Abstract: According to the preferred embodiment, an improved method and apparatus for the manufacturing of an aluminum tube and aluminum fin heat exchanger that includes steps for pneumatic cleaning, thermal cleaning, and uncontrolled-atmosphere open-flame autobrazing of hairpins to return bend fittings. The method uses a tube lubrication system that is adjustable to control amount of lubrication applied to the tube prior to final expansion. The method uses a pneumatic coil cleaning station that is adjusted to reduce the residual oil particulate from the expansion process required to be thermally cleaned.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 16, 2011
Date of Patent:
April 1, 2014
Assignee:
Goodman Global, Inc.
Inventors:
James Branyon, Rodney Catlett, Sean Mosser, Lawrence Walker, Ronald Wenger
Abstract: According to the preferred embodiment, an improved method and apparatus for the manufacturing of an aluminum tube and aluminum fin heat exchanger that includes steps for pneumatic cleaning, thermal cleaning, and uncontrolled-atmosphere open-flame autobrazing of hairpins to return bend fittings. The method uses a tube lubrication system that is adjustable to control amount of lubrication applied to the tube prior to final expansion. The method uses a pneumatic coil cleaning station that is adjusted to reduce the residual oil particulate from the expansion process required to be thermally cleaned.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 23, 2009
Date of Patent:
December 13, 2011
Assignee:
Goodman Global, Inc.
Inventors:
James Branyon, Rodney Catlett, Sean Mosser, Lawrence Walker, Ronald Wenger
Abstract: An improved hairpin expander machine equipped with a closed-loop-controlled hydraulically positioned bolster plate and a heat exchanger-holding fixture characterized by a full-length, continuous front plate, back plate, and side rails. The hairpin expander includes a novel heat exchanger bottom end plate clamping mechanism as part of the fixture. These features enable the hairpin expander to provide larger expansion ratios and exert greater forces with tighter control, which is required for producing heat exchangers with reduced diameter hairpin tubes according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 16, 2009
Date of Patent:
October 18, 2011
Assignee:
Goodman Global, Inc.
Inventors:
Dan Dees, Eric Garza, Stephen Merschat, Sean Mosser, Andrew Overturff, Dale Stetson, William Topper
Abstract: According to a preferred embodiment, an improved method and apparatus for manufacturing tube and fin heat exchangers that includes a step for reducing the outer diameter of stock tubing to a value well below nominal prior to bending the tubing into hairpins. The reduced diameter increases the stiffness of the resultant hairpins and allows for efficient lacing of the heat exchanger fins and end plates. The method uses pre-size rollers that are adjustable for reducing the diameter of the tubing. The invention also includes a hairpin and heat exchanger manufactured according to the method.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 13, 2008
Date of Patent:
October 11, 2011
Assignee:
Goodman Global, Inc.
Inventors:
Dan Dees, Eric Garza, Stephen Merschat, Sean Mosser, Andrew Overturff, Dale Stetson, William Topper