With Manifold Type Header Or Header Plate Patents (Class 165/173)
  • Patent number: 6343646
    Abstract: A motor vehicle heat exchanger has a bundle (10) formed solely from flexible tubes (12) made of plastics, as well as two end blocks (22, 24) joining these tubes. The heat exchanger further has at least one spacer (50) arranged at a chosen location between the end blocks (22, 24) and including apertures for the tubes to pass in order to provide support for the tubes (12) with a chosen spacing or pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Valeo Thermique Moteur
    Inventor: Carlos Martins
  • 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: 6330747
    Abstract: A heat exchanger comprises an as-cast combined header and tank having a header portion integral with a tank portion. The cast header and tank combination has a plurality of openings originally cast in the header portion of the combination and at least one opening originally cast in the tank portion of the combination for passage of coolant into or out of the cast header and tank combination. Tubes are received in and extends through the header portion openings, and resilient grommets seal the tubes to the header portion to prevent leakage around the tubes. In making the heat exchanger, there is provided an inner mold section and outer mold section corresponding respectively to the interior and exterior configurations of a desired combined header and tank having a header portion integral with a tank portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Transpro, Inc.
    Inventors: Marco Lambert, Michael J. Kolb
  • Patent number: 6318118
    Abstract: An evaporator for evaporating a phase change refrigerant in a space conditioning system such as an air conditioner, heat pump or refrigeration system, is provided. The evaporator includes an inlet for introducing the refrigerant into the evaporator, an outlet for discharging the refrigerant from the evaporator and plural conduits defining a plurality of hydraulic flow paths between the inlet and the outlet. In accordance with the invention, a separator is provided to substantially separate liquid refrigerant from vapor refrigerant before the refrigerant is introduced into the evaporator to enhance refrigerant distribution within the evaporator, thereby improving evaporator performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Lennox Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Oved W. Hanson, Leonard J. Van Essen
  • Patent number: 6315036
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a core assembly, a plurality of manifolds for the core assembly, and a webbing wrapped around a portion of the core assembly. The webbing secures at least one of the manifolds to the core assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Bill P. Pogue, Timothy R. Moorhouse
  • Patent number: 6311768
    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 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Long Manufacturing Ltd.
    Inventors: S. Donald Jamison, Carl C. J. Decaire, Jeffrey D. Peeler, Chad A. Kreutzweiser
  • Patent number: 6308410
    Abstract: The partitions are inserted through an open end of the cylindrical tubular wall of the fluid box, positioned and immobilised by means of deformations in the tubular wall, before the tubes are inserted and the assembly is soldered in a fluidtight manner. According to the invention, the deformations are localised on the outside of the region of the perimeter of the tubular wall on which the passage openings for the tubes extend, so as not to affect these openings. The method may be used in a condenser for a motor vehicle air conditioning unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Valeo Thermique Moteur
    Inventor: Pierre Sabathie
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20010025706
    Abstract: A heat exchanger has a tank for accommodating a heat medium therein and a tube connected to the tank through a core plate. Specifically, an end portion of the tube is inserted into a connection hole of the core plate and is mechanically joined thereto. A joined portion of the tube and the core plate is covered with adhesive through a wettability improving film for improving wettability of the adhesive to the joined portion. As a result, a sealing property between the tube and the core plate is easily and stably improved by the adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventors: KOUJI HORIE, SEIICHI KATO, HISASHI NAKASHIMA
  • 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: 6295980
    Abstract: A header for a heat exchanger having a plurality of parallel hollow tubes mounted between a pair of flat mounting plates and defining a plurality of passages through the plates. The header comprises a tubular elongated body portion having an outer surface and an interior cavity. The body portion is provided with a plurality of parallel, hollow ports projecting from the outer surface to provide fluid communication between the passages and the cavity. The projecting ports space the header from the tube plate so that the header body remains relatively cool. This permits the header to be made from a plastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: PacFab, Inc.
