Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the manufacture of heat exchanger elements. A pair of strips of weldable material e.g. high-grade steel is welded together in such a way that on both sides a longitudinally extending weld seam is formed, said pair of strips between said longitudinally extending weld seam defining a longitudinal channel which extends parallel to the weld seams and which serves for the conduction of heating or cooling agents. At least one of the strips is first provided with at least one longitudinally extending groove and is longitudinally welded to the other strip of the pair of strips in such a way that the groove forms with the part of the other strip covering it a longitudinal channel. A liquid filler material is poured into the longitudinal channel and solidified by cooling to below its freezing point.

Abstract: A condenser comprising a condenser shell, a plurality of titanium tubes and a titanium tube plate, wherein the condenser shell at the junction with the tube plate is explosion plated with titanium and a water-tight weld is provided between the titanium plating and the tube plate.

Abstract: A heat exchanger such as a radiator for an automotive engine is produced by fixing lengths of flattened tubes and corrugated fins to each other by brazing within a furnace. The flattened tube is formed by bending a strip and welding the opposing edges of the bent strip to each other to form a tube of a substantially circular cross-section, and applying pressure to the tube along the weld line to form the flattened tube while depressing the tube wall along the weld line to form an elongated recess or groove along the weld line. Then, a brazing material is applied to the outer surfaces of the flattened tube to cover and fill up any minute weld defects which may exist in the flattened tube whereby the weld defects are repaired.

Abstract: A method of eutectic bonding of a stainless steel fine mesh screen directly to a surface of a titanium member by cleaning the surfaces of the screen and member and subjecting those parts to pressure to secure an intimate contact and heat to effect the bonding thereof without destroying the integrity of the screen and adversely affecting the wicking action of the screen which is of prime importance.

Abstract: A reaction vessel including a generally cylindrical center part and two plates or discs which are secured to and close the ends of the center part. The reactant is fed into the interior of the vessel where the polymerization or other chemical reaction takes place. A heat transfer or heat exchanger system is formed by a smooth liner that is mounted coaxially with and within the interior of the center part. The liner is spaced from the center part and it is secured to the center part by a plurality of support portions. The support portions serve both to brace the liner so that it can withstand the pressure of the reactant, and as partitions which form flow paths for a coolant, between the liner and the center part.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a number of fluid carrying tubes disposed in a hot gas flow path. One arrangement of heat exchanger tubes includes a plurality of finned serpentine tubes parallel to one another and connected to an inlet header and an outlet header. The present invention discloses a support for a serpentine tube arrangement and a method of construction for a non-contact heat exchanger.

Abstract: An improved plate-type heat exchanger and a method for joining the plates thereof is disclosed. The heat exchanger includes a core containing a plurality of spaced parallel plates. The core is attached to the housing of the heat exchanger by means of a spray weld process and a standard weld process. In the spray weld process a filler metal is deposited on the core and the housing frame at the joint where the end portion of the plates and the housing frame meet. The filler metal used in the spray weld process forms a spray weld fillet which increases the thickness of the plates. The standard weld process further secures the plates to the heat exchanger housing frame.

Abstract: A leaf-type cooling device for coupling a semi-conductor chip package to a heat sink is formed by accordion pleated folding of two copper strips coated on their non-mating sides with solder and their mating sides with polysulfone and then using heat to solder the non-mating surfaces of strip folds together and the ridges defined by the folds to respective opposed solderable supports. The polysulfone adhesive is thereafter removed by solvation to form interleaved fins between the supports. Springs function to bias the supports away from each other.

Abstract: In order to join a tube to a tubesheet of a heat exchanger, the end of the tube is inserted into a socket at the end of a hole that passes through the tubesheet. The socket is large enough to receive the tube, but the hole is not, so the tube bottoms out in the socket and is thus located both radially and axially by the socket. A ring mold is fitted around the tube and moved against the tubesheet, so that its end fits into an annular groove that surrounds the socket in the back face of the tubesheet. The ring mold has a chamfered confining surface that surrounds the tube where the tube emerges from the socket. Once the ring mold is in place the portion of tube that is within the socket is welded autogenously to the tubesheet by rotating an electrode within the hole. The molten weld metal flows outwardly to the confining surface, but is prevented by that surface from flowing circumfentially, even when the welding is performed with the tube in a horizontal position.

