# US 10,309,730 B2 · Mini-channel heat exchanger tube sleeve

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- Number: US 10,309,730 B2
- Document ID: US10309730B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/740,806
- Filed: 2015-06-16
- Published: 2016-12-22
- Granted: 2019-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2015-06-16
- Assignees: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
- Applicants: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
- Inventors: Matthew William Miller; Anthony DeLugan; Michael Doe, Jr.
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10309730B2

## CPC

- F28F 9/165: {by using additional preformed parts, e.g. sleeves, gaskets (F28F9/185 takes precedence)}
- B23P 15/26: heat exchangers {or the like (making heat exchangers by methods covered by other subclasses B21D53/02)}
- F28D 1/05391: {with multiple rows of conduits or with multi-channel conduits combined with a particular flow pattern, e.g. multi-row multi-stage radiators}
- F28F 1/022: {with multiple channels}
- F28F 9/0214: {having only longitudinal partitions}
- F28F 9/185: {with additional preformed parts}
- F28F 1/12: the means being only outside the tubular element
- F28F 2225/04: for conduits
- F28F 2265/10: for preventing overheating, e.g. heat shields
- F28F: DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION (water and air traps, air venting F16)
- B23P: METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q)
- F28D: HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT (fluid heaters having heat generating means and heat transferring means F24H; furnaces F27; details of heat-exchange apparatus of general)

## Abstract

A heat exchanger tube assembly includes a tube. The tube includes a first end, a second end disposed opposite from the first end, an outer surface, and an inner surface defining an interior space. A plurality of channels are formed within the interior space. A first sleeve is fixed to the outer surface of the tube near the first end and a second sleeve fixed to the outer surface of the tube near the second end.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A heat exchanger assembly comprising:
a plurality of adjacent tubes, each tube of the plurality of adjacent tubes comprising:
a first end;
a second end disposed opposite from the first end;
an outer surface;
an inner surface defining an interior space; and
a plurality of channels formed within the interior space;
a first sleeve fixed to the outer surface of a first tube near the first end of the first tube, the first tube belonging to the plurality of adjacent tubes;
a second sleeve fixed to the outer surface of the first tube near the second end of the first tube;
a second tube belonging to the plurality of adjacent tubes;
a third tube belonging to the plurality of adjacent tubes;
a first manifold body that bounds a first cavity, wherein the first manifold body has a first side and a second side;
a plurality of first slots defined by the first manifold body configured to receive a first portion of the first tube, a first portion of the second tube, and a first portion of the third tube, wherein the first portion of the first tube includes the first end of the first tube;
a second manifold body that bounds a second cavity;
a plurality of second slots defined by the second manifold body configured to receive a second portion of the first tube, a second portion of the second tube, and a second portion of the third tube, wherein the second portion of the first tube includes the second end of the first tube;
a first baffle disposed in the second manifold body between the first tube and the second tube, the first baffle being configured to allow fluid flow from the first tube to the second tube; and
a first wall disposed in the second manifold body between the second tube and the third tube, the first wall being configured to prevent fluid flow from the second tube to the third tube;
wherein the first end of the first tube terminates within one of the plurality of first slots between the first side and the second side;
wherein the first sleeve is adjacent to the first manifold body and entirely outside of the first cavity; and
wherein a thickness of the second sleeve is less than a thickness of the first sleeve.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The heat exchanger tube assembly of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the first sleeve is greater than or equal to a thickness of the first tube.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The heat exchanger assembly of claim 2, wherein the thickness of the first sleeve is no more than three times greater than the thickness of the first tube.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The heat exchanger assembly of claim 2, and further comprising:
a third sleeve fixed to an outer surface of the second tube belonging to the plurality of adjacent tubes, the second tube being adjacent to the first tube,
wherein the first end of the second tube terminates within another one of the first plurality of slots;
wherein the third sleeve is adjacent to the first manifold body and entirely outside of the first cavity; and
wherein a thickness of the third sleeve is less than the thickness of the first sleeve.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The heat exchanger assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of channels are defined by a plurality of integral ribs extending across the interior space of each tube of the plurality of adjacent tubes.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The heat exchanger assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of channels are defined by a brazed insert.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

A method of constructing the heat exchanger assembly of claim 1, the method comprising the steps of:
coating an outer surface of the first tube with a flux material;
coating an inner surface of the first sleeve with the flux material;
positioning the inner surface of the first sleeve about the outer surface of the first tube, wherein a first gap is formed therebetween;
heating the first tube and sleeve to a brazing temperature; and
filling the first gap with a filler metal.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, and further comprising:
coating a slot defined by an inner surface of a manifold with the flux material;
positioning one of the outer surface of the first tube or the outer surface of the first sleeve within the slot, wherein a second gap is formed therebetween; and
filling the second gap with a filler material.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The heat exchanger assembly of claim 1, wherein an end of the first sleeve abuts the first manifold body.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The heat exchanger assembly of claim 1, further comprising:
a second wall disposed in the first manifold body between the first tube and the second tube, the second wall being configured to prevent fluid flow from the first tube to the second tube; and
a second baffle disposed in the first manifold body between the second tube and the third tube, the second baffle being configured to allow fluid flow from the second tube to the third tube.