Turbulator for heat exchanger

Abstract

The efficiency of dimple-type turbulators located on roughly parallel walls defining a flow channel within a heat exchanger is increased by providing protuberances on the dimples themselves which enhance turbulence, and thus, increase the rate of heat exchange.

1 . In a heat exchanger having at least one flow channel for a heat exchange fluid defined by spaced, generally parallel walls between which the heat exchange fluid flows and a plurality of dimples formed in at least one of the walls to extend therefrom toward the other wall to be secured thereto or to another dimple extending from said other wall toward said one wall and wherein the dimples act as turbulators to induce turbulence in the heat exchange fluid as it flows between the generally parallel walls, the improvement comprising protrusions on sides of said dimples extending into said flow channel(s) to increase the inducement of turbulence in said heat exchange fluid as it flows between said parallel walls and around said dimples.  
   
   
       2 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1  wherein said walls are aluminum sheets and said dimples and said protrusions are formed by a metal forming die.  
   
   
       3 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1  wherein said dimples have bases integral with at least one of said walls and opposite flat tops bonded to the other of said walls or to the flat top of another of said dimples, and said protrusions are ribs extending from the base to the flat top of the dimples.  
   
   
       4 . The heat exchanger of  claim 3  wherein each dimple has a plurality of said ribs spaced from one another about the periphery of the dimple.  
   
   
       5 . The heat exchanger of  claim 4  wherein the ribs on each dimple are generally radially oriented.  
   
   
       6 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1  wherein said dimples have bases integral with at least one of said walls and opposite flat tops bonded to the other of said walls or to the flat top of another of said dimples, and said protrusions on said dimple are located between the base and flat top of the corresponding dimple.  
   
   
       7 . The heat exchanger of  claim 6  wherein there is at least one protrusion on a dimple which is in the form of a rib extending from the base of the dimple to the top thereof.  
   
   
       8 . The heat exchanger of  claim 6  wherein said walls are formed of a thermally conductive metal and said dimples are die-formed in at least one of said walls, said protrusion being integral with said sheet and die-formed in said dimples.