U.S. patent application number 10/813740 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-14 for heat exchanger mount frame for vehicle.
Invention is credited to Hitt, Jonathan, Tasdelen, Metin.
Application Number | 20040200598 10/813740 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32892329 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040200598 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hitt, Jonathan ; et
al. |
October 14, 2004 |
Heat exchanger mount frame for vehicle
Abstract
A frame for mounting at least one heat exchanger in a vehicle,
including a longitudinal side and a transverse side, fasteners on
the sides adapted to fasten to the at least one heat exchanger
between the sides, and supports on the sides adapted to secure to a
vehicle to support the frame therein. At least one of the sides is
adjustable in length in the direction of the side. The frame
includes a combination of L-shaped and/or U-shaped frame members
having arms which are selectively interconnected to define the
adjustable sides.
Inventors: |
Hitt, Jonathan; (Esslingen,
DE) ; Tasdelen, Metin; (Dettingen, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOOD, PHILLIPS, KATZ, CLARK & MORTIMER
500 W. MADISON STREET
SUITE 3800
CHICAGO
IL
60661
US
|
Family ID: |
32892329 |
Appl. No.: |
10/813740 |
Filed: |
March 31, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/69 ; 165/67;
180/68.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60K 11/04 20130101;
F28D 1/0443 20130101; F28F 2265/26 20130101; F01P 2070/52 20130101;
F28F 9/002 20130101; F28F 2265/30 20130101; F01P 2003/185
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/069 ;
165/067; 180/068.4 |
International
Class: |
F28F 009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 11, 2003 |
DE |
DE 103 16 614.9 |
Claims
1. A frame for mounting at least one heat exchanger in a vehicle,
comprising: a longitudinal side and a transverse side, at least one
of said sides being adjustable in length in the direction of the
side; fasteners on said sides adapted to fasten to said at least
one heat exchanger between said sides; and supports on said sides
adapted to secure to a vehicle to support said frame therein.
2. The frame of claim 1, wherein at least one of said sides is
biased toward another of said sides for fastening said fasteners to
said at least one heat exchanger.
3. The frame of claim 1, wherein said sides are plastic members,
and further comprising a reinforcement on at least one of said
plastic members.
4. The frame of claim 1, wherein said at least one side is
infinitely adjustable in length.
5. The frame of claim 1, wherein said at least one side is
incrementally adjustably in length.
6. The frame of claim 1, wherein said longitudinal and transverse
sides comprise a pair of longitudinal sides extending between a
pair of transverse sides, at least one of said pair of sides being
adjustable in length in the direction of the pair of sides.
7. The frame of claim 6, further comprising: a first generally
U-shaped frame member with two arms projecting on one of said
longitudinal and transverse directions; a second generally U-shaped
frame member with two arms projecting in said one of said
longitudinal and transverse directions; and arm fasteners adapted
to selectively secure the two arms of said first frame member to
the two arms of said second frame member whereby said sides of said
one pair of sides have a selected length.
8. The frame of claim 7, wherein said two arms of said first frame
member are substantially equal in length to one another, and said
two arms of said second frame member are substantially equal in
length to one another.
9. The frame of claim 7, wherein said two arms of said first frame
member are different in length than said two arms of said second
frame member.
10. The frame of claim 7, further comprising a crosspiece between
said two arms of at least one of said first and second frame
members.
11. The frame of claim 7, wherein said first frame member is
plastic and said second frame member is metal.
12. The frame of claim 7, wherein: said arms of said first frame
member include channels along their length and said arms of said
second frame member are received in said channels; and said first
frame member is plastic and said second frame member is metal.
13. The frame of claim 1, further comprising: a first angle frame
member having a pair of arms oriented in an L; a second angle frame
member having a pair of arms oriented in an L; wherein one arm of
said first angle frame member and one arm of said second angle
frame member are adjustably securable to one another along their
lengths to define said adjustable side.
14. The frame of claim 13, further comprising: a third angle frame
member having a pair of arms oriented in an L; a fourth angle frame
member having a pair of arms oriented in an L; wherein one arm of
said third angle frame member and one arm of said fourth angle
frame member are adjustably securable to one another along their
lengths to further define said adjustable one of said longitudinal
and transverse sides, and said other of said longitudinal and
transverse sides is adjustable and defined by adjustably securable
other arms of said first and third angle frame members and
adjustably securable other arms of said second and fourth angle
frame members.
