Abstract: A furnace heat exchanger and support plate assembly are joined together at respective openings for the burner assembly and for the combustion products outlet by an oval rim defining the heat exchanger opening and a cooperating flange on a partition plate and extending perpendicular to the plane of the plate. The flange on the partition plate is inserted in the opening in the heat exchanger unit and expanded radially outward with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the openings to form a leakproof joint. An improved method of forming the joint includes the use of an expander mechanism which may be inserted through the opening in the plate into the interior of the heat exchanger and engaged with the plate flange to expand the flange radially outwardly. A complete nonwelded furnace heat exchanger assembly includes one or more support members which are secured to flanges of the heat exchanger units without welding or mechanical fasteners.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having a flat tube with a plurality of fluid passageways therein, header pipes connected to opposite ends of the flat tube and inlet and outlet tubes connected to the header pipes, respectively. The inlet and outlet tubes are inserted and fitted into the corresponding ones of the header pipes and formed with axial slits in the inserted end portions. The opposite ends of the flat tube extend into header pipes through axial slits in the outer surfaces thereof and are fitted into the axial slits of the inlet and outlet tubes inserted therein. Thus, the inlet tube and the outlet tube are reliably maintained in their desired orientation. The header pipes are made of aluminum brazing sheet and, therefore, are brazed to the aluminum flat tube and the inlet and outlet aluminum tubes.

Abstract: Assembly of tubes in low carbon ferritic stainless steel having 17 to 18.5% by weight of chromium on a tube-plate of carbon steel. It includes at least one overlay of low carbon steel on the surface of the tube-plate opposite the plurality of tubes, of such thickness that the ends of the tubes are located at an intermediate level of the overlay, and weld beads between the ends of the tubes and the overlay.

Abstract: An evaporator core assembly for automotive air-conditioning service is disclosed in which attaching tubes, comprising the inlet, outlet and to some cases, an oil return tube, are removably secured to the core assembly in such a manner that the tubes may be adjusted to any desired angle in relation to the core assembly thereby reducing the service parts storage volume, required for making evaporator core assemblies of different or unique designs, as well as enabling the core assemblies to be made of different stack heights or dimensions. The removability is accomplished through the use of fittings of unique design, and nuts which are used in combination with these fittings.

Abstract: A compact heat exchanger and method for making the same using the interior of randomly arranged interconnecting hollow spheres as a conduit for a first fluid and the exterior of same as a conduit for a second fluid of different temperature. The apparatus is constructed by fusing the points of contact between the objects of a packed cluster of objects, forming an impermeable layer on the fused objects and removing the fused objects to leave hollow shells interconnected at their points of contact. The interconnecting interiors of the hollow shells form an inner space to which fluid entry and exit ports may be provided to entry and exit manifolds. An outer interstitial space is realized by channeling the second fluid through the porosity in the cluster of shells comprised of the spaces outside the interconnected hollow shells.

Abstract: Assembly device of tubes of low carbon ferritic stainless steel having 17 to 18.5% by weight of chromium on a tube-plate of carbon steel. It includes a first overlay of low carbon austenitic stainless steel having 11.50 to 14% by weight of nickel and 22 to 25% by weight of chromium on the surface of the tube-plate opposite the plurality of tubes, a second overlay on the first of low carbon austenitic stainless steel having 10 to 12% by weight of nickel and 19 to 23% by weight of chromium extending beyond the upper level of the ends of the tubes, and weld beads with or without filling metal around these ends between these ends and the stainless steel of the second overlay.

Abstract: A heat exchanger comprising a field of profiled tubes arranged in vertical columns and horizontal rows, each profiled tube being of oblong shape and, at least in part, surrounded by at least two supporting profile strips extending in the direction of fluid flow. The profiled strips of adjacent profiled tubes in a column are held at their ends in a well-defined position. Furthermore, the profile strips can rest directly or indirectly on other profile strips, adjacent thereto at the left or right, of adjacent profiled tubes. In this way, individual profiled tubes are longitudinally displaceable in an exact field arrangement and can compensate for changes in length.

