Integrated heat exchanger support and sealing structure

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed for supporting and sealing a heat exchanger unit. Specifically, a heat exchanger is disclosed comprising a pair of integrated header units arranged in parallel relation to each other. Each header unit comprises a radiator header and a condenser. The radiator unit and condenser maintain separate heat exchange fluid flowpaths. A plurality of parallel heat transfer tubes is connected perpendicularly to said integrated headers, and a plurality of fins extend between adjacent heat transfer tubes of the radiator. A fin unit including a plurality of fins is mounted to an outside surface of an outermost heat transfer tube, and an integrated side support is connected to the fin unit and integrated headers.

1 . A heat exchanger comprising: 
 at least one pair of integrated headers arranged parallel to each other, each integrated header comprising a radiator unit and a condenser unit, said radiator unit and said condenser units defining separate heat-exchange fluid flowpaths;    a plurality of parallel heat transfer tubes connected perpendicularly to said integrated headers;    a plurality of fins extending between adjacent heat transfer tubes;    a fin unit including a plurality of fins mounted to an outside surface of an outermost heat transfer tube; and    an integrated side support connected to said fin unit and said integrated headers, said side support extending along an outside surface of said outermost heat transfer tube.    
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein said integrated side support further comprises an elongated flattened portion having an end cap defined at each end, each of said end caps having a unitary structure extending between said radiator unit and said condenser unit.  
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein said integrated side support further comprises an elongated flattened portion having an end cap defined at each end, each of said end caps having reinforcing tabs extending radially from annular portions of said end caps.  
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein said integrated side support further comprises expansion joints at both ends of said integrated side support.  
     
     
         5 . A heat exchanger comprising: 
 at least one pair of integrated headers arranged parallel to each other, each integrated header comprising a radiator unit and a condenser unit, said radiator unit and said condenser units defining separate heat-exchange fluid flowpaths; and    a unitarily structured end cap positioned to cover each of said headers to block said flowpaths    
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger of  claim 5 , wherein said unitarily structured end cap further comprises at least two cap members integral with the said unitarily structured end cap, each cap member being capable of sealing a separate header unit.  
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger of  claim 5 , wherein said unitarily structured end cap further comprises a molded indentation within each cap member that coincides with the inner diameter of a separate heat exchanger unit.  
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger of  claim 5 , wherein said unitarily structured end cap further comprises reinforcing tabs extending radially from annular portions of said unitarily structured end caps.  
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger of  claim 5 , wherein said unitarily structured end cap is integrally molded with a side support for a heat exchanger.  
     
     
         10 . Apparatus for supporting a pair of integrated headers arranged in parallel relation to each other comprising: 
 a side support mounted adjacent both of said integrated headers;    end cap means integrated with said side support for sealing said integrated headers, and securing means extending from said end cap means for securing said end cap means to said headers.    
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said end cap means is integrally molded with said side support.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said end cap means comprises at least one cap member integrally molded within a unitary structure.