Abstract: An exterior surface portion of a metal tube (30) is bonded to a surface portion of a bore (11) in a metal tubesheet (10) by detonating an explosive bonding charge (31) inside the tube (30) adjacent a front face (13) of the tubesheet (10). The bonding charge (31) consists of nitroguanidine, and is contained within a polypropylene container comprising a cup structure (21) and a header structure (22). The cup structure (21) forms a receptacle for the bonding charge (31), and positions the bonding charge (31) at the proper depth within the tube (30) to achieve the desired bonding effect. The header structure (22) overlies and shapes the bonding charge (31), and contains a transfer charge (44) and a firing charge (45) for initiating detonation of the bonding charge (31). A firing assembly for initiating detonations of firing charges (45) in tubes (30) arranged in a plurality of linear arrays comprises a corresponding plurality of firing rails (24) and an initiation rail (27).

Abstract: A welding fixture for use in welding sleeves to a grid includes a plate having a pair of spaced pins with bushings for both locating the grid and positioning a sleeve, and abutment members; and a plurality of sleeve locating positioning pegs. A method of positioning a grid and sleeves for welding sleeves to the grid.

Abstract: A connection of the tubular ends of conduits or flow profiles which are associated with a cross-countercurrent matrix of a heat exchanger, and which are internally streamed through by a relatively cool gas (compressed air), to a suitably preperforated heat exchanger bottom of one or more manifolds formed for, respectively, the infeed or discharge of compressed air into or from the applicable heat exchanger matrix. In particular, the invention pertains to a method for the manufacture of such a connection.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing hollow flow profiles having optimum aerodynamic configurations in conformance with a commensurate application, about the respective outer skin of which there flows a first work medium during operation, such as hot gas, whereas ducts which are arranged within the interior of the flow profiles are concurrently streamed through by a second work medium, such as compressed air. The method of the present invention employs suitable deformation techniques (drawing, circular swaging or rolling) at preselected locations to particularly produce web-like aggregations of material. When appropriate materials are used for this purpose, contoured profiles of that type can also be formed through extruding. The webs, depending upon the demands of preceding or successive process steps, can be formed externally, internally or on both sides of the conduit material.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an improved header construction for use with fin and tube type heat exchangers which includes a base member having a plurality of tubular projections extending outward from a center interconnecting portion and a pair of oppositely extending substantially parallel spaced apart flange portions extending generally perpendicular to the interconnecting portion. A cover member is also included which has an interconnecting portion with a pair of similarly generally perpendicularly outwardly projecting subtantially parallel flange portions which are spaced apart a distance slightly less than the distance between the flange portions provided on the base member so as to be received between and adjacent to respective of the base member flange portions.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a heat exchanger using a non-eutectic solder which melts over a melting range is disclosed. The soldering is carried out in two successive soldering steps, first at a soldering temperature which is at the lower end of the melting range, and then at a higher soldering temperature within the same range. Flat plates and straight-edge strips are used for the first soldering step. The straight tube of flat cross section produced in this manner is then curved in the desired fashion and soldered in final manner by the second soldering step.

Abstract: A method of brazing heat exchanger cores in a cell inside which two heat exchangers are subjected to a gas flux flowing first through one heat exchanger in a first direction, then to a gas flux flowing through other heat exchanger in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A technique for securing a tube to a flange includes the steps of inserting the end of the tube into an aperture provided on the flange from the first side of the flange such that a portion of the tube extends at least to, and preferably beyond the second side of the flange opposite the first side. A ceramic plug is optionally inserted into the end of the tube to prevent weld spatter and tube burn-through. The tube is then welded to the flange about the circumference of the tube from the second side of the flange, and that portion of the tube which extends beyond the second side of the flange is removed by grinding to produce the finished product.

