EP2349602A1 - Method of forming aluminium heat exchangers header tanks - Google Patents
Method of forming aluminium heat exchangers header tanksInfo
- Publication number
- EP2349602A1 EP2349602A1 EP09783331A EP09783331A EP2349602A1 EP 2349602 A1 EP2349602 A1 EP 2349602A1 EP 09783331 A EP09783331 A EP 09783331A EP 09783331 A EP09783331 A EP 09783331A EP 2349602 A1 EP2349602 A1 EP 2349602A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- tube
- header tank
- heat exchanger
- producing
- forming
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 38
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 title description 12
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 title description 12
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title description 12
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 30
- 238000005219 brazing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 22
- 229910000838 Al alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 22
- 238000005253 cladding Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 230000001788 irregular Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 239000000956 alloy Substances 0.000 description 25
- 229910045601 alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 24
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 20
- 239000011162 core material Substances 0.000 description 11
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 10
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 10
- 239000011777 magnesium Substances 0.000 description 9
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 7
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 description 7
- 238000000265 homogenisation Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000004907 flux Effects 0.000 description 5
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 5
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000004080 punching Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000006698 induction Effects 0.000 description 4
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005098 hot rolling Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229910052749 magnesium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000011282 treatment Methods 0.000 description 3
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- PWHULOQIROXLJO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Manganese Chemical compound [Mn] PWHULOQIROXLJO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910019752 Mg2Si Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 238000005097 cold rolling Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004320 controlled atmosphere Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005304 joining Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000314 lubricant Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000005461 lubrication Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910052748 manganese Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000011572 manganese Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012856 packing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000035882 stress Effects 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910000822 Cold-work tool steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N Magnesium Chemical compound [Mg] FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004026 adhesive bonding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000032683 aging Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003570 air Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000137 annealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012809 cooling fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002788 crimping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000354 decomposition reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004512 die casting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009792 diffusion process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008030 elimination Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003379 elimination reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000945 filler Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007373 indentation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011261 inert gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000013067 intermediate product Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002861 polymer material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002244 precipitate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002787 reinforcement Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000565 sealant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001953 sensory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007493 shaping process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002356 single layer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000006104 solid solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005507 spraying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003756 stirring Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009864 tensile test Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000930 thermomechanical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000013585 weight reducing agent Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D26/00—Shaping without cutting otherwise than using rigid devices or tools or yieldable or resilient pads, i.e. applying fluid pressure or magnetic forces
- B21D26/02—Shaping without cutting otherwise than using rigid devices or tools or yieldable or resilient pads, i.e. applying fluid pressure or magnetic forces by applying fluid pressure
- B21D26/033—Deforming tubular bodies
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D26/00—Shaping without cutting otherwise than using rigid devices or tools or yieldable or resilient pads, i.e. applying fluid pressure or magnetic forces
- B21D26/02—Shaping without cutting otherwise than using rigid devices or tools or yieldable or resilient pads, i.e. applying fluid pressure or magnetic forces by applying fluid pressure
- B21D26/033—Deforming tubular bodies
- B21D26/049—Deforming bodies having a closed end
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D26/00—Shaping without cutting otherwise than using rigid devices or tools or yieldable or resilient pads, i.e. applying fluid pressure or magnetic forces
- B21D26/02—Shaping without cutting otherwise than using rigid devices or tools or yieldable or resilient pads, i.e. applying fluid pressure or magnetic forces by applying fluid pressure
- B21D26/053—Shaping without cutting otherwise than using rigid devices or tools or yieldable or resilient pads, i.e. applying fluid pressure or magnetic forces by applying fluid pressure characterised by the material of the blanks
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D53/00—Making other particular articles
- B21D53/02—Making other particular articles heat exchangers or parts thereof, e.g. radiators, condensers fins, headers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D53/00—Making other particular articles
- B21D53/02—Making other particular articles heat exchangers or parts thereof, e.g. radiators, condensers fins, headers
- B21D53/06—Making other particular articles heat exchangers or parts thereof, e.g. radiators, condensers fins, headers of metal tubes
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
- F28F21/00—Constructions of heat-exchange apparatus characterised by the selection of particular materials
- F28F21/08—Constructions of heat-exchange apparatus characterised by the selection of particular materials of metal
- F28F21/081—Heat exchange elements made from metals or metal alloys
- F28F21/084—Heat exchange elements made from metals or metal alloys from aluminium or aluminium alloys
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
- F28F9/00—Casings; Header boxes; Auxiliary supports for elements; Auxiliary members within casings
- F28F9/02—Header boxes; End plates
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
- F28F2255/00—Heat exchanger elements made of materials having special features or resulting from particular manufacturing processes
- F28F2255/10—Heat exchanger elements made of materials having special features or resulting from particular manufacturing processes made by hydroforming
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/4935—Heat exchanger or boiler making
Definitions
- This invention relates to header tanks and methods of producing header tanks, also called manifold tanks, for brazed automotive or stationary aluminium heat exchangers, with almost arbitrary tank shapes.
