With Tube Manifold Patents (Class 165/153)
  • Publication number: 20020079093
    Abstract: A heat exchanger which is particularly useful as an evaporator has a first plurality of stacked plate pairs with cooling fins therebetween. A second plurality of stacked plate pairs is located adjacent to the first. Each plurality of plate pairs has enlarged plate end portions which together define flow manifolds. The first plate pairs have a first inlet manifold and a first outlet manifold. The second plate pairs have a second inlet manifold and second outlet manifold. The first outlet manifold is joined to communicate with the second outlet manifold. The second inlet manifold is joined to communicate with the first inlet manifold, but a barrier is located between the first and second inlet manifolds. The barrier has an orifice to permit a portion only of the flow in the first inlet manifold to pass into the second inlet manifold to produce a more uniform flow distribution inside the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventor: Xiaoyang Rong
  • Patent number: 6408940
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation and/or air-conditioning device has a heat exchanger consisting of a stack of orientation plates (1, 20) having a first and a second opposite longitudinal ends, certain orientation plates having separation elements intended to divert a flow of cooling liquid circulating in an axial direction of the heat exchanger so as to direct it to a channel region in which it travels from one said end to the other in a longitudinal direction of the orientation plates (1, 20). At least one separation element has at least one stiffening means (26′) integral at least with one region of said separation element (6, 26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Valeo Climatisation
    Inventors: Said Naji, Laurent Legot
  • Publication number: 20020074109
    Abstract: A turbulator with offset louvers and method of making the same for a heat exchanger includes a plurality of corrugated fins each having a base extending laterally and longitudinally in a strip. The turbulator also includes a plurality of louvers spaced along the base and extending longitudinally and generally perpendicular to the base in an alternating manner, the louvers being rolled in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Eugene E. Rhodes, Greg A. Whitlow, Wen Fei Yu
  • Patent number: 6401804
    Abstract: Plural heat-exchanging plates for forming an evaporator have plural projection ribs. The projection ribs protrude toward outside of each pair of the heat-exchanging plates to form therein refrigerant passages through which refrigerant flows, and to form an air passage between adjacent pairs of the heat-exchanging plates. The projection ribs protrude from flat surfaces of the heat-exchanging plates toward the air passage to disturb a straight flow of air. The projection ribs are provided in each of the heat-exchanging plates to have a protrusion pitch (P1) between adjacent two, and the protrusion pitch is set in a range of 2-20 mm. Further, each of the heat-exchanging plates has a thickness of in a range of 0.1-0.35 mm, and a passage pitch (P2) between the refrigerant passages is in a range of 1.4-3.9 mm. Thus, in the evaporator formed by only using the plural heat-exchanging plates, a sufficient heat-exchanging performance can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Shimoya, Ken Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6397939
    Abstract: Problems due to fin fall-out in the manufacture of heat exchangers having flattened tubes (14) with interposed serpentine fins (16) are eliminated by providing the exterior sides (22), (24) of the tube (14) with elongated, relatively sharp ridges (36). The ridges (36) form deformations (52) in the crests of the fins (16) which lock the fins (16) and the tubes (14) together during the brazing process, thereby preventing such fall-out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: J. Darin Swiger, Andrew J. De Rosia
  • Patent number: 6397938
    Abstract: In a heat exchanger achieving a smaller width and constituted as a two-path heat exchanger having a first path through which the coolant travels from a first tank group to a second tank group and a second path through which the coolant travels from a third tank group to a fourth tank group to improve the temperature distribution in the heat exchanger and the heat exchanging capability, the coolant flows in opposite directions in the first path and the second path, the high-temperature area in the first path and the low temperature area in the second path are aligned with each other along the direction of the airflow and the high temperature area in the second path and the low temperature area in the first path are aligned with each other along the direction of airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Zexel Corporation
    Inventor: Kunihiko Nishishita
  • Patent number: 6394176
    Abstract: A motor vehicle combined heat exchanger has a tube bank linked to two manifolds and divided into an oil cooler having tubes for oil, and a condenser having tubes for a cooling fluid. The two types of tubes are different and possess respective hydraulic diameters related by the following inequality: 0.8 mm2≦DHa×DHb≦3.00 mm2 where the hydraulic diameter (DH) of a tube is defined by the formula DH=4S/P, in which S designates the area of the internal cross-section of the tube (expressed in mm2) and P the internal perimeter, or “wet perimeter”, of the tube (expressed in mm).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Valeo Thermique Moteur
    Inventor: Christian Marsais
  • Patent number: 6378603
    Abstract: A pair of heat conductive plates forming an evaporator core portion has a plurality of projection ribs. The projection ribs protrude toward outsides of the pair of heat conductive plates for forming refrigerant passages thereinside. Air flows outside the heat conductive plate perpendicularly to a flow direction of the refrigerant, and is prevented from flowing straightly by the projection ribs to make a turbulent flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Shimoya, Yoshiyuki Yamauchi
  • Publication number: 20020046827
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a laminated type heat exchanger which can disperse the refrigerant uniformly; in order to attain this object, a laminated type heat exchanger comprising: a refrigerant inlet tank comprising a plurality of refrigerant inlet chambers, and in which a refrigerant passage passing through the refrigerant inlet chambers is formed; a refrigerant outlet tank comprising a plurality of refrigerant outlet chambers, and in which a refrigerant passage passing through the refrigerant inlet chambers is formed; a plurality of refrigerant pipes each having one end which is connected to the refrigerant inlet chamber and the other end which is connected to the refrigerant outlet chamber; a refrigerant gate portion for flowing the refrigerant into the refrigerant inlet tank and from the refrigerant outlet tank; a dispersion pipe which is inserted in the refrigerant passage formed in the refrigerant inlet tank; wherein the length of the dispersion pipe is ⅓˜¼ of
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Saito, Masashi Inoue, Yoshinori Watanabe, Akira Yoshikoshi
  • Publication number: 20020043361
    Abstract: The invention has as an object providing a two-block heat exchanger that can improve the heat exchange capacity by distributing the refrigerant evenly in the refrigerant path. The invention is a two-block heat exchanger, and the refrigerant distribution part provides two separate refrigerant paths R1 and R2 through which the refrigerant flows and an opening provided at both of the respective ends of these refrigerant paths R1 and R1. Among the two refrigerant paths R1 and R2, the open end of the space Sout 1 (refrigerant circulation space) on the exit side formed by the one opening of the one refrigerant path R1 is connected to the open end of the space Sin 2 (refrigerant circulation space) on the entrance side formed by one opening of the other refrigerant path R2. After the refrigerant flows into the refrigerant path R1 of each refrigerant distribution part, and refrigerant flows through the refrigerant path R2 of each of the refrigerant distribution parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Saito, Masashi Inoue
  • Publication number: 20020038701
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat exchanger in which a plate-shaped refrigerant flow portion which provides an internal refrigerant flow path by overlaying two flat plates formed by drawing and a cooling fin are alternately layered; and comprising an opening portion provided on each of the flat plates and which is connected with the refrigerant flow path; and a continuous space for the flow of the refrigerant which is provided by connecting the opening portions of adjacent refrigerant flow portions. The refrigerant which flows in the space is distributed to the respective refrigerant flow paths through the opening portions. The heat exchanger further comprises a means for improving the heat exchange capacity, and this means is, for example, a narrowing means which is provided at the upstream end part of the space in order to uniformly distribute the refrigerant to the refrigerant flow paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Saito, Masashi Inoue, Yoshinori Watanabe, Akira Yoshikoshi, Kazuhiro Suzuki, Yujiro Anai
  • Publication number: 20020029872
    Abstract: A plate and fin type heat exchanger is disclosed which can be made in any convenient size with minimum tooling required. The heat exchanger is made from a plurality of stacked plate pairs having raised peripheral edge portions to define flow channels inside the plate pairs. The plates of the plate pairs are formed with offset, diverging end flanges that space the plate pairs apart. A U-shaped channel envelops the plate end flanges to form part of a manifold at each end of the plate pairs. End caps or plates close the open ends of the U-shaped channels to complete the manifolds, and inlet and outlet openings are formed in the manifolds as desired to complete the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: S. Donald Jamison, Carl C.J. Decaire, Jeffrey D. Peeler, Chad A. Kreutzweiser
  • Publication number: 20020026998
    Abstract: An improved fin array for use in a heat transfer assembly, such as a condenser for a vehicle air conditioning system, and a method of making the improved fin array, are disclosed. The fin array comprises an elongated one-piece fin member having top and bottom base portions with fin sets extending between adjacent top and bottom base portions. The top and bottom base portions are generally flat for bonding to the heat exchanger tubes, such as by brazing. Each fin set includes a plurality of individual fins extending perpendicularly to a longitudinal length of the fin member and having side edges that are longitudinally offset with respect to each other. The offset fin edges provide increased fresh air flow over the individual fins and thus increase the efficiency of the overall heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventor: ROGER PAULMAN
  • Publication number: 20020023734
    Abstract: A charge air cooler includes a tube block having a plurality of finned tubes and a tank assembly at each end. Each of the tank assemblies includes a tank body for receiving one of the ends of the finned tubes in the tube block. A connecting plate, a heat resistant flexible gasket and a backing plate provide a first resilient seal with each of the tubes and the connecting plate. A flexible annular seal extends around the connecting plate for providing a second resilient seal between the connecting plate and the tank body. The connecting plate includes a base having a plurality of spaced tabs extending therefrom, and the tank has a plurality of spaced raised bosses around the exterior thereof adjacent the open face of the tank which are so sized and positioned as to interdigitate when the tank is assembled to the connecting plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventor: William W. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20020020519
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a fin for a heat exchange module which comprises at least two heat exchangers equipped with fluid-circulation tubes and comprising cooling fins common to the exchangers. The fin consists of a metal strip (14) having a width (L1) divided into at least two heat-exchange regions (18, 20) by at least one series of longitudinal oblong holes spaced apart from one another. In accordance with the method of the invention, at least one series of longitudinal slits (22) is formed, spaced apart from one another in the metal strip (14), and the longitudinal slits are widened so as to form a series of oblong holes spaced apart from one another. According to one embodiment variant, stampings (24) are formed between the longitudinal slits (22), and these stampings are flattened so as to widen the slits (22) and form the oblong holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventors: Carlos Martins, Jean-Claude Malgouries
  • Publication number: 20020014326
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat exchanger in which a plate-shaped cooling medium flow portion (11) provides an internal cooling medium flow path inside by laminating two flat plates (13, 14) subjected to drawing and a cooling fin are alternately laminated, a cooling medium inlet (15) for allowing a cooling medium to flow into the cooling medium flow path and a cooling medium outlet (16) for allowing the cooling medium passing through the cooling medium flow path to flow out are formed in said two flat plates, and the cooling medium flowing from the cooling medium inlet to the cooling medium flow path is passed through said cooling medium flow path and is then allowed to flow out of the cooling medium outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Nakado, Masashi Inoue
  • Patent number: 6341649
    Abstract: The aluminum plate oil cooler includes a plurality of pairs of plates that are secured along their perimeter to define an oil flow path. The plates include embossed regions that are formed to provide inlet and outlet ports for the oil. Top and bottom reinforcement plates are positioned at the top and bottom of the plurality of pairs of plates. An internal center is positioned between the plates to increase the heat transfer area and turbulate the oil within the oil cooler. An external center is positioned between each of the plurality of pairs to increase the thermal transfer area on the coolant side of the oil cooler. The external center covers the entire surface of the plates and includes holes formed to correspond with the embossed regions on the plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Shrikant Mukund Joshi, Frederick Vincent Oddi, Timothy John Peters
  • Patent number: 6340054
    Abstract: A plate heat exchanger, in particular an oil cooler for internal combustion engines, in a stacking mode of construction, provides conduits projecting toward one side for formation of feeding and drainage channels. Each conduit typically is provided with an edge bent inwards and running parallel to the base of the neighboring plate. The collar forming the conduit projects sufficiently far from the base of the plate that the edge projecting inwards can abut the base of the neighboring plate. This configuration reduces the heat exchange surface. To eliminate this problem, instead of collars with an encircling edge projecting only toward one side, collars projecting toward both sides are provided. Each of the collars is formed conically and engages, on stacking, into another of the collars. The collars are formed identically, but on plates which, when set on one another, are turned 180° with respect to the other, thus making simple soldering and simple handling possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Behr GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Gebhard Schwarz, Hans-Dieter Schwarz, Martin Wührl
  • Patent number: 6340055
    Abstract: A tube for a heat exchanger has notch portions at a longitudinal direction end portion to be inserted into a header tank. Further, several passage holes are provided in the tube to extend in a longitudinal direction of the tube in which refrigerant flows. The notch portions are formed by cutting parts of the tube to be defined by cut surfaces. The passage holes are not provided at portions corresponding to the cut surfaces. Therefore, the passage holes are securely prevented from being crushed and cut when the notch portions are formed by cutting. As a result, joining failure between the tube and the header tank can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Yamauchi, Ken Yamamoto, Osamu Kobayashi, Minoru Ohta, Toshiya Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 6338383
    Abstract: A heat exchanger and method of making same includes a plate extending longitudinally. The heat exchanger also includes a plurality of apertures forming a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet extending through the plate. The heat exchanger further includes a mechanism forming a restriction to fluid flow through either one of the fluid inlet or the fluid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramez S. Abdulnour, Kevin Bennett Wise
  • Publication number: 20020000309
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a flow passage formed by stacking a plurality of laminated plates, cooling fins installed between the plates, and a tank part prepared on top of the plates and connected to a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet. The tank part has a bypass means for allowing the coolant in a gas state to move toward the coolant outlet without returning to the flow passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventors: Jae Hoon Kim, Jae Hun Cho, Beom Kul Yoo
  • Patent number: 6332495
    Abstract: A plate and fin type heat exchanger is disclosed which can be made in any convenient size with minimum tooling required. The heat exchanger is made from a plurality of stacked plate pairs having raised peripheral edge portions to define flow channels inside the plate pairs. The plates of the plate pairs are formed with offset, diverging end flanges that space the plate pairs apart. A U-shaped channel envelops the plate end flanges to form part of a manifold at each end of the plate pairs. End caps or plates close the open ends of the U-shaped channels to complete the manifolds, and inlet and outlet openings are formed in the manifolds as desired to complete the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Long Manufacturing Ltd.
    Inventors: S. Donald Jamison, Carl C. J. Decaire, Jeffrey D. Peeler, Chad A. Kreutzweiser
  • Patent number: 6328100
    Abstract: In the heat exchanger for motor vehicles with ribbed flat tubes, the tube interior space thereof is each connected with headers, a first of which is arranged in the region of the first ends and a second is arranged in the region of the second ends of the flat tubes. The internal heat exchange fluid can be admitted to the flat tubes in an individual or group-wise sequence alternately at their first ends from the first header and at their second ends from the second header by each header comprising a supply and a return of the corresponding heat exchange fluid. The ends of the flat tubes opposed to their header have a U-shaped flow reverse in the flat tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Valeo Klimasechnick GmbH & Co KG
    Inventor: Roland Haussmann
  • Patent number: 6321834
    Abstract: A laminate-type heat exchanger includes a core 10 formed by a plurality of plate-shaped tubular elements 20 laminated in a thickness direction thereof. Each tubular element 20 is provided with two refrigerant passages 25a and 25b extending in a longitudinal direction thereof and arranged fore and aft. The core 10 includes a plurality of passes P1 to P4 each formed by a prescribed number of the refrigerant passages arranged in the width direction of the core 10 and a turn portion T formed between the upper portions of the second pass P2 and the third pass P3. At a prescribed portion of the turn portion T, a refrigerant flow resisting portion including a semi-restricting passage 43 and/or an interrupting passage 44 is provided. The refrigerant passed through the second pass P2 is restricted by the refrigerant flow resisting portion when passing through the turn portion T to be equally distributed. Then, the refrigerant is introduced into the third pass P3 in an equally distributed manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Showa Denko K.K.
    Inventor: Naohisa Higashiyama
  • Patent number: 6321562
    Abstract: An evaporator for an automotive air conditioner includes first to fourth tank passages connected to a core to flow refrigerant in the order of the first tank passage, the core, the second tank passage, the third tank passage, the core and the fourth tank passage. A choke portion is installed in the fourth tank passage to restrict the flow rate at a part of refrigerant passages of the core. This evaporator is improved in cooling capacity and in capacity for reducing noises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsunori Narahara, Toru Asanuma, Takayuki Kume
  • Patent number: 6318455
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat exchanger in which a plate-shaped cooling medium flow portion (11) provides an internal cooling medium flow path inside by laminating two flat plates (13, 14) subjected to drawing and a cooling fin are alternately laminated, a cooling medium inlet (15) for allowing a cooling medium to flow into the cooling medium flow path and a cooling medium outlet (16) for allowing the cooling medium passing through the cooling medium flow path to flow out are formed in said two flat plates, and the cooling medium flowing from the cooling medium inlet to the cooling medium flow path is passed through said cooling medium flow path and is then allowed to flow out of the cooling medium outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Nakado, Masashi Inoue
  • Publication number: 20010040023
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a core adapted to heat air with counter-flowing hot gases. Substantially isothermal hot and cool portions of the core are interconnected by a matrix portion exposed to a temperature gradient. A top sheet is positioned over the core and includes first and second ends and a middle portion between the first and second ends. The middle portion includes a window and compliant ligament portions extending alongside the window and interconnecting the first and second ends. The first and second ends of the top sheet are positioned over the isothermal cool and hot portions of the core, respectively, and the middle portion of the top sheet is positioned over the matrix portion of the core. The compliant ligament portions of the top sheet are deflectable in response to the temperature gradient across the matrix portion of the core to reduce strain on and deflection of the first and second ends of the top sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: Ingersoll-Rand Energy Systems Corporation
    Inventor: James S. Nash
  • Publication number: 20010040026
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a pair of manifolds, each of which has a plurality of axially spaced oblong slots, and each of which has at least two detents formed therein. A plurality of generally flat tubes extends between the manifolds and individually through the slots for providing fluid communication between the manifolds. A plurality of radiation fins extends between adjacent flat tubes. A plurality of brackets is provided for mounting the heat exchanger. Each of the brackets comprises a first member and a second member, and each of the first member and the second member including a curved portion and a flange portion. Each curved portion extends circumferentially around a portion of manifold and captures the manifold therein. Each curved portion has at least one protrusion which extends into one of the detents in the manifold. The flange portion connected to the curved portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: Rankin, Hill, Porter & Clark, LLP
    Inventor: IMMANUEL HALM
  • Publication number: 20010040027
    Abstract: In a refrigerant heat exchanger, a flow direction of refrigerant flowing through tubes in each of first and second units is opposite to that flowing through tubes in each of third and fourth heat-exchanging units arranged at upstream air sides, the flow directions of refrigerant flowing through first header tanks for distributing refrigerant into the tubes of the first and fourth units are the same, and the flow directions of refrigerant flowing through first header tanks for distributing refrigerant into the tubes of the second and third units are the same. Accordingly, even when a flow direction (flow rate) of refrigerant is small, a uniform temperature distribution of air can be obtained in the refrigerant heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Tatsuya Tooyama, Yutaka Shintani
  • Patent number: 6315037
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flat tube heat exchanger with two or more flows for motor vehicles with a deflecting (or reversing) bottom for deflecting (or reversing) adjacent flows of the flat tubes. According to the invention, it is provided that the deflecting bottom is resolved into deflecting bowls individually assigned to each flat tube, which bowls are connected to one another only via their connection to the respectively assigned flat tubes. The invention also relates to a process for manufacturing such a flat tube beat exchanger by pulling off, straightening and cutting into sections the flat tubes from a coil, mechanically pre-assembling the flat tube heat exchanger from its structural parts including the flat tubes and soldering or brazing. Here, it is provided that the deflecting bowls are mechanically pre-assembled with the flat tubes after they have been cut into sections and before pre-assembling the flat tube heat exchanger with the flat tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Valeo Klimatechnik GmbH & Co., KG.
    Inventor: Roland Haussmann
  • Patent number: 6311676
    Abstract: An arrangement for cooling the temperature of a source of air prior to introduction into a motor vehicle engine includes an intercooler core and an intercooler housing. The intercooler core has a generally cylindrical shape. The intercooler housing defines an inner chamber receiving the intercooler core. The intercooler housing has an intake side with at least one intake port in communication with the intercooler core and an outlet side with at least one outlet port in communication with the intercooler core. The intake side and the outlet side are spaced apart and parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Erik J. Oberg, Robert P. Woodard
  • Patent number: 6308770
    Abstract: According to the present invention, an air conditioning apparatus include a case partitioned into a first air passage and a second air passage by partition plates (16-19), a heat exchanger such as a heater core. The heater exchanger is sandwiched between the partition plates. Further, the heat exchanger is formed by laminating tubes and a fin while the fin is disposed in each main air passage formed between tube walls of the tubes. Each end of the partition plates is opposite to each end of the tubes so that the partition plates are parallel to the tubes. In this way, airflows which respectively have passed from the air first and second passages pass through the heat exchanger without being mixed with each other therein. As a result, the separation characteristics of airflows can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kazushi Shikata, Yukio Uemura, Hiroshi Nonoyama, Kenji Suwa
  • Patent number: 6302197
    Abstract: A louvered plastic heat exchanger includes a first manifold, a second manifold, and a plurality of louvered panels extending laterally between and in fluid communication with the first manifold and the second manifold. The louvered panels are spaced longitudinally and vertically and positioned at an angle off a direction of airflow therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Isteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy John Hornby, Ajit Ravindra Shembekar, Brian Gene Makie
  • Patent number: 6302196
    Abstract: The invention relates to an at least double-flow flat tube heat exchanger of aluminum for motor vehicles with at least one water case with cap and tube bottom connected in communication with one end of the flat tubes, the multi-flow flat tubes engaging in a soldered or brazed connection with their free ends each slit in the tube bottom, the water case being divided into at least one compartment on the inlet and one compartment on the outlet side by at least one partition arranged at the plane of each of the partitions between adjacent flows of the flat tubes, and the partition of the water case each engaging a groove or a slit in the tube bottom thereby intersecting the free ends of the flat tubes. Accordingly to the invention, it is provided that across the edge of the tube bottom openings formed therein are distributed, which are engaged by tongues formed at the free edge of the cap in a soldered or brazed connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Valeo Klimatechnik GmgH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Roland Haussmann
  • Publication number: 20010027860
    Abstract: In a heat exchanger having a tank portion (4) defining a fluid inlet path (34) and a fluid outlet path (35) for conducting a heat exchange medium, an inlet portion (36) and an outlet portion (37) are formed integral with the tank portion to communicate with the fluid inlet path and the fluid outlet path, respectively. The inlet portion is adapted to connect with a fluid inlet pipe for introducing the heat exchange medium into the fluid inlet path. The outlet portion is adapted to connect with a fluid outlet pipe for discharging the heat exchange medium from the fluid outlet path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventor: Akimichi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20010025705
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat exchange cells positioned in a stacked configuration with respect to each other. Each cell includes first and second parting sheets, an internal finned member, and at least one external finned member. The first and second parting sheets include opposing first and second surfaces, an inlet manifold portion, an outlet manifold portion, an internal finned member portion and peripheral edges. The second parting sheet is substantially superimposed by, is spaced apart from and is coupled to the first parting sheet. The second surface of the second parting sheet confronts the second surface of the first parting sheet. The peripheral edges of the first and second parting sheets are attached to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventors: James S. Nash, Alexander Haplau-Colan
  • Patent number: 6296051
    Abstract: The invention concerns a heat exchanger, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising an array of tubes and fins, whereof the ends of the tubes are inserted in holes of a collector plate. The latter is generally planar and an inserting plate is arranged, directly mounted on the collector plate and provided with openings for allowing through the ends of the tubes and delimited by a peripheral edge forming a lateral stop for a rim of a manifold maintained by crimping means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Valeo Termique Moteur
    Inventors: Abdel-Jalil Sahnoun, Christian Mahe
  • Patent number: 6289982
    Abstract: A heat exchanger, particularly an evaporator, has a number of ducts (19) for the flow of a cooling fluid which are connected in series, each duct (19) being produced as a pair of plates (13) including a concave region (3) limited by an edge (5) and provided with a number of studs forming dimples (9), the dimples being randomly distributed. The invention applies mainly to the air conditioning of motor vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Valeo Climatisation
    Inventor: Said Naji
  • Patent number: 6286590
    Abstract: Disclosed is a heat exchanger with flat tubes of two columns, including: a first header having a plurality of connecting grooves formed at a zigzag arrangement of two columns; a second header having a plurality of connecting grooves formed at the corresponding positions of the first header; and a plurality of flat tubes coupled to the plurality of connecting grooves of the first and second headers, for transferring refrigerant, wherein a first flat tubes at a first column are placed at fluid inlet side of air, and a second flat tubes at a second column are placed at ejecting outlet side of the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jong-Jin Park
  • Publication number: 20010018970
    Abstract: A heat exchanger comprises: a pair of headers (10, 10) which are provided in parallel facing each other through a predetermined distance and a pathway of the fluid is respectively provided therein; and a plurality of flat heat-exchange tubes (20, 20 . . . ) which are provided between the headers in parallel, both ends thereof are fastened to the headers, and a pathway of the refrigerant for connecting the pathways of both headers is respectively provided therein. In this heat exchanger, the heat-exchange tubes and the headers are air-tightly and liquid-tightly fastened by inserting end portions (21, 21 . . . ) of the heat-exchange tubes into insertion holes (11, 11 . . . ) which are bored on the headers. Furthermore, in the vicinity of opening ends (29) of both end portions of the flat heat-exchange tubes, shape-holding portions (41) for preventing deformation of the opening ends are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Inventors: Koji Nakado, Toru Okamura, Masashi Inoue, Kei Yoshitomi
  • Publication number: 20010018969
    Abstract: Disclosed is a plate for stack type heat exchangers and heat exchanger using such plates. A plurality of small protrusions 25 formed on the plate 2 are regularly arranged in the pattern of a diagonal lattice so that the ratio of the area S of the rectangle (which is defined by the longitudinal partition protrusion, a flange and two center lines passing through two neighboring round protrusion rows) to the width L of the plate falls within the range of 0.89 mm≦ S/L≦1.5 mm. The outlet-side flange portion of the flange of the plate and a round protrusion of the round protrusions nearest to the outlet-side flange portion are preferably arranged so that the width Gs of the passage between the outlet-side flange portion and the nearest round protrusion falls within the range of 0.15 mm≦ Gs≦1.6 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Inventors: Seung Hark Shin, Yong Ho Kim
  • Publication number: 20010018966
    Abstract: A layered heat exchanger for use in evaporators or the like has a pipe mount plate which is given improved amenability to brazing at the portion thereof between a fluid introduction pipe socket and a fluid discharge pipe socket provided on the plate. This feature reliably precludes the development of a shortcut channel between the fluid introduction channel and the fluid discharge channel due to a faulty brazed joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Applicant: Showa Aluminum Corporation
    Inventors: Naohisa Higashiyama, Nobuyuki Okuda, Hisashi Ide, Yoshinori Nakata
  • Patent number: 6273184
    Abstract: In a parallel integrated heat exchanger achieved by joining a plurality of heat exchangers with their heat exchanging units facing opposite each other and integrated fins formed to be shared by adjacent heat exchangers, performance-improving louvers 31a and 32a are formed between the tubes of the individual heat exchangers and heat transfer prevention louvers 32b are formed over the entire area between the tubes 3 of a condenser 5 and the tubes 7 of a radiator 9. The heat transfer prevention louvers 32b are formed continuous to, at least, the performance-improving louvers 32a formed at one of the heat exchangers. The heat transfer prevention louvers 32b and the performance-improving louvers 32a formed continuously are made to incline along the same direction. By forming the heat transfer prevention louvers over the area of fins located between the tubes of one of the adjacent heat exchangers and the tubes of the other heat exchanger in a specific manner, the manufacturing process is facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Zexel Valeo Climate Control Corporation
    Inventor: Kunihiko Nishishita
  • Patent number: 6272881
