GB1111140A - Manufacture of metal plate fin tube modules - Google Patents

Abstract

1,111,140. Making plate fin tube modules; jointing by tube expanding. HUDSON ENGINEERING CORPORATION. 12 Dec., 1966 [7 Feb., 1966], No. 55606/66. Headings B3A and B3J. A plate fin tube module, Fig. 11, is made by feeding plate fins 33 over the ends of tubes 36 supported in spaced apart parallel relation to form a stack, the assembly being vibrated to assist the movement of the plate fins over the tubes. As described, tubes 36, Fig. 1, are pushed from a rack 44 by a pusher 47 on to a horizontal beam 49b on which the tube ends are gripped by a head 62, Fig. 13, which is moved along the beam by an endless chain 67. When the tubes have been drawn on to the beam a sufficient distance, a second head (75) (Fig. 14, not shown) is moved forward and the head 62 moved back again until the opposite tube ends fit tightly over projections (74) on the head (75). Intermediate portions of the tubes are supported by movable heads (62a-62c). After vertically raising the beam by a fluid actuator 50 and moving it sideways, tapered guide pins (79) (Fig. 17, not shown) are mounted in the upper ends of the tubes over which plate fins 33, sheared from a strip 30, are fed to lie on top of the head 62, which is gradually moved downwards thereby forming a stack of fins on the tubes. The fins are guided by side members 55 extending along the length of the beam. When a stack of fins has been so formed, the beam is moved downwardly and sideways whereupon the tube ends are again clamped by the head 62 which moves the tubes forward until the opposite unfinned ends have passed through a movable plate (87) (Fig. 19, not shown) and against a stop (88). In this position, the tubes are expanded against the plate fins by drawing rods (91), with bullets (93) secured to their free ends, through the tubes, buckling of the fins being prevented by flanges 56 on the side members 55. Finally, the beam is raised into alignment with a conveyer 95 on which the completed module is transported. The plate fin feeding means 31 and the guide roller 38 are movable along a platform 39 so that they can be positioned near either of the two beams 49a, 49b.