U.S. patent application number 15/431869 was filed with the patent office on 2017-06-08 for method for producing a heat exchanger.
This patent application is currently assigned to MAHLE International GmbH. The applicant listed for this patent is MAHLE International GmbH. Invention is credited to Thomas SCHIEHLEN.
Application Number | 20170160023 15/431869 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54062755 |
Filed Date | 2017-06-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170160023 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SCHIEHLEN; Thomas |
June 8, 2017 |
METHOD FOR PRODUCING A HEAT EXCHANGER
Abstract
A method of producing a heat exchanger is provided that includes
a connection between two elements of a heat exchanger, the two
elements being connectible to each other in at least one respective
contact surface. An adhesive film is applied to at least one of the
elements in the region of the respective contact surface, two
elements being brought in contact with each other by applying
pressure and an adhesive bond being produced between the elements
by means of the adhesive film. An associated heat exchanger is also
provided.
Inventors: |
SCHIEHLEN; Thomas; (Altheim,
DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MAHLE International GmbH |
Stuttgart |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
MAHLE International GmbH
Stuttgart
DE
|
Family ID: |
54062755 |
Appl. No.: |
15/431869 |
Filed: |
February 14, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/EP2015/070491 |
Sep 8, 2015 |
|
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|
15431869 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28F 9/162 20130101;
F28D 9/0031 20130101; F28F 2275/025 20130101; F28F 1/126 20130101;
F28F 9/0224 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F28F 9/16 20060101
F28F009/16; F28F 1/12 20060101 F28F001/12; F28F 9/02 20060101
F28F009/02; F28D 9/00 20060101 F28D009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 17, 2014 |
DE |
10 2014 218 694.3 |
Claims
1. A method for producing a heat exchanger with a connection
between two elements of the heat exchanger, the two elements being
connectable to one another on at least one contact surface, the
method comprising: applying an adhesive film to at least one of the
elements in a region of the respective contact surface; and
bringing the two elements into contact with one another via a
compressive force, wherein an adhesive bond is formed between the
elements by the adhesive film.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive film is
dry to a touch, and wherein an adhesive effect of the adhesive film
is produced by the application of a compressive force and/or by
heating the adhesive film.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive film has a
layer thickness between 10 .mu.m and 250 .mu.m.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive film is
laminated onto one of the elements and/or inserted into a recess in
one of the elements.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive film is
applied to one of the elements over an entire area in a region of
the contact surface, or wherein the adhesive film is precisely
fitted onto the respective contact surface of one of the
elements.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein a compressive force of
0.005 N/mm.sup.2 and 15 M/mm.sup.2 is applied to the elements that
are brought into contact with one another for bonding.
7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: coating at
least one element with the adhesive film; heating the elements and
the adhesive film arranged in the contact surface; cooling the
elements and the adhesive film; and checking a tightness of the
produced bond between the elements, wherein the adhesive film is
softened by the heating, wherein the adhesive film is at least
partially displaced by at least one of the elements, and wherein
the layer thickness between the elements after heating is lower
than before heating.
8. A heat exchanger comprising at least two elements, the heat
exchanger being produced by a method according to claim 1, wherein
the at least two elements are formed by tubes and/or tube bottoms
and/or plate elements and/or cover elements and/or pipe supports
and/or fin members.
9. The heat exchanger according to claim 8, wherein the adhesive
film is formed from an adhesive that has at least one component or
is formed of only one component and is filler-free or filled with
fillers.
10. The heat exchanger according to claim 8, wherein the heat
exchanger has at least one flow channel through which a fluid is
adapted to flow, wherein the flow channel is fluid-tightly sealed
from the environment by the adhesive film that is arranged between
the individual elements of the heat exchanger.
11. The heat exchanger according to claim 8, wherein the heat
exchanger has at least one tube, wherein an adhesive film is
applied to the tube on at least one of its outwardly directed end
regions, wherein a region subjected to the adhesive film is
inserted into a recess of a tube bottom, and wherein the adhesive
film at least partially covers the contact surface between the tube
and the tube bottom and forms a fluid-tight seal between the tube
and the tube bottom.
12. The heat exchanger according to claim 8, wherein the heat
exchanger is formed from a plurality of plate elements stacked on
one another, the plate elements being in contact with one another
at their edge region, and wherein an adhesive film is arranged
between the individual plate elements in a contact region and form
a fluid-tight seal between the plate elements.
13. The heat exchanger according to claim 8, wherein the heat
exchanger has a collecting box, the collecting box being formed
from a tube bottom and a cover element inserted into a receiving
region of the tube bottom, and wherein an adhesive film is arranged
in a receiving area of the tube bottom, which at least partly
covers the contact surface between the cover element and the tube
bottom and forms a fluid-tight seal between the cover element and
the tube bottom.
14. The heat exchanger according to claim 8, wherein the heat
exchanger has at least one tube that is adapted to be flowed
through by a first fluid and surrounded by a second fluid, wherein
on an outwardly directed surface of the tube and/or on an inwardly
directed surface of the tube, at least one fin member is arranged
that is connected to the tube by the adhesive film.
15. The heat exchanger according to claim 8, wherein the adhesive
film is rendered ineffective or destroyed by the action of
heat.
16. The heat exchanger according to claim 8, wherein the heat
exchanger is manufactured from metallic materials and/or from
non-metallic materials.
17. The heat exchanger according to claim 8, wherein the adhesive
film is formed from a thermoplastic material.
Description
[0001] This nonprovisional application is a continuation of
International Application No. PCT/EP2015/070491, which was filed on
Sep. 8, 2015, and which claims priority to German Patent
Application No. 10 2014 218 694.3, which was filed in Germany on
Sep. 17, 2014, and which are both herein incorporated by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to a method for producing a heat
exchanger. The invention also relates to a heat exchanger.
[0004] Description of the Background Art
[0005] Heat exchangers are used to transfer heat between different
fluids. For this purpose, heat exchangers of different designs are
known in the prior art.
[0006] The known types include, for example, heat exchangers in
tube-fin design, tube bundle heat exchangers or heat exchangers in
stacked plate construction. These heat exchangers have in common
that they are flowed through and/or surrounded by fluids, causing
heat transfer to occur between the fluids involved. These known
heat exchangers are used, among other things, as charge air
coolers, coolant coolers, oil coolers or as radiators, etc.
[0007] Heat exchangers are manufactured from metallic and/or
non-metallic materials, which are connected to each other, for
example, by means of brazing, welding, form-fitting or adhesive
bonding. Elements which are connected to one another by brazing,
welding or bonding include, for example, tubes, plate elements, fin
members, tube bottoms and cover elements.
[0008] For joining individual elements by means of a brazing
method, either a brazing material can be applied after the joining
of the elements, or elements already coated with brazing material
can be used. The brazing material is melted under the application
of heat, and a permanent bond is produced by the subsequent
solidification of the brazing material.
[0009] DE 103 28 274 A1 discloses a method for the production of a
layer heat exchanger wherein a plurality of plate elements are
stacked on top of one another and are provided with a brazing
material. This plate stack is then mechanically fixed before
finally the plate elements are welded together and/or brazed.
[0010] DE 10 2005 048 452 A1 discloses a heat exchanger in
stacked-plate construction, the heat exchanger having a plurality
of plate elements which are stacked on one another. The plate stack
is closed at the top and at the bottom by a respective base plate.
The individual plate elements are brazed together and form flow
channels within the plate stack, through which one or more fluids
can flow.
[0011] Alternatively, individual elements can also be connected to
one another by adhesive methods.
[0012] For example, DE 10 2008 019 556 A1 discloses a component
functioning as a heat exchanger which is produced from a stack of
firmly bonded plates. In addition, a method for producing the
component is disclosed. A polymeric adhesive is applied to the
individual elements for bonding. Said elements are then pressed
against one another until the adhesive has hardened.
[0013] DE 102 28 697 A1 discloses a method for connecting a tube of
metal with circumferential fins of a non-ferrous metal as a
component of a heat exchanger. The fins are connected to the tube
by bonding.
[0014] A disadvantage of the devices and methods from the prior art
is, in particular, that complicated mounting racks, which are each
designed for a specific heat exchanger, have to be produced for the
fixing of the elements to one another for brazing and welding.
Furthermore, the racks have to withstand the high temperatures
during brazing or welding.
