US20130298632A1 - Expansion bullet for heat exchanger tube - Google Patents
Expansion bullet for heat exchanger tube Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20130298632A1 US20130298632A1 US13/981,114 US201213981114A US2013298632A1 US 20130298632 A1 US20130298632 A1 US 20130298632A1 US 201213981114 A US201213981114 A US 201213981114A US 2013298632 A1 US2013298632 A1 US 2013298632A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- bullet
- expansion
- edge face
- tube
- leading edge
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D41/00—Application of procedures in order to alter the diameter of tube ends
- B21D41/02—Enlarging
- B21D41/026—Enlarging by means of mandrels
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D39/00—Application of procedures in order to connect objects or parts, e.g. coating with sheet metal otherwise than by plating; Tube expanders
- B21D39/08—Tube expanders
- B21D39/20—Tube expanders with mandrels, e.g. expandable
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D53/00—Making other particular articles
- B21D53/02—Making other particular articles heat exchangers or parts thereof, e.g. radiators, condensers fins, headers
- B21D53/08—Making other particular articles heat exchangers or parts thereof, e.g. radiators, condensers fins, headers of both metal tubes and sheet metal
- B21D53/085—Making other particular articles heat exchangers or parts thereof, e.g. radiators, condensers fins, headers of both metal tubes and sheet metal with fins places on zig-zag tubes or parallel tubes
Definitions
- the subject matter disclosed herein relates to heat exchanger tubes. More specifically, the subject disclosure relates to expansion bullets for manufacturing heat exchanger tubes.
- Heat exchangers of, for example, air conditioners include a plurality of heat exchanger fins and a plurality of heat exchanger tubes.
- the tubes are passed through holes in the fins, then are expanded to force the tubes into interference fit with the fins, thereby securing the tubes in place relative to the fins.
- the tubes are expanded via a bullet having a maximum diameter the same as that of the desired final inner diameter of the tube.
- the bullet 100 is fixed to a mandrel for inserting into the tube, and typically has a radiused leading edge 102 and a conical or cylindrical body 104 .
- the typical cross-sectional shape of an expansion bullet requires application of a high force in order for the bullet to successfully expand the tube. Further, especially when expanding aluminum tubes, aluminum material builds up on the bullet, resulting in galling and further increase in the necessary applied force.
- an expansion bullet for a heat exchanger tube includes a leading edge face, a trailing edge face, and a bullet body insertable into a tube of a heat exchanger to expand the tube.
- the bullet body extends from the leading edge face to the trailing edge face and has an outer profile defined by a single radius.
- an expansion mechanism for a tube of heat exchanger includes a bullet driving device and an expansion bullet driveable by the bullet driving device.
- the expansion bullet includes a leading edge face, a trailing edge face, and a bullet body insertable into a tube of a heat exchanger to expand the tube.
- the bullet body extends from the leading edge face to the trailing edge face and has an outer profile defined by a single radius.
- FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a tube expansion bullet
- FIG. 2 is another cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an expansion bullet.
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a typical expansion bullet.
- FIG. 1 Shown in FIG. 1 is a schematic of an expansion mechanism 10 for a tube 12 of, for example, a heat exchanger.
- the illustrated tube 12 is formed of an aluminum material, but other materials, for example, copper, may be utilized.
- the mechanism 10 includes a mandrel 14 which supports an expansion bullet 16 .
- the expansion bullet 16 has a maximum diameter 18 greater than an unexpanded diameter 20 of the tube 12 .
- the mandrel 14 and bullet 16 are driven into the tube 12 to expand the tube 12 to an inner diameter substantially equal to the maximum diameter 18 of the bullet 16 .
- expansion utilizing a mandrel 14 to drive the bullet 16 is shown in FIG. 1 and described herein, it is merely exemplary. It is to be appreciated that other bullet 16 driving means, such as a fluid applied to the bullet 16 , are contemplated within the present scope.
- the bullet 16 has a specific cross-sectional shape, as shown in FIG. 2 .
- the bullet 16 is substantially symmetrical about a bullet axis 22 extending along a length 24 of the bullet 16 .
- the bullet 16 has an inner diameter 26 defining a bullet opening 28 for mounting the bullet on the mandrel 14 .
- the bullet has a leading edge face 30 and a trailing edge face 32 which are substantially planar and perpendicular to the bullet axis 22 , and a bullet body 34 extending the length of the bullet 16 between the leading edge face 30 and the trailing edge face 32 .
- a surface profile of the bullet body 34 is a single continuous radius 36 . While a single continuous radius is shown in FIG. 2 , it is to be appreciated that other configurations to reduce friction may be utilized.
- the radius 36 may be interrupted along its length by on or more chamfers or steps.
