Abstract: A core builder machine (10), including an elongated table (12) on which the cores are supported and transferred to the various assembly portions of the machine (10). A plurality of heat exchanger tubes (18) are fed from a tube magazine (16) by a tube dispenser assembly (14) onto the table (12) where they are indexed and adapted to receive a plurality of serpentine fins (36) between a pair of adjacent tubes (18) to form an intermediate core assembly (42). The intermediate core assembly (42) is transferred downstream by a plurality of slides (56, 58) to a core compression section (70) where the intermediate core assembly (42) is compressed. After the intermediate assembly (42) is compressed the header attachment mechanism (75) moves into contact with the sides (56, 58) of the core to attach the headers and form a completed core assembly (110) that can be removed and then brazed.

Abstract: A fixture for supporting a heat exchanger coil within a tube expander apparatus. The back wall of the fixture contains a series of spaced apart vertically disposed stationary slats. A moveable frame is slidably mounted in the back wall which contains a series of vertically disposed spaced apart moveable slats that are interspaced between the stationary slats. The slats coact to present an adjustable flat support surface to a coil mounted in the fixture that can be adjusted to accommodate different size coils. The front door of the fixture contains a similarly adjustably wall that coacts with the back wall to fully support a coil in the fixture as the tubes of the coil are being expanded.

Abstract: A heat exchanging tube assembling apparatus is adapted to a heat exchanger having an outer casing in which is arranged a partition plate formed with holes through which heat exchanging tubes, each having a U-shape in an outer appearance, are inserted from an open end side of the casing in a full automatic manner. The heat exchanging tube assembling apparatus comprises a tube grasping device for grasping a plurality of U-shaped tubes in a lump at a working position, a tube positioning device for positioning the grasped tubes to positions from which the U-shaped tubes are inserted into the holes formed to the partition plate, a tube taking-out device for sequentially taking out one by one the U-shaped tubes grasped by the tube grasping device, and a tube feed device for feeding the taken-out tubes toward the partition plate and inserting the tubes into the holes of the partition plate.

Abstract: Heatsink devices are formed by attaching a plurality of fin members to a planar base member. A primary strip of thermally conducive material forms base members which are assembled with fin members formed from a secondary sheet of thermally conducting material. Each fin member is secured to a respective portion of the primary strip. The primary strip is advanced with the fin members secured thereto to be parted off to provide the heatsink devices. The synchronization of the forming of fins with the assembly reduces manual input to the manufacturing process, negates the need to hold stocks of preformed fins and increases design freedom with respect to dimensions of the heatsinks being formed.

Abstract: A gap-cutter tool assembly for machining a longitudinal gap in an installed boiler tube is provided with clamp elements that engage the interior surface of the installed boiler tube, a cutter head track that provides a straight line cutting path within the tube interior and in the presence of different tube interior diameters, and a cutter head that co-operates with the cutter head track and that has different elevational positions during the cutter head cutting and return strokes, and at the end of the cutter head return stroke.

Abstract: A tube transfer device which includes a tube conveyor for transporting processed tubes from an entry location to an exit location thereon. The tube conveyor includes a plurality of first tube holders thereon which are adapted to hold the processed tubes so that axes thereof will extend parallel to one another and be laterally spaced apart a first distance from one another at the aforesaid entry location. A movable tube shuttle is provided for shifting processed tubes between a first position and a second position located adjacent the aforesaid entry location to the tube conveyor. The tube shuttle includes movable second tube holders adapted to receive the processed tubes when at the aforesaid first position and while maintaining a second distance between the processed tubes.

Abstract: A machine for corrugating preformed plates that form the core element of a heat exchanger. A fold forming mechanism imparts an initial fold in the deformable links joining a series of preformed plates received from an external source. A gathering mechanism gathers the folded series of preformed plates to produce a flow of pairs of mating plates. Precut lengths of corrugated fins are then inserted between joined adjacent pairs of mating plates and a cut-off mechanism severs the deformable links of preselected pairs of links joining pairs of mating plates to separate individual core elements from the flow of plates.

Abstract: A tube transfer device which includes a tube conveyor for transporting processed tubes from an entry location to an exit location thereon. The tube conveyor includes a plurality of first tube holders thereon which are adapted to hold the processed tubes so that axes thereof will extend parallel to one another and be laterally spaced apart a first distance from one another at the aforesaid entry location. A movable tube shuttle is provided for shifting processed tubes between a first position and a second position located adjacent the aforesaid entry location to the tube conveyor. The tube shuttle includes movable second tube holders adapted to receive the processed tubes when at the aforesaid first position and while maintaining a second distance between the processed tubes.

Abstract: The present invention provides an assembling apparatus for a heat exchanger, which is capable of certainly coinciding ends of pipes with pipe holes of fins so as to easily insert the pipes into the pipe holes. In the apparatus, a send-in section sets the stack pin holders at predetermined positions and is capable of keeping the stack pins extending upward. A plurality of supporting sections vertically hold the pipes whose U-bent sections are located at the uppermost position. A pipe inserting section has a plurality of holders, which are capable of receiving the pipes from the supporting sections to hold, and a plurality of inserting dies for pushing the pipes downward. A guide section is provided above the send-in section and has a plurality of guide holes into which the pipes pushed by the inserting dies are inserted. The guide holes are capable of limiting outer width of the pipes by at least inner faces and introducing the pipes into the pipe holes of the fins.

Abstract: An apparatus for deforming, splitting and chopping of contaminated, or potentially contaminated, heat exchanger tubes into short tubes segments that easily may transported to an off-site location for decontamination or disposal. The invention has particular utility in dismantling potentially contaminated tubes from a tube bundle that is part of a condenser for a BWR or PWR nuclear power plant. The invention involves first gripping and deforming the exterior periphery of a potentially contaminated tube with opposed transverse forces sufficient to travel the tube longitudinally out of the tubesheets in a deformed condition, and then splitting the deformed tube into first and second wall sections which are chopped into short length wall segments. The deformation preferably flattens the tube so that the short wall segments are substantially planar, with exposed inner and outer surfaces.

Abstract: A radiator cap assembly has a cap, a tether and a seal member. The seal member is adapted to float upon coolant within the radiator. Upon removal of the cap while the coolant is in an elevated temperature and pressure condition, the seal member will cover the f ill tube to prevent liquid from exiting the radiator.

Abstract: A mechanical tube expander having a construction which facilitates a machine setup prior to coil assembly without necessitating the machine operator to leave a control panel, this being due to all setup and locking features being accomplished from the control panel. Thus, an operator climbing on ladders to various and remote locations on the machine are not necessary. This feature is accomplished by orienting a pre-size clamp and a strip clamp on opposite sides of the stripper plate and tracking the position of the stripper plate relative to the receiver in order to enable the pre-size clamp to be correctly positioned and clamped to a piston rod driven upwardly by pressurized air.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing various heat exchangers is disclosed in which a plurality of heat exchangers disposed side by side are formed at once. A series of manufacturing stations for working heat exchanger components such as fins and tubes and for opening the tubes are arranged in an endless manner to thereby automatically carry out the production steps with a high productivity while meeting various requirements of the specifications of the heat exchangers with a high flexibility.

Abstract: A portable automotive vehicle radiator repair shop is mounted on an automotive vehicle. The vehicle is equipped with an immersion tank having an open top and a drain beneath and a power lift having a platform moveable to submerge and raise a radiator to be repaired which is positioned thereon. The vehicle has a water distribution system with a female garden hose coupling as a water inlet. The vehicle is also equipped with a pneumatic reservoir having a pneumatic inlet coupling adapted to receive an air hose of the type with which most service stations and garages are equipped. The vehicle is also equipped with a blowtorch, a propane tank and an oxygen tank. The propane and oxygen tanks are connected to the blowtorch. The propane and air supply from the pneumatic tank are connected to a drying torch and the water distribution system and pneumatic air supply are connected to a flushing nozzle. A paint reservoir and paint sprayer are also employed and the paint sprayer is connected to the pneumatic tank as well.

Abstract: In a method for crimping a tube end plate of a heat exchanger on a header box, there is provided a peripheral upright edge for enclosing an extra thickness defined by the header box. Portion of the upright edge of the tube end plate which has to extend, when assembled, at least in part above a flange of the header box is stiffened. The stiffened portion of the upright edge of the tube end plate is folded at least partly back onto the flange of the header box.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically assembling a heat exchanger core assembly comprised of a pair of inserts and a plurality of tubes and corrugated fins arranged in an alternate manner. The assembled core elements are guided along a guide rail means while being fed by a pair of chain attachments. The core elements are then unloaded by elevatable guide rail means and removing means including compressible clamping jaws.

Abstract: An assembly machine is operable in a single continuous stroke to advance a radiator header plate having a plurality of tube receiving openings onto the ends of a plurality of radiator tubes and to forcibly peripherally expand the tube ends within the openings in the header into a press fit relationship with the header.

Abstract: A spine fin heat exchanger is disclosed in which the density of the spine fins is greater along the portions of the passes within the pattern of high flow of air or the like across the heat exchanger. Those portions of the tubing at the bends and outside such pattern are formed with a lower spine fin density. Such lower density outside the patterns and at the bends does not materially reduce the overall heat exchange capacity of the heat exchanger, and results in a heat exchanger where less material and time are required to form the heat exchanger without any significant loss in its capacity. The heat exchanger is preferably formed by changing the rate of feed of the tube as it feeds through the winding head to increase the amount of stretch of the spine fin strip along the zones of low density compared to the amount of stretch in the strip along the zone of high density. Consequently, the same amount of material is required for each wrap along both zones.

Abstract: Apparatus in generally unitary machine form for the mechanical, automatic installation of tubes in an assembly of header plates and baffles to produce a tubular heat exchanger core or the like. Tubes are inserted one at a time in perforate parts held in a holding fixture with a mounting table and the holding fixture being capable of movement in different senses. A tube delivery arrangement features a tube support which can be rocked into and out of a support position. A guide rod is compelled to a rotary motion in its entrance into and alignment of the perforate parts.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a heat exchanger comprising an internal arrangement of general cylindrical shape constituted by winding in a spiral two parallel and adjacent portions of a first band, such as a metal sheet and a second band wound on this arrangement in order to form an outer casing constituting a collar or shell.

Abstract: An improved method for forming a heat exchanger core from a single elongated sheet of metal which is stamped to define longitudinally spaced corrugated sections and then is pleat folded between the stamped sections to define first and second groups of alternating fluid passages for indirect heat transfer between two fluids. During stamping of each corrugated section, edges of such section are clamped in place to define precise exterior dimensions and the corrugations are formed by stretching the metal to conform with a die. The stamped corrugations are shaped with triangular end reinforcements to control the location of the bends as the sheet is folded into the final shape of the core. Edges of the sections defining each passage in the first group are sealed together to prevent the fluids from leaking around such edges.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a heat exchanger. A plurality of parallel pipes are advanced from a magazine to an axially slotted open ended shell blank which is radially compressed against the pipes. The contacting surfaces of the pipe openings are then welded together, after which the ends of the package of pipes are immersed in a casting mass, which, after solidifying, is severed along a line therethrough so as to open the pipes at both ends. A wall enclosing each open end is then connected to each end of the pipe package.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for the manufacture of a continuous heat exchanger tube including helically winding a spine fin material on the outer wall of a base tube member. A preselected portion of the spine fin material is secured against movement relative to the base tube member. The heat exchanger is then severed in the secured portion so that a section of the secured portion is arranged at each end of the severed heat exchanger. The secured severed end sections are effective in maintaining the intermediate portion of the spine fin material from unwinding and, as a result, in heat transfer relationship with the base tube member.

Abstract: A method for forming cooling coils of successive layers of rectangular configuration, in which the front end of an elongated tube is threaded between rolls of a straightening apparatus and clamped onto the periphery of a rectangular table, whereafter the table is rotated about a central axis while the incoming tube shifted in direction of this axis, and while the tube upstream of the table is held in taught condition by the straightening apparatus so that the tube is wound into a coil of rectangular configuraton about the table. After a coil of predetermined length has thus been wound, the table is stopped, the tube cut between the straightening apparatus and the table and the cut rear end of the tube is also clamped to the table.

Abstract: A convector for heating buildings consisting of horizontal convector modules spaced a distance apart, one above the other. Each convector module has heat-conducting tubes, onto which are forced lamella bodies, the side lugs of said lamella bodies being bent in such manner that they are parallel with the tubes. At the front and back of each convector module is attached a cover plate which is bent around the upper and lower edges of the bent side lugs. Preferably, the lamella body in its unbent position is of H-form. A tool for manufacturing the convector modules has a movable cam member for picking up and advancing the lamella bodies and rollers for bending the side lugs.