Heat exchanger having resiliently mounted tubular members

Claim 1

In a tubular heat exchange device wherein a plurality of radiating tubes are flexibly connected between first and second liquid containing chambers, each chamber comprising: a. an outer wall portion; b. a reinforcing plate having a first and a second planar surface; c. means for fastening a peripheral fastening region of said first surface in a leak proof manner to said outer wall portion, said first surface of said plate constituting an interior wall portion of said chamber directly exposed to any liquid contained therein; d. a plurality of sleeve members having a longitudinal length substantially greater than the thickness of said plate, an interior circumference adapted for rigid connection about one of said radiating tubes, and a predetermined exterior circumference; e. said plate comprising a plurality of displaced apertures having an interior circumference greater than the external circumference of said sleeve members; said plate having no openings interior of said peripheral fastening region, excepting for said apertures; f. one of said sleeve members being disposed within each of said apertures; g. an elastomeric material intimately and irreversibly bonded to substantially the entire area of said second planar surface to provide an elastomeric surface on the side of said tube sheet defining the cooling region of said heat exchanger; h. said elastomeric material further being intimately and irreversibly bonded to substantially the entire external circumference of each of said sleeve members, whereby the only elastomeric material on the first surface of said plate and within said peripheral fastening region comprises discrete collars extending about each sleeve member and fluid vapors permeating said elastomeric material from said liquid containing chamber are not blocked by said reinforcing plate so as to avoid formation of blisters within said elastomeric material.