Patent ID: 7597137

Claim:
A heat exchanger system, comprising: a plurality of aluminum heat exchanger tubes which have an outside diametral dimension, an inside diametral dimension, and a distal end; a stainless steel refrigerant distributor; a plurality of stainless steel fluid distributor conduits each having a proximal end which is coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the stainless steel refrigerant distributor and an opposite distal end, and wherein the respective stainless steel fluid distributor conduits further have an outside diametral dimension, and an inside diametral dimension defining a passageway which extends therethrough, and wherein the outside diametral dimension of the respective stainless steel fluid distributor conduits is less than the inside diametral dimension of the respective aluminum heat exchanger tubes, and wherein the distal ends of the respective stainless steel fluid distributor conduits are telescopingly received within, and coaxially located relative to, the respective aluminum heat exchanger tubes; and a plurality of couplers for securing the respective stainless steel fluid distributor conduits in fluid flowing relation relative to each of the aluminum heat exchanger tubes, and wherein the respective couplers have a first, annular shaped aluminum end, and a second, annular shaped stainless steel end, and wherein the respective couplers have an outside diametral dimension which is substantially equal to or less than the outside diametral dimension of the respective aluminum heat exchanger tubes, and wherein the respective couplers define a continuous internal passageway which extends along the length thereof, and between the first annular shaped aluminum end, and the second annular shaped stainless steel end, and wherein first annular shaped aluminum end has a male coupling member which extends coaxially outwardly from first annular shaped aluminum end and which has an outside diametral dimension which is less than the inside diametral dimension of the respective aluminum heat exchanger tubes, and wherein the male coupling member is wholly received within the aluminum heat exchanger tubes, and wherein the distal end of the respective aluminum heat exchanger tubes is welded to the first annular shaped aluminum end at a location which is in spaced relation relative to the distal end thereof, and wherein the respective stainless steel fluid distributor conduits are received in the continuous passageway defined by the respective couplers, and further extends substantially through each of the couplers, and wherein the second annular shaped stainless steel end of the coupler is welded to the respective stainless steel fluid distributor conduits at a location where the stainless steel fluid conduit enters the continuous passageway which is defined by the coupler, and which is spaced from the distal end of the stainless steel fluid distributor conduit.