Abstract: A cassette for use in cassette-type heat exchanger has an inlet and an outlet, and include an upper plate and a lower plate. The upper and lower plates are sealed together around an edge area of the cassette, thereby forming a flow path within the cassette between the inlet and outlet. The plates are formed with a stamped pattern that increases the surface area of the plates as compared to a flat plate surface. The pattern includes a series of weld points whereby the upper and lower plate are welded or bonded together at a point location.

Abstract: The invention discloses a condensing gas water heater, a condensing heat exchanger as well as heat exchanger plates. The condensing heat exchanger comprises: a housing and at least one heat exchanger plate disposed in the housing; the heat exchanger plate comprises a first metal board and a second metal board butting each other, wherein a surface of the first metal board and a surface of the second metal board which butt each other are butting surfaces, and two outer surfaces opposite to the butting surfaces are a first surface and a second surface, respectively; at least one of the first metal board and the second metal board is formed with a convex flow guide portion along a direction away from the butting surface; the first metal board and the second metal board form a fluid passage via the flow guide portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solar energy absorber unit for a solar energy device, and methods of producing the same. The unit includes a collector plate having a front surface adapted to absorb solar energy and a rear surface. A rear panel has an inner surface attached to areas of the rear surface of the collector plate via a fluid-tight bond but leaving a fluid-conveying channel between the areas of the rear surface of the plate where the panel is attached. The collector plate and preferably the rear panel are each made of a core layer of an aluminum alloy provided with a cladding layer formed on a side of the core layer that confronts the fluid-conveying channel, the cladding layer being made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy having a total content of alloying elements and impurities, if any, of no more than 0.5 wt. %.

Abstract: A method for producing a solar heat absorber for a solar collector, the solar heat absorber having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The method includes the steps of providing a first and a second substantially flat metal plate, laser welding the plates together at least along a perimeter of the plates, providing at least a circumferential weld while pressing the plates together, placing the welded plates in a press that provides its pressure at the weld or welds and the press applying a pressure of at least 200 tons per m2 of absorber, and then providing a fluid under a pressure to the absorber via at least one of the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a fluid channel on a surface that is subject to extreme temperatures is described. The embodiments described herein provide a fluid channel wherein the surface that is subject to the extreme temperatures forms one side of the fluid channel.

Abstract: A method for making a current collector plate includes providing a first sheet of material having a first bonding face and a first outer face. A second sheet of material is provided having a second bonding face and a second outer face. A work area is defined on at least one of the first bonding face and the second bonding face. The first and second sheets are bonded together at a bonding area which is different from the work area. The bonded first and second sheet is placed into a die having a pattern defining at least one flow channel. Fluid is injected between the first and second sheets thereby causing at least one of the first and second sheets to project outward at the work area causing at least one flow channel to be formed in the work area as defined by the die pattern.

Abstract: An anti-bonding material is placed in a desired pattern onto a first sheet of conductive material. A second sheet of conductive material is roll bonded with the first sheet of material. Fluid is injected between the bonded first and second sheets of material to expand the sheets of material at the desired pattern. A flow channel is formed at the desired pattern between the first and second sheet during fluid injection.

Abstract: A heat exchanger including a plate pair having first and second plates each having an outward depression extending to a peripheral edge thereof, the first and second plates defining a fluid channel therebetween and secured to one another with the outward depressions defining a flow opening in communication with the fluid channel. An outer flange extends substantially around a periphery of the flow opening. A tubular fitting with a first end and an outer surface having an annular flange thereon spaced apart from the first end is secured to the plate pair with the first end received within the flow opening and the annular flange abutting against the outer flange.

Abstract: A superplastically formed, diffusion bonded sandwich structure having integral metal hardpoints, made by joining two superplastic metal core sheets together into a core pack by welding or diffusion bonding along a pattern of lines which form junction lines between the core sheets when the pack is inflated by gas pressure at superplastic temperatures. Face sheets are laid under and over the core pack and metal inserts are interposed between the face sheets and the core. All of the sheets in the pack are sealed together around an outside peripheral edge to create a gas tight envelope. The pack is heated to superplastic temperatures in a cavity in a die, and the top and bottom face sheets are diffusion bonded to top and bottom surfaces of the metal insert by application of heat and pressure from top and bottom inner surfaces of the die cavity.

Abstract: The module is formed from two sheets welded to each other by laser welding. Longitudinal weld beads define between them longitudinal ducts for the flow of a first fluid. The sheets are also joined together by a peripheral weld bead. The weld bead defines, beyond the longitudinal ducts, a transition zone which narrows from the longitudinal ducts up to the gap. Weld spots are previously formed in this zone. Once the welds are completed, the module is formed by the injection of a fluid under pressure through a gap in the weld bead. Utilization for rendering mutually compatible the variations in width of the module during hydroforming in the end regions and for forming, with the transitions zone, a flow distributer to the various channels during operation.