Heat exchanger with manifold tubes for stiffening and load bearing

A heat exchanger comprising:

• a. a core having a heat exchange portion, wherein the heat exchange portion comprises a layering of heat exchange members, and wherein the heat exchange members are capable of being displaced substantially laterally;
• b. a fluid-permeable metal tube having a length and including a motion limiter extending radially therefrom in a channel wherein the motion limiter limits upward or downward axial motion of the tube, wherein clearance exists in the channel to allow substantially unrestricted sideways movement of the tube due to thermal expansion of the tube wherein at least a portion of the tube extends adjacent to more than one of the heat exchange members and is capable of being in contact with the heat exchange members to transfer loads between the tube and the heat exchange members, to provide support to the core and to increase the stiffness of the core;
• c. a load bearing member positioned adjacent the core;
• and
• d. a first mount positioned between the tube and the load bearing member, so that the load bearing member can receive loads from the tube via the motion limiter.

A heat exchanger comprising:

• a. a core having a heat exchange portion;
• b. a fluid-permeable metal tube having a length and an end and including a motion limiter extending radially therefrom in a channel wherein the motion limiter limits upward or downward axial motion of the tube, wherein clearance exists in the channel to allow substantially unrestricted sideways movement of the tube due to thermal expansion of the tube wherein at least a portion of the tube extends into the core so that the end of the tube is positioned within the core, wherein the tube is capable of being in contact with the core to transfer loads between the tube and the core, to provide support to the core and to increase the stiffness of the core, and wherein the tube is positioned at least adjacent to the heat exchange portion of the core;
• c. a load bearing member positioned adjacent the core;
• and
• d. a mount positioned between the end of the tube and the core, wherein the mount is capable of transferring loads between the tube and the core.

A heat exchanger comprising:

• a. a core having a heat exchange portion;
• b. a tube including a motion limiter attached thereto and extending radially therefrom in a channel wherein the motion limiter limits upward or downward axial motion of the tube, wherein clearance exists in the channel to allow substantially unrestricted sideways movement of the tube due to thermal expansion of the tube wherein at least a portion of the tube extends into the core and is capable of being in contact with the core to transfer loads between the tube and the core, to provide support to the core and to increase the stiffness of the core, and wherein the tube is positioned at least adjacent to the heat exchange portion of the core;
• c. a load bearing member positioned adjacent the core;
• d. a first mount positioned between the tube and the load bearing member, so that the load bearing member can receive loads from the tube via the motion limiter;
• and
• e. a second mount positioned between the tube and the core, wherein the second mount is capable of transferring loads between the tube and the core;
• wherein the tube further comprises a length and a core end, wherein the core end is positioned within the core, wherein the first mount is positioned along the length of the tube and the second mount is positioned near the core end of the tube and wherein the first mount is capable of substantially restraining axial movement of the tube and wherein the second mount is capable of substantially restraining lateral movement of the tube.