Heat exchange – Resilient vibration damper isolating exchanger element
Reexamination Certificate
1997-05-01
2001-10-09
Leo, Leonard (Department: 3743)
Heat exchange
Resilient vibration damper isolating exchanger element
C277S640000, C277S648000, C277S651000, C277S944000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298908
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to an improved heat exchanger assembly suitable for use in heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems of vehicles. The invention further contemplates a novel seal for such an assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems for vehicles, there typically is provided a housing or duct system having an outside air inlet, an inside air inlet and an inside air outlet communicating with the passenger compartment of the vehicle, a blower for circulating airflow through the housing and various doors or panels with suitable controls operable by vehicle occupants for directing the flow of air through the housing and into and out of the passenger compartment. Air flowing through such systems typically is heated by a heater core positioned in such system housing and operatively connected to the engine cooling system, and is cooled by an evaporator core also provided in the system housing and operatively connected to the air conditioning system of the vehicle. Such core members essentially consist of heat exchangers and function to either impart or extract heat energy to and from air flowing therethrough.
To maximize heat exchange efficiency and eliminate airflow noise or “whistling” caused by air passing through the space normally provided between the periphery of the core member and the surrounding housing wall, it has been the conventional practice in the automotive industry to provide a peripheral seal in such space. Traditionally such seals have consisted of bulky, open cell foam materials compressed between the core member and surrounding housing.
The traditional type of seal used for sealing core members used in HVAC systems has been found to be unsatisfactory for a number of reasons. Such type of seal is susceptible to moisture accumulation which results in offensive odors contaminating air introduced into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. In service for prolonged periods, it may be subject to deterioration, developing air passageways through which airflow may flow and thus circumvent the core member, correspondingly reducing heat exchange efficiency. Such seals further require some form of adhesive for securing them to the core member during installation which not only adversely affects the installation time in the assembly of the components and installation of such systems in vehicles but further adversely affects the quality of such assemblies.
Accordingly, it has been found to be desirable to provide an assembly of the type described having a seal disposed between the core and surrounding housing which will obviate the aforementioned disadvantages of prior art seals and thus provide an effective and efficient heat exchanger assembly for a vehicle which will not provide any offensive odors or unpleasant noises causing discomfort to vehicle occupants.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an improved heat exchange assembly suitable for installation in a vehicle for heating or cooling the passenger compartment of the vehicle generally comprising a housing, a heat exchanger core disposed in the housing and spaced therefrom to provide a peripheral spacing between the core member and the housing and a seal disposed in the peripheral spacing including a first section engaging a portion of the core member and having first hardness and a second section integrally molded with the first section engaging a portion of the housing and having second hardness less than the first hardness. The first section of the seal which imparts rigidity to the seal to facilitate the mounting of the seal on the core member and accommodate the installation of the core member with the seal mounted thereon into the housing, preferably is formed of a thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic material such as a polypropylene-based resinous material provided with a fiberglass filler, has a durometer hardness in the range of 40 to 90 Shore D and is provided with means for mechanically securing the seal to the core member. The second sealing section of the seal is molded integrally with the first or base section of the seal, is also formed of a thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic material such as a thermoplastic polyolefinic elastomer consisting of fully cured elastomer particles disposed in a continuous thermoplastic matrix and preferably has a durometer hardness in the range of 20 to 90 Shore A.
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Barnett Steven C.
Harrell Jeffrey A.
Edwards Industries, Inc.
Lalos & Keegan
Leo Leonard
LandOfFree
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