Patent Publication Number: US-11035615-B2

Title: Support clip for finned tube type heat exchangers

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to support clips used to attach heat exchanges to the frame or chassis of a machine. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to a support clip used to hold onto a finned tube type heat exchanger and attach the heat exchanger to the frame or chassis of earth moving, construction, and mining machine and the like. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Machines, such as those used in the earth moving, construction, and mining industries use heat exchangers to cool engines or other heat producing devices. Support clips such as copper grommets are often employed to attach the tube of a heat exchanger, such as a radiator, to a frame or chassis of the machine. The interface between the clip and tube may experience play that may be caused by internal or external causes. Internal causes of this play may include erosion that occurs due to cavitation of the fluid flowing through the tube, leading to the tube wall deforming inwardly. External causes may include dimensional growth or contraction of the support clip due to changes in temperature or moisture, etc. 
     Play between the support clip and the tube may lead to further issues with wear and/or an improper orientation of the heat exchanger relative to the flow of air meant to draw heat from the tube. In time, a hole may also develop in the tube, resulting in an undesirable loss of cooling fluid from the tube. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,862,693 to Tinker discloses a support clip for finned tubes in a finned tube heat exchanger. The clamping mechanism provided by the support clip is adjustable for ease of assembly and disassembly. A filler is provided between the fins that contacts the tube outer diameter and that is configured to contact an aperture of a frame member. However, as shown in FIGS. 1 thru 5 of Tinker, the disclosed apparatus in Tinker requires that two frame members are provided with apertures such that one aperture of one frame member provides support to the finned tube on only one side while the other aperture of the other frame member contacts the opposite side of the finned tube. 
     Accordingly, Tinker does not adequately address the aforementioned problems since any movement of one frame member will result in either play between the clamping mechanism and the finned tube or a shearing action being placed on the finned tube. Also, Tinker does not account for the internal wear of the finned tube due to cavitation, etc. 
     SUMMARY 
     A heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise a first tube member defining a perimeter and an axis of extension, and a first fin member including a first heat transfer portion extending from the perimeter of the first tube member along a direction that is not parallel to the axis of extension and a first straight portion disposed adjacent the tube member and extending along the tube member along the axis of extension. 
     A heat exchanger assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise a heat exchanger including a first tube member defining a perimeter and an axis of extension, and a first undulating fin section disposed adjacent the first tube member, a second undulating fin section disposed adjacent the first tube member and being spaced away axially from the first undulating fin section, defining an axial gap therebetween, and a clip disposed in the axial gap and at least partially encompassing the perimeter of the first tube member. 
     A clip for use with a tube member of a finned heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise a body defining an exterior profile, and an adjustably sized aperture. The exterior profile defines at least one attachment feature and the body includes a surface defining the adjustably sized aperture and at least one stop member disposed in the adjustably sized aperture. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the disclosure and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a heat exchanger assembly including a finned tube of a heat exchanger being supported by a support clip according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the finned tube and support clip of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a flow chart depicting a method of using or assembling a heat exchanger assembly such as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of another embodiment similar to that of  FIG. 2 , except that a projection or a stop member for limiting the movement or placement of the tube member relative to the clip is omitted. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. In some cases, a reference number will be indicated in this specification and the drawings will show the reference number followed by a letter for example,  100   a ,  100   b  or by a prime for example,  100 ′,  100 ″ etc. It is to be understood that the use of letters or primes immediately after a reference number indicates that these features are similarly shaped and have similar function as is often the case when geometry is mirrored about a plane of symmetry. For ease of explanation in this specification, letters and primes will often not be included herein but may be shown in the drawings to indicate duplications of features, having similar or identical function or geometry, discussed within this written specification. 
     Various embodiments of an apparatus and a method for providing a heat exchanger, a heat exchanger assembly, a clip, and a method for assembly the same or attaching the same to a frame of a machine will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1  thru  3 . In some embodiments, a heat exchange assembly that includes a clip that interfaces with the fins outside a radiator tube and that leaves a small portion of the fins straight without curving may be provided. Fins may be extended for clipping around the tube and a double wall may be brazed to the side of the tube. The double wall may provide more stiffness to the side of the tube and more material may provide a double margin for wear or cavitation erosion. Furthermore, four stops may be provided to help prevent the clip front contact the nose of the tube. 
     A heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The heat exchanger  100  may comprise a first tube member  102  defining a perimeter  104  and an axis of extension  106  and a first fin member  108 . The first fin member  108  may include a first heat transfer portion  110  extending from the perimeter  106  of the first tube member  102  along a direction  112  that is not parallel to the axis of extension  106  and a first straight portion  114  disposed adjacent the tube member  102  and extending along the tube member  102  along the axis of extension  106 . The first straight portion  114  may be attached to the perimeter  104  of the first tube member  102 . More particularly, in some embodiments, the first straight portion  114  may be brazed to the first tube member  102 . 
