heat exchangers and methods of production

摘要

The heat exchanger comprises plastic tubes(2) with metal heat transfer members(3) between and in contact with them and storage chambers(4) for supplying heat transfer fluid into the tubes and receiving cooled fluid from the tubes. Part of each heat transfer member is embedded in the wall(12) of each tube. The plastic tubes(2) are flat extruded tubes and preferably have multiple chambers. Each heat transfer member(3) comprises corrugated ribs. Peaks(13) and troughs(14) of the heat transfer ribs may be embedded in the walls(12) of the flat tubes so that they lie in furrows in the walls. Projections may be incorporated in the peaks and/or troughs and penetrate into or through the tube walls. Heat transfer members can alternatively be flat ribs with vanes whose ends are embedded in the tube walls. An independent claim is included for a process for manufacturing a heat transfer unit in which: a) plastic tubes and metal heat transfer ribs are assembled to form a heat transfer block; b) the heat transfer ribs are heated so that the wall(12) of the plastic tube becomes plasticized at the contact points between the tubes and peaks and troughs of the heat transfer ribs and close contact is formed between them.