GB2291178A - Securing cooling tubes to headers - Google Patents
Securing cooling tubes to headers Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2291178A GB2291178A GB9413878A GB9413878A GB2291178A GB 2291178 A GB2291178 A GB 2291178A GB 9413878 A GB9413878 A GB 9413878A GB 9413878 A GB9413878 A GB 9413878A GB 2291178 A GB2291178 A GB 2291178A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- heat exchanger
- fluid tank
- coolant
- nipple
- nipples
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
- F28F9/00—Casings; Header boxes; Auxiliary supports for elements; Auxiliary members within casings
- F28F9/02—Header boxes; End plates
- F28F9/04—Arrangements for sealing elements into header boxes or end plates
- F28F9/16—Arrangements for sealing elements into header boxes or end plates by permanent joints, e.g. by rolling
- F28F9/165—Arrangements for sealing elements into header boxes or end plates by permanent joints, e.g. by rolling by using additional preformed parts, e.g. sleeves, gaskets
- F28F9/167—Arrangements for sealing elements into header boxes or end plates by permanent joints, e.g. by rolling by using additional preformed parts, e.g. sleeves, gaskets the parts being inserted in the heat-exchange conduits
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
- F28F9/00—Casings; Header boxes; Auxiliary supports for elements; Auxiliary members within casings
- F28F9/02—Header boxes; End plates
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Heat-Exchange Devices With Radiators And Conduit Assemblies (AREA)
Abstract
A heat exchanger for a motor vehicle having a fluid tank 10 having a body with at least one longitudinal passage (12, 14, figure 1) with a plurality of hollow nipples 18 extending laterally from the body and communicating with the longitudinal passage (12, 14) where each nipple 18 has an external surface which forms an interference fit with the inner surface of an end 48 of a coolant tube 34. The heat exchanger may also comprise a retaining plate 42 adjacent the fluid tank. <IMAGE>
Description
A Heat Exchanger
The present invention relates to a heat exchanger for a motor vehicle.
A heat exchanger typically comprises a plurality of coolant tubes which pass through an array of fin elements, and a coolant fluid tank which provides a means of communication of the coolant fluid between the coolant tubes and a coolant reservoir. Each coolant tube may also include a turbulator element which is aligned axially within the coolant tube to create a turbulent flow of coolant liquid within the tube.
Typically, the fluid tank comprises either a moulded part which is secured to the coolant tubes by adhesive, or a moulded or pressed top section secured to a header plate by crimping, brazing or adhesive. The header plate is typically secured to the coolant tubes by crimping, brazing or adhesive, or a combination of these methods.
Where the interface between the coolant tubes and header plate, and the top section and the header plate are inadequate coolant leaks have been found to develop.
It is an intention of the present invention to overcome problems associated with the manufacture of heat exchangers in this manner, and to reduce the possibility of coolant leaks by mlnimising the number and/or area of the component interfaces which are a source of potential leakage paths.
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 fluid tank, the fluid tank comprising a body with at least one longitudinal passages and a plurality of hollow nipples spaced apart along the length of the passage, each nipple extending laterally from the body and communicating with the longitudinal passage, and each nipple having an external surface forming an interference fit with the inner surface of an end of a coolant tube.
The interference fit between the inner surface of an end of the coolant tube and the external surface of the nipple preferably produces a fluid tight seal. However, to ensure that an adequate seal is formed, epoxy or other suitable sealant may be placed around the joint between the coolant tube and nipple.
The fluid tank is preferably formed by extruding sections of material into tubing with one or more passages. If the tank has more than one passage, the passages are separated by a web which may extend along the entire length of the tank.
The coolant tubes are preferably U-shaped and have both ends connected to the same fluid tank. Each coolant tube preferably has a turbulator element disposed axially within, which causes turbulent flow of the coolant fluid through the coolant tube.
Where the heat exchanger is a mechanica'lv assembled heat exchanger (as described later In this spefication), the heat exchanger ma rix preferably has at least one retaining plate which assembled with the fin elements and which is isos at an end of the matrix adjacent to the fluid tank and through with all the coolant tubes pass
The retaining plate restrains the expansion of the coolant tubes during the assembly of the fluid to the matrix, increasing the radially inwardly directed force between each coolant tube and each nipple.
