Fully floating tube bundle

摘要

An air cooled heat exchanger is comprised of a plurality of generally parallel fluid carrying tubes joined at the ends so as to form a refrigerant circuit which is free floating with respect to its means of support. The fluid carrying tubes are directly connected to heat transfer fins running generally perpendicular to the tubes. The fins in turn are connected to non-fluid carrying support tubes which are generally parallel to the fluid carrying tubes. The support tubes are secured at their ends to end plates and as necessary to a center plate or plates. There is no direct contact between the end plates or center plates and the fluid carrying tubes, which are free to move with respect to the end plates and center plate or plates. Therefore, damage to the fluid carrying tubes and leakage which often occurs at the connection between a fluid carrying tube and a support plate due to abrasion caused by vibration and temperature changes is eliminated.