摘要：
A fin 500 suitable for use in a heat exchanger, such as in an atmospheric water generator, a condenser or an air conditioner. The fin is substantially planar and defines a first side 501 having a first surface 502 which features a surface modification 503 such as protrusions to increase the surface area of the first side. The protrusions may also be found on a second surface 502a on a second side 501a of the fin. The protrusions may define straight fluid flow paths that extend along the length of the protrusions. Two such fins are disposed adjacent one another to define a space for fluid to flow through therebetween. A method of manufacture is also claimed.
权利要求：
CLAIMS
We claim:
1. A fin for use in a heat exchanger, wherein the fin is substantially planer and defines a first side having a first surface, and wherein the first surface comprises a surface modification configured to increase the surface area of the first side.
2. The fin as claimed in any one or more of the previous claims, wherein the surface modification comprises an array of a plurality of protrusions.
3. The fin as claimed in any one or more of the previous claims, wherein the plurality of protrusions are arranged in a grid pattern.
4. The fin as claimed in any one or more of the previous claims, wherein each of the plurality of protrusions has an elongate shape.
3S. The fin as claimed in any one or more of the previous claims, wherein spaces between adjacent protrusions define one or more flow path channels.
é. The fin as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of the one or more flow path channels comprises a substantially straight pathway that substantially extends across a side of the fin.
7 The fin as claimed in claim 6 when dependent upon claim 4, wherein the substantially straight pathways of the flow channels extend in a direction substantially parallel to the lengthwise axis of the elongate shapes of the plurality of protrusions.
8. The fin as claimed in any one or more of the previous claims, wherein each of the plurality of protrusions has a height of one or more of: substantially a half of the width of the protrusion, substantially a quarter of the length of the protrusion, between 0.1 and 1 mm, between 0.2 mm and 0.8
mm, between 0.3 mm and 0.6 mm, between 0.4 mm and 0.5 mm, less than 1 mm or substantially 0.5 mm.
9. The fin as claimed in any one or more of the previous claims, wherein each of the plurality of protrusions has a width of one or more of: substantially a half of the length of the protrusion, substantially twice the height of the protrusion, between 0.5 mm and 2 mm, between 0.8 mm and 1.50 mm, less than 2 mm or substantially Tmm.
10. The fin as claimed in any one or more of the previous claims, wherein each of the plurality of protrusions has a length of one or more of: substantially twice the width of the protrusion, substantially four times the height of the protrusion, between 0.5 mm and 4 mm, between 1 mm and 3 mm, less than 4mm or substantially around 2mm.
11. The fin as claimed in any one or more of the previous claims, wherein a separation distance between protrusions of the plurality of protrusions is one or more of: substantially a third the width of the protrusion, substantially six times the height of the protrusion, between 0.1 mm and 1 mm, between 0.2 mm and 0.7 mm, less than 0.5 mm or substantially around 0.3 mm.
12. The fin as claimed in any one or more of the previous claims, wherein the fin has a second side, opposite the first side, defining a second surface, wherein the second surface comprises a surface modification configured to increase the surface area of the second side.
13. A system comprising:
a first fin as claimed in any one or more of previous claims 1 - 12; and
a second fin as claimed in any one or more of previous claims 1 - 12;
wherein the first and second fins are disposed adjacent one another thereby defining a space therebetween for providing a passageway for a fluid to pass therethrough.
14. A heat exchanger comprising the fin as claimed in any one or more of the previous claims.
15. An atmospheric water generator comprising the fin as claimed in any one or more of the previous claims.
16. A condensation system, a coil condensation unit, an air conditioner or a dehumidifier comprising the fin as claimed in any one or more of the previous claims.
17. A method of manufacturing a substantially planer fin for use in a heat exchanger, the method comprising modifying a first surface of a first side of the fin so as to increase its surface area.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein modifying the first surface comprises applying an array of a plurality of protrusions to the first surface.
19. The method of any one or more of claims 17 — 18, wherein applying the array of a plurality of protrusions to the surface comprises applying the array via stamping.
20. The method of any one or more of claims 17 — 19, wherein applying the array of a plurality of protrusions to the surface comprises applying the array via rolling.
21. The method of any one or more of claims 17 — 20, wherein applying the array of a plurality of protrusions to the surface comprises applying the array via 3D printing.
22. The method of any one or more of claims 17 — 21, further comprising modifying a second surface, opposite the first surface, by applying an amray of a plurality of protrusions to the second surface.
23. A fin, for use in a heat exchanger, manufactured by the me any one or more of claims 17 — 22.