A second retaining plate may be disposed at an opposing end of the matrix to that on which the fluid tank is secured.
The heat exchanger matrix and the fluid tank are preferably aluminium or aluminium alloy, and the heat exchanger matrix is preferably mechanically assembled.
However, the fluid tank may be connected to a heat exchanger matrix which is brazed.
The invention extends to a fluid tank for the heat exchanger of a motor vehicle, the fluid tank comprising a body with at least one longitudinal passage, a plurality of hollow nipples spaced apart along the length of the passage, each nipple extending laterally from the body and communicating with the longitudinal passage, and each nipple having an external surface adapted to form an interference fit internally with an end of a coolant tube.
The external surface of each nipple will be forced within the internal surface of the corresponding coolant tube to form a fluid tight seal. The external diameter of each nipple is preferably greater than the internal diameter of the coolant tube, therefore insertion of the nipple into the end of the coolant tube will cause the internal diameter of the coolant tube to increase. A radial force will be directed inwardly by the wall of the coolant tube against external surface of the nipple.
Each nipple comprises a first end which enters the passage, and a second end which forms an interference fit with a coolant tube. The nipple may be formed as an integral feature of the fluid tank, but may alternatively be a discrete component which is glued or welded into apertures along the length of the longitudinal passage.
In the preferred form the external surface in the proximity of the second end is conical, the external diameter at the second end being smaller than that adjacent to the longitudinal passages, and the transition between the end of each nipple, a conical surface and a parallel surface of each nipple being continuous.
The fluid tank is preferably extruded, but may alternatively be moulded, or die cast. Particularly suitable materials for the manufacture of the fluid tank are aluminium or aluminium alloy.
The present invention further extends to a method of retaining a fluid tank as set forth above on a heat exchanger matrix, which method comprises the steps of placing the nipples of the fluid tank into the ends of corresponding coolant tubes of a heat exchanger matrix applying a force parallel to the axes of the nipples to cause each nipple to be forced into an end of a coolant tube.
The nipples cause the internal diameters of the ends of the tubes to expand and the external diameter of the ends of the tubes to expand, thus increasing the interference with the intra; diameters of the holes In the retaining plate.The nIpples are retained within the tubes by a radially inwardly ^ directed force which causes a fluid tight seal between an outer surface of each nipple and the inner surface of the corresponding coolant tube The invention will now be fuither descrIbe, by way of example,. with reference to the accompanying drawings, where;
Figure 1 Is an isometric view of a fluid
tank in accordance with the
invention;
Figures 2 to 4 Show side elevation, end and
plan views of a heat exchanger
in accordance with the
invention;;
Figure 5 Shows the expansion of a coolant
tube to form a thermal contact
between the circumference of the
coolant tube and the cooling fin
elements;
Figure 6 Shows the connection of the
fluid tank to the heat exchanger
matrix in accordance with the
method of the Invent ion; and
Figure 7 Shows a sectional side elevation
of a fluid tank connected to a
heat exchanger matrix in
accordance with the method of
the invention;
Figure 1 shows a fluid tank 10 which has two longitudinal passages 19 and 14. The passages 19 and 1 are separated b a web 15 along the length of the fluid tank 10. Each passage 12 and 14 has a series of nipples i which extend perpendicular to the surface 20 and 22 of the passages 12 and 14, each nipple 13 having an aperture 31 extending axially into the respective passage 12 and 14.
Figure 2 shows a heat exchanger 26 with a fluid tank 10 mounted on a heat exchanger matrix 28. The matrix 28 comprises a series of cooling fin elements 30 through which coolant tubes 34 extend. When viewed in crosssection the cooling fin elements 30 can be seen to be stacked sheets of heat conductive material separated by a small air gap, allowing the surface area of the cooling fin elements to be maximised and allowing air to flow between.
Figure 3 shows an end view of the heat exchanger 26. It can be seen that coolant tubes 34 are of U-section connecting the first passage 12 via the cooling fin elements 30 to passage 14.
