WO2012102961A1 - Lubrication drying process for tube - Google Patents

Lubrication drying process for tube Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012102961A1
WO2012102961A1 PCT/US2012/022013 US2012022013W WO2012102961A1 WO 2012102961 A1 WO2012102961 A1 WO 2012102961A1 US 2012022013 W US2012022013 W US 2012022013W WO 2012102961 A1 WO2012102961 A1 WO 2012102961A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tube
drying agent
interior
solvent
flow
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.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2012/022013
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jason Michael Thomas
Louis Felipe AVILA
Jon P. KENNEDY
Loren D. Hoffman
Jeffrey L. Jones
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Carrier Corp
Original Assignee
Carrier Corp
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Carrier Corp filed Critical Carrier Corp
Priority to US13/981,339 priority Critical patent/US9403202B2/en
Publication of WO2012102961A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012102961A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • 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
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D7/00—Processes, other than flocking, specially adapted for applying liquids or other fluent materials to particular surfaces or for applying particular liquids or other fluent materials
    • B05D7/22—Processes, other than flocking, specially adapted for applying liquids or other fluent materials to particular surfaces or for applying particular liquids or other fluent materials to internal surfaces, e.g. of tubes
    • 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
    • B21D53/06—Making other particular articles heat exchangers or parts thereof, e.g. radiators, condensers fins, headers of metal tubes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23P—METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS
    • B23P15/00—Making specific metal objects by operations not covered by a single other subclass or a group in this subclass
    • B23P15/26—Making specific metal objects by operations not covered by a single other subclass or a group in this subclass heat exchangers or the like

Definitions

  • the subject matter disclosed herein relates to heat exchanger tubes. More specifically, the subject disclosure relates to a lubricant drying system for expansion of heat exchanger hairpin 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 include hairpin bend portions which are formed from straight tubes by bending, and then are expanded.
  • the hairpin tubes are coated in lubricant prior to expansion, to prevent buildup of tube material (typically aluminum) on the expansion tooling, and also to reduce a force needed to expand the tube using the expansion tooling.
  • the lubricant utilized such as a dry-lubricant, is applied to the tubes wet, with the aid of a solvent. For optimal lubricant performance, and to achieve proper expansion, the solvent must be dried out of the tube prior to expansion of the tube to reduce variability, and resulting defects, during the expansion process.
  • a method of lubricating an interior of a tube includes applying a lubricant including a mixture of an additive and a solvent into an interior of a tube.
  • a flow of drying agent is injected into a first end of the tube to force the solvent from the interior of the tube via a second end of the tube thereby leaving a coating of additive at the interior of the tube.
  • the drying agent is heated to remove additional solvent from the interior of the tube via evaporation.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a process of forming tubes for a heat exchanger
  • Figure 2 is a schematic of an embodiment of a hairpin bend tube for a heat exchanger.
  • FIG. 1 Shown in FIG. 1 is a schematic of a process 10 for forming tubes 12 for a heat exchanger.
  • the tubes 12 formed via this process are formed of an aluminum material, but it is to be appreciated that other materials, such as copper materials, may be utilized.
  • the lubricant is applied via a hose (not shown) which directs the lubricant into an interior of the coil 16.
  • the lubricant, more specifically the additive has the properties of high lubricity and low coefficient of friction, in some embodiments a coefficient of friction less than 0.10. In some embodiments, the coefficient of friction is between about 0.05 and 0.08.
  • the ratio of additive to solvent in the lubricant 18 is about nine parts solvent by weight to one part additive by weight.
  • the lubricant is one of Pre-Coat 456 or Pre-Coat 456e lubricant commercially available from Circle Prosco, Inc.
  • a flow of air 20 or other drying agent is injected into the tube 12 to remove the solvent from the lubricant 18 by forcing the solvent from the coil 16 due to the pressure of the injected drying agent. Removing the solvent from the lubricant 18 results in a coating of additive remaining on the interior of the coil 16.
  • the drying agent is injected into the tube for a predetermined length of time, for example, in the range of 5-7 minutes. In some embodiments, the time is about 5.5 minutes.
  • heat is added to the drying agent to reduce the drying time by also removing at least a portion of the solvent via evaporation.
  • a temperature of the drying agent is in the range of about 200-220 degrees Fahrenheit. In this range, the lubricant 18 is reduced to about 10 percent of its initial weight, which corresponds to the weight of the additive remaining after the solvent, representing about 90 percent of the lubricant 18 weight is removed. Further, minimizing humidity of the drying agent decreases drying time.
  • the coil 16 is cut to produce a plurality of individual tubes 12 of one or more desired lengths.
  • the tubes 12 are formed into a hairpin shape as shown in FIG. 2.
  • additional solvent may be loosened from an interior of the tube 12, and an additional flow 20 of drying agent may be injected into the tube 12 to remove the solvent.
  • This injection may be done utilizing one or more air knives 22 or other suitable mechanisms.
  • the flow 20 of drying agent is injected into a first end 24 of the tube 12, so that the solvent may flow out from a second end 26 of the tube 12.
  • the flow 20 may be heated and/or the humidity reduced thereby further reducing a drying time of the tube 12.
  • the tube 12 is passed through fins (not shown) of the heat exchanger, then are expanded to force the tube 12 into interference fit with the fins, thereby securing the tube 12 in place relative to the fins. Because of the application of, and proper removal of the solvent from the mixture 18, the additive performance allows for a reduction in force required to sufficiently expand the tube 12 and reduces variability in the expansion process, and defects resulting from the variability.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Application Of Or Painting With Fluid Materials (AREA)
  • Lubricants (AREA)

Abstract

A method of lubricating an interior of a tube includes applying a lubricant including a mixture of an additive and a solvent into an interior of a tube. A flow of drying agent is injected into a first end of the tube to force the solvent from the interior of the tube via a second end of the tube thereby leaving a coating of additive at the interior of the tube. The drying agent is heated to remove additional solvent from the interior of the tube via evaporation.

Description

LUBRICATION DRYING PROCESS FOR TUBE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to heat exchanger tubes. More specifically, the subject disclosure relates to a lubricant drying system for expansion of heat exchanger hairpin tubes.
[0002] 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 include hairpin bend portions which are formed from straight tubes by bending, and then are expanded. Typically, the hairpin tubes are coated in lubricant prior to expansion, to prevent buildup of tube material (typically aluminum) on the expansion tooling, and also to reduce a force needed to expand the tube using the expansion tooling. The lubricant utilized, such as a dry-lubricant, is applied to the tubes wet, with the aid of a solvent. For optimal lubricant performance, and to achieve proper expansion, the solvent must be dried out of the tube prior to expansion of the tube to reduce variability, and resulting defects, during the expansion process.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention, a method of lubricating an interior of a tube includes applying a lubricant including a mixture of an additive and a solvent into an interior of a tube. A flow of drying agent is injected into a first end of the tube to force the solvent from the interior of the tube via a second end of the tube thereby leaving a coating of additive at the interior of the tube. The drying agent is heated to remove additional solvent from the interior of the tube via evaporation.
[0003] These and other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] 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: [0005] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a process of forming tubes for a heat exchanger; and
[0006] Figure 2 is a schematic of an embodiment of a hairpin bend tube for a heat exchanger.
[0007] The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Shown in FIG. 1 is a schematic of a process 10 for forming tubes 12 for a heat exchanger. The tubes 12 formed via this process are formed of an aluminum material, but it is to be appreciated that other materials, such as copper materials, may be utilized.
[0009] Raw material 14, in this case aluminum, is formed into a tubular shape by, for example, extrusion, and rolled into a coil 16. A lubricant 18 including a desired amount of additive, coupled with a solvent which facilitates application of the lubricant, is circulated through the coil 16. In some embodiments, the lubricant is applied via a hose (not shown) which directs the lubricant into an interior of the coil 16. The lubricant, more specifically the additive, has the properties of high lubricity and low coefficient of friction, in some embodiments a coefficient of friction less than 0.10. In some embodiments, the coefficient of friction is between about 0.05 and 0.08. In some embodiments, the ratio of additive to solvent in the lubricant 18 is about nine parts solvent by weight to one part additive by weight. In some embodiments, the lubricant is one of Pre-Coat 456 or Pre-Coat 456e lubricant commercially available from Circle Prosco, Inc.
[0010] A flow of air 20 or other drying agent is injected into the tube 12 to remove the solvent from the lubricant 18 by forcing the solvent from the coil 16 due to the pressure of the injected drying agent. Removing the solvent from the lubricant 18 results in a coating of additive remaining on the interior of the coil 16. In some embodiments, the drying agent is injected into the tube for a predetermined length of time, for example, in the range of 5-7 minutes. In some embodiments, the time is about 5.5 minutes.
[0011] In some embodiments, heat is added to the drying agent to reduce the drying time by also removing at least a portion of the solvent via evaporation. In some embodiments, a temperature of the drying agent is in the range of about 200-220 degrees Fahrenheit. In this range, the lubricant 18 is reduced to about 10 percent of its initial weight, which corresponds to the weight of the additive remaining after the solvent, representing about 90 percent of the lubricant 18 weight is removed. Further, minimizing humidity of the drying agent decreases drying time.
[0012] The coil 16 is cut to produce a plurality of individual tubes 12 of one or more desired lengths. In some embodiments, the tubes 12 are formed into a hairpin shape as shown in FIG. 2. As a result of the forming process, additional solvent may be loosened from an interior of the tube 12, and an additional flow 20 of drying agent may be injected into the tube 12 to remove the solvent. This injection may be done utilizing one or more air knives 22 or other suitable mechanisms. The flow 20 of drying agent is injected into a first end 24 of the tube 12, so that the solvent may flow out from a second end 26 of the tube 12. Additionally, as with the previous injection of a flow 20 of drying agent, the flow 20 may be heated and/or the humidity reduced thereby further reducing a drying time of the tube 12.
[0013] Once a desired amount of solvent has been removed from the tube 12, the tube 12 is passed through fins (not shown) of the heat exchanger, then are expanded to force the tube 12 into interference fit with the fins, thereby securing the tube 12 in place relative to the fins. Because of the application of, and proper removal of the solvent from the mixture 18, the additive performance allows for a reduction in force required to sufficiently expand the tube 12 and reduces variability in the expansion process, and defects resulting from the variability.
[0014] 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

