Patent ID: 7207378

Claim:
A heat exchanger assembly comprising: a core comprising a series of tubes and fins interposed between the tubes, each tube having ends, a first tank header and a second tank header arranged with said core such that each tube comprises one end in fluid tight communication with the first header and an opposite end in fluid tight communication with the second header, a reinforcing member comprising a connection section attached to the first tank header and including a bend, wherein during thermal cycling of the heat exchanger assembly the connection section exhibits a partial strain energy density based upon a maximum mechanical strain of the bend, at least one tube being adjacent said reinforcing member and having a cross section adjacent the first tank header that includes a radius section, said radius section having a partial strain energy density based upon a maximum mechanical strain of the tube at said radius section during said thermal cycling, characterized in that said partial strain energy density of the connection section is greater than the partial strain energy density of said radius section.