US5154679A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of assembling a heat exchanger using a fin retainer
Assignee: Carrier Corp
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Filing: 1991-08-22
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Granted: 1992-10-13
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Expires: 2011-08-22
Abstract
Abstract Following the step of lacing the hair pin tubes into the plate fins, a plurality of plastic retainer elements are placed onto the hair pin tubes and into a budding relationship with top plate fin to thereby retain it in place while the tube bundle is transferred to the expansion table.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack J. Fuller
- 👤 Joe T. Cason
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:23
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21D; B21D53/00; B21D53/02; B21D53/08; B21D53/085; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/4935; Y10T29/49373; Y10T29/49377; Y10T29/49378; Y10T29/4938
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
An improved method of assembling a plate fin coil of the type having a plurality of plate fins being laced on to a plurality of tubes and the tubes then being expanded to a close fit relationship within the holes of the plate fins, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of; forming a retainer element of a pliable material, having an opening formed therein with a diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of said tube; and following the lacing step, installing said retainer sheet over one of the tubes and into engagement with one of the plate fins thereby retaining the plate fins in position on the tubes until the tubes are subsequently expanded.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
An improved method of assembling a plate fin coil of the type having a plurality of plate fins being laced on to a plurality of tubes and the tubes then being expanded to a close fit relationship within the holes of the plate fins, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of; forming a retainer element of a pliable material, having an opening formed therein with a diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of said tube; and following the lacing step, installing said retainer sheet over one of the tubes and into engagement with one of the plate fins thereby retaining the plate fins in position on the tubes until the tubes are subsequently expanded.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
An improved method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said retainer sheet is comprised of a plastic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
An improved method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said retainer sheet has a thickness of less than 0.015 inches.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of assembling a plate fin coil of the type having plate fins and at least one tube, comprising the steps of; forming the plate fins with holes having a greater diameter than that of the outer diameter of the tube(s); installing the tubes into the holes of the plate fins; forming, from a flexible material, a retainer element having an opening slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the tube(s); placing said retainer element over the tube until it engages one of the plate fins to thereby prevent the plate fins from moving along the length of the tube(s); and expanding the tubes outwardly to create a snug fit relationship within the fin coil holes.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of assembling a plate fin coil of the type having plate fins and at least one tube, comprising the steps of; forming the plate fins with holes having a greater diameter than that of the outer diameter of the tube(s); installing the tubes into the holes of the plate fins; forming, from a flexible material, a retainer element having an opening slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the tube(s); placing said retainer element over the tube until it engages one of the plate fins to thereby prevent the plate fins from moving along the length of the tube(s); and expanding the tubes outwardly to create a snug fit relationship within the fin coil holes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as set forth in claim 4 wherein said retainer element is composed of a plastic material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as set forth in claim 4 wherein retainer elements are placed on more than one tube in a coil.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as set forth in claim 6 wherein said plurality of retainer elements are symmetrically located on said plurality of tubes.
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) | 1995-10-13 | 1996-04-13 | 1996-10-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-10-13 | 2000-04-13 | 2000-10-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-10-13 | 2004-04-13 | 2004-10-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |