Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A heat exchanger comprising: at least one tube plate comprising synthetic resin material, said tube plate including one side having a plurality of projections, a plurality of orifices located, respectively, in said projections, and an edge area having a first continuous flat surface; a plurality of tubes, said tubes having ends mounted, respectively, in said orifices, said tube ends being pressure fitted into said orifices; a plurality of fins connected to said tubes, said fins and said tubes defining a heat exchanger block; a water tank comprising synthetic resin material and having a rim with a second continuous flat surface resting on said first continuous flat surface of said tube plate; a first vibration weld for connecting said first and second continuous flat surfaces, and disposed between the first and second surfaces; at least one side groove formed along at least one of said flat surfaces, wherein said first vibration weld includes a weld bead disposed in said groove.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
A heat exchanger comprising: at least one tube plate comprising synthetic resin material, said tube plate including one side having a plurality of projections, a plurality of orifices located, respectively, in said projections, and an edge area having a first continuous flat surface; a plurality of tubes, said tubes having ends mounted, respectively, in said orifices, said tube ends being pressure fitted into said orifices; a plurality of fins connected to said tubes, said fins and said tubes defining a heat exchanger block; a water tank comprising synthetic resin material and having a rim with a second continuous flat surface resting on said first continuous flat surface of said tube plate; a first vibration weld for connecting said first and second continuous flat surfaces, and disposed between the first and second surfaces; at least one side groove formed along at least one of said flat surfaces, wherein said first vibration weld includes a weld bead disposed in said groove.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fins extend transversely to said tubes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tubes are pressure fitted in said orifices by expansion in the radial direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tubes are pressure fitted in said orifices by impression in the axial direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tube plate includes longitudinal sides having shoulders for guiding said water tank along said tube plate during vibration welding.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 1 wherein said projections are annular and face toward said heat exchanger blocks.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 1 including at least one circumferential groove formed in each orifice.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 1 wherein each said orifice has an end facing said water tank and an opposite end, a step expanding said orifice formed on said end facing said water tank, and an inlet cone on said opposite end.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tube ends include external circumferential grooves.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 1 wherein said projections are arranged in two rows, and including a land positioned between said two rows, said land having a height approximately equal to said projections and extending for the full length of said tube plate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tube plate and said water tank comprise a partially crystalline material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 1 wherein said water tank includes a first partition, and a second vibration weld for connecting the first partition with said tube plate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 12 wherein said tube plate has a fourth flat surface; wherein said first partition has a third flat surface; and wherein said second vibration weld is disposed between said third and fourth flat surfaces.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 12 wherein said tube plate includes a second partition, wherein said first partition includes a third flat surface, wherein said second partition includes a fourth flat surface, and wherein said second vibration weld is disposed between said third and fourth flat surfaces.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 12 wherein the second vibration weld of said water tank partition to said tube plate is in a different plane from the first vibration weld of said water tank to said tube plate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 12 wherein the second vibration weld of said water tank partition to said tube plate is in approximately the same plane as the first vibration weld of said water tank to said tube plate.