US5090477A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Evaporator having integrally baffled tubes
Assignee: Brazeway Inc
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Filing: 1990-08-28
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Granted: 1992-02-25
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Expires: 2010-08-28
Abstract
Abstract A tubular manifold for an evaporator includes an integral baffle formed by deforming a wall section of a header tube onto an opposing wall section and crimping the two side walls inwardly at an axial point where the wall section is deformed. The internal baffle forms a U-shaped seal within the tube and is interposed between two side ports of the manifold.
Inventors
- 👤 William Sprow
- 👤 Donald Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 15:01
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28F; F28F9/00; F28F9/02; F28F9/0202; F28F9/0204; F28F9/0209; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S165/00; Y10S165/454; Y10S165/471; Y10S165/481; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/4935; Y10T29/49389
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
63 words
A method of forming an internal baffle between the ends of a substantially rigid tube comprising the step of permanently collapsing the tube at the baffle location such that the tube wall top contacts the tube wall bottom and forms a substantially U-shaped internal seam of double wall thickness; said tube being provided with ports and the baffle being formed between said ports.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
63 words
A method of forming an internal baffle between the ends of a substantially rigid tube comprising the step of permanently collapsing the tube at the baffle location such that the tube wall top contacts the tube wall bottom and forms a substantially U-shaped internal seam of double wall thickness; said tube being provided with ports and the baffle being formed between said ports.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as defined in claim 1 comprising the further step of sealing the seam on at least one side of the baffle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as defined in claim 3 wherein the sealing step is carried out by brazing the seam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the top wall is collapsed gradually toward the bottom wall and the seam from axially opposite sides thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the tube material consists at least in part of aluminum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the collapsing step is carried out by contacting the top tube wall with a punch.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of forming an integral baffle between the ends of a substantially rigid tube comprising the step of permanently collapsing the tube at the baffle location such that the tube wall top contacts the tube wall bottom and forms a substantially U-shaped internal seam of double wall thickness wherein the collapsing step is carried out by contacting the top tube wall with a punch and the portion of the punch which contacts the tube is characterized by a small flat end surface and outwardly and upwardly tapering side surfaces which are oriented axially of the tube during the contact, the thickness of the punch transversely of the tube being less than the diameter of the tube.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of forming an integral baffle between the ends of a substantially rigid tube comprising the step of permanently collapsing the tube at the baffle location such that the tube wall top contacts the tube wall bottom and forms a substantially U-shaped internal seam of double wall thickness wherein the collapsing step is carried out by contacting the top tube wall with a punch and the portion of the punch which contacts the tube is characterized by a small flat end surface and outwardly and upwardly tapering side surfaces which are oriented axially of the tube during the contact, the thickness of the punch transversely of the tube being less than the diameter of the tube.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of forming an internal baffle between the ends of a substantially rigid metal tube comprising the step of permanently collapsing the tube at the baffle location by bringing the top tube wall into continuous contact with the bottom tube wall to form a continuous seam between the top and bottom tube wall but leaving erect substantial portions of the tube side walls in the baffle location; said erect substantial portions of the tube side walls being shaped and arranged so as to provide a self-locking feature which is effective to prevent said top tube wall that is in continuous contact with the bottom tube wall from being moved away from said bottom tube wall.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of forming an internal baffle between the ends of a substantially rigid metal tube comprising the step of permanently collapsing the tube at the baffle location by bringing the top tube wall into continuous contact with the bottom tube wall to form a continuous seam between the top and bottom tube wall but leaving erect substantial portions of the tube side walls in the baffle location; said erect substantial portions of the tube side walls being shaped and arranged so as to provide a self-locking feature which is effective to prevent said top tube wall that is in continuous contact with the bottom tube wall from being moved away from said bottom tube wall.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as defined in claim 8 comprising the further step of sealing the seam.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as defined in claim 9 wherein the sealing step is carried out by brazing the seam.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of forming an internal baffle between the ends of a substantially rigid metal tube comprising the step of permanently collapsing the tube at the baffle location by bringing the top tube wall into continuous contact with the bottom tube wall to form a continuous seam between the top and bottom tube wall but leaving erect substantial portions of the tube side walls in the baffle location, wherein the collapsing step is carried out by contacting the top tube wall with a punch characterized by a small flat end surface and outwardly and upwardly tapering side surfaces which are oriented axially of the tube during the contact, the thickness of the punch transversely of the tube being less than the diameter of the tube, thereby to leave said erect said wall portions.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of forming an internal baffle between the ends of a substantially rigid metal tube comprising the step of permanently collapsing the tube at the baffle location by bringing the top tube wall into continuous contact with the bottom tube wall to form a continuous seam between the top and bottom tube wall but leaving erect substantial portions of the tube side walls in the baffle location, wherein the collapsing step is carried out by contacting the top tube wall with a punch characterized by a small flat end surface and outwardly and upwardly tapering side surfaces which are oriented axially of the tube during the contact, the thickness of the punch transversely of the tube being less than the diameter of the tube, thereby to leave said erect said wall portions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
