HEAT EXCHANGER

摘要

A heat exchanger and methods of manufacturing and assembling a heat exchanger, and more particularly to an air-flow heat exchanger having a mechanically assembled header for use in a motor vehicle. The heat exchanger comprises an all-metal bonded matrix including a plurality of substantially parallel metallic tubes and a plurality of metallic fins. The tubes have a heat transfer portion that is elongate in cross-sectional shape, and which comprises two opposing, longer sides, and two opposing shorter sides. At least one of the tubes is mechanically joined at a first end portion thereof to a first header of the heat exchanger by at least one compliant member. The compliant member extends around the first end portion of the tube to provide a seal and to permit relative movement between the mechanically joined tube and the first header due to thermal expansion and contraction of the matrix.

主权项

1. A heat exchanger comprising:
an all-metal bonded matrix including a plurality of substantially parallel metallic tubes and a plurality of metallic fins, the tubes having a heat transfer portion, the heat transfer portion having an elongate cross-sectional shape and comprising two opposing longer sides, and two opposing shorter sides, and the fins disposed between the opposing longer sides of the heat transfer portion of adjacent tubes; and a first header and a second header, each of the tubes having at opposite ends thereof a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion and the second end portion joined respectively to the first header and the second header, the matrix thereby configured to transfer heat between an external medium and a coolant conveyed between the first header and the second header by the tubes; wherein at least one of the tubes is mechanically joined at the first end portion to the first header by at least one compliant member, the compliant member extending around the first end portion to provide a seal with the first end portion for the coolant held within the heat exchanger and permitting relative movement between the at least one of the tubes mechanically joined and the first header due to thermal expansion and contraction of the matrix.