U.S. patent application number 14/165779 was filed with the patent office on 2015-07-30 for heat exchanger inlet tank with inmolded inlet radius feature.
This patent application is currently assigned to Halla Visteon Climate Control Corp.. The applicant listed for this patent is Halla Visteon Climate Control Corp.. Invention is credited to Lakhi Nandlal Goenka, Jeff LaPlante.
Application Number | 20150211812 14/165779 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53678709 |
Filed Date | 2015-07-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150211812 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Goenka; Lakhi Nandlal ; et
al. |
July 30, 2015 |
HEAT EXCHANGER INLET TANK WITH INMOLDED INLET RADIUS FEATURE
Abstract
A heat exchanger inlet tank including a housing having an inner
surface and an outer surface and an inlet connector having an inner
surface substantially continuous with the inner surface of the
housing. The inner surface of the inlet connector and the inner
surface of the housing converging to form an inlet interface. The
heat exchanger further includes a protuberance disposed on the
inner surface of the housing configured to militate against a
pressure drop of a fluid flowing through the inlet tank.
Inventors: |
Goenka; Lakhi Nandlal; (Ann
Arbor, MI) ; LaPlante; Jeff; (White Lake,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Halla Visteon Climate Control Corp. |
Daejeon |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
Halla Visteon Climate Control
Corp.
Daejeon
KR
|
Family ID: |
53678709 |
Appl. No.: |
14/165779 |
Filed: |
January 28, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/153 ;
165/173 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28F 9/0224 20130101;
F28D 1/05366 20130101; F28F 1/126 20130101; F28F 9/0263
20130101 |
International
Class: |
F28F 9/02 20060101
F28F009/02; F28D 1/053 20060101 F28D001/053 |
Claims
1. A heat exchanger inlet tank, comprising: a housing having an
inner surface and an outer surface; an inlet connector having an
inner surface substantially continuous with the inner surface of
the housing, the inner surface of the inlet connector and the inner
surface of the housing converging to form an inlet interface; and a
protuberance disposed on the inner surface of the housing
configured to militate against a pressure drop of a fluid flowing
through the inlet tank.
2. The heat exchanger inlet tank of claim 1, wherein the
protuberance extends from at least a portion of the inlet interface
to a transitional portion of the inner surface of the housing.
3. The heat exchanger inlet tank of claim 2, wherein the
protuberance has a first tapered side, a second tapered side, a
first tapered end, and a second tapered end, the first tapered
side, the second tapered side, and the second tapered end tapering
to the transitional portion, and the first tapered end tapering to
the inlet interface.
4. The heat exchanger inlet tank of claim 1, wherein the
protuberance forms a radiused edge at the inlet interface.
5. The heat exchanger inlet tank of claim 1, wherein the
protuberance has a width varying along a length thereof.
6. The heat exchanger inlet tank of claim 1, wherein the
protuberance has a length that varies along a width thereof.
7. The heat exchanger inlet tank of claim 1, wherein the
protuberance has an arcuate cross-section.
8. The heat exchanger inlet tank of claim 1, wherein a height of
the protuberance in respect of the inner surface of the housing
varies along a length of the protuberance.
9. The heat exchanger inlet tank of claim 1, wherein a height of
the protuberance in respect of the inner surface of the housing
varies along a width of the protuberance.
10. The heat exchanger inlet tank of claim 1, wherein a wall
thickness of the protuberance is substantially equal to a wall
thickness of the housing.
11. The heat exchanger inlet tank of claim 1, wherein a concave
indentation corresponding to the protuberance is formed on the
outer surface of the housing.
12. The heat exchanger inlet tank of claim 1, wherein the
protuberance is integrally formed by one of injection molding and
metal stamping.
13. The heat exchanger inlet tank of claim 1, wherein the housing
has a substantially semi-circular shape
14. A heat exchanger inlet tank, comprising: a housing having an
inner surface and an outer surface; an inlet connector integrally
formed with and extending outwardly from the outer surface of the
housing, the inlet connector having an inner surface substantially
continuous with the inner surface of the housing; an inlet
interface formed at a convergence of the inner surface of the
housing and the inner surface of the inlet connector; and a
protuberance disposed on the inner surface of the housing extending
from at least a portion of the inlet interface along the inner
surface of the housing.
15. The heat exchanger inlet tank of claim 13, wherein the
protuberance has at least one of a width varying along a length
thereof and a length that varies along a width thereof.
16. The heat exchanger inlet tank of claim 13, wherein the
protuberance extends from the at least a portion of the inlet
interface to a transitional portion of the inner surface of the
housing.
17. The heat exchanger inlet tank of claim 13, wherein a height of
the protuberance in respect of the inner surface of the housing
varies along a length of the protuberance.
18. The heat exchanger inlet tank of claim 13, wherein a height of
the protuberance in respect of the inner surface of the housing
varies along a width of the protuberance.
19. The heat exchanger inlet tank of claim 13, wherein a concave
indentation corresponding to the protuberance is formed on the
outer surface of the housing to maintain a substantially uniform
wall thickness of the inlet teak.
20. A heat exchanger, comprising: an inlet tank including a housing
having an inner surface and an outer surface and an inlet connector
having an inner surface substantially continuous with the inner
surface of the housing, the inner surface of the inlet connector
and the inner surface of the housing converging to form an inlet
interface; a protuberance having a substantially arcuate
cross-section disposed on the inner surface of the housing
extending from at least a portion of the inlet interface along the
inner surface of the housing to a transitional portion of the inner
surface of the housing; a concave indentation corresponding to the
protuberance formed on the outer surface of the housing; and a
plurality of tubes extending from and in fluid communication with
the inlet tank.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an inlet tank for use with
a heat exchanger in a vehicle, and more particularly to an inlet
tank radius feature for use with a heat exchanger in a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] As commonly known, heat exchangers such as a radiator are
configured to change a temperature of various working fluids such
as an engine coolant, an engine lubricating oil, an air
conditioning refrigerant, and an automatic transmission fluid, for
example. The heat exchanger typically includes spaced apart fluid
conduits or tubes connected between an inlet tank and an outlet
tank, and a final disposed between adjacent conduits. The working
fluid enters the inlet tank through an inlet port, then flows
through the fluid conduits or tubes, and exits the outlet tank
through an outlet port. Air is directed across the fins. As the air
flows across the fins, heat from the working fluid flowing through
the tubes is conducted through walls of the tubes, into the fins,
and into the air. The inlet tank is therefore configured as a fluid
manifold to distribute the working fluid from the inlet port to the
tubes.
[0003] The inlet tank typically includes a housing and an inlet
connector or pipe that defines the inlet port. The inlet connector
is typically formed in a side of the housing and extends outwardly
therefrom. The inlet connector may be configured for coupling to a
pipeline or hose of a vehicle in order to feed the circulating
working fluid into the inlet tank. A sharp edge is formed at an
inlet interface on an inner surface of the housing and an inner
surface of the inlet connector. Undesirably, the sharp edge
disrupts a bulk velocity of the working fluid flowing through the
inlet tank which results in an increase in a pressure drop of the
working fluid as the working fluid enters the inlet tank. The
increase in the pressure drop reduces a thermal efficiency of the
radiator. Therefore, it is desirable to form a radiused inlet edge
on the inlet connector at the inlet interface instead of a sharp
edge to minimize the pressure drop of the working fluid as the
working fluid enters the inlet tank.
[0004] However, inlet tanks for heat exchangers are typically
formed by a molding process, wherein the inlet tank and the inlet
connector are formed integrally. Due to a direction of draw of
molding tools, forming the inlet connector requires a special
molding device such as a core or cavity projection that will
retract during the molding process. Forming a feature on the inlet
connector to form a radiused inlet edge complicates a design of the
molding tool and a design of the special molding device and
increases the cost of the molding process.
[0005] Therefore, it would be desirable to produce an inlet tank of
a heat exchanger having a feature to form a radiused inlet edge,
wherein a thermal efficiency of the heat exchanger is maximized and
complexity of manufacturing and costs are minimized. It would be
advantageous if an inlet tank of a heat exchanger could be
improved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Concordant and congruous with the present invention, an
improvement of an inlet tank of a heat exchanger has been
discovered.
