GB2356923A

GB2356923A - Heat exchanger

Info

Publication number: GB2356923A
Application number: GB9928207A
Authority: GB
Inventors: T Sylvain Beno; Herve Charlot; Roger Fourile
Original assignee: Delphi Technologies Inc
Current assignee: Delphi Technologies Inc
Priority date: 1999-11-30
Filing date: 1999-11-30
Publication date: 2001-06-06
Also published as: GB9928207D0

Abstract

A heat exchanger 10 comprises a pair of manifolds 12, fluid tubes 14 extending between the manifolds, a pair of reinforcement plates 28 extending substantially parallel to the fluid pipes between respective ends 30 of the manifolds; and an end cap 34 closing each end of each manifold; wherein each reinforcement plate is integrally formed with two of the end caps 34.

Description

2356923 HEATEXCHANGER

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a heat exchanger, especially for an air treatment system for a motor vehicle.

Background of the Invention

A known design of heat exchanger includes a pair of manifolds or header tanks which are spaced apart and substantially parallel. The manifolds are fluidly connected by a number of fluid tubes which extend between the manifolds and are substantially parallel. Sinusoidal fins are attached to adjacent fluid tubes to improve heat transfer between air passing through the heat exchanger, and the fluid in the fluid tubes. A reinforcement plate extends between aligned ends of the manifolds substantially parallel to the fluid pipes. The ends of the manifolds are closed by end caps. The heat exchanger, which is formed from aluminium or aluminium alloy, is assembled from the above mentioned components and then brazed/welded to secure the components together. However, prior to or during the brazing/welding operation, it is possible for one or both of the manifolds to rotate to create misalignment between the fluid tubes, manifolds, andlor reinforcement plates.

Summary of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the above mentioned problem.

A heat exchanger in accordance with the present invention comprises a pair of manifolds which are spaced apart and substantially parallel; fluid tubes extending between the manifolds in an axial direction substantially perpendicular to the manifolds, the fluid tubes being substantially parallel to one another and being connected to the manifolds to allow fluid flow therebetween; a pair of reinforcement plates extending substantially 2 parallel to the fluid pipes between the respective ends of the manifolds; and an end cap closing each end of each manifold; wherein each reinforcement plate is integrally formed with two of the end caps.

Integration of the reinforcement plates with the end caps allows the heat exchanger to be pre-assembled with the components secured in place prior to any brazing/welding. This reduces the risk of misalignment during the assembly process.

Brief Description of the Drawing

The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a side view of a heat exchanger in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of one end of one of the manifolds of the heat exchanger of Figure 1 prior to assembly; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view on the line 11-11 of Figure 2; Figures 4 and 5 are side and top views of one of the integral reinforcement plate and end caps used in the heat exchanger of Figure 1; and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of Figure 2 with the integral reinforcement plate and end cap in position.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Referring to the drawings, the heat exchanger 10 is for use in an air heating system or air conditioning system for a motor vehicle. The heat exchanger 10 includes a pair of manifolds or header tanks 12 which are spaced apart and substantially parallel to one another. A number of fluid pipes 14 extend between the manifolds 12 in an axial direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the manifolds. The fluid pipes 14 are spaced apart and substantially parallel to one another. Each end 16 of each fluid pipe 14 is located in a corresponding slot 18 formed in the manifolds 12 to allow fluid flow between the manifolds and the fluid pipes. A fluid inlet 3 pipe 20 is connected to one manifold 12, and a fluid outlet pipe 22 is connected to the other manifold. Baffle plates 24 are preferably secured inside the manifolds 12 to provide the required fluid flow path through the heat exchanger 10. The positioning of the inlet pipe 20, outlet pipe 22, and baffle plates 24 may be changed as required, or the baffle plates may be omitted.

Sinusoidal fins 26 are positioned between, and in contact with, adjacent fluid pipes 14. The fins 26 act to provide improved heat transfer between the fluid in the fluid pipes 14 and air flowing through the heat exchanger 10 between the fluid pipes.

