Corrosion-resistant heat exchanger
AssigneeAOS Holding Company
InventorsCharles J. Bishop, Ming C. Kuo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A corrosion-resistant, copper-finned heat exchanger for a water heater is provided. The heat exchanger includes a conduit through which water runs, heat-transfer fins extending from the conduit and an anti-corrosive coating containing electroless nickel. The heat-transfer fins contain copper, and the coating is deposited directly onto at least one of the copper heat-transfer fins.
Claims27
A method of preventing corrosion of a copper heat exchanger for a water heater, the method comprising:
- immersing a copper heat exchanger into an aqueous-chemical-deposition bath comprising at least one of nickel, cobalt, palladium, platinum and combinations thereof;
- and
- electroless-chemically depositing an electroless coating comprising at least one of nickel, cobalt, palladium, platinum and combinations thereof onto at least a portion of the heat exchanger, whereby the electroless coating substantially prevents corrosion of the heat exchanger when the heat exchanger is used in conjunction with a functioning water heater.
A method of manufacturing a water heater, the method comprising:
- electroless-chemically depositing an electroless coating onto a portion of a coiled copper heat exchanger, the heat exchanger having a conduit through which water runs and heat-transfer fins extending therefrom;
- and
- positioning the heat exchanger into a housing, the housing having a flue positioned above a combustor therein, wherein the coating substantially inhibits corrosion of the exchanger.
A method of inhibiting corrosion of a coiled copper heat exchanger for a water heater, the method comprising:
- immersing at least a portion of the coiled copper heat exchanger into an aqueous-chemical-deposition bath comprising at least one of nickel, cobalt, palladium, platinum and combinations thereof;
- and
- electroless-chemically depositing an electroless coating onto at least a portion of the heat exchanger,
- wherein no electrical current is applied during the majority of the electroless-chemical deposition, the coating comprises at least one of nickel, cobalt, palladium, platinum and combinations thereof, and the coating substantially inhibits corrosion of the heat exchanger when the heat exchanger is used in conjunction with a functioning water heater.
A method of improving the functioning of a heat exchanger for a water heater, the method comprising:
- crimping a plurality of heat-transfer fins on a copper heat exchanger to form crimped fins for improving heating efficiency of the heat exchanger;
- and
- electroless-chemically depositing an electroless coating onto a plurality of the crimped fins, the coating comprising at least one of nickel, cobalt, palladium, platinum and combinations thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.