Heat exchanger including an in-tank oil cooler with improved heat rejection

Abstract

A heat exchanger includes first and second radiator tanks, a radiator core and an oil cooler. The core includes first and second headers associated with the first and second radiator tanks, respectively, and a plurality of radiator tubes extending between therebetween. Each tube provides fluid communication from the first radiator tank to the second radiator tank. The plurality of radiator tubes are generally perpendicular to the headers. Coolant passing through the radiator tubes enters the second radiator tank in a direction perpendicular to the header. The oil cooler includes first and second end tanks and a core having a plurality of convoluted oil cooler plates. The tubes provide fluid communication between the first and second oil cooler tanks. Adjacent plates define coolant paths extending through the core and disposed at an angle relative to the direction the coolant enters the second radiator tank.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heat exchanger for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, the heat exchanger comprising:
 first and second radiator tanks;   a radiator core having first and second headers associated with the first and second radiator tanks, the radiator core further including a plurality of radiator tubes extending between the first and second headers, each tube secured to the headers of both the first and second radiator tanks and providing fluid communication from the first radiator tank to the second radiator tank, the plurality of radiator tubes oriented generally perpendicular to the headers such that a coolant passing through the radiator tubes enters the second radiator tank in a direction generally perpendicular to the header;   an oil cooler disposed in a tank cavity defined by the second radiator tank, the oil cooler including:
 first and second end tanks; and 
 an oil cooler core defined by a plurality of oil cooler plates extending between the first and second oil cooler tanks and providing fluid communication between the first and second oil cooler tanks, the convoluted oil cooler plates cooperating to define coolant paths extending through the core, the coolant paths disposed at an angle relative to the direction the coolant enters the second radiator tank such that coolant is impinged upon walls of the oil cooler plates. 
   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the radiator tubes each extend through an aperture in the heater of the second radiator tank. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger of  claim 2 , wherein the radiator tubes are brazed to the heater of the second radiator tank. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the oil cooler plates are convoluted. 
     
     
         5 . An oil cooler comprising:
 an oil cooler core including a plurality of oil cooler plates, adjacent oil cooler plates each cooperating to define a fluid path extending in a first direction;   a first end tank located at a first end of the oil cooler core;   a second end tank located at a second end of the oil cooler core, the second end being opposite the first end in a second direction;   wherein the oil cooler core receives coolant from a third direction, the third direction being angled relative to the second direction.   
     
     
         6 . The oil cooler of  claim 5 , wherein the first direction is angled from the perpendicular relative to the second direction. 
     
     
         7 . The oil cooler of  claim 5 , wherein the first direction is angled between 1° and 89° relative to the third direction. 
     
     
         8 . The oil cooler of  claim 5 , in combination with first and second radiator tanks and a radiator core, the radiator core having first and second headers associated with the first and second radiator tanks, the radiator core further including a plurality of radiator tubes extending between the first and second headers, each tube secured to the headers of both the first and second radiator tanks and providing fluid communication from the first radiator tank to the second radiator tank, the plurality of radiator tubes oriented generally perpendicular to the headers such that a coolant passing through the radiator tubes enters the second radiator tank in the third direction. 
     
     
         9 . The oil cooler of  claim 5 , wherein the radiator tubes are brazed to the header of the second radiator tank. 
     
     
         10 . The oil cooler of  claim 5 , wherein the oil cooler plates are convoluted.