Heat exchanger gasket

Abstract

A method of affixing a gasket to a flange of a heat exchanger core includes aligning the gasket with the flange of the heat exchanger core. The gasket includes a tab extending outward from the gasket. The flange of the heat exchanger core is contacted with the gasket. The gasket is secured to the flange by bending the tab of the gasket around an outer edge of the flange and such that relative motion between the gasket and the flange is prevented by the tab.

1 . A method of affixing a gasket to a flange of a heat exchanger core, the method comprising:
 aligning the gasket with the flange of the heat exchanger core, wherein the gasket comprises:
 a body; and 
 a tab extending outward from the body; 
   contacting the flange of the heat exchanger core with the gasket; and   securing the gasket to the flange by bending the tab of the gasket around an outer edge of the flange and such that relative motion between the gasket and the flange is prevented by the tab.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein aligning the gasket with the flange of the heat exchanger core comprises:
 positioning the gasket a distance from the flange of the heat exchanger core;   adjusting an orientation of the gasket such that a major face of the gasket is parallel to a major face of the flange; and   aligning features of the gasket with corresponding features of the flange.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein aligning features of the gasket with corresponding features of the flange comprises aligning through holes in the gasket with corresponding through holes disposed in the flange of the heat exchanger core. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , bending the tab of the gasket around an outer edge of the flange comprises:
 pushing a distal end of the tab in a first direction that is towards the heat exchanger core and perpendicular to the major face of the flange; and   pushing the distal end of the tab towards a middle of the gasket and parallel to the major face of the flange.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising retaining the tab as part of the gasket during operation of the heat exchanger core. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 wherein the gasket comprises:
 the body comprising:
 an external edge disposed along an exterior of the body; 
 an internal edge defining a orifice passing through the body; and 
 a sealing feature disposed in the body and extending around the orifice of the body; and 
 
 the tab connected to and extending from the external edge of the body, wherein the tab includes a first end proximal to the external edge of the gasket and a second end that is located distally from the first end; 
   wherein the flange comprise:
 a first major face facing towards the gasket; 
 a second major face on an opposite side of the flange as the first face; and 
 an outer endwall positioned and extending between the first and second major faces of the flange; and 
   wherein bending the tab of the gasket around an outer edge of the flange comprises bending the tab such that the first end of the tab comes into contact with the outer endwall of the flange and such that the second end of the tab comes into contact with the second major face of the flange.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the gasket comprises a metallic face seal capable of withstanding temperatures of 800 degrees Fahrenheit (427 degree Celsius) or greater. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tab extends outward from the gasket along a plane that is parallel to a major face of the gasket. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein bending the tab comprises bending the tab at a location of a relief cut disposed in the tab. 
     
     
         10 . A gasket for engagement with a flange of a header of a heat exchanger assembly, the gasket comprising:
 a body comprising:
 an external edge disposed along an exterior of the body; 
 an internal edge defining a orifice passing through the body; and 
 a sealing feature disposed in the body and extending around the orifice of the body; and 
   a series of malleable tabs extending from the external edge of the body.   
     
     
         11 . The gasket of  claim 10 , wherein the tabs are capable of bending at least approximately 90 degrees. 
     
     
         12 . The gasket of  claim 10 , wherein the gasket comprises a metallic face seal capable of withstanding temperatures of 800 degrees Fahrenheit (427 degree Celsius) or greater. 
     
     
         13 . The gasket of  claim 10 , wherein each tab of the series of malleable tabs extends outward from the gasket along a plane that is parallel to a major face of the gasket. 
     
     
         14 . The gasket of  claim 10 , wherein each tab of the series of malleable tabs extends from the gasket approximately perpendicular to a major face of the gasket. 
     
     
         15 . The gasket of  claim 10 , wherein a tab of the series of malleable tabs includes a relief cut disposed in a portion of the tab.