Method of forming flat-tube insertion slots in a header tube

US6772518B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Behr GmbH & Co. · DE

Inventors

• Walter Demuth · Gerlingen, DE
• Wolfgang Geiger · Plankstadt, DE
• Martin Kotsch · Ludwigsburg, DE
• Hans-Joachim Krauss · Stuttgart, DE
• Hagen Mittelstrass · Nagold, DE
• Harald Raiser · Balingen, DE
• Michael Sickelmann · Stuttgart, DE
• Karl-Heinz Staffa · Stuttgart, DE
• Christoph Walter · Stuttgart, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 22, 2002
• Grant date: Aug 10, 2004
• Expiry date: Jan 22, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T29/49996
• WIPO field: Thermal processes and apparatus
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for forming at least one flat-tube insertion slot in a header tube. A sawcut is introduced into the header tube during a sawing step, and the slot is configured, during a subsequent punching step, by means of a slot punch, which punches into the region of the sawcut. A rimmed opening can be configured during the punching step by using a slot punch with a larger width and/or length relative to the sawcut. The sawcut is preferably introduced to a depth less that the wall thickness of the header tube. The respective web region(s) between chamber of a multi-chamber header tube can be compressed during the punching operation to a level lower than that of a header-tube wall region functioning as a flat-tube insertion stop, in order to form a chamber-connecting duct.