Abstract A method of securing metallic tubing and the like to a flat metal sheet while maintaining the flatness of the sheet so that the composite tube and sheet may be used as radiant heating or cooling panels in building interiors where distortion or wrinkling of the flat sheet would be undesirable. The apparatus comprises a heating station where a composite of sheet, of suitably disposed bonding material, and a piece of tubing in properly assembled relationship and under pressure are heated to induce a bond between the tubing and the sheet while maintaining the sheet in flat condition. An assembly station is provided including a jig in which the piece of tubing may be accurately located, means for accurately locating the jig with respect to the sheet, and means for raising and lowering the jig and for releasing the jig from the raising and lowering means so that it may move with the assembly from the assembly station to the heating station. After the heating cycle, the assembly moves to a cooling station (which may be the same as the assembly station) for a cooling cycle. A combined assembly and cooling station may be provided on each side of the heating station, each assembly station having a jig whereby production may be speeded up.
A radiant heating-cooling panel constituted of a flat sheet of aluminum less than 0.100 inch thick having copper tubing for the passage of a heating-cooling medium secured by a solder joint to one face thereof in heat transfer relation, said sheet being characterized by substantial flatness and absence of wrinkles, ripples and undulations, or other localized distortions, when viewed from a very flat angle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
64 words
A radiant heating-cooling panel constituted of a flat sheet of aluminum less than 0.100 inch thick having copper tubing for the passage of a heating-cooling medium secured by a solder joint to one face thereof in heat transfer relation, said sheet being characterized by substantial flatness and absence of wrinkles, ripples and undulations, or other localized distortions, when viewed from a very flat angle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A radiant heating-cooling panel according to claim 1 wherein the thickness of said aluminum sheet is about 0.040 inch, and said tubing has an inside diameter of the order of one-half inch, and a wall thickness of the order of 0.028 inch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A radiant heating-cooling panel according to claim 1 wherein said solder provides fillets between said tubing and sheet on both sides of the tubing along substantially the entire length of said tubing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A radiant heating-cooling panel according to claim 3 wherein said solder has a composition of about 91 percent tin and 9 percent zinc.