Method for manufacturing an evaporator and related finished product

Abstract

A method for manufacturing an evaporator, in particular of the roll-bond type, comprising the operating steps of providing a first metal sheet; forming at least one groove on a first face of the first sheet; applying a bonding material on at least said first face; providing a second metal sheet; bonding said first grooved face of said first sheet with a first face of said second sheet; forming, in a perimeter edge portion of at least one of said first and second sheets, a seat configured to receive a section of a tubular element; applying a bonding material in said seat; positioning a section of the tubular element in said seat in contact with said bonding material.

Description

[0001] “METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING AN EVAPORATOR AND RELATED FINISHED PRODUCT”

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an evaporator, for example intended to be operatively mounted on a refrigerating machine.

[0004] In greater detail, the method according to the invention fits into the sector of the production and sale of components for refrigerating machines, for example of the domestic type, as well as of the commercial and / or industrial type, such as, in particular, refrigerators, but also freezers, chillers, dispensers of beverages (e.g. water, wine), and in generale cooling systems, for example for battery packs in the automotive industry.

[0005] The manufacturing method according to the invention has particular and specific application in the sector of the production and sale of evaporators of the roll-bond type, intended to be operatively installed on refrigerators.

[0006] PRIOR ART

[0007] The use of evaporators, in particular of the roll-bond type as mentioned above and intended to be mounted in a cooling circuit of refrigerating machines, for example of the type indicated above, is known in the technical field of reference.

[0008] As is known, an example of a cooling circuit comprises at least one or more of the following components in fluid connection to each other:

[0009] - a compressor, configured to increase pressure and temperature of a heat transfer fluid;

[0010] - a condenser, configured to condense the heat transfer fluid;

[0011] -• an expansion valve configured to reduce the pressure of the heat transfer fluid, i.e. to expand it; and

[0012] -• an evaporator, located between the expansion valve and the compressor, and configured to remove heat from the refrigerator and evacuate it towards an external environment.

[0013] At present, there exist various types of known evaporators, including: serpentine evaporators, serpentine evaporators with a bonded plate, known by the term “bonded evaporator”, and roll-bond evaporators.

[0014] In particular, roll-bond evaporators comprise an aluminium alloy panel and an exchanger element, mechanically associated with the aforesaid panel.

[0015] In greater detail, the panel is produced by bonding two distinct aluminium alloy sheets, hot rolled together, and for example coming from respective coils. The bonding between the two sheets makes it possible to obtain a circuit (as explained in detail below), also known by the term channel, i.e. a circuit enabling a passage of a fluid (e.g. liquid or gas). The exchanger element typically comprises at least one tubular element that is connected to the aforesaid panel by means of a welding process.

[0016] More specifically, a known method for manufacturing an evaporator of the roll-bond type comprises the following operating steps:

[0017] - providing a first and a second coil of aluminium alloy;

[0018] - unwinding each coil so as to produce a first and a second sheet arranged substantially one on top of the other, mutually facing;

[0019] - forming a channel on the inner face of the lower sheet, for example by means of a screen-printing process.

[0020] To date, the above-described solutions have provided for the use of a single screen-printing operation to obtain the channel on a single face or on both.

[0021] Examples of roll-bond evaporators comprise a single channel (“OSEF - One Side Extra Flat Panel”), i.e. formed on a single inner face of an aluminium alloy sheet and hence visible on the outer face of the sheet itself, or a double channel (“DSI - Double Side Inflated Panel”), i.e. formed on both faces of each aluminium alloy sheet. The method further comprises one or more of the following steps:

[0022] - heating the two sheets to a temperature between 300 - 500 °C;

[0023] - hot rolling the two sheets together so as to produce at least one single piece; - heating the at least one piece obtained to a temperature between

[0024] 300-350°C:

[0025] - cooling and drying the at least one piece:

[0026] -- squaring the at least one piece;

[0027] - pressurising the previously formed channel (for example, in the case of an OSEF-type panel, use is preferably made of a coil of aluminium alloy comprising zirconium as the alloying element, as it imparts greater stiffness during the forming of the panel itself;

[0028] - checking the tightness of the piece:

[0029] - cutting and / or finishing the edge of the piece so as to obtain a single evaporator component.