- the invention also relates to a heat exchanger comprising the headers formed and manufacturing methods therefore.
- heat exchangers like CAC, condensers, radiators and EGR coolers need to be positioned near the extreme front of the vehicle to facilitate sufficient heat exchange performance.
- the present invention facilitates weight reduction of these components while reducing the cost and increasing the geometrical flexibility for packing without sacrificing performance.
- the most commonly used production method for heat exchanger header tanks is to provide a flat rolled brazing sheet and forming it such that a header with tabs for crimping a plastic tank, slots for inserting flow tubes used for the circulation of cooling fluid and the final shape of the formed header is produced.
- This is normally done by cutting a flat rolled sheet to the correct dimension, punching the sides to make a rectangular shaped edge of the sheet (for the tabs), deep drawing the piece of sheet to form a header plate and finally punching the slots into which the flow tube/fin package is inserted.
- the normal brazing procedure commences. After brazing the cladding on the header surfaces has melted and flowed to the header tube joint to make a fillet with the correct size and shape. Thereafter the tank is crimped onto place.
- the tank is commonly made of polymer materials in the case of radiators and heaters and for CAC it is usually made of aluminium.
- Another technique previously used for forming header tanks is hydroforming.
- the above manufacturing procedures are costly and require very tight control with respect to tool geometry and lubrication of the tool/sheet contact. It also requires a controlled disposal and cleaning of the lubrication residues and disposal of metal scrap from e.g. punching on the production site, as well as manning, floor space and investments in controlled machinery which adds to the cost. Additionally, since deep drawing is made at room temperature one is restricted to the use of cold work tool steels that are normally very difficult and expensive to machine to tight tolerances.
- the manufacture of plastic tanks by injection moulding is a comparatively slow and costly procedure which requires large investments in machinery, tooling and control.
- the tank is a multi-functional part of the heat exchanger and is also made with fixtures and easy-to-access assembly locations for e.g. in-tank oil coolers and sensory equipment.
- plastic materials are considerably less stiff as compared to aluminium the wall thickness of the tank is thick, and the tank is made with integrated external stiffening frame-works to achieve sufficiently large torsional stiffness.
- the tank thus becomes heavy despite being produced using a material with low density.
- the tanks are nowadays usually made of aluminium. Most often such tanks are made using die casting technology which commonly restricts the tank wall thickness in the range above 1.5 mm, which adds weight to the heat exchanger. Also, cast aluminium is not easy to crimp onto the header and the usual joining method is melt welding by means of MIG or TIG. This type of tank and joining method normally gives a strong assembly. However, the welding is expensive, time consuming and adds a significant weight to the heat exchanger, particularly since the tank is made to have a very large thickness where the welding should take place and also the header plate needs to be thick to accommodate a successful weld joint.
- the present invention is related to header tanks made from AA3XXX aluminium alloys.
- header tanks which can be brazed and which can be formed in complicated shapes.
- a method is provided for the manufacture of such header tanks, by means of the steps as set out in the appended claims. Elongations to fracture exceeding 20% are invariably needed for a successful high quality forming to take place.
- the homogenisation treatment gives a microstructure that after hot and cold rolling and anneal, if correctly performed, increases formability of the alloy strip.
- the material is supplied in the fully soft O-temper or sometimes in the H112 temper, i.e. an annealed condition.
- This operation also adds to the cost of the heat exchanger material.
- the alloy of the tube need not be homogenised, which allows efficient forming of non-homogenised aluminium alloy tubes. Further, the tube blank need not be annealed before forming, which makes the method even more cost efficient.
