Multi-edge folded louvered fin for heat exchanger

Abstract

A multi-edge folded louvered fin for a heat exchanger includes a blank extending longitudinally having a longitudinal axis and folded in a serpentine configuration having top and bottom base portions and a fin body extending between adjacent ones of said top and bottom base portions. The multi-edge folded louvered fin also includes a plurality of louvers for each fin body extending outwardly at a first predetermined angle relative to a direction of air flow entering the heat exchanger. Each of the louvers has a leading edge and a trailing edge being offset longitudinally relative to each other. The multi-edge folded louvered fin includes the fin body being disposed at a second predetermined angle relative to the direction of air flow entering the heat exchanger. The multi-edge folded louvered fin further includes the first predetermined angle opposing the second predetermined angle.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A multi-edge folded louvered fin for a heat exchanger comprising: 
 a blank extending longitudinally having a longitudinal axis and folded in a serpentine configuration having top and bottom base portions and a fin body extending between adjacent ones of said top and bottom base portions;    a plurality of louvers for each said fin body extending outwardly at a first predetermined angle relative to a direction of air flow entering the heat exchanger, each of said louvers having a leading edge and a trailing edge being longitudinally offset with respect to each other;    said fin body being disposed at a second predetermined angle relative to the direction of air flow entering the heat exchanger; and    said first predetermined angle opposing said second predetermined angle.    
     
     
         2 . A multi-edge folded louvered fin as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said blank is generally planar and rectangular in shape.  
     
     
         3 . A multi-edge folded louvered fin as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said fin body includes a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, one of said apertures being disposed between an adjacent pair of said louvers for air to flow therebetween.  
     
     
         4 . A multi-edge folded louvered fin as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said first predetermined angle is from five degrees to fifteen degrees.  
     
     
         5 . A multi-edge folded louvered fin as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said second predetermined angle is from five degrees to fifteen degrees.  
     
     
         6 . A multi-edge folded louvered fin as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said blank is folded in corrugations.  
     
     
         7 . A multi-edge folded louvered fin as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said fin is integral, unitary, and formed as one-piece.  
     
     
         8 . A multi-edge folded louvered fin for a heat exchanger comprising: 
 a blank extending longitudinally having a longitudinal axis and folded in a serpentine configuration having top and bottom base portions and a fin body extending between adjacent ones of said top and bottom base portions;    a plurality of louvers for each said fin body extending outwardly at a first predetermined angle relative to a direction of air flow entering the heat exchanger, each of said louvers extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis and being spaced laterally and having a leading edge and a trailing edge being longitudinally offset with respect to each other;    said fin body being disposed at a second predetermined angle relative to the direction of air flow entering the heat exchanger; and    said first predetermined angle opposing said second predetermined angle.    
     
     
         9 . A multi-edge folded louvered fin as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said blank is generally planar and rectangular in shape.  
     
     
         10 . A multi-edge folded louvered fin as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said first predetermined angle is from positive five degrees to positive fifteen degrees.  
     
     
         11 . A multi-edge folded louvered fin as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said second predetermined angle is from negative five degrees to negative fifteen degrees.  
     
     
         12 . A multi-edge folded louvered fin as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said blank is folded in corrugations.  
     
     
         13 . A multi-edge folded louvered fin as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said fin is integral, unitary, and formed as one-piece.  
     
     
         14 . A multi-edge folded louvered fin as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said blank is made of a metal material.  
     
     
         15 . A heat exchanger comprising: 
 a plurality of tubes;    a plurality of multi-edge folded louvered fins disposed between each of said tubes; and    each of said multi-edge folded louvered fins comprising a blank extending longitudinally having a longitudinal axis and folded in a serpentine configuration having top and bottom base portions and a fin body extending between adjacent ones of said top and bottom base portions, a plurality of louvers for each said fin body extending outwardly at a first predetermined angle relative to a direction of air flow entering the heat exchanger, each of said louvers having a leading edge and a trailing edge being longitudinally offset with respect to each other, said fin body being disposed at a second predetermined angle relative to the direction of air flow entering the heat exchanger, and said first predetermined angle opposing said second predetermined angle.