Back to results
US 4,570,704 AGranted
Support for heat exchanger tubes
AssigneeL & M Radiator, Inc.
InventorsRichard R. Braun, Charles E. Cedar
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved support for a heat exchanger is disclosed and includes a support member providing four engagement surfaces. The surfaces of adjacent supports, within the heat exchanger, engage so as to provide a force distribution system therein, such that the strength and rigidity of the heat exchanger are enhanced.
Claims8
A support for application to a tube-and-fin assembly, a series of said tube-and-fin assemblies being individually removably incorporated into a heat exchanger, comprising:
- a first support section defining a first lateral engagement surface;
- and
- a second support section defining a second lateral engagement surface;
- said first and second support sections cooperatively defining a central channel adapted to receive said tube-and-fin assembly, a first longitudinal engagement surface, and a second longitudinal engagement surface, said first and second longitudinal engagement surfaces and said first and second lateral engagement surfaces engaging adjacent supports within said heat exchanger;
- and
- secure means for securing said second support section relative to said first support section to affix said support to said tube-and-assembly;
- said first and second support sections cooperatively defining longitudinal and lateral interlock means for interlocking adjacent supports against substantially longitudinal and lateral forces;
- said longitudinal interlock means including a longitudinal interlock projection and a longitudinal interlock groove, said longitudinal interlock projection and groove having a matched configuration and being substantially longitudinally aligned;
- said lateral interlock means including a first lateral interlock projection and a pair of lateral interlock channels, one of said lateral interlock channels being displaced longitudinally with respect to said first lateral interlock projection, said lateral interlock projection and said lateral interlock channels having a matched configuration, said lateral interlock means being adapted to interlock adjacent supports within said heat exchangers irrespective of configuration;
- said engagement and interlocking of adjacent supports structurally strengthening said heat exchanger and providing a force dissipation system within said heat exchanger, without substantially inhibiting individual removability of said tube-and-fin assemblies from said heat exchanger.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.