Radiating or absorbing heat exchange panel

Abstract

A heat exchanger in the form of a heat radiating or absorbing panel is disclosed, which consists of an aluminum panel having a copper tube secured thereto in heat exchange relationship. The panel has at least one pair of parallel, spaced, retainer legs which have angularly inwardly extending flanges. A copper tube of circular cross section is laid into the channel formed by said retainer legs, and is then squashed by means of a die into a generally oval cross section which will be confined within the retainer legs. While so confined, fluid under pressure may be introduced into the tube to expand it into intimate contact with the panel, the retainer legs and the flanges. The assembly may then be heated during the expanding step to a temperature somewhat above the expected operating temperature of the assembly, to prevent loosening of the intimate contact between the tube and panel, which have different coefficient of expansion. Provision may be made to cause flow through the tube to be turbulent or swirling. Alternatively, the introduction of fluid under pressure, and the heating of the assembly, may be omitted, and the sum of the inside surface of the back of the panel between the flanges, the inside surfaces of the flanges, and the underside of the die between the flanges, may be made equal to the outside circumference of the tube. The exposed surface of the panel may be configured to increase its area and to provide good exposure over a wide range of angles of incidence. The heat exchange relationship between the tube and panel may be enhanced by interposing a thin layer of a synthetic resin therebetween; and the resin may have powdered metal entrained therein. If dimensional relationships alone are relied upon to provide intimate contact between the tube and panel, a mastic-like material in a thin film may be applied to the interface between the tube and panel to improve heat transfer and seal out moisture.