Patent ID: 6837305
Filing Date: 2005-01-04
Classification: B21D,F28D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for forming a plate for a heat exchanger, the plate having a length and a width, the length defining a longitudinal axis, the method comprising: (a) providing a flat, sheet metal blank having elongate, longitudinally extending side edges, the blank having a width substantially the same as the width of the plate and having a length substantially the same as a length of the plate, the blank having a pair of opposed end portions; (b) forming a fluid flow channel extending along the side edges of the blank, the fluid flow channel being raised relative to the side edges; and (c) forming a pair of raised bosses in the end portions of the blank, the bosses being raised relative to the side edges and the fluid flow channels, each of the bosses being formed inwardly of a peripheral edge of one of the end portions such that a peripheral sidewall of the boss is spaced from the peripheral edge of one of the end portions, thereby forming a peripheral flange along the peripheral edge of the end portion; wherein each of the peripheral flanges is bent along a line which is parallel to the longitudinal axis thereby forming a tab which extends substantially at right angles to a remaining portion of the peripheral flange, the tabs having a height sufficient to engage one of the tabs or the peripheral flange of an adjacent plate during formation of the heat exchanger.