Heat transfer tube and method of and tool for manufacturing heat transfer tube having protrusions on inner surface

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

United States of America Patent

APP PUB NO 20040069467A1
SERIAL NO

10458398

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ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

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Abstract

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An improved heat transfer tube and a method of formation thereof. The inner surface of the tube is enhanced with a plurality of protrusions that reduce tube side resistance and improve overall heat transfer performance. The protrusions create additional paths for fluid flow within the tube and thereby enhance turbulence of heat transfer mediums flowing within the tube. This increases fluid mixing to reduce the boundary layer build-up of the fluid medium close to the inner surface of the tube, such build-up increasing the resistance and thereby impeding heat transfer. The protrusions also provide extra surface area for additional heat exchange. The method of this invention includes using a tool, which can easily be added to existing manufacturing equipment, having a cutting edge to cut through ridges on the inner surface of the tube to create ridge layers and a lifting edge to lift the ridge layers to form the protrusions. In this way, the protrusions are formed without removal of metal from the inner surface of the tube, thereby eliminating debris which can damage the equipment in which the tubes are used. The protrusions on the inner surface of the tube can be formed in the same or a different operation as formation of the ridges.

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
WOLVERINE TUBE INC200 CLINTON AVENUE WEST SUITE 1000 HUNTSVILLE AL 35801

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Thors, Petur Decatur, AL 19 280
Zoubkov, Nikolai Moscow, RU 6 74

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