Abstract: A heat exchanger manifold for use in a heat exchanger having a plurality of microtubes includes a receiving component for supporting and forming a seal about each of the plurality of microtubes and a circuiting component having at least one recessed channel for defining an enclosed flow configuration of a fluid of the heat exchanger. The receiving component is joined and sealed to the circuiting component such that an internal flow passage of the plurality of microtubes is arranged in fluid communication with the at least one recessed channel.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a plurality of fins and a plurality of tubes passing a fluid therethrough, extending through the plurality of fins and radially expanded into an interference fit therewith. At least one tube of the plurality of tubes includes an outer diameter, an inner diameter, and a plurality of ridges extending from the inner diameter inwardly into an interior of the tube. A tube internal surface area per unit of length of the tube multiplied by the ratio of the outer diameter and tube wall thickness is equal to or greater than about 30.0.

Abstract: A brazing ring is provided and includes ring material including an aluminum-zinc-silicon alloy having a first melting point and flux material contained within the ring material having a second melting point, which is substantially lower than the first melting point, the ring material being formed such that the flux material is exposed outwardly to a heat source and such that, upon heating, flux material melts before the ring material.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for removing a solvent from a solvent wetted surface of a heat exchange tube. The method includes placing the heat exchange tube in a vacuum chamber, evacuating the vacuum chamber to a lower pressure at which the solvent boils to a vapor, and reclaiming the solvent vapor. The method may include heating the heat exchange tube within the vacuum chamber to a temperature of at least room temperature, but below the solvent's flash point temperature. The apparatus includes a vacuum chamber, a vacuum pump for evacuating the vacuum chamber and a solvent reclaimer for recovering solvent vapor. The apparatus may also include an infrared heater, a radiant heater or other non-flame heater. The method and apparatus may be used for removing solvent from a heat exchange tube having an inside surface wetted with a solvent carrying a dry lubricant.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a plurality of fins and a plurality of tubes extending through the plurality of fins. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of return tubes, each return tube connected to tube ends of desired tubes of the plurality of tubes. At least one return tube of the plurality of end tubes is configured such that an inner surface of the at least one return tube is secured to an outer surface of the tube end. A method of assembling a heat exchanger includes inserting a plurality of tubes through a plurality of fins. Desired tubes of the plurality of tubes are connected via a plurality of return tubes. Each return tube connects one or more of the plurality of tubes by inserting a tube end of a tube of the plurality of tubes into a return tube end of the return tube.

Abstract: A brazing ring is provided and includes ring material including an aluminum-zinc-silicon alloy having a first melting point and flux material contained within the ring material having a second melting point, which is substantially lower than the first melting point, the ring material being formed such that the flux material is exposed outwardly to a heat source and such that, upon heating, flux material melts before the ring material.

Abstract: An expansion bullet for a heat exchanger tube includes a leading edge face, a trailing edge face, and a bullet body insertable into a tube of a heat exchanger to expand the tube. The bullet body extends from the leading edge face to the trailing edge face and has an outer profile defined by a single radius. An expansion mechanism for a tube of heat exchanger includes a bullet driving device and an expansion bullet drivable by the bullet driving device. The expansion bullet includes a leading edge face, a trailing edge face, and a bullet body insertable into a tube of a heat exchanger to expand the tube. The bullet body extends from the leading edge face to the trailing edge face and has an outer profile defined by a single radius.

Abstract: A method of forming a tube for a heat exchanger includes advancing an expansion tool into a tube a first time and engaging the expansion tool with the tube to expand the tube diametrically at least partially along a length of the tube. The expansion tool is at least partially retracted from the tube. The expansion tool is advanced into the tube one or more subsequent times thereby engaging the expansion tool with the tube one or more subsequent times to further expand the tube at least partially along the length of the tube.