CLAIMS:
1. A method of lubricating an interior of a tube comprising:
applying a lubricant including a mixture of an additive and a solvent into an interior of a tube;
injecting a flow of a drying agent into a first end of the tube to force the solvent from the interior of the tube via a second end of the tube thereby leaving a coating of additive at the interior of the tube; and
heating the flow of the drying agent to remove additional solvent from the interior of the tube via evaporation.
2. The method of Claim 1, further comprising heating the flow of the drying agent to between about 200 and about 220 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. The method of Claim 1, further comprising removing humidity from the flow of drying agent.
4. The method of Claim 1, wherein the additive has a coefficient of friction of less than 0.1.
5. The method of Claim 4, wherein the coefficient of friction is between about 0.05 and about 0.08.
6. The method of Claim 1, wherein the lubricant is applied in a ratio of about nine parts solvent to about one part additive.
7. The method of Claim 1, wherein the tube is formed from an aluminum material.
8. The method of Claim 1, wherein the flow of drying agent is injected into the tube for between about 5 and about 7 minutes.
9. The method of Claim 1, wherein the tube is a tube for a heat exchanger.
10. The method of Claim 1, wherein the tube is substantially hairpin- shaped.
11. The method of Claim 1, wherein the drying agent is air.
12. The method of Claim 1, further comprising:
forming the tube to a desired shape; and
injecting a second flow of drying agent into the tube.
13. A hairpin bend tube for a heat exchanger produced by the process of Claim 1.
PCT/US2012/022013 2011-01-24 2012-01-20 Lubrication drying process for tube Ceased WO2012102961A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13/981,339 US9403202B2 (en) 2011-01-24 2012-01-20 Method for lubricating interior of heat exchanger tube

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201161435632P 2011-01-24 2011-01-24
US61/435,632 2011-01-24

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2012102961A1 true WO2012102961A1 (en) 2012-08-02

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2012/022013 Ceased WO2012102961A1 (en) 2011-01-24 2012-01-20 Lubrication drying process for tube

Country Status (2)

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US (1) US9403202B2 (en)
WO (1) WO2012102961A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10207305B2 (en) 2012-10-09 2019-02-19 Brazeway, Inc. Method of applying lubrication to legs of a hairpin tube
US9078505B2 (en) 2012-10-09 2015-07-14 Brazeway, Inc. Method of applying lubrication to legs of a hairpin tube
DE102017218639A1 (en) * 2017-10-18 2019-04-18 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Heat exchanger and method for its production
US11440072B2 (en) 2019-03-28 2022-09-13 Carrier Corporation Tube bending mandrel and system using the same

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS54100964A (en) * 1978-01-27 1979-08-09 Nippon Steel Corp Plug for hot rolling of seamless metal tube
JP2000117362A (en) * 1998-10-12 2000-04-25 Hitachi Cable Ltd Mandrel and method for expanding metal pipe
JP2001047161A (en) * 1999-08-12 2001-02-20 Daido Steel Co Ltd Metal tube expansion method and expansion tool
JP2008093713A (en) * 2006-10-13 2008-04-24 Sumitomo Light Metal Ind Ltd Method for expanding metal pipe, pipe expanding jig used therefor, and lubricating oil used therefor

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6200632B1 (en) * 1997-03-03 2001-03-13 Howard V. Leendertsen Methods and apparatus for applying liquid fluoropolymer solutions to substrates
US9078505B2 (en) * 2012-10-09 2015-07-14 Brazeway, Inc. Method of applying lubrication to legs of a hairpin tube

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS54100964A (en) * 1978-01-27 1979-08-09 Nippon Steel Corp Plug for hot rolling of seamless metal tube
JP2000117362A (en) * 1998-10-12 2000-04-25 Hitachi Cable Ltd Mandrel and method for expanding metal pipe
JP2001047161A (en) * 1999-08-12 2001-02-20 Daido Steel Co Ltd Metal tube expansion method and expansion tool
JP2008093713A (en) * 2006-10-13 2008-04-24 Sumitomo Light Metal Ind Ltd Method for expanding metal pipe, pipe expanding jig used therefor, and lubricating oil used therefor

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20130306182A1 (en) 2013-11-21
US9403202B2 (en) 2016-08-02

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