    Abstract: An evaporator has plural tubes arranged in parallel with each other in a width direction perpendicular to an air flowing direction. The tubes are further arranged in a plural rows in the air flowing direction, and tank portions extending in the width direction are arranged in the plural rows in the air flowing direction to correspond to the tubes. In the evaporator, refrigerant flows through a zigzag-routed refrigerant passage formed by the tank portions and the tubes. A partition wall defining adjacent two tank portions in the air flowing direction has plural bypass holes through which the adjacent two tank portions directly communicate with each other. Therefore, the zigzag-routed refrigerant passage of the evaporator is readily formed without an additional side passage or the like. Thus, the number of components of the evaporator is reduced thereby simplifying the structure of the evaporator, and pressure loss of refrigerant flowing in the evaporator is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Isao Kuroyanagi, Masamichi Makihara, Toshio Ohara, Sadayuki Kamiya
  • Patent number: 6269869
    Abstract: A continuous corrugated heat exchanger and method of making same includes a plurality of contiguous plates and a plurality of tabs disposed between adjacent plates. The plates include a plurality of refrigerant plates having a plurality of beads and at least one blank plate at each end of the refrigerant plates forming an end sheet. The refrigerant sheets are folded bellows-like to form a stack and the end sheet is folded on a top and bottom of the stack and connected thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Paul Tavi, James Harvey Hornsby, IV, Darrel Paul Massman
  • Publication number: 20010010263
    Abstract: A connecting device for a heat exchanger which has a fluid circulating channel formed with an opening at one end thereof and an opening at the other end thereof, the openings being formed as juxtaposed in one side of the heat exchanger. The connecting device comprises a blocklike connector body having two horizontal through bores corresponding to the respective openings and fixed to the heat exchanger with the through bores in coincidence with the respective openings. A tubular member is fluid-tightly fitted in each of the through bores and has a connecting end projecting toward a connectable device. The connecting end is in the form of a spigot fittable in a socket of the connectable device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Applicant: Showa Aluminum Corp.
    Inventor: Shigeharu Ichiyanagi
  • Patent number: 6260612
    Abstract: In a “stacked” type heat exchanger having a stack of elements through the interior of which a first fluid flows and having a core support arranged at the end of the stack in the stacked direction, the core support includes slits that extend from its edges up to the central portion, the slits capable of slightly deforming when subjected to a thermal stress. It is thus possible to reduce the thermal stress which may be applied to both the core support and the elements when there arises a difference of thermal expansion therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Toyo Radiator Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youichi Nakamura, Kimiaki Nakano
  • Patent number: 6257325
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a heat exchanger body having a heat exchanger core and header tanks, and a side tank provided at a side of the heat exchanger body for forming fluid introduction/discharge paths. The side tank comprises a first side tank forming plate provided at a heat exchanger body side, and a second side tank forming plate provided at an opposite side. At least one of the first and second side tank forming plates is divided into two parts in a thickness direction of the heat exchanger core. Drawn projecting portions for forming fluid paths from the side tank to the header tanks, and protruding portions for forming the fluid introduction/discharge paths in the side tank, may be formed without generation of cracks or too thin portions when the side tank forming. plates are processed. Consequently, a side tank having a desired structure may be formed, thereby achieving a high-performance heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Sanden Corporation
    Inventors: Akimichi Watanabe, Kazuki Hosoya
  • Publication number: 20010006103
    Abstract: A heat exchange cell for a recuperator includes top and bottom plates sandwiching a matrix finned member and a pair of header finned members. The top and bottom plates each include a pair of manifold openings, and the header finned members each include a curved free edge following the curvature of an associated manifold opening. The header finned member includes a high fin density portion along the free edge and a low fin density portion communicating with the high fin density portion. The dual fin density header finned member thus provides increased structural strength along the free edge and provides a low pressure drop through the low fin density portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Publication date: July 5, 2001
    Inventors: James S. Nash, Alexander Haplau-Colan
  • Patent number: 6253840
    Abstract: A refrigerant passage of an evaporator, in which refrigerant flows, is divided into plural sub-passages by partition wall portions of inner fins. The partition wall portions have plural louvers for flowing the refrigerant from an air flow downstream side sub-passage to an ajdacent air flow upstream side sub-passage. The louvers are alternately arranged on the partition wall portions with specific intervals in a refrigerant flow direction. Accordingly, refrigerant distributed amounts into the plural sub-passages can be adjusted to correspond to variations in thermal load on an air side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Isao Kuroyanagi