Abstract: A water-condensing heat exchanger recovers heat from a hot flue gas, subjecting tubes of the heat exchanger to substantial thermal expansion and contraction, and corrosive constituents in the flue gas require that metal tube sheets be thoroughly insulated from the flue gas during operation in a water-condensing mode. The heat exchanger is constructed by heat-forming edge portions of holes in plastic sheets through holes in tube sheets, temporarily plugging the plastic-lined holes to limit diametrical reduction, and entering tubes through the plastic-lined holes sufficiently shortly after unplugging the holes that further diametrical reduction of the holes causes them to grip and fixedly locate the tubes relative to the tube sheets. The method of manufacture also concerns providing a fluroplastic coating, e.g., polytetrafluoroethylene, on the interior elements of the heat exchanger to inhibit corrosion thereof; such coatings are hydrophobic thus allowing falling condensate to be washed away easily.

Abstract: A minimum-wear through-bore (16) is defined within a heat exchanger tube support plate (14) so as to have an hourglass configuration as determined by means of a constant radiused surface curvature (18) as defined by means of an external radius (R3), wherein the surface (18) extends between the upper surface (20) and lower surface (22) of the tube support plate (14). When a heat exchange tube (12) is disposed within the tube support plate (14) so as to pass through the through-bore (16), the heat exchange tube (12) is always in contact with a smoothly curved or radiused portion of the through-bore surface (16) whereby unacceptably excessive wear upon the heat exchange tube (12), as normally developed by means of sharp edges, lands, ridges, or the like conventionally part of the tube support plates, is eliminated or substantially reduced.

Abstract: The invention concerns a heat exchanger comprising a heat exchanger block having a plurality of tubes and fins arranged transversely to the tubes, at least one tube plate and a water tank, both made of a synthetic plastic material. The tube plate has orifices to receive the ends of the tubes and the water tank is fastened in a water tight manner to the tube plate. In order to obtain a simple and reliable joint of the heat exchanger tubes with the tube plate and the water tank with the tube plate, the plastic tube plate is provided on one side with projections. The orifices are located in these projections and the ends of the tubes are mounted in these orifices by expansion in the radial direction or impression in the axial direction. Both the tube plate and the water tank are equipped with flat surfaces at their edges. These surfaces rest on each other and the tube plate is joined with the water tank by vibration welding on these surfaces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for joining tubular parts of a heat exchanger that are inserted into each other, as well as to a tool for practicing the method.

Abstract: A tube support grid and spacers therefor provide radially inward preloading of heat exchange tubes to minimize stress upon base welds due to differential thermal expansion. The grid comprises a concentric series of rings and spacers with opposing concave sides for conforming to the tubes and V-shaped ends to provide resilient flexibility. The flexibility aids in assembly and in transmitting seismic vibrations from the tubes to a shroud. The tube support grid may be assembled in place to achieve the desired inwardly radial preloading of the heat exchange tubes. Tab and slot assembly further minimizes stresses in the system. The radii of the grid rings may be preselected to effect the desired radially inward preloading.

Abstract: The exchanger is placed in a fluid of elevated temperature and comprises tubes connected to an inlet header and to an outlet header. The exchanger comprises a plurality of panels (4) constituted by tubes (41 to 48) extending below two inlet headers and two outlet headers, to which they are connected at the upstream and downstream ends, and forming two semi-panels which are imbricated one inside the other, each semi-panel comprising a subheader tube (41 or 42) connected to an inlet header (21 or 22) and being divided into at least one tube (43,44,45 or 46, 47, 48) which is coiled into a laced configuration so that the two sub-header tubes (41 or 42) extend vertically within the envelope of said tubes having a laced configuration and they support them through cantilever supports (411, 421). This exchanger may be in particular employed in a fluidized bed apparatus or for the recovery of the heat of gas or fumes.

Abstract: In an arrangement of at least two discrete structural parts in package form which are spaced apart from each other, the individual structural parts are coated at least on one circumference of the structural part with a metal- or ceramic-powder collar. The powder collars serve as spacers between adjacent structural parts, are preferably sprayed on, and reliably prevent fretting corrosion between the structural parts.

