Abstract:
The present invention provides a heat-exchange coil assembly making it possible to enlarge a heat conduction area within a limited volume by lowering the pitch between heat-exchange coils to a minimum level without providing a welding space. The heat-exchange coil assembly comprises an inlet header  2  at an end section thereof, an inlet tube  3  for inletting a heat exchange medium provided in a drum, an outlet header  4  located with a space from the inlet header at an end section thereof, and a plurality of heat-exchange coils with the outlet tube  5  for outletting a heat-exchange medium from the drum, inlet header  2 , and outlet header  4  communicated to each other and also having a common center line, in which the heat-exchange coils are alternately linked to both sides of the inlet header  2  and outlet header  4.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a heat-exchange coil assembly, and more particularly to a heat-exchange coil assembly accommodated in a drum for exchanging heat between a heat-exchange medium flowing in the drum and a heat-exchange medium flowing in the coil. 
     The inventor for the present invention has already proposed, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 8-54192, a heat-exchange coil assembly in which a plurality of heat-exchange coils each having a different winding diameter are arranged so that they have a common center line. With this heat-exchange coil assembly, there are provided the advantages that the heat exchange efficiency can be improved without making larger a drum capacity of the heat exchanger, and that the heat exchange capability can freely be set. 
     In this type of heat-exchange coil assembly as shown in FIG. 1, the ends  6 - 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  5  of the heat-exchange coils are linked to an inlet header  2  and the ends  7 - 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  5  to an outlet header  4  at their center lines B—B and B′—B′, respectively. As shown in FIG. 27, the linkage is achieved by welding the heat-exchange coils  28 - 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  5  to the same side of the inlet header and outlet header. Because of this configuration, a pitch P&#39; between any adjoining two of the heat-exchange coils  28 - 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  5  must be set to at least a value obtained by adding a width equal to  2   a , where a equals the width of the weld to the external diameter d of the heat-exchange coil tubes, as shown on FIG.  3 . This required configuration disadvantageously makes it difficult to realize a small-sized and compact heat-exchange coil assembly. 
     OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention was made to solve the problems associated with the conventional type of heat-exchange coil assembly based on the conventional technology as described above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a heat-exchange coil assembly which prevents the pitch between adjoining heat-exchange coil pipes from becoming larger due to a welding space for linking an inlet header and an outlet header to the heat-exchange coil. This heat-exchange coil assembly can be installed within a limited space because of this construction, providing a large heat conducting area. 
     To achieve the object as described above, the present invention provides a heat-exchange assembly coil comprising a medium inlet member having a heat-exchange medium inlet tube and an inlet header, a medium outlet member having a heat-exchange medium outlet tube and an outlet header, and a plurality of heat-exchange coils, each communicating between the inlet header and the outlet header and having a different diameter, and the heat-exchange coil can be installed within a drum and, in one embodiment, is characterized in that each of the heat-exchange coils is linked to the inlet headers and outlet headers alternately located on opposite sides of the common center line of the heat-exchange coils. 
     In a second embodiment, the present invention is characterized in that the inlet headers and outlet headers are located on the same of the common center line of the heat-exchange coils. 
     The present invention is characterized in that a plurality of inlet headers and a plurality of outlet headers are linked to one inlet tube and one outlet tube respectively and the inlet headers and outlet headers are linked to each other with a heat-exchange coil respectively. 
     The present invention is characterized in that the inlet tube and outlet tube comprises first and second inlet tubes and first and second outlet tubes respectively, tips of the inlet headers of the first and second inlet headers are not-commnunicably jointed to each other, tips of the outlet headers of the first and second outlet tubes are not-communicably jointed to each other, and also that heat-exchange coil groups are arranged between the inlet header tube of the first inlet header and the outlet header tube of the first outlet header and between the inlet header of the second inlet tube and the outlet header of the second outlet tube respectively. 
     The present invention is characterized in that a group of heat-exchange coils corresponding to the first inlet tube and first outlet tube and a group of heat-exchange coils corresponding to the second inlet tube and second outlet tube are different from each other in terms of the coil length and coil diameter. 
     The present invention is characterized in that the heat-exchange coils are linked to the first and second inlet headers alternately, and are also linked to the first and second outlet headers alternately. 
     The present invention is characterized in that tips of the first and second inlet headers of the first inlet tube are not-communicably jointed to the first and second inlet headers of the second inlet tube, tips of the first and second outlet headers of the first outlet tube are not- communicably linked to tips of the first and second outlet headers of the second outlet tube, and also that heat exchange coil groups are arranged between the first and second inlet headers of the first inlet tube and first and second outlet headers of the first outlet tube and between the first and second inlet headers of the second inlet tube and the first and second outlet headers of the second outlet tube respectively. 
     The present invention is characterized in that a group of heat-exchange coils corresponding to the first inlet tube and first outlet tube and a group of heat-exchange coils corresponding to the second inlet tube and second outlet tube are different from each other in terms of the coil length and coil diameter. 
     The present invention is characterized in that, in a heat-exchange coil assembly installed in a drum and comprising a medium inlet member having an inlet tube and an inlet header each for inletting a heat-exchange medium, a medium outlet member having an outlet tube and an outlet header each for outletting a heat-exchange medium, and a plurality of heat-exchange coils each communicating the inlet header to the outlet header and having a different winding diameter, the medium inlet member and medium outlet member are adjoining and located at positions close to each other. 
     The present invention is characterized in that the inlet header and outlet header are located in a single tube and formed with chambers separated from each other with a partition. 
     The present invention is characterized in that the heat-exchange coils have the same length. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front view showing a first embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the same; 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view along the line  3 — 3  in FIG.  1  and viewed from a direction indicated by the arrow; 
     FIG. 4 is a general diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a general diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a general diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a front view showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the same; 
     FIG. 9 is a front view showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the same; 
     FIG. 11 is a front view showing a seventh embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 is a front view showing an eighth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 13 is a plan view showing the same; 
     FIG. 14 is a front view showing a linking section of a header of the same; 
     FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a ninth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 16 is a plan view showing the same; 
     FIG. 17 is a front view showing a tenth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 18 is a plan diagram showing the same; 
     FIG. 19 is a front view showing an eleventh embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 20 is a plan view showing the same; 
     FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view along the line  21 — 21  in FIG. 22 showing a twelfth embodiment of the present invention and viewed from a direction indicated by the arrow; 
     FIG. 22 is a plan view showing the same; 
     FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view along the line  23  to  23  in FIG. 24 showing a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention and viewed from a direction indicated by the arrow; 
     FIG. 24 is a plan view showing the same; 
     FIG. 25 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a heat exchanger in which the heat-exchange coil assembly according to the present invention is applied; 
     FIG. 26 is a lateral cross-sectional view showing the same; and 
     FIG. 27 is a partial plan view showing a linking section between a heat-exchange coil and an inlet tube and an outlet tube in a heat-exchange coil assembly similar to that according to the present invention but based on the conventional technology. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Description is made hereinafter for embodiments of the present invention with reference to the related drawings. In a first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to  3 , the reference numeral  1  indicates a heat-exchange coil assembly  1 , and in this heat-exchange coil assembly  1 , an inlet  2  is provided at a lower edge of an inlet tube  3  in a posture substantially perpendicular thereto and an outlet header  4  is provided at a lower edge of an outlet tube  5  in a posture substantially perpendicular thereto. 
     The inlet tube  3  and outlet tube  5  are located in parallel to each other, and the inlet header  2  and outlet header  4  are located with a space therebetween in the center line C—C of the inlet tube  3  as well as of the outlet tube  5 . A plurality of inlet ports  6 - 1 ,  3 ,  5  and  6 - 2 ,  4  (five holes in this embodiment) are provided on the peripheral wall of the inlet header  2  in both sides of the center line thereof with a specified pitch. The inlet ports  6 - 1 ,  3 ,  5  each having an odd number, are located in one side of the center line B—B of the inlet header  2 , and the inlet ports  6 - 2 ,  4  each having an even number are located in the other side of the center line B—B. Similarly, outlet ports  7 - 1 ,  3 , 5  are located in one side of the center line B′—B′ of the outlet header  4  and outlet ports  7 - 2 ,  4  are located in the other side of the center line B′—B′. 
     A heat-exchange coil group  8  comprising a plurality of heat-exchange coils  8 - 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5  (five pieces in this embodiment) are located between the inlet header  2  and the outlet header  4 . Each of the heat-exchange coils  8 - 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5  has a different winding diameter and a common center line C—C, and is formed by winding a wire around a heat conduction pipe made from such a material as a copper tube, a steel tube, a specific steel tube or the like in the conventional technology. 
     Of the heat-exchange coils constituting the group  8 , both ends of each of the heat-exchange coils  8 - 1 ,  3 ,  5  having an odd number respectively are linked to the inlet ports  6 - 1 ,  3 ,  5 , each having an odd number, of the inlet header  2  as well as to the ports  7 - 1 ,  3 ,  5 , each having an odd number, in the outlet header  4  respectively. Both ends of heat-exchange coils  8 -  2 ,  4  each having an even number are linked to the inlet ports  6 - 2 ,  4  each having an even number, in the inlet header  2  as well as to the outlet ports  7 - 2 ,  4  each having an even number, in the outlet header  4  respectively. As described above, both ends of each of the heat-exchange coils  8 - 1 ,  3 ,  5  and  8 - 2 ,  4  are alternately linked to both sides of a center line B—B of the inlet header  2  as well as of the outlet header  4 , and because of this configuration, a fluid flowing out from the inlet header  2  through the heat-exchange coils  8 - 1 ,  3 ,  5  and  8 - 2 ,  4  flows in a direction opposite to a flowing direction of a fluid flowing into the outlet header  4 . 
     As shown in FIG.  25  and FIG.  26  and described below, the heat-exchange coil assembly  1  as described above is installed inside a drum section  22  in which a second heat-exchange medium  27  comprising a gas or a liquid for a heat exchanger  21  is accommodated. A first heat-exchange medium comprising a gas or a liquid for exchanging heat with the second heat-exchange medium  27  is introduced as a descending flow through the inlet tube  3  into a drum section  22 . In this step, the first heat-exchange medium flows through the inlet ports  6 - 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5  in the inlet header  2  into the heat-exchange coils  8 - 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  5 , and flows upward in a spiral form in these heat-exchange coils  8 - 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  5 . 
     The first heat-exchange medium exchanges heat with the second heat-exchange medium in the drum section  22  via a wall thereof when flowing in the heat-exchange coils  8 - 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  5 , and further flows via the outlet ports  7 - 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4  and  5  into the outlet header  4 , and then is discharged through the outlet tube  5  from the drum  22  and sent to a load. 
     With the heat-exchange coil assembly  1  as described above, in the heat-exchange coils  8 - 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  5  adjacent to each other in the winding section, of the inlet ports  6 - 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5  and outlet ports  7 - 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , those having an odd number and those having an even number are located in opposite sides of the center line B—B and B′—B′ of the inlet header  2  as well as of the outlet header  4 , so that the heat-exchange coils  8 - 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  5  adjoining to each other in this linking section are separated from each other. 
     Because of the configuration, as shown in FIG. 3, different from a heat-exchange coil assembly based on the conventional technology, an additional space for welding  2   a  is not required, and a pitch between adjoining two ones of the heat-exchange coils  8 - 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  5  can be made equal to an outer diameter d of each of the heat-exchange coil tubes  8 - 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  5 . In this embodiment, there are five heat-exchange coils  8 , but the configuration is not so limited, and the heat exchange efficiency can freely be set by selecting a number of heat-exchange coils according to requirements, which makes it possible for the heat-exchange coils to be applied in heat exchangers having various sizes from a small scale up to a large scale. 
     FIG.  4  and FIG. 6 show outlines of two embodiments of the present invention, and in each of these embodiments, the inlet tube  3  is located outside of the heat-exchange coil group  8  (in the outer side from a coil having the maximum winding diameter), and the outlet tube  5  is located inside the heat-exchange coil group  8  (in the inner side from a coil having the minimum winding diameter). 
     In a third embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the inlet tube  3  is located inside the heat-exchange coil group  8 . In the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 6, both the inlet tube  3  and outlet tube  5  are located outside the heat-exchange coil group  8 . The inlet tube  3  and outlet tube  5  are located in various modes. These embodiments are different from the first embodiment only in the points described above, so that detailed description thereof is omitted herein. 
     FIG.  7  and FIG. 8 show a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and this embodiment is different from the first to fourth embodiments in the point that both the inlet header  2  and outlet header  4  are located in one side of the center line C—C of the heat-exchange coil group  8 . Because of the arrangement described above, a winding number in the heat-exchange coil group  8  is n (n: integral number). 
     A number of turns in a heat-exchange coil group in the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention is n+0.5, while that in the fifth embodiment is n, which saves material for the heat-exchange coil, and the fifth embodiment is different from the first to fourth embodiments also in this point, but is the same as the first to fourth embodiment in other points, so that detailed description thereof is omitted herein. 
