Heat transfer tubes

Abstract

A heat transfer tube includes a tube wall defining a central axis in a lengthwise direction of the tube. The tube wall includes a fluid inlet and fluid outlet for directing a coolant into and out of the tube. A hollow cone is positioned within the tube wall aligned with the central axis having an interior and exterior. A plurality of orifices are defined through the core configured to provide a separation of liquid coolant and vapor within the tube.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heat transfer tube, comprising:
 a tube wall defining a central axis in a lengthwise direction of the tube, the tube wall including a fluid inlet and fluid outlet for directing a coolant into and out of the tube;   a hollow cone within the tube wall aligned with the central axis having an interior and exterior; and   a plurality of orifices defined through the cone configured to provide a separation of liquid coolant within the cone from vapor outside the cone within the tube wall.   
     
     
         2 . The tube of  claim 1 , wherein the orifices are configured to form impingement jets of fluid directed from the interior of the cone towards the tube wall. 
     
     
         3 . The tube of  claim 2 , wherein the orifices are configured to flow vapor circumferentially and axially between the jets thereby allowing liquid coolant to impinge on the tube wall. 
     
     
         4 . The tube of  claim 1 , wherein the central cone converges down in cross-sectional area in a downstream direction from an inlet end of the cone. 
     
     
         5 . The tube of  claim 4 , wherein the downstream end of the cone is closed such that all fluid flow from the interior of the cone passes through the orifices and exits the tube wall from the outlet. 
     
     
         6 . The tube of  claim 1 , wherein the orifices are dispersed throughout a length of the central cone. 
     
     
         7 . The tube of  claim 1 , wherein a flow area of liquid coolant decreases as a flow area of two-phase flow increases thereby making volumetric flow uniform within the tube wall. 
     
     
         8 . The tube of  claim 1 , wherein an outer wall of the tube is configured to be in communication with a heat source. 
     
     
         9 . A heat exchanger, comprising:
 a plurality of heat transfer tubes, each heat transfer tube, comprising:
 a tube wall defining a central axis in a lengthwise direction of the tube, the tube wall including a fluid inlet and fluid outlet for directing a coolant into and out of the tube; 
 a hollow cone within the tube wall aligned with the central axis having an interior and exterior; and 
 a plurality of orifices defined through the core configured to provide separation of liquid coolant and vapor within the tube. 
   
     
     
         10 . A heat transfer device, comprising:
 a housing defining a central axis, the housing including a fluid inlet and fluid outlet for directing a coolant into and out of the housing;   a hollow insert within the housing aligned with the central axis having an interior and exterior; and   a plurality of orifices defined through the insert configured to provide a designed distribution of liquid coolant from the insert to an annular space that provides coolant for boiling at an outer surface of the insert and carries a vapor or vapor-liquid mixture axially outside the insert within the housing.