Abstract:
A device for integrally joining a metal block ( 11 ′) that can consist of a number of plates, by hard-soldering or brazing. The hard-solder provides a connection covering a large surface and with a minimal thickness in solder gaps ( 17   j ; j=1, 2, . . . , n−1) located between adjacent segment plates ( 12   i ; i=1, 2, . . . , n). At least one capillary solder inflow path ( 14 ) is provided. Said solder inflow path starts at a solder depot containing a supply of hard solder or braze material ( 42 ), which melts as the stack ( 11 ) of plates is heated. The melted solder material flows directly to the individual, also capillary solder gaps ( 17   j ; j=1, 2, . . . , n−1) via said solder inflow path, the solder gaps being provided between surfaces of the segment plates ( 12   i ) that face towards each other.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention concerns a device for the integral joining of a metal block which can be made up of plates, by hard soldering or brazing, wherein the hard solder or braze provides in solder gaps located between adjacent segment plates a large surface area junction with minimal thickness. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     This type of device is known from DE 196 29 217 A1 in connection with a hydraulic valve, both for the housing as well as for the piston. 
     In the known device the solvent material as provided in depository spaces which are closed off after the segment plates have been assembled into the configuration into which the block is to be formed by brazing. The depository spaces are formed by aligned circular holes of the same diameter extending through adjacent contacting segment plates, the depository spaces being closed off on their ends by segment plates without holes. They must have relatively thick cross sections, in order to be able to take up sufficient soldering material. In general such solder depository spaces do not extend over the entire length of the plate device viewed perpendicular to the solder gaps, but only over several solder gaps, and there are multiple solder depository spaces provided offset over the length of the stack, so that overall all solder gaps can be provided with liquid solder. 
     It has been found, without taking into consideration of the fundamental suitability of the known device for producing surface “welded throughout” and therewith pressure resistant metal blocks, that a substantial investment is required in testing, in order to determine the size of the depository space and arrangement thereof within the metal blocks to be produced by brazing which, in a series production, results in a reproducible good quality, that is, results in a solder connection over the entire area of the contact surfaces. There is a further consideration that the blocks must be so orientated for the soldering process that the tubular shaped depository spaces must run exactly horizontally, so that the molten solder material distributes evenly over the length of the depository space and can reach the solder gaps, which must be respectively supplied via the solder depositories. The thus “vertical” orientation of the solder gaps or, as the case may be, segment plates which must be aligned along their narrow outer border surfaces, requires fixation means in order to securely hold the plates together in the orientation necessary for joining, before they are soldered to each other. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is thus the task of the invention, of improving a device of the above described type in such a manner, that independent of the orientation of the solder gaps a large surface area brazing of adjacent segment plates of a multi-layer of metal block is reliably achievable over the entire common contact surface thereof and the device can be achieved with simple technical means. 
     This task is solved in accordance with the basic concept of the invention in that at least one capillary solder flow path is provided which starts at a solder depository containing a supply of brace material, which melts upon heating of the stack of plates, via which flow path the melted solder material flows directly to the individual capillary solder gaps provided between the facing surfaces of the segment plates. 
     In accordance therewith, the capillary effect—which makes the soldering possible—is also used for the transport of solder material to the individual solder gaps and thereby makes it possible for the solder, obviously within the boundaries within which the capillary effect is effective, to practically simultaneously supply all the solder gaps in the sense of a “hydraulic” parallel circuit and to provide an even supply—respectively depending upon need—of solder material, in which capillaries the solder can then, again on the basis of the capillary effect, spread out and perfuse the segment plates over a large surface area. In the solder flow path liquid solder material continues to flow until the solder gaps of the metal block are filled and the capillary network formed by the flow path and the solder gaps—wherein high adhesive forces occur between the gap walls and the solvent material—are filled—and at the same time “fully wetted”—, wherein it can be insured by the appropriate limitation of the available supply of solder material, that the large volume hollow spaces provided within the metal block are not filled, since on the basis of the capillary action in the very narrow gaps first only the “narrow” solder gaps are filled, into which the solder material is evenly drawn, before a supplying or pooling of solder material can occur in other “non capillary” hollow spaces. 
     When employing the inventive device no exhaustive testing need be carried in order to determine an optimal arrangement of solder supply channels to enable the setting up of a series production; rather, it is sufficient to supply solder material in sufficient amount so that the solder gaps of the metal blocks inclusive of the solvent supply paths can be completely filled, which is easily possible using mathematics or a computer. The inventive device can be realized using simple designed, premanufactured parts with minimal technical investment. 
     Beginning with a rather conventional design of the metal block, in which the outer narrow surfaces of the segment plates are in alignment with each other, and with their large surface areas running coplanar—at least in areas—so that a capillary solder flow path can be provided in such surface areas, this can be realized in simple manner for example by means of a profile rod laid against the outside of the metal block, which profile rod crosses over the solder gaps of the metal block, for example with linear contact. 
     The solder flow paths located at the outer areas of a segment plate stack and running horizontal or vertical can be established by using a predefined design, and accordingly a reliable capillary effect be realized with simple means, in the manner that the segment plates are provided with edge open recesses which align with each other, the edge surfaces running perpendicular to the solder gaps and collectively forming a groove traversing the solder gaps, into which a profile rod is inserted, which borders or defines within the groove at least one acute narrowing closed-edged channel and is held in contact with or covering the groove wall along at least one line crossing the solder gap. 
