Vehicle heat exchanger system including an inflatable member operable to press a cooling tube

A vehicle comprising:

• a structure having a skin defining an inside surface;
• and
• a thermal management system comprising:
• a heat exchanger assembly comprising a structural backing and a cooling unit, the structural backing configured to mount the cooling unit in a position adjacent to, and in thermal communication with, the inside surface of the skin, the cooling unit formed of an elastic or semi-rigid material to conform to a shape of the inside surface of the skin,
• wherein the cooling unit is a cooling tube,
• wherein the heat exchanger assembly further includes an inflatable member operable with the cooling tube to press the cooling tube towards the inside surface of the skin, and
• wherein the inflatable member is positioned outside the cooling tube and between the cooling tube and the structural backing.

A vehicle comprising:

• a structure comprising a skin defining an outside surface exposed to ambient cooling flow and an inside surface, the structure comprising a first structural member extending from the inside surface of the skin and a second structural member extending from the inside surface of the skin;
• and
• a thermal management system including a heat exchanger assembly positioned adjacent to, and in thermal communication with, the inside surface of the skin, the heat exchanger assembly positioned at least partially between the first and second structural members of the structure,
• wherein the heat exchanger assembly comprises:
• a cooling tube;
• and
• an inflatable member,
• wherein the inflatable member is operable with the cooling tube to press the cooling tube towards the inside surface of the skin.