Apparatus for constructing a fin-and-tube heat exchanger having a bend formed therein

Claim 2

Apparatus for forming an arcuate bend of a predetermined angle in a fin-and-tube heat exchange coil, said coil including a longitudinally extending tube with a plurality of fins disposed longitudinally therealong, said coil having a first section, a second section spaced longitudinally from said first section, and a third section longitudinally intermediate said first and second sections, said apparatus comprising: a first platen fixedly connected to the fins of said first section; a second platen fixedly connected to the fins of said second section; means for pivoting said second platen relative to said first platen through the supplement of said predetermined angle about an instant center and simultaneously moving said center relative to said first platen through a curvilinear path whereby said third section is bent to said predetermined angle without the necessity of applying external pressure to the fins on said third section.

Claim 3

Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said curvilinear path is substantially an arc having a substantially constant radius Equal to pi R(180*-A*)/360*wherein A*is said predetermined angle in degrees and R is the radius of the coil bend to the neutral axis.

Claim 4

The apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said means for pivoting said second platen relative to said first platen through the supplement of said predetermined angle about said instant center and simultaneously moving said center through a curvilinear path includes a pair of guide followers disposed at remote points on each of said platens, a straight guide surface operatively associated with each of said guide followers, and a guide member to support said guide surfaces in fixed relationship.

Claim 5

The apparatus as defined by claim 3 wherein the guide surface associated with the guide follower of one platen which is closest to the other platen and the guide surface associated with the guide follower of said other platen which is closest to said one platen are parallel to each other.

Claim 6

Apparatus for forming an arcuate bend of a predetermined angle in a fin-and-tube heat exchange coil, said coil including a first-elongated tube, a second-elongated tube, a plurality of fins each having first and second apertures receiving said first and second tubes respectively, said apparatus comprising: a first platen fixedly connected to the fins on a first span of said first tube; a second platen fixedly connected to the fins on a second span of said first tube remote from said first span; means for pivoting said second platen relative to said first platen through the supplement of said predetermined angle while the fins on said first and second spans are respectively fixedly secured to said first and second platens whereby the span of said first tube between said first and second spans is bent to said predetermined angle; and first and second means respectively fixed relative to said first and second platens for abutting and applying a longitudinal compressive force at the ends of first tube while said second platen is pivoted relative to said first platen; said apparatus having sufficient clearance with respect to said second tubes to permit said second tubes to slide longitudinally in said second apertures of those fins which are fixedly connected to said first and second platens while said second platen is pivoted relative to said first platen.

Claim 7

Apparatus for forming an arcuate bend of a predetermined angle in a fin-and-tube heat exchange coil, said coil including a first-elongated tube, a second-elongated tube, a plurality of fins each having first and second apertures receiving said first and second tubes respectively, said apparatus comprising: a first platen fixedly connected to the fins on a first span of said first tube; a second platen fixedly connected to the fins on a second span of said first tube remote from said first span; means for pivoting said second platen relative to said first platen through the supplement of said predetermined angle while the fins on said first and second spans are respectively fixedly secured to said first and second platens whereby the span of said first tube between said first and second spans is bent to said predetermined angle; and first and second means respectively fixed relative to said first and second platens for abutting and applying a longitudinal compressive force at the ends of first tube while said second platen is pivoted relative to said first platen; said apparatus having sufficient clearance with respect to said second tubes to permit said second tubes to slide longitudinally in said second apertures of those fins which are fixedly connected to said first and second platens while said second platen is pivoted relative to said first platen.

Claim 8

Apparatus for forming a bend in the third span of a workpiece having a first span, a second span spaced from said first span, and a third span interposed between said first and second spans comprising: a first platen adapted to be fixedly connected to said first span; a second platen adapted to be fixedly connected to said second span; means for pivoting said second platen relative to said first platen about an instant center and simultaneously moving said instant center relative to said first platen through a curvilinear path thereby forming a bend in said third span of said workpiece.

Claim 9

Apparatus for forming a bend in the third span of a workpiece having a first span, a second span spaced from said first span, and a third span interposed between said first and second spans comprising: a first platen adapted to be fixedly connected to said first span; a second platen adapted to be fixedly connected to said second span; means for pivoting said second platen relative to said first platen about an instant center and simultaneously moving said instant center relative to said first platen through a curvilinear path thereby forming a bend in said third span of said workpiece.

Claim 10

Apparatus for forming a bend in the third span of an elongated workpiece having a first span, a second span spaced longitudinally from said first span, and a third span disposed longitudinally between said first and second spans comprising: a first-elongated platen adapted to be fixedly connected to said first span; a second platen adapted to be connected to said second span; means for pivoting said second platen relative to said first platen about an instant center and simultaneously moving said instant center relative to said first platen along a path transverse to the longitudinal axis of said first platen.

Claim 11

Apparatus for forming a bend in the third span of an elongated workpiece having a first span, a second span spaced longitudinally from said first span, and a third span disposed longitudinally between said first and second spans comprising: a first-elongated platen adapted to be fixedly connected to said first span; a second platen adapted to be connected to said second span; means for pivoting said second platen relative to said first platen about an instant center and simultaneously moving said instant center relative to said first platen along a path transverse to the longitudinal axis of said first platen.