Rheem Manufacturing Company

Darrell E Binz

Hari Krishna Kanagala

Ken Frederick

Darryl J Farley

Ken Guinn

A method of forming an assembly between a panel and a tube includes forming a hole in the panel, where a diameter of the hole is smaller than an outer diameter of the tube, and preforming a first end of the tube to conceal the hole of the panel. A diameter of the preformed portion is greater than the diameter of the hole and the outer diameter of the tube. The method further includes aligning a second end of the tube with the hole of the panel, followed by inserting the tube into the hole by application of axial force on the tube until the preformed first end of the tube abuts a periphery of the hole of the panel. The method also includes achieving an interference fit between the hole of the panel and the tube.

Method of forming assembly between panel and tube

Heat exchanger tube with fins

A heat exchange tube for an HVAC system can include at least one reduced diameter section with an integral flattened ridge. The flow of combustion gases through the heat exchanger tubes may be partially constricted inside the reduced diameter sections. When installed in an HVAC system the integral flattened ridges may be angled to intercept the flow of air outside the heat exchanger tubes.

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Fort Smith, AR, United States of America

Darrell E Binz