Microtube heat exchanger header

Abstract

A heat exchanger manifold for use in a heat exchanger having a plurality of microtubes includes a receiving component for supporting and forming a seal about each of the plurality of microtubes and a circuiting component having at least one recessed channel for defining an enclosed flow configuration of a fluid of the heat exchanger. The receiving component is joined and sealed to the circuiting component such that an internal flow passage of the plurality of microtubes is arranged in fluid communication with the at least one recessed channel.

1 . A heat exchanger manifold for use in a heat exchanger having a plurality of microtubes comprising:
 a receiving component for supporting and forming a seal about each of the plurality of microtubes; and   a circuiting component having at least one recessed channel for defining an enclosed flow configuration of a fluid of the heat exchanger, wherein said receiving component is joined and sealed to said circuiting component such that an internal flow passage of the plurality of microtubes is arranged in fluid communication with said at least one recessed channel.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger manifold of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of microtubes is arranged in fluid communication with said at least one recessed channel. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger manifold of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one recessed channel extends through only a portion of a width or height of said circuiting component. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger manifold of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one recessed channel includes a plurality of recessed channels, said plurality of recessed channels that at least partially define a plurality of fluid passes through the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger manifold of  claim 1 , wherein said receiving component further comprises a feature for supporting each of the plurality of microtubes. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger manifold of  claim 5 , wherein a cross-section of said feature varies between an inlet side and an outlet side of said receiving component. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger manifold of  claim 5 , wherein said feature is selected from a chamfer and fillet. 
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger manifold of  claim 1 , wherein said receiving component includes a curable material that is formed with the plurality of microtubes therein. 
     
     
         9 . A heat exchanger manifold for use in a heat exchanger having a plurality of microtubes comprising:
 a receiving component including a plurality of openings for selectively receiving and securing the plurality of microtubes, each of said plurality of openings including a misalignment accepting feature for receiving the plurality of microtubes within said plurality of openings.   
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger manifold of  claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of microtubes is exposed at an outlet side of said receiving component. 
     
     
         11 . The heat exchanger manifold of  claim 9 , wherein a cross-section of said feature varies between an inlet side and an outlet side of said receiving component. 
     
     
         12 . The heat exchanger manifold of  claim 9 , wherein said misalignment accepting feature is selected from an enlarged opening, a chamfer, and countersink. 
     
     
         13 . The heat exchanger manifold of  claim 9 , wherein said receiving component further comprises:
 a first portion having a plurality of openings including a first feature; and   a second portion having a plurality of openings including a second feature, wherein said first portion and said second portion cooperate to support and secure the plurality of microtubes.   
     
     
         14 . The heat exchanger manifold of  claim 13 , wherein said first portion and said second portion are substantially identical. 
     
     
         15 . The heat exchanger manifold of  claim 13 , wherein said first portion and said second portion are movable relative to one another during assembly of the heat exchanger manifold to position the plurality of microtubes within said first feature and said second feature. 
     
     
         16 . The heat exchanger manifold of  claim 13 , wherein said second portion is movable relative to said first portion by a distance of less than or equal to about five times the diameter of each of the plurality of microtubes. 
     
     
         17 . The heat exchanger manifold of  claim 13 , wherein said second portion is rotated relative to said first portion. 
     
     
         18 . A heat exchanger manifold for use in a heat exchanger having a plurality of microtubes comprising:
 a receiving component for securing an end of the plurality of microtubes, the receiving component being formed from a curable material such that the plurality of microtubes is positioned within the curable material during formation of the receiving component.   
     
     
         19 . The heat exchanger manifold of  claim 18 , wherein each of the plurality of microtubes is exposed at a trailing edge of said receiving component. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled)