Tube assembly for heat exchanger

Abstract

A tube assembly ( 20 ) for a heat exchanger ( 22 ) and a method of manufacturing the tube assembly ( 20 ) is disclosed herein. The tube assembly ( 20 ) includes a tube ( 32 ) defining a fluid passage ( 46 ). The tube ( 32 ) has first and second sides ( 34, 36 ) spaced from and parallel to each other. A corrugated fin ( 50 ) having alternating ridges ( 52 ) and grooves ( 54 ) is disposed in the tube ( 32 ) between the first and second sides ( 34, 36 ). The corrugated fin ( 50 ) subdivides the fluid passage ( 46 ) into a plurality of passageways ( 56 ). At least one recess ( 58 ) is defined in at least one of the ridges ( 52 ). The recess ( 58 ) extends away from the closest one of the first and second sides ( 34, 36 ) toward an interior of the tube ( 32 ).

1 . A tube assembly for a heat exchanger comprising:
 a tube defining a fluid passage and having first and second sides spaced from and parallel to each other; and   a corrugated fin having alternating ridges and grooves and disposed in said tube between said first and second sides whereby said fluid passage is subdivided into a plurality of passageways, and wherein at least one recess is defined in at least one of said ridges of said corrugated fin and extends away from a closest one of said first and second sides towards an interior of said tube.   
   
   
       2 . The tube assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said at least one recess is rectangular. 
   
   
       3 . The tube assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said at least one recess is circular. 
   
   
       4 . The tube assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said at least one recess extends along an entire length of said corrugated fin. 
   
   
       5 . The tube assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said at least one recess includes a plurality of recesses defined in one of said ridges. 
   
   
       6 . The tube assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said at least one recess includes a plurality of recesses, including at least one recess defined in a plurality of said ridges. 
   
   
       7 . The tube assembly as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising a quantity of flux disposed substantially only in said at least one recess. 
   
   
       8 . The tube assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said ridges are flat or rounded. 
   
   
       9 . A heat exchanger in automobile comprising:
 a first header extending along a first centerline and defining a plurality of first header tube slots spaced along said first centerline;   a second header spaced from and extending parallel to said first header along a second centerline, said second header defining a plurality of second header tube slots being spaced along said second centerline and aligned with said first header tube slots;   a plurality of tubes each having a first side and a second side parallel to said first side and each of said sides extending between semi-circular first and second edges and each of said tubes extending from a first tube end to a second tube end and between aligned said first and second header tube slots and each of said tubes defining a fluid passage from said first tube end to said second tube end for establishing fluid communication between said first and second headers;   a plurality of air fins each individually disposed between an adjacent two of said tubes for dissipating heat from said tubes;   a plurality of corrugated fins each having alternating ridges and grooves and individually disposed in one of said tubes between said first and second sides whereby said fluid passage is subdivided into a plurality of passageways and wherein each of said includes at least one recess defined in one of said ridges and extending away from a closest one of said first and second sides towards an interior of said tube.   
   
   
       10 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said at least one recess is rectangular. 
   
   
       11 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said at least one recess is circular. 
   
   
       12 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said at least one recess extends along an entire length of said corrugated fin. 
   
   
       13 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said at least one recesses includes a plurality of recesses. 
   
   
       14 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said at least one recess includes a plurality of recesses defined in a single one of said plurality of ridges. 
   
   
       15 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said at least one recess includes one or more recesses defined in a plurality of said ridges. 
   
   
       16 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 10  further comprising a quantity of flux disposed substantially only in said recess. 
   
   
       17 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said ridges are flat or rounded. 
   
   
       18 . The heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said first header, said second header, said plurality of tubes, said corrugated fin, and said air fins are aluminum. 
   
   
       19 . A method for manufacturing a tube assembly for a heat exchanger comprising the steps of:
 inserting a corrugated fin having alternating ridges and grooves into a tube to define a plurality of fluid passageways such that the ridges contact an inner surface of the tube;   forming at least one recess in at least one of the ridges of the corrugated fin;   disposing a quantity of flux in the at least one recess; and   heating the combined corrugated fin and tube after said inserting step to braze the corrugated fin to the tube.   
   
   
       20 . The method as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said disposing step is further defined such that flux is disposed on the corrugated fin only in the recess.