Header and coil connections for a heat exchanger

Abstract

A header and coil connection assembly is provided for a heat exchanger. The header is comprised of a first section of a generally half cylindrical structure and a second section of a generally half cylindrical structure. The second section has a plurality of openings each of which receives a heat exchanger tube. The heat exchanger tubes are connected to the second section by welding around the opening.

1 . A header for use in a heat exchanger, 
 the header comprising    a generally cylindrical tube structure comprised of two half sections,    a first section comprised of a half generally cylindrical structure,    having a first end, a second end, a top edge and a bottom edge, the top edge and the bottom edge running the length of the first section,    a second section comprised of a half generally cylindrical structure having a first end, a second end, a top edge and a bottom edge, the top edge and the bottom edge running the length of the second section,    the second section having a plurality of openings between the top edge and the bottom edge, such openings extending through the half generally cylindrical structure,    the first section being joined to the second section along the respective top edges and bottom edges to form a header.    
   
   
       2 . The header of  claim 1   wherein the first section is joined to the second section by welding along the joined top edges and bottom edges.    
   
   
       3 . The header of  claim 1   wherein a heat exchanger tube is welded to each of the plurality of openings in the second section.    
   
   
       4 . The header of  claim 1   wherein a heat exchanger tube is welded to each of the plurality of openings in the second section and wherein the welding is performed around each opening on a concave side of the second section half generally cylindrical structure.    
   
   
       5 . The header of  claim 1   wherein a heat exchanger tube is welded to each of the plurality of openings in the second section and wherein the welding is performed around each opening on both a concave and a convex side of the second section half generally cylindrical structure.    
   
   
       6 . A method of making a header for use in a heat exchanger comprising the steps of: 
 providing a first section comprised of a half generally cylindrical structure having a first end, a second end, a top edge and a bottom edge, the top edge and the bottom edge running the length of the first section,    providing a second section comprised of a half generally cylindrical structure having a first end, a second end, a top edge and a bottom edge, the top edge and the bottom edge running the length of the second section,    providing a plurality of openings in the second section half generally cylindrical structure between the top edge and the bottom edge,    joining at least one heat exchanger tube to one of the openings in the second section half generally cylindrical structure,    and joining the first section to the second section along the respective top and bottom edges to form a header.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6   wherein the heat exchanger tube is joined to the second section half generally cylindrical structure by welding around the opening in the second section.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7   wherein the second section has a concave side and the welding is performed around the opening receiving the heat exchanger tube on the concave side.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7   wherein the second section has a concave side and a convex side and the welding is performed around the opening receiving the heat exchanger tube on the concave side and on the convex side.    
   
   
       10 . A method of making a header for use in a heat exchanger comprising the steps of: 
 providing a first section comprised of an elongated, generally half cylindrical structure having a first end, a second end, a top edge and a bottom edge, the top edge and the bottom edge running the length of the first section,    providing a second section comprised of an elongated, generally half cylindrical structure having a first end, a second end, a top edge and a bottom edge, the top edge and the bottom edge running the length of the first section,    providing a plurality of openings in the second section between the top edge and the bottom edge,    joining at least one heat exchanger tube to one of the openings in the second section by welding around the heat exchanger tube at the opening,    and joining the first section to the second section by welding along the respective top and bottom edges to form a header.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10   wherein the second section has a concave side and the welding is performed at the opening receiving the heat exchanger tube on the concave side of the second section.