Abstract: A boiler tube peeler tool assembly useful in connection with the removal of boiler tube flared-end segments from retention within power boiler header walls is provided with a tool body subassembly, a clamp subassembly carried by the tool body subassembly and having pairs of clamp expansion jaws that engage the boiler tube flared-end segment interior surface, a peeler blade subassembly that bends and shears retained longitudinal gap metal from retention by the boiler tube flared-end segment, and a conventional pressurized-fluid actuator for reciprocally powering the peeler blade subassembly.

Abstract: A compression tool assembly that is useful in connection with the removal of boiler tube flared-end segments from retention within power boiler header walls is provided with oppositely paired compression jaw elements that are rotated to cause the wall of a longitudinally gapped boiler tube flared-end segment to be compressed into a cross-section configuration that permits comparatively easy tube segment withdrawal.

Abstract: A machine for forming an inverted U-shaped folded fin with an aspect ratio of H/W includes a stationary frame, a locating device, a folding tool carrier and successive first, second and third folding tools. The carrier is horizontally and reciprocally mounted on the frame. The three folding tools are drivably carried by the carrier, each tool with a width substantially equal to W including an upper clamping block and a lower clamping block respectively for fixing a metal strip during formation of the heat dissipating fin. The first and second tools and the second and third tools are respectively spaced from each other at a distance substantially equal to H when the machine is at an original position. The locating device is also drivably mounted on the frame for fixing the horizontal metal strip relative to the frame when the three folding tools do not clamp the strip.

Abstract: A power boiler tube removal tool assembly is provided with co-operating shear block cavity, shear blade, and anvil elements that function to shear and inwardly bend gap metal in a boiler tube flared-end segment to thereby facilitate subsequent boiler tube flared-end segment peeling, crushing, and withdrawal steps that complete tube end removal from retention within a boiler drum wall.

Abstract: A mechanical tube expander for expanding tubes into interlocked relationship with fins. Structure is provided for in situ storage of the expander rods and facilitating use of selected expander rods during a cycle of operation.

Abstract: A method for transporting heat exchanger fins and forming a core subassembly for a heat exchanger uses a universal fin tray for all subassemblies instead of different tray sizes for different core subassemblies. The method includes indexing core plates forward under a stationary fin stuffing box, loading fins into the universal fin tray, indexing the loaded fins forward one at a time corresponding to the number of fins required, pushing required fins into the fin stuffing box when indexing reaches number required for the core subassembly, and pushing fins out of the fin stuffing box into the plates forming the core subassembly. A universal fin tray size, a stationary fin box, and a stationary cut off are used for all core sizes.

Abstract: Circular recuperators are used to increase the efficiency of gas turbine engines. The present circular recuperators are made of a plurality of cells. Each of the plurality of cells includes a plurality of components, such as, a plurality of sheets, a plurality of bars and guide strips. To more efficiently utilize the configuration of a primary surface circular heat exchanger or recuperator, the plurality of cells are manufactured to have a involute configuration. A fixture is used to position, hold and form the involute configuration. The fixture includes clamping device which positions and holds a base edge and the plurality of bars in a preestablished position and a forming member forms the remainder of the individual cells into the involute configuration. Corresponding ones of the base edges of individual cells form an inner diameter of the recuperator.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a heat exchanger core during a manufacturing process is disclosed. The core includes a first and second side support member disposed on opposite sides of an assembly of a plurality of interleaved tubes and fins and fluid manifolds on opposite ends of the tubes. The apparatus includes a pair of nested clamps. One clamp is disposed over the side supports and the second is disposed over the fluid manifolds. The clamps are easily placed over the core and easily removed after brazing.

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: An apparatus for forming heat exchanger core assemblies having a plurality of generally elongate tubes seated in uniformly spaced openings in a pair of spaced parallel header members is disclosed. The apparatus includes a generally flat, horizontal support table and a pair of header carriers mounted for horizontal reciprocatory movement respectively toward and away from two opposed sides of the table. The apparatus further includes a pair of elongate, horizontally disposed guide members for locating and aligning a plurality of tubes with the respective openings in header members. Each of the guide members includes a base portion and a plurality of finger members, each finger member projecting in a first position vertically upwardly from the base portion. The guide member further includes a plurality of upwardly opening elongate, tube receiving slots between the finger members, the slots extending parallel to the adjacent side of the table.

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 apparatus for expanding an existing repair sleeve in a steam generator to permit a new repair sleeve to be installed. The apparatus includes a variable cross-section elongated cylindrical capsule adapted to be positioned within the existing repair sleeve and an explosive charge inside the capsule whereby detonation of the charge expands the existing repair sleeve to permit the new repair sleeve to be installed. The variable cross-section of the capsule permits the explosive force to be "tuned" so that the existing tube expands evenly along its entire length, including the hard to expand ends of the existing sleeve, without overexpanding the tube. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a conduit attached to one end of the capsule and at least one sleeve position indicator associated with the conduit. The sleeve position indicator associated with the conduit may be a predetermined index mark on the outer surface of the conduit, a hard stop located between the conduit and the capsule or both.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a heat exchanger includes a dispenser head that dispenses heat exchanger components onto a receiving fixture as the dispenser head traverses across the receiving fixture. The components are dispensed at predetermined positions along the fixture. The components are ejected from the dispenser head at a predetermined velocity. The dispenser is quickly reloaded with the next component. The rate of reloading, predetermined velocity, and predetermined positions measured and controlled by an electronic controller.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for removing the severed end-portions of boiler tubes installed and retained in a boiler header without consequential boiler header metal damage and in a manner whereby a compression gap of uniform width is machined throughout the length and thickness of each retained boiler tube end-portion selected for removal, the machined boiler tube end-portion is subsequently compressed to significantly close the machined compression gap and reduce the tube end cross-sectional circumference, and the compressed tube end is withdrawn longitudinally from engagement with the boiler header tube-mounting bore.

Abstract: An apparatus assembles a heat exchanger core having first and second side plates. The first and second side plates cooperate with first and second end plates to sandwich a plurality of layered tubes and fin plates therebetween. The apparatus includes a lifting mechanism for stacking the tubes and fin plates with respect to one another to define a layered stack having opposite sides and opposite ends. A side plate assembling mechanism associates the first and second side plates on opposite sides of the layered stack. An end plate assembling mechanism associates the first and second end plates on opposite ends of the layered stack.

Abstract: A temporary assembling unit for a heat exchanger core including a pair of parallel feed shafts placed facing each other in a predetermined spacing, includes spiral tube guide grooves for guiding ends of a tube of the heat exchanger; and spiral fin guide parts for guiding ends of a corrugated fin of the heat exchanger, the spiral fin guide parts being disposed between the tube guide grooves; wherein an outer diameter of the fin guide part positioned in a supply section of the corrugated fin is smaller than an outer diameter of the tube guide groove.

Abstract: In forming a heat exchanger, a tube of the heat exchanger is expanded by a bullet, which is attached to a mandrel. The tube is projected from both end faces of a piled body formed by piling a plurality of fins. Each fin has a tube hole through which the tube passes. The fins and the tube are integrated by expansion of the tube. A first projected section of the tube, which is projected from one end face of the piled body and which has been expanded by the bullet, is held at a prescribed position. The bullet is pressed toward a second projected section, which is projected from the other end face of the piled body. As the bullet moves toward the second projected section, it expands the tube. The second projected section of the tube is allowed to contract during the tube expansion. An object of the present invention is to prevent adhesion of adjacent fins and irregularities in fin clearances between adjacent fins.

Abstract: A device for continuously forming a heat exchanger that has a helically wound fin tube coil formed by a plurality of wraps includes a rotationally driven mandrel with a central axis and a plurality of forming corners equiangularly disposed about and displaced from the central axis. The rotation of the mandrel is about the central axis in order to wind the fin tube coils onto the mandrel. A forming block is operably rotationally coupled to the mandrel and rotates with the mandrel. The forming block is also slideably engaged with the mandrel for axial translation a selected distance with respect to the mandrel. The forming block guides the winding of the fin tub coils onto the mandrel. An actuator is operably coupled to the forming block and causes the axial translation of the forming block.