[0015] The brazing processes for a heat exchanger often take
several ten minutes to several hours and are also very
energy-intensive. Moreover, the brazing materials used are very
expensive. Before the brazing material is applied, cleaning the
surface is also necessary. Following the brazing process, it may
also be necessary to clean the heat exchanger in order to remove
excess brazing material. Furthermore, brazing methods and welding
methods are not suitable for bonding just any materials, which
severely limits the material selection for the elements of the heat
exchanger and the possible material combinations.
[0016] When using adhesives, it is disadvantageous that the
adhesives have to be laboriously applied to the elements that are
to be connected, which can be done, for example, by injection
devices and/or spraying devices. Furthermore, the adhesive surfaces
thus produced are either unevenly subjected to the adhesive or a
very large amount of the adhesive is applied because the layer
thicknesses of the adhesives are partly above 2 mm. As a result,
the required curing time is also increased, which causes the
production process to become more time-consuming and costly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a method for producing a heat exchanger which is improved
over the prior art. In addition, the object of the invention is to
provide an advantageous heat exchanger.
[0018] An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a method
for producing a heat exchanger, comprising a connection between two
elements of a heat exchanger, the two elements being connectable to
one another in at least one respective one contact surface, with an
adhesive film being applied to at least one of the elements in the
region of the respective contact surface, wherein the two elements
are brought into contact with one another by applying pressure and
an adhesive bond is produced between the elements by means of the
adhesive film.
[0019] It is particularly advantageous to use an adhesive film
since this is easy to handle and can be adapted in a simple manner
to the respective element or the contact surface between the
elements. The adhesive film can be applied to one of the elements
in a manual or automated manner. It can also be advantageous if the
adhesive film is already applied to the starting material of the
elements and the elements are subsequently produced using shaping
processes such as, for example, embossing methods, cutting methods
or stamping methods.
[0020] An adhesive bond can be arranged between the elements by the
adhesive film which replaces the usual brazed bond. In this
process, the brazing material which is otherwise used is thus
replaced by the adhesive film. This is particularly advantageous,
since the adhesive film can also be applied to impure surfaces,
which can be charged, for example, with greases, oils or dirt
particles. The step of cleaning and degreasing the surfaces of the
elements, which is otherwise customary when using brazing methods,
can thus be omitted.
[0021] An adhesive film is also particularly advantageous since
layer thicknesses which are very uniform and easily reproducible
can be produced in a particularly simple manner. This is
particularly advantageous with regard to an automated manufacturing
process in the context of a large series production.
[0022] It is also advantageous if the adhesive film is dry to the
touch, the adhesive effect of the adhesive film being activated
and/or highly viscous by the application of a compressive force
and/or by heating the adhesive film. A touch-dry or, in technical
language, tack-free adhesive film is particularly advantageous
since the handling of the adhesive film is significantly
facilitated. No special precautions have to be taken to prevent the
adhesive film from contacting the elements during the process. The
adhesive effect of the adhesive film is only activated and/or
highly viscous by the application of a compressive force and/or by
heating, so that the adhesive effect is produced only during the
process. This also facilitates the positioning of the elements
relative to each other since unintentional bonding is avoided.
[0023] Also, it is preferable that the adhesive film has a layer
thickness between 10 .mu.m and 250 .mu.m. An especially thin
adhesive film is particularly advantageous because the amount of
material used can be kept very low. In particular, compared to
conventional bonding methods in which the adhesive is applied by
means of a nozzle in beads, a significantly reduced adhesive
application can be achieved. The especially thin layer thicknesses
can be produced, in particular, by filler-free adhesives. In the
bonded state, the adhesive layer between the two elements is
particularly thin and is preferably only a few nanometers to about
250 .mu.m.
[0024] Very thin layer thicknesses of the adhesive are also
advantageous in order to produce very short curing times for the
adhesive bonds. For thermoplastic adhesive substances, the curing
time can preferably be in a range from 1 minute to 20 minutes.
Curing times of less than 5 minutes are particularly preferred in
order to ensure the highest possible process speed.
[0025] In addition, it is advantageous if the adhesive film is
laminated onto one of the elements and/or is inserted into a recess
in one of the elements. For this purpose, the adhesive film can
advantageously be adhesively bonded to one of the elements with the
aid of a further adhesive or simply applied to the latter. By
applying the pressure force and/or by heating, an adhesive bond is
finally produced with both elements.
