Heat exchanger having snap-on bracket

Abstract

A heat exchanger includes a pair of manifolds, each of which has a plurality of axially spaced oblong slots, and each of which has at least two detents formed therein. A plurality of generally flat tubes extends between the manifolds and individually through the slots for providing fluid communication between the manifolds. A plurality of radiation fins extends between adjacent flat tubes. A plurality of brackets is provided for mounting the heat exchanger. Each of the brackets comprises a first member and a second member, and each of the first member and the second member including a curved portion and a flange portion. Each curved portion extends circumferentially around a portion of manifold and captures the manifold therein. Each curved portion has at least one protrusion which extends into one of the detents in the manifold. The flange portion connected to the curved portion. The flange portion of the first member and the flange portion of the second member are mechanically secured together to form a flange for mounting the heat exchanger.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A heat exchanger comprising: 
 a pair of manifolds, each of the manifolds having a plurality of axially spaced oblong slots, at least one of the manifolds also having at least two detents formed therein;    a plurality of generally flat tubes extending between the manifolds and individually through the slots for providing fluid communication between the manifolds;    a plurality of radiation fins extending between adjacent flat tubes; and    a plurality of brackets for mounting the heat exchanger, each of the brackets comprising a first member and a second member, each of the first member and the second member including    a curved portion extending circumferentially around a portion of the manifold and capturing the manifold therein, each curved portion having at least one protrusion which extends into one of the detents in the manifold, and    a flange portion connected to the curved portion, the flange portion of the first member and the flange portion of the second member being mechanically secured together to form a flange for mounting the heat exchanger.    
     
     
         2 . A heat exchanger as defined in    claim 1   , wherein the first member and the second member are mechanically secured to each other by providing tabs on the periphery of one of the members, the tabs being coined over the periphery of the other of the members to hold the members together.  
     
     
         3 . A heat exchanger as defined in    claim 1   , wherein the flange portions of the first and second members are mechanically secured together to provide spring means allowing the curved portions to open to be placed on the manifold and urging the curved portions together to secure the bracket on the manifold with the protrusions located in the detents.  
     
     
         4 . A heat exchanger as defined in    claim 1   , wherein the curved portions of the brackets together extend circumferentially around a portion of the manifold.  
     
     
         5 . A heat exchanger as defined in    claim 1   , wherein at least one of the manifolds comprises a single rectangular brazing sheet having connection portions on each side edge, each of the side edge connection portions including an interlocking formation comprising tabs and recesses, at least some of the tabs deformed as the side.  
     
     
         6 . A process of making a heat exchanger, comprising the steps of: 
 forming a tubular manifold with slots pierced therein;    providing a tube for each slot, and inserting the tube into the corresponding slot of the manifold;    placing fins between adjacent tubes;    making detents on the exterior of the manifold at the desired position of mounting brackets;    forming at least one bracket of two members, each of the members including a curved portion and a flange portion, the curved portions extending circumferentially around part of the manifold and capturing the manifold therein, each of the curved portions having at least one protrusion;    mechanically securing the flange portions of the bracket members together to form a flange for mounting the heat exchanger;    snapping the bracket onto the manifold at the desired location with the curved portions extending circumferentially around part of the manifold and capturing the manifold therein and the protrusions extending into the detents in the manifold; and    brazing the manifold, tubes and fins together.    
     
     
         7 . A method as defined in    claim 6   , wherein the bracket members are formed with a spring-like action provided by the flange portions, and the bracket is snapped onto the manifold by widening the curved portions to fit around the manifold and allowing the spring-like action of the flange portions to urge the curved portions back toward each other.  
     
     
         8 . A method as defined in    claim 7   , wherein the bracket is snapped onto the manifold by allowing the spring-like action of the flange portions to urge the protrusions into the detents.