Patent ID: 6082353
Filing Date: 2000-07-04
Classification: B21D,F24S,F28F,Y02E,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for forming a solar collector comprising the steps of providing a panel for receiving radiant energy made of a conductive material and defining an opening therein said opening having a first inside diameter, and a conductive tube having a first outside diameter; inserting said tube in said opening; passing an expander plug through said tube such that said tube is plastically outwardly deformed such as to adopt a second outside diameter larger than said first outside diameter and said tube is in an expanded position with said panel being elastically deformed such that said opening adopts a second inside diameter larger than said first inside diameter wherein said opening is retained with an inside diameter larger than said first inside diameter by said tube in said expanded position, whereby said panel at said opening exerts constant pressure on said tube in a tight and conductive assembly.