Abstract: The heat exchanger according to the invention comprises extremely flat oval-shaped tubes (3) extending in a mutually parallel and spaced-apart relationship and are connected on their narrow side to manifold pipes (1,2) for forward and return flow. To ensure a sufficiently stable mechanical connection between the pipes and a satisfactory supply and discharge of the heating medium from the manifolds to the flat tubes as well as in the reverse direction, a trough (5) is formed by material removal in the manifold pipes (1a, 2a) thus creating a connection aperture (6) in the wall of the pipe. The flat tube (3a) is fitted into this trough (5) with its rim on the narrow side, to ensure a solid stable welded joint between the pipes. The flat tube (3a) is provided on its narrow side with a bore serving as a connection aperture (7), which comes to lie centrally against the connection aperture (6) in the manifold (1a, 2a).

Abstract: A method of securing a tube, such as a condenser tube for a refrigeration cabinet, to the inside of the outer walls of the cabinet by means of direct welding between the tube and the oil panel of the cabinet. The tubing is formed to the desired configuration and a plurality of projections are formed on the tube for welding to the surface by a crimping action which indents the sidewalls of the tube at each weld location to produce a projection beyond the normal tubing wall while the rest of the tubing remains undeformed. Subsequently, the configuration of tubing is placed on the sheet and resistance-welded under conditions to produce a relatively light weld adhesion with a small weld nugget that does not create any significant discoloration or distortion on the other side of the sheet which becomes the finished exterior surface of the cabinet.

Abstract: A hot water heater tank is formed from a cylindrical body or tube and a header subassembly. The header subassembly includes first and second headers sized to fit in separately sized sections of the body of the tank. The subassembly, comprising the headers and interconnecting heat exchange tubes, is coated with a protective ceramic material prior to insertion into the cylindrical body of the tank.

Abstract: A holding fixture for use in the brazing of heat exchangers applying multiple holding pressures, two of which are in senses opposed to one another. Cage members mount a heat exchanger between them and are biased in a separating sense. At the same time they incorporate apparatus to apply a clamping pressure essentially within respective cage members. Fixture mechanism includes a detachable part useful as a reactant member in application of the clamping pressure and as a dynamic retainer in applying a pressure in conjunction with a separating motion of the cage members. The invention has method aspects related to brazing in the presence of multiple applied pressures.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing the peripheral wall of a tank for an oil-immersed electric apparatus which comprises manufacturing a panel unit through the steps of:fabricating a panel by pressing a thin steel sheet to form an upward extending flange along both edges of the panel and provide a plurality of reinforcement depressions concaved toward the backside of the flat portion of said panel;folding the panel into two parts with the surface of the panel kept outside along the central line extending between both edges of the panel to fabricate a hollow fin;joining both sides of the folded fin by spot welding the reinforcement depressions; andwelding together the closely facing edges of both sides of the fin,and constructing the peripheral wall of the tank by joining together a plurality of panel units fabricated through the above-mentioned steps by welding the flanges of said panel units.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of fabricating heat exchanger tubes in which twisted tapes are utilized for promoting turbulence and heat transfer. The method of the present invention provides for the brazing of the tapes to the inner walls of the tubes for enhancing heat transfer between the fluid within the conduit and a fluid medium outside of the conduit by conduction through the tape. The braze joint of the present invention is coextensive with the tape over the entire length thereof within the conduit. The practice of the present invention is achieved by placing a filler wire of brazing metal along the tape at a location removed from the side walls and then heating the conduit and tape sufficiently to effect the displacement of the filler metal by wicking to the contact point between the tape and the conduit wall to form a braze joint coextensive with the length of the tape within the conduit.

Abstract: A heat exchanger of this invention used as a radiator for an automotive vehicle has a core plate having a holding groove around its periphery for receiving a seal member as well as a flange of a tank member, wherein a concave-convex portion is formed in the outer surface of the outer or inner side wall forming the holding groove. According to this structure, an excess molten solder is gathered toward the concave-convex portion when the core plate is heated for soldering in a heat furnace. This prevents the excess solder from making a drop-shaped mass which has an adverse influence on a seal efficiency of the seal member.

