Chromalloy American Corporation

Gerald W Lemmon

Wayne G Blystone

Marvin D Beasley

An improved fin element adapted for use in a fin and tube type heat exchanger core assembly, the improved fin element having a plurality of tube openings extending therethrough and having a 'dog-bone' type pattern of corrugations extending substantially over the entire planar surface thereof, the corrugated pattern forming a uniform, discontinuous, six-sided configuration about each respective tube opening for altering the fluid flow characteristics across the fin in such a manner as to enhance its heat transfer capability. The particular pattern of corrugations utilized on the subject fin element effectively induces turbulent flow thereacross; it causes circulation of the fluid medium flowing thereacross to the downstream side of the tubes extending therethrough; and, it effectively reduces the thickness of the boundary layer associated therewith to achieve increased heat transfer performance without a corresponding increase in fluid flow resistance.

Heat exchanger fin element with dog-bone type pattern of corrugations

A heat exchanger core assembly adaptable for allowing the passage of air therethrough comprising a plurality of fin elements extending in spaced apart parallel fashion across a plurality of fluid carrying tube members, each of the fin elements being positioned within the core assembly so as to have opposite side edges extending in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of air flow through the core assembly, each fin element including a folded over side portion extending along each of the opposite side edges thereof, the fin elements being stackable one upon the other such that the folded over side portions of one fin element mate with the folded over side portions of an adjacent fin element thereby forming a continuous, uninterrupted, substantially air tight core side on each opposite side of the plurality of mated together fin elements for substantially preventing the leakage of air therethrough. These folded over fin side portions may be configured to merely butt up against adjacent fins or to overlap and/or interlock therewith.

Growing community of inventors

Mount Vernon, IL, United States of America

Gerald W Lemmon