Fin-tube heat exchanger collar, and method of making same

A collar for a fin-tube heat exchanger, the collar extending outwardly from a thermally conductive plate, the collar comprising:

• a wall drawn from the thermally conductive plate and defining an opening dimensioned to receive a tube, the wall having a circular profile;
• the wall having a proximal end integral to the wall and a distal end curled inwardly back into contact with an inner diameter of the wall so as to form a first flare;
• and
• the distal end of the wall having a greater outer diameter than an outer diameter of the proximal end, thereby forming a double flare collar.

A fin-tube heat exchanger, comprising:

• at least one elongated tube, the tube having an outer diameter;
• a plurality of thermally conductive parallel plates;
• a substantially cylindrical wall extending from each of the plates, each wall defining a proximal end integral to the conductive plate, and a distal end forming an opening configured for receiving the tube;
• and
• the distal end of each wall being curled back into contact with its respective wall so as to form a first flare, and having a greater outer diameter than an outer diameter of the respective proximal ends, thereby forming a plurality of double flare collars.

A method for forming collars in a thermally conductive plate, comprising the steps of:

• placing a thermally conductive plate within a press;
• advancing the plate through the press in order to form a plurality of through-openings in the plate, each through-opening defining a radial wall having a distal end;
• and
• further advancing the plate through the press so as to curl the distal end into contact with the radial wall, thereby forming collars having a first flare.

A method for forming a plurality of collars in a thermally conductive plate, comprising the steps of:

• placing a thermally conductive plate within a press;
• advancing the plate through the press in order to form a plurality of through-openings in the plate, each through-opening defining a circular wall dimensioned to receive a tube;
• further advancing the plate through the press so as to form a first flare at the distal end of each of the plurality of walls whereby the distal end of the wall is curled back into its respective wall;
• and
• further advancing the plate through the press so as to form an outward flare at the distal end of each of the plurality of walls such that the outer diameter of the distal end of each wall is expanded, thereby forming a plurality of double flare collars.