     FIG.  9  and FIG. 10 each show a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and in this embodiment, first and second headers  2 - 1 ,  2  are provided in parallel to each other in the inlet tube  3 , the inlet ports each having an odd number are provided in the first inlet header  2 - 1  and the inlet ports  6 - 2 ,  4  each having an even number are provided in the second inlet header  2 - 2 . Similarly, first and second outlet headers  4 - 1 ,  2  are provided in parallel to each other in the outlet tube  5 , and the outlet ports each having an odd number are provided in the first outlet header  4 - 1 , while the outlet ports each having an even number are provided in the second outlet header  4 - 2 . 
     Of the heat exchange coils  8 - 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  5 , the heat-exchange coils  8 - 1 ,  3 , and  5  each having an odd number are linked to the outflow ports  6 - 1 ,  3 ,  5  each having an odd number in the first inlet header  2 - 1  and to the outlet ports  7 - 1 ,  3 ,  5  each having an odd number in the first outlet header  4 - 1  respectively, and both ends of the heat-exchange coils  8 - 2 ,  4  each having an even number are linked to the inlet ports  6 - 2 ,  4  each having an even number of the second inlet header  2 - 2  and to the outlet ports  7 - 2 ,  4  of the second outlet header  4 - 2  respectively. 
     As the heat-exchange coils  8 - 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  5  are linked to the first and second inlet headers  2 - 1 ,  2 - 2  as well as to the first and second outlet headers  4 - 1  and  4 - 2  as described above, a flowing direction of a fluid in the heat-exchange coils  8 - 1 ,  2 -,  3 ,  4 ,  5  is, different from that in each of the first to fourth embodiments, the same as that in the embodiments, but a pitch P between each of the heat-exchange coils  8 - 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5  and each of the heat-exchange coils  8 - 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5  in a linking section between the first and second inlet headers  2 - 1 ,  2  and the first and second outlet headers  4 - 1 ,  2  is the same as that in the first to fourth embodiments, and an additional space for welding  2   a  is not required to be provided, and the pitch P may be equal to an outer diameter d of each of the heat-exchange coil tubes  8 -  1 ,  8 - 2 ,  8 - 3 ,  8 - 4 , and  8 - 5 . 
     FIG. 11 shows a seventh embodiment of the present invention, and this embodiment is the same as the sixth embodiment shown in FIG.  9  and FIG. 10 in the point that the first and second inlet headers  2 - 1 ,  2  are provided in the inlet tube  3 , but is different from the sixth embodiment in the point that the inlet headers  2 - 1 ,  2  and outlet headers  4 - 1 ,  2  are linked with different heat-exchange coils  8 - 1 , 2  respectively, and there is no different point other than that described above, and although there are two pairs of headers  2 - 1 ,  2  and headers  4 - 1 ,  2  and two heat-exchange coils  8 - 1 ,  2 , a greater number of pairs may be provided in this embodiment. 
     FIGS. 12,  13 ,  14  each show an eighth embodiment of the present invention, and in this embodiment, end sections of the first inlet header  2 - 1  and second inlet header  2 - 2  and end sections of the first outlet header  4 - 1  and second outlet header  4 - 2  in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4 as well as in the third embodiment shown in FIG. 5 are linked to each other and closed with linking plates  11  and  12 , and further the first and second inlet tubes  3 - 1 ,  2  and first and second outlet tubes  5 - 1 ,  2  are provided therein. 
     Because of the configuration as described above, the first inlet tube  3 - 1  and first outlet tube  5 - 1  are provided outside the second outlet tube  3 - 2  and second inlet tube  5 - 2 ; and the first inlet tube  3 - 1  and first outlet tube  5 - 1  handle a fluid for one load system X, while the second inlet tube  3 - 2  and second inlet tube  5 - 2  handle a fluid for the other load system Y. 
     In this embodiment, the heat-exchange coils  8 - 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5  communicated to the load system X and the heat-exchange coils communicated to the load system Y may have either different or identical coil lengths or coil diameters respectively, and the coil length and coil diameter are decided according to the amount of heat required in each of the load systems X and Y. 
     FIG.  15  and FIG. 16 each show a ninth embodiment of the present invention, and in this embodiment, two sets of the heat-exchange coil assembly according to the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 9 are combined to respond to two load systems X and Y simultaneously. In this embodiment, there are provided the first and second input tubes  3 - 1 ,  2  and first and second outlet tubes  5 - 1 ,  2 , and end sections of the first input headers  2 - 1 ,  2  and second inlet headers  2 - 3 ,  4  in the first and second inlet tubes  3 - 1 ,  2  and end sections of the first outlet headers  4 - 1 ,  2  and second outlet headers  4 - 3 ,  4  are linked to each other and closed with the linking plates  11 ,  12  respectively. 
     Also in this embodiment, like in the eighth embodiment, a coil length and a coil diameter of each of the heat-exchange coils  8 - 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  5  communicated to the load system X may be either equal to or different from those of each of the heat-exchange coils  8 - 6 ,  7 ,  8 , and  9 , and  10  communicated to the load system Y, and the factors are decided according to the amount of heat required required in the load system X or Y. 
     FIG.  17  and FIG. 18 each show a tenth embodiment of the present invention, and in this embodiment, like in the first embodiment, the inlet header  2  is provided at a lower edge section of the inlet tube  3  in a posture substantially perpendicular thereto, and also the outlet header  4  is provided at a lower edge section of the outlet tube  5  in a posture substantially perpendicular thereto. 
     The inlet tube  3  and inlet header  2  and outlet tube  5  and outlet header  4  are adjoining to and provided in parallel to each other, and inlet ports  6 - 1 ,  2 ,  3  are provided in the inlet header  2  and outflow ports  7 - 1 ,  2 ,  3  in the outlet header  4  respectively. And, the inlet ports  6 - 1 ,  2 ,  3  in the inlet-side header  2  and outlet ports  7 - 1 ,  2 ,  3  in the outlet header  4  are linked with the heat-exchange coils  8 - 1 ,  2 ,  3  to each other respectively, and heat exchange between fluids is performed line in other embodiments. 
     FIG.  19  and FIG. 20 each show an eleventh embodiment of the present invention, and this embodiment is different from the tenth embodiment only in the point that each of the heat-exchange coils  8 - 1 ,  2 ,  3  warps in an intermediate section thereof, and is not different therefrom in other points. 
     FIG.  21  and FIG. 22 each show a twelfth embodiment of the present invention, while FIG.  23  and FIG. 24 each show thirteenth and fourteenth embodiments of the present invention respectively, and in these embodiments, two sets of the inlet tube  3  and inlet header  2  and two sets of outlet tube  5  and outlet header  4  each in the first embodiment are provided, and further the first and second inlet tubes  3 - 1 ,  2 , first and second inlet headers  2 - 1 ,  2 , and the first and second outlet tubes  5 - 1 ,  2  and first and second outlet headers  4 - 1 ,  2  are provided so that the sets are provided with a space therebetween in the peripheral direction with the heat-exchange coils  8 - 1 ,  2  provided in the inner side and heat-exchange coils  8 - 3 ,  4  in the outer side, and both edges thereof are linked to the first and second inlet headers  2 - 1 ,  2  as well as to the first and second outlet headers  4 - 1 ,  2  respectively. 
     FIG.  25  and FIG. 26 each show a heat exchanger  21  in which the heat-exchange coil assembly  1  according to the present invention is applied, and in this heat exchanger  21 , a furnace cylinder  23  is provided under a drum section  22  of this heat exchanger  11 , and a furnace chamber  24  is provided therein. A burner (combustor)  25  is installed in the furnace chamber  24 , operations of this burner are controlled by a thermostat, a gas in the furnace chamber  24  is heated by a flame generated therein, the heated gas heats water in the drum section  22  via tube walls of the convector tubes  28 ,  29  to a preset temperature, and then the gas is discharged through a discharge pipe  31  to outside. 
     The drum section  22  is communicated via a conduit  32  to a water supply tank  33  with a ball tap  34  provided in the water supply tank  33 , and water is supplied via a water supply pipe so that a liquid surface of water reserved therein is kept at a constant level. A gas chamber  37  is formed above a liquid surface in the drum section  22 , and a gas in this gas chamber  37  is released to atmosphere via a conduit  38 , the water supply tank  33 , and a release pipe  39 .  20  With this construction, the reserved water  27  is heated under a pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure, and also the temperature is kept below the boiling point (100° C.). In this example, the heat-exchange coil assembly  1  is connected to a load system such as a heating system, a hot-water supply unit, a bath, or a swimming pool not shown herein. 
     The embodiments above were described only for understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and various configurations are allowable in which, for instance, outlet tubes and inlet tubes are used in the reverse mode, a heating medium and a heat-receiving medium are used reversely, or a heat exchanger using the heat-exchange coil assembly therein is not of an upright type, but of a horizontal type.