Abstract: A tube expander for heat exchangers is capable of organizing an ideal production line where the transportation efficiency is increased and the productivity is improved by having a transportation path in a straight line through which the heat exchangers are carried into one end and carried out from the other end. Left and right ends of an end plate at the front side are inserted by a pair of first guide bars, and the left and right ends at the back side are inserted by a pair of second guide bars. A guide path for a carrying device or a transportation device is established on a base that supports the first guide bars and the second guide bars in a clearance between the first guide bars and support columns. The heat exchangers are transported from one end to the other of the base via the guide path.

Abstract: The present invention is a patterned metal thermal interface. In one embodiment a system for dissipating heat from a heat-generating device includes a heat sink having a first surface adapted for thermal coupling to a first surface of the heat generating device and a thermal interface having at least one patterned surface, the thermal interface being adapted to thermally couple the first surface of the heat sink to the first surface of the heat generating device. The patterned surface of the thermal interface allows the thermal interface to deform under compression between the heat sink and the heat generating device, leading to better conformity of the thermal interface to the surfaces of the heat sink and the heat generating device.

Abstract: A solid state lighting apparatus utilizes a thermally conductive membrane with Light Emitting Diode (LED) die arrays on opposite sides of the membrane as well as a reflecting optical system straddling the thermal membrane and enveloping the LED arrays. The thermal membrane is comprised of a sheet of anisotropic annealed pyrolytic graphite with a central copper via and outer copper frame. These components, after being assembled preliminarily, are plated in copper, or first in copper and then in nickel, as a whole, to provide structural integrity and improved thermal conductivity between the components. The optical system is comprised of a first-surface reflector, either a surface of revolution or compound shape, with foci of reflection that are aligned with the LED arrays on either side of the thermal membrane. Thermal dissipation structures are clamped or bonded to the thermal membrane's outer frame to remove heat from the device.

Abstract: After a refrigerant circuit (10) is formed by connecting a user side circuit (12) and a heat source side circuit (11) by means of a communication pipe (45), a compressor (21) is driven to circulate refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit (10) in a communication pipe cleaning step. Circulation of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit (10) peels off oxide which has been deposited on the inner face of the communication pipe (45) by brazing in the communication pipe forming step. The peeled oxide is forced to flow by the refrigerant to be collected on the upstream side of the compressor (21) in the heat source side circuit (11).

Abstract: A weaving apparatus used to separate the tubes of a heat exchanger so that spacers that hold the tubes apart can be inserted between the tubes to increase thermal efficiency. The weaving apparatus includes a frame assembly and a weaving mechanism contained within the frame assembly. The weaving mechanism includes an alignment plate to align the tubes and separation plates to separate the tubes after they have been aligned. The weaving apparatus thus automates the step of separating the tubes of the heat exchanger so that the spacer can ready inserted between the tubes.

Abstract: A explosive device is disclosed for collapsing an expansion-fit metal tube from within a hole of a metal plate of a boiler or the like. The device includes a connecting rod inserted into the tube and extending outwardly from top and bottom ends of the tube. The portion of the connecting rod extending out of the top end of the tube is encapsulated by a blast chamber containing an explosive charge. The portion of the connecting rod extending out of the bottom end of the tube is secured via a retaining plate held by a washer and nut threaded to the connecting rod.

Abstract: A method of making a length of heat conduction pipe from a long conduction pipe filled with heat transfer medium in vacuum environment comprises: a material preparation step in which a long heat conduction pipe with predetermined length sealed at both ends is prepared, a squelching and cutting step in which squelching and cutting is conducted on pre-determined point of said long heat conduction pipe in vacuum environment; a sealing step by which the cut end of said long heat conduction pipe is brazed and sealed in vacuum. There also provides an equipment for performing the method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for operating in a water chamber (7) of a heat exchanger (1) comprising a wall (6) of substantially hemispherical shape and, at its upper portion, a tube plate (5) traversed by a plurality of vertical holes (4). The device comprises at least one rail (11) furnished with members for attachment on the bottom face of the tube plate (5) and supporting at least one trolley (15) that can be moved along the said rail (11) and fitted with a pendular lifting means (19) and a robotic arm (20) comprising an attachment base (30) furnished with members for coupling on the bottom face of the tube plate (5) and a drive means interacting with the lifting means (19) to draw the attachment base (30) against the tube plate (5). The invention applies more particularly to the steam generator of a pressurized water nuclear reactor.

Abstract: The invention is related to a tube extracting device for removing a tube from a conventional drum of a boiler or heat exchanger. The device is positioned inside the drum. The device includes a hollow cylindrical wedge which cylindrically collapses a tube inwardly upon driving the wedge between the tube hole and outer tube wall. The wedge has longitudinal ridges on its inner surface and inwardly tapered edges at its end which is driven into the tube hole such that the tube may be readily inwardly collapsed. Upon retracting the wedge from the tube hole, the wedge engages the tube and the tube is removed from the drum inside the wedge.

Abstract: A tube expanding apparatus includes mandrels, each mandrel having a billet on a leading end; a reciprocating actuator for supporting rear ends of the mandrels, the reciprocating actuator being supported to reciprocate in an axial direction of hairpin tube straight portions; a pressure cylinder for raising and lowering the reciprocating actuator and expanding the straight portions by pressing the billets into the hairpin tube straight portions; hairpin receivers for supporting curved portions of hairpin tubes; a fin receiver for supporting a lower end portion of the laminated radiating fins; and a hydraulic cylinder for raising and lowering the fin receiver in the axial direction of the hairpin tube straight portions. The hydraulic cylinder lowers the fin receiver to a predetermined position as the mandrels descend and the billets begin to be inserted into the hairpin tubes.

Abstract: A cooling device (10) for heat dissipation for a heat-generating component includes a heat sink (14) and a heat pipe (13). The heat sink attached to the component includes a base (11) and a plurality of fins (12) extending from the base. A bottom portion of the heat pipe formed between the base and the fins, the remainder of the heat pipe formed through the fins. An apparatus for making the cooling device includes a mold (20) and a core (30) accommodated in the mold. The mold includes a base part (21) and a pair of symmetrical forming parts (22) slidably engaged on the base part. The forming parts defines a plurality of slots (222), a cavity (224), and a recess (225) respectively corresponding to the fins of the heat sink, the base of the heat sink, and the heat pipe.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a plate heat exchanger from a plurality of heat exchanger blocks (1a, 1b). Each heat exchanger block (1a, 1b) has mounted on it a header (6a, 7a, 6b, 7b) which extends over at least part of one side of the heat exchanger block (1a, 1b). The heat exchanger blocks (1a, 1b) are arranged next to one another, and the headers (6a, 6b; 7a, 7b) of two adjacent heat exchanger blocks (1a, 1b) are provided on their mutually confronting sides with orifices and are connected to one another in such a way that a flow connection occurs between the two headers (6a, 6b; 7a, 7b).

Abstract: Boiler tubes are removed from a boiler vessel without damaging the vessel by severing the boiler tube near the exterior periphery of the vessel, and using a piloted rotary cutting tool fixtured with respect to the longitudinal axis of the severed boiler tube to remove all but a very thin shell of the severed tube. The rotary cutting tool is then withdrawn, and the remaining thin shell of the boiler tube is manually peeled away from the periphery of the boiler vessel opening. In a preferred implementation, the rotary cutting tool is annular, and a tapered cylindrical pilot having an outside diameter slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the expanded portion of the boiler tube is retractably mounted within the annulus of the cutting tool.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tube finning machine (10), and in particular to a machine capable of fitting several fins (26) to one or more tubes (26) at the same time, the assembled finned tube being suitable for heat exchange applications. According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a tube finning machine for mounting extended surface members (96) upon one or more tubes, the machine having a base (10), carrier means movable relative to the base, drive means (20) for moving the carrier means (18) in a longitudinal direction, and cartridge means (24) for locating a plurality of extended surface members (26), the cartridge means having respective support means (30) for each extended surface member, and at least some of the support means being movable relative to the cartridge. There is also provided a method of using a machine as herein defined for finning a tube.

