Patent ID: 6116335
Filing Date: 2000-09-12
Classification: F28F

Abstract:
In a cross flow automotive radiator having a inlet header tank that is generally a box like structure with an interior defined by elongated first side wall and a generally parallel second side wall disposed along a first axis, a back wall joining said side walls, and two opposite ends opposed along said first axis, which header tank distributes flowing coolant to a plurality of substantially straight flow tubes that are spaced along said first axis, opposed to said header tank back wall and parallel to a second axis that is generally perpendicular to the first axis, said header tank having an inlet pipe disposed substantially along a third axis perpendicular to the other two axes with an opening through said first side wall opposite said second side wall, with said coolant flowing into said header tank at the transition between said tank interior and said inlet pipe opening, the improvement comprising,a flow turning structure within said header tank and disposed on said second side wall and back wall, opposite said first side wall, said flow turning structure including a pair of curved, flow turning surfaces, opposed to said inlet pipe opening, a first curved surface sloping in one direction along said first axis, toward one tank end and away from said back wall, a second curved surface sloping in the opposite direction along said first axis, toward the other tank end and away from said back wall, said first and second surface intersecting at a crest edge that is sloped both toward said flow tubes along said second axis and away from said back wall,whereby coolant flowing out of said pipe opening along said third axis is divided by said crest edge and turned smoothly by said first and second sloping surfaces and along said first axis, toward opposite ends of said tank, reducing turbulence and pressure loss at the transition between said inlet pipe opening and the interior of said header tank.