    Inventors: Fulton J. Lopez, M. Reza Afshar
  • Patent number: 6293334
    Abstract: An improved heat transfer assembly for a motor vehicle is provided. Typically, a heat transfer assembly has a fin/tube block consisting of flat tubes and corrugated ribs. The ends of the flat tubes are widened, and collection containers are installed at the widened tube ends. According to the invention, each collection container is kept open laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis. Side parts have end sections with opposing front ends facing the collection container. These opposing front ends close off the open side areas of the collection containers. One use of the heat transfer assembly is as a radiator in a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Behr GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Franco Ghiani
  • Patent number: 6293011
    Abstract: A heat exchanger has a header tank, plural tubes through which refrigerant flows and a connector for connecting the tank to a pipe. The header tank has a pair of protruding portions protruding from an outer surface of the header tank and integrally formed with the header tank. When the connector is bonded to the tank by brazing, the connector is disposed between the protruding portions, and each of the protruding portions is bent toward the other at a protruding end thereof by plastic deformation. As a result, the connector is clamped by the protruding portions and is fastened to the header tank. Thus, the connector is readily and tentatively fastened to the header tank before bonded to the header tank by brazing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Etuo Hasegawa, Yoshifumi Aki
  • Patent number: 6289979
    Abstract: A heat exchanger that achieves a reduction in the dimensions of the header pipes, a sufficient level of strength against pressure and a structure that allows the caps to be washed thoroughly during the washing process is provided At each of the caps closing off the two ends of the cylindrical portion constituting a header pipe, a circular groove at which the circumferential edge at an end of the cylindrical portion is fitted over the entire circumference is formed to completely fit the cylindrical portion inside the cap so that the dimensions of the header pipe along the axial direction are reduced. In addition, by forming a thick portion at a closing portion, the pressure withstanding capability of the cap is improved. The cap also has a projected portion at its outer flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Zexel Corporation
    Inventor: Souichi Kato
  • Patent number: 6289585
    Abstract: A method of attaching pipes. A header pipe is divided into two longitudinally. Header bores are made into one header part, tubes are inserted into each header bore, and the tubes are attached to the header part. One method of attachment is via automatic welding from the inside of the header part. Both welding and inspection are much facilitated by means of the instant method. After the tube(s) have been attached to the header, the attachments are inspected both from the inside and the outside of the header part, and finally the two header parts are re-attached, and their re-attachment is inspected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Adrian Staruszkiewicz
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6283200
    Abstract: A heat exchanger has plural tubes and a header tank communicating with each tube. The tank has an opening through which coolant is introduced, and an elevated portion formed in the vicinity of the opening by elevating a wall of the tank outwardly, so that a dimension of the tank including the elevated portion becomes larger than a dimension of the tank excluding the elevated portion in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the tank. As a result, a volume and a sectional area of the tank in the vicinity of the opening are increased, thereby decreasing pressure loss of coolant flowing into the tank. Therefore, even when a size of the tank is reduced to reduce a size of the heat exchanger, pressure loss of coolant flowing into the tank is restricted from increasing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuo Sugimoto, Norihisa Sasano, Satomi Muto, Takaaki Sakane
  • Publication number: 20010017201
    Abstract: Manifold with integrated pipe for a heat exchanger A manifold for, e.g. a motor vehicle heat exchanger, has a first part formed from a shaped metal sheet and featuring a bottom and two lateral walls folded face-to-face, at least one of which is provided with an aperture for fixing a pipe there. A second part is formed from a shaped metal sheet and able to be fitted onto the lateral walls of the first part to form a cover opposite the bottom of this first part. Either the first part or the second part has a manifold plate. The first part, the second part and the pipe are assembled by brazing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Applicant: Interntl Srch Rpt
    Inventors: Stephane Avequin, Carlos Martins
  • Publication number: 20010017200
    Abstract: One end sides of two sets of pressed-type headers, which have been molded by an existing press, are cut off, respectively, the cut-off portions of thus obtained one-side-cut-off headers are abutted together and are welded to each other, and a nozzle is welded to the position of a welded portion. With this construction, a large header, which is larger than the pressed-type header, can be manufactured, and the use of which permits a large plate-fin type heat exchanger, that can be used at high pressure, to be manufactured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho
    Inventors: Koji Noishiki, Shuhei Natani
  • Patent number: 6269871
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat exchanger applied for an IC production line or the like, wherein, on plural independent tube holding holes 20 formed on holding plates 20, ends of resin tubes are arranged, and a predetermined length range &agr; of the each resin tube is integrally fused into the each holding plate inside the tube holding holes. Each fusing portion for fusing the plural resin tubes into the holding plates has a non-contacted congestion structure wherein the resin tubes are not mutually contacted, thereby increasing reliability on connecting the fusing portion, and meanwhile, facilitating miniaturization of the heat exchanger by increasing heat-exchange efficiency and elements such as the resin tubes and the holding plates may be made of a fluororesin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Nippon Pillar Packing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Nishio, Makoto Fujii, Yutaka Okamoto, Takuya Ishida
  • Patent number: 6263570
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for vehicles comprises firstly a heat-exchanger assembly consisting of flat liquid-conveying tubes and surface-enlarging means, secondly an inlet tank, and thirdly an outlet tank. The inlet tank and the outlet tank have a connection plate with a number of connection holes for the tubes. At each hole, the plate has a projecting connecting sleeve element. Each tube has at its ends a widened main portion which is accommodated on said connecting sleeve element. A rounded transitional area is formed between the connection plate and each connecting sleeve element, and the main portion is inserted in the conecting sleeve element and is applied with its outside against the inside of the connecting sleeve element. Each tube has at its ends an end portion which is widened in relation to the main portion, merges with the main portion and is applied against the transitional area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Valeo Engine Cooling Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Daniela Cazacu
  • Publication number: 20010008184
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pipe mat used for air-conditioning which is capable of preventing disadvantages associated with a rectangle-shaped main pipe and solving a variety of conventional problems produced in a main pipe of circular section. In the present invention, the above challenges are resolved. A pipe mat used for air-conditioning for cooling or heating air through thermal radiation from cooling or heating fluid, includes a pair of main pipes MP made of a synthetic resin and having a larger sectional area, and a plurality of heat-exchange pipes HP made of a synthetic resin and having a smaller sectional area, both ends of each heat-exchange pipe HP being heat-welded between the pair of main pipes MP, the fluid flowing from one of the main pipes MP through the heat-exchange pipes HP to the other main pipe MP for the thermal radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Publication date: July 19, 2001
    Inventor: Masashi Miyamura
  • Patent number: 6250381
    Abstract: The present invention provides a radiator achieving a structure that enables integrated brazing, facilitates mounting of an automatic oil cooler and repair on areas with defective brazing and realizes good mountability and recyclability. A tank portion 4 at which tubes 2 of the radiator are inserted is constituted of a first L-shaped tank member 30 and a second L-shaped tank member 40. Prior to the process for assembling the tank portion 4, intake/outlet pipes 9 and 10 are mounted at the first L-shaped tank member 30 and an A/T oil cooler 46 is mounted at the second L-shaped tank member 40 to facilitate mounting of the A/T oil cooler 46 inside the tank portions 4. In addition, since at least the tank portion 4, the tubes 2, the fins 3 and the side plate 11 are brazed together as an integrated unit in a furnace, the production of the radiator is facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignees: Zexel Corporation, Toyo Radiator Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kunihiko Nishishita
  • Patent number: 6223812
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchanger core for use in a fluid cooling apparatus, of the type comprising two tanks (12, 13), each provided with a tube plate (17), and a number of parallel tubes (15) through which the fluid to be cooled flows and around which a cooling fluid is passed. The tubes (15) extend between the two tube plates (17). A connecting strip (20) in the form of a strengthening comb connects the tank wall (12) and the tube plate (17). The strip (20) is provided with a tube plate location slot (18) and a recess (19) adapted to house the end of the tank wall (12). The connecting strip (20) has a number of tooth-like portions or fingers (40) which extend between the tubes (15) and are bonded to the tube plate (17), but not to the tubes (15) themselves. The fingers (40) add strength to the tube plate overhang, allowing the operating pressure in the chamber inside the tank (12) to be increased without the need to use a thicker tube plate (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Serck Heat Transfer Limited
    Inventor: Robert James Gough
  • Patent number: 6220342
