[0001] The invention relates to a self-locking mounting bracket for fastening on a pipeline,
in particular on a heat exchanger manifold. Brackets of this kind are used as support
points for fastening the exchanger to the bearing structure or as a basis for fixing
other elements to the heat exchanger body, therefore the suitable rigidity, reliability
of the attachment and resistance to mechanical vibrations generated during operation
of the heat exchanger are necessary. The required reliability of the attachment is
commonly achieved by brazing brackets to the manifold. To provide suitable stability
during brazing, special holders are applied or the components are preliminarily stitched
together by a number of short welds. Self-locking brackets are also used.
[0002] The patent US 5,183,103 discloses a mounting bracket comprising a pair of embracing
portions capable of resiliently engaging the exterior of the manifold to keep the
bracket in place prior to brazing of the components of the heat exchanger together.
The bracket may be preliminarily connected to the heat exchanger manifold, without
the need of using any special tools before the "one-shot" brazing operation, thus
facilitating the manufacture of the heat exchanger. Since no additional appliances
are necessary, it is possible to accommodate a larger number of heat exchangers in
a furnace, hence substantially increasing production yield.
[0003] However, the locking of such a bracket does not secure its vertical position. Bracket
may be accidentally displaced e.g. during transport of a heat exchanger to a furnace
before brazing. Accidental swivelling around the manifold tube is also possible.
[0004] The aim of the present invention is to provide a single-unit bracket that enables
easy, durable and detachable fastening to an arterial pipeline of any cross-section,
preferably at a number of points along the bracket height. The aim of the present
invention is, in particular, a bracket structure for a heat exchanger, enabling detachable
preliminary fastening of the bracket to the heat exchanger manifold, preferably at
a number of points along its height, before one-shot brazing process.
[0005] According to the present invention there is provided a self-locking mounting bracket
for fastening on a pipeline, in particular on a heat exchanger manifold, characterised
in that it comprises at least two mounting clasps linked by a connecting surface and
having a shape at least partially reflecting the pipeline cross-section, and at least
one assembling surface, wherein the first mounting clasp comprises at least one cut-out
substantially parallel to the manifold axis and the second mounting clasp is capable
of snapping on the manifold and comprises at least one cut-out substantially perpendicular
to the manifold axis and wherein the manifold comprises mounting projections for the
cut-outs in the first and in the second clasp.
[0006] To attach the bracket to the manifold, one should tilt the bracket back at a certain
angle to the manifold and slide the cut-outs of the first mounting clasp onto one
pair of the mounting projections, then swivel the other end of the bracket towards
the manifold and drive the cut-outs of the second clasp onto the corresponding mounting
projections, thus locking the clasp to the manifold. Thanks to that the bracket is
reliably attached. The cut-outs perpendicular to the manifold axis secure the bracket
against displacement along the manifold axis, whereas the parallel cut-outs secure
the bracket from swivelling around the manifold axis.
[0007] Advantageously according to the present invention the bracket has a form of an integral
shape made by a pressing method.
[0008] It is also favourable according to the present invention, when the integral multiple
(n) of the distance (h) between neighbouring mounting projections of the manifold
is substantially equal to the distance (H) between the end of the parallel cut-out
in the first mounting clasp and the end of the cut-out in the second mounting clasp
(n
·h ≅ H).
[0009] Thanks to that, the bracket can be attached to the manifold at a number of locations
along the manifold length. Under some circumstances, however, it may be favourable
to provide only one pair or several pairs of projections, in order to render it possible
to attach the bracket only at predetermined locations along the manifold length.
[0010] Preferably the mounting projections have a form of convex beads on the manifold surface.
[0011] This feature significantly reduces the manufacturing costs of the heat exchanger,
as no additional fixing elements are necessary.
[0012] Furthermore, it is favourable according to the present invention if the angular spacing
of the second mounting clasp is greater than 180°.
[0013] Thanks to that, the second clasp engages behind the manifold axis, thus creating
a snapping latch, which preserves the bracket from sliding out from the manifold.
[0014] Furthermore it is favourable if the second mounting clasp ends with mounting tongues
that embrace the manifold cross-section.
[0015] Said tongues enable the attachment of the bracket to manifolds of various cross-sections.
The only requirement is that arms of the clasp should provide sufficient clamping
force on the side of the manifold which is opposite the bracket.
[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the bracket according to the present invention, the
cut-out that is substantially perpendicular to the manifold axis may turn upwardly,
thus creating a snap fastener.
[0017] Such construction of the bracket enables the application of the second clasps having
angular spacing of less than 180°. This makes it possible to attach the bracket e.g.
on a two-part partitioned manifold.
