Condenser tube with non-uniform surface enhancements

Abstract

Condenser tubes with non-uniform surface enhancements are described herein. In one example, the condenser tube may include a tube having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, an interior surface, and an exterior surface. The condenser tube may have a longitudinal bore defined by the interior surface and extending from the first end to the second end and configured to transport a coolant. The exterior surface may have a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion may have a substantially smooth region. The bottom portion may have a plurality of surface enhancements extending longitudinally from the first end to the second end. In one application, the condenser tubes with non-uniform surface enhancements may be deployed in condensers for two-phase immersion cooling systems. Other examples may be claimed or described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A condenser tube comprising:
 a tube having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, an interior surface, and an exterior surface;   a longitudinal bore defined by the interior surface and extending from the first end to the second end and configured to transport a coolant;   wherein the exterior surface has a top portion and a bottom portion, and   wherein the top portion comprises a substantially smooth region, and the bottom portion comprises a plurality of surface enhancements extending longitudinally from the first end to the second end.   
     
     
         2 . The condenser tube of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of surface enhancements extend radially from the exterior surface. 
     
     
         3 . The condenser tube of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of surface enhancements comprise a plurality of fins. 
     
     
         4 . The condenser tube of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of surface enhancements each extend either horizontally or downward from the exterior surface. 
     
     
         5 . The condenser tube of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of surface enhancements each extend downward from the exterior surface. 
     
     
         6 . The condenser tube of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of surface enhancements each extend horizontally from the exterior surface. 
     
     
         7 . The condenser tube of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of surface enhancements comprise a plurality of fins extending from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         8 . The condenser tube of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of surface enhancements extend in a parallel configuration and where a first surface enhancement is recessed relative to a second surface enhancement that is above and adjacent to the first surface enhancement. 
     
     
         9 . The condenser tube of  claim 1 , wherein the condenser tube is part of a condenser. 
     
     
         10 . The condenser tube of  claim 9 , wherein the condenser is part of a two-phase immersion cooling system. 
     
     
         11 . The condenser tube of  claim 1 , wherein the surface enhancements are located below a horizontal midplane of the condenser tube. 
     
     
         12 . The condenser tube of  claim 1 , wherein less than half of the top portion comprises surface enhancements. 
     
     
         13 . The condenser of  claim 1 , wherein the surface enhancements comprise a plurality of pointed fins that taper in a direction from a base to a tip of each fin. 
     
     
         14 . The condenser of  claim 1 , wherein the interior surface is substantially smooth. 
     
     
         15 . The condenser of  claim 3 , wherein each fin has a maximum fin length greater than a minimum distance between adjacent fins. 
     
     
         16 . A condenser tube comprising:
 a tube having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, an interior surface, and an exterior surface; and   a longitudinal bore defined by the interior surface and extending from the first end to the second end and configured to transport a coolant;   wherein between 25% and 50% of the exterior surface is substantially smooth, and   wherein between 50% and 75% of the exterior surface comprises surface enhancements.   
     
     
         17 . The condenser of  claim 1 , wherein the interior surface is substantially smooth. 
     
     
         18 . The condenser of  claim 1 , wherein the surface enhancements comprise a plurality of fins that extend longitudinally from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         19 . The condenser of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of fins extend radially and downward. 
     
     
         20 . A condenser comprising:
 an inlet manifold comprising an inlet;   an outlet manifold comprising an outlet;   a plurality of condenser tubes fluidly connecting the inlet manifold to the outlet manifold;   wherein at least one of the condenser tubes comprises:
 a tube having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, an interior surface, and an exterior surface; 
 a longitudinal bore defined by the interior surface and extending from the first end to the second end and configured to transport a heat transfer fluid; 
 wherein the interior surface is substantially smooth; 
 wherein the exterior surface has a top portion and a bottom portion, and 
 wherein the top portion comprises a region that is substantially smooth, and the bottom portion comprises a plurality of surface enhancements extending longitudinally from the first end to the second end.