IP Library Granted Patent US 10,520,220
Granted Patent B2
US 10,520,220 · App. 15/477,100 · Granted Dec 31, 2019

Heat exchanger unit

Inventors: Derek Hjorth (The Woodlands, TX); John Gaska (Anacortes, WA); Randy Vanberg (Tomball, TX); Kevin Visscher (Edmonton, CA); Iqbal Lotey (Fort Saskatchewan, CA); Bob Peng (Edmonton, CA)
Assignee: FORUM US, INC.
F24H3/06E21B43/26E21B43/267F24F1/0007
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,520,220
App. No.
15/477,100
Granted
Dec 31, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

Embodiments of the disclosure pertain to a heat exchanger unit that includes a frame and at least one cooler. The cooler is associated with a respective side region of the heat exchanger unit, and the cooler has an outer surface and an inner surface. The unit can include a mount assembly for coupling the cooler to the frame. The mount assembly includes an elongated fastening member; a rigid outer ring; a rigid inner ring; and a deformable ring disposed between the rigid outer ring and the inner outer ring. The cooler may have a core end mass greater than a tank end mass.

Claims (70)

1. A heat exchanger unit, comprising:

a frame comprising a top region, a bottom region, and a plurality of side regions;

a plurality of coolers, each of the plurality of coolers coupled with the frame proximate to a respective side region, each of the plurality of coolers having an outer surface and an inner surface, and at least one of the plurality of coolers comprising a tank end welded to a core end, wherein a tank end mass of a tank end volume is less than a core end mass of a core end volume; and

a mount assembly for coupling at least one of the plurality of coolers to the frame, the mount assembly further comprising:

an elongated fastening member;

a rigid outer ring;

a rigid inner ring; and

a deformable ring disposed between the rigid outer ring and the rigid inner ring, wherein the elongated fastening member extends through the rigid inner ring and at least partially into the frame.

2. The heat exchanger unit of claim 1 , further comprising:

a vertical axis;

an airflow region within the heat exchanger unit; and

a first set of baffles, each of the first set of baffles configured at a first angle to the vertical axis.

3. The heat exchanger unit of claim 2 , further comprising:

a second set of baffles, each of the second set of baffles configured at a second angle to the vertical axis; and

a third set of baffles, each of the third set of baffles configured at a third angle to the vertical axis.

4. The heat exchanger unit of claim 3 , wherein the first set of baffles, the second set of baffles, and the third set of baffles each comprise four baffles, wherein each baffle of the first set of baffles, the second set of baffles, and the third set of baffles comprises a sound absorbing material, and wherein each of the first angle, second angle, and third angle is in a range of 30 to 60 degrees.

5. The heat exchanger unit of claim 1 , further comprising:

a fan mount bar extending between one of the plurality of side regions and another of the plurality of side regions; and

a fan mounted to the fan mount bar, the fan further comprising a motor and a plurality of fan blades in a range of 8 to 12.

6. The heat exchanger unit of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of coolers are configured to permit airflow to pass therethrough, and wherein operation of a fan results in airflow through each of the plurality of coolers, into an airflow region, and out of an exhaust outlet.

7. The heat exchanger unit of claim 1 , wherein a weld between the tank end and the core end is a v-groove weld.

8. A heat exchanger unit, comprising:

a vertical axis;

a frame comprising at least one side region;

at least one cooler coupled with the frame proximate to the respective side region, the at least one cooler comprising a tank end welded to a core end, wherein a tank end mass of the tank end is less than a core end mass of the core end; and

a mount assembly for coupling the at least one cooler to the frame, the mount assembly further comprising:

an elongated fastening member;

a rigid outer ring;

a rigid inner ring; and

a deformable ring disposed between the rigid outer ring and the rigid inner ring,

wherein the elongated fastening member extends through the rigid inner ring and at least partially into the frame.

9. The heat exchanger unit of claim 8 , further comprising:

a first set of baffles, each of the first set of baffles configured at a first angle to the vertical axis, and at least one baffle of the first set of baffles comprises a sound absorbing material;

a second set of baffles, each of the second set of baffles configured at a second angle to the vertical axis; and

a third set of baffles, each of the third set of baffles configured at a third angle to the vertical axis

wherein each of the first angle, the second angle, and the third angle are in a range of 30to 60 degrees.

10. The heat exchanger unit of claim 9 , further comprising:

a tubular fan mount bar;

a shroud coupled to a top surface of the frame;

an aeroring; and

a fan mount coupled to the tubular fan mount bar; and

a fan coupled to the fan mount, the fan further comprising a hydraulic motor.

11. The heat exchanger unit of claim 10 , wherein the hydraulic motor is powered by a pressurized hydraulic fluid pressurized to a range of 2000 to 6000 psi, and wherein at least one of the first, second, or third set of baffles is positioned a quarter wavelength below the fan, the quarter wavelength being calculated based on a dominant acoustic frequency generated by the fan.

12. The heat exchanger unit of claim 8 , wherein a weld between the tank end and the core end is a v-groove weld, and wherein the mount assembly further comprises: a top plate, a bottom plate, and a washer.

