Patent Publication Number: US-2012024508-A1

Title: Reinforcement plate for multiple row heat exchanger

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     A heat exchanger having multiple rows of tubes. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Heat exchangers having multiple rows of tubes are well known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 6,736,193 to Kodumudi, for example, discloses a pair of manifolds in spaced relationship to each other. Each of the manifolds extends between opposite manifold ends. Each of the manifolds define a plurality of slits each having a centrally disposed center axis. At least one reinforcement member interconnects the manifolds and extends between reinforcement ends disposed adjacent the manifolds. Each of the manifolds has at least one retainer for clamping the adjacent one of the reinforcement members thereto. Each of the reinforcement ends defines at least one tab for connection thereof to one of the manifolds ends. The tab includes a lip being clamped by the retainer and at least one connector extending between the reinforcement end and the lip. US Patent Application Publication 2009/0151918 to Hur et al. discloses slits being disposed in a plurality of slit rows disposed in a side by side relationship and each of the slit rows extending between the manifold ends. The center axes of the slits in each of the slit rows are aligned in a row plane. A plurality of tubes are for carrying fluid between the manifolds and each of the tubes extends between the manifolds and has tube ends disposed in the slits. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides for one of the connectors being centered on each of the row planes to define row isolating openings between adjacent connectors to isolate each of the row planes from differential forces of adjacent row planes. 
     ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject invention reduces the torque acting in each of the connectors from the differential forces of the row planes and greatly increases the thermal cycle life of the tubes by reducing thermal strain in the tubes. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a heat exchanger according to the subject invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial sectional view of a heat exchanger according to the subject invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a heat exchanger according to the subject invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a heat exchanger according to the subject invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a heat exchanger according to the subject invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, a heat exchanger includes a pair of manifolds  20  in parallel and spaced relationship to each other. Each of the manifolds  20  extends between opposite manifold ends  22 . Each manifold  20  has a D-shaped cross-section to define a pair of edges  24  extending between the manifold ends  22  and parallel to each other. A flat wall  26  extends between the edges  24 . A curved wall  28  is arcuate and extends between the edges  24 . The flat wall  26  and the curved wall  28  define a manifold chamber (not shown). 
     Each of the flat walls  26  of each of the manifolds  20  defines a plurality of slits  30 . Each of the slits  30  has a centrally disposed center axis C. The slits  30  are disposed in a plurality of parallel slit rows R. The slit rows R are disposed in side by side relationship and each of the slit rows R extend between the manifold ends  22 . The center axes C of the slits  30  in each of the slit rows R are aligned in a row plane P (as demonstrated in  FIG. 2 ). 
     A plurality of tubes  32  are for carrying fluid between the manifolds  20  and each of the tubes  32  extends between the manifolds  20  and has tube ends  34  (not shown) disposed in the slits  30  (as demonstrated n in  FIG. 3 ). In each of the tubes  32 , a change in temperature causes relative expansion and contraction. The temperature of each of the tubes  32  changes individually of other of the tubes  32  and the tubes  32  create differential forces between the row planes P. Fins  36  extend between the tubes  32  for transferring heat between the tubes  32  and air passing the fins  36 . 
     A pair of reinforcement members  38  each have a U-shaped cross-section interconnecting the manifolds  20 . Each of the reinforcement members  38  extend between reinforcement ends  40  disposed adjacent to the flat walls  26  of the manifolds  20  and inwardly from the manifold ends  22 . 
     Each of the manifolds  20  has at least one retainer  42  extending from each of the manifold ends  22  for clamping the adjacent one of the reinforcement members  38  thereto. Each of the retainers  42  is L-shaped including a first leg  44  extending perpendicularly away from the manifold end  22  and a clamp leg  46  extending from the first leg  44  in a direction parallel the adjacent one of the reinforcement members  38 . 
     Each of the reinforcement ends  40  has at least one tab  48  for connection thereof to at least one of said retainers  42  at the adjacent one of the manifold ends  22 . Each of said tabs  48  include a lip  54  being clamped by the adjacent one of the retainers  42  between the adjacent one of the manifold ends  22  and the adjacent one of the clamp legs  46  and extends arcuately outward therefrom and over the adjacent one of the manifold ends  22 . At least one connector  50  extending outwardly from and between said reinforcement end  40  and said lip  54  thereof. Each of the lips  54  define a notch  56  in alignment with the adjacent one of the retainers  42  for securing the tab  48  laterally in the retainer  42 . 
     The invention is characterized by one of the connectors  50  being centered on each of the row planes P to define row isolating openings  52  between adjacent of the connectors  50  to isolate each of the row planes P from differential forces of adjacent of the row planes P. 
     In an embodiment (as demonstrated in  FIG. 3 ), the heat exchanger has two of the slit rows R. Each of the manifold ends  22  has one of the retainers  42 . Each of the reinforcement ends  40  has one of the tabs  48  and each of the tabs  48  has two of the connectors  50 . 
     In an embodiment (as demonstrated in  FIG. 5 ), the heat exchanger has four of the slit rows R. Each of the manifold ends  22  has one of the retainers  42 . Each of the reinforcement ends  40  has one of the tabs  48  and each of the tabs  48  has four of the connectors  50 . 
     In an embodiment (as demonstrated in  FIG. 4 ), the heat exchanger has four of the slit rows R. Each of the manifold ends  22  has two of the retainers  42  and the retainers  42  are side by side and spaced from each other. Each of the reinforcement ends  40  includes two of the tabs  48  and each of said tabs  48  is in alignment with a different one of the retainers  42  and has two of the connectors  50 . 
     Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings and may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described while within the scope of the appended claims. That which is prior art in the claims precedes the novelty set forth in the “characterized by” clause. The novelty is meant to be particularly and distinctly recited in the “characterized by” clause whereas the antecedent recitations merely set forth the old and well-known combination in which the invention resides. These antecedent recitations should be interpreted to cover any combination in which the inventive novelty exercises its utility. The use of the word “said” in the apparatus claims refers to an antecedent that is a positive recitation meant to be included in the coverage of the claims whereas the word “the” precedes a word not meant to be included in the coverage of the claims. In addition, the reference numerals in the claims are merely for convenience and are not to be read in any way as limiting.