Helicoid turbulator for heat exchangers

Abstract

The present invention teaches an assembly for improved heat transfer consisting of a helix surrounding a self contained tube that is placed inside a heat exchanger tube parallel to fluid flow with the outside of the helix in close proximity to the inside wall of the heat exchanger tube and the invention assembly self contained tube in close proximity to the inside of the helix.

1 . A heat exchanger system for increased heat transfer in a fluid flowing through the heat exchanger system, the heat exchanger system comprising:
 a. a first tube;   b. a second tube, the second tube being present inside the first tube, the second tube being concentric with the first tube; and   c. a helicoid structure wrapped around the second tube.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger system according to  claim 1 , wherein the helicoid structure possesses a variable pitch. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first tube is a cylindrical tube possessing an inlet and an outlet to allow the fluid flow through the heat exchanger system. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger system according to  claim 1 , wherein the second tube is a cylindrical tube possessing an inlet and an outlet for facilitating fluid flow. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger system according to  claim 1 , wherein the second tube is capable of possessing varying diameter. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger system according to  claim 1  or  5 , wherein diameter of the second tube is ¾ of diameter of the first tube. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger system according to  claim 1 , wherein outer edge of the second tube is in proximity to the inner edge of the helicoid structure. 
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger system according to  claim 7 , where in range of the proximity is ⅛ of an inch and lower. 
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger system according to  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of extended surface fins, the plurality of extended surface fins surrounding the first tube. 
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger system according to  claim 1 , wherein the helicoid structure is manufactured from one of carbon steel, stainless steel and other non-corrosive material. 
     
     
         11 . A heat exchanger system for transferring heat from a viscous fluid flowing in a laminar state, the heat exchanger system comprising:
 a. a first cylindrical tube;   b. a second cylindrical tube, the second cylindrical tube being present inside and concentric with the first cylindrical tube;   c. a helix, the helix surrounding the second cylindrical tube, the helix being a helicoid structure wrapped around the second tube; and   wherein the helix surrounding the first cylindrical tube is placed parallel to the flow of the viscous fluid inside the heat exchanger system and outside of the helix is in close proximity to inside wall of the first tube.   
     
     
         12 . The heat exchanger system according to  claim 11 , wherein the helix possesses a variable pitch. 
     
     
         13 . The heat exchanger system according to  claim 11 , wherein the second cylindrical tube is capable of possessing a varying diameter. 
     
     
         14 . The heat exchanger system according to  claim 11 , wherein outer edge of the second cylindrical tube is in close proximity to the inner edge of the helix. 
     
     
         15 . The heat exchanger system according to  claim 11  further comprising a plurality of extended surface fins, the plurality of extended surface fins surrounding the first cylindrical tube. 
     
     
         16 . The heat exchanger system according to  claim 11 , wherein the helix is manufactured from one of carbon steel, stainless steel and other non-corrosive material. 
     
     
         17 . The heat exchanger system according to  claim 11 , where in range of the proximity is ⅛ of an inch and lower. 
     
     
         18 . A heat exchanger system for heat transfer at one or more locations along the path of the fluid, the fluid comprising a first portion and a second portion, the system comprising:
 a. a first tube, the first tube being a heat exchanger tube;   b. a turbulator; the turbulator being concentric with the first tube, the turbulator comprising:
 i. a second cylindrical tube, the second cylindrical tube being present inside the first tube; 
 ii. a helix, the helix surrounding the second tube, the helix being a helicoid structure wrapped around the second tube; 
   wherein the first portion of the fluid being controlled by the helix and flowing in a spiral portion, the first portion being the fluid portion confined between the turbulator and the first tube; and   wherein the second portion of the fluid being the fluid passing inside the second cylindrical tube.   
     
     
         19 . A method of increased heat transfer in a heat exchanger system, the heat exchanger system comprising a first tube and turbulator, the turbulator being present inside the first tube, the turbulator comprising a second tube surrounded by a helix, wherein the heat transfer occurs at one or more locations along the flow path of fluid, the fluid flow path comprising a first portion and a second portion, the method comprising:
 a. transferring heat along path of the first portion of the fluid, the first portion being the portion present between the first tube and the turbulator; the first portion being subjected to spiral path of the helix and reduced thickness of the fluid flow; and   b. transferring heat along path of second portion of the fluid, the second portion of the fluid being the fluid passing inside the turbulator.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein varying diameter of the turbulator facilitates controlling pressure loss through the heat exchanger system.