Abstract: A convection flow heat exchanger comprises peripherally flanged upper and lower manifolds 14, 15 connected between a transformer housing 2 and an array of parallel heat exchanging plates 12 having internal fluid passages. The manifolds have openings 16 which mate with correspondingly configured openings 13 in upper and lower corners of the plates. This arrangement eliminates bottlenecks in and simplifies the cooling fluid flow path, and enables the effective heat exchange area to be increased.

Abstract: A plate assembly is secured to a heat exchanger unit for a hot air furnace at each of one or more apertures in the unit by expanding a flange extending around an aperture on the plate within the aperture in the unit to cause such flange to conform to the exact shape of the aperture in the unit and form a leak-proof joint between the heat exchanger unit and plate assembly.

Abstract: A nozzle for a shell of a heat exchanger particularly useful as the outlet nozzle thereof in which an outlet pipe extends into the shell, and a bellmouth orifice is provided at the end of the pipe. A mounting plate is attached to the orifice and extends between the perimeter of the orifice and the shell, for minimizing the flow of fluid behind the orifice. Vents are provided in the plate for equalizing the pressures on opposite sides of the plates.

Abstract: A fluid coupling assembly which is capable of interconnecting an oil cooler 26 disposed within a radiator header with an oil line 200 or 300 terminating outside of said header. The coupling includes a tubular fitting 204 or 304 which has a first portion brazed about a port 32 in the oil cooler and a second portion which is adapted to be secured to a header wall 37 or 70. The tubular fitting is provided with a bore and the tubular connector end portion 202 or 302 of the oil line is adapted to be telescoped within the bore to an assembled position. A seal 206 or 306 is mounted within the bore. Coupler means 208 or 308 are provided for holding the tubular fitting and the tubular connector end portion in their assembled position, the coupler means including a radially outwardly extending surface 246 or 346 on the tubular connector end portion and a spring wire clip 248 or 348 received within a groove 242 or 342 on the tubular fitting.

Abstract: An heat exchanger including a shell for flow of a first fluid and a plurality of tubes for flow of a second fluid in heat exchange relation therewith. A tubular member is concentric with at least a portion of a tube to define a space between the tube and tubular member. The tubular member includes at least one radially outwardly longitudinally extending projection portion for effecting flexing of the tubular member radially outwardly so that a minimum clearance between the tube and tubular member may be provided, and so that the tube may be inserted in and removed from the tubular member to provide greater accessibility for welding tubular members to tube sheets during assembly. Oxygen may be introduced into the space between the tubular member and tube to combine with tritium which may diffuse through the tubular member wall to prevent diffusion of the tritium through the tube wall.

Abstract: A vapor trap is placed in fluid communication with the vapor exhaust pipe of a supercooled rotor between, and in fluid communication with, the helium reservoir of the supercooled rotor and the portion of the exhaust pipe which is in contact with the torque tube of the rotor. By preventing a reverse flow of heated helium gas through the exhaust pipe toward the helium reservoir, the vapor trap of the present invention improves the operation of the rotor's vapor pump. Operating in a manner similar to liquid traps, the present invention blocks the passage of heated helium vapor in a reverse direction and thus improves the overall operation of the supercooled rotor.

Abstract: A heat exchanger wherein a plurality of individual tubular parts are connected with each other is provided having a common pressure element for tube connections arranged in a plane. According to FIG. 1, a pressure platen 6 is present, which consists of a material harder than that of the external tubular part and is equipped with a number of orifices 7 corresponding to the number of tube connections. The pressure platen 6 surrounds the outer and inner tubular parts inserted in each other, and the diameter of the orifices 7 is smaller, at least in part, than the external diameter of the outer tubular part. According to the process for the manufacture of the heat exchanger, all of the tube connections are produced simultaneously by means of pressing on the pressure platen. Each of the tube connections is effected by reducing the cross section by means of plastic deformation of at least the outer, tubular part, whereby a press fit of the tubular part is obtained.

Abstract: A fluid-to-fluid such as a liquid-to-air heat exchanger and a method of making such a heat exchanger in which there is provided a header plate, a plurality of liquid coolant tubes each extending into a hole in the header plate, a primary load bearing joint subject to the formation of leakage openings in the joint joining each tube to the header plate at its tube opening, and a thin sealant sealing against leakage any leakage openings that may be present or that may occur.

