Multi-flow type heat exchanger

Abstract

A heat exchanger of the multi-flow type is provided with baffle members which are adapted to impart a zigzagging flow to the heat-exchange fluid in motion inside a flat tube and define, in conjunction with the inner wall of the flat tube, a flow path of a cross-sectional area having an equivalent diameter in the range of 0.4 to 1.5 mm. This heat exchanger excels in heat exchange ability and in facility of manufacture and assemblage.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A heat exchanger of the multi-flow type comprising a pair of header pipes ( 1 ,  2  having a annular cross section fit for flow of heat-exchanger fluid and disposed parallelly as separated by a prescribed length (l), a multiplicity of flat tubes ( 5 ) disposed between said header pipes ( 1 ,  2 ) in such a manner as to intercommunicate them, and baffle members (G) adapted to impart a zigzagging stirring motion to said heat-exchanger fluid in motion, which heat exchanger is characterized by the fact that the flow paths defined by said baffle members (G) and the inside walls of said flat tubes possess a cross-sectional area having an equivalent diameter in the range of 0.4 to 1.5 mm.  
     
     
         2 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein said baffle members (G) comprise inner fins and said inner fins ( 20 ) are corrugated so as to divide the flow paths inside said flat tubes into a plurality of small flow paths and give rise to corrugated parts (h) raised between slits placed parallelly at prescribed intervals (s) in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the flow of said heat-exchanger fluid so that the edge surfaces (E) of the corrugated parts of the preceding stage are positioned between the corrugated parts of the subsequent stage.  
     
     
         3 . A mounting structure for the heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein one-side ends ( 1   a ,  2   a ) of said header pipes ( 1 ,  2 ) are fastened to engaging parts ( 30 ) formed in an object (B 1 ) serving as a base for attachment and the other-side ends ( 1   b ,  2   b ) of said header pipes ( 1 ,  2 ) are attached to said object through the medium of retaining brackets ( 31 ) adapted to retain in place said other-side ends ( 1   b ,  2   b ).  
     
     
         4 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein elastic members ( 32   b ) are interposed between the one-side ends ( 1   a ,  2   a ) of said header pipes ( 1 ,  2 ) and said engaging parts of said object (B 1 ) and between said retaining brackets ( 31 ) and the other-side ends ( 1   b ,  2   b ) of said header pipes ( 1 ,  2 ).  
     
     
         5 . A heat exchanger of the multi-flow type comprising a pair of header pipes ( 1 ,  2 ) having a annular cross section fit for flow of heat-exchanger fluid and disposed parallelly as separated by a prescribed length (l), a multiplicity of flat tubes ( 5 ) disposed between said header pipes ( 1 ,  2 ) in such a manner as to intercommunicate them, and baffle members (G) adapted to impart a zigzagging stirring motion to said heat-exchanger fluid in motion, which heat exchanger is characterized by the fact that said flat tubes ( 5 ) are formed by joining two halved flat tubes ( 5   a ,  5   b ), said halved flat tubes ( 5   a ,  5   b ) are each provided therein with a plurality of dimples ( 50   a ,  50   b ) projected symmetrically toward each other so as to partition partially the flow path inside said flat tube ( 5 ), the apexes ( 51   a ,  51   b ) of said dimples ( 50   a ,  50   b ) are joined to each other in a width in the range of 1 to 2 mm, said dimples are spaced with a fixed pitch (Pd) in the range of 2 to 4 mm, and the inside thickness (t) of said tubes is in the range of 0.5 to 1.7 mm.  
     
     
         6 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 5 , wherein said flat tubes ( 5 ) are formed by folding one plate material.  
     
     
         7 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 5 , wherein said flat tubes ( 5 ) are formed by joining two halved flat tubes ( 5   a ,  5   b ).  
     
     
         8 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 7 , wherein said flat tubes ( 5 ) have formed in the terminal parts of said halved flat tubes ( 5   a ,  5   b ) such abutting parts ( 61   a ,  61   b ) as adapted to conform to the peripheral edges of said engaging holes in said header pipes.  
     
     
         9 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 7 , wherein said halved flat tubes ( 5   a ,  5   b ) have formed in the terminal parts thereof such inserting parts ( 62   a ,  62   b ) as possessed of an outer shape conforming to the shape of said engaging holes ( 60 ) and such budding parts ( 61   a ,  61   b ) as adapted to abut the peripheral edges of said engaging holes ( 6 ).