Multitubular Heat Exchanger

Abstract

An automobile radiator of the type having a plurality of parallel water tubes with fins mounted thereon, header tanks disposed at the ends of the tubes and which in combination with the tubes provide the fluid circuit in the radiator. The tubes are maintained in place by means of securing plates and a sealing arrangement is provided by a gasket which cooperates with the securing plate to seal the tubes relative to the rest of the radiator. At least one of the header tanks has a partition which divides it into compartments. The header tank and the partition form an integrally molded plastic unit. In order to be able to maintain the seal tightness in each of the compartments of a header tank which includes a partition, a variety of sealing means are disclosed comprising a portion integral with the partition in mating relationship with corresponding portions integrally formed with the gasket.

Description

The present invention relates to heat exchangers or radiators of the type having a plurality of tubes and which are adapted for use in the air-conditioning equipment of motor vehicles.

A general object of the present invention is to improve such known radiators by facilitating their manufacture, cutting their cost while improving their operation and increasing reliability.

A specific object of my and improved radiator is to provide in a simple manner the division of a header into fluidtight compartments as often desired in fluid circuits comprising such heat exchangers.

A further specific object of the invention is to provide a heat exchanger comprising a plurality of tubes for circulating a heat transfer fluid maintained between securing plates and in communication with molded header tanks, elastomeric gaskets being interposed between the tubes, the securing plates and the headers for providing a fluidtight seal between the latter as well as between the tubes and the header securing plates.

According to the invention, the elastomeric means interpose between the header tank, the securing plates and the tubes is adapted to cooperate with a partition member integrally molded with the header tank for dividing the header tank into fluidtight compartments.

The invention will be fully understood from the description which follows, made by way of example and referring to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a part of a heat exchanger in the region of the connection of the tubes with a securing plate and a header;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a part of a heat exchanger according to the invention in which a partition member in the header tank cooperates with a gasket member disposed between the securing plate and the tubes;

FIG. 3 is a similar view to that of FIG. 2 of another embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a similar view to that of FIG. 2 of a further embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a similar view to that of FIG. 2 of another further embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a similar view to that of FIG. 2 of another further embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a similar view to that of FIG. 2 of another further embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a similar view to that of FIG. 2 of another further embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a similar view to that of FIG. 2 of another further embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a similar view to that of FIG. 2 of another further embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a similar view to that of FIG. 2 of another further embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a similar view to that of FIG. 2 of another further embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a partial side elevation view of a heat exchanger or radiator of the type for use in the heating system of a motor vehicle.

The radiator or heat exchanger (FIGS. 1 and 13) includes header tanks 60 and a plurality of tubes 62 which extend into the header tanks 60 at each of their ends. The tubes 62 are provided with a plurality of fins 67 along their lengths. The tubes 62 are maintained in position relative to the header tanks 60 by means of securing plates 61. These securing plates are provided with a plurality of annular flanges 66 defining apertures. The tubes 62 are constructed and arranged to pass through the apertures and to be supported in the annular flanges 66. A gasket member 68 extends along substantially the entire interior surface of the securing plate and is interposed between the annular flanges 66 and the tubes 62 as well as the end portion of the header tank 60 and the securing plate 61. The securing plates 61 are provided with tongues 63 for connection with a flange 64 provided on the header tank 60. The above-described mounting of the tubes 62 into the header tanks 60 is fluidtight owing to the cooperation of the securing plate with gasket 65 which is formed of elastomeric material such as rubber or analogous plastics material.

According to the invention, the gasket conforms to at least one of the planar surfaces 68 of the securing plate 61 and a partition is provided in the header tank to divide the latter in compartments which are desirable in order to create certain circuits of fluid flow in a heating circuit. The partition maintains a fluidtight separation between each of its corresponding compartments.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the division of the header tank into compartments is effected by a partition 70 extending from the header tank and molded integral therewith. The gasket 65 has a thickened portion 71 which cooperates with the rounded end of the partition to assure fluidtight connection between the header tank and the securing plate on one hand and the securing plate and the tubes on the other hand. The partition 70 forms a common wall of each of the compartments 72 and 73.

