Patent ID: 8573252

Claim:
A shape optimized header comprising: a shell that is operative for collecting a fluid; wherein an internal diameter and/or a wall thickness of the shell vary with a change in pressure and/or a change in a fluid flow rate in the shell; and tubes; wherein the tubes are in communication with the shell and are operative to transfer fluid into the shell; wherein a change in the internal diameter or a change in the wall thickness of the shell is proportional to a change in local pressure experienced in the shell and determined by the equation (1a): Δ ⁢ ⁢ d 2 Δ ⁢ ⁢ d 1 = Δ ⁢ ⁢ t 2 Δ ⁢ ⁢ t 1 = Δ ⁢ ⁢ p 2 Δ ⁢ ⁢ p 1 , ( 1 ⁢ a ) where Δd 2 is the change in the internal diameter of a second section of the shell, Δd 1 is the change in the internal diameter of a first section of the shell, Δt t is the change in the wall thickness of a second section of the shell, Δt 1 is the change in the wall thickness of a first section of the shell, where Δp 2 is the change in pressure experienced in the second section of the shell and Δp 1 is the change in pressure encountered in the first section of the shell.