Material or article handling – Article reorienting device
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-05
2001-07-10
Fischetti, Joseph A. (Department: 3652)
Material or article handling
Article reorienting device
C414S755000, C414S788500, C198S400000, C198S417000, C198S380000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257824
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a fin delivering apparatus and, more specifically, to a fin alternating and delivery apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Fin mills produce fins for use in manufacture and assembly of a conventional fin and plate heat exchanger. The fin mill forms the fins in a corrugated manner from a flat strip or stock by alternately bending the strip in an accordion fashion, i.e., weaving the strip back and forth such that fold lines are transverse to a longitudinal axis of the fin. Each of the fins exits the fin mill in a horizontal position.
When used in the manufacture and assembly of a heat exchanger, the fin is installed in the heat exchanger in a vertical position. Thus, it is necessary to reorient the position of the fin prior to positioning it in the heat exchanger. When this process is completed manually, it results in a labor intensive and time consuming endeavor. Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide an apparatus which receives a fin emanating from a fin mill and alternatingly reorients and delivers the fin in such a manner that it may be readily assembled into a heat exchanger.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention is a fin alternating and delivering apparatus for orientating and delivering fins from a fin mill to a fin trayer for assembly into a heat exchanger. The fin alternating and delivering apparatus includes an entrance chute receiving fins emanating from the fin mill in a horizontal position. The fin alternating and delivering apparatus also includes a sensor disposed adjacent the entrance chute to sense the fins entering the entrance chute. The fin alternating and delivering apparatus includes an air jet operatively connected to the sensor for delivering a blast of air to the fins upon sensing the fins entering the entrance chute to reorientate the fins from the horizontal position to a vertical position. The fin alternating and delivering apparatus further includes a discharge chute disposed adjacent the entrance chute for guiding the fins from the entrance chute to the fin trayer in the vertical position.
One advantage of the present invention is that a fin alternating and delivering apparatus is provided for orientating and delivering fins to be readily assembled into a heat exchanger. Another advantage of the present invention is that the fin alternating and delivering apparatus allows fins emanating from a fin mill to be alternated automatically into a fin tray to be assembled into a heat exchanger without the need for manual intervention. Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the fin alternating and delivering apparatus compensates for a tapered fin and ensures a straighter core body for the heat exchanger during brazing.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood after reading the subsequent description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4172513 (1979-10-01), Bradstreet et al.
patent: 4214656 (1980-07-01), McDonald et al.
patent: 4362234 (1982-12-01), McDonald et al.
patent: 4977998 (1990-12-01), Middeldrop
patent: 5022814 (1991-06-01), Breda et al.
patent: 5404991 (1995-04-01), Nakamura
patent: 5503515 (1996-04-01), Moorehead
patent: 5713453 (1998-02-01), Schornhorst et al.
patent: 5820335 (1998-10-01), Croteau et al.
patent: 0458580 (1991-11-01), None
Selm Gerald Joseph
Wise Kevin Bonnett
Fischetti Joseph A.
Shelton Larry I.
Visteon Global Technologies Inc.
LandOfFree
Fin alternating and delivering apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Fin alternating and delivering apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Fin alternating and delivering apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2477850