Heat Exchanger

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat exchanger including exchange components and fluid flow components ( 2, 2′, 3 ), at least one fluid collecting tank ( 11, 11 ′) into which the exchange components open out ( 2, 2′, 3 ), at least one collecting plate ( 10 ) for holding the exchange components ( 2, 2′, 3 ) and a housing ( 4 ) for accommodating the exchange components ( 2, 2′, 3 ). The exchanger is characterized in that it includes a flange ( 5 ) for fixing the collecting tank ( 11, 11 ′) on the housing ( 4 ). Thanks to the invention, the transmission of stresses from the flange ( 5 ) to the collecting plate ( 10 ) is avoided, which means that a thinner collecting plate ( 10 ) is able to be formed.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A heat exchanger including exchange components and fluid flow components, said heat exchanger comprising:
 a housing for accommodating the exchange components;   a fluid collecting tank into which the exchange components open out; and   a flange for fixing said fluid connecting tank to said housing, said flange including two peripheral grooves, a first one of said two peripheral grooves for holding said housing and a second one of said peripheral grooves for holding said fluid collecting tank.   
     
     
         12 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein each of said two peripheral grooves define an opening, with said opening of said first one of said two peripheral grooves opening in a direction opposite said opening of said second one of said two peripheral grooves. 
     
     
         13 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said direction corresponds to a length L of the heat exchanger, said length L corresponding to the largest overall dimension of the heat exchanger and the overall direction of fluid flow in the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         14 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said first one of said two peripheral grooves comprises:
 an internal longitudinal wall extending along its length in a direction corresponding to a length L of the heat exchanger, said length L corresponding to the largest overall dimension of the heat exchanger and the overall direction of fluid flow in the heat exchanger;   an intermediate longitudinal wall extending along its length parallel to said internal longitudinal wall; and   an internal transverse wall connecting said internal longitudinal wall to said intermediate longitudinal wall and extending in a direction between and transverse to said internal longitudinal wall and said intermediate longitudinal wall,   wherein said internal longitudinal wall and said intermediate longitudinal wall define a first opening therebetween at a location remote from and opposite said internal transverse wall, said first opening in a direction corresponding to said length L of the heat exchanger.   
     
     
         15 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said second one of said two peripheral grooves comprises:
 said intermediate longitudinal wall;   an external longitudinal wall extending along its length in a direction parallel to said intermediate longitudinal wall; and   an external transverse wall connecting said external longitudinal wall to said intermediate longitudinal wall and extending in a direction between and transverse to said external longitudinal wall and said intermediate longitudinal wall,   wherein said external longitudinal wall and said intermediate longitudinal wall define a second opening therebetween at a location remote from and opposite said external transverse wall, wherein said second opening opens in a direction opposite said first opening.   
     
     
         16 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said housing includes a wall extending in the direction corresponding to said length L of the heat exchanger, and wherein said wall is accommodated within said first one of said peripheral grooves such that an end of said wall is adjacent to said internal transverse wall, and
 wherein said fluid collecting tank includes a side edge extending in the direction corresponding to said length L of the heat exchanger, and wherein said side edge is accommodated within said second one of said peripheral grooves such that an end of said side edge is adjacent to said external transverse wall.   
     
     
         17 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein said wall is brazed to said flange within said first one of said peripheral grooves. 
     
     
         18 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said flange further includes lugs extending from said external longitudinal wall opposite said external transverse wall for crimping said fluid collecting tank to said flange. 
     
     
         19 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said lugs are hooked over said side edge of said fluid collecting tank to crimp said fluid collecting tank to said flange. 
     
     
         20 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said flange is brazed to said housing and said housing includes at least one locating lug designed to be accommodated in an opening in said flange to hold this latter on said housing whilst both parts are being brazed. 
     
     
         21 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 11  further comprising a collecting plate for holding the exchange components fixed to said housing. 
     
     
         22 . The exchanger as claimed in  claim 21 , in which said flange and said collecting plate are fixed to said housing independently of each other and wherein said collecting plate is spaced from said flange. 
     
     
         23 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the exchange components include tubes within which a first fluid is flow-connected to said fluid collecting tank and around which flows a second fluid, wherein said collecting plate provides a sealing between said first fluid and said second fluid and said flange provides a sealing between said first fluid and the outside of the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         24 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein said collecting plate is brazed to said housing. 
     
     
         25 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 24 , in which said collecting plate includes a skirt with an area along which said collecting plate is brazed to said housing. 
     
     
         26 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein said internal transverse wall includes an opening, and wherein an end of said wall includes a vane having a locating lug, said locating lug extending within said opening of said internal transverse wall. 
     
     
         27 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein said locating lug extends through said opening and is crimped to a surface of said internal transverse wall opposite said first one of said peripheral grooves. 
     
     
         28 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the corners of said flange include a pushed-in portion at said first one of said peripheral grooves. 
     
     
         29 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 28 , further comprising a seal ring arranged at a bottom of said second one of said peripheral grooves adjacent to said external transverse wall. 
     
     
         30 . The heat exchanger as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the corners of said fluid collecting tank includes a swelling corresponding to each one of said pushed-in portions to hold said seal ring in position within said second one of said peripheral grooves.