IP Library Patent Application 12056016
Patent Application
App. No. 12/056,016

FINNED TUBE WITH INDENTATIONS

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
12/056,016
Abstract

A tube used for heat transfer has adjacent fins extending from an outer surface of the tube with a channel between the fins. The fins include a roof formed over the channel, and holes penetrate the roof into the channel. The fin, including the roof, is monolithic with the tube body. Helical ridges are formed on a tube inner surface, and the tube body includes an indentation in the outer surface which extends the tube body inner surface towards a tube axis.

Claims (30)

1 . A finned tube comprising:

a tube body having an outer surface, an inner surface, and an axis;

at least one monolithic fin defined on the tube body outer surface such that, in the axial direction, the tube outer surface has adjacent fins, wherein a channel is defined between adjacent fins, and wherein the fin has an upper portion deformed to form a roof over the channel, and wherein the roof defines holes penetrating in to the channel;

a plurality of helical ridges defined on the tube body inner surface;

at least one helical indentation defined in the tube body outer surface such that the indentation extends the tube body inner surface towards the tube axis.

2 . A finned tube comprising:

a tube body having an inner surface;

a helical ridge defined on the tube body inner surface; and

an indentation defined in the tube body, the indentation looping around the tube.

3 . The finned tube of claim 2 wherein the indentation is helical, and wherein the indentation spirals around the tube in the opposite direction of the ridge.

4 . The finned tube of claim 2 wherein the indentation is helical, and wherein the indentation spirals around the tube in the same direction as the ridge.

5 . The finned tube of claim 2 wherein the indentation further comprises a plurality of indentations forming successive rings around the tube.

6 . The finned tube of claim 2 wherein the indentation further comprises a plurality of helical indentations spiraling around the tube body in opposite directions.

7 . The finned tube of claim 2 wherein the tube body includes an outer surface, the finned tube further comprising a monolithic helical fin defined on the tube body outer surface such that the tube body outer surface includes adjacent fins when viewed axially, wherein a channel is defined between adjacent fins, and wherein the fin includes an upper portion deformed to form a roof over the channel.

8 . The finned tube of claim 7 wherein the tube body outer surface, adjacent fins, and the roof define a boiling cavity, and wherein the roof defines a plurality of roof holes penetrating into the boiling cavity.

9 . The finned tube of claim 8 wherein the fins include a fin top having notches, and the notches define the roof holes.

10 . The finned tube of claim 2 wherein the tube is comprised of copper.

11 . A finned tube comprising:

a tube body having an outer surface;

a monolithic fin defined on the outer surface such that the outer surface includes adjacent fins viewed in the axial direction, wherein a channel is defined between adjacent fins, and wherein the fins include an upper portion deformed into a roof over the channel; and

an indentation defined in the tube body, the indentation looping around the tube.

12 . The finned tube of claim 11 wherein the indentation is helical.

13 . The finned tube of claim 11 wherein the indentation further comprises a plurality of helical indentations spiraling around the tube in opposite directions.

14 . The finned tube of claim 11 wherein the indentation further comprises a plurality of indentations forming successive rings around the tube body.

15 . The finned tube of claim 11 wherein the tube body further includes an inner surface, the finned tube further comprising a helical ridge defined on the tube body inner surface.

16 . The finned tube of claim 15 wherein the indentation is helical and the indentation spirals around the tube in the opposite direction as the ridge.

17 . The finned tube of claim 15 wherein the indentation is helical and the indentation spirals around the tube in the same direction as the ridge.

18 . The finned tube of claim 15 wherein the tube body outer surface, adjacent fins, and the roof define a boiling cavity, and the roof defines a plurality of holes penetrating into the boiling cavity.

19 . The finned tube of claim 18 wherein the indentation interrupts the boiling cavity.

20 . The finned tube of claim 11 wherein the tube is comprised of copper.

Assignments (3)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 6, 2013
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: WOLVERINE TUBE, INC.; WOLVERINE JOINING TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 031554/0920 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 15, 2011
From: WOLVERINE TUBE, INC.; WOLVERINE JOINING TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 027232/0423 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 31, 2008
From: CAO, JIANYING; LUO, ZHONG; QIU, YALIN; WU, JIAN
To: WOLVERINE TUBE, INC.
Reel/Frame 020726/0832 →