Floating Shoulder Jig for Heat Exchanger Tube Centering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery assemblies for heat exchangers lack the ability to correct centering errors of tubes within the shoulder assembly holes, leading to mechanical stresses and reduced mechanical strength under dynamic loads.
Innovation Solution
The battery assembly incorporates a floating jig in the shoulder assembly, which is mounted to slide on the frame of the battery assembly, allowing for the correction of centering errors between the tubes and the holes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the shoulder assembly is fixed permanently to the battery assembly, then the structural stability is improved, but the ability to correct centering errors is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The shoulder assembly is designed with a floating jig that can slide along the battery assembly frame, transforming from a static fixed connection to a dynamic adjustable connection. This allows the assembly to adapt its position to correct centering errors while maintaining structural integrity through the sliding mechanism.
2Weight of moving object
If the tubes and fins have reduced thickness, then the weight is reduced, but the mechanical strength to withstand dynamic loads is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The floating jig shoulder assembly acts as a counterbalancing support structure that compensates for the reduced strength of thin-walled tubes and fins. By providing a movable support mechanism, the system can distribute dynamic loads more effectively without requiring thicker, heavier tube and fin materials.
3Manufacturing precision
If the shoulder assembly is made fixed, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability to correct assembly errors is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The floating jig is designed with preliminary adjustment capabilities that allow centering errors to be corrected during the assembly process. The sliding mechanism is pre-configured to accommodate typical centering deviations, enabling operators to make corrections before final assembly without requiring high-precision manufacturing tolerances.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery assembly for a heat exchanger, comprising a tube bundle provided with tubes and a shoulder assembly provided with a front jig bearing holes for the passage of said tubes, wherein said front jig is fixed on the frame of the battery assembly by means of respective uprights. According to the invention, the aforementioned front jig is mounted with adjustable positioning on the aforementioned battery assembly, so as to correct centering errors of the tubes relative to the aforementioned holes of the jig. Compared to the battery assemblies of the prior art, the one according to the present invention offers the advantage of having shoulder assemblies equipped with a floating jig, i.e., mounted sliding on the frame of the battery assembly, so as to allow correcting the centering errors between the holes of the shoulder jig and the tubes that pass through them.