     These solder supply paths according to the basic design can be realized in many diverse ways, for which the details, alternatives and specifications which can be used in combination are discussed below. Depending upon the shape of the groove there results therein, in combination with an at least segment-wise cylindrically shaped profile rod, either a contact line along which two wedge-like narrowing capillary gaps connect with each other with continuously narrowing gap ( 0 ) and disappearing wedge angle ( 0 ), this for example in a case that the cylindrically curved area of the profile rod comes into contact with a planar base surface of the groove, or two contact lines when the groove has a V-shaped cross section, or possibly even three contact lines when a profile rod with a cylindrical surface spanning more than 180° in circumference is introduced in a groove, which has two groove walls parallel to each other, between which a planar groove base extends. 
     In the case that at least two contact lines result on the basis of the shape of the profile rod and the groove in which it is inserted, the closed edged channel formed by the profile rod and the groove is also suitable as solder depository space for wire or flat bar shaped brace, this in any case when the groove depth is relatively large, that is, in the case of right-angular joining groove boundary surfaces corresponding at least to the curvature radius of the cylinder outer surface of the rod inserted in the groove. 
     Alternatively to this, the solder supply paths provided outside on the segment plate stack for solder transport to the solder gaps can, according to the characteristics discussed below, also be realized with grooves of relatively shallow depth at the plate sides and with a corresponding basically flat rod shaped profile bodies, which by wedging into or bending over the groove can also confer a suitable pre-fixing of the segment plate stack for the welding process in a welding oven. 
     In order to provide suitable spaces for receiving solder supply central recesses can be provided within this type of “flat” grooves, which along the outer side are bridged over by a profile bar and thereby are closed off towards the outside. A solder supply path of this design is suitable at least in the case that these are formed running vertically, and/or are provided on vertically or diagonally rising outer surfaces of the metal block which for their part are at right angles or diagonal to the solvent gaps. Alternatively or additionally to a solder supply path running along the outer edge surface of the plate stack, an “inner”, that is, a solder supply path bordered by the segment plates themselves, can be realized in the manner, that this is formed by preferably round closed edged openings in the block forming segment plates, the openings aligned with each other, and a profile rod extending through these openings, which profile rod has a shape geometrically similar to the shape of the opening and having a slightly smaller cross sectional area than the area of the opening, and which is in a continuous, line-forming contact with the edges of the openings of the segment plates. For this, a cylindrical rod can be suitable, which has a somewhat smaller diameter than the opening of the segment plates, and with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the opening is provided eccentrically, such that a continuous contact results along one line on the outer surface of the profile rod. 
     In a preferred design of the device at least one solder supply path is provided, which is formed by round-edged openings in the segment plates aligned with each other and a helical spring or coil extending through the channel formed by these openings, of which the spring coils are in continuous linear contact with each opening edge, wherein it is particularly preferred, when the helical spring is wound on a block, which corresponds to the smallest possible cross section of the—in this case—closed edged capillary solder transport channel. 
     When at least two solder supply paths are provided, for example in a diametrically opposed arrangement relative to the central axis of the segment plate stack, then these can be used for holding the segment plates in a defined position—aligning—arrangement in the sense of a pre-fixing for the soldering process. 
     Independent of whether the capillary solder supply path is provided at the outer area of the metal block to be joined by brazing or in the internal area thereof, pocket or funnel shaped solder depository spaces for receiving a solder supply, in communication with the ambient atmosphere, can be provided in such a device, so that molten solder can flow under the influence of gravity to the capillary solder supply path(s). 
     Solder supply paths as described below are particularly suitable for the edge areas of a metal block comprised of multiple segment plates with right-angled edge areas, and can be produced by simple bending of tongue-shaped plate elements. 
     By means of a suitable tie rod or by a through-bolt introduced in the joined metal block, it is possible in simple manner to stabilize the metal block against expanding forces, which could result for example by the high hydraulic pressure of the connecting channels extending throughout the metal block. 
     When closed—“blind”—hollow spaces are provided in the segment plate stack, which are preferably defined by openings of identical cross-section aligned with each other in the “intermediate” segment plates sandwiched between the outermost segment plates, then it is possible in simple manner, as discussed below, to tightly press the segment plates to be joined with each other during the welding and to produce minimal solder gap widths, which result in particularly solid solder connections. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     Further details of the inventive device can be seen from the following description of special exemplary embodiments on the basis of the figures, wherein with reference to the functional description in the exemplary embodiments also processes are described, which result in a particularly solid joining of the metal block which can be produced in accordance with the inventive device. There is shown: 
     FIG. 1 an inventive device for brazing with four segment plates to be formed into a stack along their outer sides and to be soldered to each other via solder supply paths to form a compact metal block, in perspective, schematic simplified view, 
     FIG. 2 the solder depository area of the solder supply path, in sectional view along one of the vertical middle planes of the device according to FIG. 1, 
     FIG. 3 a section along the plane III—III of FIG. 2, 
     FIG. 4 a  a further design of a suitable solder supply path of a device according to FIG. 1, in a sectional representation corresponding to the representation in FIG. 2, 
     FIG. 4 b  a section along the line IVb—IVb of FIG. 4 a,    
     FIG. 4 c  an alternative of the solder supply path according to FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b  in a sectional representation corresponding to the sectional representation in FIG. 4 b,    
     FIG. 5 a  a further exemplary design of a solder supply path in a sectional representation corresponding to FIG. 4 a  along the plane Va—Va of FIG. 5 b,    
     FIG. 5 b  an alternative arrangement of solder supply paths according to FIG. 5 a  with steel rods used for the systematic orientation—“centering”—of the segment plates in schematic simplified partial top view, 
     FIG. 6 a  a further design of a solder supply path which is a functional analog to the solder supply paths according to FIGS. 1 through 5 b,    
     FIG. 6 b  a design of a tie rod integrated in the segment plate stack, in a sectional representation corresponding to FIG. 6 a,    