- the present invention provides a method for producing a heat exchanger header tank comprising the steps of providing a tube having a core made from a AA3XXX- aluminium alloy; optionally pre-heating the tube; inserting the tube into a forming tool having a forming cavity with the shape of the final header tank; plugging the ends of the tube; heating the tube to the forming temperature if the tube has not been sufficiently pre-heated and internally pressurising the tube by the use of a gas so as to make it conform to the shape of the tool cavity, thus obtaining the final header tank; removing the header tank from the tool; and cooling the header tank.
- This method allows an efficient production of header tanks made of AA3XXX aluminium alloy.
- a non- homogenised AA3XXX alloy header tank produced according to the method of the present invention will have higher strength and improved corrosion resistance as compared to a deep drawn header tank made from the corresponding but homogenised AA3XXX alloy.
- the tube core may have at least one cladding made from an aluminium alloy, in order to enhance brazeability. Slots for tubes or connections may be made in the shaped header tank subsequent to forming, in order to facilitate the manufacture of a heat exchanger.
- the gas pressure used during forming may preferably be higher than 85 bar, in order to obtain an efficient forming of the tube against the forming cavity of the tool.
- an axial pressure can be applied to the tube ends during forming thereof, in order to feed in material into the forming cavity during forming.
- connections, threads or anchors can be formed on the end of the tube during forming thereof, to make the assembly of the heat exchanger easier.
- the tube from which the header tank is formed can be made from a rolled aluminium alloy blank welded to produce the tube. Thereby, the tube can be effectively provided. It is particularly advantageous to produce the tube from a rolled braze clad aluminium blank, since this is an efficient method of obtaining a braze clad tube. Braze clad tubes is very costly and extremely difficult to extrude.
- the tube can be made from an extruded aluminium alloy, which is advantageous in some situations, in particular when no braze clad is provided on the tube.
- the present invention further provides a heat exchanger header tank, which has been formed with the above hot metal gas forming
- the present invention also provides heat exchanger comprising the header tank of claim where the heat exchanger is of non-rectangular shape.
- the present invention further provides a method for producing a heat exchanger, where the header tank is connected to a plurality of tubes and corrugated fins inserted between the tubes, followed by brazing of the fins to the tubes.
- the hot metal gas forming allows the construction of aluminium header tanks of almost arbitrary shape made from AA3XXX alloys for heat exchangers.
- the header tanks according to the invention for such heat exchangers are of low weight and can be optimised at a low cost compared to competing technology.
- the elimination of plastic tanks makes material recovery easier.
- the cross-section geometry of the tank can be varied within greater limits than with competing aluminium forming techniques, e.g. hydroforming or deep drawing.
- Tensile tests made have shown that the formability of the header tank material increases significantly when the temperature at forming is increased, which means that the elongation to rupture can increase to over 100% when the temperature is increased to 400 0 C, as compared with 20-30% at room temperature.
- the geometry of the header tank made according to the present invention is not constrained to make rectangular heat exchangers - irregular shapes are equally possible.
- non-rectangular heat exchangers can be formed with a great flexibility as concerns the shape.
- header tanks made according to the present invention gives a very high material yield, which is higher than the deep drawing or hydroforming techniques that are used today.
- the header tanks according to the present invention facilitates economic production of heat exchangers that allow automotive engineers to pack more efficiently in the underhood compartment and at the same time opens possibilities to optimise heat exchange performance.
- Header tanks made according to the present invention can be made using materials that have higher strengths and higher corrosion performance, and the materials can be made according to a more environmentally friendly process route with fewer thermomechanical operations compared with competing technology.
- FIG. 1 is a view of a heat exchanger header tank in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a view of a heat exchanger header tank in figure 1 , rotated 90°.
- FIG. 3 is a selection of tube cross section shapes for header tanks according to the present invention.
- FIG.4 shows a schematic drawing of a non rectangular heat exchanger comprising header tanks produced by the present invention.
- FIG. 5 shows a side view of a heat exchanger according to the invention where the header tank is curved across its length axis.
- the header tanks of the present invention are produced by the process steps: i) brazing sheet production according to standard industry practices, ii) welding and possibly bending of tubes made from the brazing sheet, iii) hot metal gas forming of the tube in a tool which interior is designed according to the header tank product, iv) making slots for flow tubes and connections to the remainder of the heat exchanger system.
- a brazing sheet consists of a core material that may be clad on one or both sides of the sheet surfaces.
- the core material is chosen in the AA3XXX-series with melting temperatures exceeding 610°C, e.g. AA3003 or AA3005.
- the braze cladding is normally chosen from the low melting hypoeutectic AA4XXX alloys, e.g. AA4343 and AA4045.
- either or both sides can be clad with more than one material, a so-called multi-clad.
- the cladding may be made of a material that is electrochemically balanced such that it is sacrificial to the core in corrosive environments.
- the core material can be clad on one or both sides or no side at all.
- the claddings may be single layer or double layer on one or both sides, the cladding can consists of a low melting braze or a sacrificial cladding or a cladding that is present in between the braze and the core to reduce braze-core interaction by e.g. diffusion.
- the claddings are applied to the core by means of hot rolling followed by cold rolling and necessary heat treatments to achieve the correct intermediate and final tempers before slitting to the correct width.
- the products made from the brazing sheet can then be brazed either using controlled atmosphere brazing (CAB) or vacuum brazing.
- CAB controlled atmosphere brazing
- 6XXX or 5XXX alloys are commonly used for products that are not intended for brazing (with CAB). These alloys are used for products where high strength is desired, such as e.g. construction details. 6XXX or 5XXX alloys receive their strength through the high content of Mg. CAB-brazing of these alloys is difficult due to a reaction between magnesium and the flux.
- AA6063 a heat treatable alloy with an Mg content of about 0.7 wt-%, is not considered brazeable in the CAB process.
- 3XXX alloys with a maximum of about 0.4% Mg may be brazed in CAB.
- the difficulties of forming 3XXX alloys into the desired shape are overcome.
- the method of the present invention allows the choice of 3XXX alloys for the header tanks, which results in that the header tank can be CAB brazed in a later stage.
- one of the intermediate products in the production of a header tank is a tube.
- the actual welding method may be induction welding, MIG, TIG, friction stir welding or any other suitable welding method.
- the tube may have a circular, elliptic, square, rectangular, triangular or any other suitable symmetric or asymmetric cross-section geometry.
- the tube can be made either with a constant or varying cross-section geometry and dimension along its length, depending on customer demands. It is wise, though not always necessary, to choose a cross-section to avoid excessive deformation requirements in subsequent processing. Also, if the tube is welded such that the cross-section geometry is constant along the length the material yield is theoretically 100% in the welding operation which is followed by a cut-to length operation.
- Heat exchangers used within the automotive industry typically have a rectangular shape. This has resulted in a limitation concerning suitable positions for the heat exchanger assembly in the car. In some situations a circular, bent or step-shaped, or even irregularly shaped heat exchanger would be the ideal for assembly into the available underhood space, or using the available underhood space in the best way to optimise heat exchange performance.
- heat exchanger which has a shape that is adapted to the space available in the car, or is adapted to a desired flow pattern.
- Such heat exchanger would need a tailored header tank.
- the method of the present invention allows for forming of header tanks of any desired shape in three dimensions. Conceivable shapes are for example ring-shape, S-shape, L-shape or C-shape.
- the header tank may be curved or bent along its length axis and/or across its length axis.
- the flow tubes are to be attached in a line along the length of header tank, which means that the entire heat exchanger will assume a cross-sectional shape which corresponds to the shape of the header tank.
- a non-rectangular e.g. a circular shaped heat exchanger for reasons of underhood packing, heat exchange performance or simply customising a product.
- This need can then be satisfied by bending the welded tube made from clad brazing sheet to a form with suitable radius of curvature.
- an S-, trapezoid- , or irregularly shaped header tank may be needed.
- the tube When a bent or curved tank is to be produced the tube may be bent to a suitable pre- shape before hot gas forming. The bending of the tube may take place using any bending method that is suited for the particular shape to be produced. The bending can be undertaken at ambient or elevated temperature to fit the needs for the particular shape required for the final header tank.
- the tube is optionally heated by any suitable means, e.g. furnace, flame or induction or using a heated tool.
- Induction and flame heating have the advantages that the thermal input can be localised to selected regions of the tube. This can be employed as a means to vary the mechanical properties on selected regions as it is known that material temperature is decisive in affecting properties like yield stress, ultimate tensile stress, elongation to fracture and formability.
- the desired forming temperature may vary between 250 0 C and 550 0 C.
- the tube is placed into a forming tool, made such that the internal surfaces of the tool correspond to the external geometry of the final header tank.
- the tool can be cold (e.g. room temperature), in which case the tube must be pre-heated, but the tool is preferably heated to a suitable elevated temperature, either before or during forming.
