Abstract: The subject invention provides a heat exchanger assembly including a tank having a wall defining an aperture with a fitting secured thereto and a method of securing the fitting thereto. The fitting has a first end with an outer perimeter disposed exteriorly thereof and smaller than the aperture for inserting the first end of the fitting into the aperture. The fitting also has an internal tunnel extending along an axis thereto from the first end. A step of material is disposed in the tunnel at the first end, which is at least in part, radially and longitudinally displaced relative to the axis into contact with the wall to prevent rotational movement of the fitting in the aperture.

Abstract: A condenser for an air conditioning system includes a receiver integrally formed with a second, or return, header which is in fluid communication with a second, or sub-cooling, group of tubes. A conduit extends between entry and discharge ends both of which are completely enclosed within the interior of the receiver. The conduit transports a refrigerant fluid in an upflow direction within the interior of the receiver and through a second fluid port located adjacent the discharge end of the conduit for directing the fluid into and through the return header to the sub-cooling group of tubes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a braze bar carrier system for utilization in holding and maintaining the alignment of a plurality of components in an apparatus during a brazing process. The braze bar carrier system includes a graphite insert that prevents the brazing flux from wetting the braze bar carrier system thereby preventing brazing filler material from adhering to the carrier system. The graphite insert is readily removable and replaceable. Use of the graphite insert dramatically reduces the number of scrap and damaged assemblies in a brazing operation.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly that addresses the thermal cycling problem to increase the durability of the heat exchanger core by fabricating at least the tube next adjacent to each of the reinforcing members with a cross section adjacent each of the headers including a radius having a partial maximum tube strain energy density and fabricating each of the reinforcing members with a connection section adjacent each of the headers having a reinforcement with a partial maximum strain energy density greater than the partial maximum strain energy density of the adjacent tube.

Abstract: A fluid heat exchanger assembly having an upper wall and a lower wall extending between the inlet and the outlet for establishing a direction of flow to cool an electronic device. A plurality of projections extend linearly transversely across the direction of flow to define rows of projections with linear cavities between adjacent projections so that fluid flows into and out of the cavities as the fluid flows across the rows of projections for contraction and expansion of the coolant flow to maximize heat transfer. The projections may be rectangular, triangular or convex, as viewed in cross section.

Abstract: The fabrication of a heat exchanger assembly by disposing a metal fitting of an oil cooler subassembly into an opening in a first tank and disposing a tubular connector into a bore in the fitting. These components are mechanically held together prior to brazing by disposing an outer clinch cylinder to extend from the fitting though the opening and by disposing an inner clinch cylinder to extend from the fitting to above an annular rib on the tubular connector and placing V-shaped first stakes in the inner clinch cylinder for mechanical engagement with the rib and placing V-shaped second stakes in the outer clinch cylinder for mechanical engagement with the first tank.

Abstract: A laminate-type evaporator includes U-channel plates in combination with various configurations of dual cup and single cup plates, to control refrigerant pressure drop and achieve enhanced temperature spreads within the evaporator. The U-channel plates define one or more of the final refrigerant passes in the evaporator, and the dual cup and single cup plates define refrigerant passes upstream therefrom. Fins are disposed between adjacent plate pairs and extend to selected end edges of the U-channel plates to maximize the surface area available for heat exchange in the final refrigerant passes.

Abstract: A compressor includes a housing and a drive shaft extending along a longitudinal axis and rotatably supported by the housing. A pocket is defined in the drive shaft and extends to a bottom portion having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the pocket. A pair of sealing lip portions disposed between the housing circumscribing the drive shaft. A pair of channels is defined in the drive shaft with one of the channels exposed between the spaced lip portions to deliver a lubricant therebetween under pressure.

Abstract: In a vehicle frame, a console frame structure is assembled to a chassis or main frame structure using a flap retainer. The chassis includes a bracket having a slot with a forward closed end and a rear open end. The console frame structure includes a post that is inserted into the slot for assembly. A flap retainer is attached to the bracket adjacent the slot and includes a fixed portion attached near the closed end and a free portion adjacent the open end. The flap retainer defines an opening sized and shaped for receiving the post. During assembly, the flap retainer flexes so that the free portion is spaced apart from the open end of the slot to allow the post to be inserted. The flap retainer returns to a retaining position to capture the post within the opening of the flap retainer. In the event of a vehicle impact, the flap retainer secures the post to prevent the console frame structure from becoming dislodged.

Abstract: A heating and air-conditioning (HVAC) module for an automotive vehicle wherein the electric motor for the blower includes a double walled motor housing for noise abatement. The housing defines a cup-shaped inner casing with an open end and a closed end. An outer casing surrounds and is integrally connected to the inner casing by an integral flange. The outer casing extends upwardly from the flange to a rim to define a space surrounding the inner casing. An end cap includes a groove to engage the rim and extends over and in spaced relationship to the closed end of the inner casing. The end cap is held in place by fasteners threadedly engaging posts extending upwardly from the flange, with one of the posts extending upwardly from a female electrical connector that extends radially between the outer casing and the inner casing for supplying electrical power to the motor.

