Heat exchanger assembly having split mini-louvered fins

Abstract

A heat exchanger assembly is provided having at least one header, a plurality of spaced apart fluid tubes in hydraulic communication with the header, and a plurality of corrugated fins disposed between the tubes. The corrugated fins include a planar portion having a louver segment defined between a pair of primary slits, in which the louver segment includes an intermediate slit splitting the louver segment into a pair of mini-louvers. The mini-louvers are counter-offset such that one of the mini-louvers is on one side of the planar portion and the other one of the mini-lover is on the other side of the planar portion. The mini-louvers may be pivoted about their respective junctures such that each of the mini-louver segments is oblique relative to the planar portion.

Having described the invention, it is claimed: 
     
         1 . A heat exchanger assembly comprising:
 at least one header;   a plurality of fluid tubes in hydraulic communication with said header, wherein said tubes are spaced apart; and   a plurality of corrugated fins disposed between and in thermal contact with said tubes, at least one of said corrugated fins comprises:   a planar portion having a louver segment defined between a pair of primary slits,   wherein said louver segment includes at least one intermediate slit between said pair of primary slits thereby splitting said louver segment into at least two mini-louvers.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said primary slits and said at least one intermediate slit are parallel,   each of said primary slit includes a length L 1 ,   said at least one intermediate slit includes a length L 2 , and   wherein said length L 2  is less than said length L 1 , thereby defining a primary juncture transitioning said louver segment to said planar portion and defining a secondary juncture transitioning said mini-louvers to said primary juncture.   
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said louver segment includes a primary juncture transitioning said louver segment to said planar portion, and said louver segment is pivoted about such primary juncture such that said louver segment is oblique relative to said planar portion. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger assembly of  claim 3 , wherein each of said mini-louvers includes a secondary juncture transitioning said mini-louvers to said primary juncture. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger assembly of  claim 4 , wherein said mini-louvers are counter-offset such that one of said mini-louvers is on one side of said planar portion and other one of said mini-lover is on the other side of said planar portion. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger assembly of  claim 5 , wherein each of said mini-louvers is pivoted about respective said secondary junctures such that each of said mini-louver segment is oblique relative to said planar portion. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger assembly of  claim 6 , wherein each of said mini-louvers includes a front edge and an opposite trailing edge, wherein said mini-louvers partially overlap one another such that the rear edge of one mini-louver extends past the front edge of the other said mini-louver. 
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger assembly of  claim 7 , wherein said planar portion includes a leading edge, and wherein said front edges of said mini-louvers are parallel with said leading edge of said planar portion. 
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger assembly of  claim 5 , wherein said intermediate slit defines an air passageway between said mini-louvers on either side of said planar portion. 
     
     
         10 . A split mini-louver for a heat exchanger assembly, comprising:
 a planar portion having a louver segment defined between a pair of primary slits,   wherein said louver segment includes at least one intermediate slit between said pair of primary slits, thereby splitting said louver segment into at least two mini-louvers.   
     
     
         11 . The split mini-louver for a heat exchanger assembly of  claim 10  wherein said mini-louvers are counter-offset such that one of said mini-louvers is on one side of said planar portion and other one of said mini-lover is on the other side of said planar portion. 
     
     
         12 . The split mini-louver for a heat exchanger assembly of  claim 11  wherein said intermediate slit defines an air passageway between said mini-louvers. 
     
     
         13 . The split mini-louver for a heat exchanger assembly of  claim 12  wherein each of said mini-louvers includes a front edge and an opposite trailing edge, wherein said mini-louvers partially overlap one another such that the rear edge of one mini-louver extends past the front edge of the other said mini-louver. 
     
     
         14 . The split mini-louver for a heat exchanger assembly of  claim 13  wherein each of said mini-louvers transitions into a secondary juncture. 
     
     
         15 . The split mini-louver for a heat exchanger assembly of  claim 13  wherein each of said secondary juncture transitions into primary juncture which transitions into said planar portion.