Patent ID: 7260893
Filing Date: 2007-08-28
Classification: F28F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of fabricating a heat exchanger assembly comprising the steps of: providing a metal tank having an interior surface, an exterior surface and an opening, providing a secondary heat exchanger subassembly comprising a metal fitting having a shoulder and an annular groove, disposing the secondary heat exchanger subassembly within the metal tank such that the shoulder engages the interior surface about the opening and the metal fitting extends through the opening in the metal tank, providing a connector comprising complimentary retention rings having ends, connecting the connector to the metal fitting by radially inserting the retention rings into the groove such that the ends of the rings circumferentially abutting one another and mechanically connecting the abutting ends of the retention rings, said connector engaging the exterior surface of the metal tank opposite the shoulder such that the metal tank is disposed between the connector and the fitting and the connector mechanically holds the shoulder of the metal fitting against the interior surface of the metal tank, and brazing the metal fitting to the metal tank to seal the fitting to the tank to prevent fluid communication between the tank and the subassembly.