Adapter for heat exchanger

{
  "publication_number": "US2011073277A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "Adapter for heat exchanger",
  "abstract": "A heat exchanger includes a first manifold, a second manifold and a plurality of tubes extending between the first manifold and the second manifold. An adapter is mounted to the first manifold, and the adapter includes a plurality of engagement features engageable by a forming machine to form the heat exchanger into a shape.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A heat exchanger comprising: a first manifold; a second manifold; a plurality of tubes extending between the first manifold and the second manifold; and an adapter mounted to the first manifold, wherein the adapter includes a plurality of engagement features engageable by a forming machine to form the heat exchanger into a shape. 2. The heat exchanger as recited in claim 1 wherein the adapter is plastic. 3. The heat exchanger as recited in claim 1 wherein the first manifold and the second manifold are substantially cylindrical. 4. The heat exchanger as recited in claim 1 wherein the adapter is substantially parallel to the first manifold and substantially perpendicular to the plurality of tubes. 5. The heat exchanger as recited in claim 1 wherein the adapter includes a curved wall having a first side and an opposing second side. 6. The heat exchanger as recited in claim 5 including a plurality of attachment members that attach the adapter to the first manifold, wherein each of the plurality of attachment members include a first arm and a second arm, and the first arm and the second arm are flexible. 7. The heat exchanger as recited in claim 6 wherein the adapter includes a curved wall having a first side and an opposing second side. 8. The heat exchanger as recited in claim 7 wherein the first arm and the second arm extend from the first side of the curved wall and each include a curved portion, and the curved wall and the curved portions of the first arm and the second arm define a space that receives the first manifold. 9. The heat exchanger as recited in claim 5 wherein the adapter includes a first wall and a second wall that extend from the opposing second side of the curved wall. 10. The heat exchanger as recited in claim 9 wherein the first wall of the adapter includes a plurality of apertures. 11. The heat exchanger as recited in claim 9 wherein the second wall includes a plurality of apertures. 12. The heat exchanger as recited in claim 9 wherein the plurality of engagement features comprise a plurality of u-shaped members that extend from the opposing second side of the curved wall and are located between the first wall and the second wall. 13. The heat exchanger as recited in claim 1 wherein the first manifold is a return manifold and the second manifold is an inlet/outlet manifold. 14. The heat exchanger as recited in claim 1 wherein a second adapter is mounted to the second manifold, and the second adapter includes a plurality of attachment members that attach the second adapter to the second manifold and two walls that each include a plurality of apertures. 15. The heat exchanger as recited in claim 14 wherein the first manifold includes a first end, a second end, and a body defined between the first end and the second end, and the plurality of attachment members attach the adapter to the body of the first manifold. 16. The heat exchanger as recited in claim 1 wherein the heat exchanger is a microchannel heat exchanger. 17. The heat exchanger as recited in claim 1 wherein the adapter is a single, unitary component. 18. The heat exchanger as recited in claim 1 wherein the adapter communicates with a cabinet for mounting the heat exchanger to the cabinet. 19. An adapter attachable to a manifold of a heat exchanger, the adapter comprising: a curved wall including a first side and an opposing second side; a plurality of attachment members located on the first side of the curved wall, wherein the plurality of attachment members and the curved wall define a space to receive a manifold of a heat exchanger; and a plurality of u-shaped members located on the opposing second side of the curved wall. 20.- 24. (canceled) 25. The adapter as recited in claim 19 wherein the adapter is a single, unitary component."
  ],
  "cpc": [
    "F28D 1/05391",
    "F24F 13/30",
    "F28D 1/0478",
    "F28D 2001/0273",
    "F28F 2260/02",
    "F28F 2280/06"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "KARL ANDREW E",
    "WILSON RON A",
    "LEMAN DEREK"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2009-06-22",
  "publication_date": "2011-03-31",
  "priority_date": "2008-07-23",
  "application_number": "US-99428209-A",
  "family_id": "41570804",
  "citations": [
    "US2006102332A1",
    "US5070608A",
    "US5205349A",
    "US5441100A",
    "US5570737A",
    "US5584340A",
    "US5899263A",
    "US5954125A",
    "US5964281A",
    "US6173767B1",
    "US6470961B1",
    "US6533027B2",
    "US6691767B2"
  ]
}