Evaporator and method of making same

Abstract

An evaporator and method of making same includes 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.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An evaporator comprising: 
 a pair of joined first end tanks;    a pair of joined second end tanks spaced from and opposing said first end tanks;    a plurality of extruded fluid carrying tubes extending between and in fluid communication with said first end tanks and said second end tanks; and    each of said first end tanks and said second end tanks comprising a stamping, each of said first end tanks having a pair of raised first bosses spaced laterally and extending outwardly therefrom, each of said first bosses including an aperture extending therethrough, and a mesh disposed in said aperture and stamped into one of said first end tanks.    
     
     
         2 . An evaporator comprising: 
 a plurality of generally parallel first end tanks, pairs of said first end tanks being joined together in a face-to-face relationship, the pairs of said first end tanks being joined together and aligned in a stack;    a plurality of generally parallel second end tanks, pairs of said second end tanks, pairs of said second end tanks being joined together in a face-to-face relationship, the pairs of said second end tanks being joined together and aligned in a stack;    a plurality of extruded fluid carrying tubes, a pair of said tubes being spaced laterally and extending between and in fluid communication with a joined pair of said first end tanks and said second end tanks;    a plurality of fins attached to an exterior of said tubes; and    each of the joined pair of said first end tanks and said second end tanks comprising stampings, each of the joined pair of said first end tanks having a pair of raised bosses spaced laterally and extending outwardly therefrom, and a mesh disposed over said aperture and stamped into said first end tanks.    
     
     
         3 . A method of making an evaporator comprising the steps of: 
 providing a plurality of generally parallel first end tanks formed as stampings, pairs of the first end tanks being joined together in a face-to-face relationship, the pairs of the first end tanks being joined together and aligned in a stack;    providing a plurality of generally parallel second end tanks formed as stampings, pairs of the second end tanks being joined together in a face-to-face relationship, the pairs of the second end tanks being joined together and aligned in a stack;    providing a plurality of extruded fluid carrying tubes extending between and in fluid communication with opposed pairs of the first end tanks and the second end tanks;    providing a plurality of fins to be attached to an exterior of the tubes and disposing the fins between the tubes; and    joining the fins and pairs of first end tanks and second end tanks together to form the evaporator.    
     
     
         4 . A method as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said step of providing the plurality of generally parallel first end tanks and second end tanks includes the step of forming a flange extending axially to form an opening.  
     
     
         5 . A method as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said step of providing the plurality of generally parallel first end tanks and second end tanks includes the step of forming a projection extending into the opening.  
     
     
         6 . A method as set forth in  claim 4  including the step of inserting an end of the tubes into the opening and locating the end of the tubes relative to the opening via the projection.  
     
     
         7 . A method as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said step of joining comprises brazing the first end tanks and second end tanks and tubes and fins together.  
     
     
         8 . A method of making an evaporator comprising the steps of: 
 stamping a plurality of generally parallel first end tanks and forming a flange extending axially to form an opening;    stacking pairs of the first end tanks together in a face-to-face relationship, the pairs of the first end tanks being aligned in a stack;    stamping a plurality of generally parallel second end tanks and forming a flange extending axially to form an opening;    stacking pairs of the second end tanks together in a face-to-face relationship, the pairs of the second end tanks being aligned in a stack;    providing a plurality of extruded fluid carrying tubes;    inserting an end of the tubes into the opening and extending the tubes between and in fluid communication with opposed pairs of the first end tanks and the second end tanks;    providing a plurality of fins and disposing the fins between the tubes; and    brazing the first end tanks and second end tanks and tubes and fins together to form the evaporator.    
     
     
         9 . A method as set forth in  claim 8  including the step of forming a projection extending into the opening.  
     
     
         10 . A method as set forth in  claim 9  including the step of locating the end of the tubes relative to the opening via the projection.