GB2290862A

GB2290862A - Heat exchanger hose connection

Info

Publication number: GB2290862A
Application number: GB9412765A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Daniel William Kenning
Original assignee: Ford Motor Co
Current assignee: Ford Motor Co
Priority date: 1994-06-24
Filing date: 1994-06-24
Publication date: 1996-01-10
Also published as: GB9412765D0

Abstract

A heat exchanger comprises a plurality of tubes connected to a coolant fluid tank 116. The tank 116 provides fluid communication between the tubes and a reservoir via at least one elongate bore 118. The or each bore has an internal surface receiving internally and forming a seal with a coolant hose or connector 110 for a coolant hose. The bore may have opposite ends adapted to receive the hose connector or a blanking device or vice-versa (see figure 3). <IMAGE>

Description

TITLE: A Heat Exchanger This invention relates to a heat exchanger, more particularly to the heat exchanger of a motor vehicle.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION: A heat exchanger typically has a heat exchanger matrix which comprises a series of cooling fin elements and a series of coolant tubes. The cooling fin elements comprise sheets of heat conductive material, which are spaced apart so that air may flow between. The coolant tubes pass through apertures in each cooling fin element and are typically perpendicular to the plane of the fin elements. The outer surfaces of the coolant tubes are in thermally conductive contact with the internal diameters of apertures in each cooling fin element.

The ends of the coolant tubes pass into a coolant tank which provides a means of communication between a coolant hose and the heat exchanger matrix. The coolant tank is typically a moulded section which is sealed to the coolant tubes.

The fluid tank provides communication between a coolant reservoir and the coolant tubes typically via two hoses which allow circulation of the coolant fluid around a closed fluid circuit. Hoses are conventionally connected to the fluid tank by fitting the hose over a male spigot communicating with the fluid tank. A clamp is then placed around the circumference of the hose and thightened, so that the clamp presses the hose radially inward against the outer surface of the spigot.

A major problem with this design of fluid tank is that the outer surface of the spigot, which is a male extension of the fluid tank, is required to provide a sealing surface.

The outer surface of the spigot is therefore liable to sustain damage during the storage and handling, which may be incompatible with the formation of an adequate seal.

It is therefore a feature of the present invention, that the sealing surface of the fluid tank is formed on a surface where damage during storage and handling is avoided.

Another major problem presently encountered, is that the heat exchanger and more particularly, the fluid tank must be designed in accordance with the available space within the vehicle engine compartment. Therefore, in many cases it is necessary to manufacture different fluid tanks for each vehicle variant to which it is fitted.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION: According to the present invention there is provided a heat exchanger for a motor vehicle, the heat exchanger comprising a plurality of coolant tubes in thermal contact with a plurality of cooling fin elements and connected to a coolant fluid tank, the tank being adapted to provide means of fluid communication between the coolant tubes and a coolant reservoir via at least one elongate bore, the or each bore having an internal sealing surface adapted to receive internally, and to form a seal with a coolant hose.

The coolant tank is typically formed by extruding sect ions of material into tubing with one or more elongate bores.

If the tank has more than one bore, the bores are separated by a web which extends along the entire length of the tank.

A projection may extend from the outer surface of each bore, the projection on each bore being parallel and having an aperture which extends into the bore. The projection is preferably designed to receive an end of a coolant tube, so that coolant fluid flowing through the tank is able to also flow through the coolant tubes.

Because it is the internal surface of the elongate bore which provides a sealing surface problems associated with damage to the sealing surface which occur in handling and storage are alleviated.

Each end of the elongate bore may be adapted to receive a connector, or alternatively one end may be sealed. This will be depend upon the application of the heat exchanger.

If for example, it is desired to supply coolant to sections of the heat exchanger matrix, coolant hoses may be placed at opposite ends of the elongate bore and a separating wall may be placed within the coolant tank to partition the matrix.

The elongate bore may be formed in two sections, an end section, and a main section. The end section preferably has a greater internal diameter than that of the main section so that when an end of the coolant hose connection is received, a smooth internal profile is formed, allowing a smooth fluid channel to be formed between the hose and coolant tank.

It is common practise for coolant fluid tanks of motor vehicle heat exchangers to be sold separately from the matrix of coolant tubes and fin elements. Accordingly, the invention also provides a tank for a heat exchanger, the tank being adapted to provide means of fluid communication between coolant tubes of a heat exchanger and a coolant reservoir via at least one elongate bore, the or each bore having an internal sealing surface adapted to receive internally, and to form a seal with a coolant hose.

