EGR COOLER HEADER DESIGN
A heat exchanger having a modified header design for absorbing high thermal loads, is described. The heat exchanger includes a housing having an interior space, a core within the interior space of the housing, the core comprising a plurality of flow passages, and a header positioned at an end of the housing and in communication with the core, wherein the header includes a thermal absorbing formation. The thermal absorbing formation may take the form of a continuous raised rib around an inner circumference of the header. The raised rib absorbs excess heat and reduces thermal strain on the heat exchanger.
1 . A heat exchanger for use in reducing the production of NO x in an exhaust stream, the heat exchanger comprising:
a housing having an interior space;
a core within the interior space of the housing, the core comprising a plurality of flow passages; and,
a header positioned at an end of the housing and in communication with the core, the header including a thermal absorbing formation within the header.
2 . The heat exchanger of claim 1 , wherein the flow passages comprise a first flow passage and a second flow passage
3 . The heat exchanger of claim 2 , wherein the first flow passage comprises a plurality of tubes for receiving exhaust gas.
4 . The heat exchanger of claim 3 , wherein the tubes contact the header at a brazed joint.
5 . The heat exchanger of claim 4 , wherein the thermal absorbing formation diverts excess thermal load from the brazed joint.
6 . The heat exchanger of claim 2 , wherein the second flow passages comprises a plurality of passageways between the tubes for receiving a cooling fluid.
7 . The heat exchanger of claim 1 , wherein the thermal absorbing formation is a continuous raised rib around an inner circumference of the header.
8 . The heat exchanger of claim 1 , wherein the thermal absorbing formation is a sectional raised rib around an inner circumference of the header.
9 . The heat exchanger of claim 1 , wherein the thermal absorbing formation absorbs excess thermal load to the header.
10 . An EGR cooler for use in reducing the production of NO x in an exhaust stream, the cooler comprising:
a housing having an interior space for receiving a core having at least a first flow passage and a second flow passage;
a header positioned at an end of the housing, the header connected to the first flow passage by at least one joint, wherein the header includes a thermal expansion rib within the header for absorbing excess heat from reaching the joint.
11 . The EGR cooler of claim 10 , wherein the first flow passage comprises a plurality of tubes for receiving exhaust gas.
12 . The EGR cooler of claim 10 , wherein the thermal expansion rib minimizes thermal strain at the first flow passage to header joint.