15. The frame of claim 14, wherein said first, second, third and
fourth angle frame members are substantially the same
configuration.
16. The frame of claim 15, further comprising, with each angle
frame member, an angle crosspiece between the L-oriented pair of
arms
17. The frame of claim 16, further comprising, with each angle
frame member, a slit at one end of the angle crosspiece adapted to
receive the crosspiece of an adjacent angle frame member when said
one arms of said angle frame members are adjustably secured in a
position in which said crosspieces overlap.
18. The frame of claim 13, further comprising, with each angle
frame member, an angle crosspiece between the L-oriented pair of
arms.
19. The frame of claim 18, further comprising a slit in one angle
crosspiece adapted to receive the other crosspiece when said one
arms of said frame members are adjustably secured in a position in
which said crosspieces overlap.
20. The frame of claim 19, wherein said one arms of said frame
members are adjustably securable in a position in which said
crosspieces do not overlap.
21. The frame of claim 20, wherein said one angled crosspiece is
associated with the first angle frame member and includes two legs
spaced from front to back at least at the connection of said one
angled crosspiece to said one arm of said first angle frame member,
and the other angled crosspiece associated with the second angle
frame member is arranged front to back to be received between the
spaced legs of the one angled crosspiece.
22. The frame of claim 13, wherein said one arm of said first frame
member is adjustably received in a channel defined by said one arm
of said second frame member.
23. The frame of claim 22, further comprising a locking member for
securing said one arm of said first frame member in a selected
position in the channel defined by said one arm of said second
locking member.
24. The frame of claim 13, wherein said first angle frame member
one arm is infinitely adjustable relative to said second angle
frame member one arm.
25. The frame of claim 13, further comprising: a slit defined in
said one arm of said first angle frame member; and a fastening
element fixed relative to said second angle frame member and
extending through said slit, said fastening element adapted to
selectively secure to said first angle frame member.
26. The frame of claim 13, wherein said first and second angle
frame members define three sides of said frame, and further
comprising a crosspiece securable to said first and second angle
frame members to define a fourth side of said frame.
27. The frame of claim 26, wherein said crosspiece defining said
fourth side is U-shaped and includes arms securable to said other
arms of said first and second angle frame members.
28. A heat transfer device, comprising: a frame according to claim
1; and at least two heat exchangers, wherein said frame fasteners
are biased toward said heat exchangers to fasten said at least two
heat exchangers between said frame sides.
29. The heat transfer device of claim 28, wherein said at least two
heat exchangers are arranged side by side in said frame.
30. A heat transfer device, comprising: a frame according to claim
1; and at least two heat exchangers, each including headers on
their top and bottom, and said fasteners are on top and bottom
sides of said frame and fasten said frame to said heat exchanger
headers.
31. A heat transfer device, comprising: a frame according to claim
1; and at least one heat exchanger in said frame; wherein said
frame fasteners comprise an opening defined in said frame; a pin
extending between said frame and said heat exchanger and said
opening; and a vibration damping element between said pin and said
defined opening.
32. The heat transfer device of claim 31, wherein said opening is
conically shaped, and said pin is shaped to correspond to said
opening shape.
33. A heat transfer device, comprising: a frame according to claim
1; and at least one heat exchanger in said frame; wherein said heat
exchanger is substantially entirely secured to said frame by said
fasteners, and said fasteners are elastic.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX
[0003] Not applicable.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0004] The present invention is directed toward heat exchanger for
vehicles, and particularly toward a frame structure for supporting
heat exchangers in vehicles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS POSED BY THE
PRIOR ART
[0005] Frames for supporting heat exchangers in vehicles are known
in the art. For example, International Patent Application WO
99/47875 discloses a U-shaped frame having guides on the inside of
its two opposite arms into which a heat exchanger can be inserted,
where the frame is finished into a closed frame structure by a
second transverse strut. Where different size vehicles and/or heat
exchangers are used, different size frame members must be used.
Thus, different manufacturing and increased inventories must be
maintained to accommodate the many different sizes of heat
exchangers which may commonly be used.
[0006] EP 0 020 190, from CA 1 081 277, from DE 100 61 561 A1 or
from DE 195 14 016 C1 also disclose heat exchanger frame support
structures. However, the above described shortcoming of WO 99/47875
is more or less true of these arrangements as well. DE 102 50 334.6
discloses a one-piece plastic frame which also is not usable with
heat exchangers that do not fit into the periphery of the framing
as manufactured.
