Optional flow path tank for use in heat exchangers
AssigneesModine Manufacturing Company, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
InventorsKlaus Kalbacher, Manfred Schatz, Axel Temmesfeld
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Two alternative flow patterns through a heat exchanger core are provided by a tank (20) including a baffle (40) dividing the tank into first and second chambers (42 and 44). A first port (50) is provided in the baffle (40) to establish communication between the chambers (42 and 44). A second port (52) is provided to the second chamber (44). The tank (20) further incudes plugs (62 and 64) that are receivable in the tank (20) for alternatively closing the first port (50) while opening the second port (52), and opening the second port (52) while closing the first port (50).
Claims12
A tank for use with a heat exchanger core having a plurality of tubes terminating in a header to which the tank is attached, comprising:
- a tank body having an open side adapted to be closed by a header of a heat exchanger core;
- a baffle in the tank and adapted to divide the tank into first and second chambers,
- a first port in said baffle establishing fluid communication between said chambers;
- a second port to said second chamber;
- and
- plug means receivable in the tank for alternatively (a) closing said first port while opening said second port and (b) opening said second port while closing said first port;
- whereby fluid flow through a heat exchanger core is distributed in a first flow pattern with the plug means closing said first port while opening said second port, and distributed in a second flow pattern with the plug means opening said second port while closing said first port.
A tank for distributing fluid flow through a heat exchanger core in either of two desired flow patterns, the tank comprising:
- a first chamber;
- a second chamber;
- a first port connecting said chambers to allow fluid flow between said chambers, the first port configured to receive a first plug that restricts fluid flow through the first port to distribute fluid flow through a heat exchanger core in a first desired flow pattern;
- a second port to allow fluid flow to and from said tank through said second chamber;
- a third port connecting said second chamber and said second port to allow fluid flow between said second chamber and said second port, the third port configured to receive a second plug that restricts fluid flow through the third port to distribute fluid flow through a heat exchanger core in a second desired flow pattern;
- a fourth port configured to allow one of the first and second plugs to be disposed therethrough so as to be received by one of the first and second ports.
A tank for distributing fluid flow through a heat exchanger core in either of two desired fluid flow patterns, the tank comprising:
- a first chamber;
- a second chamber,
- a first port on the tank for allowing fluid flow between said chambers,
- a second port on said tank for allowing fluid flow to and from said tank,
- a first plug configured for insertion into said first port to restrict the fluid flow through the first port and allow fluid flow through the second port to distribute fluid flow through a heat exchanger core in a first desired flow pattern;
- and
- a second plug configured for insertion into said second port to restrict the fluid flow through the second port and allow fluid flow through the first port to distribute fluid flow through a heat exchanger in a second desired flow pattern.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.