US2011073277A1PendingUtilityA1

Adapter for heat exchanger

58
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Jul 23, 2008Filed: Jun 22, 2009Published: Mar 31, 2011
Est. expiryJul 23, 2028(~2 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Andrew E. KarlRon A. WilsonDerek Leman
F28F 2280/06F28D 1/05391F28F 2260/02F28D 1/0478F24F 13/30F28D 2001/0273
58
PatentIndex Score
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Claims

Abstract

A heat exchanger includes a first manifold, a second manifold and a plurality of tubes extending between the first manifold and the second manifold. An adapter is mounted to the first manifold, and the adapter includes a plurality of engagement features engageable by a forming machine to form the heat exchanger into a shape.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . A heat exchanger comprising:
 a first manifold;   a second manifold;   a plurality of tubes extending between the first manifold and the second manifold; and   an adapter mounted to the first manifold, wherein the adapter includes a plurality of engagement features engageable by a forming machine to form the heat exchanger into a shape.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 1  wherein the adapter is plastic. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 1  wherein the first manifold and the second manifold are substantially cylindrical. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 1  wherein the adapter is substantially parallel to the first manifold and substantially perpendicular to the plurality of tubes. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 1  wherein the adapter includes a curved wall having a first side and an opposing second side. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 5  including a plurality of attachment members that attach the adapter to the first manifold, wherein each of the plurality of attachment members include a first arm and a second arm, and the first arm and the second arm are flexible. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 6  wherein the adapter includes a curved wall having a first side and an opposing second side. 
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 7  wherein the first arm and the second arm extend from the first side of the curved wall and each include a curved portion, and the curved wall and the curved portions of the first arm and the second arm define a space that receives the first manifold. 
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 5  wherein the adapter includes a first wall and a second wall that extend from the opposing second side of the curved wall. 
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 9  wherein the first wall of the adapter includes a plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         11 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 9  wherein the second wall includes a plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         12 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 9  wherein the plurality of engagement features comprise a plurality of u-shaped members that extend from the opposing second side of the curved wall and are located between the first wall and the second wall. 
     
     
         13 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 1  wherein the first manifold is a return manifold and the second manifold is an inlet/outlet manifold. 
     
     
         14 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 1  wherein a second adapter is mounted to the second manifold, and the second adapter includes a plurality of attachment members that attach the second adapter to the second manifold and two walls that each include a plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         15 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 14  wherein the first manifold includes a first end, a second end, and a body defined between the first end and the second end, and the plurality of attachment members attach the adapter to the body of the first manifold. 
     
     
         16 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 1  wherein the heat exchanger is a microchannel heat exchanger. 
     
     
         17 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 1  wherein the adapter is a single, unitary component. 
     
     
         18 . The heat exchanger as recited in  claim 1  wherein the adapter communicates with a cabinet for mounting the heat exchanger to the cabinet. 
     
     
         19 . An adapter attachable to a manifold of a heat exchanger, the adapter comprising:
 a curved wall including a first side and an opposing second side;   a plurality of attachment members located on the first side of the curved wall, wherein the plurality of attachment members and the curved wall define a space to receive a manifold of a heat exchanger; and   a plurality of u-shaped members located on the opposing second side of the curved wall.   
     
     
         20 .- 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The adapter as recited in  claim 19  wherein the adapter is a single, unitary component.

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