# US 5,704,415 A · Winding small tube apparatus and manufacturing method thereof > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,704,415 A - Document ID: US5704415A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/561,701 - Filed: 1995-11-22 - Granted: 1998-01-06 - Earliest claimed: 1994-11-25 - Assignees: Nippon Light Metal Company, Ltd.; Actronics Kabushiki Kaisha; Soltech, Inc. - Inventors: Masamichi Suzuki; Keiichi Sugiyama; Mitsuyoshi Fujiike; Toshihiro Suzuki - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5704415A ## CPC - F28F 9/26: Arrangements for connecting different sections of heat-exchange elements, e.g. of radiators (connecting different sections in water heaters F24H9/14 {, connecting headers with inlet or outlet fittings F28F9/0246}) - F28D 15/0233: {the conduits having a particular shape, e.g. non-circular cross-section, annular (F28D15/0241, F28D15/0266 take precedence)} - F28D 15/0283: {Means for filling or sealing heat pipes} - F28F 1/022: {with multiple channels} - F28F 1/16: the means being integral with the element, e.g. formed by extrusion (F28F1/22 takes precedence) - F28F 9/0221: {Header boxes or end plates formed by stacked elements} - F28F 2220/00: Closure means, e.g. end caps on header boxes or plugs on conduits - F28F 2250/04: Communication passages between channels - Y10T 29/49353: Heat pipe device making - F28F: DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION (water and air traps, air venting F16) - 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) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract The winding small tube apparatus comprises an extruded flat tubed strip having a plurality of openings leading to parallel lumens and a header for attaching to an end of this extruded flat tubed strip to cover the openings. Every other portion of the partition at the openings of the lumens disposed in the extruded flat tubed strip is cut away to connect the lumens to form a continuous winding, serpentine sealed channel. By this invention, the manufacturing process is facilitated, the overall height of the apparatus is lowered, and the heat exchange property is raised. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A winding sealed small tube apparatus comprising: an extruded flat tubed strip having a plurality of openings leading to parallel lumens; a first header for connecting to an end of said extruded flat tubed strip to cover and tightly seal said end; a second header for connecting to an opposite end of said extruded flat tubed strip to cover and tightly seal said opposite end, the opposite end being opposite to said end; and wherein each successive pair of said parallel lumens adjoining each other are connected alternately at said end and said opposite end by having a portion of a partition that separates said openings of said parallel lumens adjoining each other cut out, and each of said end and said opposite end is covered with said respective first and second header to form a continuous winding sealed channel, whereby a cooling medium introduced in said channel is completely sealed inside. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The winding sealed small tube apparatus of claim 1, wherein said extruded flat tubed strip has a plurality of protrusions on an outer surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The winding sealed small tube apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said first and second header is a block body that tightly seals each end of said extruded flat tubed strip. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The winding sealed small tube apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said first and second header tightly has a "U" cross-section for clamping on to the flat portion of said extruded flat tubed strip. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The winding sealed small tube apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said first and second header tightly seals each end of said extruded flat tubed strip and is a cap body that covers an end surface portion of said extruded flat tubed strip. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The winding sealed small tube apparatus of claim 1, wherein a plurality of said winding small tube apparatuses are stacked together with fins situated in between said winding small tube apparatuses. ### Claim 7 A winding sealed small tube apparatus comprising: an extruded flat tubed strip having a plurality of openings leading to parallel lumens; a first header for connecting to an end of said extruded flat tubed strip to cover and tightly seal said end; second header for connecting to an opposite end of said extruded flat tubed strip to cover and tightly seal said opposite end; the opposite end being opposite to said end; and wherein each successive pair of said parallel lumens adjoining each other are connected alternately at said end and said opposite end by having a partition at said openings of said parallel lumens adjoining each other cut out to the surface of the extruded flat tubed strip, and each of said end and said opposite end is covered with said respective first and second header to form a continuous winding sealed channel, whereby a cooling medium introduced in said channel is completely sealed inside. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The winding sealed small tube apparatus of claim 7, wherein said extruded flat tubed strip has a plurality of protrusions on an outer surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The winding sealed small tube apparatus of claim 7, wherein each of said first and second header is a block body that tightly seals each end of said extruded tubed strip. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The winding sealed small tube apparatus of claim 7, wherein each of said first and second header has a "U:" cross-section for clamping on to the flat portion of said extruded flat tubed strip. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The winding sealed small tube apparatus of claim 7, wherein each of said first and second header is a cap body that covers an end surface portion of said extruded flat tubed strip. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The winding sealed small tube apparatus of claim 7, wherein at least one of said first and second header has a sealing portion for sealing an end surface of said extruded flat tubed strip and a linking channel for linking said parallel lumens at the two sides of said extruded flat tubed strip. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The winding sealed small tube apparatus of claim 7, wherein a plurality of said winding small tube apparatuses are stacked together with fins situated in between said winding small tube apparatuses. ### Claim 14 A winding sealed small tube apparatus comprising: an extruded flat tubed strip having a plurality of openings leading to parallel lumens; and a first header for connecting to an end of said extruded flat tubed strip to cover and tightly seal said end; a second header for connecting to an opposite end of said extruded flat tubed strip to cover and tightly seal said opposite end, the opposite end being opposite to said end; and wherein said first header is formed as a cap body for covering said end of said extruded flat tubed strip and has protruding partitions at the inner bottom side of said cap body for connecting to every other partition of said parallel lumens to form a continuous winding sealed channel, whereby a cooling medium introduced in said channel is completely sealed inside. ### Claim 15 A winding sealed small tube apparatus including a stack of extruded flat tubed strips, characterized in that: a plurality of sealing blocks are placed at the same end of and between extruded flat tubed strips of said stack, each strip having a plurality of openings leading to parallel lumens; a first header as a cap body is formed to cover and tightly seal an end of said stack of extruded flat tubed strips; a second header is formed to cover and tightly seal an opposite end of said stack of extruded flat tubed strips, the opposite end being opposite to said end; and an inner surface of said cap body is disposed with protrusions that adjoin every other one of said sealing blocks, whereby a cooling medium introduced into said apparatus is completely sealed inside said apparatus. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The winding sealed small tube apparatus of claim 15, characterized further in that a fin is placed between a pair of adjacently stacked strips of said stack of extruded flat tubed strips. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16) The winding sealed small tube apparatus of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 16, wherein each extruded flat tubed strip is constituted by an aluminum alloy extruded material. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) The winding sealed small tube apparatus of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16, wherein each extruded flat tubed strip and said first and second header are brazed with an anti-corrosive flux. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) The winding sealed small tube apparatus of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16, wherein each extruded flat tubed strip is constituted by an aluminum alloy extruded material; and said extruded flat tubed strip and said first and second header are brazed with an anti-corrosive flux. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) The winding sealed small tube apparatus of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16, wherein said extruded flat tubed strip and said first and second header are brazed with an anti-corrosive flux; and said anti-corrosive flux is coated beforehand at least on said extruded flat tubed strip or said first and second header. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) The winding sealed small tube apparatus of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16, wherein each extruded flat tubed strip is constituted by an aluminum alloy extruded material; said extruded flat tubed strip and said first and second header are brazed with an anti-corrosive flux; and said anti-corrosive flux is coated beforehand at least on said extruded flat tubed strip or said first and second header. ### Claim 22 A winding sealed small tube apparatus comprising: an extruded flat tubed strip having a plurality of openings leading to parallel lumens; a first header for connecting to an end of said extruded flat tubed strip to cover and tightly seal said end; a second header for connecting to an opposite end of said extruded flat tubed strip to cover and tightly seal said opposite end, the opposite end being opposite to said end; and wherein each successive pair of said parallel lumens adjoining each other are connected alternately at said end and said opposite end by having a portion of a partition that separates said openings of said parallel lumens adjoining each other cut out, and each of said end and said opposite end is covered with said respective first and second header to form a continuous winding sealed channel wherein at least one of said first and second header has a sealing portion for sealing an end surface of said extruded flat tubed strip and a linking channel for linking said parallel lumens at the two sides of said extruded flat tubed strip, whereby a cooling medium introduced in said apparatus is completely sealed inside. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The winding sealed small tube apparatus of claim 22 wherein each extruded flat tubed strip is constituted by an aluminum alloy extruded material. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The winding sealed small tube apparatus of claim 22 wherein each extruded flat tubed strip and said first and second header are brazed with an anti-corrosive flux. ### Claim 25 (depends on 22) The winding small tube apparatus of claim 22 wherein each extruded flat tubed strip is constituted by an aluminum alloy extruded material; and said extruded flat tubed strip and said first and second header are brazed with an anti-corrosive flux. ### Claim 26 (depends on 22) The winding sealed small tube apparatus of claim 22 wherein said extruded flat tubed strip and said first and second header are brazed with an anti-corrosive flux; and said anti-corrosive flux is coated beforehand at least on said extruded flat tubed strip or said first and second header. ### Claim 27 (depends on 22) The winding sealed small tube apparatus of claim 22 wherein each extruded flat tubed strip is constituted by an aluminum alloy extruded material; said extruded flat tubed strip and said first and second header are brazed with an anti-corrosive flux; and said anti-corrosive flux is coated beforehand at least on said extruded flat tubed strip or said first and second header. ### Claim 28 A winding sealed small tube apparatus comprising: an extruded flat tubed strip having a plurality of openings leading to parallel lumens; a first header for connecting to an end of said extruded flat tubed strip to cover and tightly seal said end; a second header for connecting to an opposite end of said extruded flat tubed strip to cover and tightly seal said opposite end, the opposite end being opposite to said end; and wherein linking portions for linking said parallel lumens, so as to form a sealed winding channel, are formed on at least one of said extruded flat tubed strip and said first header; and said second header; one of said openings of said extruded flat tubed strip is made into a means for introducing a cooling medium into said channel; and said means for introducing said cooling medium is sealed for sealing said cooling medium in said channel. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The winding sealed small tube apparatus of claim 28, wherein said extruded flat tubed strip is made of an aluminum alloy extruding material. ### Claim 30 (depends on 28) The winding sealed small tube apparatus of claim 28, wherein said extruded flat tubed strip and each of said first and second header are brazed with an anti-corrosive flux. ### Claim 31 (depends on 29) The winding sealed small tube apparatus of claim 29, wherein said extruded flat tubed strip and said first and second header are brazed with an anti-corrosive flux. ### Claim 32 (depends on 30, 31) The winding sealed small tube apparatus of claim 30 or 31, wherein said anti-corrosive flux is coated beforehand on at least said extruded flat tubed strip or said first and second header. ### Claim 33 A winding sealed small tube apparatus comprising: an extruded flat tubed strip having a plurality of openings leading to parallel lumens; a first header for connecting to an end of said extruded flat tubed strip to cover and tightly seal said end; a second header for connecting to an opposite end of said extruded flat tubed strip to cover and tightly seal said opposite end, the opposite end being opposite to said end; and wherein every other neighboring end part of partitions at said openings is cut out to form a connecting mouth for connecting said parallel lumens; said header is inserted and connected to a cut-out level that leaves the outer wall of said extruded flat tubed strip intact; said header is placed inside said extruded flat tube; and wherein cooling medium introduced into said apparatus is completely sealed therein. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The winding sealed small tube apparatus of claim 33, wherein said extruded flat tubed strip is made of an aluminum alloy extruding material. ### Claim 35 A winding sealed small tube apparatus comprising: an extruded flat tubed strip having a plurality of openings leading to parallel lumens; and a first header for connecting to an end of said extruded flat tubed strip to cover and tightly seal said end; a second header for connecting to an opposite end of said extruded flat tubed strip to cover and tightly seal said opposite end, the opposite end being opposite to said end; and wherein said end is cut out to form an outer cut-out level that leaves the outer walls of said extruded flat tubed strip uncut, and said end is further cut out to form an inner cut-out level that leaves partitions of said parallel lumens next to said outer walls and said outer walls uncut, and every other one of said partitions between said partitions next to said outer walls are further cut out to form a connecting mouth for connecting said parallel lumens in a winding, serpentine fashion, and said first header, made of an outer body and an inner body, is connected to said end and within said extruded flat tubed strip such that said inner body is inserted and connected to said inner cut-out level and said outer body is inserted and connected to said outer cut-out level, said inner body and said outer body coordinate to form a linking channel that links said parallel lumens at the extreme sides of said extruded flat tubed strip; and wherein a cooling medium introduced into said apparatus is completely sealed therein. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) The winding sealed small tube apparatus of claim 35, wherein said extruded flat tubed strip is made of an aluminum alloy extruding material. ### Claim 37 (depends on 33, 34, 35) The winding sealed small tube apparatus of claim 33, 34, 35, or 36, wherein said extruded flat tubed strip and said first and second header are brazed with an anti-corrosive flux. ### Claim 38 (depends on 33, 34, 35) The winding sealed small tube apparatus of claim 33, 34, 35, or 36, wherein said extruded flat tubed strip and said first and second header are brazed with an anti-corrosive flux; and said anti-corrosive flux is coated beforehand at least on said extruded flat tubed strip or said first and second header. ### Claim 39 A manufacturing method of a winding sealed small tube apparatus including an extruded flat tubed strip having a plurality of openings leading to parallel lumens and a first header and a second header for attaching to an end and an opposite end, respectively of said extruded flat tubed strip, comprising the steps of: providing linking passages near said end and opposite end of said strip to connect said parallel lumens to form a winding channel; attaching said first header to said end and said second header to the opposite end to close and tightly seal said winding channel; inserting a cooling medium in said winding channel via a mouth of one of said openings; and closing the mouth of said one of said openings, whereby said cooling medium is completely sealed inside said winding channel. ### Claim 40 A winding sealed small tube apparatus comprising: an extruded flat tubed strip having a plurality of openings leading to parallel lumens; a first header for connecting to an end of said extruded flat tubed strip to cover and tightly seal said end; a second header for connecting to an opposite end of said extruded flat tubed strip to cover and tightly seal said opposite end, the opposite end being opposite to said end; and wherein each successive pair of adjoining parallel lumens are connected alternately at said end and said opposite end, and each of said end and said opposite end is covered with said respective first and second header to form a continuous winding sealed channel, whereby a cooling medium introduced in said channel is completely sealed inside. ### Claim 41 A winding sealed small tube apparatus comprising: an extruded flat tubed strip having a plurality of openings leading to parallel lumens; a first header for connecting to an end of said extruded flat tubed strip to cover and tightly seal said end; a second header for connecting to an opposite end of said extruded flat tubed strip to cover and tightly seal said opposite end, the opposite end being opposite to said end; and wherein linking portions for linking said parallel lumens, so as to form a winding channel, are formed on at least one of: said extruded flat tubed strip and said first header and said second header; and said first header and said second header tightly seal said end and said opposite end, respectively, such that a cooling medium introduced in said channel is completely sealed inside.