[0030] Roll-bond evaporators of the known type as just briefly described above have in practice revealed not to be free of drawbacks.

[0031] The main drawback of roll-bond evaporators of the known type is that they entail a complex and costly manufacturing process. Indeed, such roll-bond evaporators require the use of specific, special hot forming systems (rolling mills), which are scarcely available as well as being very costly in terms of production, management and maintenance costs and requiring the use of specialised personnel. In fact, such systems are specially designed and built for the specific forming process just briefly described. The result is a difficulty in procuring the aforesaid rollbond evaporators, as well as a high purchase cost.

[0032] A further drawback of the roll-bond evaporators of the known type is that they have final dimensional and geometric tolerances which are not very precise and sometimes do not satisfy the technical standards of the sector of reference.

[0033] OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an evaporator that makes it possible to obviate and remedy, at least in part, the drawbacks of the abovementioned prior art. A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a roll-bond evaporator that makes it possible to obtain a roll-bond evaporator simply and rapidly, with low costs and technical performances (i.e. overall efficiency) which are the same or at least comparable to those of the roll-bond evaporators of the prior art. In other words, the object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing method enabling a roll-bond evaporator to be obtained which is wholly analogous to that of the prior art but with lower costs.

[0034] A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a roll-bond evaporator enabling a roll-bond evaporator to be obtained which is functionally and structurally totally safe and reliable.

[0035] A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a roll-bond evaporator which can be applied in a simple and rapid manner and with low costs.

[0036] A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a roll-bond evaporator enabling a roll bond evaporator to be obtained which has an alternative and / or improved configuration, both in constructive terms and in functional terms, compared to the rollbond evaporators of the prior art.

[0037] SUMMARY

[0038] All the objects, either individually or in any combination thereof, and others that will emerge from the detailed description that follows are achieved, according to the invention, with a method for manufacturing an evaporator having the features disclosed in the independent claim 1 . In particular, the aforesaid method comprises the following operating steps: providing a first metal sheet having a predefined surface extent; - forming at least one groove on a first face of the first sheet;

[0039] -- applying a bonding material on at least the first face of the first sheet;

[0040] -- providing a second metal sheet having a surface extent that is substantially equal to that of the first sheet;

[0041] -- bonding the first grooved face of the first sheet with a first face of the second sheet by applying a pressing force for a predefined time interval so as to form a single body having at least a space between the first and second sheets in order to define a channel that is suitable, during use, for the passage of a fluid.

[0042] Preferably, the first sheet and second sheet are made of an aluminium alloy.

[0043] Preferably, the method comprises the following further steps before the bonding step:

[0044] -• forming at least one groove on the first face of the second sheet;

[0045] - reciprocally positioning the first and second sheets so that the first grooved face of the first sheet is arranged correspondingly in relation to the first grooved face of the second sheet.

[0046] Preferably, the first sheet and second sheet comprise bonding areas located near each respective groove, wherein the bonding material is applied in the bonding areas so as to define areas of joining of the first sheet with the second sheet.

[0047] Preferably, the pressing force is applied in the bonding areas.

[0048] Preferably, the method further comprises a step of passing a roller having a surface made of a yielding material over the first sheet and / or the second sheet so as to promote an adhesion between the first sheet and second sheet without deforming the groove formed on the first sheet and / or second sheet.

[0049] Preferably, the first sheet and / or second sheet comprise a plurality of grooves arranged at intervals with a plurality of joining areas.

[0050] Preferably, the method further comprises a step of creating perimeter bonding areas located in edge portions of the first sheet and / or second sheet.

[0051] Preferably, the method comprises at least a step of trimming and cutting the first sheet and / or second sheet by means of a die.

[0052] Preferably, the method comprises a step of cleaning at least the first face of the first sheet and / or the first face of the second sheet; in particular, the cleaning step is carried out before the step of applying a bonding material.

[0053] Preferably, the step of providing a first and / or a second sheet comprises the following sub-steps:

[0054] - providing a coil of sheet metal;

[0055] - unwinding the coil along an unwinding direction in order to create a continuous strip of sheet metal;

[0056] - cutting the continuous strip along a cutting direction that is transverse to the unwinding direction in order to produce at least the first metal sheet.

