Claims
- 1. A device for positioning flexible tubes at predetermined locations therealong comprising:
a surface comprising
a channel formed therein and sufficient to accommodate a plurality of tubes arranged substantially proximally to one another along their lengths thereof; and a plurality of tapered surfaces interspersed within said channel to direct said tubes into passages therealong; and wherein said passages define a predetermined pitch of said tubes relative to each other; and such that the device secures the tubes therewithin as they move therealong.
- 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said passages of said surface are formed sufficient to contain the tubes therewithin.
- 3. The device of claim 1 further comprising a second surface contacting said surface so that the tubes are contained by the combination of said surface and said second surface.
- 4. An apparatus for the insertion of flexible tubes at predetermined locations within a core assembly comprising:
(a) A receptacle containing a plurality of flexible tubes arranged into one or more columns; (b) A ram contacting the tubes within a column and urging the tubes within a positioning device; (c) Said positioning device comprising a surface comprising a channel formed therein and sufficient to accommodate the tubes arranged substantially proximally to one another along their lengths thereof; and a plurality of tapered surfaces interspersed within said channel to direct said tubes into passages therealong; and wherein said passages define a predetermined pitch of said tubes relative to each other; and such that the device secures the tubes as they move therealong; (d) A conduit assembly adapted to receive and support the tubes as they are discharged from said passages of said positioning device and into the core assembly; and, (e) A plurality of guide rods under operation of a guide mandrel that engage and guide the tubes through the core assembly.
- 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the core assembly is a heat exchanger.
- 6. A process for the manufacture of a structure containing flexible tubes comprising:
(a) Placing a plurality of flexible tubes arranged into one or more columns within a receptacle; (b) Contacting the tubes within a column with a ram and urging the tubes within a positioning device, said positioning device comprising a surface comprising a channel formed therein and sufficient to accommodate the tubes arranged substantially proximally to one another along their lengths thereof; and a plurality of tapered surfaces interspersed within said channel to direct said tubes into passages therealong; and wherein said passages define a predetermined pitch of said tubes relative to each other; and such that the device secures the tubes as they move therealong; (d) Receiving said tubes in a conduit assembly as they are discharged from said positioning device, said conduit assembly adapted to receive and support the tubes as they are discharged from said passages of said positioning device and into the core assembly; and, (e) Engaging the tubes with a plurality of guide rods under operation of a guide mandrel that engage the tubes and guiding the tubes into the core assembly.
- 7. A heat exchanger manufactured from the process of claim 6.
- 8. The device of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of surfaces arranged in a predetermined configuration.
- 9. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said ram contains staggered surfaces therealong.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/376,621, filed Apr. 30, 2002
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60376621 |
Apr 2002 |
US |