[0018] Furthermore, it is favourable if the connecting surface of the bracket comprises
corrugations substantially perpendicular to the bracket axis.
[0019] The main purpose of said corrugations is to increase the crosswise rigidity of the
bracket mounting surfaces, which serve either as attachment points for additional
components of a heat exchanger, or support points for the heat exchanger itself. Moreover,
such corrugations reduce the longitudinal rigidity of the bracket and render it possible
to squeeze the bracket axially and attach it to the manifold even if the spacing between
the corresponding mounting projections is slightly different to the distance between
the end of the vertical cut-out of the first clasp and the cut-out of the second clasp.
[0020] After the preliminary attachment of the bracket it is advantageous to fasten the
bracket permanently to the manifold by means of brazing.
[0021] In such a case, according to the present invention it is advantageous if the connecting
surface contacts the surface of the manifold, and the connecting surface and/or the
manifold are coated with a brazing agent.
[0022] During the furnace brazing said coating melts, providing a reliable and permanent
fastening of the bracket to the manifold.
[0023] The bracket according to the present invention is presented below by way of examples
of preferred embodiments with reference to figures of the drawing, in which:
Fig. 1 shows a fragment of a heat exchanger with manifold and the self-locking mounting
bracket according to the present invention, in axonometric view, prior to an attachment,
Fig. 2 shows a fragment of a heat exchanger with its manifold and the self-locking
mounting bracket according to the present invention mounted on it, in lateral view,
Fig. 3 shows the A-A section of Fig. 2,
Fig. 4 shows the B-B section of Fig. 2,
Fig. 5 shows another embodiment of the bracket according to the present invention,
applicable to a two-part partitioned manifold, in axonometric view, prior to attachment,
Fig. 6 shows the bracket from Fig. 5 after attachment to the manifold in a lateral
view, and
Fig. 7 shows yet another embodiment of the bracket according to the present invention,
applicable to pipeline having pentagonal cross-sections.
[0024] The embodiments shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 7 relate to a typical heat exchanger 1, having
a cooling core 2 fluidly connected with two manifolds 3.
[0025] The bracket 4 illustrated in Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 has the form of a single-unit profiled
element manufactured of an aluminium sheet by a pressing method. Within the profiled
element, the connecting surface 5 is shaped, from which two mounting surfaces 6 and
7 fork in two different directions. Each of the mounting surfaces has openings serving
as mounting places of the bracket 4 after its attachment to a bearing structure, which
is not shown in the drawings. Both the connecting surface 5 and the mounting surfaces
6 and 7 comprise corrugations 8 which increase the crosswise rigidity of the bracket.
[0026] The connecting surface 5 develops, from its bottom side, to the first mounting clasp
9, and from its top side ― to the second mounting clasp 10. The shapes of mounting
clasps 9 and 10 correspond to the round cross-section of the manifold 3, wherein the
angular spacing of clasps is greater than 180°, so that they engage around the manifold
3, behind its central axis.
[0027] The first mounting clasps 9 has two cut-outs 91 (drawing Fig. 3) parallel and symmetrical
to the manifold 3 axis, wherein the second mounting clasp 10 has two cut-outs 101
(drawing Fig. 4), perpendicular and symmetrical to the manifold 3 axis.
[0028] The manifold 3 has on its both sides a number of pairs of mounting projections 31,
disposed within equal distances along the length of the manifold. Integral multiple
of the distance h between two neighbouring mounting projections is approximately equal
to the distance H between the ends of the vertical cut-outs 91 in the first mounting
clasp 9 and the cut-outs 101 in the second mounting clasp 10 (n
·h ≅ H). That enables attaching the bracket to the manifold at a number of locations
along the manifold 3 length. The mounting projections 31 are shaped here as convex
beads on the manifold 3 wall, made by means of chiselling the manifold 3 at certain
points along its surface. In the presented embodiment, the total height H includes
five mounting beads 31 located within equal distances h from one another.
[0029] Attaching the bracket 4 to the manifold 3 is relatively simple. Firstly, having the
bracket 4 tilted back at some angle to the manifold axis one should slide the cut-outs
91 of the firsts mounting clasp 9 onto one pair of the mounting projections 31. Then,
having the one end of the bracket attached, one should swivel the bracket towards
the manifold 3 and drive the cut-outs of the second clasp 10 till the clasp latches
on around the manifold 3. The cut-outs 101 secure the bracket against displacement
along the manifold axis, whereas the cut-outs 91 secure the bracket against rotation
and detachment.
