Heat exchanger with nox-reducing triangle

Abstract

A heat exchanger having a frame and a combustion tube mounted to the frame wherein the combustion tube is configured to contain a flame produced from a fuel/air mixture introduced therein, and the combustion tube is configured to exhaust combustion products of the fuel/air mixture, the improvement comprising an insert coupled to the frame and having a longitudinal axis extending along and within the combustion tube wherein the insert has a triangular cross-section normal the longitudinal axis and configured to intersect a periphery of the flame. A method of manufacturing a heat exchanger is also provided.

1 . In a heat exchanger having a frame and a combustion tube mounted to said frame, said combustion tube configured to contain a flame produced from a fuel/air mixture introduced therein and to exhaust combustion products of said fuel/air mixture, the improvement comprising:
 an insert coupled to said frame and having a longitudinal axis extending along and within said combustion tube, said insert having a triangular cross-section normal said longitudinal axis, said insert configured to intersect a periphery of said flame.   
   
   
       2 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 1  wherein said triangular cross section is substantially an equilateral triangular cross section. 
   
   
       3 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 1  wherein said insert is porous. 
   
   
       4 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 1  wherein said insert comprises a wire mesh. 
   
   
       5 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 1  wherein said insert comprises an alloy of stainless steel. 
   
   
       6 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 1  wherein said insert comprises stainless steel 310. 
   
   
       7 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 1  wherein said insert comprises an alloy of iron, chromium and nickel. 
   
   
       8 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a mounting tab coupled to said insert, said mounting tab configured to support said insert within, but not in contact with, said combustion tube. 
   
   
       9 . A method of manufacturing a heat exchanger having a frame and a combustion tube mounted to said frame, said combustion tube configured to contain a flame produced from a fuel/air mixture introduced therein and to exhaust combustion products of said fuel/air mixture, the improvement comprising:
 coupling an insert to said frame, said insert having a longitudinal axis extending along and within said combustion tube, said insert having a triangular cross-section normal said longitudinal axis and configured to intersect a periphery of said flame.   
   
   
       10 . The method as recited in  claim 9  wherein coupling includes coupling an insert wherein said triangular cross section is substantially an equilateral triangular cross section. 
   
   
       11 . The method as recited in  claim 9  wherein coupling includes coupling an insert wherein said insert is porous. 
   
   
       12 . The method as recited in  claim 9  wherein coupling includes coupling an insert wherein said insert comprises a wire mesh. 
   
   
       13 . The method as recited in  claim 9  wherein coupling includes coupling an insert wherein said insert comprises an alloy of stainless steel. 
   
   
       14 . The method as recited in  claim 9  wherein coupling includes coupling an insert wherein said insert comprises stainless steel 310. 
   
   
       15 . The method as recited in  claim 9  wherein coupling includes coupling an insert wherein said insert comprises an alloy of iron, chromium and nickel. 
   
   
       16 . The method as recited in  claim 9  further comprising coupling a mounting tab to said insert, and configuring said mounting tab to support said insert within, but not in contact with, said combustion tube.