Heat exchanger element

Abstract

A heat exchanger assembly formed from primary structure comprising core ( 10 ) comprising a multiplicity of primary fluid sections ( 15 ) and a plurality of secondary fluid sections ( 20 ) wherein a respective primary fluid section ( 15 ) is located adjacent to a respective secondary fluid section ( 20 ) with each primary fluid section ( 15 ) being substantially parallel to each secondary fluid section ( 20 ) characterized in that each primary fluid section ( 15 ) is bounded by a peripheral wall ( 12 ) and that each secondary fluid section ( 20 ) include a first array of fins ( 18 ) extending away from the peripheral wall ( 12 ) of one adjoining primary fluid section ( 15 ) and a second array of fins ( 19 ) extending away from the peripheral wall ( 12 ) of another adjoining primary fluid section ( 15 ) wherein an individual first fin may extend between each adjacent second fin in interleaved relationship wherein the surface area of each secondary fluid section is substantially greater than the surface area of each primary fluid section.

1 . A heat exchanger assembly formed from primary structure comprising 
 a core comprising a multiplicity of primary fluid sections and a plurality of secondary fluid sections wherein a respective primary fluid section is located adjacent to a respective secondary fluid section with each primary fluid section being substantially parallel to each secondary fluid section characterised in that each primary fluid section is bounded by a peripheral wall and that each secondary fluid section include a first array of fins extending away from the peripheral wall of one adjoining primary fluid section and a second array of fins extending away from the peripheral wall of another adjoining fluid section wherein an individual first fin may extend between each adjacent second fin in interleaved relationship wherein the surface area of each secondary fluid section is substantially greater than the surface area of each primary fluid section.    
     
     
         2 . A heat exchanger assembly as claimed in    claim 1    wherein each primary fluid section is provided with one or more webs extending from opposed faces of the peripheral wall.  
     
     
         3 . A heat exchanger assembly as claimed in    claim 1    wherein the first array of fins each has a free end or tip spaced from an adjacent surface of the peripheral wall of said another adjoining fluid section.  
     
     
         4 . A heat exchanger assembly as claimed in    claim 1    wherein the second array of fins each has a free End or tip spaced from an adjacent surface of the peripheral wall of said one adjoining fluid section.  
     
     
         5 . A heat exchanger assembly as claimed in    claim 1    wherein the core comprises a plurality of modules wherein each module includes said peripheral wall and said first array of fins and said second array of fins.  
     
     
         6 . A heat exchanger assembly as claimed in    claim 5    wherein the peripheral wall of each module is substantially rectangular.  
     
     
         7 . A heat exchanger assembly as claimed in    claim 1    provided with manifolding means adapted to supply primary and secondary fluids to the respective primary fluid section and secondary fluid section wherein entry and exit of primary fluid and secondary fluid from the core occurs at right angles to each other.  
     
     
         8 . A heat exchanger assembly as claimed in    claim 7    wherein said manifolding means includes an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold which enable primary fluid to communicate with the primary fluid sections and secondary fluid to communicate with the secondary fluid sections.  
     
     
         9 . A heat exchanger assembly as claimed in    claim 7    wherein separate primary fluid manifolds and secondary fluid manifolds are utilised at inlet and outlet.  
     
     
         10 . A heat exchanger assembly as claimed in    claim 1    wherein the secondary fluid sections at each end of the core are blocked or closed while primary flow sections are open providing primary fluid access slows to facilitate entry into and exit from the core of primary fluid.  
     
     
         11 . A heat exchanger assembly as claimed in    claim 10    wherein secondary fluid access slots are located in the core in a side, top or bottom of the core to facilitate entry into and exit of secondary fluid from the core.  
     
     
         12 . A heat exchanger assembly as claimed in    claim 11    wherein secondary fluid access slots are provided in a side of the core adjacent each end.  
     
     
         13 . A heat exchanger assembly as claimed in    claim 5    wherein each module has connection means integral therewith to enable adjacent modules to be connected to each other.  
     
     
         14 . A heat exchanger assembly as claimed in    claim 1    wherein the surface area of secondary flow sections are at least seven times the surface area of each primary fluid section.