- a center point 38 of the continuous radius 36 is shown in FIG. 2 .
- an axial position of the center point 38 is biased toward the trailing edge face 32 such that, a leading edge face diameter 40 is less than a trailing edge face diameter 42 .
- the center point 38 is located along the length of the bullet 16 between about 1 ⁇ 4 and 1 ⁇ 3 of the distance from the trailing edge face 32 to the leading edge face 30 .
- the center point 38 is offset radially from the bullet axis 22 .
- the center point 38 may be located outside of the bullet 16 .
- a bullet 16 utilized to expand a tube 12 having about a 3 ⁇ 8′′ outer diameter 44 is shown in FIG. 2 .
- the leading edge face diameter 40 is about 0.188 inches and the trailing edge diameter 42 is about 0.321 inches.
- the continuous radius 36 of the bullet 16 is about 0.350 inches.
- the continuous radius 36 is substantially proportional to the outer diameter 44 (shown in FIG. 1 ) of the tube 12 to be expanded. For larger outer diameters 44 a larger radius 36 is utilized, while for a smaller outer diameter 44 , a bullet 16 having a smaller radius 36 is utilized.
- the bullet opening 28 is chamfered at the leading edge face 30 and the trailing edge face 32 to ease installation of the bullet 16 on the mandrel 14 .
- the bullet 16 is formed from a steel material, for example, tool steel. It is to be appreciated, however, that other suitable materials may be utilized and are contemplated within the present scope.
- the bullet 16 may include a coating material applied to the bullet 16 .
- This coating may be, for example, a metallic coating, a plastic coating, a nano coating, and/or a surface treatment, or the like to reduce friction and galling, add wear resistance, and/or increase corrosion resistance.
- the coating is a hard chrome plating.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Heat-Exchange Devices With Radiators And Conduit Assemblies (AREA)
Abstract
An expansion bullet for a heat exchanger tube includes a leading edge face, a trailing edge face, and a bullet body insertable into a tube of a heat exchanger to expand the tube. The bullet body extends from the leading edge face to the trailing edge face and has an outer profile defined by a single radius. An expansion mechanism for a tube of heat exchanger includes a bullet driving device and an expansion bullet drivable by the bullet driving device. The expansion bullet includes a leading edge face, a trailing edge face, and a bullet body insertable into a tube of a heat exchanger to expand the tube. The bullet body extends from the leading edge face to the trailing edge face and has an outer profile defined by a single radius.
Description
- The subject matter disclosed herein relates to heat exchanger tubes. More specifically, the subject disclosure relates to expansion bullets for manufacturing heat exchanger tubes.
- Heat exchangers of, for example, air conditioners, include a plurality of heat exchanger fins and a plurality of heat exchanger tubes. The tubes are passed through holes in the fins, then are expanded to force the tubes into interference fit with the fins, thereby securing the tubes in place relative to the fins. Typically, the tubes are expanded via a bullet having a maximum diameter the same as that of the desired final inner diameter of the tube. The
bullet 100, an example of which is shown inFIG. 3 , is fixed to a mandrel for inserting into the tube, and typically has a radiused leadingedge 102 and a conical orcylindrical body 104. The typical cross-sectional shape of an expansion bullet requires application of a high force in order for the bullet to successfully expand the tube. Further, especially when expanding aluminum tubes, aluminum material builds up on the bullet, resulting in galling and further increase in the necessary applied force. - According to one aspect of the invention, an expansion bullet for a heat exchanger tube includes a leading edge face, a trailing edge face, and a bullet body insertable into a tube of a heat exchanger to expand the tube. The bullet body extends from the leading edge face to the trailing edge face and has an outer profile defined by a single radius.
- According to another aspect of the invention, an expansion mechanism for a tube of heat exchanger includes a bullet driving device and an expansion bullet driveable by the bullet driving device. The expansion bullet includes a leading edge face, a trailing edge face, and a bullet body insertable into a tube of a heat exchanger to expand the tube. The bullet body extends from the leading edge face to the trailing edge face and has an outer profile defined by a single radius.
- These and other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.
- The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a tube expansion bullet; -
FIG. 2 is another cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an expansion bullet; and -
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a typical expansion bullet. - The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings.
