US1989772A - Heat exchange apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 5, 1935. C. ROBlNSON 1,989,772

HEAT EXCHANGE APPARATUS Filed Dec. 30, 1955 llllllll @1 WML Patented Feb. 5, 1935 UNITED STATES HEAT EXCHANGE APPARATUS Charles Robinson, Trent Works, Burton-on-Trent, England Application December 30, 1933, Serial No. 704,688 In Germany December 15, 1933 1 Claim.

This invention relates to heat exchange apparatus of the type comprising a hollow body including a number of substantially horizontally arranged tubes attached to hollow headers at the ends, one of the liquids circulating in these tubes and headers, the apparatus also including a distributor (not shown) at the top to which the other liquid is supplied and from which it flows down over the exterior surface of the substantially horizontally arranged tubes.

In this type of apparatus it is known toI construct the body tubes of roughly triangular section, the bases of the triangles being placed vertically, and the apex of each triangle, which is usually rounded, being directed outwardly, and the tubes thus arranged being soldered together back to back. It is known also to construct the tubes of beaded form, i. e. at each termination of a base portion of the tube, a bead or outwardly projecting hollow part is formed, and in constructing the bodies of such heat exchangers, it has been proposed to place such tubes back to back, i. e. with the bases towards each other and in staggered relationship, the bases of the tubes on opposite sides of the body being united by solder, and the beaded edges of adjacent tubes on the same side being spaced apart and also united by solder.

In such an arrangement it was essential to space the tubes on the same side of the body apart somewhat and to unite such tubes together by a considerable body of solder disposed between adjacent beaded edges. If this had not been done, when a single tube was removed from the structure for repairs or replacement, then the whole structure would be severed into two parts.

The object of providing the tubes with beaded edges was to reduce the proportion of the cooling surface formed by solder, it being recognized that such solder is liable to chemical action by the detergents used in washing the apparatus, with the result that any solder which comes into contact with the detergent has its surface roughened and pitted and becomes a resting place for undesirable bacteria.

Thus in the bodies of heat exchangers of the kind referred to, as at present constructed, a considerable amount of solder was employed at the base of the tubes, and the object of the present invention is to reduce to an absolute minimum the amount of such solder and conversely to ensure that practically the whole of the surface over which the liquid travels is cooling surface.

According to the present invention, in a body for a heat exchange apparatus of the kind referred to, I provide the combination of a central partition plate, to opposite sides of which are soldered tubes of beaded section, whereby the external surface over which one of the liquids flows is practically free from solder.

With such an arrangement if it becomes necessary to remove a tube for repairs or replacement, the structure is not severed into two parts by such removal, as the remaining tubes are all united together by the common partition to which they are soldered.

Referring to the drawing:-

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a similar View to Figure 2, but illustrating a modification.

In the construction illustrated, the body of the heat exchanger comprises a structure incorporating horizontally arranged tubes 3 connected to tubular headers 4 at the ends, one of the liquids under treatment circulating in these tubes or headers.

Instead of securing the tubes 3 directly to each other back to back, I provide a central partition 5, and the tubes 3 are supported solely by being soldered to this partition.

Each tube is of somewhat triangular form having converging sides 6, a rounded apex '7, a base 8, at the terminations of which are rounded beads 9.

The rounded bears 9 of adjacent tubes are placed as closely together as possible, leaving only sufficient space for the solder to pass between the tubes to the partition plate, so that the width of the line of solder exposed between the beads of the tubes is reduced to an absolute minimum.

In the construction shown in Figure 3, the tubes 3 instead of being mounted in staggered relationship on either side of the central partition are placed opposite to each other.

It will be seen that in both constructions the exposed surfaces of the tubes over which the liquid to be heated or cooled flows, collectively form a series of horizontal corrugations which are entirely free from angles so that such surface can be readily cleaned, and further, such surface is practically wholly formed by the metal of the tubes.

What I claim then isz- In a body for heat exchange apparatus, the combination of a vertical partition plate, tubes secured to opposite sides of said plate, said tubes having each a at base secured to the partition plate, beaded edges of substantially part circular form adjacent the base, and converging sides, said tubes being disposed adjacent one another with opposed beaded edges almost in contact to provide an exposed substantially continuous and horizontally corrugated tube surface.

CHARLES ROBINSON.

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