Heat exchanger having a double baffle
AssigneeValeo
InventorsJay Lorentz, Bradley Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
There is disclosed a heat exchanger for transferring heat between at least two fluids and a method for forming the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger preferably includes one or more end tanks, one or more inlets and outlets, one or more tubes, one or more fins, and one or more improved baffle combinations including at least one single piece double baffle. The improved single piece double baffles act as part of a baffle system, with advantages over multiple-piece only double baffle systems due to being assembled in one piece.
Claims21
A heat exchanger comprising:
- a first end tank;
- a second end tank opposite the first end tank;
- a plurality of first tubes in fluid communication with the first and second end tanks;
- a plurality of second tubes in fluid communication with the first and second end tanks;
- a plurality of fins disposed between the first and second tubes, with the first and second tubes and the fins being generally co-planar relative to each other;
- at least one double baffle in at least one of the end tanks;
- wherein the double baffle divides at least one end tank into a first portion and a second portion.
A heat exchanger comprising:
- a first end tank;
- a second end tank opposite the first end tank;
- a plurality of first tubes in fluid communication with the first and second end tanks, the plurality of first tubes adapted to have a first fluid flow therethrough;
- a plurality of second tubes in fluid communication with the first and second end tanks, the plurality of second tubes adapted to have a second fluid flow therethrough;
- a plurality of fins disposed between the first and second tubes, with the majority of fins being generally co-planar relative to each other;
- at least one single piece double baffle in at least one of the end tanks;
- wherein the at least one single piece double baffle divides at least one end tank into a first portion and a second portion.
A method for making a single piece double baffle for use in an automotive heat exchanger having a one piece double baffle comprising:
- forming a bar of metal or metal alloy to follow the contour of a heat exchanger manifold;
- cutting or machining the formed metal to width;
- and
- machining the formed metal to provide for a gap large enough that it cannot be full filled with liquid material such as braze material or flux at the time of production and/or assembly of the heat exchanger.
An extrusion method for making a single piece double baffle for use in an automotive heat exchanger having a one piece double baffle comprising:
- making an extrusion die appropriate for forming a bar of material in the approximate shape and size of the interior of the heat exchanger;
- locating the bar of material in turning equipment;
- spinning the bar of material or a cutting tool along the long axis of the bar;
- forming the bar of material into appropriate sized and shaped portions for single piece double baffles;
- creating a gap between the walls of the portions of material;
- cutting off a single piece double baffle from the turned bar.
A method for making a single piece double baffle for use in an automotive heat exchanger having a one piece double baffle comprising:
- heating a metal up to a level where it may be forcibly formed or, if not forcibly formed, to approximately equal to or above its metal point;
- forming the metal into a one piece double baffle shape;
- providing a gap between the walls of the one piece double baffle shape.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.