Abstract: A heat exchanger for a vehicle is provided, where the heat exchanger includes core having first, and second sets of flow tubes extending between first and second headers and defining separate flow paths. One of the headers includes a first portion in fluid communication with the first set of flow tubes and a second portion defining a receiver/dryer chamber that is in fluid communication with the second set of flow tubes. A dryer is located within the receiver/dryer chamber.

Abstract: A condenser assembly for a vehicle air conditioning system is provided. The condenser assembly includes a core including first and second ends and a plurality of tubes extending therebetween, a first header located adjacent to the first end of the core, and a second header located adjacent to the second end of the core. The second header includes a receiver/dryer having a receiver/dryer chamber, a manifold cooperating with the receiver/dryer to define a manifold chamber, and a mounting rib unitarily formed with at least one of the receiver/dryer and the manifold. The mounting rib includes a first portion extending away from the at least one of the receiver/dryer and the manifold in a first direction and a second portion extending away from the first portion in a second direction that is substantially nonparallel with the first direction.

Abstract: An automobile climate control system has a coolant dispersing device to allow coolant to flow. A heat exchanger cools the coolant. A manifold block allows the coolant to transfer between the coolant dispersing device and the heat exchanger. The manifold block is in communication with the heat exchanger and the coolant dispersing device. At least one separately formed clasp is fixedly mounted to the manifold block. The at least one clasp has separate legs to fixedly mount the at least one clasp to the heat exchanger. The at least one clasp has a first flange member. A first end of the first flange member is fixedly mounted to an aperture in the manifold block.

Abstract: An automobile climate control system has a coolant dispersing device to allow coolant to flow. A heat exchanger cools the coolant. A manifold block allows the coolant to transfer between the coolant dispersing device and the heat exchanger. The manifold block is in communication with the heat exchanger and the coolant dispersing device. At least one separately formed clasp is fixedly mounted to the manifold block. The at least one clasp has separate legs to fixedly mount the at least one clasp to the heat exchanger. The at least one clasp has a first flange member. A first end of the first flange member is fixedly mounted to an aperture in the manifold block.

Abstract: A condenser includes a plurality of generally U-shaped fluid carrying tubes having free ends and a manifold matingly engaging the free ends of the tubes and having an interior chamber. The manifold includes a receiver dryer disposed in the interior chamber and having a first fluid conduit wall and a second conduit wall extending axially to form a generally parallel first fluid passageway and second fluid passageway in fluid communication with the tubes and a dryer capsule being disposed in the interior chamber to dry fluid in the manifold.

Abstract: A manifold for a heat exchanger includes a base member having a plurality of tubular members for connection to tubes of a heat exchanger. The manifold also includes a plurality of folds disposed between the tubular members to form a channel above a plane of the base member. The manifold includes a first side member extending from a side edge of the base member and a second side member extending from another side of the base member and opposing the first side member. The free ends of the first side member and the second side member are disposed in the channel and secured in place between the folds to define a first fluid conduit and a second fluid conduit.

Abstract: A method for making a manifold for a tube and fin type heat exchanger wherein the manifold is a one piece aluminum extrusion. The manifold includes a U-shaped channel having a base member and a pair of vertical walls, a plurality of fluid conducting passageways in the base member, and a pair of hollow longitudinal fluid conduits. The conduits are then crimped at predetermined locations to form fluid baffles and the manifold is then sealed. The baffles include slits which allow a bonding agent to secure the baffle within the fluid conduit.

Abstract: A conductive fin for a heat exchanger includes an elongated fin member having two rows of tube receiving apertures extending through the fin member. The fin member includes two rows of raised members located on either side of a centerline bisecting the fin member so as to form a series of closely spaced pairs of raised members located between any two tube receiving apertures and being symmetrical about the centerline and defining two openings with one opening being larger than the other. Each of the raised members defines a pair of legs extending from the plane of the fin member and is positioned to channel air into the space between each respective pair of tube receiving apertures so as to increase the coefficient of heat transfer therebetween without increasing air pressure drop across the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method for making a manifold for a tube and fin type heat exchanger is disclosed wherein the manifold includes a solder strip. The manifold includes a channel having a base member and a pair of vertical walls, a plurality of fluid conducting passageways in the base member, and a solder strip disposed in the channel. The strip is secured in place by bending a portion of the wall over a longitudinal edge of the solder strip.

Abstract: A method of making an automotive heat exchanger comprises the steps of assembling a heat exchanger core having a plurality of interleaved tube and fins disposed between a pair of endsheets and expanding the diameter of the tubes a predetermined distance by forcing an expansion tool therethrough. The tubes of the heat exchanger include a plurality of internal projections of predetermined height and the expansion process decreases the height of the projections by less than 25% of its original height. A heat exchanger formed in accordance with this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making an automotive heat exchanger comprises the steps of assembling a heat exchanger core having a plurality of interleaved tube and fins disposed between a pair of endsheets and expanding the diameter of the tubes a predetermined distance by forcing an expansion tool therethrough. The tubes of the heat exchanger include a plurality of internal projections of predetermined height and the expansion process decreases the height of the projections by less than 25% of its original height. A heat exchanger formed in accordance with this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tube supporting member for an automotive heat exchanger is disclosed wherein the support member includes a plurality of apertures each having a cylindrical ferrule portion extending therefrom. The apertures include a curvilinear portion terminating in a discontinuous radius to form a corner at the aperture. The ferrule portions support the tube members of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: This specification relates to a heat exchanger (10) of the type wherein a plurality of elongated plates (12) are laminated together to define a plurality of passageways (14) for movement of a fluid therethrough. Each of the passageways (14) are formed by inwardly facing surfaces of a pair of laminated plates (12--12) which define a central fluid conducting section (34) located between reservoir sections (32--32) at each end thereof. Adjacent of the passageways (14--14) have heat transfer fins (18--18) located therebetween. Reservoir sections (32--32) of adjacent ones of the passageways (14--14) are interconnected so that a fluid may flow therethrough. The improvement of this invention is made to the laminated plates and it includes a plurality of beads formed on each of the pair of laminated plates (12--12). The beads formed on each of the plates are of two distinct varieties.