Abstract: A heat exchanger including a joint (26) for joining the end (28) of a coolant tube (12) to a header (14). The header (14) includes an aperture (22) extending therethrough with a ferrule (24) circumferentially disposed thereabout. At least one tab (32) extends upward from the ferrule (24) for providing attachment to the end (28) of the coolant tube (12).

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting a coolant tube (20) and header (22, 24) of a heat exchanger (10) comprises manifolds (12, 14) forming fluid reservoirs (16, 18) and a plurality of coolant tubes (20) in fluid communication with the manifolds (12, 14) . The manifolds (12, 14) comprise a header wall (22, 24) having a plurality of collars (26) forming collar openings (28). The tubes (20) include an axially extending mechanical seam (50) and deformable hollow end portions (52) extending through the collar openings (28). A flaring tool (70) having tapered side surfaces (74) is inserted in the end portion (52) of the tube (20) to expand the tube (20) outwardly against the collar opening (28). The flaring tool (70) includes a groove extending axially along the side surface (74) aligning with and straddling the seam (50) during expansion of the tube (20) and further forces the portions (62, 64) of the tube (20) adjacent the seam (50) outwardly into sealing engagement with the collar opening (28).

Abstract: A method for connecting a coolant tube (20) and header (22, 24) of a heat exchanger (10) comprises manifolds (12, 14) forming fluid reservoirs (16, 18) and a plurality of coolant tubes (20) in fluid communication with the manifolds (12, 14). The manifolds (12, 14) comprise a header wall (22, 24) having a plurality of collars (26) forming collar openings (28). The tubes (20) include an axially extending mechanical seam (50) and deformable hollow end portions (52) extending through the collar openings (28). A flaring tool (70) having tapered side surfaces (74) is inserted in the end portion (52) of the tube (20) to expand the tube (20) outwardly against the collar opening (28). The flaring tool (70) includes a groove extending axially along the side surface (74) aligning with and straddling the seam (50) during expansion of the tube (20) and further forces the portions (62, 64 ) of the tube (20) adjacent the seam (50) outwardly into sealing engagement with the collar opening (28).

Abstract: A heat exchanger of the tube-fin type comprising a tank (10) having first (14) and second (16) ends, a plurality of tubes (34), a plurality of baffles (38) and a plurality of fins (42). A cap (50, 52) is connected to each end (14, 16) of the tank (10) and includes a fluid coupler (60, 61). Each cap (50, 52) comprises a female member (74) disposed therein including a plurality of interior passageways (88), first (90) and second (92) annular channels intersecting with opposite ends of the passageways (88), and a plurality of islands (94) bounded by the passageways (88) and first (90) and second (92) channels. The tank (10) further comprises a male member (72) extending from each end (14, 16) and including a plurality of outwardly extending tabs (76), an annular extending rim (82), and an annular resilient seal (84).

Abstract: A heat exchange assembly (10) includes an outer shell (12) and a cap member (26) disposed within the end portion (16) of the shell (12). The cap member (26) is fixedly connected within the end portion (16). A gasket (34) perfects a fluid tight seal between the shell (12) and the cap member (26). The cap member (26) includes a radially outwardly projecting protrusion having an outer surface (36,38). The gasket (34) is disposed about the protrusion. The end portion (16) of the shell (12) is crimped around the protrusion for preventing axially inward and outward movement of the cap member (26) relative to the shell (12) and compressing the gasket (34) against the outer surface (36,38) of the protrusion.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly (10) of the tube-fin type comprises a housing (12), a plurality of tubes (24), and a plurality of fins (26). The fins (26) comprise a generally flat plate (27) and have a plurality of holes (28) therethrough. The tubes (24) extend through the holes (28). The fins (26) further include a plurality of undulations (30). The undulations project outwardly from the plate (27) and are arranged in a plurality of engaging rows (32, 34, 36). The undulations (30) are offset between the rows (32, 34, 36) so that the crests (40) of the undulations (30) are not linear in the direction parallel to the width of the plate (27).

Abstract: There is disclosed a mechanism for retaining an automotive radiator rigid, including sleeve members mounted on oppositely disposed portions of the radiator and an interconnecting rod member. Arcuate-shaped edge portions are formed on oppositely disposed portions of the radiator, each of the sleeve members having longitudinal bores formed therethrough and including arcuate-shaped groove bottoms opening in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve members matching the arcuate-shaped edge portions and being slidably mounted thereon so as to have the bores thereof aligned. A rod is mounted across the radiator and extended through the aligned bores and secured therein by nuts mounted on the threaded ends against the respective sleeves, to thereby rigidify the radiator for use on trucks and off-highway vehicles.

Abstract: A heat exchanger construction of the plate and fin type comprising a plurality of plate assemblies joined together in a stackable arrangement, each plate assembly being formed by a pair of similar plate members placed in mating face-to-face relationship with each other to form a central flow region therebetween. Each plate member includes a header portion located respectively adjacent each opposite end thereof, each header portion having at least one pair of spaced openings adaptable for receiving and discharging a fluid medium therethrough. A raised partitioning or pass rib is positioned extending between the pair of spaced openings associated with one of the header portions and depending upon the positioning of the respective pass ribs relative to one another when each respective pair of plate members are joined together either a single-pass or a double-pass flow system is formed therebetween.

Abstract: There is disclosed a tube-to-header joint arrangement for a heat exchanger wherein the tubes include an oblong or flattened body which is off-set to one side with respect to cylindrical ends formed on the tubes. The off-set bodies facilitate staggering alternate rows of collared openings formed in the header to thereby maintain a predetermined minimum distance between adjacent collars to avoid fatigue or failure of the header, while permitting maximum diameter openings to be employed for maximum surface area contact between each tube and header collar for a stronger joint therebetween.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a radiator wherein grooves formed in a tank flange and in a header match each other and a mound formed on an associated clamping strip. Tapered edges formed on locking tabs cut in the tank flange cooperate with a sloped surface on the clamping strip when bent inwardly to urge the clamping strip and header toward the tank flange so as to compress a sealing gasket between the header and tank flange grooves, eliminating the need for solder.

Abstract: The drawings and description disclose a heat exchanger including two half circle shells, each having corrugated walls, with the half circle shells being welded together at their mating edges to form a full round shell. Prior to the welding operation, a perforated header is mounted in the half shells in the first corrugation adjacent each end thereof, and a plurality of perforated baffles are mounted within the half shells intermediate the headers in corrugations at alternate equally spaced intervals therein. The perforations in the headers and baffles are formed to be aligned, and a tube is mounted through each series of aligned openings to form a tube bundle within the half shells. The two half shells are welded together at their mating edges to form the full round shell, and the headers are brazed to the shell and the tube end portions brazed to the headers.