Aluminum Tube-and-Fin Assembly Geometry

Abstract

A tube-and-fin assembly comprises a generally elliptical, cylindrical, elongated aluminum tube and a plurality of aluminum fins. Each fin extends outward from a side of the tube body to an apex. The aluminum assembly has a ratio of fin height to fin density (Mokire ratio) of between about 0.3200 and about 0.4125. The fin height is about 6.4 mm to about 6.6 mm and the fin density is about 16 to 20 fins per inch (FPI). The fins may be part of a corrugated sheet affixed to either side of the tube. The aluminum assembly achieves heat transfer performance similar to that of copper assemblies while maintaining a similar space claim.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An aluminum tube-and-fin assembly for a heat exchanger, the assembly comprising:
 an aluminum tube having a body; and   a plurality of aluminum fins disposed on the body;   wherein the Mokire ratio is greater than about 0.3200.   
     
     
         2 . The aluminum tube-and-fin assembly of  claim 1  wherein:
 the Mokire ratio is about 0.3200 to about 0.4125. 
 
     
     
         3 . The aluminum tube-and-fin assembly of  claim 1  wherein:
 the fin height is about 6.4 mm to about 6.6 mm; and 
 the fin density is about 16 FPI to about 20 FPI. 
 
     
     
         4 . The aluminum tube-and-fin assembly of  claim 1  wherein:
 the fin thickness is about 0.2 mm. 
 
     
     
         5 . The aluminum tube-and-fin assembly of  claim 1  wherein:
 the aluminum tube is a generally cylindrical, elongated structure having a body with flat sides connected by ends; and 
 each aluminum fin extends outward from a side of the tube and terminates in an apex. 
 
     
     
         6 . The aluminum tube-and-fin assembly of  claim 1  wherein:
 the fins are an indivisible unitary part of a corrugated sheet affixed to either side of the tube. 
 
     
     
         7 . The aluminum tube-and-fin assembly of  claim 1  wherein:
 the fins are substantially planar and extend outwardly from the tube. 
 
     
     
         8 . The aluminum tube-and-fin assembly of  claim 1  wherein:
 the fins are substantially planar and extend outwardly from a fin plate adjacent the tube. 
 
     
     
         8 . The aluminum tube-and-fin assembly of  claim 1  wherein:
 the Mokire ratio is about 0.3275. 
 
     
     
         9 . The aluminum tube-and-fin assembly of  claim 8  wherein:
 the fin thickness is about 0.2 mm. 
 
     
     
         10 . The aluminum tube-and-fin assembly of  claim 9  wherein:
 the aluminum tube is a generally cylindrical, elongated structure having a body with flat sides connected by ends; and 
 each aluminum fin extends outward from a side of the tube and terminates in an apex. 
 
     
     
         11 . The aluminum tube-and-fin assembly of  claim 10  wherein:
 the fins are an indivisible unitary part of a corrugated sheet affixed to either side of the tube. 
 
     
     
         12 . An aluminum tube-and-fin assembly for a heat exchanger, the assembly comprising:
 a generally cylindrical, elongated aluminum tube having a body with flat sides connected by ends; and   a plurality of aluminum fins, each fin extending outward from a side of the tube to an apex;   wherein the assembly has a fin density of 16 to 20 FPI and a fin height of 6.4 to 6.6 mm.   
     
     
         13 . The aluminum tube-and-fin assembly of  claim 12  wherein:
 the fins have a thickness of about 0.2 mm. 
 
     
     
         14 . The aluminum tube-and-fin assembly of  claim 12  wherein:
 the fins are an indivisible unitary part of a corrugated sheet affixed to either side of the tube.