Coating for components having dampening or sealing functions

Abstract

The present invention relates to components which provide an isolation or sealing function at joints or interfaces, said component being comprised of a semi-rigid or flexible material, wherein the flexible material is provided with a surface coating in at least one area. In various aspects of the present invention, particularly useful in automotive applications, isolators, gaskets, O-rings and the like, are provided with coatings that can withstand various environmental conditions, and, particularly, components used in high temperature applications, especially high temperature applications such as those found in automotive applications.

1 . A heat exchanger assembly comprising: 
 a heat transfer device;    at least one component comprising a flexible material for providing sealing function; and    at least one surface coating on the at least one component;    wherein the flexible material is provided with a surface coating in at least one area.    
   
   
       2 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein the heat transfer device comprises a core made of tubes, and at least one manifold, wherein the at least one manifold is sealed against the core at the at least one component.  
   
   
       3 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein the heat transfer device comprises a core made of tubes, and at least one manifold, and wherein the core or manifold is contacted by one or more parts outside of the core.  
   
   
       4 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 3 , wherein the at least one component is an isolator and wherein the isolator is located between the core and the one or more parts outside of the core.  
   
   
       5 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 2 , wherein the component is a gasket, an O-ring, or the like.  
   
   
       6 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 3 , wherein the surface coating is selected from the group consisting of an oxidation control coating, a thermally resistive coating, a heat emitting coating or a thermally dissipative coating.  
   
   
       7 . A heat exchanger as in  claim 5 , wherein the surface coating is selected form the group consisting of an oxidation control coating, a thermally resistive coating, a heat emitting coating, a chemically resistant coating or a thermally dissipative coating.  
   
   
       8 . A heat exchanger as in  claim 4 , wherein the surface coating is selected form the group consisting of an oxidation control coating, a thermally resistive coating, a heat emitting coating, a chemically resistant coating or a thermally dissipative coating.  
   
   
       9 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 5 , wherein the surface coating comprises an oxidation control coating or a thermally resistive coating.  
   
   
       10 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 7 , wherein the surface coating comprises an oxidation control coating or a thermally resistive coating.  
   
   
       11 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 7 , wherein the surface coating is a thin film and comprises an heat emitting coating or a thermally dissipative coating.  
   
   
       12 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 7 , wherein the surface coating comprises a chemical resistive coating.  
   
   
       13 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 3 , wherein the at least one component provides a dampening function.  
   
   
       14 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 3 , wherein the at least one component is coated with a thermally dissipative or chemically resistive coating.  
   
   
       15 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 13 , wherein the coating is a friction reducing coating or a mixed coating.  
   
   
       16 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 3 , wherein the heat exchanger assembly exists as part of a motorized vehicle, and the at least one component is a heat transfer fluid component, the component designed such that the heat transfer fluid component allows fluid to be in fluid communication with the manifold and another part of the vehicle when present in the assembly.  
   
   
       17 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 13 , wherein the coating is a thermally resistive or thermally dissipative coating.  
   
   
       18 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 14 , wherein the at least one component is a fluid transfer component.  
   
   
       19 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 18 , wherein the fluid transfer component is a flexible or semi-rigid tube or pipe or the like, and the coating is located on both the inner and outer surface of the tube or pipe or the like.  
   
   
       20 . A method for producing a component for use in a heat exchanger assembly comprising: 
 preparing a component;    cleaning the component;    applying a substance to the component to form a coating;    drying or curing the coating.