    Abstract: In a laminated heat exchanger with a pair of tank portions formed at one side of each tube element and intake/outlet portions for heat exchanging medium provided at one end in the direction of the lamination or in the direction running at a right angle to the direction of the lamination, a constricting portion for limiting the flow passage cross section is provided in an area in the tank portions where the flow shifts from an even-numbered pass to an odd-numbered pass in a plurality of passes. This allows the heat exchanging medium to flow in sufficient quantities into the tube elements near the outlet side of the partitioning portion, thereby avoiding inconsistency in temperature distribution. This constricting portion, which is formed in the tank group opposite the tank group where the partitioning portion is provided, is provided at the same lamination position as the partitioning portion. The constricting portion may be also formed with a plurality of holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Zexel Corporation
    Inventors: Kunihiko Nishishita, Seiji Inoue, Kiyoshi Tanda, Hitoshi Sakata
  • Patent number: 6216776
    Abstract: A heat exchanger has plural flat tubes through which refrigerant flows, and a pair of header tanks disposed on each longitudinal ends of the flat tubes. Each of the flat tubes has a flow passage portion having plural flow passages through which refrigerant flows, and a non-flow passage portion disposed on both sides of the flow passage portion, having at least one non-flow passage through which no refrigerant flows. The flow passage portion is inserted into the header tank so that the flow passages communicate with the header tank, and the non-flow passage portion is exposed outside the header tank. Each of the flow passages has a circular-shaped cross-section while the non-flow passage has a polygonal-shaped cross-section, so that a wall thickness of the non-flow passage is made thinner than that of the flow passages. Therefore, weight of the flat tube is decreased, while sufficient strength thereof is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Kobayashi, Ken Yamamoto, Yoshiyuki Yamauchi, Kazuhiro Mitsukawa
  • Patent number: 6202741
    Abstract: A collecting box of a heat transfer device has a lengthwise partition in a collecting box between two rows of flat tubes. The tubes are designed as multichannel tubes that are divided by at least one lengthwise separating rib positioned at the level of the at least one lengthwise partition into a number of channels that corresponds to the number of collecting chambers. The at least one lengthwise partition is provided with its edge facing the tube ends with recesses with the spacing of the multichannel tubes. The recesses fit over the separating ribs of the multichannel tubes in a shapewise and flush manner and are connected tightly with the outside contours of the tube ends. In preferred embodiments the parts are made of metal and brazed together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Behr GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Walter Demuth, Peter Hafenbrak, Michael Kohl, Kurt Molt
  • Patent number: 6196305
    Abstract: A radiator assembly for a cooling system on an internal combustion engine includes a radiator core having a plurality of tube-flow passages for transferring heat from fluid coolant to ambient atmosphere and at least one tank in fluid communication between an internal combustion engine and the radiator core. The radiator core includes a header flange extending about at least a portion of a perimeter of the radiator core and the tank includes a clamping flange extending about at least a portion of a perimeter of the tank corresponding to and in adjacent relationship with the header flange of the radiator core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Great Lakes, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl Erwin Geiger
  • Patent number: 6189606
    Abstract: The invention concerns a fluid box-manifold assembly for a heat exchanger comprising at least a single-piece housing produced by swaging a sheet metal and including; a cap comprising a base linked to a peripheral wall defining an open surface, and a cover including a base provided with holes for receiving the tube ends of a tube bundle and linked to a peripheral edge matching in shape the cap peripheral wall, the cap and the cover being linked by a material strip forming a bend line, such that the cap and the cover can be mutually brought together up to an interlocking position to define an internal volume of the fluid box. The invention is applicable to motor vehicle heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Valeo Climatisation
    Inventor: Christophe Chevallier
  • Patent number: 6186225
    Abstract: A heat exchanger having a core of a plurality of cooling tubes with a tank at each end of the core tubes. The tanks are formed with a plurality of cooling tube receiving apertures along a side portion of the tanks. These apertures receive the ends of the cooling tubes directly into the tanks and are attached to the tubes by brazing. Since the cooling tubes are received in apertures formed in the tanks themselves, the need for a separate head sheet at the end of the core is eliminated thereby eliminating the need for sealing of a head sheet to a separate tank. The tanks are preferably formed in a hydroforming operation to shape the tanks from a tubular blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Lattimore & Tessmer, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry Higgins
  • Patent number: 6182744
    Abstract: A condenser has an outlet side region close to an outlet for discharging refrigerant from the condenser. The outlet side region does not face auxiliary radiator, which is disposed on a cooling air upstream side of the condenser. Accordingly, low temperature cooling air that does not pass through the auxiliary radiator can flow into the outlet side region of the condenser in which the refrigerant is lowered most. As a result, a difference in temperature between the refrigerant and the cooling air at the outlet side region becomes large. This prevents deterioration of cooling capacity of the condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Nakamura, Toshihiko Muraki, Hiroshi Nonoyama, Takayoshi Matsuno, Shunkichi Suzaki
  • Patent number: 6176303
    Abstract: A radiator includes a plurality of flat tubes in which refrigerant flows, corrugated fins each of which is disposed between adjacent the flat tubes, and a header tank disposed at both end sides of each flat tube in a longitudinal direction of the flat tubes. A plurality of insertion holes into which the flat tubes are inserted are formed in a tank portion of the header tank, and each of the insertion holes has a hole width approximately equal to a tank width of the header tank in a width direction perpendicular to both of the longitudinal direction of the flat tubes and an extending direction of the header tank. The tank portion of the header tank is integrally formed from extruding or drawing, and the insertion holes are formed by shaving the tank portion after the extruding or drawing. Thus, the insertion holes can be readily provided in the tank portion integrally formed from the extruding or the drawing, and pressure tightness and manufacturing workability of the header tank can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Kobayashi, Yoshiyuki Yamauchi, Ken Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6173765
    Abstract: A heat exchanger has plural tubes and a header tank formed by a first tank portion and a second tank portion. When the first tank portion and the second tank portion are assembled, a protruding portion protruding from a wall of the first tank portion is inserted into a hole formed in the second tank portion. Then, the first tank portion is slidably moved against the second tank portion in a parallel direction with respect to a longitudinal direction of the header tank until the protruding portion engages the hole. As a result, the second tank portion is partially clamped between the wall of the first tank portion and the protruding portion, and the first and second tank portions sufficiently contact each other. Therefore, undesirable clearance is restricted from being formed between the first and second tank portions, and brazing performance therebetween is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Uchikawa, Takao Ikeda, Yoshihiro Iwata
  • Patent number: 6173493
    Abstract: A modular heat exchanger includes a plurality of tubular modules formed from an aluminum extrusion. Each extruded tube has a generally rectangular cross section, a through bore extending longitudinally therethrough between parallel opposite faces, and parallel longitudinal V-grooves in the faces, all formed in the extrusion process. Each face includes a plurality of parallel fins which are cut into the grooved face in a direction transverse to the grooves. The fins have a generally saw tooth structure so as to increase the turbulence of the air flow through the heat exchanger. Unslotted end faces on the tubes include groove portions which are filled with weld material in both the tube joining process and the end tank welding process, thereby providing an all-welded aluminum heat exchanger of substantially enhanced strength. In another embodiment utilizing an all-welded construction, extended unslotted end faces are cross bored and sealed to provide fluid supply in lieu of the end tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: Robert F. Dierbeck
  • Patent number: 6170569
    Abstract: An intake plenum unit is provided for a heat exchanger with a tube block made of a plurality of heat exchanger tubes. The heat exchanger incorporates an intake plenum with a tube wall in which a lengthwise slot is provided for receiving ends of the heat exchanger tubes. The intake plenum is made of one or more individual tubes inserted into one another endwise or fitted together. Each intake plenum has, at least at one individual tube end, a lengthwise slot that is open and made before or after the construction of the intake plenum. This allows problem-free compensation for manufacturing tolerances of the tube ends to be fitted into the lengthwise slot regarding their length in the direction of the lengthwise slot. The intake plenum unit is suitable for use, for example, for gas coolers and evaporators of carbon-dioxide air conditioners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Behr GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Bernd Dienhart, Hans-Joachim Krauss, Hagen Mittelstrass, Jochen Schumm, Karl-Heinz Staffa, Christopher Walter
  • Patent number: 6167953
    Abstract: A cylindrical tank body is formed by folding a plate material which has a brazing filler metal layer and is formed from aluminum clad. One end of the plate material is extended along the other end of the tank body, and the thus-extended portion is brazed to the end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Calsonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Kobayashi, Katsumi Nakamura, Kenji Makino
  • Patent number: 6168765
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for indirectly exchanging heat with narrow channel in a heat exchange type reaction zone uses manifold space to interconnect the common ends of channels and to provide controlled distribution of additional reactants. The invention simplifies the operation and construction of the heat exchanging type reaction zone by directly communicating reaction channels and/or heating channels with a manifold located at the end of the channels. The manifold can provides the extra function of mixing additional reactants. The invention promotes simplified intermediate injection of reactants over tube and shell heat transfer arrangements that have been used for similar purposes. Improved process control has particular benefits for exothermic reactions. The narrow channels are preferably defined by corrugated plates. The reaction channels will contain a catalyst for the promotion of the primary reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Jacques J. L. Romatier, Robert C. Mulvaney, III, John A. Petri
  • Patent number: 6161614
    Abstract: A heat exchanger is provided including a first aluminum extruded header spaced apart and arranged essentially parallel to a second aluminum extruded header. The first and second headers include a plurality of parallel passageways extending therethrough along a longitudinal axis thereof. The passageways are fluidly interconnected by at least one transverse cross-drilled bore extending essentially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis. A core assembly is secured between the first and second headers including a plurality of fluid conduits and heat radiating fins surrounding the fluid conduits. A by-pass valve assembly fluidly communicates with the headers and core assembly while providing an alternate pathway independent thereof. Preferably, the by-pass assembly is responsive to fluid temperature and/or pressure for directing fluid flow either into or exterior of the heat exchanger core assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Karmazin Products Corporation
    Inventors: Ivan D. Woodhull, Jr., Kenneth McIver, Richard Warlick, Jr., Jerry Phelps, Rial Hamann
  • Patent number: 6155339
    Abstract: An obround header of obround cross-section for a heat exchanger and a process for forming such a header. An obround header of obround cross-section has sidewalls with flat inner and outer portions. A curved transition between the opposing sidewalls minimizes stress concentrations within the header. The flat portions of the sidewalls provide a planar surface, for which it is easier to drill tube openings and access plug holes and install tubes and plugs. The flat surfaces, along with the opposed holes and openings, make installing and cleaning the tubes easier. A fluid nozzle provides an inlet or outlet for the fluid. The process for making the flat sidewalls is by forming material from a round cross-sectional geometry to an obround shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Inventor: Richard B. Grapengater
  • Patent number: 6155340
    Abstract: A heat exchanger comprises a plurality of flat tubes for heat exchange between a first fluid flowing inside the tubes and a second fluid flowing outside the tubes. A pair of hollow headers is connected to the ends of the flat tubes. An inlet and outlet are provided in the headers for introducing the first fluid into the flat tubes and discharging it therefrom. Each header is composed of at least two parallel tubes with substantially circular cross-section, two adjacent tubes having integrated wall portions, thereby providing a substantially flat header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Norsk Hydro
    Inventors: Leif Folkedal, Peter Grundlach, Jostein Pettersen, Liming Xu
  • Patent number: 6145589
    Abstract: A manifold for heat exchangers with a manifold segment having slots which are perpendicular to the tube axis and spaced in the longitudinal direction and separated by webs, into which hollow flat tubes can be inserted and joined to the contact surface of the respective slot. The webs each have a pair of stampings to strengthen the material on each side of each web and the webs are relatively flat in shape such that the cross-section of the manifold segment has a generally D-shaped profile. At least one baffle is inserted in the manifold segment, centered between a pair of adjacent slots. The baffle has a principle circular edge and a truncated edge so as to have a truncated circular profile substantially corresponding to the approximately D-shaped profile of the manifold segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Thermal Components a division of Insilco Corporation
    Inventor: James D. Gowan
  • Patent number: 6129146
    Abstract: A heat exchanger is disclosed with one piece manifolds formed from a unitary sheet of metal. Each manifold has first and second sidewalls and a third sidewall extending therebetween the a lap joint between the side edges of the metal sheet. The first and second sidewalls are flat and the first is provided with tube apertures for receiving cooling tubes extending between a pair of manifolds. The second sidewall is flat and is provided with a socket for receiving the end of a pipe fitting in an interlocking connection. The manifold is clad on both sides with a brazing material and the manifold assembly with all attached parts are heated in a brazing oven to effect final assembly of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Inventors: David L. Krueger, Michael T. Putinta, Tom E. Rashley
  • Patent number: 6125927
    Abstract: A heat exchanger comprises a bank of tubes mounted between first and second longitudinal headers, the first header being provided with a longitudinal opening, first and second manifolds, and first and second tubes, parallel to the first header, connected respectively to the first and second manifolds, and provided with a longitudinal opening. It also comprises a connection plate having, first and second edges having longitudinal extensions substantially equal to those of the openings and able to be respectively inserted in the latter so as to make the first header integral with the first and second tubes, and two passages to allow the circulation of a fluid between the fist header and each of the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Valeo Thermique Moteur
