Abstract: A heat exchanger comprising at least one row of flattened tubes through which a heat exchange medium may pass. A serpentine fin 10 disposed between adjacent flattened tubes has relatively straight segments that are connected by bend radii 20. The fin 50 defines a plurality of louvers 32 therein. Each louver 32 forms an elongated slit that extends at least partially into the bend radii 20, through which a fluid to be heated or cooled by the medium may pass. The fin 50 is formed by a tool with fin blades that have tips that are configured to form the extended length louver that protracts into the bend radius that separates adjacent convolutions.

Abstract: A heat exchanger comprising at least one row of flattened tubes through which a heat exchange medium may pass. A serpentine fin 10 disposed between adjacent flattened tubes has relatively straight segments that are connected by bend radii 20. The fin 50 defines a plurality of louvers 32 therein. Each louver 32 forms an elongated slit that extends at least partially into the bend radii 20, through which a fluid to be heated or cooled by the medium may pass. The fin 50 is formed by a tool with fin blades that have tips that are configured to form the extended length louver that protracts into the bend radius that separates adjacent convolutions.

Abstract: An exchanger of thermal energy with multiple cores and a thermal barrier. The first core (e.g. a condenser) 12 has a first fin 16. Disposed in juxtaposition with the first core 12 is a second core (e.g. a radiator) 30 that is located downstream thereof in relation to ambient air flow. The cores 12 and 30 respectfully have first and second fins 16, 34 that are connected by a thermal fuse which provides stability during assembly, but which can be degradable. Separating the first and second fins 16, 34 is a thermal break comprising a slit 50 that is formed without removal of material, thereby inhibiting the flow of heat energy across the fins between the first 12 and second 30 heat exchanger cores.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a heat exchanger tube (14) for a heat exchanger (10) in which a continuous insert (26), having convolutes transverse to the length of the tube are located into a continuous shell as the shell is being formed. After placing the insert (26) into the partially open shell, the shell is closed and sealed as it passes through a bonding device (64) to seal the longitudinal edges of the shell to each other and the insert to the internal walls of the tube. The continuous shell with the inserted fin insert is subsequently sliced to produce individual cooling tubes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a heat exchanger tube (14) for a heat exchanger (10) in which a continuous insert (26), having convolutes transverse to the length of the tube are located into a continuous shell as the shell is being formed. After placing the insert (26) into the partially open shell, the shell is closed and sealed as it passes through a bonding device (64) to seal the longitudinal edges of the shell to each other and the insert to the internal walls of the tube. The continuous shell with the inserted fin insert is subsequently sliced to produce individual cooling tubes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a heat exchanger tube (14) for a heat exchanger (10) in which a continuous insert (26), having convolutes transverse to the length of the tube are located into a continuous shell as the shell is being formed. After placing the insert (26) into the partially open shell, the shell is closed and sealed as it passes through a bonding device (64) to seal the longitudinal edges of the shell to each other and the insert to the internal walls of the tube. The continuous shell with the inserted fin insert is subsequently sliced to produce individual cooling tubes.

Abstract: A heat exchanger, method of manufacturing, and manufacturing apparatus including at least one row of flattened tubes along which a heat exchange medium may pass. A serpentine fin is supported between adjacent tubes. The fin defines a plurality of louvers therein, each louver forming an elongated slit. A fluid to be heated or cooled by the medium may pass through the slit. A corrugated edge is formed upon one or more of the louvers for creating turbulence in the fluid. This turbulence disturbs laminar flow of the fluid across the associated louver and promotes a transfer of thermal energy between the medium in the tubes and the fluid.

Abstract: A roll forming tool for manufacturing louvered serpentine fins. The tool has a plurality of fin blades each having a predetermined size and shape. Each of the blades has a plurality of cutting edges for forming scallops in a serpentine fin such that a louvered serpentine fin is formed. The blade forms the louvers in the fins that create a turbulent air flow and thus increase the rate of heat exchange in a heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing resilient, deformable serpentine products including a pair of form rolls (10, 12). The form rolls (10, 12) are generally circular in shape and include a plurality of intermeshing blades (56). The blades (56) have a plurality of teeth (62) each including a peak (70), a valley (74), and a central hollow region (64) that receives a shaft (90) for transferring a fluid thereto. The fluid is then conveyed from the shaft (90) through a plurality of grooves (80) on the surface of the blades (56). In one embodiment, the fluid is to aid in the forming process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a strip of fins with louvers comprising providing fin forming rolls comprising stacked carbide plates having rolling and cutting edges forming fins with louvers, and directing a strip of clad aluminum between an opposed pair of fin forming rolls. The carbide plates are preferably made of carbide containing tungsten, cobalt and carbon, wherein the major constituent is tungsten.