[0007] According to an embodiment a heat exchanger inlet tank is
disclosed. The heat exchanger inlet tank includes a housing having
an inner surface and an outer surface and an inlet connector having
an inner surface substantially continuous with the inner surface of
the housing. The inner surface of the inlet connector and the inner
surface of the housing converge to form an inlet interface. The
heat exchanger inlet tank further includes a protuberance disposed
on the inner surface of the housing configured to militate against
a pressure drop of a fluid flowing through the inlet tank.
[0008] According to another embodiment a heat exchanger inlet tank
includes a housing having an inner surface and an outer surface and
an inlet connector integrally formed with and extending outwardly
from the outer surface of the housing. The inlet connector having
an inner surface substantially continuous with the inner surface of
the housing. The heat exchanger inlet tank further includes an
inlet interface formed at a convergence of the inner surface of the
housing and the inner surface of the inlet connector and a
protuberance disposed on the inner surface of the housing extending
from at least a portion of the inlet interface along the inner
surface of the housing.
[0009] According to a further embodiment a heat exchanger is
disclosed. The heat exchanger includes an inlet tank including a
housing having an inner surface and an outer surface and an inlet
connector having an inner surface substantially continuous with the
inner surface of the housing. The inner surface of the inlet
connector and the inner surface of the housing converging to form
an inlet interface. The heat exchanger further includes a
protuberance having a substantially arcuate cross-section disposed
on the inner surface of the housing extending from at least a
portion of the inlet interface along the inner surface of the
housing to a transitional portion of the inner surface of the
housing. A concave indentation corresponding to the protuberance is
formed on the outer surface of the housing. A plurality of tubes
extend from and are in fluid communication with the inlet tank.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The above, as well as other advantages of the present
invention, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art
from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment
when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a fragmentary top perspective view of a heat
exchanger according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of an inlet tank of
the heat exchanger illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary bottom perspective view of the inlet
tank of FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a broken rear elevational view of the inlet tank
of the heat exchanger illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of
FIG. 4;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the
line 6-6 of FIG. 4;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of
FIG. 4 according to another embodiment of the invention; and
[0018] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the
line 6-6 of FIG. 4 according to another embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0019] The following detailed description and appended drawings
describe and illustrate various exemplary embodiments of the
invention. The description and drawings serve to enable one skilled
in the art to make and use the invention, and are not intended to
limit the scope of the invention in any manner.
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a heat exchanger 10 according to an
embodiment of the invention. The heat exchanger 10 can be used, for
example, as a radiator for cooling a liquid coolant for an engine
of a vehicle. The heat exchanger 10 includes a heat exchange core
12 and a housing 20. The heat exchange core 12 includes a plurality
of substantially parallel tubes 14 and a plurality of substantially
parallel fins 16 interposed between the tubes 12. In the embodiment
shown, the heat exchanger 10 is a parallel flow type heat exchanger
commonly referred to as a radiator. However, it should be
understood that other types of heat exchangers can be used such as
a serpentine-flow type heat exchanger and a U-flow type heat
exchanger. Additionally, while the embodiment shown includes the
heat exchange core 12 with the tubes 14 and the fins 16, it is
understood the invention can be used in conjunction with various
types of heat exchange cores.
[0021] The tubes 14 are configured to contain and convey a fluid to
facilitate heat transfer. The fluid can be any fluid configured to
facilitate heat transfer such as engine coolant, an engine
lubricating oil, an air conditioning refrigerant, and an automatic
transmission fluid, for example. The tubes 14 extend laterally from
and are in fluid communication with the housing 20. Further, the
tubes 14 extend substantially perpendicular relative to the housing
20. The tubes 14 can extend between the housing 20 and an outlet
tank (not shown) adapted to provide an exit for the fluid flowing
through the heat exchanger 10. The fins 16 are in thermal
communication with the tubes 14 and are adapted to allow a flow of
air to pass therebetween, and further allow the flow of air to pass
between the tubes 14 to facilitate transfer of heat from the air to
the fins 16 to the tubes 14 and to the fluid or from the fluid to
the tubes 14 to the fins 16 and to the air. The fins 16 may have a
corrugated shape.
