HEAT EXCHANGER

Abstract

A heat exchanger includes a tank, spaced apart tubular elements, fins and a side cover. The tank receives a first heat exchange fluid therein. The spaced apart tubular elements defining a heat exchanger core are in fluid communication with the tank and enable heat exchange between a first heat exchange fluid flowing there through and a second heat exchange fluid flowing around and across the tubular elements. The fins arranged alternately with respect to the tubular elements promote heat exchange. The side cover adjacent to a lateral face of the heat exchanger core, covers and shields the lateral face and at least a portion of the heat exchanger core disposed between the tubular elements proximal to the lateral face of the heat exchanger core and the corresponding side cover.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger comprising: a tank adapted to receive a first heat exchange fluid therein; a plurality of spaced apart tubular elements defining a heat exchanger core, adapted to be in fluid communication with the tank and enable heat exchange between a first heat exchange fluid flowing there through and a second heat exchange fluid flowing around and across the plurality of spaced apart tubular elements; a plurality of fins arranged alternately with the tubular elements, the fins being adapted to promote heat exchange between the first heat exchange fluid and the second heat exchange fluid, the first and the last of the fins constituting respectively opposite lateral faces of the heat exchanger core; a side cover adjacent to a lateral face of the core; wherein the side cover is adapted to cover the corresponding lateral face of the heat exchanger core and at least a portion of the heat exchanger core disposed between the tubular element proximal to the lateral face of the heat exchanger core and the corresponding side cover.

2. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side cover includes: a side panel complimentary to and aligned with respect to a corresponding lateral face of the heat exchanger core; and a tab configured on at least one of the opposite lateral sides of the side panel, the tab being orthogonal to the side panel and adapted to cover at least a portion of the fins disposed between the tubular element proximal to the lateral face of the heat exchanger core and the corresponding side panel.

3. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 2, wherein a plurality of tabs is configured on at least one of the opposite sides of the side panel which are spaced away from each other by gaps in between the adjacent tabs.

4. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 2, wherein a single continuous, elongated tab is configured on at least one of the opposite sides of the side panel.

5. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 3, wherein the tabs formed on extreme ends of both opposite sides of the side panel and are abutting the respective tank.

6. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 3, wherein the tabs extend from the side panel at least up to the tubular element proximal to the corresponding lateral face of the heat exchanger core.

7. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 3, wherein the tabs extend from the side panel and beyond the tubular element proximal to the corresponding lateral face of the heat exchanger core.

8. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side cover is of metal and is formed by stamping and bending.

9. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side cover is of aluminum and is directly brazed to the fins.

10. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tubular element proximal to the lateral face of the heat exchanger core and the corresponding side cover is spaced less than or equal to pitch of the plurality of spaced apart tubular elements.

11. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tank is wider than the side cover, the side cover being wider than the heat exchanger core for accommodating an insulating material between the side cover and the heat exchanger core.

12. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, the tank including a corresponding header for the plurality of spaced apart tubular elements, wherein the side panel is overlapping the corresponding header.

13. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side cover is of plastic and is formed by molding.

14. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side cover is permanently secured to the heat exchanger core.

15. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side cover is removably mounted on the heat exchanger core.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention can be inferred from the description of the invention hereunder. A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures, wherein:

[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a heat exchanger in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 2a illustrates an enlarged view of a portion of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1, wherein at least a portion of fins disposed between a tubular element at an extreme end of a heat exchanger core and a side panel of a side cover are covered by a tab orthogonally extending from a side panel;

[0027] FIG. 2b illustrates a sectional view of the portion of the heat exchanger of FIG. 2a;

[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of the side cover of FIG. 2a;

[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates another isometric view of the side cover of FIG. 2a; and

[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged view depicting assembly between a tank, a side cover and the heat exchanger core of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] It must be noted that the figures disclose the invention in a detailed enough way to be implemented, said figures helping to better define the invention if needs be. The invention should however not be limited to the embodiment disclosed in the description.

[0032] Although the present invention is explained in the forthcoming description and the accompanying drawings with an example of a radiator for use in a vehicle, the present invention is also applicable for any heat exchanger for use in a vehicle, wherein it is required to regulate fluid flow of second heat exchange fluid across at least a portion of a heat exchanger core in order to enhance efficiency and performance of the heat exchanger.

