HEAT EXCHANGING SYSTEM

Abstract

A heat exchanging system includes a frame and at least one heat exchanger. The frame has first and second base members, and first and second sets of crossmembers. The first and second sets of crossmembers extend from the first and second base members, respectively, in opposing directions. The first set of crossmembers engages the second set of crossmembers to form adjoined crossmembers extending between the first and second base members. The crossmembers define at least one window between the first and second base members. The first set of crossmembers is adjustable relative to the second set of crossmembers to increase or decrease a length of each window between the first and second base members. The at least one heat exchanger is disposed within the at least one window.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to heat exchangers, particularly to tube and fin type heat exchangers.

BACKGROUND

Tube and fin heat exchangers may be utilized to transfer heat between a fluid flowing through the tubes of the heat exchanger and air that is being directed across the fins of the heat exchanger.

SUMMARY

A carrier frame for a heat exchanger includes a first sub-frame and a second sub-frame. The first sub-frame has a first base member and a first plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers extending from the first base member in a first direction. The second sub-frame has a second base member and a second plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers extending from the second base member in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. Each crossmember of the first plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers is configured to engage one crossmember of the second plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers to form adjoined crossmembers that extend from the first base member to the second base member. The crossmembers define windows between the first and second base members that are each configured to receive a heat exchanger. The first plurality of crossmembers is adjustable in the first and second directions relative to the second plurality of crossmembers to increase or decrease a length of each window between the first and second base members.

A heat exchanging system includes a frame and at least one heat exchanger. The frame has first and second base members, and first and second sets of crossmembers. The first and second sets of crossmembers extend from the first and second base members, respectively, in opposing directions. The first set of crossmembers engages the second set of crossmembers to form adjoined crossmembers extending between the first and second base members. The crossmembers define at least one window between the first and second base members. The first set of crossmembers is adjustable relative to the second set of crossmembers to increase or decrease a length of each window between the first and second base members. The at least one heat exchanger is disposed within the at least one window.

A heat exchanging system includes a frame and a window. The frame has first and second base members and interlocking crossmembers. The interlocking crossmembers extend between the first and second base members. The interlocking crossmembers define a window between the first and second base members. The interlocking crossmembers are adjustable to increase or decrease a length of the window between the first and second base members. The heat exchanger is disposed within the window.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a heat exchanger;

FIG. 2 is a back view of a heat exchanging system that includes a plurality of heat exchangers and a carrier frame;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the heat exchanging system;

FIG. 4 is an isometric front view the carrier frame;

FIG. 5 is a magnified view of a portion of the carrier frame that includes a fastening system that is utilized to secure first and second sub-frames of the carrier frame to each other and allows for adjusting a desired length of the carrier frame;

FIG. 6 is a magnified view of a clip that is utilized by the fastening system to secure the first and second sub-frames of the carrier frame to each other;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 5; and

FIGS. 8-10 are magnified views of various clips on the carrier frame that are configured to secure the positions of the heat exchangers on the carrier frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. It is to be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and other embodiments may take various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features could be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the embodiments. As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various features illustrated and described with reference to any one of the figures may be combined with features illustrated in one or more other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combinations of features illustrated provide representative embodiments for typical applications. Various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of this disclosure, however, could be desired for particular applications or implementations.

Referring to FIG. 1, a heat exchanger 20 is illustrated. Please note that FIG. 1 is a simplified drawing and that the respective components described in FIG. 1 may have other features or different geometries than illustrated in FIG. 1. The heat exchanger 20 includes a first header tank 24 and a second header tank 26. A first header 22 is secured to the first header tank 24 and a second header 22 is secured to the second header tank 26. Each header 22 may include a face plate 21 and an exterior peripheral wall 23 that extends from the face plate 21 along a bend. The face plate 21 and the exterior peripheral wall 23 may be made from a common stock component, such as a flat piece of sheet metal. Some embodiments may not include the exterior peripheral wall 23.

Each header 22 defines a plurality of orifices. More specifically, each header plate 21 of each header 22 defines a plurality of orifices. A plurality of tubes 30 extend between the first header tank 24 and the second header tank 26. More specifically, a first end of each of the tubes 30 extends into a respective one of the plurality of orifices of the first header 22 while a second end of each of the tubes 30 extends into a respective one of the plurality of orifices of the second header 22. Each of the plurality of tubes 30 may extend into and may be secured to the headers 22, or more specifically may extend into and may be secured to the face plates 21, by brazing each tube 30 to the headers 22 proximate the respective orifices that the first and second ends of the tubes 30 extend into. The plurality of tubes 30 are configured to channel a coolant, a refrigerant, or any other heat exchanging liquid or gas between the first header tank 24 and the second header tank 26. Coils or fins 32 are disposed between adjacent tubes 30 forming an array of alternating tubes 30 and fins 32. The fins 32 facilitate heat transfer between the liquid or gas that is flowing through the plurality of tubes 30 and air that is being directed across the heat exchanger 20.