Abstract: This invention relates to a high density architecture for an integrated circuit package (10) in which a plurality of circuit communication wafers (12) are disposed in a stack with a plurality of cooling plates (14) between them, and wherein circuit communication between the communication wafers (12) is provided from wafer to wafer through the cooling plates (14). In addition, the communication wafers (12) may have integrated circuit chips (18) deposited on both sides of the wafer, and chip-to-chip communication may be provided from one surface of the wafer to another through the wafer. The resulting integrated circuit package may have any desired geometrical shape and will permit heat exchange, power and data exchange to occur in three generally mutually orthogonal directions through the package.

Abstract: This invention relates to fabrication of tube bank style heat exchangers and similar assemblies. It provides a novel device and a method for presenting and feeding multiple relatively flexible tubes in a predetermined spaced apart manner, and subsequently threading them through corresponding holes in tube-sheets, baffles or similar components during fabrication of the core structure, for example a heat exchanger core.

Abstract: A method of attaching an air duct to a recuperator core may include welding a pair of butterpasses along a length of each of a plurality of core portions, connecting the plurality of core portions to one another to form the recuperator core and a pair of butterpasses extending along a length of the recuperator core, and attaching the air duct to the recuperator core along at least a portion of the pair of butterpasses. The method may also include controllably moving a welding torch into the air duct and along substantially the length of the recuperator core and controllably welding each butterpass to the air duct along substantially the length of the recuperator core without adding metal to the weld.

Abstract: In a heat exchanger having tubes and fins, a polyaniline film made of polyaniline and/or a derivative thereof is formed on the surfaces of the tubes and the fins. This polyaniline film is imparted with at least one hydrophilic functional group selected from the class consisting of a primary amino group, a secondary amino group, a tertiary amino group, an ammonium group, a nitric acid group, a carboxyl group, a sulfonic acid group, a phosphonic acid group and a hydroxyl group. Accordingly, the surfaces of the tubes and the fins has good water wettability while maintaining deodorizing and sterilizing functions.

Abstract: A heat sink apparatus includes a working machine having a power arm for driving a knife set forwards and backwards and has a follower axle with a cam having a sensor for sensing the rotation of the cam; a material feeding mechanism on the top surface thereof includes a clamping seat engaging a bolt in the material feeding mechanism. One end of the bolt connects to a motor. A microcomputer control device having an input end connected to the sensor receives a signal emitted from the sensor while the output end is connected with the controlling of the motor of the material feeding mechanism.

Abstract: An installation for manufacturing accumulators employs a plurality of pallets for supporting the accumulators, a loading station (3), an unloading station (4), a power supply (5), and an electrolyte feeder (6). A casing (7) with projecting supports (8) is positioned side by side and aligned in vertical direction for supporting the pallets to create the same number of accumulator (A) manufacturing stations, and a handler (10) moves the pallets (2).

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 outer appearance, are inserted from an open end side of the casing in a full automatic manner. The heat exchanging tube assembling apparatus includes a tube grasping device for grasping a plurality of U-shaped tubes in a group 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: An apparatus is disclosed for expanding the ends of a sleeve that has previously been installed into a defective section of inaccessibly located soft metal heat exchanger tubing. The sleeve ends are expanded using an apparatus of a plastic bladder connected to a series of connectable sections of sufficient length to reach the ends of the installed sleeve. The expansion is performed by locating the plastic bladder inside the sleeve at one end and hydraulically compressing the plastic bladder and forcing it to expand in diameter as a function of Poisson's ratio to thus expand the sleeve end into the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of forming serpentine heat exchanger coils from spine fin tubing involves applying spine fins to a tube while simultaneously forming the tube into a serpentine shape. The bending and fin wrapping occurs while a feed roll continues paying out the tube without interruption. Multiple bends can be made simultaneously.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a cell of a recuperator wherein the cell includes a plurality of primary surface sheets, a plurality of spacer bars and a pair of guide vanes. A fixture has a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion is pivotably movable between an open or loading position and a closed or welding position. A plurality of the spacer bars, plurality of primary surface sheets and a pair of guide vanes are positioned in the fixture in a preestablished relationship and are fixedly attached one to another by a tack welding machine. A controller operative controls the tack welding machine.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tube finning machine (10), and in particular to a machine capable of fitting several fins (26) to one or more tubes (26) at the same time, the assembled finned tube being suitable for heat exchange applications. According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a tube finning machine for mounting extended surface members (96) upon one or more tubes, the machine having a base (10), carrier means movable relative to the base, drive means (20) for moving the carrier means (18) in a longitudinal direction, and cartridge means (24) for locating a plurality of extended surface members (26), the cartridge means having respective support means (30) for each extended surface member, and at least some of the support means being movable relative to the cartridge. There is also provided a method of using a machine as herein defined for finning a tube.

Abstract: A system is disclosed to manufacture a recuperator core. The core is made up of a plurality of cells and an inner sealing member. A manufacturing system has an input end, an assembly station having a lower or inner chucking portion and an upper portion, and a welding station. The lower or inner chucking portion is movable between a lower position and an upper position and has a retracted position and an expanded position. The upper portion is movable between a loading position and a clamping position and is rotatable between a first position and a second position. The welding station performs a tack welding operation and a lineal welding operation.

Abstract: An assembly line for economically and efficiently assembling a core into a recuperator. The assembly line has an inlet end, an assembly station, a welding station, a control station and an outlet end. The inlet end has a plurality of the cores to be used for assembly thereat. The core is positioned within the assembly station and an assembly fixture locates a ducting structure in a preestablished relationship to the core. The control station using a plurality of sensors sends an input to a controller and the welding station performs a weld fixedly securing the ducting structure to the core.

Abstract: A weaving apparatus used to separate the tubes of a heat exchanger so that spacers that hold the tubes apart can be inserted between the tubes to increase thermal efficiency. The weaving apparatus includes a frame assembly and a weaving mechanism contained within the frame assembly. The weaving mechanism includes an alignment plate to align the tubes and separation plates to separate the tubes after they have been aligned. The weaving apparatus thus automates the step of separating the tubes of the heat exchanger so that the spacer can ready inserted between the tubes.

Abstract: A dog-bone type heat exchanger having a plurality of fin members for dissipating heat. Each of the plurality of fin members includes a pair of offset surfaces interconnected by a sloped interconnecting surface. The plurality of fins members may be spaced apart at a distance that is less than, equal to, or more than the offset distance between the pair of offset surfaces on each fin member, thereby maximizing the mixing of air flow and the conductive heat transfer of the heat exchanger through an impinging effect.

Abstract: A weaving apparatus used to separate the tubes of a heat exchanger so that spacers that hold the tubes apart can be inserted between the tubes to increase thermal efficiency. The weaving apparatus includes a frame assembly and a weaving mechanism contained within the frame assembly. The weaving mechanism includes an alignment plate to align the tubes and separation plates to separate the tubes after they have been aligned. The weaving apparatus thus automates the step of separating the tubes of the heat exchanger so that the spacer can ready inserted between the tubes.

Abstract: An HVAC evaporator core temperature probe apparatus and assembly method in which the temperature probe has a seal member mounted intermediate opposed ends. First and second apertures are formed in the HVAC housing, one adjacent the mounted position of the probe sensing end and the other end spaced from the access aperture and receiving the seal member to dispose the electrical connector on the other end of the probe conductor exteriorly of the housing. The temperature probe is inserted in the evaporator prior to mounting the evaporator core in the HVAC housing. The seal member is snap mounted in the first aperture in the housing to dispose the electrical connector exteriorly of the housing. After separation of the probe sensing end from the evaporator core and separation of the seal member from the first aperture, an existing temperature probe is removable through the second aperture in the housing.

