Heat exchanger with flexible port elevation and mixing

Abstract

A heat exchanger for transferring heat from a fluid to a coolant includes a core, an entry tank, and an exit tank. The core has a first port in fluid communication with a second port. The fluid flows between the first and second ports. The entry end tank forms an entry port and is attached to and in fluid communication with the first port. The exit end tank forms an exit port and is attached to and in fluid communication with the second port. One of the end tanks includes a duct therein attached to and in fluid communication with the respective port and configured to control the flow of the fluid in the end tank. The duct may be configured to allow the port to be positioned at any desired elevation on the end tank and/or to improve dispersion or mixing of the fluid in the end tank.

1 . A heat exchanger that transfers heat from a fluid to a coolant, comprising:
 a core having a first port in fluid communication with a second port wherein the fluid flows between the first and second ports;   an entry end tank that forms an entry port and is attached to and in fluid communication with the first port of the core; and   an exit end tank that forms an exit port and is attached to and in fluid communication with the second port of the core;   wherein one of the end tanks includes a duct therein attached to and in fluid communication with the respective port and configured to control the flow of the fluid in the end tank.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the duct is further configured to allow the respective port to be positioned at any elevation on the end tank. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the duct forms an open end within the end tank at an elevation that simulates a standard port elevation for efficient transfer of heat from the fluid to the coolant. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger of  claim 3 , wherein the duct allows the exit port to be positioned at an upper exit port elevation on the exit end tank. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger of  claim 3 , wherein the duct allows the entry port to be positioned at a lower entry port elevation on the entry end tank. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the duct forms a plurality of openings at a plurality of elevations such that the fluid that flows into the entry tank is dispersed at a plurality of elevations in the entry end tank. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the duct forms a plurality of openings at a plurality of elevations such that the fluid that flows out of the exit end tank is mixed from a plurality of elevations in the exit end tank. 
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the duct forms a plurality of openings at a plurality of elevations for fluid communication between the port and the end tank. 
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the duct includes a plurality of selectable opening features for selection of one or more opening elevations for fluid communication between the port and the end tank. 
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the duct is a blow molded tube attached inside the end tank. 
     
     
         11 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the duct includes a baffle. 
     
     
         12 . The heat exchanger of  claim 12 , wherein the duct forms a chamber. 
     
     
         13 . A vehicle, comprising:
 a fluid;   a heat exchanger that transfers heat from the fluid to air, including:
 a core having a first port in fluid communication with a second port wherein the fluid flows between the first and second ports; 
 an entry end tank that forms an entry port and is attached to and in fluid communication with the first port of the core; and 
 an exit end tank that forms an exit port and is attached to and in fluid communication with the second port of the core; 
 wherein one of the entry end tank and the exit end tank includes a duct therein attached to and in fluid communication with the respective port and configured to control the flow of the fluid in the end tank. 
   
     
     
         14 . The vehicle of  claim 13 , wherein the duct is further configured to allow the port to be positioned at any elevation on the end tank. 
     
     
         15 . The vehicle of  claim 13 , wherein the duct forms an open end within the end tank at an elevation that simulates a standard port elevation for efficient transfer of heat from the fluid to the air. 
     
     
         16 . The vehicle of  claim 13 , wherein the duct forms a plurality of openings at a plurality of elevations for fluid communication between the port and the end tank. 
     
     
         17 . The vehicle of  claim 13 , wherein the duct includes a plurality of selectable opening features for selection of one or more opening elevations for fluid communication between the port and the end tank. 
     
     
         18 . A heat exchanger having opposed end tanks, each end tank including a port for respectively receiving or discharging a fluid, the heat exchanger comprising:
 a transfer duct installed in one of the end tanks and connected to the port;   wherein the transfer duct includes a flow changing element to control the flow and dispersion of the fluid which enters or exits the end tank through the port.   
     
     
         19 . The heat exchanger of  claim 18 , wherein at least one of the ports is an alternative, rather than a standard, elevation port. 
     
     
         20 . The heat exchanger of  claim 18 , wherein the flow changing element is one of an opening formed in the transfer duct, a baffle, and a chamber.