[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the housing 20 is elongate and
adapted to convey a flow of the fluid from a source of fluid (not
shown) to the tubes 14. The housing 20 includes a chamber 30 having
a tube perimeter 22 defining an opening 28. The housing 20 further
includes a substantially arcuate wall 24 extending between opposing
end walls 26, a substantially smooth inner surface 34, and an outer
surface 35. The arcuate wall 24 and the end walls 26 extend from
the tube perimeter 22 to form the chamber 30 to receive the fluid.
The chamber 30 can be enclosed by a plate not shown) disposed in
the opening 28 with a plurality of tube openings (not shown) for
receiving the tubes 14. The plate is bounded by the tube perimeter
22 and can be integrally formed with the housing 20 or the plate
can be separately formed from the housing 20 and coupled thereto.
In the embodiment shown, the housing 20 has a substantially
semi-cylindrical shape. However, the housing 20 can have a
rectangular shape having five walls or any other shape as desired
such as around, ovular, ellipsoidal, and triangular, for
example.
[0023] The housing 20 further includes an inlet connector 40
disposed at a first end 32 thereof and adapted to provide fluid
communication between the source of fluid and the housing 20. As
shown, the inlet connector 40 is integrally formed with the housing
20 and extends outwardly from the outer surface 35 of the housing
20. The inlet connector 40 defines an inlet port 42 to the chamber
30. The inlet connector 40 is substantially perpendicular in
respect of a longitudinal direction of the housing 20. However, the
inlet connector 40 can also be formed at an angle in respect of the
housing 20. The inlet connector 40 has a generally cylindrical
shape and has an inner diameter d. In the embodiment shown, the
inlet connector 40 has a truncated cylindrical shape due to the
semi-cylindrical shape of the housing 20. However, the inlet
connector 40 can have any shape as desired. Additionally, the inlet
connector 40 can extend from any position on the housing 20 such as
a center, one of the opposing end walls 26, or a second end 33, for
example.
[0024] A substantially smooth inner surface 44 of the inlet
connector 40 is substantially continuous with the substantially
smooth inner surface 34 of the housing 20. The inner surface 44 of
the inlet connector 40 and the inner surface 34 of the housing 20
converge to form an inlet interface 50. The inlet interface 50
includes a first edge portion 52 and a second edge portion 54. The
first edge portion 52 corresponds to a portion of the inlet
interface 50 that extends along a first arc of curvature a.sub.1
thereof. The second edge portion 54 corresponds to a portion of the
inlet interface 50 that extends along a second arc of curvature
a.sub.2 thereof. The first edge portion 52 corresponds to a portion
of the inlet interface 50 where an edge radius can be formed, where
an edge radius is an arcuate or rounded edge. It is understood that
the first edge portion 52 can also extend along the entire inlet
interface 50.
[0025] The housing 20 further includes a protuberance 60 integrally
formed with and extending outwardly from the inner surface 34 of
the housing 20. The protuberance 60 is generally convex with
respect to the inner surface 34 of the housing 20. The protuberance
60 is substantially continuous with the inlet interface 50 and
extends longitudinally along the inner surface 34 of the housing 20
from the first edge portion 52 of the inlet interface 50 towards
the second end 33 of the housing 20 to a transitional portion 38 of
the inner surface 32 of the housing 20. The transitional portion 38
and the first edge portion 52 of the inlet interface 30 form a
perimeter of the protuberance 60. A width w.sub.p of the
protuberance 60 can vary along a length l.sub.p thereof and the
length l.sub.p of the protuberance 60 can vary along a width
w.sub.p thereof. In the embodiment shown, the protuberance 60 has a
generally parabolic or slightly crescent shaped perimeter. However,
the protuberance 60 can have a perimeter having any shape as
desired such as fan shaped, rectangular, kidney shaped, ovular, or
any other shape to minimize a pressure drop of the fluid flowing
through the housing 20.
[0026] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the protuberance 60 has a
cross-section that is generally arcuate or camber-shaped to
facilitate a smooth flow of the fluid through the housing 20.