Particularly suitable materials for the coolant tank are aluminium, aluminium alloy or plastic.

The invention extends to the combination of a fluid tank as set forth above, with a connector adapted to provide means of connecting a coolant hose to said fluid tank, the fluid tank comprising at least one elongate bore having an end adapted to receive said connector.

The coolant tank may have a securing means for securing the connector to the coolant tank to prevent the unintentional withdrawal of the connector and the hose from the coolant tank. Typically this connection will be of the quick release form which allows the connector and hose to be quickly withdrawn and reinserted by a technician working on the vehicle.

The coolant tank may be designed so that the connector is inserted into the bore at an angle to the axis of the bore.

The connector pre erably comprises a first end which has an external diameter which corresponds to the internal diameter of the coolant hose, and a second end which has an external diameter which corresponds to the internal diameter of an elongate bore of the coolant tank. In use the coolant hose s pushes over the f r W end of Of the connector, and the second end is pushed into an aperture in the coolant tank.

The circumference of the first end may have a series of ribs which cooperate with the internal diameter of the coolant hose and resist removal of the hose from the connector. The second end may have a series of grooves extending around the circumference, each of which accommodates an O-ring to provide a seal with the internal surface of the bore.

A clamp can be placed around the coolant hose to apply a radially inward pressure upon the hose, and to press it against the external circumference of the first end.

The connector may be formed as an integral feature of the coolant hose. Particularly suitable materials for the connector are heat resistant plastics.

The connector may be formed so that two coolant hoses may be connected, the connector having two fluid passages for fluid communication between the coolant hose and the fluid tank.

According to a second aspect of- the present invention there is provided a heat exchanger for a motor vehicle, the heat exchanger comprising a plurality of coolant tubes in thermal contact with a plurality of cooling fin elements and connected to a coolant fluid tank, the tank being adapted to provide means of fluid communication between the coolant tubes and a coolant reservoir via at least one elongate bore, the or each bore having opposite ends adapted to receive either a coolant hose connection or a blanking device so that a hose can be connected to one end and the other end can be closed, or vice-versa.

This allows the heat exchanger to be non-handed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a sectional diagram of the conventional method of connecting a coolant hose to a heat exchanger coolant tank; Figure 2 is a sectional diagram of a method of connecting a coolant hose to a heat exchanger coolant tank in accordance with the invention; Figure 3 shows an exploded view showing the assembly of the fluid tank; Figure 4 is a sectional diagram of an alternative method of connecting a coolant hose to a heat exchanger coolant tank in accordance with the invention; and Figures 5 to 7 are diagrams showing alternative heat exchanger coolant tank designs.

In Figure 1, a conventional heat exchanger 10 is shown connected to a coolant hose 12. The heat exchanger matrix 14 is connected to the tank 16 at a brazed or welded joint 18 which extends around the complete circumference of the interface between the tank and heat exchanger matrix. A tube 20 tends from an aperture 22 in the tank 16, the tube having a flared end 24 which is brazed to the tank.

The tube 20 has an elongate bore 25, and the coolant hose 12 is placed over the tube 20. A clip 23 is placed around the end of the hose 12, and tightened so that the walls of the hose 12 are clamped against the circumference of the tube 20.

Potential sources of coolant leaks exist between the tank 16 and heat exchanger matrix 14, between the tank 16 and tube 20, and between the hose 12 and tube 20 and are indicated by arrows A, B and C respectively.

Figure 2 shows a method of connecting a hose 12 to the tank 116 of a heat exchanger 10. The tank 116 of the heat exchanger 10 has a bore 118, which has a flared end 120.

A connector 100 comprises a body the centre section 110 of which has an outer diameter which is greater than the outer diameter of its first end 130 and of its second end 140. A bore 118 runs axially through the body 110 and each end section 130 and 140.

The first end 130 has grooves which extend around the circumference, and into which O-rings 135 have been inserted. The second end 140 has a circumferential rib 145 over which the hose 12 must be pushed, and which hinder its removal.

In use the first end 130 of the connector 100 is inserted into the flared end 120 of the tank 116. O-rings 135 cooperate with the internal circumference of the flared end 135, and provide a means of sealing the joint. The hose 12 is pushed over the rib 145 of second end 140 until the end 15 abuts the centre section 110 of the connector 100. A clamp 28 is then placed around the hose 12 between the rib 145 and the body 110 of the connector 100, and applies a radially inwardly directed pressure which prevents the hose 12 from being pulled from the second end 140. The axial bore 105 of the connector 100 provides fluid communication between the tank 116 and the hose 12.

