Reinforced heat exchanger comprising a stack of plates

Abstract

The heat exchanger (2) comprises a stack of plates (4) comprising a lower plate (20) onto which the other plates (22) are stacked. The heat exchanger (2) also comprises a fixation plate (6) and a reinforcement plate (8) between the fixation plate (6) and the lower plate (20). The reinforcement plate (8) has reinforcing elements (24) obtained from a cut and fold of the reinforcement plate (8) material.

1 . A heat exchanger comprising:
 a stack of plates comprising a lower plate onto which the other plates are stacked;   a fixation plate; and   a reinforcement plate between the fixation plate and the lower plate, wherein the reinforcement plate has reinforcing elements obtained from a cut and fold of the reinforcement plate material.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing elements are only around one or more corners of the lower plate. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing elements are only around two corners of the lower plate. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing elements are in contact with the lower plate. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing elements have a shape complementary to the shape of the lower plate. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement plate is a substantially planar plate. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement plate has two holes for the circulation of fluid, the reinforcing elements being at proximity of the two holes. 
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 7 , wherein the lower plate has corresponding holes in regards of the two holes for the circulation of fluid of the reinforcement plate, the two holes of the lower plate being respectively in the two corners of the lower plate that are reinforced by the reinforcing elements. 
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the fixation plate has a planar surface receiving the reinforcement plate and a protrusion around the reinforcement plate. 
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 8 , wherein the protrusion is a peripheral edge of the fixation plate. 
     
     
         11 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the stack of plates define two circuits for two respective fluids, the circuits being configured so that the two fluids circulate alternately between the adjacent pairs of plates. 
     
     
         12 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger is an oil cooler. 
     
     
         13 . A process for making a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger comprising:
 a stack of plates comprising a lower plate onto which the other plates are stacked, the heat exchanger comprising a fixation plate, and a reinforcement plate between the fixation plate and the lower plate, the fixation plate having reinforcing elements and   the process comprising:   cutting and folding the reinforcing elements from the material of the reinforcement plate.   
     
     
         14 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the cutting and folding of each reinforcing element are made in a single movement of a tool.