Heat Exchanger Having an Integral Air Guide

Abstract

A heat exchanger ( 40 ) includes a first header ( 42 ), a second header ( 44 ), and a plurality of tubes ( 46 ) extending between the first and second headers ( 42, 44 ). First and second extension members ( 48, 52 ) project from and are longitudinally oriented along a frontward facing side ( 50 ) of the headers ( 42, 44 ). The first and second extension members ( 48, 52 ) serve as guides for facilitating airflow through the heat exchanger ( 40 ). Third and fourth extension members ( 54, 58 ) project from and are longitudinally oriented along a rearward facing side ( 56 ) of the headers ( 42, 44 ). The third and fourth extension members ( 54, 58 ) serve to seal a gap between the heat exchanger ( 40 ) and an adjacent radiator ( 26 ), and guide airflow from the heat exchanger ( 40 ) through the radiator ( 26 ).

1 . A heat exchanger comprising; 
 a first header;    a second header;    a plurality of tubes extending between said first and second headers; and    an extension member projecting from, and longitudinally oriented along, one of said first and second headers.    
   
   
       2 . A heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said heat exchanger is configured for installation in a vehicle and said extension member projects from a frontward facing side of said one of said first and second headers.  
   
   
       3 . A heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said heat exchanger is configured for installation in a vehicle and said extension member projects from a rearward facing side of said one of said first and second headers.  
   
   
       4 . A heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said vehicle further comprises a radiator positioned proximate said rearward facing side of said one of said first and second headers, and said extension member projects toward said radiator to form a seal between said one of said first and second headers and said radiator.  
   
   
       5 . A heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said extension member projects substantially perpendicular relative to said plurality of tubes.  
   
   
       6 . A heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said extension member projects in a direction to form an acute angle between said extension member and said plurality of tubes.  
   
   
       7 . A heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said extension member projects in a direction to form an obtuse angle between said extension member and said plurality of tubes.  
   
   
       8 . A heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said extension member is a first extension member, and said heat exchanger further comprises a second extension member projecting from, and longitudinally oriented along, another of said first and second headers.  
   
   
       9 . A heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said extension member is a first extension member, and said heat exchanger further comprises a second extension member projecting from, and longitudinally oriented along, said one of said first and second headers.  
   
   
       10 . A heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said second extension member diametrically opposes said first extension member on an outer surface of said one of said first and second headers.  
   
   
       11 . A heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said one of said first and second headers comprises: 
 a first section having a first pair of longitudinally oriented edges, said first extension member extending from said first section; and    a second section having a second pair of longitudinally oriented edges bonded to said first pair of longitudinally oriented edges, said second extension member extending from said second section.    
   
   
       12 . A heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said extension member further comprises a fastening portion configured to enable attachment of a separate structure.  
   
   
       13 . A heat exchanger configured for installation in a vehicle comprising: 
 a first header;    a second header;    plurality of tubes extending between said first and second headers;    first extension member projecting from, and longitudinally oriented along, a frontward facing side of said first header; and    second extension member projecting from, and longitudinally oriented along, said frontward facing side of said second header.    
   
   
       14 . A heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 13  further comprising; 
 a third extension member projecting from, and longitudinally oriented along, a rearward facing side of said first header; and    a fourth extension member projecting from, and longitudinally oriented along, said rearward facing side of said second header.    
   
   
       15 . A heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 14  wherein said vehicle further comprises a radiator positioned proximate said rearward facing side of said first and second headers, and said third and fourth extension members project toward said radiator to form a seal between said first and second headers and said radiator.  
   
   
       16 . A heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 14  wherein: 
 said third extension member diametrically opposes said first extension member on a first outer surface of said first header; and    said fourth extension member diametrically opposes said second extension member on a second outer surface of said second header.    
   
   
       17 . A heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 14  wherein each of said first and second headers comprises: 
 a first section having a first pair of longitudinally oriented edges, and an associated one of said first and second extension members extends from said first section; and    a second section having a second pair of longitudinally oriented edges bonded to said first pair of longitudinally oriented edges, and an associated one or said third and fourth extension members extends from said second section.    
   
   
       18 . A heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 13  wherein each of said first and second extension members further comprises a fastening portion configured to enable attachment of a separate structure.  
   
   
       19 . A heat exchanger configured for installation in a vehicle comprising: 
 a first header;    a second header;    a plurality of tubes extending between said first and second headers;    a first extension member projecting from, and longitudinally oriented along, a rearward facing side of said first header; and    a second extension member projecting from, and longitudinally oriented along, said rearward facing side of said second header.    
   
   
       20 . A heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 19  wherein said vehicle further comprises a radiator positioned proximate said rearward facing side of said first and second headers, and said first and second extension members project toward said radiator to form a seal between said first and second headers and said radiator.