     As best seen in  FIG. 2 , the first tube member  102  may include an annular configuration including a first straight side  116 , a second straight side  118 , a first arcuate portion  120  connecting the first straight side  116  to the second straight side  118 , and a second arcuate portion  122  connecting the first straight side  116  to the second straight side  118 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the first straight side  116  may be parallel to the second straight side  118 . Similarly, the first arcuate portion  120  may be disposed diametrically opposite of the second arcuate portion  122 . Hence, the annular configuration may resemble an oval or a “race track” shape. The first straight portion  114  of the tube member  102  may contact the first straight side  116 , forming a first double wall  124 . 
     In various embodiments, the tube member  102  and the first fin member  108  comprise the same material. The same material may include one of the following: aluminum and copper. Other materials are possible such as those that are suitably durable and have enough thermal conductivity. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the heat exchanger  100  may further comprise a second fin member  126  including a second heat transfer portion  127  extending from the perimeter  104  of the first tube member  102  along the direction  112  that is not parallel to the axis of extension  106 . The second fin member  126  may also include a second straight portion  128  disposed adjacent the first tube member  102  and extending along the first tube member  102  along the axis of extension  106 . The second straight portion  128  may be attached to the perimeter  104  of the first tube member  102 , forming a second double wall  130 . 
     The first tube member  102  may define a Cartesian coordinate system with an X axis, Y axis and Z axis, and an origin O placed at the center of mass C of the first tube member  102  with the X axis parallel to the axis of extension  106 . Direction  126  may be parallel to the Y-axis in some embodiments. 
     In some embodiments, any fin member  108 ,  126  may have fins that spiral about the perimeter  104  of the first tube member  102  with an axis coincident with the axis of extension  106  in lieu of or in addition to the undulations. Also, only one fin member may be provided in other embodiments and the annular configuration of the first tube member  102  may have other shapes including rectangular, circular, etc. It is to be further understood that a plurality of tube members with fin members and cross-members that connect tube members together may be provided in various embodiments of the heat exchanger  100 . 
     A heat exchanger assembly  200  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The heat exchanger assembly  200  may comprise a heat exchanger  100  including a first tube member  102  defining a perimeter  104  and an axis of extension  106 . The heat exchanger  100  may include a first undulating fin section  202  disposed adjacent the first tube member  102 , a second undulating fin section  204  disposed adjacent the first tube member  102  and being spaced away axially from the first undulating fin section  202 , defining an axial gap  206 . The heat exchanger assembly  200  may further comprise a clip  300  disposed in the axial gap  206  and at least partially encompassing the perimeter  104  of the first tube member  102 . 
     In some embodiments, the heat exchanger assembly  200  may further comprise a first straight section  208  connecting the first undulating fin section  202  to the second undulating fin section  204 , but not necessarily so. The first straight section  208  may be attached to the perimeter  104  of the first tube member  102  and may extend axially along the perimeter  104  of the first tube member  102 . 
     In some embodiments, such as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the clip  300  may at least partially encompass the first straight section  208 . As best seen in  FIG. 2 , the clip  300  may define an aperture  302  and the first tube member  102  may extend axially through the aperture  302 . In some embodiments, such as shown in  FIG. 2 , the clip  300  completely encompasses the perimeter  104  of the first tube member  102 . 
     The first straight section  208  may define a first top edge  210  while the clip  300  may further include a first projection  304  disposed in the aperture  302  of the clip  300  adjacent the first top edge  210 . Similarly, the first straight section  208  may define a first bottom edge  212  and the clip  300  may further include a second projection  306  disposed in the aperture  302  of the clip  300  adjacent the first bottom edge  212 . Thus, the first and the second projections  304 ,  306  may prevent the nose (i.e. arcuate portions  120 ,  122 ) of the first tube member  102  from contacting the clip  200  along the Z axis. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the projections and the top and the bottom edges may be mirrored about the X-Z plane, providing redundancy. 
     Next, a clip  300  for use with a tube member  102  of a finned heat exchanger  100  will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 2 . The clip  300  may comprise a body  301  defining an exterior profile  308 , and an adjustably sized aperture  302 ′. The exterior profile  308  may define at least one attachment feature  310  and the body  301  may include a surface  311  defining the adjustably sized aperture  302 ′ and at least one stop member  312  disposed in the adjustably sized aperture  302 ′. 
     In particular embodiments, the body  301  may define a living hinge  314  disposed adjacent the exterior profile  308  and forming a portion of the adjustably sized aperture  302 ′ The body  301  may further define a seam  316  connecting the exterior profile  308  to the adjustably sized aperture  302 ′. The seam  316  may define an undercut  322  configured to keep the body  301  locked in a closed configuration to minimize the size of the adjustably sized aperture  302 ′. Once locked, the clip may hug or compress a tube member. 
     The at least one attachment feature  310  may take any suitable form including adhesive, fasteners, clips, threaded holes, etc. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the at least one attachment feature  310  may include at least one of the following: a tenon  318  and a mortise  320 . 
     The exterior profile  308  may take any suitable shape. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the exterior profile  308  may include a quadrilateral shape with four sides  324 . Any or each of the four sides  324  may include the at least one attachment feature  310 . 