[0030] Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 present another embodiment of the bracket according to the present
invention. The bracket components that correspond to the ones from Fig. 1 to Fig.
4 are marked by the same reference numerals.
[0031] The bracket 4, as shown in Fig. 5, has only one mounting surface 6, which is used
for mounting a fan shroud (not shown in the drawing).
[0032] In this case, the manifold 3 is manufactured as a two-part unit, composed of two
semicircular plates 32 and 33, whereas the mounting projections have a form of cylindrical
rods 31'.
[0033] The shape of the mounting clasps 9 and 10 substantially reflect round cross-section
of the manifold 3, however its angular spacing is less than 180°, so the clasp ends
reach the protruding joint 34 between the plates 32 and 33 of the manifold 3.
[0034] The first mounting clasp 9 comprises a pair of cut-outs 91 parallel to the manifold
3 axis, whereas the second clasp 10 has two cut-outs 101' which turn upwardly at their
ends, thus creating a snap fastener 102.
[0035] Attaching the bracket 4 to the manifold 3 consists of sliding the cut-outs 91 of
the first mounting clasp 9 onto one pair of fixing rods 31'; swivelling the bracket
towards the manifold 3; sliding the cut-outs 101' onto the corresponding pair of fixing
rods 31' and finally lowering the bracket in order to lock the second mounting clasp
10 onto the manifold 3.
[0036] For both embodiments described above, the connecting surface 5 contacts the manifold
surface and is coated from its inner side by a brazing agent, which during furnace
brazing of the heat exchanger melts, providing a reliable and permanent fastening
of the bracket 4 to the manifold 3. The above approach enables the manufacturing of
a heat exchanger in a one-shot brazing process. After assembling of all the heat exchanger
components, such as tubes, cooling fins, manifolds and side supports together and
attaching necessary brackets to the exchanger, the exchanger is placed into a furnace,
where it undergoes the one-shot brazing process.
[0037] Fig. 7 presents one more embodiment of the bracket according to the present invention.
In this case the bracket was designed to be attached to the pipeline 3" having a pentagonal
cross-section. As shown, despite the fact that the angular spacing of the second clasp
is less than 180°, and the bracket does not engage behind the pipeline 3" central
axis, the appropriate snapping latch arises exclusively by virtue of matching the
clasp 10 with the arterial pipeline 3" shape.
[0038] The application of clasps with cut-outs secures the bracket against displacement
and rotation. The bracket can easily be attached and detached before brazing. Moreover,
no additional supporting facilities are necessary for brazing, which significantly
reduces the working time and decreases the number of additional components required
for assembling the heat exchanger, hence enabling manufacturing of the heat exchanger
by means of the one-shot brazing operation.
1. Self-locking mounting bracket for fastening on a pipeline, in particular on a heat
exchanger manifold, characterised in that it comprises at least two mounting clasps (9, 10) linked by connecting surface (5)
and having a shape at least partially reflecting the manifold (3) cross-section, and
at least one assembling surface (6, 7), wherein the first mounting clasp (9) comprises
at least one cut-out (91) substantially parallel to the manifold (3) axis and the
second mounting clasp (10) is capable of snapping on the manifold (3) and comprises
at least one cut-out (101) substantially perpendicular to the manifold (3) axis and
wherein the manifold (3) comprises mounting projections (31, 31') for the cut-outs
in the first and the second clasp (9, 10).
2. A bracket as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that it has a form of an integral shape made by a pressing method.
3. A bracket as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the integral multiple of the distance (h) between neighbouring mounting projections
(31, 31') of the manifold (3) is substantially equal to the distance (H) between the
end of the parallel cut-out (91) in the first mounting clasp (9) and the end of the
cut-out (101) in the second mounting clasp (10).
4. A bracket as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that mounting projections (31) have a form of convex beads on the manifold (3) surface.
5. A bracket as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that angular spacing of the second mounting clasp (10) is greater than 180°.
6. A bracket as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the second mounting clasp (10) ends with mounting tongues (103) embracing the manifold
(3) cross-section.
7. A bracket as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the cut-out (101') substantially perpendicular to the manifold (3) axis, turns upwardly
creating a snap fastener (102).
8. A bracket as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the connecting surface (5) comprises corrugations (8) substantially perpendicular
to the bracket (4) axis.
9. A bracket as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that it is permanently fastened to the manifold (3) by means of brazing.
10. A bracket as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that the connecting surface (5) contacts the surface of the manifold (3) and the connecting
surface (5) and/or the manifold (3) is coated with a brazing agent.