Abstract: A tube expanding assembly expands a plurality of tubes used in combination with a plurality of fins and end sheets to form a heat exchanger, the tube expanding assembly includes a nest plate secured to the base wherein the nest plate holds the tubes thereon, a bolster cylinder extendable between the base and the nest plate for moving the nest plate relative to the base, a ram support disposed above the base, a ram plate secured to the ram support, a ram cylinder depending from the ram support and secured to the ram plate wherein the ram cylinder moves the ram plate relative to ram support, a plurality of expansion rods depending from the ram plate wherein each of expansion rods is extendable through each of the tubes such that the tubes engage the fins and end sheets, and a plurality of transducers, each of the transducers are associated with each of the bolster cylinder and the ram cylinder such that the transducers create signals identifying position of each of the ram plate and the nest plate.

Abstract: A hydraulic expander assembly for installing a tube repair sleeve in a tube at a selected location relative to a tube defect or a tube support. The apparatus includes a hydraulic expander having at least one expandable bladder and adapted to receive the sleeve thereon. The expander includes a stud having at least one conduit formed therein and a plurality of slidable expandable bladders mounted on the stud for radial expansion, each of the bladders in fluid communication with the conduit. A detector is mounted on the expander and responsive to tube supports and defects in the tube. Finally, a control system is electrically connected with the detector and operative to control the expansion of the bladder in response to signals received from the detector.

Abstract: Apparatus for extracting a heat exchanger tube assembly from a heat exchanger shell includes an extractor frame, an extractor body moveable with respect to the frame, and powered extraction members for literally moving the extractor body with respect to the frame. A plurality of rollers are provided each supporting the extractor frame and extractor body, and a plurality of respective drive motors each power one of the rollers for manipulating the apparatus relative to the heat exchanger shell. Both forward and reverse rotation of a respective roller and pivotable rotation of the roller with respect to the frame for steering capability of the apparatus may be provided by control means positioned such that the operator need not be carried by the assembly. A plurality of hydraulic cylinders each secured to the extractor frame are provided for elevating the extractor body to a desired position with respect to the heat exchanger shell for extraction and reinsertion of the tube assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for the automatic lacing (drawing) of hairpin tubes through the holes of a heat exchanger fin stack is provided. This apparatus includes a plurality of identical extendable guide rods, each positioned in approximate alignment to engage an open end of a respective heat exchanger tube which is positioned adjacent to a respective fin stack hole. The plurality of guide rods are extended in unison through the holes of the heat exchanger fin stack to positions within the open ends of the hairpin tubes. A self aligning knurl structure on each guide rod lead end is expanded to engage the respective I.D. of a respective hairpin tube. The guide rods are then retracted in unison pulling the tubes through the fin stack holes. A self regulating pressure mechanism assures that the pressure exerted by an expanding knurl end is within a predetermined range. Once the tubes have been laced, the knurl structures are collapsed and the guide rods withdraw from the tubes.

Abstract: A boiler wall tube tool for clamping together adjacent ends at a juncture of a boiler wall tube in a boiler wall. The tool includes first and second opposing clamping members, each clamping member including a recess suitable for engaging an exterior surface of a tube and for extending across the juncture of a tube. A pair of slots which are spaced from each other and substantially aligned with the slots on the other clamping member are provided in each clamping member. The slots on the first clamping member include sloped edges terminating at an outer portion thereof. A hook-and-bolt member secures the clamping members around the tube segments. The hook-and-bolt member includes a pair of hook arms for extending through the slots of the clamping members and suitable for passing through a spacing between laterally adjacent boiler tubes. Each end of the hook arms terminates in hooked ends for engaging the sloped edges on the slots of the first clamping member.

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: A process to form a continuous fin helically around the exterior of a cylindrical tube by rotation of a primary forming roller and rotation of a contiguous spindle roller. The process includes advancing and inserting the fin in a gap between the primary forming roller and the spindle roller. The gap between the primary forming roller and the spindle roller is closed and the fin is tightly gripped therebetween. The tube is axially moved for a first, chosen length, while, at the same time, the tube is rotated at a first speed, the primary forming roller is rotated at a first speed and the spindle roller is rotated at a first speed. Thereafter, the tube is axially moved for a second, chosen length, while, at the same time, the tube is rotated at a second speed, the primary forming roller is rotated at a second speed, and the spindle roller is rotated at a second speed.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting U shaped tubes in a heat exchange core includes a track which includes a pair of parallel channels for receiving the limbs of the tubes and for guiding the limbs on three sides, a slide for pushing the tubes along the track and into the heat exchange core, and restraining means for closing the fourth side of the channels to guide the limbs, the restraining means being adapted to move out of the track as the head of the tube and the slide pass along the track.

Abstract: A feeding apparatus for a metal belting has a basic plate being capable of supporting the metal belting, which has a plurality of through-holes in a feeding direction. The basic plate has slit formed in the feeding direction and a plurality of traveling plates are provided beneath and in parallel to the basic plate. The traveling plates are movable in the feeding direction of the metal belting. A driving mechanism for moving the traveling plates in the feeding direction of the metal belting is provided as well as a plurality of feeding pins which are vertically pierced through the traveling plates. Springs bias the feeding pins downward. A plate cam is provided beneath the traveling plates. The plate cam is capable of applying force to upwardly move the feeding pins, against the springs, in a prescribed range.

Abstract: A laser beam is directed toward a rotating metallic tube having a fin helically wound about and welded to its surface by a high frequency welding process. The laser beam generates heat in the tube to supplement the heat induced by resistance to electrical current flow to create a proper temperature in the tube for forge welding of the fin and tube.

Abstract: A heat transfer cell for employment in heating, ventilation and air conditioning applications, and an apparatus for producing metallic plates which can be employed in the construction of the heat transfer cell. The cell comprises a plurality of heat conductive plates stacked on each other and having upstanding fins extending substantially the length of each plate. A leading edge portion of each fin is folded laterally to thereby create a turbulent effect to air traveling linearly between adjacent fins and plates.

Abstract: A support is provided for supporting the lower header plate and adjacent tube ends of a radiator core within an oven area for even heating thereof preparatory to manually pry and scrapping softened epoxy material from the header plate and about the tube ends. A method also is incorporated wherein after the original epoxy has been removed, fresh epoxy is applied to the header plate about the tube ends and allowed to cure.

Abstract: Apparatus (100) for pulling a projecting tube (14) from a tube sheet (12), along the tube axis (18), comprising a base (200) for engaging the tube sheet and a jacking assembly (300) mounted on the base and actuable by a first fluid pressure variation between extended and retracted positions (302) away from and toward the base respectively. A substantially annular gripper assembly (400) is connected to the jacking assembly for extended and retracted movement therewith and adapted to coaxially receive the tube. The gripper assembly includes a housing (404) having a gripper piston chamber (410) in which a second fluid pressure variation can be introduced into the gripper piston chamber. A gripper piston 420 is situated for movement in the gripper piston chamber in response to the second fluid pressure in the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a fluid flow cartridge for circulating a second fluid in heat transfer relationship with a first fluid includes first and second racks and a drive to reciprocate the first and second racks in relation to each other.

Abstract: Plates for forming heat exchanger tubes are assembled into pairs by an assembly machine having two cooperating rotors, each having a plate input, and a feed mechanism transfers plates of different types from stacks of plates to the machine in a desired order. A conveyor belt for each rotor carries plates from a number of magazines above the conveyor to the rotor. Escapements on the magazines drop plates onto the conveyors. A controller actuates the escapements in a sequence to arrange the plate types on the conveyor in the correct order, and also controls indexing of the conveyor and the assembly machine. Rollers associated with each rotor affords a conveyor return which does not interfere with the assembly operation.

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: A tube expander includes an oil-discharging device for discharging a predetermined amount of oil into the tubes of a heat exchanger mounted on the tube expander which is movably mounted between tube-expanding mandrels of the tube expander and the heat exchanger. The oil-discharging device is provided with a plurality of oil-discharging nozzles each constructed of a pipe-shaped nozzle main body having an end expander bullet that can be inserted into a tube, an oil-discharging hole arranged between the nozzle main body and the expander bullet for discharging the oil, an annular sleeve mounted around the circumferential surface of the main body for reciprocal movement relative thereto, the annular sleeve having an end contact part for abutting against an opening end of the tube, the annular sleeve sealing the oil-discharging hole of the nozzle main body by means of a resilient member, and a stopper provided on an end of the expander bullet to receive the sleeve on the end of the expander bullet.