Abstract: A combined gasoline and hydrogen fueling system for a gasoline-powered internal combustion engine, including, preferably, a rapid-start catalytic reformer for producing reformate gas containing hydrogen from gasoline. The reformate from the reformer is swept by air into the intake manifold of the cold engine where it is mixed with intake air and then drawn into the cylinders and ignited conventionally to start the engine. A computer-based reformer control system optimizes the amount of reformate formed and the resulting reformate/air mixture. The reformer control system interfaces or is integral with a computer-based gasoline and air supply system for the engine, the two systems cooperating to optimize a mixture of gasoline and reformate in the intake manifold at all times during warming of the engine and its exhaust catalyst to steady-state operating temperature. Preferably, flow of reformate is terminated thereafter.

Abstract: A novel air flow control valve for an air outlet in an HVAC housing provides for strong, even seal pressure all the way around the edge of the opening. In stead of a swinging door hinged at one edge of the opening, in which seal pressure is strong on the hinge edge but weaker on the opposite edge, a flat panel is moved straight toward and away from the opening. In the closed position, the sealing pressure is even all the way around. The sealing panel is moved back and forth by a rotary cam mechanism.

Abstract: The invention provides a heat exchanger operable, for example, with Stirling cooling system. The heat exchanger includes a first member having an inner surface defining a flow path for a working fluid. The first member also includes an outer surface spaced from the inner surface. The heat exchanger also includes a second member cooperating with the first member to define a first substantially enclosed heat exchanging chamber having a height and extending along at least a portion of the outer surface. The heat exchanger also includes at least one first blind conduit including an opening communicating with the first substantially enclosed heat exchanging chamber and a distal end spaced from the opening. The second member and the at least one first blind conduit cooperate with one another to define an enclosed path for a two-phase fluid to move along back and forth between the outer surface and the distal end.

Abstract: An end cap closes the open end of the tank. The end cap is comprised of an inlet diverter wall and tube diverter wall. The inlet diverter wall extends into the tank across the inlet axis for redirecting fluid from the inlet and longitudinally into the tank along the end of the core. The tube diverter wall also extends longitudinally into the tank in a spaced relationship to the tubes of the core for directing fluid out of the tubes and longitudinally into the tank. A first embodiment of the invention provides tube diverter walls that are planar. A second embodiment of the invention provides tube diverter walls that are curved.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is disclosed. A plurality of guides are integrally formed with the walls of a header tank and are used to position an oil cooler inside the tank to align a pair of fittings carried by the cooler with a pair of spaced openings in the tank.

Abstract: A heat sink for an electrical device is distinguished by a confining plate extending parallel to and along each lateral side of fins and extending upwardly from a top surface of a base to a bottom surface of a lid to define an outlet-chamber extending from the outer ends of the fins and outside of the fins back toward a vertical nozzle. A cylindrical outlet is disposed on the inlet axis outwardly of each of the confining plates for directing fluid flow on each side of the fins. The outer wall presents a pair of oppositely facing apexes and the outer wall curves outwardly from each apex in opposite directions in a generally heart-shape around and spaced from the fins and back into the outlets to define the outlet-chambers which increase in volume from the ends of the fins back toward the outlets to reduce the fluid pressure.

Abstract: A radiator core reinforcement self shears in the braze oven as strategically placed voids in the reinforcement erode away under the flowing action of the melted surface braze layer.

Abstract: The subject invention detects the presence of an ozone reducing coating on an automotive radiator of the type having spaced fins presenting electromagnetic surface properties different than the electromagnetic surface properties of the coating. In accordance with the subject invention light rays are emitted or reflected off the coating on the fins to a detector and a comparator compares these light rays to a predetermined benchmark to provide a signal in response to the detected light rays crossing the benchmark. In a species, a second detector is employed to detect rays from an un-coated section to establish the benchmark.

Abstract: In a refrigerating system, a condenser (1) includes a cooling core (2) having parallel tubes and cooling fins, two headers (3) connected to the ends of each tube and a cylindrical dryer tank (4) connected to one of the headers (3) by connectors (5). Each connector (5) has a cylindrical side surface, and cylindrical butting faces corresponding to the header and the dryer tank respective side surfaces. During preliminary assembling of the condenser, cylindrical projections of connectors (5) are pushed into corresponding orifices in the header (3) and the dryer tank (4) side surfaces, and the entire unit is placed in a furnace, where the one-shot brazing process is carried out.

Abstract: An anti-rotation guide for preventing rotation of a roller follower valve lifter in an internal combustion engine. The guide has an outer surface for engaging an engine bore and an inner surface for slidably receiving the lifter. One end of the guide includes an anti-rotation feature for cooperating with a mating feature on the lifter, preferably flats although other configurations are contemplated within the scope of the invention. The anti-rotation feature may take any of a plurality of shapes, including but not limited to an arm and tang, a flap, and an orifice flat. The guide is installed from an opening in the engine bore proximate a camshaft disposed in the engine block. The cooperating features prevent axial rotation of a lifter within the sleeve but do not inhibit axial or reciprocal motion of the lifter.