Abstract An expandable tube comprising a bendable body that includes a plurality of adjacent longitudinal passages each having adjacent longitudinal sections positioned inwardly of the tube interior, each section preferably having adjacent edges positioned inwardly with respect to the tube and hinge means at adjacent edges for expansion of the tube body at the hinge means under internal pressure without substantial lateral distortion of the individual sections between the hinge means. A heat exchanger comprising a heat conducting fin having an opening therein of noncircular configuration and a tube of similar noncircular cross section expanded to fit snugly into the opening in which the tube has the structure set out above.
A heat exchanger, comprising: a heat conducting fin having a noncircular opening; and a tube of similar noncircular cross section expanded to fit snugly in said opening comprising a bendable tube body having adjacent longitudinal sections connected at their adjacent edges by bendable hinge areas for bending of the tube at these areas during the expansion of said tubE body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
60 words
A heat exchanger, comprising: a heat conducting fin having a noncircular opening; and a tube of similar noncircular cross section expanded to fit snugly in said opening comprising a bendable tube body having adjacent longitudinal sections connected at their adjacent edges by bendable hinge areas for bending of the tube at these areas during the expansion of said tubE body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein each said hinge area comprises a thin section of said tube body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein said tube has an internal web connecting opposite sides of the tube and some of said hinge areas are located adjacent said web.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The heat exchanger of claim 3 wherein each said hinge area comprises a thin section of said tube body.