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  Heat exchanger support system and associated heat exchanger moduleUSPTO Application #: 20060090878Title: Heat exchanger support system and associated heat exchanger module Abstract: The heat exchanger support system (34, 36, 40) consists of a frame (2) comprising horizontal faces (4, 6) and vertical faces (8, 10) furnished with fixing means (42, 50, 72, 74, 80) for fixing heat exchange components such as a condenser (34), an engine cooling radiator (36), a motor-fan unit (38) and a supercharge air radiator (40). Each component is fixed directly to the frame (2) independently of the other components. The frame also comprises attachment elements (28, 30) allowing it to be mounted on a motor vehicle chassis via flexible vibration-damping means. (end of abstract)
Agent: Ronald Courtney Valeo - Auburn Hills, MI, US Inventors: Antoine Levasseur, Carlos Martins, Sebastien Brisson USPTO Applicaton #: 20060090878 - Class: 165067000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Heat Exchange, With External Support The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060090878. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] The invention relates to heat exchangers, particularly for motor vehicles. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Motor vehicles are fitted with several heat exchangers. In particular, they comprise at least one heat exchanger for cooling the motor vehicle engine. They also frequently comprise several other additional heat exchangers such as a condenser forming part of the air conditioning circuit for the passenger compartment of the vehicle or a supercharge air cooler. These heat exchangers are frequently put together to constitute an assembly of several exchangers called a heat exchange module. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART [0003] In the prior art as currently known, the radiator for cooling the vehicle engine is mounted on the vehicle chassis, usually via flexible fixing elements, such as rubber blocks allowing the vibrations to be damped. The other components of the heat exchange module, such as the condenser or the supercharge air cooler are in turn mounted on the engine cooling radiator. [0004] This known solution has a certain number of disadvantages. [0005] First, the elements for fixing the cooling radiator onto the vehicle chassis support the entire weight of the heat exchange module. The stresses on these fixing elements are therefore high, introducing a risk of breakage of these fixing or attachment elements. Each of the components of the heat exchange module must comprise fixing means such as lugs for fixing it to the cooling radiator, thereby increasing its fabrication cost. Furthermore, the condenser of the air conditioning circuit and the motor-fan unit are fixed either side of the cooling radiator, which complicates the assembly of the heat exchange module because it is necessary to gain access to both faces of the radiator. No air sealing is provided between the different heat exchangers of the module, such that a fraction of the air may escape through the space between the exchangers, which reduces the efficiency of the exchangers. Finally, the supercharge air radiator is usually mounted separately. It is not part of the heat exchange module. [0006] The subject of the present invention is a heat exchanger support system that remedies these disadvantages. Another subject thereof is a heat exchange module comprising such a support system. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] According to the invention, the support system consists of a frame comprising faces furnished with fixing means for fixing at least a first and a second heat exchanger component, each component being fixed directly to the frame independently of the other components, the frame also comprising attachment elements allowing it to be mounted on a motor vehicle chassis via flexible vibration-damping means. [0008] The expression "heat exchange components" refers to the heat exchangers themselves, such as the radiator to cool the engine or a condenser of an air conditioning circuit, but also other equipment such as the motor-fan unit and its air scoop etc. [0009] Thanks to these features, the heat exchange components are easier to install and fix on the frame. Specifically, the means of fixing the heat exchange components are only on the frame itself. The components themselves, for example the heat exchangers, comprise no fixing means, in particular when they are not made of plastic. Consequently, they are easier to design and produce. [0010] Each heat exchanger, and more generally each heat exchange component, is mounted directly onto the frame in the fixing means specific to it. Consequently, the vibration-damping means of the frame are used for all the heat exchange components of the heat exchange module. It is not necessary to provide separate vibration-damping means for each heat exchange component. [0011] The invention makes it possible to develop a range of standard heat exchange components. Each component may be used for different vehicles with a different frame for each vehicle. The frame may accept different details of each component, such as for example different sizes or thicknesses of radiators, thereby making it possible to have a single frame for a vehicle platform fitted with several power trains. [0012] Given that the components are fixed independently of one another onto the frame by their own specific attachment elements, the heat exchange module can be easily dismantled for recycling at the end of the vehicle's life. [0013] Finally, the frame provides the overall stiffness of the heat exchange module. [0014] Preferably, each heat exchange component is kept in position independently in three orthogonal directions X, Y, Z. [0015] This arrangement allows better control of the positional retention of the components and of the stresses that are exerted upon them. This makes it possible to reduce the risk of breakage of a component during its service life. It also allows fabrication tolerances in each of the three orthogonal directions X, Y, Z to be compensated for. Advantageously, the frame forms a fairing for the heat exchange components. An air seal is provided between the periphery of each component and the frame, and the frame channels the air into the components. [0016] Advantageously, the frame is designed in such a manner that the components are installed one behind the other, all from the same side of the frame. [0017] This feature saves having to turn the frame around to attach the different components. Installation is therefore quicker and easier. [0018] Advantageously, the profile of the lateral faces of the frames is such that they can be nested in one another. [0019] Thus, the height of a stack of frames is reduced, thereby increasing the number of parts per container and reducing the transport cost. [0020] According to one particular embodiment, certain fixing means consist of clips. [0021] Advantageously, the fixing clips are S-shaped allowing a non-linear deformation. Continue reading... Full patent description for Heat exchanger support system and associated heat exchanger module Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Heat exchanger support system and associated heat exchanger module patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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