Abstract: A frame apparatus for holding a flexible lance positioning drive device adjacent to and spaced from a heat exchanger tube sheet includes an upper guide rail carrying a movable carriage supporting a drive positioner rail having a drive support carriage and an air motor drive assembly fastened to each of the carriages, each air motor drive assembly comprising an air motor having a shaft driving a spur gear through a worm gear reducer, wherein the spur gear is carried within a spur gear housing fastened to the worm gear reducer, and the air motor assembly is fastened to the carriage via the spur gear housing. The spur gear housing is selectively rotatable on the carriage between a locked position with the spur gear engaging the rail to which the carriage is mounted and an unlocked position with the spur gear disengaged with the rail to which the carriage is mounted.

Abstract: A method of constructing a coil wound heat exchange module and transporting and installing the coil wound heat exchange module at a plant site, such as an natural gas liquefaction plant. A module frame is constructed and attached to a heat exchanger shell prior to telescoping of a coil wound mandrel into the shell. The module frame includes a lug and two saddles that remain attached to the shell throughout the process and when the heat exchanger is operated. The lug and saddles are constructed and located to stabilize the shell during construction, telescoping and transport (when in a horizontal orientation), and when the shell is installed at the plant site (in a vertical orientation). The lugs and saddles are adapted to allow for thermal expansion and contraction of the shell when it is transitioned from ambient to operating temperature and vice versa.

Abstract: A system, comprising a seal segment including a cable fastener. The system also includes a syngas cooler component that includes a cable guide, where the cable guide may route a cable coupled to the cable fastener to enable the cable to pull the seal segment into a mounting position.

Abstract: A temporary assembly apparatus includes a support member for supporting heat exchange tube blanks having their lengthwise direction positioned laterally, with their widthwise direction positioned vertically. Header supports are arranged respectively at the left and right sides of the support member and movable leftward or rightward. Tube blank correcting members are each in the form of a plate having slits formed in a side edge thereof and arranged from the front rearward at the same spacing as the heat exchange tubes to be produced. Each of the blank correcting members is movable between a correcting position where the corresponding ends of the tube blanks as supported on the support member are fitted into the respective slits and a noncorrecting position where the tube blanks are not fitted into the slits.

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.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for use with a baffle support fixture for a machine assembly of the tubes and baffles in a bundle assembly of a shell and tube type heat exchanger. The bundle comprises tubes inserted through baffles. The bundle is assembled using a holding fixture that includes anti-rotational features to secure baffles in a desired orientation. Following assembly, the bundle assembly is temporarily fixtured using pressure applying means such as plates and rods, and is then permanently affixed using an adhesive composition. After adhesive is applied, bundles, with the pressure applying means still attached, are preserved on racks and heat treated to cure and permanently set the adhesive.

Abstract: There is disclosed a manufacturing method of a heat pipe type heat-dissipating device. The method includes the steps of: winding a pipe on a loop forming mold in a spiral shape to form a pipe loop; and pressing at least a section of an outer circumference of the pipe loop so that the pipe loop is plastically deformed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the loop forming mold.

Abstract: An automated tool and method for spacing a gap between the anti-vibration bars and the flow tubing in the bend region of a tube bundle of a U-tube steam generator, prior to welding, during manufacture. The tool comprises two toggle clamp elements attached to a scissors assembly, which are actuated by a linear drive motor in line with a force gauge, and coupled to a distance measuring device. The tool is operated by first attaching the toggle clamps respectively to two adjacent anti-vibration bars. A linear drive motor on the tool is then cycled and readouts of force and distance are plotted on a curve to determine the point of contact between the anti-vibration bar and the tube. The computer then automatically cycles the drive motor to adjust the gap to a desired range of position coordinates adjacent the point at which the curve markedly changes slope.

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.

Abstract: A method and apparatus particularly suited to the manufacture and assembly of cage-like, substantially cylindrical structures made of long, slender tubular components which, by themselves, are not self-supporting, employs an exo-skeleton structure to assemble cage-like, tubular structures in pie-shaped, longitudinal segments while in a horizontal or vertical position utilizing longitudinal or circumferential attachments. The apparatus comprises at least two segments which permit construction of subassemblies of the cage-like, tubular structure and their transportation, if necessary, to a remote site where they may be finally assembled.

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.

Abstract: A heat exchanger (10) comprises a first sheet (12), a second sheet (14) and an additional sheet (30). The first and second sheets (12,14) are wound around an axis (X), each sheet (12,14) has hot and cold edges at the hot and cold ends (16,18) respectively of the heat exchanger (10). The hot and cold edges of the first sheet (12) are joined to the hot and cold edges of the second sheet (14). The end (12A) of the first sheet (12) is joined to the second sheet (30) by an axially extending join (28) at a position spaced from the end (14A) of the second sheet (14). The end (30A) of the additional sheet (30) is joined to the end (14A) of the second sheet (14) by an axially extending join (28). The additional sheet (30) is thicker and wider than the first and second sheets (12,14) such that at least one of the hot and cold edges (30C,30D) of the additional sheet (30) extend beyond the hot and cold edges of the first and second sheets (12,14).

Abstract: A tool for installing tubing in channels of floor panels comprises a handle attached to an upper portion of a front frame and a pair of wheels attached to a bottom portion of the front frame, a pneumatic drive, mounted between a front frame spacer and a bearing block, drives a hammer assembly for pushing the tubing into the channels, and a steering block is secured under the bearing block by a bearing assembly which enables the steering block to rotate about a bearing. An upper portion of a rear strut attaches to the bearing block and a pair of wheels attach to the lower portion of the rear strut. The tool quickly and efficiently installs the tubing into the flooring channels as the tool is rolled along the floor panels when an air source is attached to an air coupling on the pneumatic drive.

Abstract: A heat exchanger (10) comprises a first sheet (12), a second sheet (14) and an additional sheet (30). The first and second sheets (12, 14) are wound around an axis (X), each sheet (12, 14) has hot and cold edges at the hot and cold ends (16, 18) respectively of the heat exchanger (10). The hot and cold edges of the first sheet (12) are joined to the hot and cold edges of the second sheet (14). The end (12A) of the first sheet (12) is joined to the second sheet (30) by an axially extending join (28) at a position spaced from the end (14A) of the second sheet (14). The end (30A) of the additional sheet (30) is joined to the end (14A) of the second sheet (14) by an axially extending join (28). The additional sheet (30) is thicker and wider than the first and second sheets (12, 14) such that at least one of the hot and cold edges (30C, 30D) of the additional sheet (30) extend beyond the hot and cold edges of the first and second sheets (12, 14).

Abstract: A tube expander for heat exchangers is capable of organizing an ideal production line where the transportation efficiency is increased and the productivity is improved by having a transportation path in a straight line through which the heat exchangers are carried into one end and carried out from the other end. Left and right ends of an end plate at the front side are inserted by a pair of first guide bars, and the left and right ends at the back side are inserted by a pair of second guide bars. A guide path for a carrying device or a transportation device is established on a base that supports the first guide bars and the second guide bars in a clearance between the first guide bars and support columns. The heat exchangers are transported from one end to the other of the base via the guide path.

Abstract: A technique is provided for forming and coating heat exchangers. The heat exchanger may be of any suitable type, such as employing two or more manifolds, with tubes, such as multichannel tubes extending between the manifolds, with fins being provided around or between the tubes. The overall heat exchanger structure is made as a slab that is advanced through an oven, such as in a brazing zone. Heat applied in the brazing zone heats the entire slab to an elevated temperature, and immediately after the brazing zone the slab is hot formed to provide bends or other configurations or contours. A coating is then applied at the elevated temperature, and the heat exchanger may advance through a curing station at which cooling is controlled to promote curing of the coating. The overall process provides a streamlined integrated assembly and manufacturing procedure for formed and coated heat exchangers.

Abstract: A weaving apparatus used to separate the tubes of a heat exchanger so that spacers that hold the tubes apart can be inserted between the tubes to increase thermal efficiency. The weaving apparatus includes a frame assembly and a weaving mechanism contained within the frame assembly. The weaving mechanism includes an alignment plate to align the tubes and separation plates to separate the tubes after they have been aligned. The weaving apparatus thus automates the step of separating the tubes of the heat exchanger so that the spacer can ready inserted between the tubes.

Abstract: The invention is related to a tube extracting device for removing a tube from a conventional drum of a boiler or heat exchanger. The device includes a wedge which is driven into a tube hole between the tube outer wall and the hole in the drum that the tube is in. The wedge has longitudinal ridges on its internal surface and inwardly tapered edges at its end which is driven into the zone between the tube hole and the outer wall of the tube such that the tube may be readily inwardly collapsed. Upon retracting the wedge from the tube hole, the tube is removed from the drum inside the wedge.

Abstract: A tube expanding apparatus includes mandrels, each mandrel having a billet on a leading end; a reciprocating actuator for supporting rear ends of the mandrels, the reciprocating actuator being supported to reciprocate in an axial direction of hairpin tube straight portions; a pressure cylinder for raising and lowering the reciprocating actuator and expanding the straight portions by pressing the billets into the hairpin tube straight portions; hairpin receivers for supporting curved portions of hairpin tubes; a fin receiver for supporting a lower end portion of the laminated radiating fins; and a hydraulic cylinder for raising and lowering the fin receiver in the axial direction of the hairpin tube straight portions. The hydraulic cylinder lowers the fin receiver to a predetermined position as the mandrels descend and the billets begin to be inserted into the hairpin tubes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a plate heat exchanger from a plurality of heat exchanger blocks (1a, 1b). Each heat exchanger block (1a, 1b) has mounted on it a header (6a, 7a, 6b, 7b) which extends over at least part of one side of the heat exchanger block (1a, 1b). The heat exchanger blocks (1a, 1b) are arranged next to one another, and the headers (6a, 6b; 7a, 7b) of two adjacent heat exchanger blocks (1a, 1b) are provided on their mutually confronting sides with orifices and are connected to one another in such a way that a flow connection occurs between the two headers (6a, 6b; 7a, 7b).

Abstract: Boiler tubes are removed from a boiler vessel without damaging the vessel by severing the boiler tube near the exterior periphery of the vessel, and using a piloted rotary cutting tool fixtured with respect to the longitudinal axis of the severed boiler tube to remove all but a very thin shell of the severed tube. The rotary cutting tool is then withdrawn, and the remaining thin shell of the boiler tube is manually peeled away from the periphery of the boiler vessel opening. In a preferred implementation, the rotary cutting tool is annular, and a tapered cylindrical pilot having an outside diameter slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the expanded portion of the boiler tube is retractably mounted within the annulus of the cutting tool.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tube finning machine (10), and in particular to a machine capable of fitting several fins (26) to one or more tubes (26) at the same time, the assembled finned tube being suitable for heat exchange applications. According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a tube finning machine for mounting extended surface members (96) upon one or more tubes, the machine having a base (10), carrier means movable relative to the base, drive means (20) for moving the carrier means (18) in a longitudinal direction, and cartridge means (24) for locating a plurality of extended surface members (26), the cartridge means having respective support means (30) for each extended surface member, and at least some of the support means being movable relative to the cartridge. There is also provided a method of using a machine as herein defined for finning a tube.

Abstract: This invention relates to a high density architecture for an integrated circuit package (10) in which a plurality of circuit communication wafers (12) are disposed in a stack with a plurality of cooling plates (14) between them, and wherein circuit communication between the communication wafers (12) is provided from wafer to wafer through the cooling plates (14). In addition, the communication wafers (12) may have integrated circuit chips (18) deposited on both sides of the wafer, and chip-to-chip communication may be provided from one surface of the wafer to another through the wafer. The resulting integrated circuit package may have any desired geometrical shape and will permit heat exchange, power and data exchange to occur in three generally mutually orthogonal directions through the package.

Abstract: This invention relates to fabrication of tube bank style heat exchangers and similar assemblies. It provides a novel device and a method for presenting and feeding multiple relatively flexible tubes in a predetermined spaced apart manner, and subsequently threading them through corresponding holes in tube-sheets, baffles or similar components during fabrication of the core structure, for example a heat exchanger core.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a heat exchanger includes processes of: arranging tubes at a predetermined pitch on a set base; inserting fins into spaces each defined between the tubes; compressing the tubes and the fins in the direction of arrangement thereof; mounting hollow headers to longitudinal ends of the tubes, each header having slits engaged with a corresponding end of the tubes; and attaching end covers to both ends of the headers, each cover closing holes which open at the corresponding end of the headers.

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: 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 outer appearance, are inserted from an open end side of the casing in a full automatic manner. The heat exchanging tube assembling apparatus includes a tube grasping device for grasping a plurality of U-shaped tubes in a group 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: A component assembly system precisely aligns a plurality of components in a circumferential direction and assembles the components together. A plurality of guide channels extending radially from an axis are formed in a disc-shaped base member. A plurality of slide members on which the upper and lower ends of coils are mounted are supported in the guide channels in a slidable manner. The slide members are positioned so as to make contact with a circular first positioning member by moving the slide members inward along the guide channels in the radial direction and further positioned by fitting a cylindrical second positioning member around the outer periphery of the slide members. In the course of the slide members converging on the circumference of a circle having a center on the axis, the coils mounted on the slide members mesh with each other so as to be unified.

Abstract: A weaving apparatus used to separate the tubes of a heat exchanger so that spacers that hold the tubes apart can be inserted between the tubes to increase thermal efficiency. The weaving apparatus includes a frame assembly and a weaving mechanism contained within the frame assembly. The weaving mechanism includes an alignment plate to align the tubes and separation plates to separate the tubes after they have been aligned. The weaving apparatus thus automates the step of separating the tubes of the heat exchanger so that the spacer can ready inserted between the tubes.

Abstract: An automatic assembling apparatus for inserting hair pins into holes formed on a heat exchanger including a plurality of flat plate fins and two side panel disposed both sides of said flat plate fins are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method to remove and install heat exchanger bundles. The apparatus comprises a main frame supporting wheel assemblies. A second frame is vertically displaceable relative to the main frame. A lifting system is provided which elevates the entire unit so that the wheel assemblies are off the ground a minimal distance to ensure stability and then the second frame is elevated the remaining amount to the final elevation of the heat exchanger bundle to be removed or installed. The preferred embodiment includes a horizontally displaceable portion of the second frame for supporting the heat exchanger as it is extracted from the shell side assembly. The unit is self-contained including power means to horizontally displace the frame to affect the displacement of the heat exchanger, lower the second frame relative to the main frame, and then lower the entire unit to the ground.

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: A heat pipe shaping device comprises a rectangular table, and each lateral surface of the table has a work station. The top plate of the table is elevated by a plurality of supporting rods at a periphery of the table. A vacuum manifold is connected to the top plate. Thereby, the vacuum manifold is connected to a vacuum pump. A welding gun is positioned at the top plate so that the welding gun is connected to a welding machine. Each work station is connected to a surface of the rotary disk on the table and the rotary disk is driven by a motor in the table. Each work station on the rotary disk has an supporter. A top of each supporter is installed with a pressing unit and a cutting unit. One end of the vacuum manifold is installed with a clamping unit for clamping a heat pipe to pump into a vacuum condition,. The heat pipe is then pressed to seal the opening, and the distal end is cut by the cutting unit, and finally, the opening is spot-welded.