Protective leakage shield for liquid to air heat exchanger

Abstract

A leakage shield for an air to liquid heat exchanger includes a drain pan, a liquid header panel, and a closure bar. The drain pan has a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The liquid header panel has a lower end attached to the first side of the drain pan, and extends vertically upwards from the first side of the drain pan. The closure bar panel has a lower end attached to the second side of the drain pan, and extends vertically upwards from the second side of the drain pan.

1 . A heat exchanger comprising:
 an air inlet located on a first side;   an air outlet located on a second side opposite the first side;   a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet located on a third side, the third side extending between the first side and the second side;   a drain pan covering a bottom;   a liquid header panel covering the third side; and   a closure bar panel covering a forth side opposite the third side, the fourth side extending between the first side and the second side,   wherein the drain pan, liquid header panel, and closure bar panel form a shield preventing liquid leakage from the heat exchanger.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein drain pan is attached to bosses extending from the bottom. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the drain pan includes a depression having a centrally located hole. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein a lower end of the liquid header panel is attached to a first side of the drain pan. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein an upper end of the liquid header panel is attached to a top of the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein a lower end of the closure bar panel is attached to a second side of the drain pan. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein an upper end of the closure bar panel is attached to a top of the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         8 . A leakage shield for an air to liquid heat exchanger, the leakage shield comprising:
 a drain pan having a first side and a second side opposite the first side;   a liquid header panel having an upper end attached to a first mounting bracket and a lower end attached to the first side of the drain pan, the liquid header panel having a central section extending vertically upwards from the first side of the drain pan; and   a closure bar panel having an upper end attached to a second mounting bracket and lower end attached to the second side of the drain pan, the closure bar panel having a central section extending vertically upwards from the second side of the drain pan.   
     
     
         9 . The leakage shield of  claim 8 , wherein the liquid header panel and the closure bar panel extend parallel to one another. 
     
     
         10 . The leakage shield of  claim 9 , wherein the liquid header panel and the drain pan form a right angle. 
     
     
         11 . The leakage shield of  claim 10 , wherein the closure bar panel and the drain pan form a right angle. 
     
     
         12 . The leakage shield of  claim 8 , wherein the drain pan includes a depression having a centrally located hole. 
     
     
         13 . The leakage shield of  claim 8 , wherein the liquid header panel includes a first opening for surrounding a liquid inlet and a second opening for surrounding a liquid inlet. 
     
     
         14 . A method of installing a leakage shield on a liquid to air heat exchanger, the method comprising:
 covering a bottom of the heat exchanger with a drain pan;   covering a first side of the heat exchanger with a liquid header panel; and   covering a second side of the heat exchanger with a closure bar panel.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 attaching the drain pan to the bottom of the heat exchanger;   attaching the liquid header panel to the drain pan and a top of the heat exchanger;   attaching the closure bar panel to the drain pan and the top of the heat exchanger.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 welding at least one boss to the bottom of the heat exchanger.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein attaching the drain pan to the bottom of the heat exchanger includes bolting the drain pan to the at least one boss. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein attaching the liquid header panel to the top of the heat exchanger includes bolting the liquid header panel to a mount located on the top of the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein attaching the closure bar panel to the top of the heat exchanger includes bolting the closure bar panel to a mount located on the top of the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 surrounding a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet with the liquid header panel.