direction of the pipe arrays. The connecting members 6
connect the clamping members 4 and 5.
[0056] The clamping members 4 and 5 are respectively made of a
plate-like member extending in a certain direction and having
through holes 42 and 52. The connecting members 6 reach from the
through holes 42 of the one clamping member 4 to the through holes
52 of the other clamping member 5, passing through interspaces
between the adjacent pipes 2 in the pipe arrays and the through
holes 39 in the spacers 3 sequentially along the stacking direction
of the pipe arrays. In this manner, the connecting members 6
connect the pair of clamping members 4 and 5.
[0057] In the present embodiment, the connecting members 6 are
configured as screw members. The tip ends of the screw members are
fitted into the through holes 52 which are formed as screw holes in
the other clamping member 5. In this manner, connection between the
clamping member 5 and the connecting members 6 is achieved (see
FIGS. 4A to 4D). Also in the present embodiment, the two through
holes 42 and 52 are formed along a longitudinal direction of the
respective clamping members 4 and 5. The connecting members 6 are
passed through the respective through holes 42 and 52.
[0058] (2) Operation and Effect
[0059] In the heat exchanger 1 constituted as such, the pipe group
can be fixed by interposing the spacers 3 between the pipe arrays
of the pipe group, arranging the pair of clamping members 4 and 5
to sandwich the pipe group, and passing the connecting members 6
through the through holes 42 and 52 of the clamping members 4 and
5, the through holes 39 of the spacers 3, and the interspaces of
the adjacent pipes 2 in the respective pipe arrays.
[0060] Here, each of the spacers 3 can maintain the intervals
between the pipe arrays by the convex portions 37 of the respective
spacers 3, and position the respective pipes 2 in the respective
pipe arrays by the positioning portions 31 which protrude from the
plane portion 33. In this manner, the spacers 3 can maintain the
intervals between the respective pipes 2.
[0061] Also, due to the slope of the side surfaces of the
positioning portions 31 which protrude from the plane portion 33,
the spacers 3 are slightly moved in a direction crossing the planes
of the pipe arrays by tightening upon fixing the pipe group. As a
result, the pipes 2 are slightly moved along the planes of the pipe
arrays along sloped surfaces of the side surfaces of the
positioning portions 31. The pipes 2 can be fixed without
backlash.
[0062] According to the above constituted spacer 3, the positioning
portions 31 can be easily formed by denting the plane portion 33.
Thus, the spacer 3 which is able to maintain the respective
intervals of the pipes 2 can be easily formed from a mere
plate-like member.
[0063] In the above constituted spacer 3, a part of the through
holes 39 formed in the positioning portions 31 can be used for
fixing the spacer 3 and the pipe group.
[0064] The through holes 39 which are not used for fixing the
spacer 3 and the pipe group can pass fluid such as ambient air and
moisture. Therefore, it is advantageous to restrict retention of
the fluid.
[0065] Moreover, the positioning portions 31 are formed to protrude
from the surface side facing upward toward the surface side facing
downward when the spacer 3 is interposed between the pipe arrays.
Thus, the pipes 2 can be positioned which are located below the
spacer 3.
[0066] Especially in the above-described embodiment, the through
holes 39 are positioned at the lower ends of the positioning
portions 31. Therefore, moisture (so-called drain) which is
retained inside dents of the positioning portions 31 can be
discharged downward through the through holes 39.
[0067] Also in the above-described spacer 3, bending strength of
the spacer 3 can be improved by bending part of the end portion of
the spacer 3 (the bent portion 35 and the convex portion 37).
[0068] (3) Variations
[0069] In the above, an embodiment of the invention has been
described. It goes without saying, however, that the present
invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can
take various modes within the technical scope of the invention.
[0070] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the spacer 3
is applied to the pipe group in the heat exchanger 1. As long as
the same sort of pipe group is used, the spacer 3 can be applied to
a pipe group provided in apparatus other than the heat exchanger
1.
[0071] In the above-described embodiment, a fixing structure
constituted from the spacers 3, the clamping members 4 and 5 and
the connecting members 6 is used for fixation of the pipe group in
the heat exchanger 1. As long as the same sort of pipe group is
used, the fixing structure may be used for fixation of a pipe group
provided in apparatus other than the heat exchanger 1.
[0072] In the above-described embodiment, the positioning portion
31 of the spacer 3 is formed by denting the plane portion 33 so as
to protrude in the dented direction. The positioning portion 31
only has to protrude from the plane portion 33. For example, the
positioning portion 31 may be formed by a member attached to the
plane portion 33 or a member formed by cutting and raising the
plane portion 33. In this case, the positioning portion 31 is only
required to protrude to such an extent that at least part of the
positioning portion 31 comes into contact with the pipe 2.
[0073] In the above-described embodiment, the positioning portion
31 of the spacer 3 protrudes from the first surface facing upward
toward the second surface facing downward. The positioning portion
31 may be formed to protrude from the second surface side toward
the first surface side. Alternatively, the positioning portion 31
may be formed to protrude from both the first surface and the
second surface.
[0074] In the above-described embodiment, the bent portion 35 of
the spacer 3 is bent in the same direction as the direction in
which the positioning portion 31 protrudes. The bent portion 35 may
be bent in the opposite direction to the direction in which the
positioning portion 31 protrudes.
[0075] In the above-described embodiment, the convex portion 37 of
the spacer 3 protrudes in the opposite direction to the direction
to which the positioning portion 31 protrudes. The convex portion
37 may protrude in the same direction as the direction to which the
positioning portion 31 protrudes.
[0076] In the above-described embodiment, the planar shape of the
spacer 3 is formed into an almost triangle. The planar shape of the
spacer 3 is not limited to a triangle but may be a trapezoid, a
rectangle or a circle.
[0077] In the above-described embodiment, the pipes 2 are shaped to
helically surround a rectangular parallelepiped. The pipes 2 may be
shaped so as to reciprocate within a predetermined space.
* * * * *