A pair of side plates 34 may be disposed on opposing ends of the array of alternating tubes 30 and fins 32. Each side plate 34 may be adjacent to the last set of fins 32 forming the array of alternating tubes 30 and fins 32 (as illustrated in FIG. 1) or may be adjacent to the last tube 30 forming the array of alternating tubes 30 and fins 32. The side plates 34 may extend between the first and second headers 22 and may be secured to the first and second headers 22 by a brazing or welding process.

It should be noted that the first header tank 24 and the first of the headers 22 may be formed as a single component that are not distinct from each other and that the second header tank 26 and the second of the headers 22 may be formed as a single component that are not distinct from each other. For example, a single tube, pipe, tank, reservoir, etc. that defines orifices that receive each of the plurality tubes 30 may be utilized in place of the first header tank 24 and the first of the headers 22 and/or may be utilized in place of the second header tank 26 and the second of the headers 22. It should be understood that the heat exchanger 20 depicted in FIG. 1 is for illustrative purposes and that FIG. 1 is a general representation of a heat exchanger. Heat exchangers having different geometries, additional components, or fewer components should be construed as disclosed herein.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, a heat exchanging system 100 that includes a plurality of heat exchangers that are secured to a carrier frame 102 is illustrated. The plurality of heat exchangers may be tube and fin heat exchanges, which are described above with respect to FIG. 1. A first heat exchanger 104 may be an oil cooler for a vehicle transmission, a second heat exchanger 106 may be a condenser for an air conditioning or HVAC system for a vehicle, and a third heat exchanger 108 may be a low-temperature radiator that is configure to cool vehicle electronics (e.g., an inverter for a hybrid vehicle that delivers electrical power from a battery to an electric motor). However, the disclosure should not be limited to the types of heat exchangers describe immediately above, and it should be construed that the first heat exchanger 104, second heat exchanger 106, and third heat exchanger 108 may be utilized in any known system. Header tanks 110 may be secured to each side of the first heat exchanger 104.

Each heat exchanger (i.e., the first heat exchanger 104, second heat exchanger 106, and third heat exchanger 108) are secured to the carrier frame 102. The carrier frame 102 includes a first sub-frame 112 and a second sub-frame 114. The first sub-frame 112 has a first base member 116 and a first plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 118 extending from the first base member 116 in a first direction 120. The second sub-frame 114 has a second base member 122 and a second plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 124 extending from the second base member 122 in a second direction 126. The first direction 120 and second direction 126 may be opposing or opposite directions relative to each other. The first plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 118 and the second plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 124 may also be referred to as a first set of crossmembers and a second set of crossmembers, respectively. Each cross member of the first plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 118 engages one of the crossmembers of the second plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 124 to form adjoined or interlocking crossmembers 128 that extend between the first base member 112 and the second base member 114. The crossmembers 118, 124 are secured to each other by a fastening system that is described in further detail below.

Each crossmember of the first plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 118 may be substantially parallel relative to each other and may be substantially perpendicular to the first base member 116. Each crossmember of the second plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 124 may be substantially parallel relative to each other and may be substantially perpendicular to the second base member 122. Each crossmember of the first plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 118 may be substantially parallel to each crossmember of the second plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 124. The interlocking crossmembers 128 may be substantially perpendicular to the first base member 116 and to the second base member 122 and may be substantially parallel relative to each other. The first base member 116 and to the second base member 122 may be substantially parallel relative to each other when the first plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 118 engage the second plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 124 to form the interlocking crossmembers 128. Substantially perpendicular may refer to any value that ranges between exactly perpendicular and 15° from exactly perpendicular. Substantially parallel may refer to any value that ranges between exactly parallel and 15° from exactly parallel.

The interlocking crossmembers 128 define windows 130 between each other and between the first base member 116 and the second base member 122. The windows 130 are each configured to receive a heat exchanger. A first window 132 of the windows 130 houses the first heat exchanger 104 (i.e., the first heat exchanger 104 is disposed in the first window 132). The first window 132 is defined between an uppermost and a lowermost of the interlocking crossmembers 128, and is defined between the first base member 116 and the second base member 122. A second window 134 of the windows 130 houses the second heat exchanger 106 (i.e., the second heat exchanger 106 is disposed in the second window 134). The second window 134 is defined between a second to the uppermost and the lowermost of the interlocking crossmembers 128, and is defined between the first base member 116 and the second base member 122. A third window 136 of the windows 130 houses the third heat exchanger 108 (i.e., the third heat exchanger 108 is disposed in the third window 136). The third window 136 is defined between two centrally located interlocking crossmembers 128 (i.e., the interlocking crossmembers 128 that define the third window 136 are located between the uppermost and lowermost of the interlocking crossmembers 128), and is defined between the first base member 116 and the second base member 122.