     FIG. 6 c  a detail of a segment plate stack suitable for introduction into a solder oven which can be evacuated and filled with inert gas, for illustration of a solder process which can lead to a particularly high strength or integrity of the soldered metal block, and 
     FIG. 7 a solder supply path realized exclusively by elements of the segment plates, for the corner area of the metal block according to FIG. 1, in schematic simplified perspective partial representation. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The purpose of the device indicated overall with reference number  10  in FIG.  1 —which includes a stack  11  of superposed segment plates  12   1  through  12   10  of steel as well as linear, edge-open grooves  13  of the segment plates including metal profile rods  16  inserted for formation of solder supply paths  14 —is the production in a braze process of a materially joined connection of the segment plates  12   1  through  12   10  to each other with a highly rigid, uniform, one-piece metal block  11 ′, of which the outer shape corresponds essentially to that of the stack of plates  11 . For the metal block  11 ′, which essentially for purpose of explanation and without limitation thereto is presumed to be intended for use as a hydraulic connection block, via which for example the P-high pressure outlet and the T-return flow connection of a not shown hydraulic pressure supply assembly with appropriate P- and T-connections of the, for simplification of explanation purpose not shown hydraulic valves, respectively can be joined, which are mounted on a hydraulic connection block device lying opposite to the supply connections, wherein the functionally defined hydraulic connection channels running within the connection block are formed by closed-edged openings in the segment plates  12   1  through  12   10 , which form, by the overlapping of their thin cross sections, the respective communicating connections between the supply connections and the valve connections. 
     In the case of the illustrative embodiment selected for explanation purposes it is presumed that the segment plates  12   1  through  12   10 , with the exception of the grooves  13 , have square edges, with edge lengths of 20 cm and a thickness d of 10 mm, and that they are stacked upon each other, with their surfaces having the larger surface area as boundary surfaces, to form the stack  11 , in such a manner that their narrow side boundary surfaces  15  run coplanar along the four side boundary surfaces of the stack  11 , so that the stack  11  is bordered by right angled, planar, vertical boundary surfaces. 
     In order to achieve optimal rigidity of the metal block  11 ′ to be produced by braze process—“one piece” or “unitary”—, it is necessary to completely fill with solder the solder gaps  17   j  (j=1 through n−1), which are defined between the segment plates  12   i  (i=1 through n; n=10) by the large bordering surfaces, that is, in the total large surface overlapping area of the plate bordering surfaces, between the facing surfaces of the respective lower plate bordering surface  18  and the adjacent upper bordering surface  19  (FIG.  2 ). 
     The solder gaps  17   1  through  17   9  have, so long as the segment plates  12   1  through  12   10  are still “loosely” stacked upon each other, because of their respective only point-shaped contact to each other, still a sufficient “vertical” gap or narrow width, such that the molten solder can evenly distribute itself, that is, surface wise, within this gap on the basis of the capillary action. This also applies in the case that the segment plates  12   1  through  12   10  are pressed against each other with higher pressures then would result due only to their own weight, for example, by an additional weight placed upon the uppermost segment plate  12   1 , so long as the thereby always achievable narrowing of the gap results in an advantageous increase in the capillary action which causes a drawing in of solder into the solder gaps  17   1  through  17   9 , which increases with decreasing gap width. This effect is also utilized in the solder supply paths  14  provided for supplying of solder material to the solder gaps  17   1  through  17   9 . 
     For illustrating possible designs of the supply paths  14  useable in the device  10 , first reference is made to the solder supply path  14  illustrated in the right part of the perspective representation of FIG. 1 as well as the sectional representation of FIGS.  2  and  3 : 
     The segment plates  12   1  through  12   10  are provided, in the central area of their narrow side surfaces  15 , with edge-open groove recesses  13 , which respectively have the same flat right angled narrow cross section. They are so arranged, that when the segment plates  12   1  through  12   10  are in the “aligned” position for the joining of the metal block  11 ′ the groove base surfaces  21  (FIG. 3) and the groove side wall surfaces  22  of the groove recesses  13  align with each other, so that in this configuration of the metal block  11 ′ a groove  13 ′ extending over the height of the metal block  11 ′ results, with which all of the solder gaps  17   1  through  17   9  are in communication. 
     In this groove  13 ′ a flat-curved profile bar  16 , preferably constructed of the same material as the segment plates  12   1  through  12   10 , is seated, which has the shape of a flat curved segment of a pipe or cylinder outer surface extending over an arc of 20°, of which the narrow side bordering surfaces  23 , between which the convex curved outer surface  24  and a concave curved inner surface  26  of the profile bar  16  extend, run parallel to each other in the starting condition of the profile bar  16  via which these not yet rigidly connected segment plates are connected. The profile bar  16  is so designed, that in its starting condition it can be so inserted or introduced into the groove  13 ′, that a contact is established between its narrow longitudinal border surfaces  23  and the groove side wall surfaces  22  of the groove recess  13  of the segment plates  12   1  through  12   10 , and so that the inner corner edges  27  of the profile bar  16  contact the groove corner edge  28 , along which the shaft flank or side walls  22  of the groove recesses  13  join the groove base surfaces  21 . This starting condition is represented in the left part of FIG.  3 . In this starting condition of the metal profile bar  16 , the convex bowed outer surface  24  of the metal profile bar  16  projects somewhat out of the groove  13 ′ from the region extending on both sides of the groove  13  of the narrow side surface  15  of the segment plates  12   1  through  12   10 . The profile bar  16 , which in its starting condition is still easily slideable in the groove  13  is clamped into the groove  13 ′ by depressing its central region in the direction towards the groove base  21 , whereby it clamps form-fittingly with its inner edges  27  in the edge areas  28  of the groove recess  13  for force-form locking engagement of the segment plate material, and thereby is fixed in the groove  13 ′. The thickness of the profile bar  16 , its curvature, the depth of the groove  13  and its width w measured parallel to the groove base  21  are dimensioned relative to each other, so that the profile bar  16  can be securely fixed in the groove  13  when it is press formed into the idealized shape shown in the right part of FIG. 3, in which the outer surface line  31  of the profile bar  16  running along the longitudinal central plane or area  29  of the groove  13 ′ is in the plane  32  of the narrow side flanks or surfaces  15  of the segment plates  12   1  through  12   10  (FIG.  3 ). 
     In the illustrated embodiment according to FIG. 1 selected for explanation, which has four solder supply paths  14  with profile bars  16  clamped in the grooves  13 ′, these solder supply paths in pairwise symmetrical arrangement along “vertical” central planes  33  and  34  of the metal block  11 ′ running at right angles to each other, there is achieved by the clamping of this profile bar  16  into the groove  13 ′ also the prefixing of the segment plates  12   1  through  12   10  necessary for the soldering of the segment plates  12   1  through  12   10  to each other in the “oriented” configuration is achieved. 
     Departing from the representation of the curvatures of the outer and inner border surfaces of the profile bar  16  in the configuration clamped in the groove  13 ′ selected for illustrative purposes, the “vertical” gap  14 ′ of the solder supply path  14 , measured perpendicular to the groove base  21 , can have a consistent largest thickness gap width of always 0.2 to 0.3 mm, so that molten solder material, which flows in for example from above from the solder depository space  36  in the gap  14 ′, on the basis of the capillary action of the gap  14 ′ even when this is to be filled during the solder process, cannot exit from below out of the gap  14 ′ but rather on the basis of the increased capillary action of the gap  14 ′ spreads out in the corner edge near regions  37 , in which the gap width according to the idealized representation of FIG. 3 decreases towards “0” towards the corner edges  27  of the profile bar and the edge corners  28  of the groove recess  13 , is drawn quantitatively into the solder gaps  17   1  through  17   9  by capillary effect from the supply gap  14 ′, and spreads within the solder gap, which wet these bordering plate surfaces  18  and  19 . 
     In the device  10  represented in FIG. 1 two solder depository spaces  36  are provided for cylindrical rod shaped solder material pieces  38  in such a manner, that the uppermost segment plates  12   1  of the plate stack  11 , which have a diagonal chamfer surface  39  narrowing towards the gap  14 ′, extending between the groove flanks  22  of the groove  13 ′, which extends over a part of the thickness of the uppermost segment plate and together with the upper edge of the profile rod  16  forms a recess which in cross section is flat wedge shaped, in which the solder material rod  38  in close approximately to the solder supply space is securely deposited. 
     The solder supply path  14  represented as an example in the left part of FIG. 1 differs from that shown in the right part of FIG.  1  and in the cross section in the solder supply path shown in FIG. 2 essentially by the design of the solder storage space  41 , which is essentially designed as pocket shaped insertion compartment, in which the solder material supply rod  42  is inserted “from above” into the illustrated device. 
     The flat pocket shaped deposit spaces  41  are bordered by flat—viewed from the narrow cross section, respectively square shaped—each other aligned, groove steps  43  of at least some of the segment plates  12   1  through  12   i  which, viewed from the uppermost segment plate  12   1 , are immediately adjacent each other. These groove steps  43  are formed symmetrically with respect to the respective cross sectional planes  33  or as the case may be  34  of the plate stack  11 , in which also the profile bar covered groove recesses  30  are formed symmetrically, of which the flank separation is however significantly greater than that of the groove steps  43 . The groove flank width a of the groove  43  bordered overall by the groove step  43 ′ (FIG.  1 ), and the perpendicular thereto groove base depth b, are so dimensioned or designed, that a capillary action suitable for up take of the solder supply into the solder gap can occur in the insertion pocket for the solder wire forming groove  43 ′ considered by itself. In order to prevent a flowing-out of molten solder material out of the “pocket”-groove  43 ′, this is closed off at the bottom. This closure is achieved in the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 1 thereby, that the lowermost segment plate  12   10  of the segment plate stack  11  is not provided with a groove  43 ′ continuing groove shaped recess. In the solder supply path  14  provided with the insertion groove  43 ′ as deposit space for solder material  38  there occurs, in the case that the solder material  38  rapidly melts and collects first at the lower part of the pocket shaped solder deposit space  41 , a supply of solder to the thereabove situated solder gaps  17   i  (i=1 through 9) through  17   1  by the capillary action of the, on both sides of the pocket groove  43 ′ provided, wedge shaped acute angled inner edge area  37  of the groove  14 ′ forming together with the profile rod  16  overall the solder supply path, in which the molten solder material  38  can climb against gravity up to the uppermost solder gap  17   1 , of course under the assumption, that the plate stack  11  overall is not to high. Otherwise, there must be provided in the vertical direction overlapping solder supply paths, which are formed or designed analogously to the otherwise described solder supply paths  14 . 
     The solder supply path  14  shown in FIG. 7 is suitable for provision in the corner areas of the segment plate stack  11  and is bordered exclusively by elements of the segment plates  12   i . For explanatory purposes it is presumed that the plate stack  11  has the same outer shape as explained on the basis of FIG.  1 . 
     With the exception of the lowermost segment plate  12   10  the segment plates  12   i  are provided with round edged openings  122  near the corners or edges, extending coaxially relative to a common central longitudinal axis  121  which extends perpendicular to the solder gaps  17   j , of which the cylinder wall shaped edges of the opening are aligned with each other. These openings  122  have a sufficient diameter to receive the necessary supply of solder material. The distance of the common central longitudinal axis  121  of the plate openings  122  from an outer edge of the segment plates  12   1  which, in accordance with the representation of FIG. 7 is to the left, is 1 to 2 mm larger than the diameter of the round openings  122 . The distance of the central longitudinal axis  121  from the other edge  122 , which in the illustration according to FIG. 7 is on the right, which runs at right angles to the “left” edge  123 , has a value, which corresponds to the double or triple of the diameter of the openings  122  aligned with each other. The openings define an upwardly open channel  126 , which on its lower side is blocked or closed by the lowermost segment plate  12   10 , which extends through every other segment plate  12   1  through  12   9  and which serves as the depository space for the rod shaped braze material. From the channel  126  defining openings  122  there extend slits  127 , of which the slit side walls  128  and  129  in the non-deformed condition of the segment plates  12   1  through  12   9 , which is shown in the upper part of FIG. 7, extend parallel to the respective plate outer edge  123 , of which the central axis  121  has the smaller distance from the plate openings  122 . The width of the slits  127  measured at right angles to the slit side walls  128  and  129  have a typical value of between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm which is small in comparison to the diameter of the openings  122 . The outer, edge-near slit side walls  128  connect flat—“tangential”—to the walls of the openings  122 , and the inner slit side walls  129  at an acute angle. In the non-deformed starting condition of the segment plates  12   i  shown in the upper part of FIG. 7, the slits  127  are edge-open and bordered on the outer side, that is, in the edge-near area, by thin walled tongue elements  131 . By pressing the free end segments of the tongue elements  131 , which on a basis of their minimal thickness and their relatively large length are easily bendable and are deformable non-elastically and form-retentive, on the inner slit side walls  128  there are produced towards outwards wedge-shaped narrowing, generally closed gaps, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 7, which overall are in communication with the solder depository channel  126 , and form capillary solder supply paths  14 , over which molten solder flows to the various solder gaps  17   1  through  17   9 . 
     For explanation of a further possible design of solder supply paths wherein molten solder is distributed, using a capillary effect, to the individual solder gaps  17   i  (i=1 through n) of a metal block  11 ′ comprised of segment plates  12   j  (j=1 through n+1) which is joined by brazing, reference is now made to FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b.    
     The stack of plates  11  is based upon an external cubic or rectangular, overall square or parallelepiped block-shaped design with essentially planar external surfaces, analogous to the stack of plates shown in FIG.  1 . For the purpose of explanation it is assumed that this stack of plates  11  is introduced into a soldering oven, in which the soldering process occurs, with a vertical orientation of the solder gaps  17   i . 
     The solder supply path  14  according to FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b  is formed, similarly to the solder supply paths  14  according to FIG. 1, by an edge-open groove  44  and a profile rod  46  seated therein. 
     The groove  44  extends over the entire “horizontal” length L of the segment plate stack  11 , measured between the planar quadratic outer surfaces  47  or as the case may be  48  of the end segment plates  12   1  and  12   10 , which essentially equals the sum of the thicknesses d of the segment plates  12   1  through  12   10 . The solder gaps  17   1  through  17   9 , which are produced by the flush contacting segment plates  12   1  through  12   10 , do not measurably contribute to the geometric dimension of the stack of plates  11 . 
     The groove  44  is formed by each other superposed edge open, right angled when viewed in cross section, edge recesses  44 ′ of the segment plates  12   1  through  12   10 , wherein the side wall surfaces  49  and the groove base surface  51  of the groove recess  44 ′ respectively join each other. The depth of the groove  44  measured perpendicular to the groove base is approximately 50% larger than the narrow width w measured between the side wall surfaces  49  of the groove  44 . The profile rod  46  seated in the groove  44  has the shaped of a cylindrical rod, of which the diameter corresponds to the narrow width of the groove  44 , so that when the cylindrical rod  46  is seated in the groove  44 , contact with the side walls of the groove  44  is produced at least along two outer surface lines  52  and  53  of the cylindrical rod  46 , and in certain cases when the cylindrical rod  46  also lies against the groove base  51 , contact as made along a further outer surface line  54  which extends along a central plane  56  running perpendicular to the groove base of the groove  44 . 
     The length L′ of the rod  46 , in the exemplary devices selected for explanation, in which the collective segment plates  12   1  through  12   10  have the same thickness d, is smaller by one half of this thickness d than the horizontal of the stack of plates  11 , that is, it is so selected, that in each of the possible arrangements of within the groove  44  the contact line  52  and  53  running along the outer surface of the profile rod, with which the profile rod is in linear contact with the side wall surfaces  49  of the groove  44  and in certain cases also the outer surface line  54  along which the profile rod lies against the groove base  51  of the groove  44 , it crosses over each solder gap  17   1  through  17   9  and thereby insures “capillary” contact of the groove internal space with the solder gaps  17   1  through  17   9  between the rod  46  and at least the groove side walls  49 . The rod  46  is provided on its end segments with axial threaded boreholes  57 , into which screws  58  can be screwed, of which the heads  59  are supported against the outer side of the anchor plates  55 , which for their part are already supported against the outer surfaces  47  and  48  of the outer segment plates  12   1  or as the case maybe  12   10  in their areas immediately surrounding the groove openings. 
