FIN APPARATUS FOR ENHANCING HEAT TRANSFER SURFACES

Abstract

A system includes a fin apparatus that is installed on a heat transfer medium pipe using thermally conductive mastic (heat transfer compound) and bands for holding the components in place. The system further includes a tank containing material of high viscosity, primarily Polymer Modified or Ground Tire Rubber Asphalts (PMAs and GTRs), that requires heating. The fin apparatus increases the surface area of the heat transfer medium piping and increases the effectiveness of the heat transfer that takes place between the medium and the high viscosity material. There is a need for the fin apparatus because to date, traditional fin designs are prone to fouling and decreased performance when used with high viscosity materials like PMAs and GTRs.

Claims

1. A system comprising: a. A heat transfer medium pipe; b. A fin apparatus secured to the pipe via a plurality of spaced securing bands, the fin apparatus comprising i. An extended fin surface, and ii. A portion at the base of the fin contoured to well fit the heat transfer medium pipe; c. Thermally conductive mastic (heat transfer compound) between the contoured base of the fin apparatus and heat transfer medium pipe to promote conductive heat transfer between the pipe and fin apparatus; d. A viscous material (process) in contact with the fin apparatus e. Wherein, so as to maximize surface area and promote convective heat transfer, the fin surface profile has a wave patterned profile between the fin base and the fin tip.

2-35. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] One or more preferred embodiments of the present invention now will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same elements are referred to with the same reference numerals, and wherein,

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a profile view of an extruded aluminum fin apparatus in accordance with one or more preferred implementations;

[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an extruded aluminum fin apparatus in accordance with one or more preferred implementations;

[0024] FIGS. 3-4 illustrate perspective views of exemplary systems utilizing the fin apparatus in accordance with one or more preferred implementations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the present invention has broad utility and application. As should be understood, any embodiment may incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed aspects of the invention and may further incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed features. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. As should be understood, any embodiment may incorporate only one or a plurality of the above disclosed aspects of the invention and may further incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed features. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0026] Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, and is made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.

[0027] Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are illustrative and not restrictive.

[0028] Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and orders while still falling within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by the appended claims rather than the description set forth herein.

[0029] Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisan based on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan should prevail.

[0030] Regarding applicability of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), no claim element is intended to be read in accordance with this statutory provision unless the explicit phrase “means for” or “step for” is actually used in such claim element, whereupon this statutory provision is intended to apply in the interpretation of such claim element.

[0031] Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an” each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having at least one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” In contrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes “a picnic basket having only one apple.”

[0032] When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one of the items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket having crackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese and crackers.” Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and” denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well as describes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basket further has cheese.”

[0033] Referring now to the drawings, one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention are next described. The following description of one or more preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its implementations, or uses.

[0034] FIG. 1 is a profile view illustrating an extruded aluminum fin apparatus 101 in accordance with one or more of the preferred implementations. The fin apparatus 101 is designed to increase the area and heat transfer effectiveness of heat transfer surfaces, such as pipes or tubes, in applications for heating high viscosity materials like Polymer Modified and Ground Tire Rubber Asphalts (PMAs & GTRs).

[0035] In accordance with one or more preferred implementations, the extended fin surface 102 in FIG. 1 is shown to have a wave patterned profile to further increase its surface area without generating spaces that high viscosity fluids may become trapped, extending the residence time of any particular volume of fluid and increasing the likelihood of overheating and fouling the fin surface. The waved profile also functions to prevent formation of thick fluid boundary layers on the fin surface by disrupting laminar flow paths and turbulating the fluid as it convects across the surface of the fin.

[0036] In accordance with one or more preferred implementations, the extended fin surface 102 in FIG. 1 may have a profile of different wave form pattern than shown, or no wave form pattern and instead be smooth and linear or parabolic in nature.

[0037] In accordance with one or more preferred implementations, the fin apparatus can be made in various dimensions to accommodate and system, style, or size. In accordance with one or more preferred implementations, the contoured surface 103 in FIG. 1 is illustrated to well fit the circumference of a 2-in NPS pipe.

[0038] In accordance with one or more preferred implementations, the fin apparatus comprises aluminum, although other materials may be utilized in one or more other implementations.

[0039] In accordance with one or more preferred implementations, the fin apparatus is manufactured through the extrusion process, although other processes may be utilized to produce the apparatus in one or more other implementations.

[0040] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of how the fin apparatus can be installed on a round pipe 305. In accordance with one or more preferred implementations thermally conductive mastic (Heat Transfer Compound) 306 is applied to contoured surface 303 to displace air gaps between the surfaces and promote conductive heat transfer from the pipe to the fin apparatus.

[0041] FIG. 4 illustrates two perspective views for how the fin apparatus can be installed in a “bank” configuration, where a plurality of pipes is arranged in a serpentine fashion.

[0042] In accordance with one or more preferred implementations, the pipes can be arranged such that the fin apparatus on adjacent rows are staggered or in-line.

[0043] It will be appreciated that FIGS. 3 and 4 represent perspective views of exemplary systems utilizing the fin apparatus in accordance with one or more preferred implementations.

[0044] Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those specifically described herein, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications or equivalent arrangements, the present invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.