Abstract: A side sheet of a radiator has a thermal expansion joint to allow thermal relief in the radiator as the radiator expands due to temperature variations during operation. The thermal expansion joint is formed by first brazing the side sheet to the radiator core and then cutting through the side sheet.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a side support which has a thermal stress relieving zone in the form of a gap which completely separates one end of the support from the other. The gap is generally symmetrical about a central axis parallel to the longitudinal axes of the side supports of the heat exchanger and is shaped such that a straight line cannot be drawn through the gap from one side of the side support to the other side.

Abstract: Leaks in tube bundles for a heat exchanger are eliminated or minimized by tube interrelated techniques. A floating tube bundle is constructed with separate support elements also secured to the heat dissipating fins and extending through and supported by the support plates. Thin-walled copper tubing similar to that used for the fluid-carrying tubes is used as support tubes, and steel rods are inserted into these support tubes to provide the necessary strength. To minimize leakage in the area where the tube bundle is joined to a header, connector tubes are provided that have one end joined to the header and the other end extending into one of the tubes of the tube bundle sufficiently far that the end of the connector tube passes through the support plate and at least one fin.

Abstract: A heat exchanger with a simple configuration and having a high strength is disclosed. The heat exchanger is configured by sandwiching both sides of a core created by layering tubes and corrugated fins by a pair of side plates and brazing the connecting bar on the ends of each tube and side plate with the bar inserted into header. The header and side plate are coupled with a approximately U-shape coupling member in addition to the connecting bar 13. This coupling member is configured of an arc section that covers the header and an arm section that has a locking section to lock onto a -shaped bend section of side plate. The arc section is fixed onto header with brazing, and arm section is fixed to side plate. The vibration conveyed from the bracket to the side plate is conveyed to the header via the connecting bar and coupling member, and the strength of the coupling sections of the header and side plate is much higher than the strength found in conventional structures.