However, it is understood, the protuberance 60 can have other
cross-sectional shapes as desired such as a serpentine shaped,
saddle shaped, semi-circular shaped, wedge shaped, or any other
shape as desired to minimize a pressure drop of the fluid flowing
through the housing 20. A height h.sub.p of the protuberance 60
with respect of the inner surface 34 of the housing 20 varies along
the width thereof w.sub.p. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the
protuberance 60 has a first tapered side 66 tapering towards the
tube perimeter 22 to the transitional portion 38. The protuberance
60 also has a second tapered side 68 tapering towards a base 36 of
the arcuate wall 24 to the transitional portion 38 of the inner
surface 34 of the housing 20 such that a substantially smooth
surface is formed at the transition portion 38. A width w.sub.T1 of
the first tapered side 66 can be substantially equal to a width
w.sub.T2 of the second tapered side 68. However, the width w.sub.T1
of the first tapered side 66 can be smaller or larger than the
width w.sub.T2 of second tapered end 68 to facilitate minimizing a
pressure drop of the fluid flowing through the housing 20, as
desired. In a non-limiting example as shown in FIG. 5, the width
w.sub.T1 of the first tapered side 66 can be less than the width
w.sub.T2 of the second tapered side 68. Additionally, the first
tapered side 66 can have a taper that is steeper than the second
tapered side 68 or the second tapered side 68 can have a steeper
taper than the first tapered side 66. Furthermore, as shown in FIG.
5, the protuberance 60 slightly curves along the width w.sub.p
thereof with the inner surface 34 of the housing 20 to provide an
substantially smooth transition at the transitional portion 38 and
to conform to the semi-cylindrical cross-sectional shape of the
housing 20. However, it is understood that the protruberance 60 can
be adapted to conform to any shape of the housing 20 as desired
such as a rectangular shape having five walls or any other shape as
desired, such as obround, ovular, ellipsoidal, and triangular, for
example.
[0027] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the protuberance 60 has a
cross-section that is arcuate or camber-shaped to facilitate a
smooth flow of fluid through the housing 20. However, it is
understood, the protuberance can have other cross-sectional shapes
as desired such as a serpentine shaped, saddle shaped,
semi-circular, wedge shaped, or any other shape as desired to
minimize a pressure drop of the fluid across the protuberance 60
and through the housing 20. The height h.sub.p of the protuberance
60 with respect of the inner surface 34 of the housing 20 varies
along a length l.sub.p thereof As shown in FIG. 6, the protuberance
60 has a first tapered end 62 tapering towards the inlet interface
50 forming the radiused edge at the inlet interface 50. The
protuberance 60 can also have a second tapered end 64 tapering
towards the second end 33 of the housing 20 to the transitional
portion 38 of the inner surface 34 of the housing 20 such that a
substantially smooth surface is formed at the transition portion
38. A length l.sub.T1 of the first tapered end 62 is substantially
equal to a length l.sub.T2 of the second tapered end 64. However,
the length l.sub.T2 of the first tapered end 62 can be smaller or
larger than the length l.sub.T2 of second tapered end 64 to
facilitate minimizing a pressure drop of the fluid across the
protuberance 60 and through the housing 20, as desired. In a
non-limiting example, the length l.sub.T1 of the first tapered end
62 can be less than the length l.sub.T2 of the second tapered end
64 such that the first tapered end 62 has as steeper taper than the
taper of the second tapered end 64. Additionally, the first tapered
end 62 can have a taper that is steeper than the taper of the
second tapered end 64 and the second tapered end 64 can have a
taper that is steeper than the taper of the first tapered end
62.
