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US 2013/0220978 A1Published application
Methods for manufacturing tubes for use in heat exchangers and other systems
OwnerJerry Ellison Gould, Michael Wilson +3inventors
InventorsJerry Ellison Gould, Michael Wilson, Forrest Nixon, Warren Peterson, Bradley Arment
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Abstract
Methods for forming flattened tubes are described herein. In one embodiment, internal fins formed on an interior surface of a round tube define a plurality of internal cross channels thereon. The tube is flattened and the internal fins welded together at localized contact points without the use of a brazing or cladding material.
Claims20
A method of manufacturing a flattened tube for use in a heat exchanger, the method comprising:
- forming a plurality of ridges on an interior surface of a tube having a generally round cross-sectional shape, wherein the tube is formed from a base material, and wherein the ridges are formed from the base material;
- flattening the tube into a generally oblong cross-sectional shape having a first height;
- welding the base material of individual ridges together at contact points in the absence of a cladding or brazing material on the ridges, wherein the welding comprises compressing the tube between a first electrode and a second opposing electrode to introduce a current that passes through and joins together the contact points;
- and
- moving at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode toward the tube to flatten the tube to a second height less than the first height.
2 more elements
A welding system for manufacturing a flattened tube for use in a heat exchanger, the system comprising:
- a first electrode opposite a second electrode configured to receive a flattened tube therebetween and to weld individual ridges formed on an interior surface of the tube at contact points, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode each include a roller surrounded by an outer band;
- an electric power source coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode configured to provide electric current thereto;
- and
- an actuator coupled to the first electrode and configured to apply a force thereto to reduce the thickness of the tube from a first height to a second height as the tube passes between the first electrode and the second electrode.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.