Patent US3831246A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3831246A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of fabricating a metal tubular heat exchanger having internal passages therein
Assignee: Olin Corp
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Filing: 1973-03-22
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Granted: 1974-08-27
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Expires: 1993-03-22
Abstract
Abstract A heat exchanger tube, and a method and apparatus for forming a heat exchanger tube are disclosed. The tube is formed from a metal strip having inflatable passages. The passages are inflated after the tube is formed. In use, one fluid flows through the tube and at least one fluid flows through the wall passages. Another fluid, contacting the exterior of the tube, may be employed.
Inventors
- 👤 J Morris
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 13:51
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28F; F28F3/00; F28F3/12; F28F3/14; B; B21; B21D; B21D53/00; B21D53/02; B21D53/04; B21D53/045; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/4935; Y10T29/49366; Y10T29/49369; Y10T29/49371
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
213 words
A method for fabricating a sheet metal heat exchanger of tubular configuration for use with two or more fluids, wherein a first fluid flows through the tube, at least one fluid flows through at least one passage in the wall of tube, said at least one said passage having a length at least 30 percent greater than the length of the tube, the method comprising: A. providing two metal strips, each of said strips having two major edges and two major surfaces; B. providing at least one continuous pattern of stop weld material on one of the major surfaces of one of said strips, said at least one pattern of stop weld material having a length of at least 30 percent greater than the length of the strips; C. positioning said strips so that their major surfaces are in superposition and that said stop weld pattern lies between the strips; D. joining the adjacent major surfaces of said strips not separated by stop weld, by pressure welding, to form a welded blank; E. forming said welded blank into tubing by joining the major edges of the welded strip by a high frequency welding process; and F. inflating said at least one passage by the application of sufficient fluid pressure to cause permanent distension.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
213 words
A method for fabricating a sheet metal heat exchanger of tubular configuration for use with two or more fluids, wherein a first fluid flows through the tube, at least one fluid flows through at least one passage in the wall of tube, said at least one said passage having a length at least 30 percent greater than the length of the tube, the method comprising: A. providing two metal strips, each of said strips having two major edges and two major surfaces; B. providing at least one continuous pattern of stop weld material on one of the major surfaces of one of said strips, said at least one pattern of stop weld material having a length of at least 30 percent greater than the length of the strips; C. positioning said strips so that their major surfaces are in superposition and that said stop weld pattern lies between the strips; D. joining the adjacent major surfaces of said strips not separated by stop weld, by pressure welding, to form a welded blank; E. forming said welded blank into tubing by joining the major edges of the welded strip by a high frequency welding process; and F. inflating said at least one passage by the application of sufficient fluid pressure to cause permanent distension.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein a fluid pressure greater than the inflation pressure is applied to the inside of the tube during inflation so that the inflated passages do not protrude onto the inner surface of the tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein a fluid pressure greater than the inflation pressure is applied to the exterior of the tube during inflation so that the inflated passages do not project out from the outer surface of the tube.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
219 words
A method for fabricating a sheet metal heat exchanger of tubulAr configuration for use with three or more fluids, wherein a first fluid flows through the tube, at least one fluid flows through at least one passage in the wall of the tube, at least one said passage having a length at least 30% greater than the length of the tube and a further fluid contacts the exterior of the tube, the method comprising: A. providing two metal strips, each of said strips having two major edges and two major surfaces; B. providing at least one continuous pattern of stop weld material on one of the major surfaces of one of said strips, said at least one pattern of stop weld material having a length of at least 30% greater than the length of the strips; C. positioning said strips so that their major surfaces are in superposition and that said stop weld pattern lies between the strips; D. joining the adjacent major surfaces of said strips not separated by stop weld, by pressure welding to form a welded blank; E. forming said welded blank into tubing by joining the major edges of the welded strip by a high frequency welding process; and F. inflating said passage or passages by the application of sufficient pressure to cause permanent distension.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
219 words
A method for fabricating a sheet metal heat exchanger of tubulAr configuration for use with three or more fluids, wherein a first fluid flows through the tube, at least one fluid flows through at least one passage in the wall of the tube, at least one said passage having a length at least 30% greater than the length of the tube and a further fluid contacts the exterior of the tube, the method comprising: A. providing two metal strips, each of said strips having two major edges and two major surfaces; B. providing at least one continuous pattern of stop weld material on one of the major surfaces of one of said strips, said at least one pattern of stop weld material having a length of at least 30% greater than the length of the strips; C. positioning said strips so that their major surfaces are in superposition and that said stop weld pattern lies between the strips; D. joining the adjacent major surfaces of said strips not separated by stop weld, by pressure welding to form a welded blank; E. forming said welded blank into tubing by joining the major edges of the welded strip by a high frequency welding process; and F. inflating said passage or passages by the application of sufficient pressure to cause permanent distension.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 4 wherein a layer of thermal insulation is applied to the exterior of the tube after inflation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 2 wherein a plurality of fins are applied to the interior of the tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as in claim 4 wherein a fluid pressure greater than the inflation pressure is applied to the inside of the tube during inflation so that the inflated passages do not protrude onto the inner surface of the tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as in claim 4 wherein a fluid pressure greater than the inflation pressure is applied to the exterior of the tube during inflation so that the inflated passage does not project out from the outer surface of the tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 8 wherein a plurality of fins are attached to the exterior of the tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 7 wherein a plurality of fins are attached to the interior of the 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) | 1977-08-26 | 1978-02-25 | 1978-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-26 | 1982-02-25 | 1982-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-26 | 1986-02-25 | 1986-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |