| 摘要 |
A heat exchanger wherein at least one of the coolant tubes is mechanically joined at an end portion 14 to a header 20 by at least one compliant member 22 extending around the end portion to provide a seal and permit relative movement between the tube and the header owing to thermal expansion and contraction. Preferably at least one of the tubes is joined at an end portion to the header via all-metal bonding, for example welding or brazing. The mechanically joined end portion preferably has an expanded portion so as to compress a sealing portion of the compliant member around a tube-receiving aperture in the header. The compliant member may be in the form of a unitary sheet comprising a plurality of apertures having a raised rim that extends through a corresponding aperture in the header. Also claimed are methods of assembling and manufacturing a heat exchanger. The invention utilises the higher heat transfer capabilities of controlled atmosphere brazed components whilst providing the thermal stress reduction qualities of mechanically assembled components. |