In the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the partition 74 extends from and is moulded integral with the header tank. The end of the partition 74 is provided with a portion of reduced cross section. The gasket is provided with a pair of lips 79 and 80 having engaging portions 76 and 77 for engaging with the portion of reduced cross section 75. A difference of fluid pressure between the two compartments 72 and 73 limited by partition 74 enhances the fluidtight seal provided by the above-described embodiment by applying the lips against the shoulder portions 76 and 77.

A similar result is obtained by the embodiment shown in FIG. 4. The partition 81 is provided at its end with a pair of grooves 82 which engage the lips 84 and 85 formed on the gasket 86.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the ends 76 and 77 of the lips 87 and 88 are provided with enlarged rounded portions 89 and 90. The end partitions is of reduced cross section and has two concave rounded portions to mate with the enlarged rounded portions 89 and 90.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a projecting portion 91 extends from the gasket and has a V-shaped end portion formed by the legs 92 and 93 of the "V." The legs 92 and 93 cooperate with the walls 94 and 95 of the groove 96 formed in the edge of the partition 97.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the simple partition 70, such as the one shown in FIG. 2, includes two planar faces which cooperate with the curved lips 100 and 101 extending from the gasket 103. In the embodiment, as well as in all embodiments, a difference in fluid pressure maintained between the fluid contents of the compartments 72 and 73 is advantageous for the fluidtightness.

Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown an embodiment, in which the two lips 104 and 105 extend from the gasket substantially parallel to the partition 70. The interior surfaces of the lips engage the faces of the partition to effect fluidtightness.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the partition 106 is provided with an enlarged end portion 107 in the shape of a mushroom cap. A pair of substantially parallel lips 108 and 109 extend from the gasket and are provided with slightly enlarged end portions. The enlarged mushroom shaped end portion engages with the lips and the gasket to effect fluidtightness.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the lips 110 and 111 are hook shaped with end portions of gradually reduced cross section. These end portions cooperate with the two faces 98 and 99 of the simple partition 70.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the partition 112 has a V-shaped cutout portion in its end edge which cooperates with corresponding V-shaped protruding portion 114 extending from the gasket 115.

In the embodiment of FIG. 12, the gasket 116 has a rectangular-shaped portion 117 extending therefrom which has an end face into which is cut a trapezoid-shaped groove 119 thereby forming a pair of lips so that its converging faces 120 and 121 cooperate with the planar faces 98 and 99 of the simple partition 70.

The header tank is formed of moldable material, preferably plastics.

The present embodiments, even though numerous, are merely illustrative of the types of sealing means possible within the scope of the claims.

Claims

What I claim is:

1. A heat exchanger comprising a plurality of tubes for circulating heat transfer fluid, a header tank disposed at least one of the ends of the tubes for communication therewith, securing plate means for maintaining the tubes in position relative to the header tank, a gasket member formed of elastomeric material and cooperating with said plate means to provide a fluidtight seal between the securing plate and the header tank, a partition member integral with the header tank for dividing the same into compartments and arranged to cooperated with the gasket member, and sealing means formed integrally with the gasket member as a pair of protuberances projecting from said gasket member and which engage the end portion of the partition member.

2. A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein said protuberances are lip shaped.

3. A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 2, wherein the lip-shaped sealing means engage the lateral faces of the end portion of the partition member.

4. A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 2, wherein said end portion of the partition member is of reduced cross section with respect to the rest of said member so as to form shoulders means receiving the end portions of said lip-shaped sealing means.

5. A heat exchangers as claimed in claim 2, wherein said end portion of the partition member is grooved so as to form reception means receiving the end portions of said lip-shaped sealing means.

6. A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 2, wherein said end portion of said partition member has a mushroom-shaped portion laterally engaged by said lip-shaped sealing means.

7. A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the partition member is integrally molded of plastics material with the header tank.