     In the design of the solder supply path  14  represented in FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b  with upwards open groove  44 , wire shaped solder stock pieces  61  can be introduced into the groove space remaining above the cylindrical rod  46 , as illustrated in FIG. 4 b.    
     In the case that the solder supply path is on the lower or bottom side of the stack of plates  11 , that is, arranged such that the opening of the groove  44  faces downwards, then the round profile rod  46  is force fittingly fixed by means of the anchor screws  58  preferably in the position shown in FIG. 4 c , and the groove inner space remaining between the groove base  51  and the profile rod  46  can be used for receiving solder stock pieces  61 . 
     Solder supply paths  14  with the design and arrangement shown in FIGS. 4 a  through  4   c  are, on a basis of their tie rod effect and the form-locking engagement of their profile rods  46  with the grooves  44 , fixed with the segment plates  12   1  through  12   10  force-form locked oriented positionally correct relative to each other as necessary preliminary to the soldering process. 
     The same applies for the special design of the solder supply paths  14  in the sense represented in FIGS. 5 a  and  5   b , for the explanation of which again reference is made to a design with the basic shape with square segment plates  12   1  through  12   12  with horizontal orientation of the solder gaps  17   1  through  17   11  bordered pairwise by the segment plates. It is further presumed that four solder supply paths  14  are provided, which are arranged in axial symmetric grouping relative to the central axis  62  of the stack of plates  11 , along which the diagonal planes  63  and  64  of the segment plates  12   1  through  12   12  intersect or cut. The solder supply paths  14  are formed by respectively one inner channel  66  of round thin cross section and a round steel rod  67  of smaller diameter extending through this channel, which again is used as anchor, by means of which the segment plates  12   1  through  12   12  are provisionally preliminarily fixed to each other in the desired orientation prior to the solder process. The channel is formed by round voids  68  of the segment plates  12   2  through  12   11  provided between the uppermost segment plate  12   1  and the lowermost segment plate  12   12  (FIG. 5 a ). The central axis  69   1  through  69   4  of the channels  66  of the four total solder supply paths lie pairwise in the diagonal planes  63  and  64  of the stack of plates  11 . The anchor-steel rods  67  are so provided within the channel  66 , that they contact the cylindrical wall respectively along one line  71  running along the cylindrical steel rod outer surface  72 , which for its part lies in the diagonal plane  63  or as the case may be  64 , that is, the steel rods  67  are so provided within the channel  66  that their central longitudinal axis  73   1  through  73   4  are provided with a separation Δr from the central longitudinal axis  69   1  through  69   4  seen along the respective diagonal planes  62  or  63 , which spacing or distance is the difference of the radius of the round plate voids  68  and the radius of the cylindrical outer surface  72  of the respective tie rods  67 . Viewed along the one diagonal plane  63  of the stack of plates  11 , the central longitudinal axis  73   1  and  73   3  of the tie rods  67  run between the central longitudinal axis  69   1  and  69   3  of the diametrically each other opposing arranged solder supply paths  14 . By this arrangement of the tie rods  67  within the channels  66  a segment plate  12   1  through  12   12  form-fitting oriented “centered” effect is produced by the anchor rods  67 . This centering effect can, as shown for the two solder supply paths  14  provided along the other diagonal plane  64  as shown in FIG. 5 b , also be achieved thereby, that the tie rod steel rods  67  are pressed evenly outwards along the diagonal plane  64 , that is, the central longitudinal axis  69   2  and  69   4  of the channels  66  extend between the central longitudinal axis  73   2  and  73   4  of the tie rods  67 . 
     The channels are closed off on their one lower side according to the representation in FIG. 5 a  by the lower outer segment plate  12   12 , which together with the segment plate  12   11  provided immediately thereabove defines the lowermost solder gap  17   11 . The lowermost segment plate  12   12  has a threaded borehole  74 , in which the tie rod  67  can be anchored via an axial threaded segment  76  with positive abutment of its end surface against the inner gap limiting surface  77  of the lowermost segment plate  12   12 . On the upper side, the channel  66  is respectively closed off thereby, that an upper end segment  67 ′ of the tie rod steel rod  67  plugs the channel side of a centering opening  78  of the uppermost segment plate  12   1 , wherein its upper, ring-shaped end surface  79  is positioned within the centering opening  78 , that is, extends up to a small distance, which corresponds to a fragment of the thickness of the upper segment plate  12   1 , from its outer flush surface  81 . The tie rod steel rod  67  is provided on its upper end with a threaded projection  82  coaxial with the central longitudinal axis  73   i  (i=1 through 4) upon which for tensioning of the tie rod  67 , that is, for pressing together of the stack of plates  11 , a tensioning nut  83  can be screwed on, which supports itself via a washer disc  84 , which can be in the form of a cup spring or a lock washer, against the outer surface  81  of the uppermost segment plate  12   1 . In the solder supply paths  14  according to FIGS. 5 a  and  5   b  the sickle-shaped void space of the channel  66  extending between the uppermost segment plate  12   1  and a lowermost segment plate  12   2  of the stack of plates  11 , as shown in FIG. 5 b , is used as deposit space for round or flat bar shaped solder material  42 . The capillary effect necessary for an even solder distribution in the solder gaps  17   1  through  17   11  occurs in the solder supply paths according to FIGS. 5 a  and  5   b  in the curved wedge shaped region of the soldered storage space  86 , which join each other along the contact line  71  of the tie rod steel rod and the cylindrical wall of the channel  66 . 
     The device  10  represented in FIGS. 6 a ,  6   b  and  6   c , to the details of which reference will now be made, again uses as starting point essentially for purposes of explanation the stack of segment plates  11  with segment plates  12   1  through  12   n  defining a horizontal arrangement of the solder gaps  17   1  through  17   n-1  (n=number of the segment plates), which stack is to be joined into a solid block by brazing. For provisional fixing of the stack of plates  11  in the arrangement intended for the soldered block  11 ′ of the segment plates  12   1  through  12   n  the essentially schematically illustrated tension anchors  86  are provided, which can be realized by means of boreholes of small diameter extending through the segment plates  12   1  through  12   n  and aligned with each other as well as openings at the outer sides of the outermost segment plates  12   1  and  12   n  contacting anchor plates  87  and  88  through-going threaded rods  89  and tensioning nuts  91  which can be screwed upon their end segments, which tensioning nuts  91  support themselves against the outer side of the anchor plates  87  and  88 . 
     Within the stack of plates  11  a through-going tubular shaped channel  93  is formed by round openings  92   1  through  92   n  aligned with each other, of which the central longitudinal axis  94  extends perpendicular to the solder gap defining plate surfaces of the segment plates  12   1  through  12   n . This channel  93  is closed off at least on its lower side by the there provided anchor plate  87 , and for illustrative purposes is also closed off in the illustrated embodiment at its uppermost side by the anchor plate  88 , after which the preliminary assembly of the stack of plates  11  has been accomplished. 
     The channel has a relatively large diameter D of, for example, 15 to 20 mm and is thus suitable as deposit space for a relatively large amount of solder material  42 . 
     In order to form a capillary solder supply path  14 , via which the molten solder material, which during melting first collects in the lower part of the channel  93 , can climb to the higher lying solder gaps  17   i  (i=1 through n−1), there is inserted in the channel  93  a cylindrical, helical spring  96 , wound on a block, of which the outer coil diameter is slightly smaller, for example by about 1% smaller, than the diameter D of the channel  93 , so that it can be easily inserted therein until contact of its lower end at the lower anchor plate  87 . The thickness of the spring wire corresponds, departing from the representation selected for explanation, to only a small fraction of the uniform predetermined plate thicknesses d of the segment plates  12   1  through  12   n . Their length measured in the direction of the central axis  94  is somewhat smaller than the total cross section of the stack of plates  11 , for example by one half of one plate thickness, so that it clearly projects above the uppermost solder gap  17   1 , when it is seated in the channel  93 . 
     The helical spring  96  experiences, during heating of the stack of plates to the soldering temperature (approximately 1300° K.), a radial widening, whereby its coils  96 ′ lie against the cylindrically shaped wall  93 ′ of the channel  93  along a continuous contact line  97 , which corresponds to the course of a thread pitch of a threaded bolt. 
     In the solder supply channel  14 , which in the sectional representation of FIG. 6 a  is three pointed, there occurs a sufficiently defined capillary effect, so that molten solder can climb therein even against gravity up to the solder gaps  17   n-1  to  17   1 , which draw in molten solder in the required amounts. 
     For explanation of possible designs of tie rods  98  by means of which the segment plates  12   1  through  12   n  of the metal block  11 ′ remain pressed together under tension even after the metal block  11 ′ has been welded, which can prevent any widening of the solder gaps  17   1  through  17   n-1  filled with solder material, which widening could occur for example under the influence of the hydraulic pressure which can be developed within the hydraulic supply channels present inside the metal block  11 ′, reference will now be made to the relevant details of FIG. 6 b.    
     The tie rod  98  is formed by an anchor rod  99 , of which the central longitudinal axis  101  extends through the stack of plates  11  perpendicular to the orientation of the planes of the solder gaps  17   1  through  17   n-1  and is solidly welded with its end segments  102  and  103  in the area of the cylinder wall shaped solder space  104  or as the case may be  106  with the two uppermost segment plates  12   1  and  12   2  as well as with the two lower segment plates  12   n-1  and  12   n  of the stack of plates at the conclusion of the solder process. These cylinder wall shaped solder gaps  104  and  106  are bordered on the side of the block by voids  107   1  and  107   2  of the uppermost two segment plates  12   1  and  12   2  or, as the case may be, circular recess  107   n  and  107   n-1  of the two lowermost segment plates  12   n  and  12   n-1 , aligned with each other and coaxial to the central longitudinal axis  101 , wherein the diameter of these round recesses, except for the—slight—over dimensioning necessary for forming the cylinder wall solder gaps  104  and  106 , correspond to that of the anchor rod  99 . The solder supply to the cylinder wall shaped solder gaps  104  and  106  occurs via the solder gaps  17   1  and  17   n-1  defined or bordered by the two uppermost segment plates  12   1  and  12   2  or, as the case may be, the two lowermost segment plates  12   n-1  and  12   n , which are in communication with the capillary solder supply paths  14  of the device  10 . 
     The middle section  108  of the tie rod, which extends between the end segments  102  and  103  of the tie rod  99 , which after soldering is rigidly connected with the outer segment plate pairs  12   1 ,  12   2  as well as  12   n-1  and  12   n , extends through a cylindrical hollow space  109 , which is bordered by round, concentric openings  107   3  through  107   n-2  of segment plates  12   3  through  12   n-2  aligned with each other relative to the central longitudinal axis  101  and positioned between the segment plates  12   1  and  12   2  or as the case may be  12   n-1  and  12   n  which are rigidly solder connected with the tie rod  99 . The narrow diameter of these openings  107   3  through  107   n− of the “intermediate”—segment plates  12   3  through  12   n-2  is significant, that is, at least 2 to 3 mm larger than the diameter of the tie rod  99 , so that no capillary effect occurs between this and the wall of the hollow space  109  defined by the ring cylindrical voids  107   3  through  107   n-2 , which could lead to a rigid connection of the anchor rod  99  with the “intermediate” segment plates  12   3  through  12   n-2 . 