13. A heat exchanger unit, comprising:

a frame comprising a top region, a bottom region, and a plurality of side regions;

a plurality of coolers, each of the plurality of coolers coupled with the frame proximate to a respective side region, and each of the plurality of coolers comprising a core welded with a tank; and

an airflow region within the heat exchanger unit;

wherein each core further comprises a core end having a core end mass associated with a core end volume of material, wherein each tank further comprises a tank end having a tank end mass associated with a tank end volume of material, and wherein each core end mass is greater than each respective tank end mass.

14. The heat exchanger unit of claim 13 , further comprising:

a mount assembly for coupling at least one of the plurality of coolers to the frame, the mount assembly comprising:

an elongated fastening member;

a rigid outer ring;

a rigid inner ring;

a deformable ring disposed between the rigid outer ring and the rigid inner ring, wherein the elongated fastening member extends through the rigid inner ring and at least partially into at least one of the frame, an associated vertical member, an associated horizontal member, or combinations thereof.

15. The heat exchanger unit of claim 14 , further comprising:

a first set of baffles, each baffle of the first set of baffles configured at an angle to a vertical axis, and each of the first set of baffles comprising a sound absorbing material;

a second set of baffles, each baffle of the second set of baffles configured at a second angle to the vertical axis; and

a third set of baffles, each baffle of the third set of baffles configured at a third angle to the vertical axis.

16. The heat exchanger unit of claim 13 , further comprising:

a first set of baffles, each baffle of the first set of baffles configured at a first angle to a vertical axis;

a second set of baffles, each baffle of the second set of baffles configured at a second angle to the vertical axis; and

a third set of baffles, each baffle of the third set of baffles configured at a third angle to the vertical axis,

wherein the first set of baffles, the second set of baffles, and the third set of baffles each comprise four baffles, and wherein each baffle of the first set of baffles, the second set of baffles, and the third set of baffles comprises a sound absorbing material.

17. The heat exchanger unit of claim 16 , wherein each of the first set of baffles are generally isosceles trapezoidal in shape, wherein the sound absorbing material comprises mineral wool, and wherein each of the first angle, second angle, and third angle is in a range of 30 to 60 degrees.

18. The heat exchanger unit of claim 17 , wherein each of the plurality of coolers are configured to permit airflow to pass therethrough, and wherein operation of a fan results in airflow through each of the plurality of coolers, into the airflow region, and out of an exhaust.

19. The heat exchanger unit of claim 13 , further comprising:

a tubular fan mount bar coupled between one of the plurality of side regions, and another of the plurality of side regions;

a fan mount coupled to the tubular fan mount bar; and

a fan coupled to the fan mount, the fan further comprising a hydraulic motor, wherein the fan is operable to pull airflow through the plurality of coolers and into the airflow region.

Assignments (12)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 12, 2024
From: FORUM US, INC.
To: NORDIC TRUSTEE AS
Reel/Frame 069338/0347 →
RELEASE OF SECOND LIEN SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDED AT REEL 066565/FRAME 0968 Recorded Nov 12, 2024
From: GLAS USA LLC
To: FORUM ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; FORUM US, INC.; GLOBAL TUBING, LLC; VARIPERM ENERGY SERVICES INC.
Reel/Frame 069338/0131 →
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT RECORDED AT REEL 053399/FRAME 0930 Recorded Nov 11, 2024
From: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: FORUM ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; FORUM US, INC.; GLOBAL TUBING, LLC
Reel/Frame 069318/0330 →
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECOND LIEN TERM LOAN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENTS Recorded Sep 27, 2024
From: VARIPERM ENERGY SERVICES PARTNERSHIP, AS RESIGNING COLLATERAL AGENT AND ASSIGNOR
To: GLAS USA LLC, AS SUCESSOR AGENT AND ASSIGNEE
Reel/Frame 069067/0317 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 5, 2024
From: FORUM ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; FORUM US, INC.; GLOBAL TUBING, LLC; VARIPERM ENERGY SERVICES INC.
To: VARIPERM ENERGY SERVICES PARTNERSHIP
Reel/Frame 066565/0968 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 30, 2021
From: FORUM US, INC.; GLOBAL HEAT TRANSFER ULC
To: WELLS FARGO BANK
Reel/Frame 058290/0868 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 4, 2020
From: FORUM ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; FORUM US, INC.; GLOBAL TUBING, LLC
To: US BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 053399/0930 →
SECRETARY'S CERTIFICATE Recorded Jun 26, 2019
From: GLOBAL HEAT TRANSFER ULC
To: FORUM US, INC.
Reel/Frame 049596/0603 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2018
From: HOUSTON GLOBAL HEAT TRANSFER LLC
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 047410/0154 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 1, 2017
From: GASKA, JOHN; VISSCHER, KEVIN; VANBERG, RANDY; LOTEY, IQBAL
To: GLOBAL HEAT TRANSFER ULC
Reel/Frame 043158/0529 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 1, 2017
From: HJORTH, DEREK; GASKA, JOHN; VANBERG, RANDY; PENG, BOB
To: GLOBAL HEAT TRANSFER ULC
Reel/Frame 043155/0667 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 27, 2017
From: HJORTH, DEREK; GASKA, JOHN; VANBERG, RANDY; PENG, BOB; VISSCHER, KEVIN; LOTEY, IQBAL
To: GLOBAL HEAT TRANSFER ULC
Reel/Frame 042169/0322 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 62320606 · Apr 10, 2016
Provisional Application 62320611 · Apr 10, 2016
Related Publication 20170292736A1 · Oct 12, 2017