    Inventor: Sylvain Hubert
  • Patent number: 6109344
    Abstract: A heat exchanger having a core of a plurality of cooling tubes with a tank at each end of the core tubes. The tanks are formed with a plurality of cooling tube receiving apertures along a side portion of the tanks. These apertures receive the ends of the cooling tubes directly into the tanks and are attached to the tubes by brazing. Since the cooling tubes are received in apertures formed in the tanks themselves, the need for a separate head sheet at the end of the core is eliminated thereby eliminating the need for sealing of a head sheet to a separate tank. The tanks are preferably formed in a hydroforming operation to shape the tanks from a tubular blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Lattimore & Tessmer, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry Higgins
  • Patent number: 6082439
    Abstract: In a mechanically assembled type heat exchanger, in which an end portion of an oval tube is inserted into a barring hole of a core plate and expanded to be press fit to the core plate. Then adhesive is potted on the core plate for sealing the press fit portion in the end of the tube. A reinforcing member is formed around the barring hole for increasing the rigidity of the core plate so as to improve the durability of sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Seiichi Kato, Hisashi Nakashima, Sumio Susa
  • Patent number: 6082446
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for a vehicle. The heat exchanger includes a tank which has a peripheral foot that is in contact with a seal within a channel of a header. The header is coupled to the tank by a plurality of bendable tabs on the header that are bent onto an upper surface of the peripheral foot. A compression stop located on the external surface of the tank prevents distortion and excessive compression of the seal during the bending operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Ahaus Tool and Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Fredric A. Ahaus, William S. Ninde
  • Patent number: 6079670
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an air inlet cowl (9) for a jet engine, especially for an aircraft. According to the invention, the diffuser (12) of hot air for de-icing, arranged in the hollow leading edge (16) of the cowl (9) is in the form of a polygonal ring and is fixed by elastic support tabs (24) each equipped with a ball joint (25) holding a straight portion (22) of the polygonal ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Aerospatiale Societe Nationale Industrielle
    Inventor: Alain Porte
  • Patent number: 6073688
    Abstract: A flat tube 2 for a heat exchanger which is formed by bending a single plate or overlaying two plates, wherein long beads 11 in a plurality of rows are previously formed on the plate in the longitudinal direction of the plate, the plate has its surface, to which the respective long beads are opposed, formed flat, the tops of the respective long beads 11 and the flat surface are joined, a plurality of passages 12 for a medium are formed within the tube by long beads and the flat surface, sections at the tube ends to be inserted into the header tanks 3, 4 are pressed back to be flat to form tube insertion sections, and a wall relief, which is formed to protrude in the breadth direction of the tube when the tube insertion sections are formed, is used as a stopper 16 to restrict a tube insertion level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Zexel Corporation
    Inventor: Soichi Kato
  • Patent number: 6056047
    Abstract: A manifold for heat exchangers with a manifold segment having slots which are perpendicular to the tube axis and spaced in the longitudinal direction and separated by webs, into which hollow flat tubes can be inserted and joined to the contact surface of the respective slot. The webs each have a pair of stampings to strengthen the material on each side of each web and the webs are relatively flat in shape such that the cross-section of the manifold segment has a generally D-shaped profile. At least one baffle is inserted in the manifold segment, centered between a pair of adjacent slots. The baffle has a principle circular edge and a truncated edge so as to have a truncated circular profile substantially corresponding to the approximately D-shaped profile of the manifold segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Thermal Components, a division of Insilco Corporation
    Inventor: James D. Gowan
  • Patent number: 6053243
    Abstract: When forming a circular tube-shaped header pipe by rolling a plate material, surfaces extending at a right angle to the internal and external surfaces of the plate material are formed at the two side edges extending in the lengthwise direction, and the plate material is rolled in such a manner that the two side edges face opposite each other while setting the two side edges in a non-contact state. In this process, the gap between the two side edges is set at or less than 0.3 mm. In order to manufacture this header pipe, a plate material that has been cut to a specific length is trimmed in the direction of its short side to achieve a specific dimension and also at a right angle to the front and rear surfaces of the plate material. After a piping insertion hole is formed, the entirety of the plate material is rolled so that its cross section achieves a U-shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Zexel Corporation
    Inventors: Soichi Kato, Takashi Sugita, Hitoshi Makabe