Radiator having a reverse flow manifold

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a radiator comprising a heat exchanger that includes a plurality of fluid conduits for carrying a thermal fluid. Each fluid conduit extends along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end. At least some of the fluid conduits are laterally offset from each other. The radiator also comprises a direct-flow manifold and, a reverse-flow manifold. The direct flow manifold is for conveying the thermal fluid along a first flow direction between the first ends of the fluid conduits and a first radiator line. The reverse-flow manifold is for conveying the thermal fluid along a second flow direction between the second ends of the fluid conduits and an elbow passageway, and along a third flow direction between the elbow passageway and a second radiator line. The third flow direction is opposite to the second flow direction.

1 . A radiator comprising:
 a) a heat exchanger including a plurality of fluid conduits for carrying a thermal fluid, each fluid conduit extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, at least some of the fluid conduits being laterally offset from each other;   b) a direct-flow manifold for conveying the thermal fluid along a first flow direction between the first ends of the fluid conduits and a first radiator line;   c) a reverse-flow manifold for conveying the thermal fluid along:
 i) a second flow direction between the second ends of the fluid conduits and an elbow passageway; and 
 ii) a third flow direction between the elbow passageway and a second radiator line, the third flow direction being opposite to the second flow direction. 
   
     
     
         2 . A radiator comprising:
 a) a heat exchanger including a plurality of fluid conduits for carrying a thermal fluid, each fluid conduit extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, at least some of the fluid conduits being vertically offset from each other;   b) a direct-flow manifold coupled to the first ends of the fluid conduits, the direct-flow manifold having a first fluid passageway that is in fluid communication with the fluid conduits and that extends downward for connection to a first radiator line; and   c) a reverse-flow manifold coupled to the second ends of the fluid conduits, the reverse-flow manifold having:
 i) a second fluid passageway that is in fluid communication with the fluid conduits and that extends upward; and 
 ii) a third fluid passageway that is in fluid communication with the second fluid passageway and that extends downward for connection to a second radiator line. 
   
     
     
         3 . A radiator comprising:
 a) a heat exchanger including a plurality of fluid conduits for carrying a thermal fluid, each fluid conduit extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, at least some of the fluid conduits being laterally offset from each other;   b) a direct-flow manifold coupled to the first ends of the fluid conduits, the direct-flow manifold having a first fluid passageway that is in fluid communication with the fluid conduits and that extends along a first lateral direction for connection to a first radiator line; and   c) a reverse-flow manifold coupled to the second ends of the fluid conduits, the reverse-flow manifold having:
 i) a second fluid passageway that is in fluid communication with the fluid conduits and that extends along a second lateral direction opposite to the first lateral direction; and 
 a third fluid passageway that is in fluid communication with the second fluid passageway and that extends along a third lateral direction for connection to a second radiator line, the third lateral direction being generally opposite to the second lateral direction. 
   
     
     
         4 . The radiator of  claim 3 , wherein the fluid conduits are arranged in a grid having a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows. 
     
     
         5 . The radiator of  claim 4 , wherein
 a) the first fluid passageway of the direct-flow manifold is centrally and symmetrically aligned between the columns of the fluid conduits; and   b) the second fluid passageway of the reverse-flow manifold is centrally and symmetrically aligned between the columns of the fluid conduits.   
     
     
         6 . The radiator of  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the first and second fluid passageways has a cross-sectional area that changes between the rows of the fluid conduits. 
     
     
         7 . The radiator of  claim 6 , wherein the change in the cross-sectional area between adjacent rows of fluid conduits generally corresponds to cross-sectional fluid flow area of the fluid conduits within each row. 
     
     
         8 . The radiator of  claim 3 , wherein the reverse-flow manifold has an elbow passageway providing fluid communication between the first fluid passageway and the second fluid passageway. 
     
     
         9 . The radiator of  claim 3 , wherein the heat exchanger includes a plurality of fins arranged along the fluid conduits. 
     
     
         10 . The radiator of  claim 9 , wherein each fin includes:
 a) a main plate arranged transverse to the fluid conduits, the main plate having a plurality of openings for receiving the fluid conduits therethrough;   b) a plurality of collars that project outward from the main plate, each collar circumscribing one of the openings and providing thermal contact between the main plate and one of the fluid conduits.   
     
     
         11 . The radiator of  claim 10 , wherein the main plate has a plurality of indentations. 
     
     
         12 . The radiator of  claim 10 , wherein the main plate is 5.5-inches long and 2.7-inches wide. 
     
     
         13 . The radiator of  claim 10 , wherein the openings are arranged in a grid having two columns and three rows, the columns being spaced apart by about 1.2-inches, and the rows being spaced apart by about 1.8-inches. 
     
     
         14 . The radiator of  claim 10 , wherein the collars have a depth of about 0.2-inches. 
     
     
         15 . The radiator of  claim 3 , wherein the heat exchanger is at least about 3-feet long. 
     
     
         16 . The radiator of  claim 3 , further comprising an enclosure containing the heat exchanger, the direct-flow manifold, and the reverse-flow manifold. 
     
     
         17 . The radiator of  claim 16 , wherein the enclosure includes a back portion and at least one support bracket for supporting the heat exchanger on the back portion. 
     
     
         18 . The radiator of  claim 17 , wherein the support bracket includes:
 a) an upper bracket portion mounted to the back portion above the heat exchanger;   b) a lower bracket portion mounted to the back portion below the heat exchanger; and   c) a cage removably coupled to the upper bracket portion and the lower bracket portion for holding the heat exchanger in place.   
     
     
         19 . The radiator of  claim 17 , further comprising a vibration isolator between the support bracket and the heat exchanger.