[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a heat exchanger 100, for example a radiator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The heat exchanger 100 includes at least one tank 10a, 10b, a plurality of spaced apart tubular elements 20a, a plurality of fins 22 and a side cover 30. The at least one tank 10a, 10b receives a first heat exchange fluid therein. The plurality of spaced apart tubular elements 20a are in fluid communication with the at least one tank 10a, 10b to at least one of receive the first heat exchange fluid therefrom and deliver the first heat exchange fluid thereto. More specifically, the heat exchanger 100 includes an inlet tank 10a and an outlet tank 10b. The inlet tank 10a is in fluid communication with an inlet pipe 12a for ingress of a first heat exchange fluid therein depicted by arrow “I”. The tubular elements 20a connect the inlet tank 10a and the outlet tank 10b and configure fluid communication between the inlet tank 10a and the outlet tank 10b. The tubular elements 20a are spaced apart from each other. The spacing between the tubular element 20a proximal to the lateral face of the heat exchanger core 20 and the corresponding side cover 30 can be less than or equal to pitch between the adjacent tubular elements 20a. The tubular elements 20a and the fins 22 are disposed alternately to each other to define a heat exchanger core 20. The first and the last of the fins 22 constitute respective opposite lateral face of the heat exchanger core 20. The first heat exchange fluid is received in the inlet tank 10a. The tubular elements 20a receive the first heat exchange fluid from the inlet tank 10a. As the first heat exchange fluid flows through the tubular elements 20a, the first heat exchange fluid undergoes heat exchange with a second heat exchange fluid flowing around and across the tubular elements 20a. The fins 22 disposed around the tubular elements 20a enhance turbulence in the second heat exchange fluid across and around the tubular elements 20a and improve the surface contact between the second heat exchange fluid and the tubular elements 20a. The first heat exchange fluid after passing through the tubular elements 20a is delivered to the outlet tank 10b. The outlet tank 10b is in fluid communication with an outlet pipe 12b for egress of the first heat exchange collected in the outlet tank 10b after the first heat exchange fluid had undergone heat exchange by passing through the tubular elements 20a. The egress of the first heat exchange fluid through the second tank is depicted by arrow “0”.

[0034] The side cover 30, covers corresponding lateral face of the heat exchanger 100, particularly, the heat exchanger core 20. Generally, the tank 10a, 10b is wider than the side cover 30. Referring to the FIG. 5, width of the tank 10a, 10b is represented by “T”, the width of the side plate 30 is represented by “S” and the width of the heat exchanger core 20 is represented by “C”. Generally, the inter-relation between the width “T” of the tank 10a, 10b, the width “S” of the side plate 30 and the width “C” of the heat exchanger core 20 is C<S<T. The side cover 30 is wider than the heat exchanger core 20 to accommodate an insulating material between the side cover 30 and the heat exchanger core 20. Generally, the insulating material disposed between the side cover 30 and lateral side of the heat exchanger core 20 is foam. The gap between the tank 10a, 10b and the side cover 30 is also filled with material to prevent leakage there through. Apart from performing its regular function of covering and shielding the corresponding lateral face of the heat exchanger 100, the side cover 30 also covers at least a portion of the heat exchanger core 20 disposed between the tubular element 20a that is proximal to the lateral face of the heat exchanger core 20 and the corresponding side cover 30. More specifically, the side cover 30 covers and shields the fins 22 disposed between the tubular element 20a proximal to the lateral face of the heat exchanger core 20 and the corresponding side cover 30 to prevent flow of a second heat exchange fluid across the fins 22. With such configuration of the side cover 30, the side cover 30 regulates fluid flow of the second heat exchange fluid across the heat exchanger core 20, thereby improving efficiency and performance of the heat exchanger 100.

[0035] Generally, the side cover 30 is of metal and is formed by stamping and bending. Alternatively, the side cover 30 can be of plastic and be formed by molding. The side cover 30 is secured to the heat exchanger core 20. More specifically, the side cover 30 is of aluminum and is directly brazed to the fins 22. Alternatively, the side cover 30 is removably mounted on the heat exchanger core 20. For example, snap fit engagement elements formed on the side cover 30 and the heat exchanger core 20 enables removable mounting of the side cover 30 on the lateral face of the heat exchanger 100. The side cover 30 can be formed of any material and any process and the side cover 30 can be mounted or secured to the heat exchanger 100 using any arrangement as far as the side cover 30 is capable of covering and shielding the corresponding lateral face of the heat exchanger 100 and cover at least the portion of the fins 22 disposed between the tubular 20a proximal to the lateral face of the heat exchanger core 20 and the at least one corresponding side cover 30.

[0036] Generally, the side cover 30 includes a side panel 30a and at least one tab 30b configured on at least one of the opposite sides of the side panel 30a. In one example, the side cover 30 is of U-shaped configuration with the tabs 30b orthogonally formed on the side panel 30a covering at least a portion of the heat exchanger core 20 from front as well as rear. With such configuration, the tabs 30b on the opposite sides of the side cover 30 can interchangeably cover front face of at least a portion of the heat exchanger core 20. Alternatively, the tabs 30b are configured on only one side of the side panel 30a. With such configuration, the side cover 30 is so arranged with respect to the heat exchanger core 20 that the tabs 30b orthogonally extending from one side of the side panel 30a covers front face of at least a portion of the heat exchanger core 20. The side panel 30a is complimentary to and aligned with respect to a corresponding lateral face of the heat exchanger 100, particularly, the heat exchanger core 20 to cover the lateral face of the heat exchanger 100. The side panel 30a further includes ends apertures 30c configured thereon, particularly near opposite extreme ends thereof. The side panel 30a can be of laminar configuration or a curved configuration. The side panel 30a is capable of covering and shielding the lateral face of the heat exchanger 100, particularly, the heat exchanger core 20. Generally, the tabs 30b formed on extreme ends of the opposite sides of the side panel 30a are either overlapping over or abutting the respective tank 10a, 10b. More specifically, the tabs 30b formed on the extreme end or top end of the opposite sides of the side panel 30a proximal to the inlet tank 10a are abutting the inlet tank 10a. Similarly, the tabs 30b formed on the extreme end or bottom end of the opposite sides of the side panel 30a proximal to the outlet tank 10b are abutting the outlet tank 10b. More specifically, the tabs 30b at the extreme ends of the side panel 30a are abutting against the respective inlet tank 10a and the outlet tank 10b. In some cases, the side panel 30a are overlapping over and/or abutting the respective headers to prevent air leakage through any gap between header and respective side panel 30a.

[0037] The tabs 30b configured on each of the opposite lateral sides of the side panel 30a is orthogonal to the side panel 30a and covers at least a portion of the heat exchanger core 20 disposed between the tubular element 20a proximal to the lateral face of the heat exchanger 100, particularly, the heat exchanger core 20 and the corresponding side panel 30a. More specifically, the tabs 30b configured on each of the opposite sides of the side panel 30a covers at least the portion of the fins 22 disposed between the tubular element 20a proximal to the lateral face of the heat exchanger 100, particularly, the heat exchanger core 20 and the corresponding side panel 30a. The tabs 30b extend from the side panel 30a to at least up to the tubular element 20a proximal to the corresponding lateral face of the heat exchanger 100, particularly, the heat exchange core 20. In one example, the tabs 30b extend from the side panel 30a to just before the tubular element 20a proximal to the corresponding lateral face of the heat exchanger 100, particularly, the heat exchanger core 20. In another example, the tabs 30b extend from the side panel 30a to the tubular element 20a proximal to the corresponding lateral face of the heat exchanger 100, particularly, the heat exchanger core 20. Alternatively, the tabs 30b extend from the side panel 30a to beyond the tubular element 20a proximal to the lateral face of the heat exchanger 100, particularly, the heat exchanger core 20. In case the last tubular element functions as the side cover, the tabs orthogonally extend from the last tubular element and extend at least up to the penultimate tubular element.

[0038] In accordance with an embodiment, the side panel 30a includes a plurality of tabs 30b configured on at least one of the opposite sides thereof. The tabs 30b are spaced away from each other with gap in between adjacent tabs 30b. In another example, the side panel 30a includes a single continuous tab 30b configured on at least one of the opposite sides of the side panel 30a. The tabs are capable of covering at least a portion of the heat exchanger core 20 disposed between the tubular element 20a proximal to the lateral face of the heat exchanger core 20 and the at least one corresponding side cover 30.

[0039] Several modifications and improvement might be applied by the person skilled in the art to the heat exchanger as disclosed above and such modifications and improvements will still be considered within the scope and ambit of the present invention, as long as the heat exchanger includes a tank, spaced apart tubular elements, fins and a side cover. The tank receives a first heat exchange fluid therein. The spaced apart tubular elements defining a heat exchanger core are in fluid communication with the tank and enable heat exchange between a first heat exchange fluid flowing there through and a second heat exchange fluid flowing around and across the tubular elements. The plurality of fins and the tubular elements are arranged alternately with respect to each other. The fins promote heat exchange between the first heat exchange fluid and the second heat exchange fluid. The first and the last of the fins constituting respective opposite lateral faces of the core. The side cover is adjacent to a lateral face of the core. The side cover covers and shields the corresponding lateral face of the heat exchanger core and at least a portion of the heat exchanger core disposed between the tubular elements proximal to the lateral face of the heat exchanger core and the corresponding side cover.