Figure 4 shows a plan view of the heat exchanger 26, showing the fluid tank 10. In use the fluid tank 10 5s connected to a coolant reservoir (not shown via hoses 36 and 38. The hose 35 is connected to passage 12 and forms an inlet to the heat exchanger 10, and hose 38 is connected to passage 14 and forms an outlet. In use coolant fluid flows through the inlet hose 25 into passage 12 of the fluid tank 10. The coolant fluid flows along the passage 12, through coolant tubes 3-, and passes out through passage 14 and hose 38.
In Figure 5 a method of manufacturing the exchanger matrix 28 is shown, where the coolant tubes 34 are threaded through apertures 40 in a stack 0 cooling fin elements 33. A retaining plate 42 is above the uppermost cooling fin element 30, and a second retaining plate 42 ma b located below the lox oust cooling fin element 31.The retaining plate 42 act to prevent carnage to the cooling fin elements 30 during handling and installation. Collars 44 may be formed in the ends of the cooling fin elements around the edges of the apertures 40.
A mandrel 46 is then forced down each coolant tube 34 in the direction of arrow E1. This causes the initial internal diameter d1 of the coolant tube 34 to be expanded to match that of the mandrel 46, the resulting internal diameter being d2. The external surface of the coolant tube is forced to cooperate with the internal surface of the apertures 40, forming a thermally conducting interface.
The mandrel 46 is then removed, and the fluid tank 10 placed over the heat exchanger matrix 28. The matrix 28 may then be moved as a unit, the radially inwardly directed force of the internal surfaces of the apertures 40 cooperating against the coolant tubes 34, resisting the withdrawal of the coolant tubes 34 from the cooling fin elements 30, and the retaining plate 42.
In figure 6, the fluid tank 10 is placed over the heat exchanger matrix 28, so that the nipples 18 align with corresponding coolant tubes 34. A force is then applied in the direction of arrow E2, forcing the nipple 18 into the end 48 of the coolant tube 34. The end 48 is therefore forced to expand to the external diameter Q of the nipple 18. The expansion of the end 48 is limited by the retaining plate 42.
The inwardly directed radial force of the coolant tube against the circumference of the nipple 18, and addItionally by the inwardly directed radial force of the retaining plate 42 and cooling fin elements 30 resist the withdrawal of the nipple 18 from the coolant tube 34.
The resulting joint between the coolant tube 34 and the nipple 18, forms a fluid tight joint, but may be filled with a suitable sealant as a back up measure.
Figure 7 shows a sectional side elevation of a portion of the heat exchanger, with turbulators 49 disposed axially in each coolant tube 34. The nipples 18 of the fluid tank 10 have been forced into the ends 48 of corresponding coolant tubes 34 causing the diameter of the ends to expand. The fluid tank is retained by the radial force of the ends 48 of the coolant tubes 34 against the external surface of the nipples 18.
Claims (15)
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 fluid tank, the fluid tank comprising a body with at least one longitudinal passage and a plurality of hollow nipples spaced apart along the length of the passage, each nipple extending laterally from the body and communicating with the longitudinal passage and the coolant tubes, and each nipple having an external surface forming an interference fit with the inner surface of an end of a coolant tubes.
2. A heat exchanger according to Claim 1, wherein the coolant tubes are U-shaped and have both ends connected to the fluid tank.
3. A heat exchanger according to Claims 1 and 2, wherein the nipples are adapted to cause the internal diameter of the coolant tubes to increase.
4. A heat exchanger according to Claims 1 to 3, wherein each coolant tube causes a radially inwardly directed force to be applied to the external surface of each nipple.
5. A heat exchanger according to Claims 1 to c, wherein the heat exchanger has at least one retaining plate, the or each retaining plate being disposed parallel to the cooling fin elements, and adjacent to the flus tank at an end of the coolant tubes.
6 A heat exchanger according to Claim 5, wherein the retaining plate is adapted to restrain the expansion of the coolant tubes.
7. -A heat exchanger according to Claims 1 to 6, wherein the heat exchanger is aluminium or aluminium alloy.