[0028] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the housing 20
has a wall thickness t.sub.c. The protuberance 60 has a wall
thickness t.sub.p larger than the wall thickness t.sub.1p of the
housing 20. The wall thickness l.sub.p of the protuberance can vary
as the height h.sub.p varies along the length l.sub.p and the width
w.sub.p thereof. However, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 illustrate another
embodiment. Structure similar to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 includes the
same reference numeral and a prime 0 symbol for clarity. The wall
thickness t.sub.p' of the protuberance 60' can be substantially
uniform with and substantially equal to the wall thickness of the
housing 20' to facilitate an improved molding process. According to
this embodiment, a concave indentation 170 is formed on the outer
surface 35' of the housing 20'. The concave indentation 170
corresponds to the protuberance 60' and is adapted to conform with
the shape of the protuberance 60' on the inner surface 34' of the
housing 20' to maintain a uniform thickness between the thickness
t.sub.c' of the housing 20' and the thickness t.sub.p' of the
protuberance 60'.
[0029] The protuberance 60 can have any shape, length l.sub.p,
width w.sub.p, thickness t.sub.p or height h.sub.p as desired to
minimize the pressure drop of the fluid flowing through the housing
20. In a non-limiting example, the length l.sub.p and the width
w.sub.p of the protuberance 60 can be 1 to 2 times the inner
diameter d of the inlet connector 40. In another non-limiting
example, the height h.sub.p of the protuberance 60 in respect of
the inner surface 34 of the housing 20 can be 0.08-0.2 times the
inner diameter d of the inlet connector 40. Additionally, while the
protuberance 60 shown in FIG. 3, only circumscribes a portion of
the inlet port 42 at the first edge portion 52, it is understood
the protuberance 60 can circumscribe any portion of inlet port 42
such as circumscribing the entire inlet port 42.
[0030] The housing 20 can be composed of plastic and formed from a
molding process such as injection molding, for example. The
protuberance 60 can be formed by a feature on a mold in an
injection molding process such that the protuberance 60 is
integrally molded with the housing 20. The housing 20 and the
protuberance 60 can be adapted to allow for adequate molding die
draw. For example, the protuberance 60 is tapered to facilitate
removal from the mold. It should be understood that the housing 20
and the protuberance 60 can be formed by other processes such as
metal stamping, for example. Although the housing 20 and the
protuberance 60 can be formed employing other suitable methods now
known or later developed. Additionally, the protuberance 60 can be
separately formed and coupled with the housing 20, as desired.
[0031] In use, the fluid is caused to flow from the source of fluid
through the housing 20 to be distributed to the tubes 14. The fluid
can be any conventional fluid such as a coolant fluid, an automatic
transmission fluid, a power steering fluid, or an engine oil, for
example. The fluid enters the housing 20 by flowing through the
inlet connector 40 and then flowing into the chamber 30 at a bulk
velocity. As the fluid flows from the inlet connector 40 to the
chamber 30, the fluid flows over the protuberance 60 which forms
the radiused edge at the inlet interface 50. The protuberance 60 is
adapted to minimize a decrease in bulk velocity of the fluid as the
fluid transitions from the inlet connector 40 to the chamber 30.
Minimizing a decrease in the bulk velocity of the fluid militates
against a pressure drop of the fluid as the fluid transitions from
the inlet connector 40 to the chamber 30, which in turn increases
thermal efficiency of the heat exchanger 10. For example, the
protuberance 60 on the housing 20 can be adapted to minimize the
pressure drop from the inlet connector 40 to the chamber 30 by
about 10% to 15% of a pressure drop of the housing 20 without the
protuberance 60. However, lower or higher percentages can be
realized depending on the type of housing 20 and the height
h.sub.p, length l.sub.p, width w.sub.p, and thickness l.sub.p of
the protuberance 60.
[0032] Further, the protuberance 60 disposed on the housing 20
facilitates an ease of manufacturing and decreases a cost of
manufacturing. For injection molding, because the protuberance 60
is disposed on the housing 20, a special retraction tool is not
required for the forming of the connection inlet 40 in the molding
process to militate against an inadequate molding die draw. While,
embodiments shown in the illustrated figures, show a protuberance
60 disposed within the housing 20 to form a radiused edge at the
inlet interface 50, it is understood the protuberance 60 can be
included with a housing 20 having a feature formed on or included
with the inlet connector 40 to also facilitate forming a radiused
edge to militate against a pressure drop in the housing 20.
[0033] From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in
the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this
invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof,
can make various changes and modifications to the invention to
adapt it to various usages and conditions.
* * * * *