초록 ▼

A mounting bracket is shown for a heat exchanger core having spaced-apart tubes having peripheral flanges surrounding a manifold. The mounting bracket has a first clip grooved to receive a front edge portion of a selected flange, and a pair of second clips, each grooved to receive, respectively, the

A mounting bracket is shown for a heat exchanger core having spaced-apart tubes having peripheral flanges surrounding a manifold. The mounting bracket has a first clip grooved to receive a front edge portion of a selected flange, and a pair of second clips, each grooved to receive, respectively, the back edge portion of an other flange disposed above the selected flange, and a further flange disposed below the selected flange. The clips are joined together by a panel portion adapted for the mounting of the heat exchanger. The clips are tapered to distribute bending stresses therealong.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A mounting bracket for a heat exchanger core of the type having a tubular manifold disposed about a primary axis, said manifold being formed of a plurality of tubular manifold segments and having top and bottom ends spaced apart in the direction of the primary axis, inn

The invention claimed is: 1. A mounting bracket for a heat exchanger core of the type having a tubular manifold disposed about a primary axis, said manifold being formed of a plurality of tubular manifold segments and having top and bottom ends spaced apart in the direction of the primary axis, inner and outer sides spaced apart in the direction of a secondary axis perpendicular to the primary axis, and front and back sides spaced apart in the direction of a tertiary axis perpendicular to the primary and secondary axes; a plurality of fluid tubes arranged in substantially parallel, spaced-apart relation, each tube extending inwardly from a respective manifold segment, and extending therefrom substantially parallel to the secondary axis; and each tube having a respective peripheral flange with front and rear portions adjacent to the respective front and back sides of each respective manifold segment, each flange having a pair of laterally extending front and back edge portions spaced-apart from one another in the direction of the tertiary axis; said mounting bracket comprising: a first clip portion having an elongate groove formed therein adapted to grippingly engage the front edge portion only of a selected flange; a mounting panel portion located adjacent to the first clip portion and together defining a bridge structure; a pair of second clip portions each having a respective elongate groove formed therein, said second clip portions being adapted to grippingly engage, respectively, the back edge portion of an other one of the flanges disposed above the selected flange, and the back edge portion of a further one of the flanges disposed below the selected flange, the second clip portions being connected to the first clip portion to grip the core in a three-point contact configuration; and a pair of planar, parallel leg portions extending between the bridge structure and the second clip portions, so that when the leg portions are located perpendicular to the primary axis the leg portions extend from the mounting panel portion in the direction of the tertiary axis from said front edge portion of said selected flange to said back edge portions of said other one and said further one of said flanges. 2. A mounting bracket for a heat exchanger core of the type having a tubular manifold disposed about a primary axis, said manifold being formed of a plurality of tubular manifold segments and having top and bottom ends spaced apart in the direction of the primary axis, inner and outer sides spaced apart in the direction of a secondary axis perpendicular to the primary axis, and front and back sides spaced apart in the direction of a tertiary axis perpendicular to the primary and secondary axes; a plurality of fluid tubes arranged in substantially parallel, spaced-apart relation, each tube extending inwardly from a respective manifold segment, and extending therefrom substantially parallel to the secondary axis; and each tube having a respective peripheral flange with front and rear portions adjacent to the respective front and back sides of each respective manifold segment, each flange having a pair of laterally extending front and back edge portions spaced-apart from one another in the direction of the tertiary axis; said mounting bracket comprising: a first clip portion having an elongate, tapered groove formed therein adapted to grippingly engage the front edge portion of a selected flange, the first clip portion being shaped and dimensioned such that the effective depth of the elongate groove therein decreases in the longitudinal direction of the elongate groove; and a pair of second cup portions each having a respective elongate groove formed therein, said second clip portions, being adapted to grippingly engage, respectively, the back edge portion of an other one of the flanges disposed above the selected flange, and the back edge portion of a further one of the flanges disposed below the selected flange, the second clip portions being connected to the first clip portion to grip, in combination therewith, the core. 3. A mounting bracket for a heat exchanger core of the type having a tubular manifold disposed about a primary axis, said manifold being formed of a plurality of tubular manifold segments and having top and bottom ends spaced apart in the direction of the primary axis, inner and outer sides spaced apart in the direction of a secondary axis perpendicular to the primary axis, and front and back sides spaced apart in the direction of a tertiary axis perpendicular to the primary and secondary axes; a plurality of fluid tubes arranged in substantially parallel, spaced-apart relation, each tube extending inwardly from a respective