Heat exchanger assembly with fin locating structure

Abstract

A heat exchanger includes a core with layers and a closure bar. The layers are arranged in a stack and include a first layer that is separated from abutting layers by a first parting sheet and a second parting sheet. Fins are disposed between the first and second parting sheets and form one or more tabs. The closure bar interfaces with the fins and receives the one or more tabs in one or more slots.

1 . A heat exchanger core, comprising:
 a plurality of layers arranged in a stack has a first layer separated from abutting layers by a first parting sheet and a second parting sheet and fins disposed between the first and second parting sheets, the fins forming one or more tabs.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger core of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more tabs extend outward of a first edge of the fins and are disposed on a first side of the core. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger core of  claim 1 , wherein the abutting layers have one or more tabs disposed on a second side of the core that is substantially perpendicular to the first layer. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger core of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more tabs of the first layer extend outward of opposing sides of the fins. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger core of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more tabs are in different positions relative one another on the opposing sides of the fins or have a different size relative to one another. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger core of  claim 1 , wherein the stacked layers are configured and arranged in a pattern such that every other layer in the stack has one or more tabs are offset from one another but in substantially a same position along a same side of the core. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger core of  claim 1 , wherein the abutting layers in the stack have one or more tabs which have different sizes than the one or more tabs of the first layer in the stack. 
     
     
         8 . A heat exchanger comprising:
 a plurality of layers arranged in a stack has a first layer separated from abutting layers by a first parting sheet and a second parting sheet and fins disposed between the first and second parting sheets, the fins have one or more tabs that extend from a first edge thereof; and   a closure bar interfacing with the first edge and having one or more slots that mate with the one or more tabs.   
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger of  claim 8 , wherein the closure bar interfaces with a first side and an opposing side of the core, and wherein one or more tabs extend from both the first and opposing sides of the core and are received and mate with the one or more slots of the closure bar. 
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger of  claim 8 , wherein the abutting layers have one or more tabs disposed on a second side of the core that is substantially perpendicular to the first layer. 
     
     
         11 . The heat exchanger of  claim 8 , wherein the stacked layers are configured and arranged in a pattern such that every other layer in the stack has one or more tabs offset from but in substantially a same lengthwise position along a same side of the core from one another, and wherein the one or more slots that mate with the one or more tabs for every other layer of the stack are at substantially the same location in the closure bar. 
     
     
         12 . The heat exchanger of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more tabs of the first layer extend outward of opposing sides of the fins, and wherein the one or more tabs are in different positions relative one another on the opposing sides or have a different size relative to one another. 
     
     
         13 . The heat exchanger of  claim 8 , wherein the abutting layers in the stack have fins with one or more tabs which have a different size than the one or more tabs of the first layer. 
     
     
         14 . A method of aligning the core of a heat exchanger, the method comprising:
 providing a plurality of layers arranged in a stack, each layer having fins that form one or more tabs;   providing one or more closure bars having one or more slots corresponding to the one or more tabs; and   disposing an edge of each layer into an interfacing arrangement with the closure bars such that the one or more tabs mate with the corresponding one or more slots.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein each fin has tabs that extend from two opposing edges thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein abutting layers of the stack have one or more tabs extending from a different side of the core from one another. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the stacked layers are configured and arranged in an pattern such that every other layer in the stack has one or more tabs offset from but in substantially a same lengthwise position along a same side of the core from one another, and wherein the one or more slots that mate with the one or more tabs for every other layer of the stack are at substantially the same location in the closure bar. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one tab and corresponding mating slot has a different size for abutting layers in the stack.