The present teachings generally relate to a heat exchanger for an internal combustion engine of a motor.
This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
Radiators are conventionally used in motor vehicles for cooling of internal combustion engines. An exemplary cooling radiator for a motor vehicle is illustrated in
Coolant may be circulated through the tubes 3. As the tubes 3 are exposed to the atmosphere, heat may be released from the coolant in this manner. Cooling fins (not shown) may be located between the radiator tubes 3. The fins may increase the total heat exchange area between the radiator 1 and the atmosphere.
As further illustrated, a transmission oil cooler 9 may be conventionally placed inside one of the radiator tanks 4. The transmission oil cooler 9 may include a plurality of tubes 10 for circulating circulate hot transmission fluid between an oil inlet tank 11 having an oil inlet 11A and an oil outlet tank 12 having an oil outlet 12A. The transmission oil cooler 9 is immersed into the coolant that fills the radiator tank 4. The oil is cooled because even though the coolant is also hot, its temperature is significantly lower than the oil temperature. The temperature differential is used to transfer heat from the oil to the coolant, and ultimately to the atmosphere.
This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.
In accordance with one particular form, the present teachings provide a heat exchanger for an internal combustion engine of a motor. The heat exchanger includes first and second radiator tanks and a plurality of radiator tubes extending between the first and second radiator tanks. The first radiator tank includes a plurality of walls. Brazed joints are between the plurality of walls to make the first radiator tank liquid tight. Brazed joints are also between the plurality of radiator tubes and the first and second radiator tanks. An oil-cooling structure is disposed in the first radiator tank. The brazed joints between the plurality of walls and between the plurality of radiator tubes and the first and second radiator tanks are simultaneously formed.
In accordance with another particular form, the present teachings provide a heat exchanger for an internal combustion engine of a motor. The heat exchanger includes a first radiator tank, a second radiator tank and a plurality of aluminum radiator tubes. The first radiator tank includes a plurality of aluminum walls brazed together to define a liquid-tight structure. The first radiator tank defines an oil inlet chamber, an oil outlet chamber and a coolant chamber therebetween. The second radiator tank constructed of aluminum. An oil-cooling structure is disposed in the first radiator tank. The plurality of aluminum radiator tubes are brazed to the first and second radiator tanks provide fluid communication between the coolant chamber and the second radiator tank.
In accordance with yet another particular form, the present teachings provide a method of manufacturing a heat exchanger for an internal combustion engine of a motor. The method includes providing a first radiator tank including a plurality of aluminum panels and providing a second radiator tank constructed of aluminum. The method additionally includes providing a plurality of aluminum radiator tubes. The method further includes brazing the heat exchanger to simultaneously joint the plurality of aluminum panels of the first radiator tank in a fluid-tight manner and join the plurality of radiator tubes to both the first and second radiator tanks.
In accordance with still yet another form, the present teachings provide a heat exchanger for an internal combustion engine of a motor including a first radiator tank, an oil-cooling structure and a plurality of aluminum radiator tubes. The first radiator tank includes a plurality of aluminum walls brazed together to define a liquid-tight structure. The first radiator tank defines an oil inlet chamber, an oil outlet chamber and a coolant chamber therebetween. A first wall of the plurality of aluminum walls is disposed between the oil inlet chamber and the coolant chamber and a second wall of the plurality of aluminum walls is disposed between the oil outlet chamber and the coolant chamber. An oil-cooling structure is disposed in the first radiator tank. The oil-cooling structure includes a plurality of convoluted tubes disposed in the coolant chamber and extending between the oil inlet chamber and the oil outlet chamber. Brazed joints secure the plurality of convoluted tubes to the first and second walls of the plurality of aluminum walls. The plurality of aluminum radiator tubes are brazed to the first and second radiator tanks and provide fluid communication between the coolant chamber and the second radiator tank.
Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure:
Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. To the extent not otherwise described, it will be understood that the elements throughout the various views are drawn to scale.
Exemplary embodiments consistent with the present teachings will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.