Abstract: An apparatus for the collection of solar heat energy and a solar collector for use therewith in which a fluid media is conducted to flow in heat exchange relation with a heat absorber that can be selectively activated and deactivated for use without disassembly of the apparatus and in which the heat absorber is enclosed within a heat exchanger having a plurality of chambers at least one of which is in the path of the direct rays of the sun, but which permits an exchange and equalization of temperatures in all of the chambers while the whole is enclosed in an outer housing.

Abstract: A method for installing a close-fitting cylindrical metal sleeve (26) within a tube (14) secured to a tube sheet (12) of a steam generator, comprising the following steps. First, the sleeve is inserted into the tube until an upper portion (28) of the sleeve is above the tube sheet while the lowr portion (30) of the sleeve is within the tube sheet. Next, the upper portion of the sleeve is radially deformed against the adjacent tube wall to form substantially coextensive permanent bulges (32,34) around the circumferences of the sleeve and the tube. The sleeve is then displaced axially, or longitudinally, relative to the tube, such that the bulge in the sleeve produces a wedge-like mechanical interference seal (40) against the tube wall (16'). Finally, the lower portion (30,38) of the sleeve is joined and sealed (42) against the adjacent tube wall (16') to permanently maintain the tight mechanical interference seal at the upper portion of the sleeve.

Abstract: A joint construction for a fin-and-tube type heat exchanger formed of aluminum suitable for use as an evaporator of a cooling system for an automotive vehicle, wherein an end plate near the open ends of tubes is formed with openings larger in diameter than the openings formed in fins to which the tubes are securedly fixed. The joint construction includes a flare formed at the open end of the tube by inserting a tube end flaring punch and restrained by the opening formed in the end plate to be kept from outwardly expanding more than is necessary. Thus the flare produced has high dimensional accuracy and a tube member can be joined to the open end of each tube by brazing with a high degree of accuracy and precision. The brazed joint produced has higher reliability in performance than brazed joints of the prior art. The use of the improved joint construction enables brazing to be carried out automatically and allows a compact size to be obtained in a fin-and-tube type heat exchanger.

Abstract: A coupling between a stainless steel exhaust manifold of a recuperative heat exchanger and a plastic flue pipe. The internal integrity of the manifold is maintained by spot welding a mounting bracket to the outside thereby defining a slot between parallel portions of the bracket and the manifold. The flue pipe inserts through coaxial circular apertures in the bracket and the manifold. A shoulder of an annular protrusion on the outside of the flue pipe presses against an O-ring seated in an inwardly directed step of the circular aperture in the manifold thereby providing an airtight seal. The flue pipe is secured in the described position by a bifurcated retainer clip slid down into the slot thereby engaging portions of the opposite shoulder of the annular protrusion.

Abstract: There is illustrated and described herein a heat exchanger including rows of tubes, a pair of headers secured to the ends of the tubes, a groove formed in each of the headers adjacent the peripheral wall thereof and intermediate adjacent rows of tubes, a recessed portion formed along the full length of the centerline of each groove, a pair of tanks having walls aligned with and mounted in the grooves of the respective headers, a ledge formed around the outside wall of each header, a chamfer formed along each of the inner and outer edges of the tank walls to form a blunt edge at the ends of the chamfers, and a gasket mounted in each groove and depressed along its centerline into said recessed portions by the blunt edge, the tanks being retained in position by bending spaced extensions of the peripheral wall of each header onto the ledge.

Abstract: This invention relates to tubes and tube assemblies of plastics material, particularly for connecting heat-exchangers to circuits. Each tube comprises at least one median section, with ends respectively connected by elbows to an inlet section and an outlet section. Each tube consists essentially of two moulded pieces tightly joined to each other along a parting plane which is chosen so as to cut the median section into two parts along its longitudinal axis. At least one of the two moulded pieces comprises at least one of the inlet and outlet sections.

Abstract: A compact secondary heat exchanger, installed above the preliminary heat exchanger in a down draft-type gas burning furnace, so greatly reduces combustion gas temperature as to recover a portion of the latent heat in the water vapor created by burning the hydrocarbon gas.

Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor system for introducing heat energy into or removing heat energy from fluidized reactants undergoing reaction includes, in a first embodiment, a fluidized bed reactor for fluidizing a particulate material in a fluidizing medium and a heat generator for supplying heat energy to the fluidized bed. A plurality of heat pipes interconnect the heat generator and the fluidized bed reactor with the evaporator portions of the heat pipes extending into the heat generator and the condenser portions thereof extending into the fluidized bed. Thermal energy from the heat generator is absorbed by the evaporator portions of the heat pipes and conveyed through the heat pipes to the condenser portions where the thermal energy is transferred to the fluidized bed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for appropriately deforming the tube extensions projecting beyond the tube sheet is disclosed. The excess extension material is rolled backwardly toward the tube sheet and slit to prevent catastrophic failure of the extension such that the tube extensions are all configured to extend equidistantly from the tube sheet notwithstanding the fact that they extended various distances depending upon the irregularities of the expansion process. The tooling includes a cylindrical tool having portions for rolling material back towards the tube sheet and spaced teeth for slitting the material to relieve any potential for catastrophic failure.

Abstract: A fluidized bed combustor comprises a reactor or a housing which has a windbox distributor plate adjacent the lower end thereof which contains a multiplicity of hole and air discharge nozzles for discharging air and coal into a fluidized bed which is maintained above the distributor plate and below a take-off connection or flue to a cyclone separator in which some of the products of combustion are treated to remove the dust which is returned into the fluidized bed. A windbox is spaced below the fluidized bed and it has a plurality of tubes passing therethrough with the passage of combustion air and fluidizing air which passes through an air space so that fluidizing air is discharged into the reaction chamber fluidized bed at the bottom thereof to maintain the bed in a fluidized condition.

Abstract: In thermal cracking of hydrocarbons, especially steam cracking to light olefins, a transfer line heat exchanger unit is provided in which cracked gas flows from a furnace into heat exchange tubes, which comprises a distributor having an inlet for said gas and two or three diverging branches forming with said distributor a wye or tri-piece for passage of gas, each branch having along its length a substantially uniform cross-sectional area and being in fluid flow communication with a respective cooling tube. Unfired residence time and pressure drop are reduced, thereby improving selectivity to ethylene.

Abstract: A heat transfer tube assembly comprising a pair of fluid circulation tubes disposed co-axially one within the other, the inner tube being held substantially concentric within the outer tube by a plurality of pairs of diametrally opposed depressions or dimples formed in the peripheral surface of the outer tube at regular intervals. Each depression or dimple projects inwardly such as to engage and indent the peripheral surface of the inner tube and to cause a corresponding portion of the inner tube to bulge inwardly during forming of the dimples in the periphery of the outer tube by forming punches or, preferably, by two pairs of diametrally opposed rolls, each provided with an appropriate dome-shaped protuberance on its peripheral surface for roll forming the dimples as a result of longitudinally feeding the outer tube, with the inner tube disposed within the outer tube, between the rotating rolls.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for high temperature operation has a ceramic-walled chamber traversed by ceramic tubes and is capable of use inter alia in fluidised bed applications. The tubes are arranged in series of successive banks and to give a compact arrangement the successive banks of tubes at different levels are disposed transversely to each other. The tubes may have internal and external reinforcing means to allow them to withstand the loads imposed by the fluidised bed and generally to allow longer tubes to be used in ceramic constructions. The internal reinforcing means may also provide restrictions that in fluidised bed applications can function to minimise the effects of tube wall fracture by reducing carry-over of bed particles seeping into the tubes. For improved end sealing, means can be provided to hold resilient ceramic seals compressed against the tube ends while permitting axial thermal movement of the tubes.

Abstract: In a radiator having flat tubes arranged in parallel and connected to header pipes for feed and return flow, each flat tube has two connection bores near the front end thereof. To enable the radiator to be manufactured by the use of pressure welding, a support part, angled into U-form with two bent ends arranged coaxially with the two connection bores, is inserted into each flat tube. These ends of the support part prevent the flat tube from being pressed inwardly during pressure welding. The portion of the support part extending parallel with the end edge of the flat tube is welded to the tube end edge, so that the support part simultaneously also forms the end closure wall of the flat tube.