[0026] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the adhesive film is
applied to one of the elements over the entire area in the region
of the contact surface, or that the adhesive film is applied to one
of the elements in a precisely tailored manner to the respective
contact surface.
[0027] Depending on the configuration of the elements and the
actual contact area between the elements to be bonded, the adhesive
film can be applied over a full area to a region of an element or
can be tailored specifically to the contact surface. Elements with
a full-surface adhesive film can be produced particularly easily in
a scale suitable for large series production. The material insert
can be further reduced by means of specially trimmed adhesive
films.
[0028] It is also expedient if a compressive force of 0.005
N/mm.sup.2 and 15 N/mm.sup.2 is applied to the elements that are
brought into contact in order to form a bond. It is particularly
advantageous when the pressing force is applied in a heated state.
As a result of the heating, the adhesive film is already softened,
which makes it possible to immerse the elements in the adhesive
layer.
[0029] In addition, it is advantageous if the method comprises the
following steps: coating at least one element with an adhesive
film; bringing the elements into contact; applying a compressive
force to the elements; heating the elements and the adhesive film
arranged in the contact surface; cooling the elements and the
adhesive film; and checking the tightness of the bond formed
between the elements, wherein the adhesive film is softened by the
heating, the adhesive film being at least partially displaced by at
least one of the elements, whereby the layer thickness between the
elements after heating is lower than before heating.
[0030] The method is particularly oriented to the already known
method for the brazing of heat exchangers. In contrast to brazing
methods, however, no brazing material is applied, but only an
adhesive film which melts at substantially lower temperatures than
the brazing material. All the bonds between the elements of a heat
exchanger, which have so far been produced by brazing, can also be
produced by the proposed adhesive method.
[0031] In particular, different materials can be connected to one
another in a simple manner. This is particularly advantageous in
the case of materials which have very different longitudinal
extensions under the influence of temperature or in the case of
materials which can act as a galvanic element through the
electrically conductive brazing bond.
[0032] An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a heat
exchanger with at least two elements, wherein the heat exchanger is
produced according to a method already described, the elements
being formed by tubes and/or tube bottoms and/or plate elements
and/or cover elements and/or tube supports and/or fin members.
[0033] By means of the adhesive process, all known designs of heat
exchangers can be produced. The adhesive film acts as a complete
substitute for a brazing material used during brazing. The adhesive
film can advantageously also be applied to very differently shaped
elements so that virtually no geometrical restrictions exist for
the elements to be connected by means of the adhesive film.
[0034] Furthermore, it is expedient if the adhesive film is formed
from an adhesive which includes at least one component or of only
one component, and which can be filled or is free of filler.
Suitable fillers are heat-conductive flakes or particles. Materials
such as boron nitride, aluminum, copper, steel, brass, graphite
etc. can preferably be used. A filler-free adhesive is particularly
advantageous in order to produce the smallest possible layer
thickness of the adhesive film.
[0035] It is also advantageous if the heat exchanger has at least
one flow channel through which a fluid can flow, the flow channel
being fluid-tightly sealed against the environment by the adhesive
film that is arranged between the individual elements of the heat
exchanger.
[0036] By means of the adhesive bond, flow channels can be produced
in a simple manner, which are sealed at their interfaces with other
elements of the heat exchanger by the adhesive bond produced. The
flow channel itself can also be sealed by the adhesive bond, in
that, for example, the flow channel is first produced by adhesively
bonding two elements. The sealing against the environment can be
effected, for example, at the bonding point between a tube and a
tube bottom, at the bonding point between two plate elements or at
the bonding point between a tube bottom and a cover element forming
a collecting box.
[0037] The heat exchanger can also have at least one tube, wherein
an adhesive film is applied to the tube on at least one of its
outwardly directed end regions, the region which is subjected to
the adhesive film being inserted into a recess of a tube bottom,
and the adhesive film at least partially covering the contact
surface between the tube and the tube bottom and forming a
fluid-tight seal between the tube and the tube bottom.
[0038] The use of adhesive films for producing the bonds between
the elements of a heat exchanger can, among other things,
advantageously produce a heat exchanger of a tube-fin-type design,
or a tube bundle heat exchanger. It is particularly advantageous
that elements made of different materials can be joined together by
the adhesive bond. For example, the tubes can be formed from a
metallic material with a high thermal conductivity, whereas the
tube bottom is formed, for example, from a plastic which has
particularly good properties with regard to the absorption of the
generated forces. By the use of adhesive films, bonds with a high
tightness can be produced. Due to the particularly low layer
thickness of the adhesive film, the elements can be mounted similar
to the brazed plated elements in a brazing process.
[0039] Furthermore, the heat exchanger can be formed from a
plurality of stacked plate elements, the plate elements being in
contact with one another at their edge region, and an adhesive film
being arranged between the individual plate elements in the contact
region and forming a fluid-tight seal between the plate
elements.
[0040] Also a heat exchanger in a stacked plate construction can be
produced in a simple manner by the use of adhesive films. For this
purpose, the plate elements in particular have an adhesive film in
their mutual contact region.
[0041] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the heat exchanger has a
collecting box, wherein the collecting box is formed from a tube
bottom and a cover element inserted into a receiving region of the
tube bottom, an adhesive film being arranged in the receiving
region of the tube bottom, which at least partially covers the
contact surface between the cover element and the tube bottom and
forms a fluid-tight seal between the cover element and the tube
bottom.
[0042] Such a heat exchanger is particularly advantageous since the
collecting box can be produced with the same bonding method as the
rest of the heat exchanger. In this way, individual process steps
can be saved during production, which makes manufacture easier and
more cost-effective. Nevertheless, a uniform bond quality can be
produced at the different bond points.
[0043] It is also expedient for the heat exchanger to have at least
one tube through which a first fluid can flow and which can be
surrounded by a second fluid, at least one fin member being
provided on an outwardly directed surface of the tube and/or on an
inwardly directed surface of the tube, which is connected to the
tube by the adhesive film.
[0044] Fin members can also be connected to the tube on the inner
surface or the outer surface of the tube using the adhesive film.
This is particularly advantageous in order to enable an improved
heat transfer. The low layer thicknesses of the adhesive film are
particularly advantageous in this case in order to produce the
highest possible thermal conductivity.
[0045] Furthermore, it is expedient if the adhesive film can be
destroyed by the action of heat. This is particularly advantageous
in order to be able to easily dismantle the heat exchangers
produced after their use and to be able to supply the individual
materials used to a recycling cycle. The required temperature level
for the destruction of the adhesive layer is thereby preferably
clearly above the temperature level which occurs during the regular
operation of the heat exchanger. However, the required temperature
level is clearly below the temperature level required for producing
a brazed bond.
[0046] Brazing joints are produced at temperatures of about
650.degree. C. The temperature required for the destruction of the
adhesive film is clearly below this temperature level. The melting
of the adhesive film can preferably take place in a temperature
range from about 100.degree. C. to about 380.degree. C. The
temperature sufficient to destroy the adhesive film is therefore
preferably above the melting temperature of the adhesive film and
below the usual brazing temperature.
[0047] Moreover, it is advantageous if the heat exchanger is
manufactured from metallic materials and/or from non-metallic
materials.
[0048] This is advantageous since, in particular, combinations of
different materials are also possible. Here, for example, materials
with greatly different coefficients of thermal expansion can be
used since the temperatures required to produce the bond are
significantly below the temperatures that occur during the brazing
process. This leads to a better sealing effect at the bonding
points since the heat-induced stresses in the heat exchanger are
significantly lower.
[0049] The non-metallic materials preferably used include, in
particular, plastics or activated carbon. The metallic materials
include, inter alia, copper, aluminum, steel and titanium. It is
also particularly advantageous that the use of adhesive films also
allows for materials to be joined together which cannot be
connected to one another by means of conventional brazing
processes. This greatly increases the range of available
materials.
[0050] Furthermore, the adhesive film can be formed of a
thermoplastic material.
[0051] A thermoplastic material is particularly advantageous
because it is very environmentally friendly and easy to recycle as
compared to other adhesives. In addition, only minimum requirements
for storage and processing have to be met for thermoplastic
adhesives. For example, no air extractions have to be provided
during the processing of thermoplastic adhesives, since these do
not outgas, or only to a very small extent. Since they are not a
hazardous substance, the adhesives or the parts coated with an
adhesive can also be stored with low safety precautions.
