U.S. patent number 3,804,161 [Application Number 05/309,242] was granted by the patent office on 1974-04-16 for non-metallic heat exchanger.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Rheem Manufacturing Company. Invention is credited to Leon J. Nowak.
United States Patent |
3,804,161 |
Nowak |
April 16, 1974 |
NON-METALLIC HEAT EXCHANGER
Abstract
A heat exchanger made from fiberglass reinforced plastic
includes a pair of end modules interconnected by metal tubes and a
cylindrical, encapsulating shell. Headers fit over the outside ends
of the end modules and include manifolds for directing one of the
fluids passing through the heat exchanger. The other fluid
circulates about the tubes in the heat exchanger through openings
provided in the end modules.
Inventors: |
Nowak; Leon J. (Jackson,
MI) |
Assignee: |
Rheem Manufacturing Company
(New York, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
23197344 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/309,242 |
Filed: |
November 24, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/158;
165/DIG.416; 165/180 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28F
21/067 (20130101); F28F 9/22 (20130101); F28D
7/1646 (20130101); F28F 9/00 (20130101); Y10S
165/416 (20130101); F28F 2009/226 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F28F
9/00 (20060101); F28F 21/06 (20060101); F28F
9/22 (20060101); F28D 7/00 (20060101); F28D
7/16 (20060101); F28F 21/00 (20060101); F28f
009/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;165/157-158,180 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Myhre; Charles J.
Assistant Examiner: Streule, Jr.; Theophil W.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Molinare, Allegretti, Newitt &
Witcoff
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An improved heat exchanger comprising, in combination:
first and second integral end modules formed from a plastic
material, each module including a planar end plate, a plurality of
parallel tube passages through said end plate, and a
circumferential flange projecting from one side of said plate
perpendicular to said plate and parallel to said passages with a
fluid opening through said flange for conveying a heat transfer
fluid;
said first and second modules being positioned with the flanges
opposed, said modules being interconnected by a plurality of fluid
carrying tubes through said tube openings;
a tube encapsulating shell of plastic material connected to said
flanges;
a head attached to each end plate, one head including an inlet
opening, an outlet opening and a manifold structure opposed to said
end plate for fluid flow to said tubes and the other head including
a manifold structure for fluid flow to said tubes; and
means for attaching said heads to the associated plate of said
modules.
2. The improved heat exchanger of claim 1 including at least one
baffle on the interior of said shell transverse to the axis of said
tubes and supporting said tubes within said shell between said
plates.
3. The improved heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein said tubes of
said heat exchanger are fabricated from a metal.
4. The improved heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein said shell is
adhered to said flanges by an adhesive compound.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an improved heat exchanger
construction.
Generally, heat exchangers are fabricated from metallic materials.
The choice of materials is dependent upon the fluids or gases being
utilized in the heat exchanger. That is, a highly toxic fluid or
gas may require the use of some non-reactive material such as
stainless steel or the like for fabrication of the heat exchanger.
Most heat exchangers, however, are fabricated from metals because
of the temperature ranges involved in the heat exchange process as
well as a traditional belief that metal should be used for
construction of the heat exchanger.
Because heat exchangers are generally made from metal, a number of
metal forming and machining operations are required to fabricate
apparatus. Additionally, metal heat exchangers often require extra
fasteners or fastening operations such as welding in order to
assemble the parts.
The present invention is directed to a heat exchanger and, in
particular, a non-metallic heat exchanger which can be fabricated
by molding methods thereby simplifying the method of production and
providing other benefits.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a principal aspect, the present invention comprises a heat
exchanger formed of a pair of molded end modules. A manifold is
placed over the end modules. The modules are connected by tubes
with a shell encapsulating the tubes in the region between the
modules. The shell includes openings therein for receipt of fluid
or gas that circulates around the tubes thereby effecting an
exchange of heat with fluid flowing through the manifold and into
the tubes.
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an
improved heat exchanger having a fewer number of parts than prior
art heat exchangers and, additionally, having a new simplicity of
construction.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a heat
exchanger construction which may be formed by plastic material
molding methods.
One further object of the present invention is to provide a heat
exchanger construction wherein the separate parts of the heat
exchanger may be fastened together by means of an adhesive
material.
These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention
will be set forth in the detailed description which follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made
to the drawing comprised of the following figures:
FIG. 1 is a cut-away perspective view of the improved heat
exchanger of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded partial perspective view of the components
forming the heat exchanger of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the molded end module and
encapsulating shell of the improved heat exchanger of the present
invention taken substantially along the line 3--3 in FIG. 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the Figures, the heat exchanger of the present
invention is comprised of first and second end modules 10 and 12
interconnected by a cylindrical shell 14. The modules 10 and 12 and
the shell 14 are preferably molded from a plastic material.
Depending upon the application, the material chosen for the modules
10 and 12 and the shell 14 may be selected by a person skilled in
the art of plastic and reinforced plastic materials. The choice of
material is dependent upon the following factors, among others, (1)
toxicity of fluids or gases through which heat is exchanged, (2)
temperature of fluids or gases between which heat is exchanged, (3)
pressure range of fluids or gases between which heat is exchanged.
Preferably, the plastic material used to form the modules 10 and 12
and the shell 14 will be made from a reinforced plastic material
such as a plastic material reinforced by fiberglass.
In any event, the modules 10 and 12 are substantially identical.
Thus, the following description will relate to module 12 except as
indicated, although the description is equally applicable to the
modules 10 and 12. Module 12 includes an end plate 16 having a
plurality of parallel tube passages or openings 18 therethrough.
Extending outwardly from one side of the end plate 16 is a flange
20. The flange 20 forms a cylindrical portion of the module 12 and
has an axis of revolution which is substantially parallel with the
centerline axis of the openings 18.
A threaded inlet or outlet opening 22 is molded through a portion
of the flange 20. Fluid or gas conduit means may be threaded into
the opening 22 to provide for a path of discharge into the interior
of the heat exchanger defined by shell 14.
Within the interior of the shell 14 and extending between the
openings 18 of modules 10 and 12 are tubes 24. The particular
arrangement of the tubes 24 as well as their diameter and placement
is dependent upon the design requirements and characteristics of
the particular heat exchanger desired. The tubes 24 are preferably
of a highly conductive material which is in most cases a metal
material, though the remainder of the heat exchanger is made from a
molded plastic material.
The tubes 24 are maintained in a properly spaced relationship and
supported by baffles 26. The baffles 26 may include extra openings
for fluid flow therethrough between the various compartments within
the shell 14 defined by the baffles 26. The baffles 26 may contact
the shell 14 entirely about its circumference or at various desired
portions along the circumference of the baffles 26 depending upon
design requirements or desires.
A header or head unit 28 is attached to the outside surface of
plate 16. The head 28 is attached to the plate 16 by bolts 30
positioned through appropriate openings in the head 28 and threaded
into openings 32 in the plate 16. The portion of the head 28 facing
the plate 16 defines a manifold. That is, two cavities 34 and 36
are separated by wall 38. Wall 38 sealingly engages the plate 16 to
define the manifold cavities 34 and 36.
An inlet port 40 through the head 28 connects with the cavity 34
and permits fluid flow into the tubes 24 passing through the plate
16 in connection with the cavity 34. A second opening 42 connects
through the head 28 with the cavity 36 and thereby also connects
with the tubes 24.
The heat exchanger described above is a single pass heat exchanger
wherein fluid would flow into the inlet 40 through the tubes 24
associated with the cavity 34 through a single cavity (not shown)
in the opposite head 29. In this instance, there is no equivalent
wall 38 in the opposite head 29. Thence, fluid flows through the
tubes 24, into the cavity 36 and exits through the outlet 42. Of
course, any desired arrangement of manifolding, inlet and outlet
connections through the heads 28 and 29 may be provided.
The end modules 10, 12 and shell 14 are preferably of a plastic
material as described above. Additionally, the end modules 10 and
12 and the shell 14 are interconnected or fastened together by a
suitable adhesive appropriate for the particular plastic which has
been chosen. In this manner, fastening means such as screws, bolts
or the like, or a welding operation is not required. Consequently,
it is an easy matter to provide a wide range of heat exchanger
constructions utilizing simplified plastic molding techniques. The
cost of fabrication and assembly time are thereby reduced.
The exchanger of the present invention can therefore be made by
molding the modules 10 and 12 as well as the end plates 28 and 29.
The shell 14 may be extruded or molded. The baffles 26 may be
molded or stamped. All of these parts are preferably made from a
plastic or reinforced plastic by plastic fabrication techniques
known to those in the art. The tubes 24 are preferably of a heat
conductive metal to enhance heat transfer characteristics of the
device. Once the separate parts are formed, they are assembled in
the fashion described above.
Importantly, the plastic portions of the heat exchanger may act as
an insulator. Thus, heat is retained within the exchanger providing
more efficient heat transfer by the tubes 24. This eliminates the
necessity for additional external insulation for the heat exchanger
and thereby increases the efficiency of the heat exchanger and
decreases the cost.
While in the foregoing there has been set forth a preferred
embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that all those
embodiments set forth in the following claims as well as their
equivalents are to be considered within the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *