Rod holder for the assembly of heat exchangers

摘要

One aspect of this disclosure provides an expansion rod holder (100) for the assembly of fin and tube heat exchangers. The expansion rod holder includes a first plate (110) having a first aperture therethrough and a ring (210) located in the first aperture and that has a second aperture therethrough. The first and second apertures are configured to receive a tapered end of an expansion rod having an annular groove proximate the tapered end. A biasing member (220) is located in the first aperture between the ring and a wall of the first aperture. The biasing member is configured to bias the ring in a first direction toward an opposite wall of the first aperture and into the annular groove. A method of manufacturing the expansion rod holder is also disclosed, as well as a tube expander system used to manufacture heat exchangers.