manifold segment, and extending therefrom substantially parallel to the secondary axis; and each tube having a respective peripheral flange with front and rear portions adjacent to the respective front and back sides of each respective manifold segment, each flange having a pair of laterally extending front and back edge portions spaced-apart from one another in the direction of the tertiary axis; said mounting bracket comprising: a first clip portion having an elongate groove formed therein adapted to grippingly engage the front edge portion of a selected flange; and a pair of second clip portions each having a respective elongate tapered groove formed therein, said second clip portions, being adapted to grippingly engage, respectively, the back edge portion of an other one of the flanges disposed above the selected flange, and the back edge portion of a further one of the flanges disposed below the selected flange, the second clip portions being connected to the first clip portion to grip, in combination therewith, the core, each of the second clip portions being shaped and dimensioned such that the effective depth of the elongate grooves therein decreases in the longitudinal direction of said elongate grooves. 4. The mounting bracket according to claim 2, wherein the first clip portion is shaped and dimensioned such that the effective depth of the elongate groove therein decreases to nil in the longitudinal direction of said elongate grooves. 5. The mounting bracket according to claim 3 , wherein each of the second clip portions is shaped and dimensioned such that the effective depth of the elongate grooves therein decreases to nil in the longitudinal direction of said elongate grooves. 6. The mounting bracket according to claim 1, wherein one of said second clip portions is adapted to receive said other flange longitudinally adjacent to the selected flange and wherein the other of said second clip portions is adapted to receive said further flange longitudinally adjacent to the selected flange. 7. The mounting bracket according to claim 1, wherein the mounting panel portion is rigidly connected to the first clip portion and adapted to be secured to a vehicle frame. 8. The mounting bracket according to claim 7, wherein the mounting panel portion is adapted to project laterally beyond the selected flange. 9. The mounting bracket according to claim 7, wherein the first clip portion and the panel portion together define an elongate bridge structure, each defining one end of the bridge structure, and wherein the elongate groove of the first clip portion runs longitudinally relative to the bridge structure, and terminates at the end thereof defined by the first clip portion. 10. The mounting bracket according to claim 9, wherein the pair of leg portions are disposed in spaced-apart relation to one another, each leg portion rigidly extending between the bridge structure and a respective second clip portion. 11. The mounting bracket according to claim 10, wherein the leg portions have contacting parts which are adapted to be disposed in overlapping relation, respectively, against a surface of the other flange and against a surface of the further flange. 12. A mounting bracket for a heat exchanger core of the type having a tubular manifold disposed about a primary axis, said manifold being formed of a plurality of tubular manifold segments and having top and bottom ends spaced apart in the direction of the primary axis, inner and outer sides spaced apart in the direction of a secondary axis perpendicular to the primary axis, and front and back sides spaced apart in the direction of a tertiary axis perpendicular to the primary and secondary axes; a plurality of fluid tubes arranged in substantially parallel, spaced-apart relation, each tube extending inwardly from a respective manifold segment, and extending therefrom substantially parallel to the secondary axis; and each tube having a respective peripheral flange with front and rear portions adjacent to the respective front and back sides of each respective manifold segment, each flange having a pair of laterally extending front and back edge portions spaced-apart from one another in the direction of the tertiary axis; said mounting bracket comprising: a first clip portion having an elongate groove formed therein extending in the direction of the secondary axis and adapted to grippingly engage the front edge portion of a selected flange; a mounting panel portion rigidly connected to the first clip portion and extending from one distal end of the first clip portion also in the direction of the secondary axis; the first clip portion and the panel portion together defining an elongate bridge structure, each defining one end of the bridge structure, and wherein the elongate groove of the first clip portion runs longitudinally relative to the bridge structure, and terminates at the end thereof defined by the first clip portion; a pair of second clip portions each having a respective elongate groove formed therein, said second clip portions being adapted to grippingly engage, respectively, the back edge portion of an other one of the flanges disposed above the selected flange, and the back edge portion of a further one of the flanges disposed below the selected flange, the second clip portions being connected to the first clip portion to grip, in combination therewith, the core; wherein the pair of second clip portions are rigidly connected to the first clip portion by a pair of leg portions, disposed in spaced-apart relation to one another, each leg portion rigidly extending between the mounting panel portion and a respective second clip portion; and a pair of abutment ear portions extending away from one another, each from a respective leg portion and in substantially transverse relation thereto, the ear portions being adapted to engage, respectively, the outer edge portions of each of the other flange and the further flange. 