Tube assemblies and combo-coolers incorporating the same

Abstract

A tube assembly includes at least a first tube and a second tube. A separator is positioned between the first tube and the second tube. A layer including silicon and a fluxing agent is established on at least a portion of each of the first and second tubes, the layer.

1 . A tube assembly, comprising:
 at least a first tube and a second tube;   a separator positioned between the first tube and the second tube; and   a layer established on at least a portion of each of the first and second tubes, the layer including silicon and a fluxing agent.   
   
   
       2 . The tube assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein the separator does not include a clad layer thereon. 
   
   
       3 . The tube assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein each of the layers further includes a binder. 
   
   
       4 . The tube assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein the separator is formed of an aluminum alloy that is compatible with brazing. 
   
   
       5 . The tube assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein the fluxing agent is configured for brazing aluminum components. 
   
   
       6 . The tube assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein the silicon is in the form of a powder. 
   
   
       7 . The tube assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein the fluxing agent contains zinc. 
   
   
       8 . The tube assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein the first tube is one of a condenser tube and an oil cooler tube, and wherein the second tube is an other of the condenser tube and the oil cooler tube. 
   
   
       9 . The tube assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein the first tube is different from the second tube. 
   
   
       10 . A method for increasing strength of a tube assembly, the method comprising:
 establishing a layer, including silicon and a fluxing agent, on at least a portion of an exterior surface of each of a first tube and a second tube; and   positioning a separator between the first tube having the layer thereon and the second tube having the layer thereon.   
   
   
       11 . The method as defined in  claim 10  wherein the method does not include establishing a clad layer on the separator. 
   
   
       12 . The method as defined in  claim 10  wherein prior to establishing the layer, the method further comprises forming a mixture including the silicon, the fluxing agent, and a binder; and wherein establishing the layer includes depositing the mixture on the exterior surface of each of the first tube and the second tube. 
   
   
       13 . The method as defined in  claim 12  wherein depositing is accomplished via a coating process, a roll coating process, or a spraying process. 
   
   
       14 . The method as defined in  claim 10  wherein the separator is formed of an aluminum alloy that is compatible with brazing. 
   
   
       15 . The method as defined in  claim 10  wherein the fluxing agent is configured for brazing aluminum components or contains zinc. 
   
   
       16 . A combo-cooler, comprising:
 first end tank;   a second end tank;   a first plurality of tubes in fluid communication with the first and second end tanks;   a second plurality of tubes in fluid communication with the first and second send tanks;   a layer established on at least a portion of each of the first and second plurality of tubes, each layer including silicon and a fluxing agent; and   a separator positioned between each of the tubes.   
   
   
       17 . The combo-cooler as defined in  claim 16  wherein the separator does not include a clad layer thereon. 
   
   
       18 . The combo-cooler as defined in  claim 16  wherein each of the layers further includes a binder. 
   
   
       19 . The combo-cooler as defined in  claim 16  wherein the separator is formed of an aluminum alloy that is compatible with brazing. 
   
   
       20 . The combo-cooler as defined in  claim 16  wherein the fluxing agent is configured for brazing aluminum components or contains zinc. 
   
   
       21 . The combo-cooler as defined in  claim 16  wherein the silicon is in the form of a powder. 
   
   
       22 . The combo-cooler as defined in  claim 16  wherein the first plurality of tubes is one of a condenser tube and an oil cooler tube, and wherein the second plurality of tubes is an other of the condenser tube and the oil cooler tube. 
   
   
       23 . The combo-cooler as defined in  claim 16  wherein the first plurality of tubes is different from the second plurality of tubes.