     The tie rod  99  is comprised of a material, of which the thermal coefficient of expansion α is significantly larger than that of the steel—material, of which the segment plates  12   1  through  12   n  are comprised. Under the presumption that this is made of a conventional steel with a carbon content of 1%, then for the tie rod  99  again a conventional stainless steel material would be suitable, which has a thermal coefficient of expansion which is approximately 1.5 times larger than that of the steel material. 
     The anchor rod  99  is so dimensioned, and is so provided within the stack of plates  11 , that during the solder process, that is, when the stack of plates  11  is heated to solder temperature of for example 1000° C., it extends with its diameter through respective openings  107   1 ,  107   2  of the upper each other adjacent segment plates  12   1  and  12   2  as well as the openings  107   n-1  and  107   n  of the lower two segment plates  12   n-1  and  12   n  over their entire breadth. As soon as the temperature drops below the solder temperature above which the solder material becomes molten, the anchor rod  99  is respectively rigidly connected on its length corresponding to the double thickness of the segment plates of the end segments  102  and  103  with the two uppermost segment plates  12   1  and  12   2  as well as the two lowermost segment plates  12   n-1  and  12   n . After this bonding is achieved by the cooling of the solidly soldered metal block  11 ′, then the anchor rod  99  during further cooling experiences an axial pre-tensioning, since its tendency to shorten is stronger than that of the material of the segment plates  12   1  through  12   n . On a basis of its elasticity it acts as a strong pre-tensioned spring, which holds the segment plates  12   1  through  12   n  together. 
     The basic concept for realizing a tie rod explained on the basis of FIG. 6 b  can be naturally be modified in many ways, in particular also in the manner that the tensioning tie rod effect is only effective between the outermost segment plates  12   1  and  12   n . 
     For the design of the stack of plates  11  according to FIG. 6 c  it is a precondition that the solder process occurs in an essentially schematically indicated solder oven  111 , which in preparation for the solder process can be evacuated using a vacuum pump  112  and during the solder process can be placed under an elevated pressure of for example 6 bar by introduction of a non-combustible gas, for example noble gas, from a high pressure supply container  113  into the treatment space  114  containing the stack of plates  11 . 
     Within the stack of plates  11  cylindrical hollow spaces  117  are formed in the illustrated example by aligned voids  116   2  through  116   n-1  of the segment plates  12   2  through  12   n-1 , which are provided between the outermost segment plates  12   1  and  12   n , in which the closed round hollow spaces  117  are preferably evenly distributed over the basic surface of the stack of plates  11 . The dimensioning or sizing of these hollow spaces is determined in the case of the typical design, based upon the total base surface A 1  of the stack of plates  11 , which is presumed to be square or rectangular, which corresponds to the sum of the cross section surfaces A 2  of the hollow spaces  117 , corresponds to approximately ⅛ through ¼ of the base surface A 1 . 
     In FIG. 6 d  for simplicity only one of these hollow spaces  117  is represented. The solder supply for the individual solder gaps is achieved by one of the embodiments discussed for FIGS. 1 through 6 a . For soldering the segment plate stack  11  to a unitary metal block  11 ′ a procedure according to the following preferred process is carried out: 
     During the heating of the segment plate stack the treatment space  114  of the oven or as the case may be the internal space of a pressure chamber, in which the oven  111  is positioned, is evacuated. Thereby also the “closed” hollow spaces  117  of the segment stack plate  11  which are in communication with the treatment space  114  via the still solder-free solder gaps  17   1  through  17   n-1  are evacuated. As soon as the solder material melts and the solder gaps  17   1  through  17   n-1 , draw in solder and thereby become completely filled, the closed hollow spaces  117  are hermetically sealed against the treatment space  114 , whereby the vacuum within the hollow space  117  is maintained. While the solder material is still molten the treatment space  114  is placed under an elevated gas pressure of for example 6 bar, which on the basis of the pressure differential between the treatment space  114  and the extremely low pressure existing in the internals of the closed hollow spaces  117  leads to forces which press the segment plate stack  11  together in the sense of a narrowing of the width of the solder gaps  17   1  through  17   n-1 . A qualitative exuding of the molten solder material out of the solder gaps  17   1  through  17   n-1  into the hollow spaces  117  is not cause for concern since the capillary force active in the region of the solder gaps  17   1  holds the molten solder in the solder gaps  17   1  through  17   n-1  even in the face of the higher outer pressure in a treatment space  114  at least in the context that the large surface wetted of the opposing plate surfaces remains in effect and in any case so much molten solder is introduced in the hollow space  117  as can be pressed out of the solder gaps  17   1  through  17   n-1  by the pressing together of the segment plates. The elevated pressure in the treatment space is maintained for several minutes, for example 5 to 10 minutes, in any case for a sufficient time, after which, in accordance with experience, a desired minimization of the solder layer thickness in the solder gaps  17   1  through  17   n-1  can be presumed. By the introduction of inert gas under elevated pressure the cooling process is started, wherein the elevated internal pressure is preferably maintained for a sufficient time until the solder material is quantitatively solidified.