Patent ID: 6056047
Filing Date: 2000-05-02
Classification: F28F

Abstract:
A manifold for a heat exchanger, said manifold having two ends and a longitudinal axis and comprising:an elongated manifold segment inset from said ends of said manifold, said manifold segment having an inner surface defining an interior and a longitudinal axis collinear with said longitudinal axis of said manifold;a plurality of parallel spaced slots formed in said manifold segment, each of said slots being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said manifold segment;a plurality of webs defined in said manifold segment, each of said webs being located between a pair of adjacent slots;a plurality of stampings defined in each of said webs, said stampings forming depressions extending into said interior of said manifold segment, said webs being relatively flattened by said stampings and said manifold segment to either side of said stampings remaining rounded so that said manifold segment has an approximately D-shaped profile in cross-section in the vicinity of the manifold segment where the web is relatively flattened;at least one baffle, each said baffle being positioned between a pair of adjacent slots and beneath said stampings formed in said web between said pair of adjacent slots where said manifold segment has a generally D-shaped profile, each said baffle having a principle circular edge and a truncated edge so as to have a truncated circular profile substantially corresponding to the approximately D-shaped profile of said manifold segment, each said baffle having an outwardly extending lip over a portion of its perimeter at said principle circular edge, said lip having opposed ends and projections extending radially outwardly from said ends, said projections being dimensioned to provide an interference fit with said inner surface of said manifold segment, and each said baffle having a perimeter dimensioned to define a slight gap with said inner surface of said manifold segment except at said projections wherein the perimeter of said baffle at said principle circular edge has a first radius R.sub.1, the perimeter of said baffle at said truncated edge has a second radius R.sub.2 greater than R.sub.1, and the perimeter of said baffle has a third radius R.sub.3, said third radius R.sub.3 being a transitional radius between said first and second radii R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 and being substantially smaller than R.sub.1, and R.sub.2 ; anda fillet of filler material filling the gap between each of said baffles and said manifold segment.