- suitable elevated temperature e.g. room temperature
- the choice of tool and tube temperatures is determined by the mechanical and formability properties of the tube material and the final geometry of the header tank.
- the tube ends are plugged and the tube is connected to a high pressure gas system.
- a high pressure gas system During forming the tube is at a temperature of between 250 0 C and 550 0 C. This forming temperature can be achieved by pre-heating the tube to this temperature before inserting it into the forming cavity, or by having pre-heated the tool before inserting the tube into it, or by heating the tool during forming, e.g. by induction.
- the pressure of the gas is increased inside the tube, which responds to the increasing pressure by deforming. The pressure is increased until the tube has conformed to the surfaces of the tool.
- the actual final pressure and the gas pressure increase rate are determined by, among other things, the mechanical properties of the tube alloy at the temperature, tube wall thickness, final header tank shape and the amount of deformation needed for the tube to attain the desired shape.
- the high pressure gas can be vented and the shaped product removed from the tool.
- the gas can be air, nitrogen, inert gases or any other suitable gaseous substance.
- the pressure during forming is quite low, much lower than those employed in e.g. hydroforming. An approximate upper limit of 250 bar should be sufficient to form the aluminium alloy material for heat exchanger purposes to the desired shape.
- the forming tool used in the production of header tanks according to the present invention may be made of other materials than is used for tools used in the previously used forming methods.
- the formed product can be cooled either in air or quenched in water.
- One way is to process the hot gas formed product by punching the slots either individually or several or all in one punch.
- the holes and slots may also be milled or drilled or formed by the use any other suitable techniques on the hot gas formed product. Alternatively, the holes may be punched during the later stages of the hot gas forming process, when the final shape of the tube has been attained and when the hot gas pressure can provide support from the inside of the tube to prevent a collapse as a result of the punching action.
- Fasteners may be attached to the hot gas formed product by any suitable means, e.g. riveting, brazing, welding or gluing. The choice of fastening method depends on customer needs, allowed costs, performance and whether the fastening should take place before or after brazing.
- the header tank can be formed with indentations for facilitating the forming of slots in the header tank, an example of that is shown in Fig. 2.
- At least one of the plugs at the end of the tube has an opening attached to the pressure gas system.
- the opening Before the tank is used in a heat exchanger application the opening must be closed. This can be made in several ways. Firstly, an open tube end can be plugged by attaching the inlet and outlet connections for the heat exchange medium, whether it is liquid or gaseous. Secondly, it can be closed by means of a seal that can be brazed, welded or glued in this position or attached by any other suitable means. Alternatively, the end can be squeezed shut and the remaining gaps and crevices filled with a suitable metallic or polymeric filler to ensure a leak free closure. The application of such sealants is made using any suitable method.
- An aluminium sheet of 3 mm thickness form alloy AA3003 clad with AA4343 is welded to form a tube of 40 mm diameter.
- the tube is pre-bent to the shape according to figure Y, and put into a tool preheated to 500 0 C of a similar shape.
- the tool has been lubricated with a solid lubricant capable of withstanding the forming temperature without decomposition.
- the tube ends are plugged and a force applied by hydraulic cylinders to avoid the two tool parts from separating.
- a gas with is applied to the inside of the tube through one of the plugs and the pressure increased from 0 to 200 bar.
- the pressure is released after a few seconds at maximum pressure and the formed tube is removed from the tool and cooled by spraying water onto it. Slots are punched where connections are required.
- the tube now has the final form of the header tank with preformed slots and bulges. Heat exchanger fins and flow tubes may now be assembled with the tank and brazed to form a heat exchanger.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Heat-Exchange Devices With Radiators And Conduit Assemblies (AREA)
- Shaping Metal By Deep-Drawing, Or The Like (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PL09783331T PL2349602T3 (en) | 2008-10-08 | 2009-09-23 | Method of forming aluminium heat exchangers header tanks |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
SE0802120A SE533223C2 (en) | 2008-10-08 | 2008-10-08 | Method for forming header tank made of aluminum |
PCT/EP2009/062326 WO2010040642A1 (en) | 2008-10-08 | 2009-09-23 | Method of forming aluminium heat exchangers header tanks |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2349602A1 true EP2349602A1 (en) | 2011-08-03 |
EP2349602B1 EP2349602B1 (en) | 2012-11-07 |
Family
ID=41395505
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP09783331A Not-in-force EP2349602B1 (en) | 2008-10-08 | 2009-09-23 | Method of forming aluminium heat exchangers header tanks |
Country Status (16)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20110240277A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2349602B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2012505080A (en) |
KR (1) | KR20110069843A (en) |
CN (1) | CN102202812A (en) |
BR (1) | BRPI0920023A2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2738747A1 (en) |
DK (1) | DK2349602T3 (en) |
EA (1) | EA022670B1 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2400074T3 (en) |
MX (1) | MX2011003224A (en) |
PL (1) | PL2349602T3 (en) |
SE (1) | SE533223C2 (en) |
TW (1) | TWI516319B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2010040642A1 (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA201101793B (en) |
Families Citing this family (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN102466425A (en) * | 2010-11-10 | 2012-05-23 | 北京首航艾启威节能技术股份有限公司 | Tube box with variable cross-section for indirect air-cooling system for power plant |
KR102045789B1 (en) | 2012-05-23 | 2019-11-18 | 그랑게스 스웨덴 아베 | Ultra sagging and melting resistant fin material with very high strength |
FR3018213B1 (en) | 2014-03-06 | 2016-10-21 | Constellium France | MULTI-PLASTER SOLDERING SHEET |
DE112014006624B4 (en) * | 2014-04-30 | 2022-02-10 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | PROCESS FOR FORMING AN ALUMINUM VEHICLE SIDE MEMBER |
JP6406614B2 (en) * | 2014-09-26 | 2018-10-17 | 株式会社ノーリツ | Heat exchanger header and heat exchanger provided with the same |
CN104525675B (en) * | 2014-12-08 | 2017-03-22 | 无锡朗贤汽车组件研发中心有限公司 | Gas bulging hot formation process of boron steel tube |
EP3237129B1 (en) * | 2014-12-22 | 2020-06-24 | Novelis Inc. | Heat exchanger |
RU2616684C2 (en) * | 2015-09-16 | 2017-04-18 | Федеральное государственное автономное образовательное учреждение высшего образования "Белгородский государственный национальный исследовательский университет" (НИУ "БелГУ") | Production of alluminium alloys welded structures with high crack resistance |
JP6545364B2 (en) * | 2016-04-01 | 2019-07-17 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Piping and heat exchanger equipped with the piping |
TWI629118B (en) * | 2016-06-02 | 2018-07-11 | 中國鋼鐵股份有限公司 | Method for manufacturing aluminum can sheet |
CN114160623B (en) * | 2016-07-11 | 2024-04-19 | 萨帕公司 | Hot metal gas formed roof rail and method of making same |
CN107866458B (en) * | 2017-11-06 | 2020-04-10 | 北京航星机器制造有限公司 | Forming method for realizing high-temperature bulging self-feeding material by changing friction coefficient |
US11098962B2 (en) * | 2019-02-22 | 2021-08-24 | Forum Us, Inc. | Finless heat exchanger apparatus and methods |
CN110560507B (en) * | 2019-10-21 | 2021-01-26 | 大连理工大学 | Forming method of large-diameter special-shaped section thin-wall pipe fitting |
CN115213547B (en) * | 2022-08-29 | 2023-11-28 | 华能国际电力股份有限公司 | Method for welding fillet weld of header tube socket of boiler by friction welding |
Family Cites Families (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2001355981A (en) * | 1993-11-08 | 2001-12-26 | Sharp Corp | Heat exchanger |
DE19647964C2 (en) * | 1996-11-20 | 2000-07-20 | Daimler Chrysler Ag | Method for producing slot-shaped openings in hollow profiles and a device for carrying it out |
GB9727063D0 (en) * | 1997-12-23 | 1998-02-18 | Gkn Sankey Ltd | A hydroforming process |
JP2000227298A (en) * | 1998-12-03 | 2000-08-15 | Denso Corp | Heat exchanger |
JP3759441B2 (en) * | 2001-10-10 | 2006-03-22 | 三菱アルミニウム株式会社 | High strength and high corrosion resistance aluminum alloy extruded tube for heat exchanger, method for producing the same, and heat exchanger |
JP2003126923A (en) * | 2001-10-24 | 2003-05-08 | Honda Motor Co Ltd | Method of forming tubular member |
US20030159813A1 (en) * | 2002-02-28 | 2003-08-28 | Norsk Hydro | Heat exchanger manifold and method of assembly |
US6540016B1 (en) * | 2002-02-28 | 2003-04-01 | Norsk Hydro | Method of forming heat exchanger tube ports and manifold therefor |
JP3929854B2 (en) * | 2002-08-23 | 2007-06-13 | 三菱アルミニウム株式会社 | Extruded flat tube for heat exchanger and heat exchanger using the same |
CN100573017C (en) * | 2004-10-07 | 2009-12-23 | 贝洱两合公司 | Air-cooled exhaust gas heat exchanger, particularly exhaust gas cooler for motor vehicles |
US7266982B1 (en) * | 2005-06-10 | 2007-09-11 | Guza David E | Hydroforming device and method |
JP2006349268A (en) * | 2005-06-16 | 2006-12-28 | Mitsubishi Alum Co Ltd | Fin and heat exchanger using it |
CN101134218A (en) * | 2006-08-29 | 2008-03-05 | 旭生自行车工业股份有限公司 | Tube forming device and method thereof |
-
2008
- 2008-10-08 SE SE0802120A patent/SE533223C2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2009
- 2009-09-23 EP EP09783331A patent/EP2349602B1/en not_active Not-in-force
- 2009-09-23 US US13/121,053 patent/US20110240277A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2009-09-23 DK DK09783331.3T patent/DK2349602T3/en active
- 2009-09-23 KR KR1020117010415A patent/KR20110069843A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2009-09-23 JP JP2011530447A patent/JP2012505080A/en active Pending
- 2009-09-23 PL PL09783331T patent/PL2349602T3/en unknown
- 2009-09-23 WO PCT/EP2009/062326 patent/WO2010040642A1/en active Application Filing
- 2009-09-23 EA EA201170542A patent/EA022670B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2009-09-23 ES ES09783331T patent/ES2400074T3/en active Active
- 2009-09-23 MX MX2011003224A patent/MX2011003224A/en active IP Right Grant
- 2009-09-23 CA CA2738747A patent/CA2738747A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2009-09-23 BR BRPI0920023A patent/BRPI0920023A2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2009-09-23 CN CN2009801379830A patent/CN102202812A/en active Pending
- 2009-09-25 TW TW098132383A patent/TWI516319B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2011
- 2011-03-08 ZA ZA2011/01793A patent/ZA201101793B/en unknown
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See references of WO2010040642A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ES2400074T3 (en) | 2013-04-05 |
ZA201101793B (en) | 2013-08-28 |
EA022670B1 (en) | 2016-02-29 |
MX2011003224A (en) | 2011-04-21 |
SE533223C2 (en) | 2010-07-27 |
SE0802120A1 (en) | 2010-04-09 |
WO2010040642A1 (en) | 2010-04-15 |
US20110240277A1 (en) | 2011-10-06 |
DK2349602T3 (en) | 2012-12-10 |
EA201170542A1 (en) | 2011-10-31 |
CA2738747A1 (en) | 2010-04-15 |
BRPI0920023A2 (en) | 2016-07-26 |
TWI516319B (en) | 2016-01-11 |
EP2349602B1 (en) | 2012-11-07 |
CN102202812A (en) | 2011-09-28 |
JP2012505080A (en) | 2012-03-01 |
PL2349602T3 (en) | 2013-04-30 |
TW201028229A (en) | 2010-08-01 |
KR20110069843A (en) | 2011-06-23 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP2349602B1 (en) | Method of forming aluminium heat exchangers header tanks | |
US20130157073A1 (en) | Bi-Metallic Component And Method | |
US7732059B2 (en) | Heat exchanger tubing by continuous extrusion | |
EP3177748B1 (en) | Aluminum alloy for heat exchanger fins | |
US20050161981A1 (en) | Vehicle floor having a unitary inner panel and outer panel | |
CN1973056A (en) | Process for producing an aluminium alloy brazing sheet, aluminium alloy brazing sheet | |
JP2011042823A (en) | Age hardening aluminum alloy brazing sheet, method for producing the same, and heat exchanger using the same | |
US20230078028A1 (en) | High-strength solder-plated al-mg-si aluminum material | |
US7546754B2 (en) | Method of fabricating tubular structure from hybrid material | |
RU2448797C2 (en) | Method of making heat exchanger | |
JP2004285391A (en) | Aluminum alloy material for automotive fuel tank | |
EP2711659B1 (en) | Method for manufacturing a heat exchanger | |
JP5435891B2 (en) | Brazing sheet for aluminum alloy heat exchanger, aluminum alloy heat exchanger, and aluminum alloy heat exchanger manufacturing method | |
JP5528219B2 (en) | Aluminum alloy tailored blank material for warm press forming and manufacturing method thereof | |
CN100411774C (en) | Hydrid component | |
JP3381748B2 (en) | Multilayer clad plate for superplastic forming, method of manufacturing the same, hollow rigid board using the same, and method of manufacturing the same | |
US20070181235A1 (en) | Article made of a magnesium alloy tube | |
JP7053140B2 (en) | Aluminum alloy clad material for heat exchanger and its manufacturing method and manufacturing method of aluminum alloy tube for heat exchanger | |
JP2009519416A (en) | High strength composite part | |
CN103639657A (en) | Method for hydraulic processing and welding forming of vehicle front column structure | |
JP2002173728A (en) | Al-Mg BASED ALUMINUM ALLOY HOLLOW EXTRUSION MATERIAL FOR BULGING | |
US20040150242A1 (en) | Method for the production of a structural component | |
JP2002155333A (en) | Al-Mg-Si BASED ALUMINUM ALLOY HOLLOW EXTRUSION MATERIAL HAVING EXCELLENT BULGING PROPERTY | |
CN112626395A (en) | Method for producing a component | |
Rempe | Hydroformed seam-welded aluminium tubes |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20110509 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK SM TR |
|
RIN1 | Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected) |
Inventor name: WESTERGARD, RICHARD Inventor name: OLSSON, BJOERN |
|
DAX | Request for extension of the european patent (deleted) | ||