With initial reference to
The upper tank 22 may have a closed shape. The closed shape may be rectangular, circular or any other suitable shape. The upper tank 22 may include a plurality of metal panels. In one particular application, the metal panels may be constructed of aluminum. As used herein, the term aluminum will be understood to include aluminum alloy. Those skilled in the art will appreciated that various of the present teachings are not limited to any particular material.
The upper tank 22 may include a main panel 28. As shown in the side view of
The various panels of the upper tank 22 may cooperate to define distinct chambers. In this regard, an oil inlet chamber 36 having an oil inlet 36A is defined between the end cap 32A and the internal panel 34A. An oil outlet chamber 37 having an oil outlet 37A defined between the end cap 32B and the internal panel 34B. A coolant chamber 40 is defined between the internal panels 34A and 34B.
A plurality of oil-cooling tubes 38 may extend between the internal panels 34A and 34B. The internal panels 34A and 34B may include a plurality of openings or slots punched therein for receiving the plurality of oil-cooling tubes 38. The oil-cooling tubes 38 may be straight, convoluted, dimpled, internally equipped with turbulators or shaped in any other form that stirs the oil and forces it to frequently change direction, in order to increase heat exchange.
The lower tank 24 may be formed similar to the upper tank 22 to include a main panel that may be generally U-shaped and a pair of end caps 42A and 42B. The lower tank 24 may further include an upper panel 44. The upper panel 44 may serve as an integral header thereby eliminating the need for a discrete header. The upper panel 44 may be formed to include a plurality of openings or slots punched therein for receiving the plurality of tubes 26.
The radiator 20 may be brazed to define a liquid-tight relationship between the plurality of tubes 26 and the upper and lower tanks 22 and 24. The brazing may additionally define a liquidtight relationship between the plurality of oil-cooling tubes 38 and the internal panels 34A and 34B. Furthermore, the brazing may define a liquid-tight relationship between the various metal panels of the respective tanks 22 and 24.
The water chamber 40 may be filled with coolant in the form of water or other suitable fluid. As such, the plurality of oil-cooling tubes 38 may be immersed in water. When hot oil is circulated in the oil-cooling tubes 38, heat may be extracted from the tubes 38.
The present teachings dramatically simplify the manufacturing process for radiators as the radiator 20 may now be assembled in one piece and brazed a single time. A separate oil cooler found with conventional radiators may be eliminated since the oil-cooling tubes located inside the tank provide a corresponding function. Furthermore, conventional plastic tanks may be eliminated along with the gaskets conventionally located between headers and radiator tanks. Discrete radiator headers are also eliminated. The gaskets between the oil fittings and the radiator tank walls are eliminated, because the fittings are now integral with and securely brazed to the radiator. The present teachings may generates significant cost savings as a result of the more simple manufacturing process and may provide a significant increase in reliability through elimination of leak paths. In this regard, the traditional leak path between the radiator tank and the radiator header is eliminated.
Turning to
The first tank 102 may have a closed shape. The closed shape may be rectangular, circular or any other suitable shape. The first tank 102 may include a plurality of metal panels. In one particular application, the metal panels may be constructed of aluminum. Again, those skilled in the art will appreciated that various of the present teachings are not limited to any particular material.
The first tank 102 may include a main panel 106. As with the earlier described embodiment, the main panel 106 may be generally U-shaped. The first tank 102 may additionally include a panel 108 with slots punched therein for receiving the plurality of tubes 26. The main panel 106 may define a coolant outlet 106A.
The first tank 102 may include internal panels and end caps similar to the previously described embodiment. As alternatively illustrated, the first tank 102 may include may include an oil inlet tank 110 defining an oil inlet 110A and an oil outlet tank 112 defining an oil outlet 112A. The upper tank 22 may further include a pair of end caps 32A and 32B, and a pair of internal panels 34A and 34B. The lower panel 30 may serve as an integral header thereby eliminating the need for a discrete header. The lower panel 30 may be formed to include a plurality of openings or slots punched therein for receiving the plurality of tubes 26.