[0007] The present invention is directed toward overcoming one or
more of the problems set forth above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In one aspect of the present invention, a frame is provided
for mounting at least one heat exchanger in a vehicle, including a
longitudinal side and a transverse side, fasteners on the sides
adapted to fasten to the at least one heat exchanger between the
sides, and supports on the sides adapted to secure to a vehicle to
support the frame therein. At least one of the sides is adjustable
in length in the direction of the side.
[0009] In one form, at least one of the sides is biased toward
another of the sides for fastening the fasteners to the at least
one heat exchanger.
[0010] In another form, the sides are plastic members, and a
reinforcement is provided on at least one of the plastic
members.
[0011] In still another form, the at least one side is infinitely
adjustable in length, and in another form at least one side is
incrementally adjustably in length.
[0012] In yet another form, the longitudinal and transverse sides
include a pair of longitudinal sides extending between a pair of
transverse sides, at least one of the pair of sides is adjustable
in length in the direction of the pair of sides.
[0013] In one aspect, a first generally U-shaped frame member has
two arms projecting on one of the longitudinal and transverse
directions, a second generally U-shaped frame member has two arms
projecting in the one of the longitudinal and transverse
directions, and arm fasteners are adapted to selectively secure the
two arms of the first frame member to the two arms of the second
frame member whereby the sides of the one pair of sides have a
selected length. In one further form, the two arms of the first
frame member are substantially equal in length to one another, and
the two arms of the second frame member are substantially equal in
length to one another, and in another form the two arms of the
first frame member are different in length than the two arms of the
second frame member. In a second further form, a crosspiece is
between the two arms of at least one of the first and second frame
members. In a third further form, the first frame member is plastic
and the second frame member is metal. In still another further
form, the arms of the first frame member include channels along
their length and the arms of the second frame member are received
in the channels, and the first frame member is plastic and the
second frame member is metal.
[0014] In another aspect, a first angle frame member has a pair of
arms oriented in an L and a second angle frame member has a pair of
arms oriented in an L, wherein one arm of the first angle frame
member and one arm of the second angle frame member are adjustably
securable to one another along their lengths to define the
adjustable side.
[0015] In a further form, a third angle frame member has a pair of
arms oriented in an L and a fourth angle frame member has a pair of
arms oriented in an L, wherein one arm of the third angle frame
member and one arm of the fourth angle frame member are adjustably
securable to one another along their lengths to further define the
adjustable one of the longitudinal and transverse sides, and the
other of the longitudinal and transverse sides is adjustable and
defined by adjustably securable other arms of the first and third
angle frame members and adjustably securable other arms of the
second and fourth angle frame members. In a still further form, the
first, second, third and fourth angle frame members are
substantially the same configuration. In yet a further form, with
each angle frame member, an angle crosspiece is between the
L-oriented pair of arms. In yet a further form, with each angle
frame member there is a slit at one end of the angle crosspiece
adapted to receive the crosspiece of an adjacent angle frame member
when the one arms of the angle frame members are adjustably secured
in a position in which the crosspieces overlap.
[0016] In a further form, with each angle frame member, an angle
crosspiece is between the L-oriented pair of arms. In a still
further form, a slit in one angle crosspiece is adapted to receive
the other crosspiece when the one arms of the frame members are
adjustably secured in a position in which the crosspieces overlap.
In yet a further form, the one arms of the frame members are
adjustably securable in a position in which the crosspieces do not
overlap. In a yet further form, the one angled crosspiece is
associated with the first angle frame member and includes two legs
spaced from front to back at least at the connection of the one
angled crosspiece to the one arm of the first angle frame member,
and the other angled crosspiece associated with the second angle
frame member is arranged front to back to be received between the
spaced legs of the one angled crosspiece.
[0017] In yet another form, the one arm of the first frame member
is adjustably received in a channel defined by the one arm of the
second frame member, and in a further form a locking member is
provided for securing the one arm of the first frame member in a
selected position in the channel defined by the one arm of the
second locking member.
[0018] In still another form, the first angle frame member one arm
is infinitely adjustable relative to the second angle frame member
one arm.
[0019] In yet another form, a slit is defined in the one arm of the
first angle frame member, and a fastening element is fixed relative
to the second angle frame member and extends through the slit, the
fastening element adapted to selectively secure to the first angle
frame member.
[0020] In still another form, the first and second angle frame
members define three sides of the frame, and a crosspiece securable
to the first and second angle frame members defines a fourth side
of the frame. In a further form, the crosspiece defining the fourth
side is U-shaped and includes arms securable to the other arms of
the first and second angle frame members.
[0021] In other aspects of the invention, a heat transfer device
includes a frame as broadly described above, and at least two heat
exchangers, with the frame fasteners biased toward the heat
exchangers to fasten the at least two heat exchangers between the
frame sides. In one form of this aspect of the invention, the heat
exchangers are arranged side by side.
[0022] In yet other aspect of the invention, a heat transfer device
includes a frame as broadly described above, and at least two heat
exchangers, each including headers on their top and bottom, wherein
the fasteners are on top and bottom sides of the frame and fasten
the frame to the heat exchanger headers.
[0023] In still another aspect of the present invention, a heat
transfer device includes a frame as broadly described above, and at
least one heat exchanger, wherein the frame fasteners include an
opening defined in the frame, a pin extending between the frame and
the heat exchanger and the opening, and a vibration damping element
between the pin and the defined opening.
[0024] In one form of this aspect of the invention, the opening is
conically shaped, and the pin is shaped to correspond to the
opening shape.
[0025] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a
heat transfer device includes a frame as broadly described above,
and at least one heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchanger is
substantially entirely secured to the frame by the fasteners, and
the fasteners are elastic.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a heat transfer device
incorporating the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the FIG. 1
embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the frame of FIGS. 1-2;
[0029] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one frame member according
to the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 5 is an enlarged, exploded partial view of two
cooperating frame members according to FIGS. 1-3
[0031] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the heat transfer device of
FIGS. 1-3;
[0032] FIG. 7 is another heat transfer device according to the
present invention, illustrating the frame prior to fastening to the
heat exchangers arranged in side by side position;
[0033] FIG. 8 is an enlarged, partially broken-away detailed view
of a fastening point between the heat exchanger and the frame;
[0034] FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the FIG. 7 heat
transfer device supported on a vehicle frame with one heat
exchanger omitted;
[0035] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a third
embodiment of a heat exchanger mount frame according to the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0036] FIGS. 1-6 show a heat transfer device 10 according to the
present invention, wherein a pair of heat exchangers 14, 16 are
supported in a frame 20.
[0037] The frame includes four angle frame members 22, 24, 26, 28,
each having a pair of arms 22a, 22b, 24a, 24b, 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b
in an "L" orientation to one another and each generally defining
different corners of a generally rectangular frame 20. One arm 22a,
24a, 26a, 28a of each frame member 22, 24, 26, 28 is suitably
adjustably secured to another arm 24b, 26b, 28b, 22b, respectively,
of an adjacent frame member 24, 26, 28, 22. For example, as
illustrated, channels 36 may be defined in selected arms 22a, 24a,
26a, 28a, with the adjustable secured arms 24b, 26b, 28b, 22b of
adjacent frame members suitably shaped to be slidably received in
the channels 36.
[0038] It should thus be appreciated that the frame members 22-28
will cooperate to define a generally rectangular frame 20 having a
longitudinal side 40 and a transverse side 42, both of which may be
adjusted to accommodate different size heat exchangers depending
upon the requirements of the vehicle. (The terms "longitudinal
sides" and "transverse sides" serve merely to distinguish the sides
and in no case says anything about their length or their
orientation. Both sides, for example, can have the same length, and
either side may be, for example, horizontal or vertical. Moreover,
it should re recognized that, in the FIGS. 1-6 embodiment, the
longitudinal and lateral sides 40, 42 are each defined by a pair of
sides, with the longitudinal side 40 defined both by arms 22a and
28b and arms 24a and 26b and the transverse side 42 defined both by
arms 22a and 24b and arms 26a and 28b.)
[0039] Suitable locking mechanisms 50 are provided to secure the
frame member arms together in the desired length. For example, as
perhaps best appreciated from FIG. 3, arms 22a, 24a, 26a, 28a each
include a pair of aligned holes 52 on opposite sides of their
channels 36 and the associated arms 24b, 26b, 28b, 22b received in
those channels 36 include a slit 54 aligned with those holes 52.
Suitable bolts 56 extend through the holes 52 and slits 54,
allowing the arms 24b, 26b, 28b, 22b to slide within the channels
36 within limits, and to be positioned in selected infinitely
variable (i.e., stepless) positions between those limits. The arms
22a, 24b; 24a, 26b; 26a, 28b; 28a, 22b may be secured together in
any selected position by tightening of the bolts 56, thereby
squeezing the sides of the channels 36 together against the arm
24b, 26b, 28b, 22b held therein.
[0040] Each angle frame member 22, 24, 26, 28 includes an angle
crosspiece or brace 60 having a yoke or fork configuration at one
end defining a slit 64. The ends of the yoke configuration are
secured on opposite sides of a slit 68 in the arm 22a, 24a, 26a,
28a defining the channel 36 so that, as perhaps best seen in FIG.
2, the angle frame member 22, 24, 26, 28 can be connected with arms
22b, 24b, 26b, 28b slidably received in the channels 36 and with
the ends of the angle crosspieces 60 received in the arm slits 68
and, where the length of the sides 40, 42 is sufficiently short (as
in FIG. 2), received in the slits 64 of overlapping angle
crosspieces 60.
[0041] Supports 70 are suitably secured to the lateral sides 42 of
the frame 10, as by nuts 74 and bolts 76 extending through
(depending on the required height of the supports relative to the
vehicle support frame) the slit 54 in the flat arm 28b and/or holes
in the channel arm 22a. Suitable dampers 80 may be provided to
minimize vibration.
[0042] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and 6, the heat exchangers 14,
16 are arranged side by side, with the headers or collecting tanks
82 at the top and bottom. It should be appreciated, however, that
the collecting tanks could also, within the scope of the invention,
be oriented vertically (i.e., at the lateral sides 42). Though not
shown, the core 84, 86 of the heat exchangers 14, 16 may be of any
suitable type such as flat tubes extending between the headers 82
with plate or serpentine fins between the tubes. The heat
exchangers 14, 16 may also operate with multiple passes, as can be
provided by the inclusion of baffles in one or more header 82. In
any event, though not drawn in the Figures to prevent clutter, the
cores 84, 86 are such as to allow air to pass therethrough in the
direction of arrow 88 (see FIG. 1), typically for cooling one or
two phase fluids in the heat exchanger tubes.
[0043] Suitable fasteners 90 are also provided on the angle frame
members 22, 24, 26, 28 and are adapted to secure the heat
exchangers 14, 16 in the frame 20. As one simple example, the
fasteners 90 may consist of raised members on the inside of the
frame 20 which are received in recesses in the headers 82 of heat
exchangers 14, 16 such that, when the frame 20 is sized so as to be
closely around the heat exchangers 14, 16, the fasteners 90 will be
received in the header recesses and block the heat exchangers 14,16
from moving forward (e.g., opposite the direction of the arrow 88
in FIG. 1) out of the frame 20.
[0044] It should be appreciated that each of the angle frame
members 22, 24, 26, 28 may be identical, as should be apparent from
FIG. 3 in particular. Further, these frame members 22, 24, 26, 28
may be readily adjusted to a variety of heights and widths to
accommodate a wide variety of different size heat exchangers and
different size compartments within which they must be mounted.
[0045] FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the present
invention, in which the frame 20' consists of two U-shaped frame
members 100, 102 so that the frame 20' is adjustable in size in the
vertical direction, but has a fixed width. The lower frame member
100 is suitably designed, for example, with reinforcing ribs 108,
to be stable, with the supports 70' suitably fixed to the lower
frame member 100 to take up bearing forces when supported (e.g.,
with dampers 80) on a vehicle frame 110 as shown in FIG. 9. The
lower frame member 100 may comprise plastic with the upper frame
member 102 being formed of metal such as aluminum or steel
sheets.
[0046] The downwardly oriented legs of the upper frame member 102
are suitably adjustable relative to the upwardly oriented legs of
the lower frame member 100. Openings 112 in the lower frame member
100 may be selectively aligned with openings 114 in the upper frame
member 102 and secured together in selected step-wise adjustable
positions by a suitable fastener such as a screw or bolt or pin 118
inserted through selected aligned openings 112, 114. Still other
fasteners could be used as well, such as shape-mated connections,
like snap connections or the like.
