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  Heat exchanger unit and method of manufacturing the sameUSPTO Application #: 20070039717Title: Heat exchanger unit and method of manufacturing the same Abstract: A heat exchanger unit has tubes each having a body section and at least one of an inner pipe section and an outer pipe section extending from the body section and defining an opening at an end. Each of the inner pipe section and the outer pipe section has a first portion and a second portion adjacent to the first portion. The tubes are stacked such that the body sections are spaced from each other. Further, the inner pipe section is received in the outer pipe section such that the first portion of the inner pipe section overlaps the first portion of the outer pipe section, and the second portions of the inner and outer pipe sections are located on opposite sides of the overlapped first portions. The first and second portions of the inner pipe section have an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the first and second portions of the outer pipe section. (end of abstract) Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C - Bloomfield Hills, MI, US Inventors: Mitsuharu Inagaki, Jun Abei, Kenta Gocho, Takao Ikeda, Toshiyuki Shoji, Shizuo Maruo USPTO Applicaton #: 20070039717 - Class: 165080400 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Heat Exchange, With Retainer For Removable Article, Electrical Component, Liquid Cooled The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070039717. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-238869 filed on Aug. 19, 2005, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger unit and a method of manufacturing the same. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] For example, a stacked-type heat exchanger unit 9 shown in FIG. 20 is known. In the heat exchanger unit 9, electronic components 4 are arranged between the tubes 92 to be cooled by a heat medium flowing in the tubes 92 through side surfaces thereof. This kind of heat exchanger unit is for example disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-320005. [0004] In the heat exchanger unit 9, ends of the tubes 92 are connected to a first header 94 and a second header 95. Because the first header 94 and the second header 95 are provided as individual parts, the number of parts increases. As such, manufacturing costs are likely to increase. [0005] Further, the tubes 92 are fixed to the first header 94 and the second header 95. Therefore, it is difficult to change spaces between adjacent tubes 92. With this, it is difficult to insert the electronic components 4 between the tubes 92 so that both of the side surfaces of the electronic components 4 properly contact the tubes 92. [0006] Another stacked-type heat exchanger unit is known, as shown in FIG. 21. In the heat exchanger unit 90 shown in FIG. 21, tubes 92 are arranged such that electronic components 4 are interposed between the adjacent tubes 92. Further, communication members 93 are disposed between the tubes 92 so that the tubes 92 communicate with each other through the communication members 93. This kind of heat exchanger unit is for example disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-26215. [0007] Also in this heat exchanger 90, the tubes 92 and the communication members 93 are provided as individual parts. It is necessary to connect the communication members 93 to the tubes 92. As such, manufacturing costs are likely to increase. Further, it is difficult to improve productivity. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a heat exchanger unit has a plurality of tubes each having a flat body section and at least one of an inner pipe section and an outer pipe section extending from the body section in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the body section and defining an opening at an end. The body section defines a passage through which a heat medium flows. Each of the inner pipe section and the outer pipe section has a first portion and a second portion adjacent to the first portion. The first portion and the second portion of the inner pipe section have an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the first portion and the second portion of the outer pipe section. [0009] The tubes are stacked such that the body sections are spaced from each other for performing heat exchange between the heat medium and an object existing between the adjacent body sections, and the inner pipe section is received in the outer pipe section, to thereby form a header part for permitting communication between the adjacent body sections. Also, the inner pipe section is received in the outer pipe section such that the first portion of the inner pipe section overlaps the first portion of the outer pipe section, and the second portions of the inner pipe section and the outer pipe section are located on opposite sides of the overlapped first portions in an axial direction of the inner pipe section and the outer pipe section. [0010] Accordingly, the passages of the adjacent tubes are communicated with each other through the inner pipe sections and the outer pipe sections, which are coupled to each other. As such, it is not necessary to use an additional member for coupling the adjacent tubes. Thus, the number of parts reduces and manufacturability improves. [0011] Also, the inner pipe section and the outer pipe section are coupled by joining side walls thereof. As such, the header part has an inner diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the inner and outer pipe sections. Therefore, flow resistance in the header part is reduced, and pressure loss in the header part is suppressed. Accordingly, the heat medium can be distributed substantially equally into the plural tubes. As a result, heat exchange is properly performed. [0012] Further, the inner pipe section has the second portion that has the outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the first portion of the outer pipe section. Similarly, the outer pipe section has the second portion that has the inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the first portion of the inner pipe section. Therefore, the inner pipe section and the outer pipe section do not have portions that contact and push each other in the axial direction of the inner pipe section and the outer pipe section while the inner pipe section is inserted in the outer pipe section. [0013] Accordingly, it is less likely that the inner pipe section and the outer pipe section will receive loads in the axial direction. Even if the lengths of the inner pipe sections and the outer pipe sections are slightly uneven, loads in the axial direction are reduced. Further, it is less likely that the inner pipe section, the outer pipe section and portions on the periphery of the inner pipe section and the outer pipe section will receive stress and be deformed unnecessarily while the tubes are stacked. [0014] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a heat exchanger unit has a plurality of tubes each having a flat body section and at least one of an inner pipe section and an outer pipe section extending from the body section in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the body section and defining an opening at an end. The body section defines a passage through which a heat medium flows. The outer pipe section has a flange portion at the end. An end of the flange has a diameter larger than an inner diameter of a remaining portion of the outer pipe section. [0015] The tubes are stacked such that the inner pipe section is inserted in the outer pipe section in a condition that a brazing material is disposed between the flange of the outer pipe section and the inner pipe section. When the brazing material is melted and then hardened, an outer side wall of the inner pipe section and an inner side wall of the outer pipe section are brazed to each other. [0016] Since the outer pipe section has the flange, the brazing material is easily held by the flange while the inner pipe section is inserted in the outer pipe section. Furthermore, the brazing material can easily flow between the outer side wall of the inner pipe section and the inner side wall of the outer pipe section. Accordingly, the adjacent tubes are easily and properly joined to each other. [0017] For example, electronic components can be arranged between the body section of the tubes, as the object for heat exchange. As such, the heat exchanger unit according to the first aspect and the second aspect can provide an electronic component cooling unit, manufactured with a reduced cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0018] Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like parts are designated by like reference numbers and in which: [0019] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a heat exchanger unit having a heat exchanger and electronic components according to a first example embodiment of the present invention; Continue reading... Full patent description for Heat exchanger unit and method of manufacturing the same Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Heat exchanger unit and method of manufacturing the same 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. 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