Abstract: An assembly of top and bottom plates spaced apart vertically by peripheral and intermediate spacer bars forming a shelf of freeze drying or other processing equipment, is held together on a movable base support by peripheral clamps mounted removably at selected positions on the base support. A hollow framework carriage is mounted on the base support for movement above and relative to the shelf assembly and it supports a pair of elongated, laterally spaced clamp bars for retractable movement toward and away from the base support for releasably clamping therebetween interposed portions of the shelf assembly. A laser welder then is moved relative to the clamp assembly to weld the components together in the clamped areas. Upon completion of the welding operation, the clamp bars are retracted and the framework moved over the base support and assembly to the area next to be welded, whereupon the clamp bars are extended into clamping position and the welding operation is repeated.

Abstract: A method of producing multiple coil, multiple tube heat exchanger from circular tubes, in which alternating turns in each coil have a warmer liquid and other turns a cooler liquid, by coating the outside of each coil with a heat conductive mastic and winding the next coil against the mastic to force the mastic into spaces between adjoining tubes of the first coil, into spaces of adjoining tubes of the second coil and into spaces between opposed tubes of first and second coils. Mastic applied to outside of each coli or into grooves between turns as next coil wound. Double tubes of each coil preferably wound into grooves between turns of preceding coil. Second tube of each coil started across coil from first tube and continued at end of coil past first tube. Succeeding coils wound against mastic in same manner. Turns of first coil attached together, as by soldering, while first and last turns of succeeding coils similarly attached to adjacent turn of coil beneath.

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 method for the manufacture of heat exchangers where tubes of rectangular section are assembled with dissipators for forming a plane core which is curved by applying a bending force on the small sides of the tubes, thereby making cores. These cores are assembled by engaging the ends of the tubes into tubular plates which are part of boxes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing heat exchangers for cooling and heating purposes from substantially rectangular tube elements alternating with surface-enlarging members in the form of thin pleated metal strips being advanced, pressed against each other, through a heating zone for soldering together and thereafter discharged through a cooling zone for cooling the solder to fusion temperature, the advancing movement being opposed by a constant retarding force means acting in a direction counter to the direction of advance.

Abstract: A heat absorbing element formed from a single metal strip of substantially uniform thickness, comprising a tube having a wall comprising at least a double thickness of strip seamed along a line extending longitudinally of the tube to seal the tube for flow therethrough of a heat transfer fluid, and a fin along the tube stretching out from the seam line, the fin comprising at least one less thickness of strip than the tube wall. A method of manufacturing such an element is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for selectively obturating at least one end of a structural module provided with rows of parallel ducts for the passage of at least two different fluids, said method comprising the steps of forming notches in those portions of the module end corresponding to the rows through which flows a first one of said fluids, said notches forming openings through the lateral wall of said module, and depositing an impervious material over the end of said module, so as to obturate the ducts through which the other fluid or fluids flow, while laterally leaving free access, by means of said notches, to the ducts through which flows said first fluid, said impervious material being sprayed in a liquid state, then gradually cooled, the angle at which it is sprayed being between 18.degree. and 30.degree. with respect to the direction of the ducts.

Abstract: A method of internally nitriding and brazing assemblies having iron based components to which titanium has been internally added prior to casting. A brazed assembly includes iron based components to which titanium is added prior to casting and is dispersion strengthened by nitridation to form an array of titanium nitride particles.

Abstract: This invention provides zirconium stabilized corrosion-resistant ferritic stainless steels particularly suitable for long-term use at moderate service temperatures in the as-welded condition or following a high temperature anneal.

Abstract: A copper blank is provided with bores, and copper plugs are used to obtain blind bores. The plugs are connected to the blank in a variety of ways and are either placed centrally or at the bore ends; in the latter case, two such elements are interconnected back-to-back, possibly under inclusion of a solid center. In the former case, the plugs are soldered or brazed, preferably during annealing. In either case, a hollow drawing for sizing completes to process.

Abstract: This invention provides two stabilized corrosion-resistant ferritic stainless steels particularly suitable for long term use as tubing in the service environments frequently found in moisture separator reheater and feedwater preheater equipment in the steam supply systems of commercial electrical power generating stations.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly such as a radiator, or the like, comprising a core having front and rear faces and including tubes parallel to the faces and spaced fins extending transversely to the faces and the tubes respectively and interconnecting the tubes by being soldered thereto. The core has an opening therein defined by a group of the tubes being devoid of a length thereof so as to have spaced first and second open ends. A single tank is in fluid communication with the first and second ends to establish fluid communication therebetween. The tank has front and rear walls disposed adjacent the front and rear faces of the core and a peripheral wall extending about the opening and interconnecting the front and rear walls to define an enclosed volume within the tank. A tubular member extends through the volume between the front and rear walls and in spaced relationship to the peripheral wall for defining a clearance hole allowing access through the core between the opposite faces.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling cooling tubes and fin elements in the manufacture of heat exchangers, particularly radiators for motor vehicles, comprises stations for feeding the tubes and the fin elements to grooves in a rotatable drum. A tube and a fin element are positioned together in each groove in the drum and are then ejected together at an ejecting station by an expelling device. An advancing means advances the tube and the fin element along a transportation path in an alternate relationship. The tubes and the fin element are soldered to form units during their passage through a soldering station. In a preferred embodiment the feeding station for the fin elements is provided with a separate groove into which the fin elements are fed, before the transfer to the grooved drum.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling cooling tubes and fin elements in the manufacture of heat exchangers, particularly radiators for motor vehicles, comprises stations for feeding the tubes and the fin elements to grooves in a rotatable drum. A tube and a fin element are positioned together in each groove, and are then ejected together at an ejecting station by an expelling device. An advancing means advances the tube and the fin element along a transportation path. The tubes and the fin elements are soldered to form units during their passage along the transportation path through a soldering station. The expelling device initially operates at a fast speed to eject the tubes and fins and then operates at a second slower speed to advance, in cooperation with the advancing means, the tubes and fins along the transportation path.

Abstract: A method of making a heat exchanger of the type used in vehicle radiators and having a core of spaced welded, as contrasted to lock-seam, tubes and interconnecting fins connected to spaced liquid tanks.

Abstract: In brazed aluminum heat exchangers of plate type composed of piled heat exchanger units each comprising corrugated fin within the space defined by two sheets and side bars arranged at both ends of the plates, an improved heat exchanger comprising placing a thick bare member on the brazing sheet of the outer plate materials of the outermost units as a reinforcing member and brazing integrally by fluxless brazing procedure, thereby eliminating any special member.

Abstract: A full jacketed lined piping system with appropriate venting is provided wherein the jacket features welded construction to the flanges of the lined pipe.

Abstract: Method of making multi-port heat exchangers wherein tubular members made of metal that does not well lend itself to being extruded into a plurality of passageways may be divided into multiple passageways by dividers inserted thereinto and adhered thereto.

Abstract: An improved method of making a cross-flow heat exchange surface of modified perforated or expanded metal is described. One form comprises multiple layers of the metal, stacked and laminated together by brazing. Advance in the state-of-the-art is the novel manufacturing process designed to optimize heat transfer at reduced manufacturing cost. Prior knowledge on manufacture of porous metal laminates has principally involved the weaving, layering, and bonding of wire meshes. This process obviates the need for weaving and results in a more rigid, open, low-fouling structure suitable to withstand the rigors of vigorous cleaning. The unique characteristic of this exchanger lies in the design of the lamina. A lamina comprises two expanded metal areas with a section of solid metal between. The purpose of the solid section is to provide a thermal conduction path between the two open sections. It also serves as a partition to separate the two gas streams.

