Method and apparatus for convection brazing of aluminum heat exchangers
US5172848A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 25, 1991 |
| Grant date | Dec 22, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 25, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF27B9/10
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A convection braze furnace for brazing aluminum heat exchangers in an inert gas rich atmosphere includes entrance and exit vestibules forming atmosphere barriers of suspended stainless steel strips. The interior of the braze furnace is divided into multiple zones for progressively heating the heat exchangers to a brazing temperature and then cooling the heat exchangers in the final zone. An impeller circulates the heated inert gas atmosphere within each zone to accelerate heat transfer. A chain type conveyor supports the heat exchangers as they are moved through the braze furnace. An isolated return tube surrounds the lower return side of the conveyor chain as it passes through the braze furnace. The braze furnace housing is comprised of inner and outer shells having an inert gas pressurized cavity interstitial therebetween. The inner shell includes a plurality of expansion strips having generally ellipsoidal corner expansion joints.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.