Caterpillar Tractor Co.

Caterpillar Inc.

Gene A Anders

John J Groezinger

Charles R Miller

B Clark Smith

Herbert J Larson

Tire cooling by fluid transfer element

Heat exchangers depend for efficiency upon optimum fluid flow, such as air, through their fins and about tubes extending through the fins. The air flow, particularly at the ends of a heat exchanger, can sometimes be of a significantly reduced amount owing to the construction of, or arrangement of elements in, the heat exchanger. First and second cores (12,14) of a heat exchanger (10) are positioned in a general 'V' configuration with their inlet ends (24,42) adjacent one another. Apparatus (64) is provided upstream of the inlet ends (28,46) of the cores (12,14) to direct the air flow in a preselected orientation to inlet surfaces (20,38) of the cores (12,14) at the ends (28,46) of the cores (12,14). Air flow is thus improved over a portion of the heat exchanger (10) to increase its heat transfer efficiency.

Flow directing element for heat exchanger

Heat exchanger core with varied-angle tubes

Heat exchanger core with end covers

In a fuel vaporizing type of combustor for gas turbines, using fuel vaporizing tubes and associated mechanism, the vaporizing tubes having a construction and configuration adapted to maintain uniform temperatures therein, the structure as well maintaining uniform temperatures in the head plate of the unit and in an associated splash plate, if used, the structure further tending to eliminate carbon build-up within the tube per se. The vaporizing tubes have a direction of vapor discharge disposed at an angle from the tube stem axis so as to direct the vapor stream to the side and away from the stem base, thereby to minimize formation of localized hot spots and head plate and/or splash plate damage; the interior of the vaporizer tubes being smoothly flow contoured to eliminate eddies and flow losses and thereby prevent localized hot spots therewithin; the vapor tubes having non-uniform wall thickness serving not only to prevent areas of carbon build-up but also localized hot spots; splash plates, when used, being designed to so act with respect to the discharge flow as to reduce the total temperature spread in the head plate and/or splash plate; the splash plate configuration shielding the head plate from the hot vapor discharge from the tubes.

Fuel vaporizing combustor tube

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Peoria, IL, United States of America

Gene A Anders