The windows 130 may be stacked and offset relative each other in a direction 138 that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction 120, the second direction 126, the first plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 118, the second plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 124, and/or the interlocking crossmembers 128. Substantially perpendicular may refer to any value that ranges between exactly perpendicular and 15° from exactly perpendicular.

The first sub-frame 112 includes a first plurality or first set of support members 140 that adjoin ends of the crossmembers of first plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 118 to each other, wherein the adjoined ends of the crossmembers of the first plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 118 are opposite relative to the first base member 116. The second sub-frame 114 includes a second plurality or second set of support members 142 that adjoin ends of the crossmembers of second plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 124 to each other, wherein the adjoined ends of the crossmembers of the second plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 124 are opposite the second base member 122. The first set of support members 140 provide structural support to and maintain the substantially parallel arrangement of the first plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 118. The second set of support members 142 provide structural support to and maintain the substantially parallel arrangement of the second plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 124.

The first plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 118 and the second plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 124 are adjustable in the first direction 120 and the second direction 126 relative to each other to either increase or decrease a length L of each window 130 between the first base member 116 and the second base member 122. Stated in other terms the interlocking crossmembers 128 are adjustable in the first direction 120 and the second direction 126 to either increase or decrease a length L of each window 130 between the first base member 116 and the second base member 122.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, a fastening system that is configured to secure each crossmember of the first plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 118 to a crossmember of the second plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 124 to form the interlocking crossmembers 128 is illustrated. At least a portion of the crossmembers of either the first plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 118 or the second plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 124 has a plurality of clips 146 that are configured to engage crossmembers of the other of the first plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 118 or the second plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 124 to secure the positions of the first plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 118 and the second plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 124 relative to each other and to form the interlocking crossmembers 128. In the illustrated example of FIG. 2 the clips 146 are only located on the top and bottom interlocking crossmembers 128. However, it should be understood that two or more of the interlocking crossmembers 128 may include the clips 146 to secure the respective crossmembers of the first plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 118 and the second plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 124 to each other.

More specifically, at least a portion of the crossmembers of the first plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 118 or the second plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 124 has a plurality of clips 146 and rails 148, while at least a portion of the crossmembers of the other of the first plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 118 or the second plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 124 includes a plurality of tabs 150, defines a plurality of notches 152 on each side of each tab 150, and defines orifices 154 on a back surface 156 behind each tab 150. The rails 148 are configured to slide between the tabs 150 and the back surface 156 to guide the crossmembers of the first plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 118 into engagement with the crossmember of the second plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 124. The clips 146 are configured to engage the tabs 150 to secure the positions of the first plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 118 and the second plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 124 relative to each other and to form the interlocking crossmembers 128. The clips 146 may be adjusted to engage any tab 150 of an array of tabs 158, which are arranged in the first direction 120 and second direction 126, in order to adjust the length L of each window 130, which allows the carrier frame 102 to be adapted to different sized heat exchangers. The clips 146 may include a ramping surface 147 so that the clips 146 are adjustable in a first direction and may have a flat back surface 149 such the clips 146 are not adjustable in a second opposing direction. The clips 146 may have a resilient or biasing portion 151 that forces the clips 146 into the notches 152.

It is noted that the clips 146 and tabs 150 are arranged as opposing mirror images on the upper interlocking crossmembers 128 relative to the lower interlocking crossmembers 128. This is to prevent disengagement between the first plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 118 and the second plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers 124 in a vertical direction 160.

Referring to FIGS. 8-10, various clips 162 on the carrier frame 10 that are configured to secure the positions of the heat exchangers to the carrier frame 10 are illustrated. More specifically, the clips 162 may be J-hook type clips. The clips 162 may be configured to bend about a resilient or biasing portion 164 when the heat exchangers are being installed onto the carrier frame 102. Once the heat exchangers are fully installed the resilient or biasing portion 164 snaps back and a hook portion 166 traps the heat exchangers between the clips 162 and the spaced-apart crossmembers 118 to secure the heat exchangers to the carrier frame 102.

