Clip for clinching a heat exchange conduit with a solar heat absorber

• US 4,120,284 A
• Filed: 04/14/1977
• Issued: 10/17/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Daniel F. Ilich, John L. Cotsworth
• Original Assignee: Daniel F. Ilich, John L. Cotsworth
• Inventors: Cotsworth, John L., Ilich, Daniel F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ostrager, Allen M.
• Application Number:
  US05/787,386
• Time in Patent Office: 551 Days
• Field of Search: 165/49, 165/171, 126/270, 126/271, 60/641, 24/257, 403/188
• US Class Current: 126/659
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 10/753 the conduits being parallel to each other
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2275/085 with snap connection
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/44 Heat exchange systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44906 having specific surface irregularity on or along engaging face

Abstract

A clip for intimately engaging a solar-ray absorber in heat exchange relation with a conduit whereby a channelled absorber or fin receives the conduit in the channel; a generally C-shaped, resilient clip is applied to the back of the channel to embrace the absorber from behind and clinch it to wrap the channel closely around the conduit.

Claims

1. A clip for clinching a heat exchange conduit with a solar heat absorber comprising:

(a) a generally C-shaped, resilient member having a central portion and outer portions,

(b) the outer portions being externally convex, and deflectable, and defining arms for clinching an object therebetween,

(c) an arch on the central portion on the member, between the arms, for supporting the object clinched between the arms,

(d) a solar heat absorber,

(e) a conduit in contact with a portion of the solar heat absorber,

(f) the C-shaped member embracing the solar heat absorber and deforming it to embrace the conduit.

2. A clip for clinching a heat exchange conduit with a solar heat absorber comprising:

(a) a generally C-shaped, resilient member having a central portion and outer portions,

(b) the outer portions being externally convex, and deflectable, and defining arms for clinching an object therebetween,

(c) an arch on the central portion on the member, between the arms, for supporting the object clinched between the arms,

(d) a solar heat absorber,

(e) a channel in the solar heat absorber,

(f) a conduit in contact with the channel,

(g) the C-shaped member embracing the channel in the solar heat absorber and deforming it to embrace the conduit.

3. A clip for clinching a heat exchange conduit with a solar heat absorber comprising:

(a) a generally C-shaped, resilient member having a central portion and outer portions,

(b) the outer portions being externally convex, and deflectable, and defining arms for clinching an object therebetween,

(c) an arch on the central portion on the member, between the arms, for supporting the object clinched between the arms,

(d) the ends of the arms folded over to present a smooth rounded surface to an object to which the member is applied,

(e) the distance between the ends of the arms being less than the central portion of the member,

(f) the distance between the ends of the arms being less than the width of an object to be clinched therebetween,

(g) a solar heat absorber,

(h) a conduit in contact with a portion of the solar heat absorber,

(i) a channel in the solar heat absorber,

(j) a conduit in contact with the channel,

(k) the C-shaped member embracing the channel in the solar heat absorber and deforming it to embrace the conduit.

4. A method of intimately engaging a conduit to a solar heat absorber in intimate heat exchange relation comprising:

(a) providing a solar heat absorber,

(b) impressing a channel for a conduit on the surface of the solar heat absorber,

(c) positioning a conduit in the channel,

(d) providing a resilient C-shaped clip,

(e) spreading the resilient C-shaped clip sufficiently to embrace the back of the channel,

(f) applying the clip to the back of the channel,

(g) allowing the clip to constrict around the channel with the conduit in it, to clinch the conduit in the channel in intimate heat exchange relation to the solar heat absorber.