[0057] Preferably, the bonding step comprises a step of crosslinking the bonding material for said time interval.

[0058] Preferably, the bonding material comprises polyamide or an epoxy glue. Preferably, the step of forming a groove comprises at least one pressing step.

[0059] Preferably, the method further comprises a step of:

[0060] - forming, in a perimeter edge portion of at least one of said first and second sheets, a seat configured to receive a section of a tubular element;

[0061] -- applying a bonding material in said seat;

[0062] - positioning a section of the tubular element in said seat in contact with the bonding material.

[0063] The present invention further relates to an evaporator, in particular of the roll-bond type, for a refrigerating machine, comprising:

[0064] - a first metal sheet having at least one groove on a first face thereof;

[0065] - a second metal sheet having a first face thereof; wherein the first sheet and second sheet are connected to each other by means of a bonding material configured to join together the first faces of the first and second sheets so as to produce a panel provided with a channel suitable for the passage of a fluid.

[0066] Preferably, the second sheet has at least one groove on the first face thereof substantially corresponding to the at least one groove of the first face of the first sheet.

[0067] Preferably, the first sheet and second sheet are made of an aluminium alloy.

[0068] Preferably, the bonding material comprises a polyamide-based glue or an epoxy glue.

[0069] Preferably, the panel has at least one mouth for the entry or exit of a fluid, and the evaporator comprises a tubular element bonded to the mouth so as to allow a flow of a fluid.

[0070] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0071] Additional features and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly from the approximate and thus non-limiting description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a method for manufacturing an evaporator as illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:

[0072] - figure 1 shows, according to a schematic view, a flow diagram of the operating steps that implement the method in accordance with the invention;

[0073] - figure 2 shows, according to a schematic view, a flow diagram of the operating steps that implement a second embodiment of the method in accordance with the invention;

[0074] - figure 3A shows, according to a plan view, one embodiment of an evaporator;

[0075] - figures 3B, 3C, 3D show, according to a respective cross sectional view, different constructive aspects of the evaporator illustrated in figure 3A;

[0076] - figure 4A shows, according to a plan view, a further embodiment of an evaporator;

[0077] - figures 4B, 4C, 4D show, according to a respective cross sectional view, different constructive aspects of the evaporator illustrated in figure 4A.

[0078] With reference to the drawings, they serve solely to illustrate example embodiments of the invention for the purpose of better clarifying, in combination with the description, the inventive principles at the basis of the invention.

[0079] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0080] With reference to the appended figures, the number 10 denotes in its entirety a method for manufacturing an evaporator, in particular of the roll-bond type, according to the present invention.

[0081] For the purposes of the present description, the term “evaporator” should be understood to mean a heat exchange component comprising at least one panel made of a metal alloy, operatively mounted in a cooling circuit or cycle (i.e. a refrigeration cycle) and preferably located between at least one compressor and at least one condenser.

[0082] However, the evaporator according to the invention can also be operatively mounted in a different position from the one just mentioned, without going outside the scope of protection.

[0083] The evaporator can further preferably comprise an exchanger element, for example of the tubular type and connected to the aforesaid panel.

[0084] In the description below, specific reference will be made, in a nonlimiting manner, to an evaporator of the roll-bond type, for example intended to produce cooling circuits for refrigerators both of the domestic type and of the commercial and / or industrial type.

[0085] However, the roll-bond evaporator according to the invention can also be advantageously used for freezers and / or cold storage rooms, chillers, and dispensers (i.e. of food and / or beverages) of varying nature, without going outside the scope of protection of the present description.

[0086] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, in particular illustrated in figure 2, the method for manufacturing an 5 evaporator, in particular of the roll-bond type, comprises the following operating steps:

[0087] -• providing a first metal sheet having a predefined surface extent;

[0088] - forming at least one groove on a first face of the first sheet;

[0089] - applying a bonding material on at least the first face of the first ic sheet, i.e. on the face of the first sheet opposite the face in which the relief / prominence of the groove is present;

[0090] - providing a second metal sheet having a surface extent that is substantially equal to that of the first sheet;

[0091] - bonding the first grooved face of the first sheet with a first face of

[0092] 15 the second sheet by applying a pressing force for a predefined time interval so as to form a single body having at least a space between the first and second sheets in order to define a channel that is suitable, during use, for the passage of a fluid, preferably a heat transfer fluid.

[0093] 20 Advantageously, the roll-bond evaporator thus obtained is cheaper and faster to produce compared to the evaporators of the prior art, as it does not entail operating steps carried out in complex and costly equipment, apparatus and machines, such as, for example, hot rolling processes, pressing and inflation of the channel between the first and second 25 sheets.

[0094] The result is a final roll-bond evaporator which is economically competitive on the market, simple and fast to produce, with performances that are substantially equivalent, or at least comparable, to those of the evaporators of the prior art, in particular in terms of the 30 global efficiency thereof.

[0095] In addition, the evaporator thus obtained does not entail further complex and costly heat treatments, for example one or more annealing cycles. In addition, the process for manufacturing the aforesaid evaporator is simplified; in fact, the creation of the channels, that is, the openings or seats in which the heat exchanger is inserted, takes place directly during the process of forming the groove or grooves, thus avoiding an additional opening (i.e. expansion) step, in particular calibrated, of the roll-bond panel.

[0096] In other words, the method according to the invention is thus simplified both in terms of the number of operating steps, and in terms of the complexity of the operating steps themselves, with a consequent benefit in terms of the costs and times for the manufacture of the final evaporator.

[0097] According to one aspect of the invention, the aforesaid step of providing a first and / or a second sheet preferably comprises the following substeps:

[0098] -• providing a coil of sheet metal;

[0099] - unwinding the coil along an unwinding direction in order to create a continuous strip of sheet metal;

[0100] - cutting the continuous strip along a cutting direction that is transverse to the unwinding direction in order to produce at least the first metal sheet.

[0101] In other words, the first and second metal sheets are preferably obtained from a coil, i.e. a coil of sheet metal.

[0102] Otherwise, the first and second metal sheets can preferably be obtained from any other form, for example slabs, plates, sheets, or the like, for example cut by means of laser apparatus.

[0103] According to one aspect of the invention, the first sheet and second sheet are made of an aluminium alloy, preferably an alloy belonging to the 1000 group, for example an aluminium alloy 1050.

[0104] According to one aspect of the invention, the step of forming a groove comprises at least one pressing step. In other words, the grooves are formed by means of a plastic deformation operation performed in dedicated moulds, and for example carried out in a press.

[0105] Advantageously, the grooves thus obtained have a precision in terms of dimensional and / or geometric tolerances superior to those present in evaporators of the prior art, which are obtained by expansion (inflation / blow moulding).

[0106] It follows that the grooves obtained by pressing have fewer defects than the grooves obtained with the prior art, and this enable any leaks in the channels to be reduced to a minimum.

[0107] Advantageously, the step of checking the tightness and / or for the presence of any fluid-dynamic leaks in the formed panel is substantially superfluous, with a consequent simplification of the process for the manufacture of the final evaporator, as well as savings in terms of time and costs.

[0108] The pressing operation just briefly described further allows for the use of aluminium alloys which are substantially devoid of specific alloying elements adapted to increase the mechanical strength thereof (such as, for example, aluminium alloys with the addition of zirconium for the production of OSEF-type panels), with consequent savings in terms of the cost of the aluminium alloy that may be used.

[0109] According to one aspect of the invention, before the aforesaid bonding step, the method comprises the following further steps:

[0110] - forming at least one groove on the first face of the second sheet (i.e. the inner face);

[0111] - reciprocally positioning the first and second sheets so that the first grooved face of the first sheet is arranged correspondingly in relation to the first grooved face of the second sheet.

[0112] In other words, the operating step just described makes it possible to produce an evaporator having a channel on both sheets, i.e. a double channel (see figures 3A-3D). In the technical jargon of the sector, the evaporator thus obtained is defined with the term “DSI - Double Side Inflated”, that is, an evaporator that has a groove and thus a channel on both faces of the sheets making it up.

[0113] As illustrated in figures 3A-3C and 4A-4C, the term “groove” should be understood to mean any incision or plastic deformation created on the first face of the first sheet and / or second sheet, configured to define a path or a track having the form of a shaped cross section thereof, so as to define, during use, a channel intended to be passed through by a fluid.

