Abstract: A heat exchanger for an automotive vehicle includes a frame having a pair of headers and a pair of side supports disposed between the headers at opposite ends thereof. Each of the side supports includes a generally planar base and a pair of flanges extending from the based portion. The side supports include a thermal stress relieving zone defined by an elliptical aperture disposed in the based portion.

Abstract: A brazing fixture apparatus is disclosed for holding a heat exchanger core during a brazing operation. The fixture includes a generally rectangular frame including a contact member disposed on one side of the frame and a single lever extending axially along the length of the frame. The lever pivots from a first position to allow placement of the core onto the frame to a second position, in response to gravity, such that in the second position, the lever applies a constant compressive force on the core to hold the core together during the brazing operation.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for an automotive vehicle is disclosed including a frame having a pair of headers and a pair of side supports disposed between the headers at opposite ends thereof. Each of the side supports includes a generally planar base and a pair of flanges extending from the based portion. The side supports including a thermal stress relieving zone defined by an elliptical aperture disposed in the based portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a thermal stress-relieving zone in an automotive heat exchanger having a frame including a pair of channel-shaped side supports is disclosed, the apparatus including a support mechanism for receiving and supporting the heat exchanger and a zone-producing mechanism for producing a stress-relieving zone in one of the side supports. The zone-producing mechanism includes a side support engaging device for engaging the side support at a predetermined location and a shearing mechanism which reciprocates between a first and second position to shear the side support.