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20120217 |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK SM TR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: REF Ref document number: 582772 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20121115 Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DK Ref legal event code: T3 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R096 Ref document number: 602009011075 Country of ref document: DE Effective date: 20130103 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NO Ref legal event code: T2 Effective date: 20121107 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: ES Ref legal event code: FG2A Ref document number: 2400074 Country of ref document: ES Kind code of ref document: T3 Effective date: 20130405 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: VDEP Effective date: 20121107 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: LT Ref legal event code: MG4D |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20130307 Ref country code: LT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121107 Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121107 Ref country code: HR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121107 Ref country code: SE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121107 Ref country code: FI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121107 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: PL Ref legal event code: T3 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GR Ref legal event code: EP Ref document number: 20130400289 Country of ref document: GR Effective date: 20130327 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LV Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121107 Ref country code: SI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121107 Ref country code: PT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20130307 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: EE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121107 Ref country code: SK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121107 Ref country code: BG Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20130207 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: RO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121107 |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: HU Ref legal event code: AG4A Ref document number: E016538 Country of ref document: HU |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20130808 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CY Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121107 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R097 Ref document number: 602009011075 Country of ref document: DE Effective date: 20130808 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MC Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121107 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: MM4A |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20130930 Ref country code: IE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20130923 Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20130930 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SM Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121107 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121107 Ref country code: TR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121107 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20130923 Ref country code: MK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20121107 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 7 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20160927 Year of fee payment: 8 Ref country code: NO Payment date: 20160928 Year of fee payment: 8 Ref country code: DK Payment date: 20160927 Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: HU Payment date: 20160908 Year of fee payment: 8 Ref country code: GR Payment date: 20160928 Year of fee payment: 8 Ref country code: CZ Payment date: 20160909 Year of fee payment: 8 Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20160926 Year of fee payment: 8 Ref country code: PL Payment date: 20160906 Year of fee payment: 8 Ref country code: AT Payment date: 20160901 Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: BE Payment date: 20160927 Year of fee payment: 8 Ref country code: ES Payment date: 20160926 Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20160928 Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Payment date: 20160923 Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R119 Ref document number: 602009011075 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DK Ref legal event code: EBP Effective date: 20170930 Ref country code: NO Ref legal event code: MMEP |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CZ Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20170923 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: MM01 Ref document number: 582772 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20170923 |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20170923 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: BE Ref legal event code: MM Effective date: 20170930 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: ST Effective date: 20180531 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20170930 Ref country code: DE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20180404 Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20170923 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: BE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20170930 Ref country code: IT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20170923 Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20180403 Ref country code: HU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20170924 Ref country code: FR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20171002 Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20170923 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: ES Ref legal event code: FD2A Effective date: 20181019 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20170930 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20170924 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: PL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20170923 |