US3636607A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of making a heat exchange tube
Assignee: United Aircraft Products Inc
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Filing: 1969-12-30
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Granted: 1972-01-25
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Expires: 1989-12-30
Abstract
Abstract A method of placing a heat exchange tube into compressive contact with a concentric fin annulus involving a displacement of metal by electromagnetic or equivalent forces to achieve a conforming relation of the tube to the contact tube surface in a manner providing minimal contact resistance to heat flow.
Inventors
- 👤 Samuel J Demarco
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 07:53
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21K; B21K25/00; F; F28; F28F; F28F1/00; F28F1/10; F28F1/105; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/4935; Y10T29/49361; Y10T29/49803; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49879; Y10T29/49908; Y10T29/49925; Y10T29/49927; Y10T29/49938; Y10T29/4994
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of achieving minimal contact resistance to heat transfer between a tube wall and a tube contained fin annulus, including the steps of inserting a compressible fin annulus in a tube, said annulus comprising corrugated thin metal deformable material, providing a central support for said annulus, said support rigidly backing said fin annulus, and applying a radial compressive force to said fin annulus so that all parts thereof are in closely contacting compressive relation to the interior wall of said tube irrespective of irregularities in fin height, the application of compressive forces being accomplished by displacing the tube wall radially inwardly so that all parts thereof are in closely contacting compressive relation to the fin annulus irrespective of irregularities in fin height, the fin annulus reacting upon said central support and the tube deforming to conform to fin irregularities.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of achieving minimal contact resistance to heat transfer between a tube wall and a tube contained fin annulus, including the steps of inserting a compressible fin annulus in a tube, said annulus comprising corrugated thin metal deformable material, providing a central support for said annulus, said support rigidly backing said fin annulus, and applying a radial compressive force to said fin annulus so that all parts thereof are in closely contacting compressive relation to the interior wall of said tube irrespective of irregularities in fin height, the application of compressive forces being accomplished by displacing the tube wall radially inwardly so that all parts thereof are in closely contacting compressive relation to the fin annulus irrespective of irregularities in fin height, the fin annulus reacting upon said central support and the tube deforming to conform to fin irregularities.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the displacement of the tube material is accomplished by electromagnetic forming, a tube and inserted fin annulus and central support being mounted within an electromagnetic coil disposing in a fully surrounding relation to the tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
87 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the fin annulus is comprised of thin deformable sheet metal corrugated to produce alternate peaks and valleys, the sheet being formed to a circular configuration for insertion in the tube to present an outer surface for contact with the tube wall and an inner surface for contact with the said central support, inward displacement of tube material being resisted by the fin material with the tube wall flowing to conform to and uniformly compressed undulations in the outer fin surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein the tube wall and the central support present spaced parallel surfaces and said fin material having undulating outer and inner surfaces for respective contact therewith, the displacement of tube material flattening the inner fin surface upon said central support and deforming the tube wall into conforming relation to the outer fin surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein the tube displacement is accomplished electromagnetically simultaneously over its full length, each part of the tube yielding to applied forces independently of all other parts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein displacement of tube material is accomplished in an electromagnetic coil, a tube assembly comprising a tube an inserted fin annulus and a central support being fully contained within the coil with coil elements in continuously surrounding relation to the tube, the tube being substantially without rigid backup except as provided by said central support through the intermediately disposed deformablE fin material.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
122 words
A method of achieving minimal contact resistance to heat transfer between a tube wall and a fin annulus contained in an outer tube, wherein an inner tube is disposed centrally of the fin annulus in support thereof, characterized by the step of deforming one of said tubes to reduce the annular space occupied by the fin annulus and apply a compressive force to said annulus, the deforming step being an electromagnetic forming process carried out simultaneously over the length of the fin annulus and accomplishing a glove fit of the deformed tube wall to the contacting surface of the fin annulus in which the tube conforms to and adopts a configuration matching irregularities in the fin surface while uniformly compressing said surface.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
122 words
A method of achieving minimal contact resistance to heat transfer between a tube wall and a fin annulus contained in an outer tube, wherein an inner tube is disposed centrally of the fin annulus in support thereof, characterized by the step of deforming one of said tubes to reduce the annular space occupied by the fin annulus and apply a compressive force to said annulus, the deforming step being an electromagnetic forming process carried out simultaneously over the length of the fin annulus and accomplishing a glove fit of the deformed tube wall to the contacting surface of the fin annulus in which the tube conforms to and adopts a configuration matching irregularities in the fin surface while uniformly compressing said surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
90 words
A method according to claim 7, wherein the fin annulus is comprised of corrugated sheet metal material providing adjacent longitudinal channels defined by alternating peaks and valleys and connecting beam walls, said walls occupying substantially radial positions between said tubes, said peaks and valleys being compressed and said walls being substantially incompressible by the deforming tube to require the tube substantially to conform to the encountered fin surface while deforming peaks and valleys insure close fitting intimate contact between the tube wall and the fin annulus for minimal contact resistance.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein the deformed tube wall is the outer tube, said fin annulus disposing as a compressible means between said inner and outer tubes, the inner tube providing backing support for the fin assembly under the inwardly directed compressive force applied by said outer tube.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-24 | 1975-07-26 | 1976-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-24 | 1979-07-26 | 1980-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-24 | 1983-07-26 | 1984-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |