Caterpillar Inc.
Tube-to-header slip joint for air-to-air aftercooler

Abstract:

An air-to-air aftercooler (ATAAC) configured to cool compressed air from an air compressor is disclosed. The ATAAC may comprise a header at a cold end, and a plurality of core tubes. Each of the core tubes may have a first end and a second end. The ATAAC may further comprise a plurality of grommets each connecting the second end of one of the core tubes to a slot of the header. Each of the grommets may include an inner surface contacting the core tube and an outer surface contacting the slot of the header. The inner surface of the grommet may include radially-inwardly projecting regions contacting the core tube, and depressed regions providing clearance between the grommet and the core tube.