Heat exchanger with core and support structure coupling for reduced thermal stress

摘要

In at least one embodiment, the invention is a heat exchanger which includes a core, a support structure and a mount. The core is variable in its size and has a lower temperature fluid port and a higher temperature fluid port. The mount is positioned between the core and the support structure, adjacent to the higher temperature fluid port. The mount restrains the core relative to the support structure, such that when the core varies in size it does so either away from or towards the mount. The heat exchanger can also include a deformable connector. The deformable connector is positioned in a manner which allows it and lower temperature fluid port to remain in fluid communication as the core varies in size. The deformable connector can include a bellows, a flexible hose and a braided metal hose. The mount includes a pin and a receiver. The receiver receives the pin so as to restrain the movement of the core. The pin can be attached to the support structure and the receiver defined in the core.