[0114] In other words, the first and / or the second grooved sheets have their own substantially undulating configuration (see figures 3A, 4A).

[0115] According to one aspect of the invention, the first sheet and second sheet comprise bonding areas located near each respective groove, wherein the bonding material is applied in the aforesaid bonding areas so as to define corresponding areas of joining of the first sheet with the second sheet.

[0116] In other words, the joining areas of the first and / or second sheet represent connection portions located near the grooves and intended to be placed in contact with each other so as to join the aforesaid first and second sheets.

[0117] According to one aspect of the invention, the pressing force is applied in the bonding areas.

[0118] According to one aspect of the invention, the aforesaid bonding areas are areas that do not have grooves, i.e. channels, and the bonding material is thus deposited on the whole surface of the faces of the first and / or second sheet that is not occupied by the channel. In other words, the bonding material is applied on the surface of the face of the first and / or second sheet that is not deformed by the groove.

[0119] Advantageously, the manufacturing method is more rapid and requires less precision in the application of the bonding material by an operator. According to one aspect of the invention, the method further comprises a step of passing a roller having a surface made of a yielding material over the first sheet and / or second sheet so as to promote an adhesion between the first sheet and second sheet without deforming the groove formed on the first sheet and / or second sheet.

[0120] In other words, the roller is made of a material that is preferably elastic and deformable and suitable for pressing the first and second sheets together without altering the geometric configuration of the aforesaid grooves.

[0121] Preferably, the step of applying the bonding material can be carried out by deposition of an atomised spray on the surface of the face of the first and / or second sheets.

[0122] Otherwise, the aforesaid step of applying the bonding material can preferably be carried out using a ribbon impregnated with bonding material. The ribbon is brought into contact with the surface of the face of the first and / or second sheets so as to deposit the bonding material on the faces themselves.

[0123] According to one aspect of the invention, the first sheet and / or second sheet comprise a plurality of grooves arranged at intervals with a plurality of joining areas.

[0124] In particular, in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in figures 3A and 4A, the aforesaid plurality of grooves is in fluid communication, so as to have, during use, a behaviour wholly analogous to that of a single groove.

[0125] In other words, the single piece defining the evaporator has a path, for example serpentine-shaped, for the passage of a fluid, preferably of the heat-transfer type, obtained by virtue of the fact that the aforesaid grooves are in fluid connection with each other.

[0126] According to one aspect of the invention, the method further comprises a step of creating perimeter bonding areas located in edge portions of the first sheet and / or second sheet.

[0127] Advantageously, the operating step just described allows for promoting adhesion, in particular a hermetic seal, between the first and second sheets.

[0128] According to one aspect of the invention, the method further comprises at least one step of trimming and cutting the first sheet and / or second sheet, preferably by means of a die.

[0129] Preferably, the operating step just described is carried out by means of special dies. In other words, it is preferably a precision cutting step.

[0130] Advantageously, the aforesaid precision cutting makes it possible to obtain a greater precision of the surfaces of the first and second sheets, as well as to obtain accessory machining, such as, for example, of holes or the like, necessary for allowing a connection of the evaporator to a cooling circuit of a refrigerating machine on which it is mounted.

[0131] According to one aspect of the invention, the method further comprises at least a step of cleaning at least the first face of the first sheet and / or the first face of the second sheet. In particular, the cleaning step is carried out before the step of applying a bonding material on the surfaces of the faces of the first and second sheets which will come into contact with each other (i.e. be affected by contact with bonding material).

[0132] In greater detail, the cleaning step provides for at least one of the following sub-steps:

[0133] - degreasing the first face of the first and second sheets, i.e. the faces on which at least one groove is formed, and

[0134] - drying the abovementioned surfaces.

[0135] Advantageously, the aforesaid degreased surfaces promote an optimal adhesion between the first faces of the first and / or second sheet and the bonding material. The result is an optimisation of the adhesion between the first and second sheets.

[0136] According to one aspect of the invention, the bonding step comprises a step of crosslinking the bonding material for a period substantially equivalent to the aforesaid time interval. With the aim of facilitating and speeding up the crosslinking, the method preferably comprises a step of heating the first and second sheets.

[0137] According to one aspect of the invention, the bonding material preferably comprises a resin, for example a thermosetting resin.

[0138] Preferably, the bonding material according to the invention comprises polyamide or an epoxy glue.

[0139] According to one aspect of the invention, the method further comprises at least a step of:

[0140] - forming, in a perimeter edge portion of at least one of the first and second sheets, a seat configured to receive a section of a tubular element:

[0141] - applying a bonding material in the seat;

[0142] -- positioning a section of the tubular element in the seat in contact with the bonding material.

[0143] More specifically, as described in detail below, the seat defines a passage mouth for the fluid, as well as a housing volume configured to be coupled with the section of the tubular heat exchange element.

[0144] Preferably, the bonding material is applied in the seat in such a way as to sealingly retain the tubular element once crosslinked.

[0145] Advantageously, the step of welding the section of the tubular element to the seat of the panel is superfluous, and thus eliminated (as is any connection element, for example a metal plug or pin, essential for a correct welding process), since the method according to the invention provides for the use of bonding material. For example, the aforesaid bonding material can be wholly similar to the bonding material used to produce the panel.

[0146] The present invention further relates to an evaporator, in particular of the roll-bond type, for a refrigerating machine, of which the same references will be maintained for the sake of simplicity of illustration.

[0147] In greater detail, the evaporator comprises a first metal sheet having at least one groove on a first face thereof and a second metal sheet having a first face thereof.

[0148] Preferably, the first and second metal sheets have a respective extent that is substantially analogous.

[0149] According to one aspect of the invention, the first sheet and second sheet are connected to each other by means of a bonding material configured to join together the first faces of the first and second sheets so as to produce a panel provided with a channel suitable for the passage of a fluid.

[0150] In other words, the first and / or second sheets are pre-shaped, preferably by pressing, on the respective first faces, i.e. they comprise at least one groove as mentioned above. In particular, during use, the at least one groove present on a first face of the first sheet defines with the first face of the second sheet a channel, i.e. a shaped path extending over the surface of the first and / or second sheets and suitable for being passed through by a fluid. In greater detail, if the first face of the second sheet is planar, i.e. not grooved, the evaporator that is obtained will be of the "OSEF- One Side Extra Flat” type (see figures 4A-4D); otherwise, if the first face of the second sheet comprises at least one groove, the evaporator that is obtained will be of the “DSI - Double Side Inflated” type (see figures 3A-3D).

[0151] According to one aspect of the invention, the second sheet has at least one groove on first face thereof substantially corresponding to the at least one groove of the first face of the first sheet (see DSI panel).

[0152] According to one aspect of the invention, the first sheet and second sheet are made of an aluminium alloy, preferably an alloy of the 1000 group, for example an aluminium alloy 1050.

[0153] According to one aspect of the invention, the bonding material comprises a polyamide-based glue or an epoxy glue.

[0154] More specifically, the epoxy glue is preferably of the bicomponent type and comprises a bonding material and a hardening material, mixed together at the time of bonding. Preferably, the bonding material comprises a resin, for example a thermosetting resin.

[0155] According to one aspect of the invention, the aforesaid panel has at least one mouth for the entry or exit of a fluid, in particular a heat transfer fluid, and the evaporator comprises a tubular element bonded to the mouth by means of the bonding material so as to allow a flow of the fluid in the channel.

[0156] Based on what is described above, the method for manufacturing an evaporator - as well as the evaporator obtained by means of the aforesaid method - is advantageous in that:

[0157] - it allows for simplifying the manufacturing method of the prior art, providing a final evaporator that has performances wholly comparable to those of the evaporators of the prior art, but with a lower final manufacturing cost and which is thus more competitive on the market;

[0158] - it enables an evaporator to be obtained which is structurally and functionally totally resistant and reliable;

[0159] - it can be produced at an industrial level with traditional manufacturing systems and known construction techniques;

[0160] - it has an alternative and / or improved configuration, both in constructive terms and in functional terms, compared to the traditional, known solutions; in particular, it does not require the high operating temperatures typical of the hot rolling process, with consequent savings in energy terms.

[0161] The present invention has been illustrated and described in a preferred embodiment thereof, but it is understood that variant forms of execution may in practice be introduced, without going outside the scope of protection of the present patent for an industrial invention.

Claims

18C L A I M S1. A method for manufacturing an evaporator, in particular of the rollbond type, comprising the following operating steps:- providing a first metal sheet having a predefined surface extent;5 - forming at least one groove on a first face of said first sheet;- applying a bonding material on at least said first face of said first sheet; providing a second metal sheet having a surface extent that is substantially equal to that of said first sheet;10 bonding said first grooved face of said first sheet with a first face of said second sheet by applying a pressing force for a predefined time interval so as to form a single body having at least a space between said first and said second sheets in order to define a channel that is suitable, during use, for the passage of a fluid;15 forming, in a perimeter edge portion of at least one of said first and second sheets, a seat configured to receive a section of a tubular element;- applying a bonding material in said seat;- positioning a section of the tubular element in said seat in contact20 with said bonding material.

2. The method for manufacturing an evaporator according to claim 1 , wherein said first sheet and said second sheet are made of an aluminium alloy.

3. The method for manufacturing an evaporator according to claim 1 or25 2, comprising the following further steps before said bonding step:- forming at least one groove on said first face of said second sheet;- reciprocally positioning said first and second sheets so that the first grooved face of the first sheet is arranged correspondingly in30 relation to the first grooved face of said second sheet.

4. The method for manufacturing an evaporator according to any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein said first sheet and said second sheet comprise bonding areas located near each respective groove, and wherein said bonding material is applied in said bonding areas so as to define corresponding areas of joining of said first sheet with said second sheet.

5. The method for manufacturing an evaporator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said pressing force is applied in said bonding areas.

6. The method for manufacturing an evaporator according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a step of passing a roller having a surface made of a yielding material over said first sheet and / or said second sheet so as to promote an adhesion between said first sheet and said second sheet without deforming the groove formed on said first sheet and / or second sheet.

7. The method for manufacturing an evaporator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first sheet and / or said second sheet comprise a plurality of said grooves arranged at intervals with a plurality of said joining areas.

8. The method for manufacturing an evaporator according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a step of creating perimeter bonding areas located in edge portions of said first sheet and / or said second sheet.

9. The method for manufacturing an evaporator according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least a step of trimming and cutting said first sheet and / or said second sheet by means of a die.

10. The method for manufacturing an evaporator according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a step of cleaning at least the first face of said first sheet and / or the first face of said second sheet, said cleaning step being carried out before said step of applying a bonding material.1 1 . The method for manufacturing an evaporator according to any oneof the preceding claims, wherein said step of providing a first and / or a second sheet comprises the following sub-steps:- providing a coil of sheet metal;- unwinding said coil along an unwinding direction in order to create a continuous strip of sheet metal;- cutting said continuous strip along a cutting direction that is transverse to said unwinding direction in order to produce at least said first metal sheet.

12. The method for manufacturing an evaporator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said bonding step comprises a step of crosslinking said bonding material for said time interval.

13. The method for manufacturing an evaporator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said bonding material comprises polyamide or an epoxy glue.

14. The method for manufacturing an evaporator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said step of forming a groove comprises at least one pressing step.

15. An evaporator, in particular of the roll-bond type, for a refrigerating machine, comprising: - a first metal sheet having at least one groove on a first face thereof;- a second metal sheet having a first face thereof; wherein said first sheet and said second sheet are connected to each other by means of a bonding material configured to join together said first faces of said first and second sheets so as to produce a panel provided with a channel suitable for the passage of a fluid; and wherein said panel has at least one mouth for the entry or exit of a fluid, said evaporator comprising a tubular element bonded to said mouth by means of said bonding material so as to allow a flow of a fluid in the channel.

16. The evaporator according to claim 15, wherein said second sheethas at least one groove on said first face thereof substantially corresponding to said at least one groove of said first face of said first sheet.

17. The evaporator according to claim 15 or 16, wherein said first sheet and said second sheet are made of an aluminium alloy.

18. The evaporator according to one or more of claims 15 to 17, wherein said bonding material comprises a polyamide-based glue or an epoxy glue.

Images