In use the number of potential leakage points is limited to the second end 140 and hose 12 interface, and to the tank 116 and first end 130 interface, indicated by arrows D and E respectively.

Figure 3 shows an exploded view of a connector providing fluid communication to and from the tank 116 via inlet hose 12A and outlet hose 12B. The first ends 130 of the connector 100 are inserted into the corresponding flared ends 120 of the tank 116 in the direction indicated by arrow F. The O-rings 135 of each first end 130 cooperate with the internal surfaces 125 of the flared ends 120 to provide a seal. A securing device 155 on the connector 100 is secured to a reciprocal securing means on the tank 150.

Figure 4 shows an alternative method of connecting the hose 12 to the tank 216, where the connector 200 is formed as an integral feature of the hose 12.

In use the potential leakage points are limited to the first end 35 and tank 16 interface indicated by arrow G.

Figure 5 shows a tank 316 with a projection 320 for receiving a connector 300 extending from the top face 310 of the tank. Three coolant hoses 302, 304 and 306 are connected to the connector 300, two being inlets 302 and 304 for coolant, and the third being an outlet 306. The heat exchanger matrix 14 is shown partitioned into two halves 352 and 354. Coolant fluid from inlet coolant hose 302 is fed to the first section 362, and coolant fluid from inlet coolant hose 305 is fed to the second section 364. By the application of appropriate valves the supply of coolant fluid to each section 362 and 364, may be controlled.

Figure 6 shows an alternative design of tank 316 with inlet tubes 302 and 304, and outlet pipe 306 and connectors 300 at the ends of the tank.

Figure 7 shows a further alternative design of tank with inlet pipe 302 and outlet pipe and connector 300 at one end of the tank.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A heat exchanger for a motor vehicle, the heat exchanger comprising a plurality of coolant tubes in thermal contact with a plurality of cooling fin elements and connected to a coolant fluid tank, the tank being adapted to provide means of fluid communication between the coolant tubes and a coolant reservoir via at least one elongate bore, the or each bore having an internal sealing surface adapted to receive internally, and to form a seal with a coolant hose.

2. A heat exchanger according to Claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is aluminium or aluminium alloy.

3. A heat exchanger according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein the fluid tank is extruded.

4. A heat exchanger according to Claims 1 to 3, wherein each end of the or each elongate bore has a stepped diameter.

5. A heat exchanger according to Claims 1 to 4, wherein the or each elongate bore has a plurality of projections, the projections projecting perpendicular to the axis of the bore and spaced along the length of the bore, each projection having an aperture extending into the bore and adapted to receive a coolant tube.

6. A heat exchanger substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7. A fluid tank for the heat exchanger of a motor vehicle, the tank being adapted to provide means of fluid communication between coolant tubes of a heat exchanger and a coolant reservoir via at least one elongate bore, the or each bore having an internal sealing surface adapted to receive internally, and to form a seal with a coolant hose.

8. A fluid tank according to Claim 7, wherein the or each coolant tube is connected to the fluid tank by means of a connector, the connector comprising a first end adapted to receive a coolant hose and a second end adapted to engage in an end of the elongate bore.

9. A fluid tank according to Claim 8, wherein the circumference of the first end has one or more ribs, the or each rib being adapted to cooperate with an internal surface of the coolant hose to resist removal therefrom.

10. A fluid tank according to claims 8 and 9, wherein the circumference of the second end has one or more grooves, the or each groove extending around the second end and being adapted to receive a sealing ring.

11. A fluid tank according to Claim 7 to 10, wherein the connector has a securing device, the securing device being adapted to secure the connector to a reciprocal feature of the fluid tank to resist removal therefrom.

12. A fluid tank according to Claims 7 to 11, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. A heat exchanger for a motor vehicle comprising a plurality of coolant tubes in thermal contact with a plurality of cooling fin elements and connected to a coolant fluid tank, the tank being adapted to province means of fluid communication between the coolant tubes and a coolant reservoir via at least one elongate bore, the or each bore having opposite ends adapted to receive either a coolant hose connection or a blanking device so that a hose can be connected to one end and the other end can be closed, or vice versa.

14. A heat exchanger according to Claim 13, substantially a herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.