[0047] One or more reinforcing crosspieces 120 (see FIG. 9) may
also be provided between the arms of one or both of the U-shaped
frame member 100, 102, with suitable space provided between the
arms, such as a slit as with the first described embodiment, to
allow the frame members 100, 102 to be adjusted without
interference from the crosspieces 120.
[0048] Two heat exchangers 14', 16' are illustrated in FIG. 7 in
side by side arrangement in the frame 20' (with one of the heat
exchangers 16' omitted for illustration purposes in FIG. 9), though
it should be understood that frames 20' of this configuration could
also support heat exchangers in front to back orientation (or both
side by side and front to back orientation) (as could also be the
case with all of the embodiments described herein). Suitable
fasteners could be provided accordingly (e.g., front and rear sets
when front to back orientation is contemplated).
[0049] FIG. 8 illustrates an enlarged cutout of an elastic fastener
90' which may suitably be used with the present invention. The
fastener 90' includes an opening 130 punched, for example, in the
cross-strut 134 of the upper U-shaped frame member 102, and a
conical collar 138 formed around opening 130. A pin 140 (see FIG.
7) is arranged on collecting tank 82' of a heat exchanger 14', and
extends into opening 130, in which a vibration-damping element 144
is arranged between the pin 140 and the collar 138 of the opening
130. A plurality of such elastic fastener 90' (e.g., containing a
spring or rubber element) may be provided to stably secure the heat
exchangers 14', 16' in position without need for any additional
fastening to the frame 20'. Further, a certain bias of the frame
members 100, 102 on the heat exchanger 14', 16' can be provided to
enhance such fastening. A trough-like recess could also be
provided, instead of the opening 130. Such fasteners 90' not only
provide a vibration-reduced mounting of the heat exchangers 14',
16', but also allow for heat-related length changes. If a bias
force is exerted on the heat exchanger by means of the framing, the
elastic fastening should be designed so that heat-related length
changes are also possible.
[0050] FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the present invention,
in which the frame 20", which consists of two generally L-shaped
angle frame members 24", 26", such as may be similar to the frame
members in FIGS. 1-6 and separately shown in FIG. 4. Those two
frame members 24", 26" themselves provide a three sided frame 20"
which may be infinitely adjusted to different widths according to
the needs of the particular installation. The frame 20" may be
completed, if desired, with a fourth side by a third (U-shaped)
frame member 140, or the fourth side may be left open. If a third
frame member 140 is used, different sizes may be required depending
on the width to which the two frame members 24", 26" are adjustably
set. However, this is not a serious problem, since the upper frame
member can be readily and conveniently made of sheet steel.
[0051] It should thus be appreciated that frames may be provided in
a variety of configurations while still embodying the present
invention whereby a variety of different size heat exchangers may
be accommodated by a single frame. For example, according to the
first described embodiment, the frame may be adjustable in length
along both sides (longitudinal and lateral) via use of four angle
frame members. Alternatively, the frame may be adjustable in length
along one of the sides by use of two U-shaped frame members
according to the second described embodiment. Further, the frame
may be adjustable in length along one of the sides by use of two
angle frame members, with a reinforcing crosspiece optionally
usable according to the size, in accordance with the third
described embodiment.
[0052] It should thus be appreciated that the present invention
provides flexibility in use so that an entire series of vehicles
can be equipped with heat transfer exchangers of varying sizes
while using the same frame structure, thereby minimizing or
eliminating the cost of manufacturing different size frames, and
minimizing the inventory of frames which must be maintained. For
example, the ability to readily adjust the frame structure allows
the same frame structure to be used for, for example, light, medium
and heavy trucks, whereby production of those different size trucks
can therefore proceed cost effectively. In light trucks, smaller
heat exchangers are provided (because of the lower engine power)
and the frame members may be pushed close together and then
detachably joined in this position at their arms, so that they
enclose, for example, the smallest possible surface. On the other
hand, in heavy trucks with significantly larger heat exchangers,
the detachable connection of the frame members allows the frame to
be enlarged to provide the significantly larger surface required
for those heat exchangers.
[0053] Still other aspects, objects, and advantages of the present
invention can be obtained from a study of the specification, the
drawings, and the appended claims. It should be understood,
however, that the present invention could be used in alternate
forms where less than all of the objects and advantages of the
present invention and preferred embodiment as described above would
be obtained.
* * * * *