Abstract: A filter assembly includes a filter media for filtering a fluid, and a valve having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet for controlling a flow of the fluid through the filter assembly. The valve includes a thermally active element that changes shape between a first configuration and a second configuration in response to a temperature variation. When the thermally active element is in the first configuration the valve is open with the fluid inlet in fluid communication with the fluid outlet, and the thermally active element changes shape to the second configuration to close the valve. The thermally active element may move a valve poppet against a valve seat to close the valve. A pressure bypass is configured to open the valve in response to a pressure increase in the filter assembly above a threshold pressure when the thermally active element is in the second configuration.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a filter media for filtering a fluid, and a valve having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet for controlling a flow of the fluid through the filter assembly. The valve includes a thermally active element that changes shape between a first configuration and a second configuration in response to a temperature variation. When the thermally active element is in the first configuration the valve is open with the fluid inlet in fluid communication with the fluid outlet, and the thermally active element changes shape to the second configuration to close the valve. The thermally active element may move a valve poppet against a valve seat to close the valve. A pressure bypass is configured to open the valve in response to a pressure increase in the filter assembly above a threshold pressure when the thermally active element is in the second configuration.

Abstract: A tube support bracket that comprises an aluminum-coated steel support bracket formed having a circular tube-receiving aperture and an annular, castellated collar abutting the aperture. The aperture and collar are sized for receiving therethrough in close-fitting relationship an aluminum alloy heat exchanger tube. The collar, formed by a draw-punching process, has a plurality of spaced-apart, axial tabs sized for swaging against in hoop stress and bite the received tube. An inner surface of each of the collar tabs being has at least one axial groove therein, the groove being configured for receiving exterior regions of the received tube when the collar is swaged tightly against the tube to thereby lock the tube in the collar and thus in the support bracket. A corresponding method for making a tube support is disclosed.

Abstract: An intank oil cooler assembly comprises a plurality of manifold end connected, vertically stacked, elongated tubular panel subassemblies, containing structurally enhancing header manifold connector end post with external circular wide flanges, manifold intermediate spacer disc washers, and a base plate subassembly placed in a supporting bottom base position. Each thin-walled, tubular panel subassembly has header manifold inlet and outlet end sections, an internal central longitudinal flow channel region designed for conducting internal fluid flow, and also, has a turbulizer subassembly installed therein for causing internal fluid turbulization to optimize heat transfer. Each tubular panel subassembly is fabricated by laminating together paired, thin-walled plate elements having sidewalls embossed with dimpled exterior surface projections on their outer convex surface and axially corresponding reverse side dimpled depressions on their inner concave surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fabricating an externally finned tubular heat exchanger assembly comprising two concentric thin walled tubular members defining therebetween an intermediate inner annular fluid flow channel, and positionally fixed therewithin an internal turbulizer strip extending longitudinally in a helical spiral. The tubulizer strip is embossed with corrugations prior to installation into the intermediate inner annular fluid flow channel. The corrugated strip is helically spiraled with sequential bridge gap spaces between adjacent serial turns wherein the corrugations form a series of triangular cross-sectional fluid flow passageways. Turbulizer corrugation expansion, after insertion into the inner intermediate annular fluid flow channel, mechanically anchors the corrugated turbulizer strip to the second inner concentric tubular member that has an end groove to provide engagement connection.

Abstract: A fluid cooler assembly comprises a vertically stacked first type and second different type of tubular panel subassembly construction integrated with a third subassembly of external corrugated fin construction positioned above and below each tubular panel subassembly. The first type tubular panel subassembly has an internal central flow region configured with a bilateral linear flow channeled subregion adapted for controlling the hydraulic behavior of the internal tubular coolant fluid flow. The second tubular panel subassembly has an internal tubular central flow channel region configured with a bilateral cross-flow channel region adapted for optimizing heat transfer.

Abstract: A fluid cooler assembly comprises a vertically stacked first type and second different type of tubular panel subassembly construction integrated with a third subassembly of external corrugated fin construction positioned above and below each tubular panel subassembly. The first type tubular panel subassembly has an internal central flow region configured with a bilateral linear flow channeled subregion adapted for controlling the hydraulic behavior of the internal tubular coolant fluid flow. The second tubular panel subassembly has an internal tubular central flow channel region configured with a bilateral cross-flow channel region adapted for optimizing heat transfer.

Abstract: A tube support bracket that comprises an aluminum-coated steel support bracket formed having a circular tube-receiving aperture and an annular, castellated collar abutting the aperture. The aperture and collar are sized for receiving therethrough in close-fitting relationship an aluminum alloy heat exchanger tube. The collar, formed by a draw-punching process, has a plurality of spaced-apart, axial tabs sized for swaging against in hoop stress and bite the received tube. An inner surface of each of the collar tabs being has at least one axial groove therein, the groove being configured for receiving exterior regions of the received tube when the collar is swaged tightly against the tube to thereby lock the tube in the collar and thus in the support bracket. A corresponding method for making a tube support is disclosed.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy fluid heat exchanger comprises first and second elongate, generally flat, aluminum alloy fluid heat exchanger tubes, each having an upper and a lower surface and having a fluid port inlet and a fluid port outlet. The first tube has a series of small protrusions formed at its lower surface and the second tube has a matching series of protrusions formed at its upper surface, the first tube being stacked on top of the second tube with the protrusions on the first tube in contact with the protrusions on the second tube. A thin sheet of a dissimilar metal, preferably cold rolled steel having a thickness of about 0.3 millimeters is installed between the protrusions on the first and second tubes. The protrusions provide a spacing of at least about 0.42 millimeters between major portions of the first and second heat exchanger tubes. A corresponding method of constructing an aluminum alloy heat exchanger is described.