# US 2019/0376752 A1 · Heat exchanger tank with reinforcement element > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0376752 A1 - Document ID: US20190376752A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/434,312 - Filed: 2019-06-07 - Published: 2019-12-12 - Earliest claimed: 2018-06-07 - Assignees: VALEO TERMICO SA. de CV - Applicants: VALEO TERMICO SA. de CV - Inventors: Armando Mazzoni; Eder Nomoto; Catalino Loredo - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190376752A1 ## CPC - F28F 9/0224: {Header boxes formed by sealing end plates into covers (F28F9/0221 takes precedence)} - F28F 9/26: Arrangements for connecting different sections of heat-exchange elements, e.g. of radiators (connecting different sections in water heaters F24H9/14 {, connecting headers with inlet or outlet fittings F28F9/0246}) - F28F 1/10: Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses (crimped or corrugated elements F28F1/06, F28F1/08) - F28F 9/002: {with fastening means for other structures} - F28F 21/06: of plastics material - F28F 21/08: of metal - F28F 2001/428: {Particular methods for manufacturing outside or inside fins} - F28F 2009/0292: {with fins} - F28F 2225/08: for header boxes - F28F 2275/08: by clamping or clipping - F28F 2275/085: with snap connection - F28F: DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION (water and air traps, air venting F16) ## Abstract A heat exchanger tank 20a is disclosed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The heat exchanger tank 20a include external ribs 22a that provide reinforcement to structure of the tank 20a, wherein at least one reinforcement element 30a engages with an external tank portion and is tensioned by press fitting the at least one reinforcement element 30a on the external tank portion such that limbs 31a of the reinforcement element 30a are separated by the external tank portion between the external ribs 22a. The reinforcement element 30a is further maintained in the tensioned configuration by using at least one retention means. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A heat exchanger tank comprising: external ribs adapted to provide reinforcement to a structure of said tank, wherein at least one reinforcement element is configured to be engaged with an external tank portion and tensioned by press fitting said at least one reinforcement element on said external tank portion such that limbs of said reinforcement element are separated by said external tank portion between said external ribs, said at least one reinforcement element being maintained in said tensioned configuration by using at least one retention means. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The heat exchanger tank as claimed in claim 1, wherein said retention means comprises at least one first latching elements configured on said limbs of said reinforcement element that are adapted to engage with corresponding at least one second latching elements configured on said external tank portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The heat exchanger tank as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first latching elements and said second latching elements are adapted to configure releasable engagement there-between. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The heat exchanger tank as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first latching elements are apertures formed on said limbs of said reinforcement element that are adapted to configure snap fit engagement with corresponding second latching elements in form of tongue elements formed on said external tank portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The heat exchanger tank as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first latching elements are tongue elements formed on limbs of said reinforcement element that are adapted to configure snap fit engagement with corresponding second latching elements in form of apertures formed on said external tank portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The heat exchanger tank as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one first latching element is configured near end portion of each limb of said reinforcement element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The heat exchanger tank as claimed in claim 1, wherein in a disengaged configuration of said reinforcement element with respect to said tank and free-state thereof, spacing between said limbs of said reinforcement element is smaller than width of said tank. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The heat exchanger tank as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reinforcement element is of a material exhibiting spring properties and is selected from a group comprising of metals, plastics and composites. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The heat exchanger tank as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least two external ribs configured on said tank define a channel extending along outer periphery of said external tank portion, wherein said channel is configured to guide the reinforcement element on said external tank portion at least until said first latching elements configured on said reinforcement element engages with said second latching elements provided on either one of the external tank portion and the ribs defining the channel. ### Claim 10 A heat exchanger comprising: a pair of spaced apart headers connected by a plurality of heat exchange elements; and a pair of tanks, wherein each tank is crimped to a corresponding header and is adapted to receive heat exchanging fluid, wherein at least one tank of the pair of tanks comprises: external ribs adapted to provide reinforcement to a structure of said at least one tank, wherein at least one reinforcement element is configured to be engaged with an external tank portion and tensioned by press fitting said at least one reinforcement element on said external tank portion such that limbs of said reinforcement element are separated by said external tank portion between said external ribs, said at least one reinforcement element being maintained in said tensioned configuration by using at least one retention means. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 10, wherein each header of the pair of headers is configured to receive the corresponding tank of said pair of tanks within a peripheral groove thereof, wherein the end portion of each limb of said reinforcement element is adapted to cover at least a part of said peripheral groove of said header. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 10, wherein end portion of each limb of each reinforcement element is adapted to cover at least a part of said header, at least a part of a corresponding crimped profile of said header formed by crimping between said header and said corresponding tank. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 10, wherein said retention means further comprises attaching elements configured at end portion of each limb of said reinforcement element that are adapted to be crimped over at least a part of said header, at least a part of said corresponding crimped profile of said header formed by crimping between said header and said corresponding tank. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 10, wherein said retention means further comprises at least one latching element in form of end portions of said limbs that are adapted to engage with corresponding at least one latching elements in form of at least a portion of crimped profile configured on said corresponding header.