The heat exchanger 10 also includes a pair of reinforcement plates 28 which extend between the manifolds 12 outwardly of the fluid pipes 14. The reinforcement plates 28 extend in an axial direction substantially parallel to the axial direction of the fluid pipes 14 between the ends 30 of the manifolds 12. Each reinforcement plate 28 has, at each end 32 thereof, an end cap 34 which is integrally formed with the reinforcement plate. Each end cap 34 passes through a corresponding first slot 36 formed between the corresponding end 30 of the manifold 12 and the slot 18 for the outermost fluid pipe 14. Each manifold 12 also includes a second slot 38 which is aligned with each first slot 36 in the axial direction of the reinforcement plate 28. Each end cap 34 includes a closing portion 40 which is shaped and sized to pass through the first slot 36, but not the second slot 38; and a tab portion 42 which is shaped and sized to pass through both the first slot and the second slot. The closing portion 40 is positioned between the tab portion 42 and the end 32 of the reinforcement plate 28. The closing portion 40 is also shaped and sized to substantially close the corresponding end 30 of the manifold 12.

During initial assembly of the heat exchanger 10, the end cap 34 is slid through the first slot 36 and the tab portion 42 is slid through the second slot 38. When the end cap 34 is correctly located, the tab portion 42 is then bent through an angle of substantially 90 degrees (as shown in Figure 6) to retain the end cap in position in the end 30 of the manifold 12, and to the fix the reinforcement plate 28 with the manifold. When the above mentioned 4 components of the heat exchanger 10 are assembled, with all four tab portions 42 bent at an angle of substantially 90 degrees, the heat exchanger 10 is then brazed/welded to provide a fluid tight connection between the fluid pipes 14 and the manifolds 12, and to provide for the closing portion 40 of the end caps 34 to fluidly close the ends 30 of the manifolds. The use of reinforcement plates 28 with integral end caps 34, as detailed above, provides a mechanical connection between the reinforcement plates, ends caps, and manifolds 12 prior to brazing/welding, which substantially reduces the risk of the manifolds rotating to create misalignment between the manifolds, fluid tubes 14, and/or reinforcement plates, prior to or during the brazing/welding process.

The reinforcement plates 28 with integral end caps 34 are preferably stamped from sheet metal. The reinforcement plate 28 is preferably formed with a substantially U-shaped cross-section. The components of the heat exchanger 10 are preferably formed from aluminium or aluminium alloy.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger comprising a pair of manifolds which are spaced apart and substantially parallel; fluid tubes extending between the manifolds in an axial direction substantially perpendicular to the manifolds, the fluid tubes being substantially parallel to one another and being connected to the manifolds to allow fluid flow therebetween; a pair of reinforcement plates extending substantially parallel to the fluid pipes between the respective ends of the manifolds; and an end cap closing each end of each manifold; wherein each reinforcement plate is integrally formed with two of the end caps.

2. A heat exchanger as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each end cap comprises a closing portion for closing the respective end of the manifold, and a tab portion, the closing portion being positioned between the tab portion and the reinforcement plate; and wherein each manifold has first and second aligned slots adjacent each end thereof; the closing portion being shaped and sized to pass through the first slot but not the second slot during assembly of the heat exchanger; and the tab portion being shaped and sized to pass through the first and second slots during assembly of the heat exchanger.

3. A heat exchanger as claimed in Claim 2, wherein each tab portion is bent relative to the adjacent closing portion outside of the respective manifold.

4. A heat exchanger as claimed in Claim 3, wherein each tab portion is bent at substantially 90 degrees relative to the adjacent closing portion.

5. A heat exchanger as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein each reinforcement plate with integral end caps is stamped in one piece from sheet metal.

6 6. A heat exchanger as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein each reinforcement plate is substantially U-shaped in cross- section.

7. A heat exchanger as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein each end of each fluid tube is located in a corresponding slot formed in the manifolds.

8. A heat exchanger as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7 which is formed from aluminium or aluminium alloy.

9. A heat exchanger substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.