Evaporator and method of making same

Details Evaporator and method of making same Evaporator and method of making same

1999-12-29

2002-10-22

Bennett, Henry (Department: 3743)

Heat exchange

Radiator core type

Deformed sheet forms passages between side-by-side tube means

C165S173000, C165S151000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06467536

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to heat exchangers and, more specifically, to an evaporator and method of making same with stamped end tanks and extruded tubes for an air conditioning system in a motor vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is known to provide a heat exchanger such as an evaporator for an air conditioning system in a motor vehicle. The evaporator typically receives a fluid such as a refrigerant. The evaporator normally includes a plurality of flow passages, which may, for example, be constructed from flat plates or extruded, tubes extending between opposite manifolds or end tanks. The evaporator also includes a plurality of cooling fins disposed between the flow passages. Evaporators are generally much thicker than condensers, and thus require as manifolds or end tanks that may be as wide or wider than fifty-five millimeters. One type of evaporator, often referred to as an extruded tube evaporator, includes a plurality of extruded tubes extending between the end tanks to direct the refrigerant through a plurality of flow paths. However, the end tanks typically used for extruded tube condensers do not have the required strength due to the vastly increased surface area and thus force present in such a wide heat exchanger. Another type of evaporator, often referred to as a plate-fin evaporator, includes a plurality of plates extending between the end tanks to direct the refrigerant through a plurality of flow paths. The end tanks are stamped by using a drawn-cup process.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide an evaporator with stamped end tanks and extruded tubes. It is also desirable to combine the benefits of stamped plate-fin evaporators and extruded tube heat exchangers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention is an evaporator including a first end tank, a second end tank spaced from and opposing the first end tank, and a plurality of extruded fluid carrying tubes extending between and in fluid communication with the first end tank and the second end tank. The first end tank and the second end tank are formed as stampings.
One advantage of the present invention is that a new evaporator and method of making same are provided for an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle. Another advantage of the present invention is that the evaporator has extruded tubes and stamped end tanks. Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the evaporator combines the benefits of stamped plate-fin evaporators and extruded tube heat exchangers. Still another advantage of the present invention is that the evaporator uses a drawn-cup manifold, stamped such that, when assembled, accept extruded tubes for passage of refrigerant. A further advantage of the present invention is that the evaporator has the increased heat transfer surface area of the extruded tube combined with the strength and manufacturing flexibility of a drawn-cup manifold.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood, after reading the subsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4234041 (1980-11-01), Melnyk
patent: 4846268 (1989-07-01), Beldam et al.
patent: 4969512 (1990-11-01), Aoki et al.
patent: 5036909 (1991-08-01), Whitehead et al.
patent: 5046555 (1991-09-01), Nguyen
patent: 5178211 (1993-01-01), Bauer et al.
patent: 5327959 (1994-07-01), Saperstein et al.
patent: 5348081 (1994-09-01), Halstead et al.
patent: 5634519 (1997-06-01), Laveran
patent: 5901782 (1999-05-01), Voss et al.
patent: 5918664 (1999-07-01), Torigoe
patent: 5937935 (1999-08-01), Schornhorst et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Evaporator and method of making same does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Evaporator and method of making same, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Evaporator and method of making same will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2997967