A tank assembly

Abstract

A tank assembly includes a heat exchanger tank and at least one side plate. Each heat exchanger tank includes a pair of foot portions and a pair of top portions. The foot portions are crimped to a corresponding header of a heat exchanger core. The top portions are configured with first engagement elements. The at least one side plate is disposed on at least one side of the heat exchanger core and is configured with second engagement elements. The second engagement elements engage with the corresponding first engagement elements to urge the heat exchanger tank towards the header.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heat exchanger tank assembly comprising:
 a heat exchanger tank comprising:
 a pair of foot portions adapted to be crimped to a corresponding header of a heat exchanger core, and 
 a pair of top portions configured with first engagement elements; and 
   at least one side plate disposed on at least one side of the heat exchanger core and configured with second engagement elements, the second engagement elements engaging with the corresponding first engagement elements to urge and hold the heat exchanger tank towards the header.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger tank assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the foot portions are adapted to be received in corresponding header channels. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger tank assembly as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein engagement between the first engagement elements and the second engagement elements is adapted to prevent vertical deformation of the heat exchanger tanks and reduce stresses on the foot portions and the header channels. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger tank assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first engagement elements are integrally formed on the top portions and are extending sideways and outwardly there from. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger tank assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first engagement elements are securely mounted on the top portions and are extending sideways and outwardly there from. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger tank assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first engagement elements are snap fit engagement elements adapted to configure snap fit engagement with the corresponding complimentary second engagement elements. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger tank assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , the first engagement elements are of a material exhibiting spring properties, wherein the material is selected from a group consisting of metals, plastics and composites. 
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger tank assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first engagement elements are in the form of pockets formed on the top portions. 
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger tank assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the at least one side plate extends above and beyond the headers and the second engagement elements configured thereon are adapted to engage with the first engagement elements configured on the top portions. 
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger tank assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein first engagement elements are adapted to extend at least till the headers to engage with corresponding second engagement elements configured on a portion of the at least one side plate. 
     
     
         11 . The heat exchanger tank assembly as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the second engagement elements are in the form of apertures formed on the at least one side plate adapted to engageably receive the snap fit engagement elements. 
     
     
         12 . The heat exchanger tank assembly as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the second engagement elements are snap fit engagement elements adapted to extend inwardly from the at least one side plate and configure snap fit engagement with the pockets formed on the top portions. 
     
     
         13 . The heat exchanger tank assembly as claimed in  claim 12 , the second engagement elements are of a material exhibiting spring properties, wherein the material is selected from a group consisting of metals, plastics and composites. 
     
     
         14 . The heat exchanger tank assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second engagement elements are first holed flanges configured on the top portions and second holed flanges configured on the at least one side plate respectively, the first holed flanges and the second holed flanges are held together by nut and bolt arrangement.