Heat exchanger
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A heat exchanger comprising:
- a first end tank;
a second end tank opposite the first end tank;
a plurality of first tubes in fluid communication with the first and second end tanks, the plurality of first tubes adapted to have a first fluid flow there-through;
a plurality of second tubes in fluid communication with the first and second end tanks, the plurality of second tubes adapted to have a second fluid flow there-through;
a plurality of fins disposed between the first and second tubes, with the first and second tubes and the fins being generally co-planar relative to each other;
a first end tube defining a first end of the heat exchanger; and
a second end tube defining a second end of the heat exchanger;
wherein the first end tube or the second end tube is respectively restricted from fluid communication with the first fluid or the second fluid and wherein the heat exchanger includes no more than one end plate.
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Abstract
An improved heat exchanger for an automotive vehicle, comprising at least one end tank; and at least two heat exchangers including a plurality of spaced apart extruded metal tubes with fins between the spaced tubes. The heat exchangers are disposed so that their respective tubes and fins are generally co-planar with each other and are connected to the end tank. In preferred embodiments, the heat exchanger may include a bypass element.
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Citations
45 Claims
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1. A heat exchanger comprising:
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a first end tank;
a second end tank opposite the first end tank;
a plurality of first tubes in fluid communication with the first and second end tanks, the plurality of first tubes adapted to have a first fluid flow there-through;
a plurality of second tubes in fluid communication with the first and second end tanks, the plurality of second tubes adapted to have a second fluid flow there-through;
a plurality of fins disposed between the first and second tubes, with the first and second tubes and the fins being generally co-planar relative to each other;
a first end tube defining a first end of the heat exchanger; and
a second end tube defining a second end of the heat exchanger;
wherein the first end tube or the second end tube is respectively restricted from fluid communication with the first fluid or the second fluid and wherein the heat exchanger includes no more than one end plate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A heat exchanger for an automotive vehicle, comprising:
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at least one end tank;
at least two heat exchangers including a plurality of spaced apart metal tubes with fins between the spaced tubes;
the heat exchangers being disposed so that their respective tubes and fins are generally co-planar with each other and are connected to the end tank;
the heat exchangers being selected from the group consisting of an oil heat exchanger, a condenser or combinations thereof;
wherein the plurality of spaced apart metal tubes have a length and a hydraulic diameter and wherein a ratio of the length to the hydraulic diameter is between about 80 and about 1820 and wherein the heat exchanger includes no more than one end plate. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A heat exchanger for an automotive vehicle, comprising:
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a first heat exchanger having a plurality of first tubes adapted for fluid flow therethrough in a first flow circuit;
a second heat exchanger in generally co-planar relationship with the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger having a plurality of second tubes adapted for fluid flow therethrough in a second flow circuit;
at least one end tank divided into an inlet portion and an outlet portion for the first heat exchanger, and being connected in fluid communication to both the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger wherein at least one of the plurality of first tubes is in fluid communication with the inlet portion and at least one other of the plurality of first tubes is in fluid communication with the outlet portion;
an inlet in fluid communication with the inlet portion of the first end tank; and
an outlet in fluid communication with the outlet portion of the first end tank;
wherein one of the first heat exchanger or the second heat exchanger is an oil cooler and the other of the first heat exchanger or the second heat exchanger is a condenser and the ratio of the oil cooler internal to external surface area is larger than the ratio of the condenser internal to external surface area; and
wherein the plurality of tubes of the oil cooler have a length and a hydraulic diameter such that a ratio of the length to the hydraulic diameter is between about 300 and about 700. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A heat exchanger comprising:
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a first end tank;
a second end tank opposite the first end tank;
a plurality of first tubes in fluid communication with the first and second end tanks, the plurality of first tubes adapted to have a first fluid flow there-through;
a plurality of second tubes adapted to have a second fluid flow there-through;
a plurality of fins disposed between the first and second tubes, with the first and second tubes and the fins being generally co-planar relative to each other;
a first end tube defining a first end of the heat exchanger;
a second end tube defining a second end of the heat exchanger; and
a bleed hole selectively in fluid communication with at least one of the first fluid or the second fluid wherein the first end tube or the second end tube is respectively restricted from fluid communication with the first fluid or the second fluid;
wherein a component selected from a first tube, a second tube or an end tank is formed of a first material having a first melting point and cladding having a second melting point lower than the melting point of the first material and wherein the first material is a higher melting point aluminum alloy and the material of the cladding is a lower melting point aluminum alloy. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42)
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43. A heat exchanger for an automotive vehicle, comprising:
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at least one end tank;
at least two heat exchangers including a plurality of spaced apart metal tubes with fins between the spaced tubes, a first of the two heat exchangers adapted to have a first fluid flow therethrough and a second of the two heat exchangers adapted to have second fluid flow therethrough; and
a bleed hole selectively in fluid communication with at least one of the first fluid or the second fluid the heat exchangers being disposed so that their respective tubes and fins are generally co-planar with each other and so that the tubes are connected to the end tank;
the heat exchangers being selected from the group consisting of an oil heat exchanger, a condenser or combinations thereof;
wherein the plurality of spaced apart metal tubes have a length and a hydraulic diameter and wherein a ratio of the length to the hydraulic diameter is between about 80 and about 1820; and
wherein the component selected from at least one of the tubes or the at least one end tank is formed of a first material having a first melting point and a cladding having a second melting point lower than the melting point of the first material and wherein the first material is a higher melting point aluminum alloy and the material of the cladding is a lower melting point aluminum alloy. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45)
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Specification