Support assembly for finned tube type heat exchangers

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11047632-B2
Application number	US-201916256119-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 24, 2019
Priority date	Jan 24, 2019
Publication date	Jun 29, 2021
Grant date	Jun 29, 2021

Abstract

A support assembly for attaching a heat exchanger to a frame of a machine. The support assembly including a clip having one or more attachment features for attaching to the frame and a support member disposed between a first fin portion and a second fin portion of the heat exchanger. The support member disposed between the clip and the tube member to at least partially surrounds a perimeter of the tube member and form a seal therewith.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A support assembly for a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger having a tube member, a first fin portion, and a second fin portion spaced apart from the first fin portion, the support assembly comprising:
a clip having one or more attachment features; and
a support member disposed between the clip and the tube member and between the first fin portion and the second fin portion, wherein the support member at least partially surrounds a perimeter of the tube member and is disposed in direct contact with the tube member to form a seal therewith.

2. The support assembly of claim 1 , wherein the support member completely surrounds the perimeter of the tube member.

3. The support assembly of claim 1 , wherein the support member defines an aperture through which the tube member extends.

4. The support assembly of claim 3 , wherein the clip defines an adjustably sized aperture through which the support member extends.

5. The support assembly of claim 4 , wherein the support member is compressed between the clip and the tube member.

6. The support assembly of claim 3 , wherein the support member is attached to an interior surface of the clip.

7. The support assembly of claim 6 , wherein the support member is molded to the interior surface of the clip.

8. The support assembly of claim 1 , wherein the support member includes rubber.

9. The support assembly of claim 1 , wherein the support member includes a first flange and a second flange opposite the first flange, and
wherein the first flange is sandwiched between the first fin portion and the clip and the second flange is sandwiched between the second fin portion and the clip.

10. The support assembly of claim 9 , wherein the support member is compressed between the first fin portion and the second fin portion.

11. A heat exchanger assembly comprising:
a tube member having an exterior surface;
a first fin portion attached to the exterior surface;
a second fin portion attached to the exterior surface and spaced apart from the first fin portion;
a clip including an attachment feature; and
a support member disposed between the clip and the tube member and between the first fin portion and the second fin portion, wherein the support member at least partially surrounds a perimeter of the tube member and is disposed in direct contact with the tube member to form a seal therewith.

12. The heat exchanger assembly of claim 11 , wherein the support member defines an aperture through which the tube member extends.

13. The heat exchanger assembly of claim 12 , wherein the clip defines an adjustably sized aperture through which the support member extends, and
the support member is compressed between the clip and the tube member.

14. The heat exchanger assembly of claim 12 , wherein the support member is attached to an interior surface of the clip.

15. The heat exchanger assembly of claim 11 , wherein the support member includes rubber.

16. The heat exchanger assembly of claim 11 , wherein the support member includes a first flange and a second flange opposite the first flange, and
wherein the first flange is sandwiched between the first fin portion and the clip and the second flange is sandwiched between the second fin portion and the clip.

17. The heat exchanger assembly of claim 11 , wherein the support member is compressed between the first fin portion and the second fin portion.

18. A method for supporting a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger having a tube member, a first fin portion attached to the tube member, and a second fin portion attached to the tube member and spaced apart from the first fin portion, the method comprising:
at least partially surrounding the tube member with a support member, the support member being made from a compressible material and being in direct contact with the tube member:
at least partially surrounding the support member with a clip, the clip including an attachment feature; and compressing the support member between the tube member and the clip to form a seal between the tube member and the support member.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the support member is attached to an interior surface of the clip.

Assignees

• Caterpillar Inc

Inventors

• Tan Dongming
• Kumar Virender

Classifications

• F28F2275/085

  with snap connection · CPC title

• F28D1/05366

  Assemblies of conduits connected to common headers, e.g. core type radiators · CPC title

• F28F2275/08

  by clamping or clipping · CPC title

• B60K11/04

  Arrangement or mounting of radiators, radiator shutters, or radiator blinds · CPC title

• F28F2275/14

  by using form fitting connection, e.g. with tongue and groove · CPC title