Abstract: A solar heat collector including an outer subtantially straight tube being closed at one end and open at the other end and an inner substantially straight tube being closed at one end and open at the other end. The inner and outer tubes are hermetically sealed at their open ends with the space therebetween being evacuated to a predetermined degree of vacuum. A hairpin pipe for circulation of fluid media is disposed within the inner tube and includes two substantially straight sections wherein both or at least one of which is in surface contact with the inner surface of the inner tube. A pair of heat-conducting members are disposed within the inner tube and include arc portions and inwardly bent flat portions. The arc portions are semi-circular in shape and are joined to the inwardly bent flat portions through transient portions inclined at an angle .theta. wherein 120.degree..ltoreq..theta..ltoreq.150.degree..

Abstract: The heat exchange tube has a porous thermal shock resistant outer shell composed of a corrosion resistant ceramic material that may have a finned outer surface or a plain cylindrical outer surface. The outer shell contains an inner tube composed of a dense nonporous ceramic which is capable of containing high pressure gases, but which may not be as thermally shock resistant or corrosion resistant as the outer shell. The inner tube is formed of a dense ceramic material such as a highly dense silicon carbide or silicon nitride having at each end a like density insert. The end inserts provide sealing surfaces to contact other components in the heat exchanger such as identical ceramic tube assemblies to form a gas-type pressure seal. The inner tube can be fabricated by a deposition technique suh as a chemical or physical vapor deposition, and alternatively, can be made separately and press fitted into the outer shell or the outer shell can be cast or otherwise formed around the inner tube.

Abstract: A frame for supporting a parallel array of a plurality of tubular glass solar energy collectors. A transverse manifold, which extends perpendicularly to all the collector tubes, supports one end of each tube and serves also to direct the flow of the heat transfer fluid through the tubes. The manifold is secured to brackets which in turn are secured to longitudinal structural members. A rigid transverse support member is secured to the ends of the longitudinal structural members and mounts the other end of each tube, permitting preassembly of the glass tubes in the frame and installation on a roof as a module. Tension rods between the brackets and the transverse support member prestress the frame and add rigidity.

Abstract: A superheater supported in a furnace and composed of a plurality of piping lengths in which the individual pipe lengths are supported in the furnace by a pair of hanger rods pivotally mounted to the pipe lengths substantially at the ends of the pipe lengths, the rods being slidably mounted to a support surface exterior of the furnace whereby the rods are free to move in a longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pipe lengths. The inlet and outlet headers to and from the superheater can comprise the support surface for the hanger rods.

Abstract: A heat exchange unit is disclosed having a combination coupling retainer and support. This combination coupling retainer and support acts to both secure a suction line coupling and a liquid line coupling connected to the appropriate headers of the heat exchanger and to provide structural support for the heat exchange unit. The coupling retainer and support includes a suction line opening for securing the suction line coupling therein and a liquid line slot in an arcuate configuration adapted to secure the liquid line coupling. This combination retainer and support is capable of being used in various units with heat exchangers mounted at differing angles, the suction line coupling serving as a pivot point and the liquid line coupling being positioned within the liquid line slot to secure the various components.

Abstract: The tube has an oblong shape in cross-section with smaller sides rounded. The two ends of the tube are shaped so that the larger sides are formed with concavities making that in cross-section said two ends have a figure 8 shape over a portion of height corresponding at least to height of insertion of the tube in a tube plate.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for the condensation of vapors, comprises a coil pipe having an upper inlet end and a lower outlet end and a plurality of lengths of pipe arranged in zigzag fashion between the upper and lower ends. Liquid is sprayed from above onto the coil pipe, and air is moved upwardly along the coil pipe. The lengths of pipe are inclined downwardly at acute angles to the horizontal from the inlet end to the outlet end. These acute angles progressively increase downwardly in such a way that the angles between pairs of adjacent lengths of pipe progressively increase downwardly for a plurality of those pairs. The inclination to the horizontal of the lowermost length of pipe is not more than 30.degree. and that of the uppermost not less than 3-5.degree.. The increment of angle increase, from pipe length to pipe length, is likewise 3-5.degree.. Vertical strips of plate are disposed between the lengths of pipe, to increase the evaporation surface.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is provided, comprising a housing defining a cavity therein, the housing having an inlet and outlet for feeding fluid into, and removing fluid from, the cavity of the housing, a pair of fixed spaced head plates fixed to the housing at either end of the cavity to preclude passage of fluid past the plates between the housing and plates, a pair of second head plates, one for each fixed head plate and secured to the side of the fixed head plate remote the other fixed spaced head plate, at least one of which second plates being removably secured to the fixed head plates, a gasket positioned between the fixed head plates and second plates, the housing further comprising covers for covering the head plates and providing a space between the head plates and cover, a pair of spacer plates secured to the housing between the fixed head plates, each spacer plate positioned adjacent each fixed head plate, the spacer plates permitting fluid within the cavity to flow therethrough, each of the fixed and secur

Abstract: A solderless crimped joint and method for forming same for a heat exchanger (10) of the type having a heat transfer core (12) including a plurality of fins (14) in parallel stacked relationship for defining heat transfer surfaces and a plurality of fluid-carrying tubes (16, 18) extending transversely through the fins (14) for defining a fluid circuit. The fluid circuit includes at least one solderless tube-to-tube joint wherein a first tube (18) includes an end having an annular outwardly extending shoulder (20) followed by an inwardly tapered open frustroconical portion (22). A second tube (16) forming the joint includes an end having an outwardly flared portion (24) in mating engagement with the frustroconical portion (22) and an inwardly extending flange (26) crimped over the shoulder (20) for forcing the tapered portion (22) into the flared portion (24).

Abstract: A heat exchanger having an openable casing for the removable reception of a fluid carrying coil for a first fluid. The coil includes a straight section surrounded by helical turns. The helical turns contacting the interior surface of the casing to thereby form a complimentary helical fluid flow path for a second fluid. The casing is provided with an inlet and an outlet for the second fluid, the first fluid entering one end of the coil and exiting from the other end of the coil.

Abstract: The heat exchange tube has a porous thermal shock resistant outer shell composed of a corrosion resistant ceramic material that may have a finned outer surface or a plain cylindrical outer surface. The outer shell contains an inner tube composed of a dense nonporous ceramic which is capable of containing high pressure gases, but which may not be as thermally shock resistant or corrosion resistant as the outer shell. The inner tube is formed of a dense ceramic material such as a highly dense silicon carbide or silicon nitride having at each end a like density insert. The end inserts provide sealing surfaces to contact other components in the heat exchanger such as identical ceramic tube assemblies to form a gas-type pressure seal. The inner tube can be fabricated by a deposition technique such as a chemical or physical vapor deposition, and alternatively, can be made separately and press fitted into the outer shell or the outer shell can be cast or otherwise formed around the inner tube.

Abstract: A ceramic tube recuperator for recovering energy from hot flue gases, in which a multiplicity of heat exchange elements connected to a cold air inlet manifold and a hot air outlet chamber extend upwardly into a flow passage for hot flue gases. Each heat exchanger comprises an inner open ended tube extending into the cold air inlet manifold, and an outer ceramic tube having a closed upper end and an open lower end communicating with the hot air chamber. An essential feature of the invention is that the lower end of the ceramic tube is sealed solely as a result of resting on an annular seal, so that the ceramic tube may be removed and replaced simply by lifting and lowering through an access opening in the flue passage.

Abstract: A solar collector of the tubular type comprising a solar energy transmissive outer tube encircling a solar energy converter inner tube disposed for having a flow of fluid directed longitudinally through it. The outer and inner tubes have respective opposing end portions sealed to one another and respective mid-portions radially spaced from one another for forming an interposed vacuum chamber. The sealed joints may include at least one flexible member disposed to compensate for differences in thermal characteristics of the inner and outer tubes. The inner tube is provided with an exhaust tubulation which communicates with the vacuum chamber for evacuating the chamber, and extends inwardly of the inner tube for producing turbulence in the flow of fluid to aid in the transfer of heat energy from the inner tube to the fluid.

Abstract: A self-tapping coupling for plastic piping has a hollow cylindrical section with external self-tapping threads and a sealing member with an O-ring whereby the sealing member is retained in the end of the plastic pipe by the threads cut by the cylindrical section when the latter is inserted in the end of the pipe with rotation.