Heat exchanger tank

Abstract

A tank for a heat exchanger is disclosed. The tank may comprise: an axially extending body, comprising a first wall, a second wall, a third wall between the first and second walls, and a plurality of ribs, wherein the first, second, and third walls define a channel; a transition, comprising a first transition portion and a second transition portion each axially extending from respective distal ends of the first and second walls; and a foot, comprising a first foot portion and a second foot portion coupled to the first and second transition portions, respectively, the first and second foot portions extending axially and positioned outboard of the body by the transition, wherein the plurality of ribs extends radially outwardly from an outer surface of the body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A first tank for a heat exchanger, comprising:
 an axially extending body, comprising a first wall, a second wall, a third wall between the first and second walls, and a plurality of ribs, wherein the first, second, and third walls define a channel;   a transition, comprising a first transition portion and a second transition portion each axially extending from respective distal ends of the first and second walls; and   a foot, comprising a first foot portion and a second foot portion coupled to the first and second transition portions, respectively, the first and second foot portions extending axially and positioned outboard of the body by the transition,   wherein the plurality of ribs extends radially outwardly from an outer surface of the body,   wherein at least some of the plurality of ribs extend over the outer surface extending from the first transition portion to the second transition portion.   
     
     
         2 . A heat exchanger, comprising: the first tank of  claim 1 ; and a core comprising a plurality of passages and a header plate, wherein the header plate comprises a first plurality of openings to the plurality of passages and a trough that retains the foot, wherein a cavity defined by the channel is in fluid communication with the plurality of passages via the header plate. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger of  claim 2 , wherein the trough comprises a flange in a folded position abutting the first and second foot portions to retain the first and second foot portions therein. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger of  claim 2 , further comprising a second tank comprising another cavity; and a footer plate comprising a second plurality of openings at an end of the core opposite the header plate that also correspond to the plurality of passages, wherein the another cavity of the second tank is in fluid communication with the cavity of the first tank via the plurality of passages. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger of  claim 4 , wherein the first tank is an inlet tank, wherein the second tank is an outlet tank. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second tanks comprise a plastic and the core comprises a metal. 
     
     
         7 . The first tank of  claim 1 , wherein the channel defined by the first, second, and third walls is a smooth surface. 
     
     
         8 . The first tank of  claim 1 , wherein the first transition portion extends in a first direction radially outwardly of the body and defines a first spacing between the first wall and the first foot portion, wherein the second transition portion extends in a second direction radially outwardly of the body and defines a second spacing between the second wall and the second foot portion. 
     
     
         9 . The first tank of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second spacings are the same. 
     
     
         10 . The first tank of  claim 8 , wherein the at least some of the plurality of ribs extend from a first outwardly-facing angle defined by the first wall adjoining the first transition portion and from a second outwardly-facing angle defined by the first transition portion adjoining the first foot portion. 
     
     
         11 . The first tank of  claim 8 , wherein the at least some of the plurality of ribs extend radially outwardly of the body according to the first and second spacings. 
     
     
         12 . The first tank of  claim 1 , wherein the first transition portion is oriented relative to the first wall at an angle of inclination defined by a position of the first transition portion relative to a transverse axis of the first tank, wherein the angle of inclination is defined by a height of the first foot portion and the first transition portion, a transverse spacing of the channel, and a transverse spacing of the first foot portion and the second foot portion. 
     
     
         13 . The first tank of  claim 1 , further comprising an intake portion for receiving fluid into the channel. 
     
     
         14 . A heat exchanger, comprising:
 a tank, comprising:   an axially extending body, comprising a first wall, a second wall, a third wall between the first and second walls, and a plurality of ribs, wherein the first, second, and third walls define a channel;   a transition, comprising a first transition portion and a second transition portion each axially extending from respective distal ends of the first and second walls; and   a foot, comprising a first foot portion and a second foot portion coupled to the first and second transition portions, respectively, the first and second foot portions extending axially and positioned outboard of the body by the transition,   wherein the plurality of ribs extends radially outwardly from an outer surface of the body,   wherein at least some of the plurality of ribs extend over the outer surface extending from the first transition portion to the second transition portion,   wherein the first transition portion is oriented relative to the first wall at an angle of inclination defined by a position of the first transition portion relative to a transverse axis of the tank, wherein the angle of inclination is defined by a height of the first foot portion and the first transition portion, a transverse spacing of the channel, and a transverse spacing of the first foot portion and the second foot portion; and   a core comprising a plurality of passages and a header plate,   wherein the header plate comprises a first plurality of openings to the plurality of passages and a trough that retains the foot, wherein a cavity defined by the channel is in fluid communication with the plurality of passages via the header plate.   
     
     
         15 . A first tank for a heat exchanger, comprising:
 an axially extending body, comprising a first wall, a second wall, a third wall between the first and second walls, and a plurality of ribs, wherein the first, second, and third walls define a channel;   a transition, comprising a first transition portion and a second transition portion each axially extending from respective distal ends of the first and second walls; and   a foot, comprising a first foot portion and a second foot portion coupled to the first and second transition portions, respectively, the first and second foot portions extending axially and positioned outboard of the body by the transition,   wherein the plurality of ribs extends radially outwardly from an outer surface of the body,   wherein the first transition portion is oriented relative to the first wall at an angle of inclination defined by a position of the first transition portion relative to a transverse axis of the first tank, wherein the angle of inclination is defined by a height of the first foot portion and the first transition portion, a transverse spacing of the channel, and a transverse spacing of the first foot portion and the second foot portion.   
     
     
         16 . A heat exchanger, comprising: the first tank of  claim 15 ; and a core comprising a plurality of passages and a header plate, wherein the header plate comprises a first plurality of openings to the plurality of passages and a trough that retains the foot, wherein a cavity defined by the channel is in fluid communication with the plurality of passages via the header plate, wherein the trough comprises a flange in a folded position abutting the first and second foot portions to retain the first and second foot portions therein. 
     
     
         17 . The heat exchanger of  claim 16 , further comprising a second tank comprising another cavity; and a footer plate comprising a second plurality of openings at an end of the core opposite the header plate that also correspond to the plurality of passages, wherein the another cavity of the second tank is in fluid communication with the cavity of the first tank via the plurality of passages. 
     
     
         18 . The heat exchanger of  claim 17 , wherein the first tank is an inlet tank, wherein the second tank is an outlet tank. 
     
     
         19 . The first tank of  claim 15 , wherein the first transition portion extends in a first direction radially outwardly of the body and defines a first spacing between the first wall and the first foot portion, wherein the second transition portion extends in a second direction radially outwardly of the body and defines a second spacing between the second wall and the second foot portion, wherein the first and second spacings are the same. 
     
     
         20 . The first tank of  claim 15 , wherein at least some of the plurality of ribs extend from a first outwardly-facing angle defined by the first wall adjoining the first transition portion and from a second outwardly-facing angle defined by the first transition portion adjoining the first foot portion.