US 6,305,079 B1 · Methods of making plate-fin heat exchangers

Abstract

A method of making a heat exchanger includes assembling one or more heat exchange cells. Each heat exchange cell is assembled by providing a top plate having an inlet aperture at one end thereof, an outlet aperture at the other end thereof, a first surface, a second surface and peripheral edges; and providing a bottom plate having an inlet aperture at one end thereof, an outlet aperture at the other end thereof, a first surface, a second surface and peripheral edges. The second surfaces of the top and bottom plates are juxtaposed with one another so that the inlet and outlet apertures of the plates are in substantial alignment with one another. The peripheral edges of the top and bottom plates are attached to form a high pressure chamber between the second surfaces of the plates. After being assembled, each individual heat exchange cell is tested before being attached to other heat exchange cells. The testing may include pressure testing of the heat exchange cell. The testing of each individual cell improves the quality and reliability of the fully assembled heat exchanger because each level of the heat exchanger has been pre-tested for defects (e.g. leaks) prior to further assembly steps.

Claims36

Dependent claims

A method of making a heat exchanger comprising:

assembling a first heat exchange cell including:
providing a top plate having an inlet aperture at one end thereof and an outlet aperture at the other end thereof, said top plate including a first surface, a second surface and peripheral edges;
providing a bottom plate having an inlet aperture at one end thereof and an outlet aperture at the other end thereof, said bottom plate including a first surface, a second surface and peripheral edges;
juxtaposing the second surface of the bottom plate with the second surface of the top plate, wherein the inlet and outlet apertures of said top and bottom plates are in substantial alignment with one another;
and
attaching the peripheral edges of said top and bottom plates to one another to form a high pressure chamber between the second surfaces of said plates;
after assembling the first cell, testing the first cell;
assembling a second cell in the same manner as set forth in the above act of assembling a first cell;
after assembling the second cell, testing the second cell;
and
after testing the first and second cells, metallurgically bonding the first and second cells together to create a multi-cell heat exchanger.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Methods of making plate-fin heat exchangers

Life of this patent

Methods of making plate-fin heat exchangers

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims36