BRAZED HEAT EXCHANGER

Abstract

The invention relates to a brazed heat exchanger incorporating an aluminium alloy baseplate and wherein the baseplate is made from an aluminium alloy having a composition, in wt. %, of: Mn 0.8-1.8, Cu 0.15-1.20, Si 0.25-1.30, Mg 0.10-0.60, Fe≤0.8, Zn≤0.3, Ti≤0.20, Cr≤0.25, Zr≤0.25, balance aluminium and impurities.

Claims

1. A brazed heat exchanger incorporating an aluminium alloy baseplate as a structural component and wherein the aluminium alloy baseplate is made from an aluminium alloy having a composition, in wt. %, of: TABLE-US-00003 Mn  0.8-1.8, Cu 0.15-1.20, Si 0.25-1.30, Mg 0.10-0.60, Fe up to 0.8, Zn up to 0.3, Ti up to 0.20, Cr up to 0.25, Zr up to 0.25, balance aluminium and impurities each up to 0.05%, total up to 0.20%.

2. The brazed heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the aluminium alloy baseplate has a Mn-content of up to 1.6%.

3. The brazed heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the aluminium alloy baseplate has a Cu-content of up to 1.0%.

4. The brazed heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the aluminium alloy baseplate has a Cu-content of at least 0.45%.

5. The brazed heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the aluminium alloy baseplate has a Mg-content of up to 0.5%.

6. The brazed heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the aluminium alloy baseplate has a Mg-content of at least 0.20%.

7. The brazed heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein Cu+Mg>1.0%.

8. The brazed heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the aluminium alloy baseplate has a Si-content of up to 1.0%, and preferably of up to 0.90%.

9. The brazed heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the aluminium alloy baseplate has a Ti-content of up to 0.15%, preferably of up to 0.10%, and more preferably of up to 0.05%.

10. The brazed heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the aluminium alloy baseplate has a Zn-content of up to 0.15%, and preferably of up to 0.05%.

11. The brazed heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the aluminium alloy baseplate has a first side and a second side, and at least one clad layer on the first side or the second side.

12. The brazed heat exchanger according to claim 11, wherein the at least one clad layer is made from an aluminium alloy selected from the group consisting of a 1XXX, 4XXX, and 7XXX-series aluminium alloy.

13. The brazed heat exchanger according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the at least one clad layer is made from a 4XXX-series aluminium alloy.

14. The brazed heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the aluminium alloy baseplate is non-clad.

15. The brazed heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the aluminium alloy baseplate has a thickness in a range of 1 mm to 12 mm.

16. The brazed heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the aluminium alloy baseplate in the pre-braze condition is provided in a strain hardened temper.

17. The brazed heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the aluminium alloy baseplate in the pre-braze condition is provided in an H14 temper.

18. The brazed heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the brazed heat exchanger is a radiator, a condenser, an evaporator, an oil cooler, a charge air cooler, or a heater core.

19. Use of the aluminium alloy baseplate according to claim 1 as a structural material or component in a heat exchanger.

Description

[0045] The invention shall also be described with reference to the appended figures.

[0046] FIG. 1 shows a drawing of the construction of a stacked plate oil cooler in a partially exploded illustration; however, the invention is not to be limited to this specific configuration of an oil cooler.

[0047] FIG. 2 shows a drawing of another a heat exchanger assembly comprising a stacked plate oil cooler construction incorporating a baseplate.

[0048] FIG. 1 shows schematically an example of the construction of a stacked plate oil cooler 1 which is constructed from a multiplicity of stacking plates 2 and metal turbulence plates 3 (turbulence inserts) arranged between said stacking plates 2. The stacked plate oil cooler 1 is closed off by means of a baseplate 4 and a cover plate 5. An intermediate metal plate 6 is inserted between the uppermost metal turbulence plate 3 and the cover plate 5. Connections for the oil and a liquid coolant are arranged in the relative thick baseplate 4 but cannot be seen or are not illustrated in this FIG. 1. In contrast, the cover plate 5 is closed; it has, in this embodiment, stamped impressions 10, 12. In this example the baseplate 4 can be made of the aluminium alloy according to the invention providing a good balance of amongst others brazability, increased post-braze mechanical strength enabling down-gauging of the baseplate thickness, and an increased joint strength between the baseplate and the cooling assembly.

[0049] FIG. 2 shows schematically another example of a unitary brazed heat exchanger assembly comprising of a stacked oil cooler construction 20 which is constructed from a multiplicity of staked plates 21 arranged between two end plates 22, 23, and a pair of coolant fittings 24A brazed to end plate 23 and coolant fitting 24B brazed to end plate 22 through a passage (not shown) in baseplate 25. The baseplate 25 is incorporated in the heat exchanger assembly via a brazing joint to the oil cooler construction 20. The baseplate is provided with a plurality of bores or holes 26 through which the shafts of for example bolts (not shown) or other fastener means can pass such that the brazed heat exchanger assembly can be secured to a mounting surface (not shown). For example, the mounting surface can be a cast or moulded structure and can be metallic structure or a plastic structure. Further, in this example, the baseplate 25 can be made of the aluminium alloy according to the invention providing a good balance of amongst others brazability, increased post-braze mechanical strength enabling down-gauging of the baseplate thickness, and an increased joint strength between the baseplate and the cooling assembly.

[0050] Having now fully described the invention, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as herein described.