Abstract A heat exchanger and a method of making a heat exchanger comprising an elongated integral metal tank-header with spaced tubes interfitted in openings formed by displacing metal of the header portion to form flanges. The flanges are bonded to the tube ends and the tank-header before and after the bonding has a curved cross section including the flange areas. The method of forming the heat exchanger in which an integral metal tank-header is provided of rounded externally convex cross section including a longitudinal portion comprising an elongated convex header, providing spaced openings in this header each defined by a flange of metal displaced from the header in forming the opening and each flange having a curved bonding surface bonding the end of the tube in each opening with bonding material located between the tubes and the surface on the corresponding flange and then reshaping the tank-header after the bonding.
The method of making a heat exchanger, comprising: providing an integral metal tank-header of rounded convex cross section including a longitudinal portion comprising an elongated convex header; providing spaced openings in said header each defined by a flange of metal displaced from said header in forming the opening and each flange having a curved bonding surface; bonding the end of a tube in each said opening located between said tube and its flange bonding surface; and reshaping and reforming said tank-header by distorting said metal to beyond its yield point after said bonding in areas spaced from said flanges with the result that the tank-header retains its new shape.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
The method of making a heat exchanger, comprising: providing an integral metal tank-header of rounded convex cross section including a longitudinal portion comprising an elongated convex header; providing spaced openings in said header each defined by a flange of metal displaced from said header in forming the opening and each flange having a curved bonding surface; bonding the end of a tube in each said opening located between said tube and its flange bonding surface; and reshaping and reforming said tank-header by distorting said metal to beyond its yield point after said bonding in areas spaced from said flanges with the result that the tank-header retains its new shape.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said flanges extend inwardly of said tank-header.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said flanges extend outwardly of said tank-header.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said reshaping provides a flat surface on said tank-header laterally of said header.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said tank-header comprises cylindrical segments joined end-to-end, each said segment being a complete cylinder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein adjacent segments are joined by a bell and interfitted pipe joint integral with said segments.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein adjacent segments are joined by outwardly extending abutting flanges.