Patent ID: 6446713
Filing Date: 2002-09-10
Classification: F28D,F28F

Abstract:
An evaporator having a pair of manifolds and tubes fluidically connected to each of the manifolds for carrying a fluid to and from the manifolds, at least one of the manifolds comprising:a tank member comprising a substantially planar plate having an interior surface facing the interior of the manifold and having a pair of oppositely-dispose disposed lateral edges; a header member having a pair of oppositely-disposed lateral edges joined to the lateral edges of the tank member to define the interior ofthe manifold, the header memberhaving an interior surface facing the interior of the manifold and the interior surface of the tank member, the header member comprising a base wall and at least one longitudinal rib projecting from the base wall and extending substantially the entire longitudinal length of the manifold so as to define first and second longitudinal channels in the interior surface of the header member, the rib contacting the interior surface of the tank member so that the first and second longitudinal channels define first and second longitudinal passages within the interior of the manifold; and openings through the base wall and the rib of the header member, at least one of the openings having a first width through the base wall and a second width through the rib that is less than the first width, such that opposing portions of the rib extend into the at least one opening; wherein a first of the tubes is received in at least one opening so as to be in fluidic communication with the first and second passages of the manifold, the first tube abutting the opposing portions of the rib.