The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 17, 2001
Filed:
Feb. 05, 1999
Osamu Kobayashi, Kariya, JP;
Ken Yamamoto, Obu, JP;
Yoshiyuki Yamauchi, Chita, JP;
Kazuhiro Mitsukawa, Bisai, JP;
Denso Corporation, Kariya, JP;
Abstract
A heat exchanger has plural flat tubes through which refrigerant flows, and a pair of header tanks disposed on each longitudinal ends of the flat tubes. Each of the flat tubes has a flow passage portion having plural flow passages through which refrigerant flows, and a non-flow passage portion disposed on both sides of the flow passage portion, having at least one non-flow passage through which no refrigerant flows. The flow passage portion is inserted into the header tank so that the flow passages communicate with the header tank, and the non-flow passage portion is exposed outside the header tank. Each of the flow passages has a circular-shaped cross-section while the non-flow passage has a polygonal-shaped cross-section, so that a wall thickness of the non-flow passage is made thinner than that of the flow passages. Therefore, weight of the flat tube is decreased, while sufficient strength thereof is maintained. On the other hand, the header tank has an inner partition wall for partitioning the header tank into first and second tank passages having an oval-shaped cross-section, so that the header tank has high pressure resistance.