Abstract: A method for producing a heat sink includes extruding a first material in a second material, and cut into a billet. The second material is removed from the billet to produce a base and a plurality of fins. The second material is removed from the billet by placing the billet into a chemical bath. The heat sink is rinsed to remove chemical residue from the heat sink. Mounting holes are stamped into the base, and a mounting surface is ground on the heat sink. Another method for producing a heat sink includes ramming fins into a base. The base is heated prior to the entry of the fins. The base is also provided with dimples to accept entry of the fins.

Abstract: An automatic assembling apparatus for inserting hair pins into holes formed on a heat exchanger including a plurality of flat plate fins and two side panel disposed both sides of said flat plate fins are provided.

Abstract: A parts-mass compressing device includes a base stand having a table structure on which a mass of vertically standing raised workpieces are disposed. A stopper plate is fixed to one end of said table structure and a moving plate is movable toward and away from said stopper plate. Movement of the moving plate toward said stopper plate compresses the mass. A toggle mechanism drives the moving plate and has first and second toggle links which are pivotally connected at their inner ends. The inner ends are connected to a power cylinder.

Abstract: Improved plastic heat exchanger production systems are described. The production systems are arranged to extrude plastic tubing, cut the tubing into segments of desired length and convey the tubing to a plurality of aligned tube inserters. Clip strips are feed through the tube inserters which sequentially automatically insert tube segments into the clip strips. The clip strips are then cut at desired lengths to provide tubing panels of a desired size or sizes. In a preferred system, header pipes are attached to the respective ends of the cut tubing panels to provide completed heat exchanger panels. When desired, heat exchangers having laterally offset tubes may be created by cutting one or more middle clip strips into spacer segments and rotating the spacer segments to laterally offset at least some of the tubes. In another aspect of the invention, improved tube inserters suitable for inserting plastic tubing into a plastic clip strip are described.

Abstract: A method for forming a folded fin includes at least the following steps: providing a horizontal metallic strip; forming number of pairs of indents alternately in a top face and a bottom face of the strip; clamping the strip with three folding tools, wherein a first tool is located between a first pair of indents in the top face of the strip, a second tool is located between a successive second pair of indents in the bottom face of the strip and a third tool is located between a fuirther successive third pair of indents in the top face of the strip; and moving the second and third tools toward the first tool to a position where parts of the strip between the first and second tools and between the second and third tools are bent to be vertical, wherein the third tool moves horizontally toward the first tool and the second tool moves at an angle toward an upper side of the first tool.

Abstract: As means for handling elongate and flat workpieces flowing in a manufacturing line, three handling devices are provided. First one is a workpiece transmitting device which functions to push down, one after another, the frontmost one of a mass of raised workpieces horizontally put on a table structure. Second one is a parts-mass compressing device which compresses a mass of raised workpieces horizontally put on a table structure to a desired smaller size by using moving and fixed plates. Third one is an assembling device which connects a header pipe to each side of a compressed mass of raised workpieces horizontally put on a table structure.

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: An automatic assembling apparatus of assembling return bends and hair pins of a heat exchanger is provided. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of flat plat fins arranged spaced-apart from each other by a first predetermined interval, a plurality of hair pins fixed in perpendicular to the flat plat fins with a second predetermined interval, and a plurality of return bends to be fixed at both ends of the hair pins and form a passage of coolant circulating through the hair pins. The apparatus includes a heat exchanger transferring unit for clamping both lateral surfaces of the heat exchanger having the hair pins with flat plat fins connected together and horizontally transferring the heat exchanger and a bend inserting unit installed at one end of the heat exchanger transferring unit for securing the return bends at the hair pins moved to a predetermined position by the heat exchanger transferring unit.

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: A method and apparatus are disclosed which are for use in installing the end segments of boiler tubes in the drum walls of a high-pressure steam boiler, and which involve expanding rather than swaging boiler tube end segment metal into intimate contact with grooved boiler tube bores provided in the steam boiler drum walls.

Abstract: A production line of an air conditioner mounted with a work bench for mass-producing indoor units and outdoor units, the work bench including a pallet supply section; an outdoor unit work part mounted at one side of the pallet supply section with a parts assembly section, refrigerant tube vacuum forming and refrigerant infusion section, refrigerant infusion tube removal section, control unit assembly section, refrigerant leakage inspection section, cabinet assembly section, packing section, forwarding and loading section in that order; an indoor unit work part mounted at the other side of the pallet supply section with first pallet feeding section, parts assembly section, noise inspection section, second pallet feeding section, packing section and forwarding and loading section in that order, and integrally installed from parts assembly section of the outdoor unit work part to cabinet assembly section; performance inspection section mounted between the cabinet assembly section and packing section of the outdo

Abstract: An apparatus for producing wrapped slip tubes from ribbon material (3), which consists of metal at least in part, comprising a profiling device (4) for forming seam edges (3a, 3b) of the ribbon material (3), at least one guiding surface (6a) for guiding the ribbon material (3) provided with the seam edges (3a, 3b), a bending device for deforming the ribbon material (3) into a helical partial surface of a cylindrical shell by means of a deforming surface (7), a seam closing device (12) for closing the seam edges (3a, 3b) when inserted into one another by pressing them together, and a cutting device (15) for cutting produced tube portions off. Since the deforming surface (7), and preferably the at least one guiding surface (6a) too, comprises a contact surface of plastic material, pollution and damages of the tube can be avoided when producing it.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembling apparatus includes a main conveyer for transferring a tray, at least one fin transfer conveyer and one molding plate transfer conveyer, installed at one side of the main conveyer to be parallel thereto and having a predetermined length, a plurality of fin plate assembling devices, installed between the fin transfer conveyer and the molding plate transfer conveyer in a lengthwise direction of the main conveyer, a fin molding device, connected to the fin transfer conveyer, for molding a fin, a plate molding device, installed at one side of the main conveyer, for manufacturing a plate and supplying the manufactured plate to the molding plate transfer conveyer, a fin molding plate supply device for supplying the fin molding plate assembly assembled by the fin plate assembling devices to the tray intermittently transferred by the main conveyer, an end plate assembly supply device, a special plate assembly supply device and a manifold plate assembly supply device, sequentially installed

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: This invention relates to a tube finning machine, and in particular to improvements to such a machine. The invention relates to the field of heat exchangers, and in particular to the fitment of extended surface members (or fins) to the tubes of a heat exchanger so as to enhance the heat exchange. The tube finning machine has a rigid base, a clamping means for clamping a number of tubes, a carrier means movably mounted to the base, and a drive means by which the carrier means may be moved to a predetermined position relative to the base, and therefore relative to the tubes clamped thereupon. The improvements disclosed include those relating to support means for the tubes, clamping means for the tubes, and guide means for the fins as they are delivered to the carrier means.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembling apparatus includes a tube loading device for loading tubes of a heat exchanger, in an aligned state, in a tray having partitions at intervals, a fin supply device for supplying fins supplied through a chute to spaces between the partitions for the tubes in the tray, by transferring the tray at intervals, a support supply device for supplying erected supports to spaces between the partitions at the outermost side in the tray, a vision inspector for inspecting whether the fins, the tubes, and the supports are appropriately arranged in the tray without any missing part spaces, a discharging device for discharging the fins, the tubes and the supports from the tray to a table and aligning the fins, the tubes, and the supports with respect to a width direction and a lengthwise direction, a transfer device for gripping the fins, the tubes, and the supports and transferring the fins, the tubes, and the supports to a header assembly table, and a header assembling device.

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 forming a restriction in a plate of a heat exchanger includes a gag extending perpendicularly relative to the plate. The apparatus also includes a servo motor operatively connected to the gag and for connection to a source of power for moving the gag for forming a restriction to fluid flow through either one of a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet of the plate.

Abstract: Indoor air conditioner units are manufactured by pre-assembling evaporators and supplying the evaporators to a plurality of unit assembling stations, whereby at each unit assembling station, the evaporators are assembled with other air conditioner elements to form finished indoor air conditioner units. The evaporators can be assembled at an evaporator assembling station which supplies all of the unit assembling stations with evaporators. Alternatively, the evaporators can be assembled at each of the unit assembling stations.