Modine Manufacturing Company

Richard A Mielke

Gregory G Hughes

Jonathan P Wattelet

C James Rogers

Stephen B Memory

Edward Robinson

Lawrence W Gabbey

Craig C Grohman

Richard J Trapp

Winston Zhang

Norman E Mattson

Robert S Cooley

Heat exchange inefficiencies found in round tube plate fin heat exchangers are eliminated in an aluminum heat exchanger that includes first and second headers (), () and at least one flattened tube (), () extending between the headers (), (). A plurality of generally parallel tube runs are defined and each has opposite edges. A plurality of plate fins (), () are arranged in a stack and each has a plurality of open ended slots (), one for each run of the tubes (), (). Each of the tube runs (), () is nested within corresponding slots () and the fins (), () with one of the edges () of the tube runs extending outwardly of the corresponding fin (). The assembly is brazed together.

Method of fabricating a heat exchanger

Heat exchanger

Poor heat exchange in a heat exchanger between a flue gas passing through the heat exchanger and air being forced through the heat exchanger can be improved in a heat exchanger and combustor (30) for exchanging heat between a forced air stream and a flue gas generated by a plurality of spaced, parallel burners (44) with a construction including spaced, upper and lower headers (32, 34), a plurality of tubes (50), one for each burner (44) extending in parallel between and mounted to the headers (32, 34). Each tube 50 has a first section (56) of enlarged cross section adapted to serve as a combustor for fuel to generate the flue gas and a narrowed, second section (70) for exchanging heat between the flue gas and the forced air stream. Each second section includes generally flat, parallel spaced walls (58, 60) with each of the walls (58, 60) having dimples (74) therein which are directed toward the other of the walls (58, 60) into substantially contacting or almost contacting relationship therewith.

Unit heater and heat exchanger therefor

Growing community of inventors

Franksville, WI, United States of America

Richard A Mielke