Method of forming a cylindrical heat exchanger header tank

摘要

A method for producing a cylindrical automotive condenser manifold tank (28) provides a regularly spaced series of tube insertion slots (66) located entirely externally to the original outer surface of the blank (34) from which the tank (28) is formed. In addition, the slots (66) are provided by a peripheral bulge (54) that provides a lead in surface and support shelf for the ends (24) of the flat flow tubes (22). The blank (34) is hydroformed between a pair of dies (42, 44) designed to create the desired external surface features, while preserving the round inner surface of the blank (34) without an internal support mandrel. <IMAGE>