Patent ID: 6119769
Filing Date: 2000-09-19
Classification: F28D,F28F

Abstract:
A heat transfer device comprising:a thermally conductive tube having an interior surface of a predetermined interior diameter extending between opposite ends and adapted for receiving a flow of fluid therethrough; anda fluid flow turbulator disposed in said tube and approximately equal in length to said tube, said turbulator having a longitudinal axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of said tube, at least a portion of said turbulator being in contact with said interior surface of said tube, said turbulator including an elongated length of a helical coil spring having a non-uniform diameter along its length, said spring having a first plurality of separate coil sections each with a plurality of coils of uniform height and uniform diameter approximately equal to said interior diameter of said tube and being in contact with said interior surface of said tube, said spring having a second plurality of transitional coil members each being connected between adjacent ends of a pair of said coil sections, each of said transitional coil members having a diameter smaller than said interior diameter of said tube and being offset from said longitudinal axis of said turbulator so as to form an obstructed fluid flow path through said tube and direct fluid flowing through said tube to said interior surface of said tube.