[0052] A thermoplastic material is also advantageous because it has
high media resistance, which increases the life and failure safety
of the produced component. This is especially advantageous
particularly with respect to the partially corrosive media in the
heat exchangers.
[0053] It is also particularly advantageous if all bonds between
the individual elements of the heat exchanger are produced using
the adhesive film. This makes uniform processing possible and
allows for a manufacturing process which is very similar to the
usual manufacturing process of brazed heat exchangers. This makes
it easier to adapt an existing production line to the new
technology.
[0054] Furthermore, elements produced at least partially by a
brazing process can also be integrated into the otherwise bonded
heat exchangers. Since the brazing temperatures lie well above the
temperatures for producing an adhesive bond, already brazed
elements are not damaged during the bonding process.
[0055] Further scope of applicability of the present invention will
become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter.
However, it should be understood that the detailed description and
specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the
invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various
changes, combinations, and modifications within the spirit and
scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the
art from this detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0056] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying
drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are
not limitive of the present invention, and wherein:
[0057] FIG. 1 shows a sectional view through a tube of a heat
exchanger and a corrugated fin member, the corrugated fin member
being connected to the outer surface of the tube by means of an
adhesive film, and
[0058] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram for explaining the method for
producing a heat exchanger.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0059] FIG. 1 shows a sectional view through a heat exchanger 1.
The heat exchanger 1 has a tube 2, to which a fin member 3 is
connected. The fin member 3 is connected to the tube 2 by means of
an adhesive layer 4, the adhesive layer 4 being formed by an
adhesive film 4 which is arranged on the outer surface of the tube
2.
[0060] The adhesive film 4 can be laminated onto the tube 2, i.e.,
connected to the tube 2 with the aid of an adhesive, or simply
placed on the outer surface of the tube 2.
[0061] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the fin member 3 is
formed by a corrugated fin member 3. In alternative embodiments,
fin-shaped members which are otherwise formed can also be provided
in order to increase the outer surface area of the tube that is
effective for the transfer of heat.
[0062] FIG. 1 shows only a limited partial view of the heat
exchanger 1. Via the elements depicted in FIG. 1, the heat
exchanger 1 can also have further tubes and fin members. The tubes
can also advantageously be accommodated in tube bottoms and/or
collecting boxes at the ends.
[0063] FIG. 1 shows a state in which the fin member 3 rests on the
adhesive film 4. For bonding, the adhesive film 4 is heated,
thereby melting it. Since a pressing force acts on the tube 2 and
the fin member 3 at the time of heating, a part of the adhesive
film 4 is displaced by the fin member 3 and/or by the tube 2,
whereby the layer thickness of the adhesive film 4 is reduced.
[0064] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram for illustrating the method
used for producing a heat exchanger.
[0065] In block 20, the adhesive film is applied to at least one of
the elements which are to be bonded together. This can be done by
an automated process or manually. The adhesive film can in
particular be laminated onto an element or inserted into a recess
of an element.
[0066] In block 21, the elements are brought into contact with one
another. For this purpose, they are positioned relative to one
another in accordance with the later desired appearance of the heat
exchanger. In this case, either only two elements can be positioned
relative to one another, or a complete arrangement of all elements
forming the heat exchanger block or the heat exchanger can be
performed analogously to the known brazing methods.
[0067] In block 22, a compressive force is applied to the elements
arranged relative to each other. This can preferably be done in a
device designed for this purpose.
[0068] In block 23, the elements and the adhesive film are heated,
thereby melting the adhesive film. The elements are maintained at a
predetermined temperature level for a predetermined period of time
in order to allow for the elements to be placed in the layer of the
adhesive film and finally to ensure curing of the adhesive
layer.
[0069] Cooling of the elements then takes place in block 24. In the
following block 25, the tightness of the produced components is
tested. Where applicable, a necessary rework also takes place
here.
[0070] The exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is exemplary and
shows a section of a heat exchanger in a tube-fin design. The
exemplary embodiment has no limiting character, in particular with
regard to the applicability of the method to a particular heat
exchanger. The block diagram of FIG. 2 is also merely exemplary and
does not exclude alternative solution possibilities and
variations.
[0071] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that
the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be
regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention,
and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in
the art are to be included within the scope of the following
claims.
* * * * *