- Shown in
FIG. 1 is a schematic of anexpansion mechanism 10 for atube 12 of, for example, a heat exchanger. The illustratedtube 12 is formed of an aluminum material, but other materials, for example, copper, may be utilized. Themechanism 10 includes amandrel 14 which supports anexpansion bullet 16. Theexpansion bullet 16 has amaximum diameter 18 greater than anunexpanded diameter 20 of thetube 12. Themandrel 14 andbullet 16 are driven into thetube 12 to expand thetube 12 to an inner diameter substantially equal to themaximum diameter 18 of thebullet 16. Though, expansion utilizing amandrel 14 to drive thebullet 16 is shown inFIG. 1 and described herein, it is merely exemplary. It is to be appreciated thatother bullet 16 driving means, such as a fluid applied to thebullet 16, are contemplated within the present scope. - To reduce the force necessary to expand the
tube 12 to the desired diameter, thebullet 16 has a specific cross-sectional shape, as shown inFIG. 2 . Thebullet 16 is substantially symmetrical about abullet axis 22 extending along alength 24 of thebullet 16. Thebullet 16 has aninner diameter 26 defining a bullet opening 28 for mounting the bullet on themandrel 14. The bullet has a leadingedge face 30 and atrailing edge face 32 which are substantially planar and perpendicular to thebullet axis 22, and abullet body 34 extending the length of thebullet 16 between the leadingedge face 30 and thetrailing edge face 32. A surface profile of thebullet body 34 is a singlecontinuous radius 36. While a single continuous radius is shown inFIG. 2 , it is to be appreciated that other configurations to reduce friction may be utilized. For example, theradius 36 may be interrupted along its length by on or more chamfers or steps. - A
center point 38 of thecontinuous radius 36 is shown inFIG. 2 . In some embodiments, an axial position of thecenter point 38 is biased toward thetrailing edge face 32 such that, a leadingedge face diameter 40 is less than a trailingedge face diameter 42. In some embodiments, thecenter point 38 is located along the length of thebullet 16 between about ¼ and ⅓ of the distance from thetrailing edge face 32 to the leadingedge face 30. Further, in some embodiments, thecenter point 38 is offset radially from thebullet axis 22. For example, as shown inFIG. 2 , thecenter point 38 may be located outside of thebullet 16. - By way of example, a
bullet 16 utilized to expand atube 12 having about a ⅜″outer diameter 44 is shown inFIG. 2 . For such abullet 16, the leadingedge face diameter 40 is about 0.188 inches and thetrailing edge diameter 42 is about 0.321 inches. Thecontinuous radius 36 of thebullet 16 is about 0.350 inches. Thecontinuous radius 36 is substantially proportional to the outer diameter 44 (shown inFIG. 1 ) of thetube 12 to be expanded. For larger outer diameters 44 alarger radius 36 is utilized, while for a smallerouter diameter 44, abullet 16 having asmaller radius 36 is utilized. - In some embodiments, the
bullet opening 28 is chamfered at the leadingedge face 30 and thetrailing edge face 32 to ease installation of thebullet 16 on themandrel 14. - In some embodiments, the
bullet 16 is formed from a steel material, for example, tool steel. It is to be appreciated, however, that other suitable materials may be utilized and are contemplated within the present scope. To decrease buildup of aluminum material on thebullet 16 during use, and thus reduce galling between thebullet 16 and thetube 12, thebullet 16 may include a coating material applied to thebullet 16. This coating may be, for example, a metallic coating, a plastic coating, a nano coating, and/or a surface treatment, or the like to reduce friction and galling, add wear resistance, and/or increase corrosion resistance. In some embodiments, the coating is a hard chrome plating. - While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (20)
1. An expansion bullet for a heat exchanger tube comprising:
a leading edge face;
a trailing edge face; and
a bullet body insertable into a tube of a heat exchanger to expand the tube, the bullet body extending from the leading edge face to the trailing edge face, the bullet body having an outer profile defined by a single radius.
2. The expansion bullet of claim 1 , wherein the single radius is substantially continuous and unbroken from the leading edge face to the trailing edge face.
3. The expansion bullet of claim 1 , wherein a center point of the single radius is axially offset along a length of the expansion bullet.
4. The expansion bullet of claim 3 , wherein the center point is axially offset such that a leading edge face diameter is smaller than a trailing edge face diameter.
5. The expansion bullet of claim 1 , wherein the leading edge face and/or the trailing edge face are substantially axially-oriented planar faces.
6. The expansion bullet of claim 1 , wherein a center point of the single continuous radius is radially offset from a central axis of the expansion bullet.
7. The expansion bullet of claim 6 , wherein the center point is offset such that the center point is located outside of the expansion bullet.
8. The expansion bullet of claim 1 , further comprising a coating applied to the expansion bullet.
9. The expansion bullet of claim 8 , wherein the coating is one or more of a metallic coating, a plastic coating, a nano coating, or a surface treatment to reduce friction.
