Microchannel heat exchanger tube supported bracket
AssigneeCarrier Corporation
InventorTobias H. Sienel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat exchange tube segments defining a plurality of fluid pathways therein and a plurality of fins disposed between adjacent heat exchange tube segments of the plurality of heat exchange tube segments. A bend is formed in the plurality of heat exchange tube segments defining a first portion of the heat exchanger located at a first side of the bend, and a second portion of the heat exchanger located at a second side of the bend opposite the first side. A support is positioned at or near the bend, the support including and includes a support base and at least one support finger extending from the support base and into a gap between adjacent heat exchange tube segments of the plurality of heat exchange tube segments.
Claims6
A method of forming a heat exchanger, comprising:
- arranging a plurality of heat exchange tube segments to define at least one gap between adjacent heat exchange tube segments of the plurality of heat exchange tube segments;
- securing a support to the plurality of heat exchange tube segments, the support including:
- a support base:
- at least one support finger extending from the support base into the at least one gap;
- and
- forming at least one bend in the plurality of heat exchange tube segments, the support disposed at the at least one bend;
- securing a first header at a first end of the plurality of heat exchange tube segments;
- and
- securing a second header at a second end of the plurality of heat exchange tube segments, opposite the first end.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.