92 words
A tubular manifold having an interior passage circumscribed by a wall, said manifold characterized by: a first port and a second port axially spaced along the tubular manifold and in fluid communication with the interior of the tubular manifold; a baffle axially interposed between the first and second ports, said baffle includes; a circumferential section of said wall of said manifold permanently deformed and depressed against an opposing circumferential wall section; and said circumferential sections of said wall having side portions opposed to each other with said side portions being crimped inwardly.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
92 words
A tubular manifold having an interior passage circumscribed by a wall, said manifold characterized by: a first port and a second port axially spaced along the tubular manifold and in fluid communication with the interior of the tubular manifold; a baffle axially interposed between the first and second ports, said baffle includes; a circumferential section of said wall of said manifold permanently deformed and depressed against an opposing circumferential wall section; and said circumferential sections of said wall having side portions opposed to each other with said side portions being crimped inwardly.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
A tubular manifold as defined in claim 12 further characterized by: said crimped side portions being substantially erect with respect to said circumferential sections; an said crimped side portions having a flared outward section on both axial sides of said abutting section.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
A tubular manifold as defined in claim 13 further characterized by: said circumferential section having a substantially flat abutting section and said crimped side portions and said flat abutting section forming a U-shaped baffle.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of forming an internal baffle between the ends of a ductile rigid tube characterized by the steps of: deforming a circumferential section of tube wall toward an opposing circumferential section of tube wall till said one section abuts said opposing section; and crimping in side walls of said tube inwardly at an axial position where said circumferential sections abuts.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of forming an internal baffle between the ends of a ductile rigid tube characterized by the steps of: deforming a circumferential section of tube wall toward an opposing circumferential section of tube wall till said one section abuts said opposing section; and crimping in side walls of said tube inwardly at an axial position where said circumferential sections abuts.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method as defined in claim 15 further characterized by the steps of: forming a canted section of tube wall that extends from an undeformed section of tube wall to where said circumferential sections abut; and forming flared outward sections on either side of said crimping side walls.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as defined in claim 15 wherein: said deforming is carried out by a first punch; and said crimping is carried out by two opposing side punches positioned transverse to said first punch.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as defined in claim 15 wherein said deforming and crimping of said tubing is performed while said tubing is positioned in a single die.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
125 words
A heat exchanger having an inlet, outlet, a plurality of heat exchanging tubes and a manifold having an interior passage circumscribed by a wall and having a plurality of axially spaced side ports connected to said heat exchanging tubes for allowing passage of coolant therethrough, the improvement comprising: said manifold having at least one baffle axially interposed between two of said side ports, said baffle including a circumferential section of said wall being permanently deformed and depressed against an opposing circumferential wall section; said circumferential sections having side portions opposed to each other with said wall portions being shaped and arranged so as to provide a self-locking feature which is effective to prevent said circumferential deformed section from moving away from said opposing circumferential section.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
125 words
A heat exchanger having an inlet, outlet, a plurality of heat exchanging tubes and a manifold having an interior passage circumscribed by a wall and having a plurality of axially spaced side ports connected to said heat exchanging tubes for allowing passage of coolant therethrough, the improvement comprising: said manifold having at least one baffle axially interposed between two of said side ports, said baffle including a circumferential section of said wall being permanently deformed and depressed against an opposing circumferential wall section; said circumferential sections having side portions opposed to each other with said wall portions being shaped and arranged so as to provide a self-locking feature which is effective to prevent said circumferential deformed section from moving away from said opposing circumferential section.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-02-24 | 1995-08-26 | 1996-02-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-02-24 | 1999-08-26 | 2000-02-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-02-24 | 2003-08-26 | 2004-02-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |