Patent ID: 7621317

Claim:
A side plate for use in a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger including a core extending along a longitudinal axis between a pair of spaced, generally parallel headers, the side plate comprising: a first body piece including a first edge; and a second body piece including a second edge, each of the first and second body pieces including a base and a leg extending generally normal from the base to produce a generally channel shape; the first and second edges defining at least one opening separating the first and second body pieces except for four or fewer point connections between the first and second edges, each of the point connections defined by intersecting portions of the first and second edges such that, when each of the four or fewer point connections break, the at least one opening and the connections allow the first and second body pieces to remain in contact while sliding past one another in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the side plate; and wherein at least one point connection is located between the bases of the first and second body pieces and at least one point connection is located between the legs of the first and second body pieces.