Abstract: Method for fixing a zircalloy guide tube of a nuclear reactor fuel assembly to the steel end plate of said assembly, wherein the following stages are successively formed:the previously expanded end of the guide tube is engaged around a sleeve until it abuts against a first outer shoulder of said sleeves;said end is covered with a force-fitted ferrule and the tube is squeezed against the sleeve, then the upper end of the ferrule is welded to the sleeve above the said first outer shoulder;the sleeve--tube--ferrule assembly is introduced into an opening provided for this purpose in the end plate and having a shoulder, until a second outer shoulder of the sleeve abuts against the said shoulder of the end plate opening;the upper part of the sleeve is welded to the upper part of the opening of the end plate of the assembly.The invention also relates to an apparatus for fixing the zircalloy guide tube to the steel end plate.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of venting a plate fin coil during the ultrasonic soldering of aluminum return bend tubes to the heat exchange tubes in the coil. The apparatus includes a snorkel member arranged on the heat exchanger carrying mechanism whereby one end of the snorkel is telescoped in the open end of a heat exchange tube forming an end of a circuit in the coil, with the other end communicating with the atmosphere, whereby pressure in the interior of the circuit is relieved when the coil is immersed in the solder bath.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for processing solar panel elements which have been cut from relatively long lengths of metal tubing secured to metal strip and which are to be joined at their opposite ends to headers. At a first station, the elements are, if necessary, stretched in the longitudinal direction and straightened, and the tube end portions are shaped so as to be substantially circular in cross-section. At a second station, the exterior surfaces of the tube end portions are machined to the desired diameter, and portions of the strip immediately adjacent to the tube end portions are removed. At a third station, the remaining portions of the strip outwardly of the previously removed portions thereof are removed by shearing. The elements are moved step-wise from station to station, and three panel elements may be processed simultaneously.

Abstract: A tubejoint for a heat exchanger made of two dissimilar materials is provided wherein the tubeplate joint is manufactured by use of an explosive having a detonation velocity more than 120 percent of the sonic velocity of the tube materials to be welded. Very satisfactory welds are formed at subsonic velocity between the surfaces of concentric tubes made of dissimilar metal and along the surface of a counterbore formed in the hole in which the composite tube is placed. The joint thus formed prevents any corrosive fluid on the tube side of the joint from coming in contact with any non-compatible material on the shell side of the heat exchanger and also prevents any corrosive fluid on the shell side of the heat exchanger from coming in contact with incompatible material on the tube side of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Prior art exchanger cores (10) have been expensive to produce and have too often had poorly heat conductive joining of the liquid circulating tubes (12) to the cooling fins (14). Herein, the tube (12) is fitted into holes (28) in the fins (14) with a small gap (42 or 44) between a portion (20,22) of the tube (12) and the hole (28). Solder sources (38) e.g., sheets (38) having holes (40) therethrough which generally match the holes (28) in the fins (14), are positioned between some of the fins (14) with the tubes (12) fitting in the holes (40) in the solder sheets (38). The entire assembly (50) is heated with the tubes (12) being held generally vertically. As the solder sheets (38) melt, solder flows through the gap (42 or 44) wetting not only the fin (14) above which it sits, but also lower fins (14). Capillary action leads to solder wetting the entire junction between each fin (14) and each tube (12). Good solder joints having excellent heat conducting properties are produced.

Abstract: The ultrasonic soldering of continuously drawn coilable aluminum tube to provide soldered socket joints is improved where the tube, after continuous and sequential drawing to produce a work hardened tube, is subjected to a burnishing operation by being drawn through a burnishing die. The burnishing operation differs from the drawing operation used to produce the continuously drawn tube in that the burnishing does not substantially alter the wall thickness of the tube. The burnishing dies condition the outer tube surface to be more wettable by molten solder metal in fluxless ultrasonic soldering processes.

Abstract: A low-cost method of fabricating a solar absorber panel for use with a flat plate solar collector system is disclosed in which a plurality of formed elongated substantially U-shaped members are fixed in a predetermined configuration to the reverse side of a single sheet absorber member forming therewith hollow fluid passages or ducts. The fluid duct members are provided with a series of tabs which alternately protrude through spaced slits in the absorber panel such that when the tabs are folded over, a tight interlocking construction is produced. The ends of the single sheet absorber may then be folded to form inlet and outlet manifolds connecting the ends of the series of spaced ducts including closing end tabs or the manifolds may be fabricated of U-shaped tabbed members in the manner of the connecting passages. After the mechanical assembly, the entire unit is sealed as by pumping liquid solder under pressure through the unit.