A plurality of oil-cooling tubes 38 may extend between the oil inlet tank 110 and the oil outlet tank 112. The oil inlet tank 110 and the oil outlet tank 112 may include a plurality of openings or slots punched therein for receiving the plurality of oil-cooling tubes 38. The oil-cooling tubes 38 may be straight, convoluted, dimpled, internally equipped with turbulators or shaped in any other form that stirs the oil and forces it to frequently change direction, in order to increase heat exchange. The oil-cooling tubes 38 may be brazed to the panels 34A and 34B.
The second tank 104 may be formed similar to the lower tank 24 to include a main panel 40 that may be generally U-shaped and a pair of end caps 42A and 42B. The second tank 104 may further include a panel 44. The upper panel 44 may serve as an integral header thereby eliminating the need for a discrete header. The upper panel 44 may be formed to include a plurality of openings or slots punched therein for receiving the plurality of tubes 26.
The heat exchanger 100 may be brazed to define a liquid-tight relationship between the plurality of tubes 26 and the first and second tanks 102 and 104. The brazing may additionally define a liquid-tight relationship between the plurality of oil-cooling tubes 38 and the oil inlet and outlet tanks 110 and 112. Furthermore, the brazing may define a liquid-tight relationship between the various metal panels of the respective tanks 102 and 104.
A coolant chamber 40 defined between the oil inlet and outlet tanks 110 and 112 may be filled with coolant in the form of water or other suitable fluid. As such, the plurality of oil-cooling tubes 38 may be immersed in coolant. When hot oil is circulated in the oil-cooling tubes 38, heat may be extracted from the tubes 38.
The heat exchanger may further include a bypass arrangement for selectively providing additional fluid communication between the oil inlet tank 110 and the oil outlet tank 112. This fluid communication may be in addition to the fluid communication constantly provided by the plurality of oil-cooling tubes 38. The bypass arrangement provides for the additional fluid communication between the oil inlet and outlet tanks 110 and 112 under a first operating condition and precludes or blocks the additional fluid communication between the oil inlet and outlet tanks 110 and 112 under a second operating condition. The first and second operating conditions may be dependent on the temperature of the oil in the oil inlet tank 110.
The bypass arrangement may include a bypass tube 120 in fluid communication with the oil inlet and outlet tanks 110 and 112 and means for selectively blocking the bypass tube 120. As illustrated, the heat exchanger 10010 includes a single bypass tube 120. In other applications, the heat exchanger 100 may include 2 or more bypass tubes 120 within the scope of the present invention. The bypass tube 120 may be brazed or otherwise suitably attached to the oil inlet and outlet tanks 110 and 112. In one application, the cross section of the bypass tube 120 may be elliptical in shape. Alternatively, the cross section of the bypass tube 120 may be oval, rectangular, round or any other desired shape.
The means for selectively blocking the bypass tube 120 may be automatically responsive for blocking the bypass tube in response to a predetermined condition. This predetermined condition may be reached upon a predetermined temperature of the oil in the oil inlet tank 110. For example, the means for automatically blocking the bypass tube may be responsive to block the bypass tube 120 upon a predetermined oil temperature within the oil inlet tank 110. This predetermined temperature may be approximately 160 degrees Fahrenheit or any other identified temperature.
The means for selectively blocking the bypass tube 120 may include a temperature-responsive valve 124. The temperature-responsive valve 124 may include an element 126 movable between a first position and a second position in response to a change in temperature. The temperature-responsive element 126 may be generally U-shaped, having a first or fixed end secured to the tank 110 and a second or free end movable relative to the tube 120. The first position of the element 126 is shown in
The element 126 of the temperature-responsive valve 124 may be a bi-metal element 126. The bi-metal element 126 may be a U-shaped strip. The bi-metal element 126 may be disposed in the oil inlet tank 110 and secured to the oil inlet tank 110 with a bracket (not shown). Attachment of the element 126 to the bracket may be accomplished with rivets or other suitable means, including but not limited to brazing. When the inlet oil temperature is below the predetermined temperature, the bi-metal element 126 is in the first position. Because the bypass arrangement 120 controls the maximum oil pressure of the heat exchanger 100, conventional hoses and fittings do not need to be as heavy. When most of the oil flow is through the bypass tube 120 rather than the heat exchange tubes 38, the oil temperature rises to an optimum operating temperature more quickly. In this manner, the disadvantages of cold starts are overcome.
When the oil temperature in the oil inlet tank 110 reaches the predetermined temperature, the bi-metal element 126 moves to the second position (as shown in
The heat exchanger 100 may further include a coolant valve 130 for selectively controlling the flow of coolant through the plurality of tubes 26. The coolant valve 130 may be automatically responsive to a predetermined condition for blocking the flow of coolant through the tubes 26. The coolant valve may be operative in a closed condition and an open condition. The closed condition or position is shown in
The predetermined condition which control opening and closing of the coolant valve 130 may be a predetermined temperature of the coolant at the coolant valve 130. For example, the means for automatically controlling the coolant valve 130 may be responsive to block an inlet to the tank 104. This predetermined temperature may be approximately 160 degrees Fahrenheit or any other identified temperature.
The means for controlling the coolant valve 130 may include a temperature-responsive valve 130. The temperature-responsive valve 130 may include an element 132 movable between a first position and a second position in response to a change in temperature. The first position of the element 132 is shown in
The element 132 of the coolant valve 130 may be a bi-metal element 132. The bi-metal element 132 may be a wound strip. The bi-metal element 132 is operatively coupled to a rotary valve 134. A free end of the bi-metal element 132 may be moveable relative to an opening so as to provide selective flow of coolant therethrough. One suitable valve arrangement including a bi-metal element having a wound strip is shown in commonly owned U.S. Publication No. 2007/0267510, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other bi-metal elements may be incorporated within the scope of the present teachings, including but not limited to the other forms shown and described in U.S. Publication No. 2007/0267510.
When the coolant temperature at the coolant valve 130 reaches the predetermined temperature, the bi-metal element 132 moves to the second position (as shown in
Turning to
The oil inlet tank 110 may incorporate an electronically-controlled valve 150 for controlling the flow of oil through the bypass tube 120. The electronically-controlled oil valve 150 may have an electric actuator 152 that is conventionally controlled by the vehicle's electronic control unit (ECU). The electronically-controlled oil valve 150 may further include a plunger 154 or other mechanism for selectively blocking flow of oil through the bypass valve 120.
The valve 150 may be operative in a first mode or open mode and a second mode or closed mode. In the first mode, shown for example in
The tank 104 may incorporate an electronically-controlled coolant valve 160 for controlling the flow of coolant through the tubes 26. The electronically-controlled coolant valve 160 may have an electric actuator 162 that is conventionally controlled by the vehicle's ECU. The electronically-controlled coolant valve 160 may further include a plunger 164 or other conventional mechanism for selectively blocking flow of coolant to the tank 104.
The valve 160 may be operative in a first mode or open mode and a second mode or closed mode. The coolant valve may be operative in a closed condition and an open condition. The closed condition or position is shown in
Turning finally to
The oil inlet tank 110 may incorporate a wax controlled valve 302 for controlling the flow of oil through the bypass tube 120. The wax controlled oil valve 302 may operate in a conventional manner to extend a plunger 154 in response to a predetermined temperature. In this regard, the predetermined temperature may heat the wax of the wax controlled valve 302 to extend the plunger 154 or other mechanism for selectively blocking flow of oil through the bypass valve 120.
The valve 302 may be operative in a first mode or open mode and a second mode or closed mode. In the first mode, shown for example in
The tank 104 may incorporate a wax controlled coolant valve 310 for controlling the flow of coolant through the tubes 26. The wax controlled coolant valve 310 may be automatically responsive to a predetermined temperature.
The valve 310 may be operative in a first mode or open mode and a second mode or closed mode. The coolant valve may be operative in a closed condition and an open condition. The closed condition or position is shown in
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.
The present application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/197,268, filed on 27 Oct. 2008, which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/US09/62052 | 10/26/2009 | WO | 00 | 7/5/2011 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61197268 | Oct 2008 | US |