8. A fluid tank for the heat exchanger of a motor vehicle, the fluid tank comprising a body with at least one longitudinal passage, a plurality of hollow nipples spaced apart along the length of the passage, each nipple extending laterally from the body and communicating with the longitudinal passage, and each nipple having an external surface adapted to form an interference fit internally with an end of a coolant tube.
9. A fluid tank according to Claim 8, wherein the second end has a smaller external diameter than the first end.
10. A fluid tank according to Claims 8 and 9, wherein the fluid tank is extruded.
11. A method of retaining a fluid tank on a heat exchanger matrix according to Claims 1 to 7, which method comprises the steps of placing each of a plurality of nipples of the fluid tank over an end of a corresponding coolant tube of a heat exchanger matrix, applying a force parallel to the ax-s of the nipples and adapted to cause each nipple to be forceo into an end of a coolant tube.
12. A method according to Claim 11, wherein the radially inwardly directed force is adapted to cause a fluid tight seal between an outer surface of the nipple and the inner surface of a coolant tube.
13. A heat exchanger substantially as nerein ascribed with reference to Figures 2 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.
14. A fluid tank substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
15. A method substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9413878A GB2291178A (en) | 1994-07-09 | 1994-07-09 | Securing cooling tubes to headers |
| PCT/GB1995/001381 WO1996001973A1 (en) | 1994-07-09 | 1995-06-14 | A heat exchanger |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9413878A GB2291178A (en) | 1994-07-09 | 1994-07-09 | Securing cooling tubes to headers |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9413878D0 GB9413878D0 (en) | 1994-08-31 |
| GB2291178A true GB2291178A (en) | 1996-01-17 |
Family
ID=10758083
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9413878A Withdrawn GB2291178A (en) | 1994-07-09 | 1994-07-09 | Securing cooling tubes to headers |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2291178A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1996001973A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE10105202A1 (en) | 2001-01-31 | 2002-08-01 | Behr Gmbh & Co | Heat exchanger tube block with several slotted header tubes |
| US11984572B2 (en) | 2017-08-30 | 2024-05-14 | Modine Manufacturing Company | Battery cooling system |
| CN112585802A (en) | 2018-07-05 | 2021-03-30 | 摩丁制造公司 | Battery cooling plate and fluid manifold |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1472684A (en) * | 1974-02-18 | 1977-05-04 | Autobrzdy Np | Tubular heat exchanger |
| GB2099984A (en) * | 1981-06-05 | 1982-12-15 | Johnson David | Solar energy collector heat exchanger |
| US4586566A (en) * | 1981-08-26 | 1986-05-06 | Sueddeutsche Kuehlerfabrik Julius Fr. Behr Gmbh & Co. Kg | Arrangement for joining the tubes of a heat exchanger core with a connecting box particularly for evaporators |
| WO1992009860A1 (en) * | 1990-12-01 | 1992-06-11 | Behr Gmbh & Co. | Heat exchanger |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4663812A (en) * | 1986-02-27 | 1987-05-12 | Norsk Hydro A.S. | Method of manufacture of manifolds |
| US5163509A (en) * | 1991-08-22 | 1992-11-17 | Stark Manufacturing, Inc. | Manifold assembly and method of making same |
| US5190101A (en) * | 1991-12-16 | 1993-03-02 | Ford Motor Company | Heat exchanger manifold |
-
1994
- 1994-07-09 GB GB9413878A patent/GB2291178A/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1995
- 1995-06-14 WO PCT/GB1995/001381 patent/WO1996001973A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1472684A (en) * | 1974-02-18 | 1977-05-04 | Autobrzdy Np | Tubular heat exchanger |
| GB2099984A (en) * | 1981-06-05 | 1982-12-15 | Johnson David | Solar energy collector heat exchanger |
| US4586566A (en) * | 1981-08-26 | 1986-05-06 | Sueddeutsche Kuehlerfabrik Julius Fr. Behr Gmbh & Co. Kg | Arrangement for joining the tubes of a heat exchanger core with a connecting box particularly for evaporators |
| WO1992009860A1 (en) * | 1990-12-01 | 1992-06-11 | Behr Gmbh & Co. | Heat exchanger |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9413878D0 (en) | 1994-08-31 |
| WO1996001973A1 (en) | 1996-01-25 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |