Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation

Wabtec Holding Corporation

Geoff Smith

Jay S Korth

A multi-fluid heat exchanger assembly Is provided that integrates multiple and distinct heat exchanger systems into a single, integrated system or housing utilizing a common header. Any combination of techniques as described may be utilized for optimizing exchanger performance according to the particular fluids being cooled. The heat exchanger assembly can be optimized by utilizing a pair of opposed headers having a first set of openings and a tube core arranged according to a first configuration and a second set of openings and a tube core arranged according to a second configuration and wherein the first and second configurations are different from one another. The heat exchanger assembly can also be optimized through different tube core/fin joining techniques for each of the distinct heat exchanger systems. Another technique for optimizing the heat exchanger assembly is through the use of differing core depths for each of the distinct heat exchanger systems.

Multi-fluid heat exchanger arrangement

A method of creating a flat-round tube-to-header joint in a CuproBraze&#x2122; heat exchanger wherein the flat-round tube-to-header joint is disposed between a tube and a header having a generally circular opening having a first predetermined diameter formed on a first side thereof for receiving one end of a tube, and provides at least one generally circular end having a second predetermined diameter on the tube to fit into the generally circular opening of in the header. The method further provides a predetermined temper on at least one generally circular end which is at least sufficient to enable cold working of at least one generally circular end to prevent premature failures of the flat-round tube-to-header joint. The flat-round tube-to-header joint is formed by inserting one end of the tube into the first side of the header and forming the flat-round tube-to-header joint between one end of the tube and the header.

Mechanical joint for CuZnFe alloy heat exchanger and method

A method of increasing thermal efficiency around a plurality of tubes in a heat exchanger. The method includes the steps of providing a plurality of tubes having a predetermined end configuration and a header having a number of openings corresponding to the plurality of tube. The openings are disposed in an end-to-end array wherein the predetermined end configurations touch. Finally the method secures an end of each of the plurality of tubes into a corresponding one of each of the openings in the header.

Multiple row heat exchanger using 'end-to-end' or 'tube touching' positioning of the tubes for row spacing

The present invention provides a method of at least one of increasing airflow around a plurality of tubes in a heat exchanger, and increasing the web in a header around such plurality of tubes, wherein the method includes the steps of providing a predetermined plurality of tubes having a predetermined end configuration, and a header having a predetermined number of openings. The predetermined number of openings are configured in a predetermined staggered array corresponding to the predetermined plurality of tubes, disposed in a heat exchanger. Finally, the method secures an end of each predetermined plurality of tubes into the predetermined number of openings in said header.

Growing community of inventors

Jackson, TN, United States of America

Geoff Smith