It should be understood that the designations of first, second, third, fourth, etc. for any component, state, or condition described herein may be rearranged in the claims so that they are in chronological order with respect to the claims.

The words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. As previously described, the features of various embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments that may not be explicitly described or illustrated. While various embodiments could have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more desired characteristics, those of ordinary skill in the art recognize that one or more features or characteristics may be compromised to achieve desired overall system attributes, which depend on the specific application and implementation. As such, embodiments described as less desirable than other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more characteristics are not outside the scope of the disclosure and may be desirable for particular applications.

Claims

1. A carrier frame for a heat exchanger comprising:

a first sub-frame having a first base member and a first plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers extending from the first base member in a first direction; and

a second sub-frame having a second base member and a second plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers extending from the second base member in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, wherein (i) each crossmember of the first plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers is configured to engage one crossmember of the second plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers to form adjoined crossmembers that extend from the first base member to the second base member, (ii) the adjoined crossmembers define windows between the first and second base members that are each configured to receive a heat exchanger, and (iii) the first plurality of crossmembers is adjustable in the first and second directions relative to the second plurality of crossmembers to increase or decrease a length of each window between the first and second base members.

2. The carrier frame of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers has a plurality of clips configured to engage the other of the first and second plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers to secure positions of the first and second plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers relative to each other.

3. The carrier frame of claim 1, wherein each crossmember of the first plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers are substantially perpendicular to the first base member.

4. The carrier frame of claim 3, wherein each crossmember of the second plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers are substantially perpendicular to the second base member.

5. The carrier frame of claim 4, wherein each crossmember of the first and second pluralities of spaced-apart crossmembers are substantially parallel to each other.

6. The carrier frame of claim 1, wherein the windows are stacked in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first and second directions.

7. The carrier frame of claim 1, wherein the first sub-frame includes a first set of support members that adjoin ends of the crossmembers of the first plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers to each other, wherein the ends of the crossmembers of the first plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers are opposite the first base member.

8. The carrier frame of claim 1, wherein the second sub-frame includes a second set of support members that adjoin ends of the crossmembers of the second plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers to each other, wherein the ends of the crossmembers of the second plurality of spaced-apart crossmembers are opposite the second base member.

9. A heat exchanging system comprising:

a frame having, first and second base members, first and second sets of crossmembers extending from the first and second base members, respectively, in opposing directions, wherein (i) the first set of crossmembers engages the second set of crossmembers to form adjoined crossmembers extending between the first and second base members, (ii) the adjoined crossmembers define at least one window between the first and second base members, and (iii) the first set of crossmembers is adjustable relative to the second set of crossmembers to increase or decrease a length of each window between the first and second base members; and

at least one heat exchanger disposed within the at least one window.

10. The heat exchanging system of claim 9, wherein at least one of the first and second sets of crossmembers has a plurality of clips configured to engage the other of the first and second sets of crossmembers to secure positions of the first and second sets of crossmembers relative to each other.

11. The heat exchanging system of claim 9, wherein each crossmember of the first set of crossmembers are substantially perpendicular to the first base member.

12. The heat exchanging system of claim 11, wherein each crossmember of the second set of crossmembers are substantially perpendicular to the second base member.

13. The heat exchanging system of claim 12, wherein each crossmember of the first and second sets of crossmembers are substantially parallel to each other.

14. The heat exchanging system of claim 9, wherein the at least one window includes at least two windows that are stacked in a direction that is substantially perpendicular the first and second sets of crossmembers.

15. The heat exchanging system of claim 9, wherein the frame includes a first set of support members that adjoin ends of the crossmembers of the first set of crossmembers to each other, wherein the ends of the crossmembers of the first set of crossmembers are opposite the first base member.

16. The heat exchanging system of claim 15, wherein the frame includes a second set of support members that adjoin ends of the crossmembers of the second set of crossmembers to each other, wherein the ends of the crossmembers of the second set of crossmembers are opposite the second base member.

17. A heat exchanging system comprising:

a frame having, first and second base members, interlocking crossmembers extending between the first and second base members, wherein (i) the interlocking crossmembers define a window between the first and second base members, and (ii) the interlocking crossmembers are adjustable to increase or decrease a length of the window between the first and second base members; and

a heat exchanger disposed within the window.

18. The heat exchanging system of claim 17, wherein the interlocking crossmembers are secured to each via a plurality of clips to secure the positions of the interlocking crossmembers at a desired length of the window.

19. The heat exchanging system of claim 17, wherein the interlocking crossmembers are substantially perpendicular to the first and second base members.

20. The heat exchanging system of claim 17, wherein the interlocking crossmembers are substantially parallel relative to each other.