10. The expansion bullet of claim 1 , further comprising a bullet opening to secure the expansion bullet to a mandrel.
11. An expansion mechanism for a tube of heat exchanger comprising:
a bullet driving device; and
an expansion bullet configured to be driven by the bullet driving device:
a leading edge face;
a trailing edge face; and
a bullet body insertable into a tube of heat exchanger to expand the tube, the bullet body extending from the leading edge face to the trailing edge face, the bullet body having an outer profile defined by a single radius.
12. The expansion mechanism of claim 11 , wherein the single radius is substantially continuous and unbroken from the leading edge face to the trailing edge face.
13. The expansion mechanism of claim 11 , wherein a center point of the single continuous radius is axially offset along a length of the expansion bullet.
14. The expansion mechanism of claim 13 , wherein the center point is axially offset such that a leading edge face diameter is smaller than a trailing edge face diameter.
15. The expansion mechanism of claim 11 , wherein the leading edge face and/or the trailing edge face are substantially axially-oriented planar faces.
16. The expansion mechanism of claim 11 , wherein a center point of the single continuous radius is radially offset from a central axis of the expansion bullet.
17. The expansion mechanism of claim 16 , wherein the center point is offset such that the center point is located outside of the expansion bullet.
18. The expansion mechanism of claim 11 , further comprising a coating applied to the expansion bullet.
19. The expansion mechanism of claim 18 , wherein the coating is one or more of a metallic coating, a plastic coating, a nano coating, or a surface treatment to reduce friction.
20. The expansion mechanism of claim 11 , wherein the bullet driving device is a mandrel to which the bullet is secured.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/981,114 US20130298632A1 (en) | 2011-01-24 | 2012-01-20 | Expansion bullet for heat exchanger tube |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201161435641P | 2011-01-24 | 2011-01-24 | |
US13/981,114 US20130298632A1 (en) | 2011-01-24 | 2012-01-20 | Expansion bullet for heat exchanger tube |
PCT/US2012/022012 WO2012102960A1 (en) | 2011-01-24 | 2012-01-20 | Expansion bullet for heat exchanger tube |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20130298632A1 true US20130298632A1 (en) | 2013-11-14 |
Family
ID=45554898
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/981,114 Abandoned US20130298632A1 (en) | 2011-01-24 | 2012-01-20 | Expansion bullet for heat exchanger tube |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20130298632A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2012102960A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2015123498A (en) * | 2013-12-27 | 2015-07-06 | 三菱アルミニウム株式会社 | Tube expansion plug |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4031738A (en) * | 1974-08-22 | 1977-06-28 | Mannesmannrohren-Werke Ag. | Plug for plug rolling |
US4646548A (en) * | 1982-09-29 | 1987-03-03 | Carrier Corporation | Tube expanding and grooving tool and method |
US5031434A (en) * | 1989-02-28 | 1991-07-16 | Nkk Corporation | Plug for manufacturing seamless steel pipe |
US20100218533A1 (en) * | 2007-11-28 | 2010-09-02 | Sangmu Lee | Air conditioner |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH02182330A (en) * | 1989-01-10 | 1990-07-17 | Mitsubishi Metal Corp | Expanding plug made of ceramic |
JP4759226B2 (en) * | 2004-03-31 | 2011-08-31 | 株式会社コベルコ マテリアル銅管 | Tube expansion tool and tube expansion method using the same |
JP4913371B2 (en) * | 2004-10-04 | 2012-04-11 | 古河電気工業株式会社 | Manufacturing method of heat exchanger |
-
2012
- 2012-01-20 WO PCT/US2012/022012 patent/WO2012102960A1/en active Application Filing
- 2012-01-20 US US13/981,114 patent/US20130298632A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4031738A (en) * | 1974-08-22 | 1977-06-28 | Mannesmannrohren-Werke Ag. | Plug for plug rolling |
US4646548A (en) * | 1982-09-29 | 1987-03-03 | Carrier Corporation | Tube expanding and grooving tool and method |
US5031434A (en) * | 1989-02-28 | 1991-07-16 | Nkk Corporation | Plug for manufacturing seamless steel pipe |
US20100218533A1 (en) * | 2007-11-28 | 2010-09-02 | Sangmu Lee | Air conditioner |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2015123498A (en) * | 2013-12-27 | 2015-07-06 | 三菱アルミニウム株式会社 | Tube expansion plug |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2012102960A1 (en) | 2012-08-02 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CARRIER CORPORATION, CONNECTICUT Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:KONKLE, ERIC;WOODARD, JAMES H.;THOMAS, JASON MICHAEL;AND OTHERS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20110125 TO 20110501;REEL/FRAME:027723/0197 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CARRIER CORPORATION, CONNECTICUT Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:KONKLE, ERIC;WOODARD, JAMES H.;THOMAS, JASON MICHAEL;AND OTHERS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20110125 TO 20110501;REEL/FRAME:030854/0389 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |