Method and machine for manufacturing a heat exchanger block, fins for manufacturing a heat exchanger block, and heat exchanger block

Abstract

This invention relates to a method and machine for manufacturing a heat exchanger block, to fins for manufacturing a heat exchanger block, and to a heat exchanger block. There is provided a method of manufacturing a heat exchanger block( 12 ) comprising a number of tubes ( 16 ) and a number of fins ( 14; 214 a, 214 b; 314 a, 314 b ), neighbouring fins being separated by a predetermined spacing by way of spacer means ( 52; 52 a, 52 b ), the method including the steps of: locating a predetermined number of tubes in a chosen array; locating a number of fins adjacent an end of the tubes; fitting the fins onto the tubes; and vibrating the tubes and/or the fins during the step of fitting the fins onto the tubes. There is also provided a fin ( 14; 214 a, 214 b; 314 a, 314 b ) for a heat exchanger block ( 12 ), the fin having integral spacer means( 52; 52 a, 52 b ) whereby the spacer means of one fin can engage the neighbouring fin and determine the spacing therebetween, the fin having a number of apertures ( 40 ) to receive a number of tubes ( 16 ), the spacer means being located at a distance from the apertures.

In the claims: 
     
         1 . A fin ( 14 ;  214   a ,  214   b;    314   a ,  314   b ) for a heat exchanger block ( 12 ), the fin having integral spacer means ( 52 ;  52   a ,  52   b ) whereby the spacer means of one fin can engage the neighbouring fin and determine the spacing therebetween, the fin having a number of apertures ( 40 ) to receive a number of tubes ( 16 ), the spacer means being located at a distance from the apertures. 
     
     
         2 . A fin ( 14 ;  214   a ,  214   b;    314   a ,  314   b ) for a heat exchanger block ( 12 ) according to  claim 1  in which the spacer means comprises a plurality of spacing elements carried by the fin. 
     
     
         3 . A fin ( 14 ;  214   a ,  214   b;    314   a ,  314   b ) for a heat exchanger block ( 12 ) according to  claim 2  in which the spacing elements are deformations in the fin. 
     
     
         4 . A fin ( 14 ;  214   a ,  214   b;    314   a ,  314   b ) for a heat exchanger block ( 12 ) according to  claim 2  in which the spacing elements each have a contact part which is out of alignment with the plane of the fin, and at least one support wall connected to the contact part. 
     
     
         5 . A fin ( 14 ;  214   a ,  214   b;    314   a ,  314   b ) for a heat exchanger block ( 12 ) according to  claim 4  in which the support wall is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the fin. 
     
     
         6 . A fin ( 14 ;  214   a ,  214   b;    314   a ,  314   b ) for a heat exchanger block ( 12 ) according to  claim 1  having a respective collar surrounding each of the apertures, the height (h) of the spacer means ( 52 ;  52   a ,  52   b ) being greater than the height of the collar. 
     
     
         7 . A heat exchanger block ( 12 ) comprising a number of fins ( 14 ;  214   a ,  214   b;    314   a ,  314   b ) according to  claim 1  mounted upon a number of tubes ( 16 ), each fin having integral spacer means ( 52 ;  52   a ,  52   b ) located at a distance from the tubes. 
     
     
         8 . A heat exchanger block ( 12 ) according to  claim 7  in which the number of fins comprises a number of first fins ( 214   a;    314   a ) and a number of second fins ( 314   a ,  314   b ), the fins being arranged in an alternating sequence with a first fin located between two second fins and a second fin located between two first fins, the spacing elements ( 52 ;  52   a ) of the first fins being out of alignment with the spacing elements ( 52 ;  52   b ) of the second fins. 
     
     
         9 . A method of manufacturing a heat exchanger block ( 12 ) comprising a number of tubes ( 16 ) and a number of fins ( 14 ;  214   a ,  214   b;    314   a ,  314   b ), neighbouring fins being separated by a predetermined spacing by way of spacer means ( 52 ;  52   a ,  52   b ), the method including the steps of:
 locating a predetermined number of tubes in a chosen array;   locating a number of fins adjacent an end of the tubes;   fitting the fins onto the tubes; and   vibrating the tubes and/or the fins during the step of fitting the fins onto the tubes.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9  in which the tubes are oriented with their longitudinal axes substantially vertical whereby gravity acts to move the fins along the tubes. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10  in which gravity is the only force acting to move the fins along the tubes. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 9  in which the fins ( 14 ;  214   a ,  214   b;    314   a ,  314   b ) have integral spacer means ( 52 ;  52   a ,  52   b ) which maintain a desired separation between adjacent fins.