Abstract: Extraction apparatus 10 for tubes and like elongated articles comprises a tiltable gripping collar 64 of fixed internal dimension to engage and grip the article to be extracted. The collar has internal dimensions somewhat larger than those of the articles to be gripped, and is mounted so as to tilt when in use and to engage and grip the article as a result of this tilting action. The collar be used either as non-return means for the article being extracted, or may be used for applying the extraction level itself. A collar assembly is however preferably used to apply the extraction load separate and apart from the tilting collar. The collar jaws a axially spaced from the end of the tubular piston rod of the ram and connected to it by a collar head whereby the assembly is removable on a quick attach basis for servicing.

Abstract: A serpentine heat exchanger tube structure is formed with spaces between opposite runs of the tube structure that are smaller than the fins which must be inserted into the spaces. The tube structure is pressed onto a series of spreader blades at a fin inserting station to spread the runs of the tube structure, the fins are loaded into a series of compartments of a shuttle at a remote fin loading station, the shuttle is moved to the fin inserting station to position the compartments opposite the respective spaces of the tube structure on the side of the tube structure opposite the side from which the spreader blades entered, and a series of insertion blades are moved into the compartments to move the fins out of the compartments and into the tube spaces as the spreader blades are simultaneously withdrawn.

Abstract: A brazing fixture apparatus is disclosed for holding a heat exchanger core during a brazing operation. The fixture includes a generally rectangular frame including a contact member disposed on one side of the frame and a single lever extending axially along the length of the frame. The lever pivots from a first position to allow placement of the core onto the frame to a second position, in response to gravity, such that in the second position, the lever applies a constant compressive force on the core to hold the core together during the brazing operation.

Abstract: A heat exchanger tube bundle extractor capable of being used either suspended from a crane or while mounted onto a rigid extendible boom. The extractor features brackets for attaching of the extractor to cables suspended from a crane. The extractor can also be mounted onto an extendible boom having an articulated head. When desired, the bundle extractor can be used while mounted onto the boom. If crane operations are preferred, the extractor can be readily detached from the boom and suspended from a crane at much higher elevations.

Abstract: This invention is a novel technique for making a solar energy collector in a fresnel configuration by using unique hot-wire tools. This process uses either a hot-wire radial cutter to produce concentric grooves and a hot-wire beveled cutter to produce angled concentric surfaces in a base material in combination, or a hot-wire combination cutter to simultaneously produce a single concentric and angled concentric surface in a base material. This shaped base material is now suitable for affixing reflective material.

Abstract: A tube puller tool assembly for extracting tubes from a tubesheet of heat exchangers. The tool assembly includes an actuator cylinder unit attached to a guide cylinder, having a piston rod attached to a tapered mandrel for expanding multiple fingers of a collet member firmly against the tube inner surface. The collet is initially urged into contact with the tapered mandrel surface by a compression spring provided between the piston rod and collet member, except forward movement of the collet relative to the mandel is limited by a retainer ring in the guide cylinder. In use, the tool assembly is first pressurized to place the collet and mandrel members in an extended forward position, then the tool is inserted into a tube to be pulled, with a guide cylinder being abuted against the tubesheet. The tool is then pressurized to retract the piston and mandrel and thereby radially expand the collet fingers firmly into the tube.

Abstract: A brazing fixture apparatus for holding an article to be brazed comprises a frame and a mechanism connected to the frame for holding the article so that the weight of the article causes a force to be transmitted through the mechanism and applied to another portion of the article. The mechanism includes at least one lever pivotally mounted to the frame. The lever includes a graphite member attached to the lever for receiving the article thereon. The frame also includes a spacer bar which is positionable in a pair of spacer bar receiving members attached the frame for adjusting the size of the opening to accommodate different size articles. A method of making the heat exchanger using the fixture is also disclosed.

Abstract: A machine with counter-rotating rotors moves heat exchanger plates two at a time with vacuum assist through paths which converge in a vertical mating plane. Arcuate guides engage the plate ends to control the plate path. The rotors are servomotor controlled to synchronously index the rotor in increments separated by dwell periods. After assembly the merged pairs drop between spaced guides into an assembly fixture. At a subsequent brazing operation each plate pair becomes a tube for carrying refrigerant.

Abstract: The invention concerns a roll comprising two superposed webs of material one of which is formed with transverse ridges. At the ridge bases and tops are formed dents/protrusions. The other web is provided with ribs which are positioned in nesting relationship in the dents/protrusions, whereby the webs are secured to one another. The invention likewise concerns a method and a machine for manufacturing rolls of this kind.

Abstract: A method for producing an article having a body with one or more enclosed channels extending therethrough such as for the circulation of fluids. The body is formed preferably by metal deposition about one or more fibers to generate the enclosed channels with at least one end of the fibers extending beyond the body. The fibers are then extracted from the channels in the body to leave open the channels through which fluid may be circulated.

Abstract: A tool positioning assembly for receiving tooling for repairing heater penetrations at the lower end of a pressurizer supported on its end by a support skirt between the pressurizer and a base with the pressurizer having a surge line extending vertically into the apex of the lower spherical end of the pressurizer. A pair of circular tracks are mounted so as to be concentric with the pressurizer. The inner track is mounted to the surge line and the outer track is mounted so as to be below the outer periphery of the pressurizer. A carriage is movably mounted between the tracks so as to be movable therebetween and around the pressurizer. Cross slides mounted on the carriage provide horizontal movement. A vertical slide mounted on the upper cross slide provides vertical movement and is also rotatable around its own vertical axis for clearance purposes when maneuvering around the heater penetration nozzles.

Abstract: The fitting device comprises a guide sleeve (75) having, at one of its ends, a profile complementary to a profile located at a first end of an extraction sleeve (85); a retention sleeve (100) having at one of its ends, a profile complementary to a profile located at the second end of the extraction sleeve (85), and an arrangement for fastening the retention sleeve (100) to the entry face (3a) of the tube plate (3). For the installation of the extraction sleeve (85) and for the installation, control and extraction of a glue-injecting syringe, the device also includes an actuating member (17) and an elongate transmission element (18) connected at one of its ends to the injection syringe and at its other end to the actuating member (17). The extraction sleeve (85) can be connected to the guide sleeve (75) and to the retention sleeve (100), in order to be installed inside the tube (5) to be extracted.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling heat exchanger elements includes a pallet comprising a frame and a plurality of blocks slidably aligned on each side of the frame with opposed pairs of blocks slotted to receive pairs of plates dropped into the pallet. Lead screws driven by servomotors and engaging the blocks position the blocks at the loading station and control the block spacing (determined at each station by the screw pitch) to allow plate insertion or to allow insertion of fin elements between the plates. To quickly move the pallet into the station auxiliary lead screws connected to the main screws engage the blocks of the pallet outside the loading station to assert positive controlled advancement force on the pallet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for remotely inserting and feeding a sleeve within a selected tube to be serviced mounted in a tubesheet of a nuclear steam generator, so as to relieve reverse forces generated during the insertion and feeding of the sleeve and to reduce operator interaction. The device includes a tool having a frame, at least one gripper unit having gripping fingers which extend from a top plate of the tool for detachably suspending the frame from a tube in close proximity to the selected tube. The gripper unit also includes a hydraulically actuated cylinder for retracting the gripping fingers toward the top plate of the tool to forcibly position the tool against the underside of the tubesheet. An advancing assembly supported by the frame is also provided for remotely inserting and feeding the sleeve into the selected tube. This advancing assembly is vibrated by way of a vibrator mounted thereon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a heat exchanger comprising a bundle which consists of a plurality of tubes, a plurality of fins alternating with the tubes, at least one terminal end beam extending parallel to the tubes, and at least one collector plate at the end of the bundle. Clamping means are arranged in the vicinity of the collector plate, and in line with deformable means which are provided on projecting portions of the end beam or end beams.The invention is especially applicable to a heat exchanger for use in automotive vehicles.