Heat exchanger core tube for increased core thickness

Abstract

A heat exchanger core tube having a body with at least one internal fluid passage and having at least one end adapted such that an effective height results that is less than or equal to the inside diameter of a manifold and can allow the body of the core tube to have a height greater than the inside diameter of the manifold. The at least one adapted end may comprise an adapter and may be twisted such that the longitudinal axis of a core tube remains substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the manifold and wherein the end of the core tube is angled less than 90 degrees with respect to the tube body.

1 . A core tube for a heat exchanger, comprising:
 a body having a maximum outside dimension;   at least one fluid passage through the body;   a first end portion; and   a transition between the body and the end such that the end has a reduced dimension in the plane of the maximum outside dimension of the body.   
   
   
       2 . The core tube of  claim 1 , wherein the transition comprises:
 twisting the first end portion to an angle with respect to the body to present a reduced height for coupling to the manifold.   
   
   
       3 . The core tube of  claim 1 , wherein the transition comprises an adapter. 
   
   
       4 . The core tube of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one internal fluid passage comprises a plurality of micro-channels. 
   
   
       5 . A heat exchanger, comprising:
 at least one manifold; and   at least one core tube having a body with at least one internal fluid passage and at least one twisted end, wherein the at least one twisted end is coupled to a manifold such that the longitudinal axis of the core tube remains substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the manifold and wherein the end of the core tube is angled less than 90 degrees with respect to the tube body.   
   
   
       6 . The heat exchanger of  claim 5 , wherein the twisted end comprises an adapter. 
   
   
       7 . The heat exchanger of  claim 5 , wherein at least one core tube has a height greater than the inside diameter of the manifold to which the core tube is coupled. 
   
   
       8 . The heat exchanger of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one internal fluid passage comprises a plurality of micro-channels. 
   
   
       9 . A method of increasing the heat transfer capability of a heat exchanger, comprising:
 providing at least one manifold;   providing at least one core tube having a first end, a second end, and a body with at least one internal fluid passage;   twisting at least one end of at least one core tube; and   coupling the at least one twisted end to a manifold such that the longitudinal axis of the core tube remains substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the manifold and wherein the end of the core tube is angled less than 90 degrees with respect to the tube body.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein at least one provided core tube has a height greater than the inside diameter of a provided manifold to which the core tube is coupled. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein twisting at least one end of at least one core tube comprises coupling an adapter to at least one end of a core tube. 
   
   
       12 . A method of increasing the heat transfer capability of a heat exchanger, comprising:
 providing at least one manifold;   providing at least one core tube having a first end, a second end, and a body with at least one internal fluid passage;   reducing the effective height of at least one end of at least one core tube; and   coupling the reduced end to a manifold.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein at least one provided core tube has a height greater than the inside diameter of a provided manifold to which the core tube is coupled. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein reducing the effective height of at least one end of at least one core tube comprises coupling an adapter to at least one end of a core tube.