Brazed plate fin heat exchanger
A fin collar having a shape that enhances flux application and brazing clad flow into the tube to fin joint to provide an improved thermal and structural bond.
1 . A heat exchanger, comprising:
at least one plate fin having a first side, a second side, and at least one opening defined therein,;
at least one fin collar disposed on the plate fin around the at least one opening, the fin collar having an upstanding wall extending from the plate fin, the wall having a plurality of slits defined therein; and,
at least one tube for conveying a pressurized fluid, the tube being disposed through the at least one opening in the plate fin.
2 . The heat exchanger of claim 1 , wherein the at least one tube has a cross-sectional shape that is round.
3 . The heat exchanger of claim 1 , wherein the at least one tube has a cross-sectional shape that is circular.
4 . The heat exchanger of claim 1 , wherein the at least one tube has a cross-sectional shape that is oval.
5 . The heat exchanger of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of slits are disposed substantially equidistantly around a perimeter of the collar.
6 . The heat exchanger of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of slits are defined by a pair of opposed walls that are angled such that the slit is wider at a point distal to the plate fin than it is at a point proximal to the plate fin.
7 . The heat exchanger of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of slits have a rectangular shape.
8 . The heat exchanger of claim 1 , wherein the at least one fin collar is constructed of an aluminum alloy.
9 . The heat exchanger of claim 8 , further comprising a cladding layer.
10 . The heat exchanger of claim 1 , wherein the at least one tube is constructed of an aluminum alloy.
11 . The heat exchanger of claim 1 , wherein the at least one plate fin is attached to the at least one tube by brazing.
12 . The heat exchanger of claim 1 , wherein the at least one plate fin is attached to the at least one tube by brazing in a controlled atmosphere brazing oven.
13 . The heat exchanger of claim 1 , wherein the at least one tube is constructed of copper.
14 . The heat exchanger of claim 1 , wherein the at least one plate fin is constructed of copper.
15 . The heat exchanger of claim 1 , wherein the fin collar is unclad.
16 . A heat exchanger, comprising:
at least one plate fin having a first side, a second side and at least one opening defined therein;
at least one fin collar disposed on the plate fin around the at least one opening, the fin collar having an upstanding wall extending from the plate fin, the wall having a plurality of slits defined therein; and,
at least one tube for conveying a pressurized fluid, the tube being disposed through the opening in the plate fin and attached to the fin collar by brazing.
17 . The heat exchanger of claim 16 , wherein the at least one tube has a cross-sectional shape that is round.
18 . The heat exchanger of claim 16 , wherein the at least one tube has a cross-sectional shape that is circular.
19 . The heat exchanger of claim 16 , wherein the at least one tube has a cross-sectional shape that is oval.
20 . The heat exchanger of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of slits are disposed substantially equidistantly around a perimeter of the collar.
21 . The heat exchanger of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of slits are defined by a pair of opposed walls that are angled such that the slit is wider at a point distal to the plate fin than it is at a point proximal to the plate fin.
22 . The heat exchanger of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of slits have a rectangular shape.
23 . The heat exchanger of claim 16 , wherein the at least one fin collar is constructed of an aluminum alloy.
24 . The heat exchanger of claim 23 , further comprising a cladding layer.
25 . The heat exchanger of claim 16 , wherein the at least one tube is constructed of an aluminum alloy.
26 . The heat exchanger of claim 16 , wherein the at least one fin collar is attached to the at least one tube by brazing.
27 . The heat exchanger of claim 16 , wherein the at least one plate fin is attached to the at least one tube by brazing in a controlled atmosphere brazing oven.
28 . The heat exchanger of claim 16 , wherein the at least one tube is constructed of copper.
29 . The heat exchanger of claim 16 , wherein the at least one plate fin is constructed of copper.
30 . The heat exchanger of claim 16 , wherein the fin collar is unclad.
31 . A method of forming a plate fin heat exchanger, comprising:
providing at least one plate fin having a first side, a second side, and at least one opening; at least one fin collar disposed on the plate fin around the at least one opening, the fin collar having an upstanding wall extending from the plate fin, the wall having a plurality of slits defined therein; and at least one tube for conveying a pressurized fluid, the tube being disposed through the at least one opening and attached to the fin collar by brazing;
providing a cladding material for brazing the plate fin-to-tube joint; and,
brazing the plate fin-to-tube joint in a controlled atmosphere brazing oven.