Compact tube and plate condenser with cooling fins

Abstract

The compact tube and plate condenser with cooling fins is similar to a conventional compact tube and plate condenser, but with the addition of thermally conductive cooling fins for enhancing heat transfer with the external environment. The compact tube and plate condenser with cooling fins includes a serpentine tube mounted on a thermally conductive plate. The serpentine tube has opposed inlet and outlet ports for respectively receiving and outputting a refrigerant fluid. The compact tube and plate condenser is folded in a substantially spiral configuration. Additionally, a plurality of thermally conductive cooling fins are mounted on the thermally conductive plate. The serpentine tube, which is preferably formed from a thermally conductive material, the thermally conductive plate, and the additional thermally conductive cooling fins each effect heat exchange between the refrigerant fluid and the external environment.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A compact tube and plate condenser with cooling fins, comprising:
 a tube and plate condenser having a serpentine tube mounted on a thermally conductive plate, the serpentine tube having opposed inlet and outlet ports for respectively receiving and outputting a refrigerant fluid, the tube and plate condenser being folded in a substantially spiral configuration, whereby the serpentine tube and the thermally conductive plate effect heat exchange between the refrigerant fluid and an external environment; and   a plurality of thermally conductive cooling fins mounted on the thermally conductive plate.   
     
     
         2 . The compact tube and plate condenser with cooling fins as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of said thermally conductive cooling fins is mounted on the thermally conductive plate between adjacent segments of the serpentine tube. 
     
     
         3 . The compact tube and plate condenser with cooling fins as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said plurality of thermally conductive cooling fins is divided into a plurality of linearly extending rows of the thermally conductive cooling fins. 
     
     
         4 . The compact tube and plate condenser with cooling fins as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said plate has a plurality of slots formed therein between at least a portion of adjacent ones of said thermally conductive cooling fins. 
     
     
         5 . The compact tube and plate condenser with cooling fins as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said plurality of thermally conductive cooling fins is divided into a plurality of rows of the thermally conductive cooling fins, wherein each said row comprises a plurality of alternating ones of the thermally conductive cooling fins. 
     
     
         6 . The compact tube and plate condenser with cooling fins as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said plate has a plurality of slots formed therein between at least a portion of adjacent ones of said thermally conductive cooling fins. 
     
     
         7 . The compact tube and plate condenser with cooling fins as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of said thermally conductive cooling fins is mounted on the thermally conductive plate extending between and at least partially covering adjacent segments of the serpentine tube. 
     
     
         8 . The compact tube and plate condenser with cooling fins as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of said thermally conductive cooling fins is mounted on the thermally conductive plate and is in thermal communication with both the thermally conductive plate and the serpentine tube. 
     
     
         9 . The compact tube and plate condenser with cooling fins as recited in  claim 8 , wherein each of said thermally conductive cooling fins is mounted on the thermally conductive plate partially extending between adjacent segments of the serpentine tube. 
     
     
         10 . A compact tube and plate condenser with cooling fins, comprising:
 a tube and plate condenser comprising a serpentine tube mounted on a thermally conductive plate, the serpentine tube having opposed inlet and outlet ports for respectively receiving and outputting a refrigerant fluid, the tube and plate condenser being folded in a substantially spiral configuration, whereby the serpentine tube and the thermally conductive plate effect heat exchange between the refrigerant fluid and an external environment; and   a plurality of thermally conductive cooling fins mounted on the thermally conductive plate, the plate having a plurality of slots formed therein between at least a portion of adjacent ones of the thermally conductive cooling fins.   
     
     
         11 . The compact tube and plate condenser with cooling fins as recited in  claim 10 , wherein each of said thermally conductive cooling fins is mounted on the thermally conductive plate between adjacent segments of the serpentine tube. 
     
     
         12 . The compact tube and plate condenser with cooling fins as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said plurality of thermally conductive cooling fins is divided into a plurality of linearly extending rows of the thermally conductive cooling fins. 
     
     
         13 . The compact tube and plate condenser with cooling fins as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said plurality of thermally conductive cooling fins is divided into a plurality of rows of the thermally conductive cooling fins, wherein each said row comprises a plurality of alternating ones of the thermally conductive cooling fins. 
     
     
         14 . The compact tube and plate condenser with cooling fins as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said plate has a plurality of slots formed therein between at least a portion of adjacent ones of said thermally conductive cooling fins. 
     
     
         15 . The compact tube and plate condenser with cooling fins as recited in  claim 12 , wherein each of said thermally conductive cooling fins is mounted on the thermally conductive plate extending between and at least partially covering adjacent segments of the serpentine tube. 
     
     
         16 . The compact tube and plate condenser with cooling fins as recited in  claim 12 , wherein each of said thermally conductive cooling fins is mounted on the thermally conductive plate and is in thermal communication with both the thermally conductive plate and the serpentine tube. 
     
     
         17 . The compact tube and plate condenser with cooling fins as recited in  claim 16 , wherein each of said thermally conductive cooling fins is mounted on the thermally conductive plate partially extending between adjacent segments of the serpentine tube.