13. A mounting bracket for a heat exchanger core of the type having a tubular manifold disposed about a primary axis, said manifold being formed of a plurality of tubular manifold segments and having top and bottom ends spaced apart in the direction of the primary axis, inner and outer sides spaced apart in the direction of a secondary axis perpendicular to the primary axis, and front and back sides spaced apart in the direction of a tertiary axis perpendicular to the primary and secondary axes; a plurality of fluid tubes arranged in substantially parallel, spaced-apart relation, each tube extending inwardly from a respective manifold segment, and extending therefrom substantially parallel to the secondary axis; and each tube having a respective peripheral flange with front and rear portions adjacent to the respective front and back sides of each respective manifold segment, each flange having a pair of laterally extending front and back edge portions spaced-apart from one another in the direction of the tertiary axis; said mounting bracket comprising: a first clip portion having an elongate groove formed therein extending in the direction of the secondary axis and adapted to grippingly engage the front edge portion of a selected flange; a mounting panel portion rigidly connected to the first clip portion and extending longitudinally from one distal end of the first clip portion also in the direction of the secondary axis; the first cup portion and the panel portion together defining an elongate bridge structure, each defining one end of the bridge structure, and wherein the elongate groove of the first clip portion runs longitudinally relative to the bridge structure, and terminates at the end thereof defined by the first clip portion; a pair of second clip portions each having a respective elongate groove formed therein, said second clip portions being adapted to grippingly engage, respectively, the back edge portion of an other one of the flanges disposed above the selected flange, and the back edge portion of a further one of the flanges disposed below the selected flange, the second clip portions being connected to the first clip portion to grip, in combination therewith, the core; wherein the pair of second clip portions are rigidly connected to the first clip portion by a pair of leg portions, disposed in spaced-apart relation to one another, each leg portion rigidly extending between the mounting panel portion and a respective second clip portion; and a pair of abutment ear portions extending towards one another, each from a respective leg portion and in substantially transverse relation thereto, the ear portions being adapted to engage, respectively, the outer edge portions of each of the other flange and the further flange. 14. A mounting bracket for a heat exchanger core of the type having a tubular manifold disposed about a primary axis, said manifold being formed of a plurality of tubular manifold segments and having top and bottom ends spaced apart in the direction of the primary axis, inner and outer sides spaced apart in the direction of a secondary axis perpendicular to the primary axis, and front and back sides spaced apart in the direction of a tertiary axis perpendicular to the primary and secondary axes; a plurality of fluid tubes arranged in substantially parallel, spaced-apart relation, each tube extending inwardly from a respective manifold segment, and extending therefrom substantially parallel to the secondary axis; and each tube having a respective peripheral flange with front and rear portions adjacent to the respective front and back sides of each respective manifold segment, each flange having a pair of laterally extending front and back edge portions spaced-apart from one another in the direction of the tertiary axis; said mounting bracket comprising: a first clip portion having an elongate, tapered groove formed therein adapted to grippingly engage the front edge portion of a selected flange; and a pair of second clip portions each having a respective elongate groove formed therein, said second clip portions being adapted to grippingly engage, respectively, the back edge portion of an other one of the flanges disposed above the selected flange, and the back edge portion of a further one of the flanges disposed below the selected flange, the second clip portions being connected to the first clip portion to grip, in combination therewith, the core; and wherein the second clip portions are longer than the first clip portion. 15. The mounting bracket according to claim 2, wherein each of the second clip portions is tapered such that the effective depth of the elongate grooves therein decreases in the longitudinal direction of said elongate grooves. 16. The mounting bracket according to claim 15, wherein the first clip portion is shaped and dimensioned such that the effective depth of the elongate groove therein decreases to nil in the longitudinal direction of said elongate groove. 17. The mounting bracket according to claim 16, wherein each of the second clip portions is shaped and dimensioned such that the effective depth of the elongate grooves therein decreases to nil in the longitudinal direction of said elongate grooves. 18. The mounting bracket according to claim 17, wherein one of said second clip portions is adapted to receive said other flange longitudinally adjacent to the selected flange and wherein the other of said second clip portions is adapted to receive said further flange longitudinally adjacent to the selected flange. 19. The mounting bracket according to claim 18, wherein the mounting panel portion is rigidly connected to the first clip portion and adapted to be secured to a vehicle frame. 20. The mounting bracket according to claim 9 wherein the second clip portions each extend parallel to the bridge structure and are longer in length than the first clip portion.