Heat exchanger

An aluminum heat exchanger, comprising:

• first and second headers;
• at least one flattened tube extending between and in fluid communication with said headers and defining a plurality of generally parallel tube runs in spaced relation to one another;
• each said tube runs having opposite edges defining a tube major dimension and interconnecting side walls defining a tube minor dimension and a plurality of interior ports;
• a plurality of plate fins arranged in a stack and each having a plurality of open ended tube run receiving slots, one for each tube run, each slot having a shape generally that of the cross-section of the tube run to be received therein, a width equal to or just less than the minor dimension of the corresponding tube run and a depth somewhat less than the major dimension of the corresponding tube run;
• each said tube run being nested within corresponding slots in said fins with one of said side walls of each tube run located outwardly of the slots in which it is received;
• said headers, said tube runs and said fins comprising a brazed assembly;
• wherein said plate fins are elongated and said slots open to one elongated edge thereof, the other elongated edge being uninterrupted by said slots;
• and
• further comprising a stiffening bead between said other elongated edge and said slots.

A heat exchanger core comprising:

• a plurality of generally parallel tube runs formed of flattened, multi-port tubing;
• and
• a plurality of plate fins in a stacked relation and having spaced openings sufficient to receive said tube runs;
• said tube runs being disposed in said openings and having a major dimension brazed to the plate fins about said openings;
• the parts of said plate fins between the openings being arcuate in a direction generally transverse to said major dimension to thereby increase the surface area of the fins between the openings without the need to increase the spacing between adjacent openings.

An aluminum heat exchanger, comprising:

• first and second headers;
• at least one flattened tube extending between and in fluid communication with said headers and defining a plurality of generally parallel tube runs in spaced relation to one another;
• each said tube runs having opposite edges defining a tube major dimension and interconnecting side walls defining a tube minor dimension and a plurality of interior ports;
• a plurality of plate fins arranged in a stack and each having a plurality of open ended tube run receiving slots, one for each tube run, each slot having a shape generally that of the cross-section of the tube run to be received therein, a width equal to or just less than the minor dimension of the corresponding tube run and a depth somewhat less than the major dimension of the corresponding tube run;
• each said tube run being nested within corresponding slots in said fins with one of said side walls of each tube run located outwardly of the slots in which it is received;
• and
• said headers, said tube runs and said fins comprising a brazed assembly;
• wherein said slots have flange free edges brazed to said tube runs;
• wherein said fins are curved at locations between said slots.