     The clip  300  may be made from any suitable material including plastic, metal, etc. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates another embodiment similar to that of  FIG. 2  having the same features, except that a projection or a stop member for limiting the movement or placement of the tube member relative to the clip is omitted, etc. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the clip  300 ′ may define an aperture  302 ″ and the first tube member  102 ′ may extend axially through the aperture  302 ″. In some embodiments, such as shown in  FIG. 4 , the clip  300 ′ completely encompasses the perimeter  104 ′ of the first tube member  102 ′. 
     The first straight portion  114 ′ may define a first top edge  210 ′. The first straight portion  114 ′ does not define a bottom edge and the clip  300 ′ and does not include a projection disposed in the aperture  302 ′ of the clip  300 ′. Instead, a bottom arch portion  132 ′ connects the first straight portion  114 ′ to the second straight portion  128 ′. Thus, the first tube member  102 ′ and the bottom arch portion  132 ′ are free to move down along the Z axis until contact with the wall (or surface  311 ′) forming the aperture  302 ″ near the living hinge  314 ′. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the first and second straight portions  114 ′ and  128 ′ and the bottom arch portion  132 ′ may be symmetrical about the X-Z plane. 
     The clip  300 ′ may comprise a body  301 ′ defining an exterior profile  308 ′, and an adjustably sized aperture  302 ″. The exterior profile  308 ′ may define at least one attachment feature  310 ′ and the body  301 ′ may include a surface  311 ′ defining the adjustably sized aperture  302 ″. 
     In particular embodiments, the body  301 ′ may define a living hinge  314 ′ disposed adjacent the exterior profile  308 ′ and forming a portion of the adjustably sized aperture  302 ″. This may not be the case in other embodiments. The body  301 ′ may further define a seam  316 ′ connecting the exterior profile  308 ′ to the adjustably sized aperture  302 ″. The seam  316 ′ may define an undercut  322 ′ configured to keep the body  301 ′ locked in a closed configuration to minimize the size of the adjustably sized aperture  302 ″. Once locked, the clip may hug or compress a tube member. 
     The at least one attachment feature  310 ′ may take any suitable form including adhesive, fasteners, clips, threaded holes, etc. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the at least one attachment feature  310 ′ may include at least one of the following: a tenon  318 ′ and a mortise  320 ′. 
     The exterior profile  308 ′ may take any suitable shape. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the exterior profile  308 ′ may include a quadrilateral shape with four sides  324 ′. Any or each of the four sides  324 ′ may include the at least one attachment feature  310 ′. 
     The clip  300 ′ may be made from any suitable material as previously discussed. 
     Any of the dimensions, configurations, etc. discussed herein may be varied as needed or desired to be different than any value or characteristic specifically mentioned herein or shown in the drawings for any of the embodiments. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     In practice, a heat exchanger, a heat exchanger assembly, a clip, and/or a machine using any embodiment disclosed herein may be sold, bought, manufactured or otherwise obtained in an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) or after-market context. In some cases, various components, of the heat exchanger, of the heat exchanger assembly, machine, etc. may be provided as a kit, etc. 
     A method  400  for attaching a tube member of a heat exchanger to the frame  214  (see  FIG. 2 ) of a machine will now be described in reference to  FIG. 3 . The method  400  may comprise closing a clip about the tube member in a first direction (e.g. X direction in  FIG. 2 ), at least partially encompassing the tube member (step  402 ), and limiting the movement of the tube member relative to the clip along a second direction (e.g. one of the Y-direction or the Z-direction in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) that is different than the first direction (step  404 ). 
     The method  400  may further comprise locking the clip in a closed configuration, completely encompassing the tube member (step  406 ). 
     The method  400  may further comprise attaching the clip to the frame of a machine (step  408 ). 
     The method  400  may further comprise limiting the movement of the clip relative to the tube member along a third direction that is different than the first direction and the second direction (step  410 ). In some embodiments, limiting the movement of the clip relative to the tube member along a third direction that is different than the first direction and the second direction includes contacting a fin extending from the tube and the third direction is parallel to the axis of extension of the tube (step  412 ). 
     With regard to  FIG. 4 , the method  400  may be substantially the same as explained with reference to  FIG. 2 , except that limiting movement in the Z-direction such that the tube member  102 ′ is not accomplished via stop members or projections while in  FIG. 2  stop members  312  or projections  304 ,  306  are used to keep the tube member  102  spaced away from the top end and/or bottom end of the aperture  302 . 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments of the apparatus and methods of assembly as discussed herein without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention(s). Other embodiments of this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the various embodiments disclosed herein. For example, some of the equipment may be constructed and function differently than what has been described herein and certain steps of any method may be omitted, performed in an order that is different than what has been specifically mentioned or in some cases performed simultaneously or in sub-steps. Furthermore, variations or modifications to certain aspects or features of various embodiments may be made to create further embodiments and features and aspects of various embodiments may be added to or substituted for other features or aspects of other embodiments in order to provide still further embodiments. 
     Accordingly, it is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention(s) being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.