Heat exchanger inlet tank with inmolded inlet radius feature

Abstract

A heat exchanger inlet tank including a housing having an inner surface and an outer surface and an inlet connector having an inner surface substantially continuous with the inner surface of the housing. The inner surface of the inlet connector and the inner surface of the housing converging to form an inlet interface. The heat exchanger further includes a protuberance disposed on the inner surface of the housing configured to militate against a pressure drop of a fluid flowing through the inlet tank.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heat exchanger inlet tank, comprising:
 a housing having an inner surface and an outer surface;   an inlet connector having an inner surface substantially continuous with the inner surface of the housing, the inner surface of the inlet connector and the inner surface of the housing converging to form an inlet interface; and   a protuberance disposed on the inner surface of the housing configured to militate against a pressure drop of a fluid flowing through the inlet tank.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger inlet tank of  claim 1 , wherein the protuberance extends from at least a portion of the inlet interface to a transitional portion of the inner surface of the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger inlet tank of  claim 2 , wherein the protuberance has a first tapered side, a second tapered side, a first tapered end, and a second tapered end, the first tapered side, the second tapered side, and the second tapered end tapering to the transitional portion, and the first tapered end tapering to the inlet interface. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger inlet tank of  claim 1 , wherein the protuberance forms a radiused edge at the inlet interface. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger inlet tank of  claim 1 , wherein the protuberance has a width varying along a length thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger inlet tank of  claim 1 , wherein the protuberance has a length that varies along a width thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger inlet tank of  claim 1 , wherein the protuberance has an arcuate cross-section. 
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger inlet tank of  claim 1 , wherein a height of the protuberance in respect of the inner surface of the housing varies along a length of the protuberance. 
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger inlet tank of  claim 1 , wherein a height of the protuberance in respect of the inner surface of the housing varies along a width of the protuberance. 
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger inlet tank of  claim 1 , wherein a wall thickness of the protuberance is substantially equal to a wall thickness of the housing. 
     
     
         11 . The heat exchanger inlet tank of  claim 1 , wherein a concave indentation corresponding to the protuberance is formed on the outer surface of the housing. 
     
     
         12 . The heat exchanger inlet tank of  claim 1 , wherein the protuberance is integrally formed by one of injection molding and metal stamping. 
     
     
         13 . The heat exchanger inlet tank of  claim 1 , wherein the housing has a substantially semi-circular shape 
     
     
         14 . A heat exchanger inlet tank, comprising:
 a housing having an inner surface and an outer surface;   an inlet connector integrally formed with and extending outwardly from the outer surface of the housing, the inlet connector having an inner surface substantially continuous with the inner surface of the housing;   an inlet interface formed at a convergence of the inner surface of the housing and the inner surface of the inlet connector; and   a protuberance disposed on the inner surface of the housing extending from at least a portion of the inlet interface along the inner surface of the housing.   
     
     
         15 . The heat exchanger inlet tank of  claim 13 , wherein the protuberance has at least one of a width varying along a length thereof and a length that varies along a width thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The heat exchanger inlet tank of  claim 13 , wherein the protuberance extends from the at least a portion of the inlet interface to a transitional portion of the inner surface of the housing. 
     
     
         17 . The heat exchanger inlet tank of  claim 13 , wherein a height of the protuberance in respect of the inner surface of the housing varies along a length of the protuberance. 
     
     
         18 . The heat exchanger inlet tank of  claim 13 , wherein a height of the protuberance in respect of the inner surface of the housing varies along a width of the protuberance. 
     
     
         19 . The heat exchanger inlet tank of  claim 13 , wherein a concave indentation corresponding to the protuberance is formed on the outer surface of the housing to maintain a substantially uniform wall thickness of the inlet teak. 
     
     
         20 . A heat exchanger, comprising:
 an inlet tank including a housing having an inner surface and an outer surface and an inlet connector having an inner surface substantially continuous with the inner surface of the housing, the inner surface of the inlet connector and the inner surface of the housing converging to form an inlet interface;   a protuberance having a substantially arcuate cross-section disposed on the inner surface of the housing extending from at least a portion of the inlet interface along the inner surface of the housing to a transitional portion of the inner surface of the housing;   a concave indentation corresponding to the protuberance formed on the outer surface of the housing; and   a plurality of tubes extending from and in fluid communication with the inlet tank.